For quick clean-ups of crumbs or dust throughout the day, a cordless stick vacuum is a good choice if its runtime in the mode you need is long enough for your sessions. A cylinder vacuum is worth considering if you regularly clean a large area or carpets: the cord and storage are less convenient, but Que Choisir highlights this format for deep cleaning. Among cylinder vacuums, a bag means less contact with dust when emptying, while a bin avoids the cost of replacement bags but needs regular maintenance.
If you regularly pick up crumbs or visible dirt, an easy-to-grab cordless stick vacuum could suit you. Check that its runtime covers your usual cleaning sessions; Que Choisir particularly highlights how easy this format is to manoeuvre.
If these surfaces make up a large part of your home, look for suction test results for the specific model on them. Que Choisir assesses floors and fibres separately, so motor specifications alone don’t tell the whole story.
If you vacuum while other people are at home, compare the noise levels in the modes you’ll use. If emptying a bin puts you off, consider the collection system too: Que Choisir notes that a bag reduces contact with dust when emptying.
For frequent cleaning in a busy home, start by choosing a format that suits the length and size of your cleaning sessions. Then compare how the vacuums perform on your floors, followed by their noise levels and how you empty the dust.
Consider it: for short, frequent cleans when being able to get the vacuum out and put it away quickly matters most.
Bear in mind: the quoted runtime at low power may not reflect how long it will last on carpets or in a powerful mode, as Que Choisir points out.
Consider it: for covering a larger area or regularly deep-cleaning rugs and carpets, depending on the test results for the model you choose.
Bear in mind: the cord and generally less manoeuvrable design make quick clean-ups less straightforward than with a stick vacuum.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Manoeuvrability and storage | Weight in the configuration you’ll use, access under furniture and the space needed to store the vacuum. | When I clean small areas several times a day, I want to be able to get the vacuum out and put it away without effort. Around 31% of consumers make ease of use their top priority. |
| Performance on different floors | Test results on your surfaces, especially rugs, carpets and grooved parquet; check that the version you choose comes with the right brush. | With carpets or pet hair to remove, I’m mainly looking for a vacuum proven to work well on those surfaces. Around 25% of consumers share this priority. |
| Runtime and coverage | For a stick vacuum, runtime in the mode you’ll actually use and charging time; for a cylinder vacuum, the cord’s reach. | If I need to clean several rooms in one go, having to stop to recharge or change socket is more of a nuisance. Around 25% of consumers prioritise being able to finish in one session. |
| Noise and dust | Noise measured in comparable modes and the steps involved in emptying the bag or bin. | When other people are at home or emptying the vacuum stirs up dust, I want to minimise whichever of these is the bigger nuisance. For around 19% of consumers, noise or dust management comes first. |
A stick vacuum’s maximum runtime is usually quoted for a low-power mode. Que Choisir reports an average runtime of around ten minutes at maximum power for the stick vacuums it tested; this doesn’t predict how long any individual model will last.
Compare runtime in the mode you need for your floors, especially if your sessions involve more than a quick tidy-up.
These figures don’t tell you how much dust or fibre a vacuum will remove from your carpets or between the floorboards. The floorhead and floor type both affect the results.
Look at test results for different surfaces and check that the brush tested matches the one supplied with the version you’re buying.
A bagless vacuum saves you buying replacement bags, but the bin and other parts still need regular attention. Que Choisir notes that emptying a bin exposes you to more dust than removing a bag.
Choose between a bag and a bin based on how much dust you’re comfortable handling, the maintenance you’re happy to do and whether compatible bags are readily available.
On a cordless stick vacuum, a battery that’s difficult to replace can affect how long you can use the appliance. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition states that vacuum cleaners are among the products covered by the repairability index in France.
Check the index for the specific model, then check the reference numbers and stated availability of its battery, filters and other parts.
The X-Force Flex range includes cordless stick vacuums designed for cleaning where manoeuvrability and reaching under furniture matter.
The V15 Detect range may appeal to people who pay close attention to the brushes and accessories supplied with a cordless stick vacuum.
The Guard bagged cylinder range includes different versions to compare based on your floors, available storage space and preferred noise level.
The bagless cylinder range is worth considering if buying bags doesn’t suit your routine.
These models include a bagged cylinder vacuum and cordless stick vacuums for cleaning around the home. Compare their formats with the way you clean, then check the specific model’s usable runtime, performance on your floors and the accessories you’ll need.
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Worth a look if you prefer a bagged cylinder vacuum for regular cleaning sessions rather than a cordless stick vacuum.
Check how well it performs on your floors, how easy this model is to manoeuvre and whether compatible bags are available.
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One to consider for frequent cleaning without a cord, provided its usable runtime is long enough for your sessions.
The product title lists a 55-minute runtime, an anti-tangle brush and a charging station; check the runtime in the mode you’ll use on your floors.
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Worth considering if you want to handle the bin less often after frequent, short clean-ups.
The product title lists freestanding storage and a charging station with auto-emptying. Check the station’s maintenance needs as well as the runtime in the mode you need for your floors.
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Worth a look if you want a stick vacuum that can stand upright between cleaning sessions.
The product title lists an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 minutes’ runtime. This maximum figure doesn’t tell you how long it will last on carpets or in a powerful mode; compare its performance on the surfaces you clean.
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Worth considering for frequent cleaning without a cord if its format and runtime suit your home.
The product title mentions a freestanding design, an anti-tangle brush and a wall-mounted charging station. The quoted runtimes vary across the product information, so check which one applies to the version and mode you want.
Compare how long they last in the mode you need for your floors, not just their quoted maximum runtime. Que Choisir reports that the stick vacuums it tested lasted around ten minutes on average at maximum power; check the figures for each model if you clean carpets or a large area.
Yes. Removing a bag generally avoids having to empty a bin full of dust. Que Choisir highlights this difference between bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums; check how the bag seals, though, and which replacement bags fit the model you’re considering.
Look for separate results on rugs or carpets and on fibres designed to mimic pet hair, using the brush supplied with the model for sale. Que Choisir’s test protocols assess different floor types and types of dirt separately; good performance on hard floors doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will work on carpets.
For a new vacuum cleaner bought from a professional seller in France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies for two years. A commercial warranty is optional and is in addition to your legal rights: read its terms and separately check whether spare parts are available, particularly the battery for a cordless stick vacuum.
A broken electric vacuum cleaner should go to a collection point for electrical equipment rather than in your household rubbish. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition provides information about this scheme; you could also consider having the appliance repaired or donating it if it still works. For dust you’ve already vacuumed up, ADEME advises putting it in your household rubbish.