For your main household clean, covering floors, carpets and upholstery, a canister vacuum is the first type to consider. Que Choisir describes it as suitable for thorough cleaning, while a cordless stick vacuum offers greater freedom of movement but may be limited by its battery life. When choosing between a bagged canister, a bagless canister and a stick vacuum, focus on the brushes supplied, how long your cleaning sessions take and how much maintenance you’re prepared to do. A robot vacuum can help keep floors clean, but it won’t replace cleaning furniture and awkward corners.
You move from hard floors to carpets, then tackle skirting boards and other rooms. For your main vacuum, Que Choisir recommends considering canister models, while checking that the brushes are suitable for your surfaces.
Sofas, cushions, stairs and awkward corners call for the right tools. Check whether a fabric nozzle, crevice tool or dedicated brush is included and compatible with the surfaces you need to clean.
If you want to get your vacuum out and put it away quickly for frequent cleaning, a cordless stick vacuum is worth considering. However, Que Choisir highlights the importance of checking its battery life and performance against the length of your cleaning sessions and the carpets you need to clean.
When choosing a vacuum for your main household clean, start with the surfaces you need to clean and how long a typical session takes. Then consider the type of vacuum and its trade-offs in terms of manoeuvrability, accessories and maintenance.
Consider it: for regular cleaning across several rooms, particularly if you want a mains-powered appliance and are happy to use compatible bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move and store the appliance, and replace the bags.
Consider it: if you’d prefer a mains-powered vacuum without bags to replace for your main household clean.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters. The brushes supplied vary by model.
Consider it: if freedom of movement and frequent cleaning are priorities for you.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir notes that stick vacuums can have limited battery life and suction power. Check these carefully if you have a long cleaning session or demanding carpets.
Consider it: to keep floors clean between manual vacuuming sessions.
Limitation: its autonomous operation won’t cover the furniture, upholstery and awkward corners included in the cleaning routine described here.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage around the home | Whether the brushes suit your floors and carpets; the reach of a canister vacuum or the stick vacuum’s battery life in the mode you use. | When I clean several rooms in one go, I want to finish the floors without having to stop repeatedly. Around 29% of consumers rank this ability to clean the whole home as their top need. |
| Manoeuvrability and storage | Weight in the configuration you’ll use, access beneath furniture and the space needed to store or charge the appliance. | If I vacuum small areas frequently, I want to be able to get the appliance out, move it around and put it away easily. This convenience is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Carpets, upholstery and awkward corners | Whether brushes for carpets or upholstery and a crevice tool are included and compatible with the exact model. | With carpets, cushions or pet hair to tackle, I want to clean these surfaces as well as the floors. For around 29% of consumers, the right tools are their main need. |
| Maintenance and lifespan | Availability of the required bags or filters, dust-container maintenance and how easy it is to get replacement parts or a replacement battery. | If I plan to keep the appliance for a long time, I want to know how to maintain it and which parts can be replaced. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this. |
A quoted run time in Eco mode won’t necessarily reflect a session using a motorised brush or a higher power setting. For example, Dyson quotes up to 60 minutes for the V11 in Eco mode.
Compare the run times for the mode and brush you’ll need for your carpets, then check the conditions for replacing the battery.
Depending on how you use your vacuum and what the model allows, you may need to buy an additional or replacement battery.
An attachment designed for floors won’t necessarily be suitable for cushions, pet hair or crevices. For example, the Electrolux 300 EL31C1LDB product details state that it doesn’t come with a turbo brush.
Make a note of the surfaces you need to clean, then check which accessories are actually included and whether they’re compatible with the model you’re considering.
You may need to buy tools for upholstery, wooden floors or pet hair separately.
Emptying the dust container and maintaining the filters are still part of owning a bagless vacuum. For its cordless vacuums where applicable, Dyson recommends washing the filter monthly; the process varies by model.
Check the manual for instructions on emptying the dust container, cleaning the filters and replacing parts.
A manufacturer’s statement about parts availability, a commercial guarantee and the statutory guarantee of conformity are subject to different terms. A repairability promise may also exclude batteries, accessories or consumables.
Check the terms that apply to the model, and distinguish the manufacturer’s commitments from your rights against the seller if the product is not as described or is faulty.
You may have to pay for a repair outside the guarantee, even if the required part is available.
The brand’s bagged canister vacuums include models designed for different floor types and accessory needs.
Some of Bosch’s bagged canister vacuums specify their capacity, operating radius or the small accessories supplied.
Rowenta’s canister and stick vacuums may be worth considering if access to accessories and parts matters to you.
Dyson cordless stick vacuums let you weigh up the balance between mobility, quoted battery life and filter maintenance.
Electrolux bagless canister vacuums let you compare dust-container capacity, operating radius and accessories across different models.
These models cover the types of vacuum to consider for cleaning around the home: bagged and bagless canister vacuums, and cordless stick vacuums. For each one, compare the listed accessories and usage details with your floors, upholstery and cleaning routine.
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Worth considering for your main clean across several floor types if you prefer a mains-powered canister vacuum. Check that the brushes supplied are suitable for your carpets and delicate floors, and that compatible bags are available.
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Consider this if you want a canister vacuum for your main clean without bags to replace. The rated power of 900 W alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean your carpets. Check which brushes are supplied, and remember to empty the dust container and maintain the filters.
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Worth considering if moving freely between floors, furniture and awkward corners matters more to you than continuous mains-powered operation. The quoted run time is up to 65 minutes in Standard mode; check the battery life in the mode you’ll need for your carpets. The product title lists a suction value of 60.000 Pa, but this alone doesn’t indicate how well it will perform on your surfaces.
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Worth comparing if you switch between hard floors, carpets and cleaning without a cable. The product name quotes 65 kPa and up to 70 minutes of battery life. Check which mode this run time applies to and which accessories are supplied for pet hair and upholstery.
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Worth considering if you often move around and need to reach awkward areas, with a stick vacuum that can also be used as a handheld. The quoted run time of up to 55 minutes applies to bare-floor mode; check the run time in carpet mode and which accessories are designed for upholstery.
It can be your main vacuum if its battery life in the mode you use, brushes and accessories are suitable for your cleaning sessions and surfaces. However, Que Choisir points out that stick vacuums often have limited battery life and suction power. Pay particular attention to this trade-off if you have a large home or demanding carpets.
Look for a crevice tool for narrow gaps and an attachment suited to upholstery or carpets, depending on your needs. Check that they’re included and compatible with the exact model; an accessory sold separately won’t necessarily come in the box.
Yes. You’ll still need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters according to the model’s manual. For example, Dyson recommends washing the filter monthly for the cordless vacuums concerned; don’t assume the same frequency applies to all filters.
You may be able to claim under the statutory guarantee of conformity by contacting the retailer if the product is not as described or is faulty. The French Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to take action. This is separate from any commercial guarantee offered, and you should describe the fault clearly to the retailer.