For regular cleaning in a large home, a cylinder vacuum is a good place to start: Que Choisir describes it as particularly well suited to larger areas. Choose between a bagged and a bagless model according to how you prefer to handle dust and maintain the appliance. A cordless stick vacuum can complement your cylinder vacuum for quick clean-ups, provided you check its runtime in the mode you plan to use.
You move between floors, furniture and soft furnishings across several rooms. Reach and attachments matter just as much as ease of manoeuvring. Que Choisir describes cylinder vacuums as particularly well suited to larger areas.
You want to consider how the bag is removed or the dust container emptied, as well as which filters are compatible. Rowenta describes an automatic closure for a specific bag reference; check that this feature is available with the consumable suited to your model.
You want to tackle living areas or stairs between full cleans. A cordless stick vacuum can offer the manoeuvrability you need, but its runtime should be assessed under the conditions in which you plan to use it.
Start with the floors and soft furnishings you need to clean, then compare dust handling, maintenance and whether a secondary stick vacuum would be useful.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and reach | The model’s results and brush performance on each floor covering in your home; its operating radius and manoeuvrability between rooms. | When hard floors and carpets are spread across several rooms, I want to clean each surface without assuming that good results on one mean equally good results on another. Around 36% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Dust and filtration | References for compatible bags and filters; how the bag closes or the dust container is emptied. | If handling dust is a concern, I look at what happens when the bag is removed or the container emptied. Around 29% of consumers would put this first. |
| Maintenance | Whether filters need replacing or cleaning; availability of bags, brushes and parts for the exact model. | For a vacuum that gets regular use, I want to be able to maintain the parts that wear out without having to search for uncertain references. Around 21% of consumers would make maintenance their top priority. |
| Quick clean-ups | How heavy the stick vacuum feels in your hand and its runtime with the intended mode and brush. | Between full cleans, I’d like to be able to quickly grab a vacuum for the stairs or a living area. Manoeuvrability would be the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Results can vary depending on the floor covering. In its test of a bagless Rowenta model, Que Choisir found good results on certain surfaces and fibres, but weaker performance in the gaps between parquet floorboards. This result does not describe other models.
Compare tests of the exact model on the surfaces that matter most to you, and check which brush was used.
A dust container needs emptying and its filters need maintaining; a bagged cylinder vacuum needs compatible consumables.
Check which references are suitable for the appliance and read the cleaning or replacement instructions before choosing.
Dyson says that the runtime of its stick vacuums varies depending on factors including the mode, floor and accessories. So the maximum runtime quoted may not reflect how long you can clean carpets for.
Assess the usable runtime with the mode and brush you’ll need, to decide whether the stick vacuum can do the job you have in mind.
Filters, brushes and other accessories are not interchangeable across every vacuum from the same brand.
Search for references that match the exact model, especially for parts you’ll need to maintain or replace.
Worth comparing if you’re looking at bagged cylinder vacuums and want to check which consumables and soft-furnishing attachments are available.
A brand to consider for bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, and consumables specific to each model.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a cordless stick vacuum for quick clean-ups between full cleans.
This selection includes two bagged cylinder vacuums to consider for your main cleaning, and three cordless stick vacuums to look at for quick clean-ups in between. Check which brushes are included and how the models perform on the types of flooring in your home before deciding.
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Consider it as your main vacuum if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder model for several rooms. Check that its reach, included brushes and attachments for sofas or bedding suit your needs.
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Worth considering for your main cleaning if a bagged model suits you. The 550 W figure appears in the product name, but it doesn’t tell you how the vacuum will perform on rugs or carpets; check which soft-furnishing attachments are included too.
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Worth considering for quick clean-ups, especially if you’re looking for a stick vacuum with an anti-tangle brush. The product name states up to 65 minutes of runtime; check how long it lasts in the mode and with the attachments you’ll use.
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Compare it for quick clean-ups if an anti-tangle brush appeals to you. The product name states 45 minutes of runtime; check how long it lasts in the mode you’ll use, along with which soft-furnishing attachments are included.
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Worth considering for occasional clean-ups if a removable battery suits your needs. The product name states up to 60 minutes of runtime; check how long it lasts with the brush and mode you’ll need for your floors, and find out how to maintain the filters.
It can, if its performance on your floors and its runtime in the mode you need are enough to cover the whole cleaning session. For quick clean-ups between full cleans, it can also complement a cylinder vacuum, rather than having to handle all the cleaning of your carpets and soft furnishings on its own.
Look at the specific system rather than simply whether it uses a bag. Rowenta France describes an automatic closure for one bag reference, while a bagless model needs its dust container emptied. Check which consumables are compatible and what maintenance the model requires.
Check which attachments are included or compatible with the exact model, particularly brushes designed for soft furnishings and those suited to your floors. To assess its cleaning performance, look for tests that specify the floor covering and brush used, rather than relying on the list of included attachments alone.
If it’s still usable, consider donating it or passing it on for reuse; otherwise, take it to a suitable electrical equipment collection point. In France, ecosystem lists options including drop-off points and recycling centres. Check which option is available locally.