In a flat with pets, choose the format according to the surfaces you need to clean and how often you’ll use it: a cylinder vacuum for a thorough clean of carpets and upholstery, a stick vacuum for quick clean-ups, or a robot vacuum to maintain accessible floors regularly. A handheld vacuum can complement your main appliance for the sofa. For each model, check that the accessories are suitable, then consider battery life if it’s cordless and how easy it is to repair before you buy.
If you often vacuum visible pet hair around beds and on floors, an appliance that’s easy to take out and put away is especially useful. With a cordless stick vacuum, also check the battery life in the mode you’ll use and how easily you can access the brush roll for cleaning.
If pet hair clings to carpets, the sofa or cushions, look at the floor head and the upholstery tools included. Check that any mini brush you buy separately is compatible with the exact model of vacuum cleaner.
If repairability matters to you, compare the repairability index of the relevant new models in France, then check the availability of the brushes, filters and batteries you may need. The index tells you about repairability, not how well a vacuum picks up pet hair.
When choosing a vacuum cleaner for a flat with pets, start with your main need: a thorough clean, quick clean-ups or keeping floors tidy between deeper cleans. Consider the repairability of the specific model too, whatever its format.
Consider it: as your main appliance when floors, carpets and upholstery need a thorough clean.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to store and move a corded appliance, and replace the bags if the model uses them.
Consider it: for quickly picking up visible pet hair during short, frequent clean-ups.
Bear in mind: check the battery life at the power setting you need, especially if you also want to use the stick vacuum for a full clean.
Consider it: for scheduling regular cleaning on floors it can move around on.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to clean the dustbin and brush, and it won’t clean the sofa or higher surfaces.
Consider it: as an extra for cushions, seats and other upholstery that’s hard to reach with your main appliance.
Bear in mind: it won’t replace a vacuum cleaner designed to maintain the floors in your flat.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent clean-ups and storage | How easy it is to store and the battery life at the setting you’ll actually use on a cordless stick vacuum. | When pet hair quickly reappears in the living areas, I want to be able to grab the vacuum for a few minutes without any preparation. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise these quick clean-ups. |
| Pet hair on carpets and upholstery | A head suited to carpets and an included or compatible upholstery mini brush; easy access to the brush roll for cleaning. | If pet hair gets caught in the carpet or sofa, I first look for tools designed for those surfaces. A thorough clean would be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Automated floor maintenance | Whether it can move around your home, documented results on your floor coverings and how to maintain the dustbin. | Between manual cleans, I’d like accessible floors to be maintained regularly. Around 20% of consumers would put this automation first. |
| Repairability and maintenance | The repairability index for the relevant new model in France and the availability of any required parts, filters, brushes or batteries. | If a battery or brush wears out, I want to check whether it can be replaced before changing the whole appliance. Around 20% of consumers would make long-term use their main priority. |
Motor wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean your surfaces. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering suction power and the design of the floor head.
Compare the heads and accessories included for your floors, carpets and upholstery before relying on the advertised wattage.
A mini brush won’t necessarily fit every vacuum cleaner from the same brand. Rowenta, for example, lists the models compatible with its brush.
Check the exact model number of both the vacuum cleaner and the accessory before ordering.
If the accessory isn’t compatible, you may need to find another tool to clean the upholstery you had in mind.
With a cordless stick vacuum, the advertised maximum battery life may not be achievable at a high power setting. UFC-Que Choisir also identifies the battery as a frequent point of failure with this type of appliance.
Check the battery life in the mode you’ll use on your surfaces, the charging time and how the battery can be replaced.
A bagged model needs new bags, while dustbins, filters and brushes also need looking after according to the model. Pet hair wrapped around a brush can mean extra regular cleaning.
Before you buy, check how easy it is to access the dustbin and brush roll, and whether the necessary consumables and parts are available.
These ranges showcase different formats and accessories worth considering. Contents and specifications vary by model.
The ProAnimal range includes cordless, bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners, designed in particular for homes with pets.
The Guard M1 Cat & Dog Flex is an example of a corded, bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner for floors, carpets and hard-to-reach areas.
The brand offers cordless stick vacuums for homes with pets and highlights features designed to prevent hair from tangling.
Rowenta’s turbo mini brush is designed for use on household upholstery and seats, among other surfaces.
This selection includes cordless stick vacuums for frequent clean-ups and a robot vacuum for scheduled floor maintenance. If carpets or upholstery make up a significant part of your home, check the tools supplied with your chosen stick vacuum. For the robot, plan another way to clean surfaces it can’t reach.
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A format to consider for regularly removing visible pet hair from floors. Check that the accessories suit your carpets and upholstery.
The product description states that it has an anti-tangle brush and offers up to 45 minutes of battery life. Check the battery life in the mode you want to use, as well as the repairability index and options for replacing the battery.
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This freestanding stick vacuum is designed for quick clean-ups on floors. To tackle pet hair on upholstery, check which tools come with this model.
The product name states that it has an anti-tangle brush and offers up to 65 minutes of battery life. This figure is given for standard mode: check the battery life for your intended use, then look into the model’s repairability and battery replacement options.
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Its freestanding design may suit frequent clean-ups. If you also clean the sofa, check which upholstery tools are included.
The product name states that it has a removable battery and offers up to 60 minutes of battery life. Check the battery life in your chosen mode, the UV1’s repairability index and whether a replacement battery is available.
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Worth considering for regular cleaning of hard floors. If you also vacuum upholstery, check separately that you have the necessary tools.
The product name states that it has an anti-tangle brush, a wall-mounted charging dock and offers up to 80 minutes of battery life. Check that you have room for the dock, exactly what’s included in the kit, the battery life in the mode you’ll use and the A05’s repairability information.
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This robot is designed for scheduled cleaning of floors it can move around on. You’ll need another appliance for the sofa and higher surfaces.
The product name states that it has LiDAR navigation, an anti-tangle system and a mopping function. Check how it performs on your floor coverings, how much room the dock needs, how to maintain the brush and the Q7 L5+’s repairability.
Not necessarily. A robot can clean accessible floors regularly, but it won’t clean the sofa or higher surfaces. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results vary depending on the type of floor, so check your floor coverings and plan an additional way to clean areas it can’t reach.
Yes, for the relevant new vacuum cleaners. The DGCCRF states that corded, cordless and robot formats are covered by the repairability index. Check the rating for the specific model before you buy; it doesn’t tell you how well the vacuum picks up pet hair.
No. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the index tells you how easy or difficult a product is to repair. To assess cleaning performance, look separately at the heads and accessories suited to your floors, carpets and upholstery.
A vacuum cleaner may be eligible for the repair bonus, subject to certain conditions. The French Ministry of the Economy specifies, in particular, that the repair must be for a product no longer covered by a warranty. Check that both the appliance and repairer are eligible before arranging the repair.