Mixed flooring and carpets
You move between tiles or wooden floors and a rug or carpet. The floor head should suit each surface. If you have delicate hard flooring, pay particular attention to the brush design.
Who is this option for?
Frequent quick cleans
You want an appliance that’s quick to get out and put away for cleaning a room, under furniture or around a rug. Manoeuvrability matters, as does battery life in the mode you plan to use.
Automated floor cleaning
You want to leave regular floor cleaning to a robot. You’ll still need to check whether it can handle rugs, thresholds and corners, and work out how you’ll clean furniture and hard-to-reach areas.
Which features should you prioritise?
First, choose a style that suits your cleaning routine, then check the brushes and accessories included with the version on sale. The format alone doesn’t guarantee that it will cover all your surfaces.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider it: for full cleaning sessions with a mains-powered appliance, provided its brushes suit your floors and carpets.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move the main unit and hose, and replace the compatible bags.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider it: if you’d rather empty a reusable dust container but still want a mains-powered cylinder vacuum.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the container and maintain the filters according to the model’s instructions.
Cordless stick vacuum
Consider it: for frequent quick cleans and an appliance that’s easy to move between rooms or use with accessories.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to manage charging and check that the battery life suits the length of your cleaning sessions.
Robot vacuum
Consider it: to automate cleaning on accessible floors.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to check for obstacles and keep another way to clean sofas, stairs and hard-to-reach areas.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Hard floors and carpets | A floor head that can be adjusted for different surfaces; a soft brush if you have delicate hard flooring. | If I often move between wooden or tiled floors and a rug, I want a head suited to each without risking scratches on my hard flooring. Around 30% of consumers would make this versatility a priority. |
| Ease of use and battery life | The weight in the configuration you’ll use and, for a stick vacuum, battery life in the mode you plan to use. | If I often clean in short bursts, I want to be able to grab and move the appliance without disrupting my routine. Around 20% of consumers would say this convenience is their main need. |
| Automated cleaning | How it handles rugs, thresholds and obstacles, and how to maintain the dust container or docking station. | I want to leave regular floor cleaning to a robot, as long as it can get around my home. Around 20% of consumers would make this automation their priority. |
| Upholstery and awkward corners | A tool suited to upholstery and a crevice tool for narrow gaps, either included or compatible with the model. | If I often vacuum the sofa, skirting boards and narrow spaces, I need tools that can reach those areas, not just a floor head. Around 20% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Maintenance and repairability | Consumable part numbers, how to clean the dust container or filters, and the model’s repairability rating. | Before choosing, I want to know which parts and consumables will need regular attention. Around 10% of consumers would prioritise this. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing based on a single power figure
The stated power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean a carpet or wooden floor. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights the importance of the floor head’s design.
Check which brush is included and look for reviews that cover the flooring in your home.
-
Expecting a robot to do the job of a manual vacuum
UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocols assess carpet and hard-floor cleaning, as well as edges and corners, separately. A robot designed for floors won’t clean sofas or hard-to-reach areas.
Check for thresholds and obstacles, and plan to use a manual appliance or accessory if furniture, stairs and awkward corners need regular cleaning.
You’ll also need space to store this extra appliance, and time to use it.
-
Assuming all accessories are included
A mini upholstery brush or long crevice tool may be supplied with a particular model, but not with every configuration.
Compare the exact contents of the version on sale with the jobs you usually tackle: rugs, sofas, skirting boards and narrow gaps.
A compatible accessory may need to be bought separately.
-
Forgetting about maintenance after you buy
Bags, filters, brush rolls and batteries all need different levels of care, depending on the type of vacuum. In France, ADEME says that mains-powered, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners are among the appliances covered by the repairability rating scheme.
Check the rating for the model you’re considering and find out which consumables and compatible parts it needs before making your decision.
Brands to consider
These brands offer examples of different formats and accessories to look at. The equipment mentioned depends on the model and its specific version.
Miele
Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum and want to choose brushes to suit your floors.
- Miele offers combination brushes that can be adjusted for carpets and hard floors, as well as dedicated floor heads on some models.
- Don’t assume that a parquet brush or turbo brush listed for one model will also be included with another.
Rowenta
A brand to explore if you want to compare cylinder vacuums, cordless stick vacuums, robots and accessories to suit your routine.
- Rowenta lists accessories designed for upholstery and tools for some of its stick vacuums.
- Check the version you’re considering for included tools, compatibility and the features that matter to you.
Dyson
Worth considering if a cordless stick vacuum and accessories for edges or narrow spaces suit your needs.
- Dyson offers accessories and replacement parts. Its long crevice tool for the V16 Piston Animal is described as suitable for corners and narrow spaces.
- This intended use doesn’t guarantee compatibility with another model or mean the tool is included in the box.
Roborock
A robot vacuum brand to explore if you want to automate some of your floor cleaning.
- Roborock’s documentation describes cleaning tasks that can be carried out without a Wi-Fi connection on a particular model.
- For the specific model you’re considering, check its features and how it performs on your carpets, along edges and in corners.
Vacuum cleaners for different needs
These models offer three ways to clean a home with a mix of surfaces: grab a cordless stick vacuum for regular quick cleans, use a bagged cylinder vacuum for full cleaning sessions, or automate floor cleaning with a robot. Check the brushes and accessories included with each version to make sure they suit your carpets, furniture and awkward corners.
Image unavailable
Lubluelu 202 cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Worth a look if you want to grab a stick vacuum for frequent cleans on hard floors. The product description lists a removable battery and a stated run time of 50 minutes. Check how long it lasts in the mode you’ll use, particularly on carpets.
Image unavailable
Monsga ME03 cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Worth considering if you alternate between cleaning floors and giving furniture the occasional vacuum. The product description lists handheld use, a charging dock, 55 kPa, 550 W and a run time of 55 minutes. These figures alone don’t tell you how it will perform on carpets. Also check the weight of the complete appliance and which accessories come with the version on sale.
Image unavailable
MONSGA X UNINELLHOME UV5 cordless stick vacuum cleaner
Worth a look if you want a cordless stick vacuum for regular cleaning and have carpets to consider. The product description lists an anti-tangle brush, 60,000 Pa and up to 65 minutes of battery life. Check the run time in the modes you’ll use and make sure the floor head is suitable for any delicate hard flooring.
Image unavailable
Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
Worth considering for full cleaning sessions if you’re happy with a mains-powered appliance and moving a cylinder vacuum around. Check which brushes are included for your floors and carpets, then find out which bags are compatible. For sofas and narrow gaps, check the accessories supplied too.
Image unavailable
Eureka E20 Plus robot vacuum cleaner
Worth considering for automated cleaning on accessible floors, as long as you have another way to clean furniture and hard-to-reach areas. The product description lists an auto-empty station, 3D obstacle avoidance, 8,000 Pa and a run time of 180 minutes. Check separately how it handles your carpets, room edges and corners.
Frequently asked questions
Which brush should I choose for wooden floors and carpets?
Look for a combination brush that adjusts to suit different surfaces, or separate floor heads designed for your flooring. If you have delicate wooden floors, check whether a soft brush is included. If you have a lot of carpet, check compatibility and whether a turbo brush is included.
Can a cordless stick vacuum replace a cylinder vacuum throughout the home?
A cordless stick vacuum may suit you if its battery life in the mode you use, dust container and accessories cover your usual cleaning sessions. UFC-Que Choisir describes this format as handy for quick top-ups, while also noting possible limitations in battery life and power. So, check how it meets your needs on carpets before giving up a mains-powered vacuum.
Is a robot vacuum enough for carpets, corners and sofas?
A robot vacuum won’t replace a manual appliance for sofas or hard-to-reach areas. For carpets and corners, check reviews of the specific model: UFC-Que Choisir tests these separately, as performance on one surface doesn’t necessarily indicate how it will perform on another.
What is the repairability rating for, when choosing a vacuum cleaner?
The rating helps you assess how repairable a model is, alongside how well it suits your surfaces. In France, ADEME says that mains-powered, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners are among the appliances covered by the scheme. Compare the ratings for the models you’re considering and check which compatible parts and consumables they need.
Which accessories should I check for a sofa and skirting boards?
For a sofa, look for a mini brush designed for upholstery. For skirting boards and narrow gaps, check whether a long or flat crevice tool is included. Make sure it’s compatible with the exact model and included with the version on sale, as an accessory listed for a range may not come with every appliance.