For a thorough clean, start by choosing a floorhead and attachments to suit your floors, rugs and fabrics, then compare the reach, capacity and test results for the surfaces you need to clean. Whether you choose a bagged or bagless model mainly comes down to whether you’d rather replace a bag or empty the dust container. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, motor wattage alone isn’t enough to determine how effective a vacuum cleaner is.
If you clean several rooms, consider the reach and capacity in relation to where your sockets are and how you move around your home. A stated operating radius does not guarantee a maximum floor area. UFC-Que Choisir includes these among the factors worth comparing.
If you need to clean everything from hard floors to rugs, sofas and furniture, compare test results for each surface and check which accessories are included with the exact variant you’re buying. Les Numériques’ published testing protocols cover several types of flooring.
If you want to plan ahead for looking after your vacuum cleaner, note down the references for its bags and filters, check the care instructions and look for repair resources for the model. A repairability rating tells you about how easy a product is to repair, not how well it cleans.
Worth considering : if you’d rather remove a bag than empty a dust container, while using the same vacuum cleaner on different surfaces.
Bear in mind : you’ll need to replace the bags with compatible ones and maintain the filters.
Worth considering : if you want to avoid buying bags and don’t mind emptying the dust container and maintaining the filters.
Bear in mind : a reusable container still needs emptying, and consumables still need to be checked and maintained.
Worth considering : if you want to keep your cylinder vacuum cleaner for full cleans and use a more manoeuvrable model between cleans.
Bear in mind : you’ll have another appliance to store and maintain. Don’t assume it will replace your cylinder vacuum cleaner on every surface.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Results on different surfaces | Look for tests on hard floors and thin and thick carpets, noting which floorhead was used. Check the accessories included with the variant being sold. | If you switch between hard floors, rugs and fabrics, you’ll need suitable results and brushes for each use. Around 31% of consumers prioritise cleaning several types of surface. |
| Reach and capacity | Compare the operating radius, capacity and manoeuvrability with the location of your sockets and the route between rooms. Don’t convert the operating radius into a maximum floor area. | To clean several rooms without unnecessary interruptions, the reach and capacity should suit the layout of your home. Around 31% of consumers prioritise being able to move around without interruption. |
| Bag, dust container and filters | Note down the compatible product references and the instructions for cleaning or replacing the filters. Maintenance varies by model. | If you prefer to remove a bag or empty a dust container, you’ll also want to know how to maintain the filters and which consumables are compatible. Around 19% of consumers make routine maintenance their priority. |
| Repair and longevity | Check the model’s rating, repair documentation, spare-part references and after-sales service terms. | If you want to keep your vacuum cleaner and have it repaired when needed, check separately whether spare parts are available, what the manufacturer commits to and which guarantees apply. Around 19% of consumers prioritise keeping and repairing their appliances. |
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum cleaner will perform on a particular surface.
Compare test results for the surfaces in your home and check which floorhead was used, rather than relying on a single figure.
Rowenta’s product information for the Silence Force Cyclonic Effitech RO7936EA lists a parquet brush and nozzles, but not a turbo brush.
Before planning to clean pet hair from fabrics, check the accessories listed for the exact variant and make sure any additional brush is compatible.
You may need a compatible brush if the accessories supplied don’t suit your needs.
A reusable dust container still needs emptying, and the filters still need to be maintained.
Check which filters your model uses and read the instructions before cleaning or replacing them.
Emptying and maintenance take time, and some filters may also need replacing.
A rating or a manufacturer’s commitment does not amount to a free guarantee for the entire period stated.
Check spare parts, repair documentation, after-sales service terms and the applicable guarantee separately. In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity and a commercial commitment are subject to different rules.
The Silence Force Cyclonic Effitech RO7936EA is an example of a bagless cylinder vacuum cleaner with product information listing a parquet brush.
The bagged Guard L1 models let you compare a version with manual controls and a Comfort version.
The PowerPro Expert FC9747/09 is a bagless cylinder vacuum cleaner worth comparing if its dust-container capacity and illuminated floorhead suit your needs.
The Pure D8 PD82-4ST combines a bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner with automatic SmartMode adjustment and repair resources for the model.
This selection includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuum cleaners, as well as stick models. Stick models have a different design, so check that they meet your needs for a thorough clean.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner for cleaning several rooms. Check that the brushes supplied suit your floors and fabrics.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner. The wattage in the name alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean.
Stated power: 550 W.
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Worth considering if you prefer a bagless cylinder vacuum cleaner. Check the accessories included and the filter care instructions for the variant on offer.
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This corded stick model is a different option from a cylinder vacuum cleaner for anyone comparing different designs. Check that its format and brushes suit your needs for floors and fabrics.
Stated power: 600 W.
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Worth considering if you’d prefer a cordless stick vacuum cleaner to a cylinder model. Before choosing it for a full clean, check the accessories and the conditions of use for the variant on offer.
Look for results from tests on a carpet of a similar thickness and check which floorhead was used. A test picking up rice isn’t directly comparable with one measuring fine dust or fibres.
No. The Rowenta ZR900601 is listed as compatible with a 32 mm or 35 mm tube using the supplied adapter, but it isn’t suitable for appliances with the Lock System fitting. The ZR904701 uses this fitting, so check the connection and compatibility with your exact model.
No. Check the instructions for each filter to find out whether it’s washable, should be cleaned dry or needs replacing. Philips’ FAQ says not to use water on the motor filter it describes. Check that this instruction applies to your filter reference before following it.
No. In France, the rating tells you about the product’s repairability, not how well it vacuums. The DGCCRF states that corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners have been covered since 4 November 2022.
No. A repairability commitment is different from a guarantee. In France, when a consumer buys from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity covers defects present at the time of delivery that appear within two years.