For regular, thorough cleaning in a large home, a cylinder vacuum is the main contender. Que Choisir considers it suitable for large areas and for furniture or upholstery when it comes with the right tools. A bagged model means less handling of dust when you dispose of it; with a bagless model, you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. Que Choisir sees cordless stick vacuums as better suited to quick clean-ups. Before choosing one as your main vacuum, check its runtime in the mode you’ll use and how well it performs on your flooring.
If you clean hard floors, rugs, furniture and upholstery in a large home, check how each model performs on different surfaces and which tools are included. Que Choisir considers cylinder vacuums suitable for large areas, but that doesn’t guarantee that every model will perform well on every type of flooring.
If you’d rather not empty a dust bin, a bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering. Check the exact model number so you can find compatible bags and filters before you buy.
If you already have a vacuum for your main cleaning, a cordless stick model can be handy for quick clean-ups and hard-to-reach areas. For this kind of use, check which tools are included and how long the battery lasts in the mode you’ll need.
First, decide whether you need a vacuum for thorough cleaning or an extra model for quick clean-ups. Then compare performance on your floors, how dust is handled and which tools you’ll need for surfaces above floor level.
Consider it: if you clean thoroughly and often, and would rather replace a bag than empty a dust bin.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags and check they’re compatible with your chosen model.
Consider it: if you want to avoid bags but still need a vacuum for thorough cleaning.
Bear in mind: emptying the bin and maintaining the filters involve regular handling.
Consider it: for quick clean-ups between full cleaning sessions.
Bear in mind: runtime depends on the mode you use. This matters more if you plan to clean several rooms in one go.
| What matters to you | What to check | What consumers say |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning different floor types | Compare test results on hard floors, crevices and rugs or carpets, noting which brush was used. | When my home has a mix of flooring, I want to know what the vacuum picks up on each surface, rather than relying on the wattage alone. Around 33% of consumers put performance across different surfaces at the top of their list. |
| Dust disposal | Check how the vacuum is emptied and find compatible bags or filters for the exact model. | If emptying a dust bin bothers me, I’d rather check how the bag is removed and what maintenance the vacuum needs. Dust disposal is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Furniture and hard-to-reach areas | Check which tools are actually included, then consider the operating radius and manoeuvrability. | To clean the sofa, skirting boards and tops of furniture, I need a vacuum that’s easy to move around and fit with the right tools. Around 25% of consumers prioritise reaching surfaces above floor level. |
| Quick clean-ups | For a stick vacuum, check the runtime in the mode you need and how easy it is to store. | Between full cleaning sessions, I want to be able to clean a small area and put the vacuum away straight afterwards. Around 17% of consumers put convenience for occasional use first. |
The motor’s power rating alone doesn’t tell you how well a particular brush will clean tiles, crevices or a rug. Que Choisir’s testing assesses suction across different floor types.
Look for results by floor type and check the conditions in which the vacuum was tested.
A floor head won’t necessarily replace a crevice tool for skirting boards or an upholstery tool for furniture.
Check exactly what’s included against the surfaces you clean: wood flooring, rugs, upholstery, furniture and narrow spaces.
If the tool you need is only available as an optional extra, you’ll have to buy it separately.
The quoted runtime may apply to a low-power mode, so it might not reflect a longer cleaning session on the surfaces you need to tackle.
Check the stated runtime in the mode you plan to use, how long it takes to charge and whether the battery can be replaced.
Bags, filters and brushes all need looking after, depending on the model. Spare parts availability also matters if you want to keep your vacuum for a long time.
Find the reference numbers for compatible consumables and parts, read the manual and, where the information is available for the product, check its repairability index.
Rowenta France’s ranges include bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, as well as cordless stick models. Compare the features of each model individually.
Electrolux France features the bagged 800 EB81U1DB cylinder vacuum, among others, for households considering reach and bag capacity.
The Bosch BGL38WH3H bagged cylinder vacuum is one model to consider when comparing stated bag capacity and operating radius.
Miele France offers a model selector to help you find bags and filters compatible with its vacuum cleaners.
This selection includes a bagged cylinder vacuum, a corded bagless vacuum and cordless stick models to consider for quick clean-ups. For thorough cleaning in a large home, compare each model with your flooring and the tools you need.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged vacuum for thorough cleaning. Check that the included brushes suit your flooring and that the bags are compatible with the EB61C4OG model. You’ll also need results by floor type to judge whether it’s right for your home.
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Worth considering if you’d rather avoid bags. For a large home, check the vacuum’s effective reach, which tools are included for furniture and how well it performs on different floors. Also bear in mind that you’ll need to empty the bin.
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Consider it for quick clean-ups, especially if you need to clean surfaces above floor level. The product name states 55 kPa, but that figure alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean rugs or crevices. Check the runtime in the mode you’ll use and exactly what’s included.
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A stick vacuum to consider for quick clean-ups in specific areas, if its self-standing design suits your storage space. The product description gives conflicting suction figures, so don’t use them to compare models. Instead, check the included tools, runtime in the mode you’ll use and performance on your floors.
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Worth considering as an extra vacuum for smaller clean-ups. The product name states a 50-minute runtime, but doesn’t specify the mode. Check how long it lasts at the setting you plan to use on your floors, as well as which brushes are included and how easy it is to store.
No. A vacuum’s stated motor power doesn’t replace suction test results on the flooring in your home. Que Choisir’s testing covers different floor types, among other things. Also check which brush was used and what tools are included.
Before relying on one for all your cleaning, consider how long the job will take, your floor types and the runtime in the mode you’ll actually use. Que Choisir presents stick vacuums as better suited to quick clean-ups than as a one-size-fits-all solution for thorough cleaning.
Start with the exact vacuum model number, not just the brand name. The tools and catalogues from Miele France, Rowenta France and Electrolux France let you search for consumables and accessories by model or range.
In France, vacuum cleaners are among the products for which this index must be displayed, according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition. Use it to help you assess how repairable a model is; it doesn’t replace suction tests on your floors.
Follow the instructions for your chosen model: depending on the vacuum, its filter may be washable or need replacing. Check the brushes for blockages, as well as the hose, and use the compatible part references listed for your vacuum.