For a thorough clean, start by choosing a vacuum cleaner with a floor head and accessories suited to your carpets, hard floors, furniture and awkward corners, rather than relying on the wattage alone. A bagged cylinder is a good choice if you want to contain dust more effectively when emptying it; a bagless model saves you from buying bags but means you’ll need to clean the dust container. If you like the manoeuvrability of a cordless stick vacuum, check its run time at the setting you’ll need for your floors before making it your main cleaner.
If you switch between hard floors, rugs and fitted carpets, look at how each vacuum performs on your flooring and which brushes are included. UFC-Que Choisir assesses suction on different floor types, using several kinds of dust and fibres.
For sofas, cushions, skirting boards and the space beneath furniture, check whether the vacuum comes with a crevice tool and an upholstery attachment, and whether it’s easy to manoeuvre in these areas.
If you plan to keep your vacuum cleaner for a long time, check the product codes for bags, filters and brushes before you buy. For a cordless stick vacuum, check the battery too. In France, the repairability index also provides information about spare parts for the vacuum cleaners it covers, according to the Ministry of the Economy.
To compare different types, start with the surfaces you need to clean, then consider access around furniture and how you want to empty the dust. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between bagged cylinders, bagless models and cordless stick vacuums. The latter are generally better suited to quick clean-ups, unless their run time and accessories genuinely cover all your cleaning needs. A wet-and-dry vacuum is designed for a different purpose, so check the manual to see which materials it can pick up.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Hard floors and carpets | The brush supplied and performance on each type of flooring in your home; check whether a turbo brush is included or compatible. | If my hard floors and carpets need different brushes, I want to be able to clean both without an unexpected extra purchase. Around 31% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Furniture and awkward corners | The crevice and upholstery tools actually supplied, as well as access beneath furniture. | To clean the sofa, skirting boards and hard-to-reach areas, I’m looking for a vacuum that’s easy to manoeuvre. This would be a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Dust and maintenance | How the dust is emptied, the product codes for consumables and the availability of compatible parts. | I’d rather know how to empty the dust and maintain the vacuum before choosing between a bag and a dust container. Around 23% of consumers would prioritise this aspect of day-to-day use. |
| Specific uses | The materials permitted in the manual, the filter required and the accessories suited to the task. | If I also need to deal with debris in a garage or wet dirt, this capability matters more than cleaning indoor furniture. It would be the main requirement for around 15% of consumers. |
The stated motor power doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will pick up dirt from carpets or hard floors. The floor head matters too, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Compare the brushes supplied and, where available, test results for the flooring in your home.
A brush shown among a brand’s compatible accessories won’t necessarily be in the box with the model you choose.
Check the contents for the exact product code, then make sure any additional parts you need for sofas, carpets or crevices are compatible.
An upholstery tool, mini brush or parquet brush may need to be bought separately.
The stated run time may be for the lowest power setting, while using the vacuum on carpets could reduce the time available. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this difference.
Check the run time for each setting, the charging time and whether the battery can be replaced on the exact model.
Bags, filters, brushes and batteries are maintained and replaced differently depending on the vacuum.
Note the model number and look for compatible parts. In France, also check the repairability index displayed for the vacuum cleaners it covers.
The Guard range includes bagged cylinder vacuums, with accessories varying by model.
The brand offers bagless cylinder vacuums, among other products, with accessories listed by product code.
Bosch offers both bagged cylinder vacuums and cordless stick vacuums, with different accessories for each.
Its bagged cylinder vacuums can come with several floor brushes, with parts and consumables listed by product code.
These models offer two ways to tackle cleaning different surfaces: three cordless stick vacuums to consider for their manoeuvrability and run time, followed by a bagged cylinder vacuum supplied with several floor brushes. For each one, check that the accessories you need for furniture and awkward corners are included before you choose.
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Worth considering if you want to move from floors to furniture and awkward corners using the accessories listed for this model.
The description mentions a brush for hard floors and carpets, a crevice tool, a 2-in-1 brush and a retractable flexible hose. The stated run time is 45 to 55 minutes in standard mode and 25 to 35 minutes in Max mode. Bear in mind the run time for the setting you’ll need.
Check the product codes for filters and replacement parts before buying.
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Consider this if converting it into a handheld vacuum would be useful for cleaning furniture, after checking which tools come with this variant.
The description lists three speeds, a 1.5 L dust container and a run time of 40 to 60 minutes in Eco mode, compared with 15 to 30 minutes in MAX mode. Check that the box includes a crevice tool and a 2-in-1 brush.
The battery is listed as built-in and not user-replaceable.
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Worth considering if reaching beneath furniture is a priority: the description mentions a folding tube and a brush designed for hard floors and carpets.
It lists three modes and a 1.5 L dust container. Before making it your main vacuum, check the run time at the setting suited to your floors, as well as which tools are provided for sofas and awkward corners.
Also check the product codes for filters and compatible parts.
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Consider this if you prefer a bagged cylinder vacuum and want to compare several brushes for your floors.
The description lists a 3.5 L bag, a 12 m operating radius, a multi-surface brush, a parquet brush and a turbo brush. Check which accessories are included for furniture and awkward corners, as well as how it performs on your carpets.
Look up the product codes for compatible bags and any parts needed for maintenance.
No. Motor power alone isn’t enough to tell you how well a vacuum will clean your floors and carpets. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of the floor head; also compare the brushes supplied and test results for the flooring you need to clean.
A bagged cylinder is a good choice if you want to contain dust more effectively when emptying the vacuum and don’t mind buying compatible bags. UFC-Que Choisir notes this advantage when emptying and finds that bagged models generally compare favourably with bagless ones for suction. A bagless model is still worth considering if you prefer to clean a dust container and its brushes are suited to your floors.
Look for an upholstery tool or mini brush for the sofa, and a crevice tool for gaps and skirting boards. For carpets, also check the floor brush or turbo brush, and make sure every accessory you need is included or compatible with the product code you’re buying.
Find the product codes for bags, filters and parts compatible with the exact model, then check that they’re available. In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that the repairability index for the vacuum cleaners it covers is scored out of 10 and takes account of factors including documentation, how easy the appliance is to dismantle and the availability of spare parts.