For a thorough clean of the floors, carpets and furniture in a large home with pets, choose a cylinder vacuum as your main appliance. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide says that bagged models generally vacuum more effectively than bagless ones, but your choice also depends on whether the supplied brushes suit your surfaces and how much maintenance you’re happy to do. A robot vacuum can help keep pet hair from building up between full cleans, but it won’t necessarily replace a thorough vacuuming session.
If pet hair gets trapped in the fibres, look at test results for carpets and check which brush is included, rather than relying on the wattage alone. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses how well models pick up fibres from carpets, among other things.
If you’ll be moving between rooms, hard floors, rugs and furniture, check the operating radius, bag or dust container capacity, and whether the accessories suit each surface.
A robot vacuum can clean accessible floors regularly between thorough cleans. However, UFC-Que Choisir points out that its performance varies depending on the floor covering.
First, choose your main appliance based on the surfaces you need to clean. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide compares bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums for suction, while a robot vacuum is better suited to regular floor cleaning. Then check the accessories supplied with the exact model you’re considering: a standard floor head may not be enough for your sofa.
| What matters | What to check | Who this is for |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair embedded in carpets | Test results on fibres and carpets; whether a suitable turbo brush is included. | When pet hair gets trapped in the carpet, I want to know if the appliance can pick it up from that surface, not just a hard floor. Around 31% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Floors and upholstery | An upholstery tool or compatible mini turbo brush included; a floor head suited to the types of flooring in your home. | If I’m moving from the wooden floor to the sofa and cushions, I need tools that work on each surface without having to improvise. Versatility would be the priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Cleaning a large area | Operating radius and bag or dust container capacity, without mistaking either for a measure of cleaning performance. | When cleaning several rooms in a row, I want to avoid having to unplug the appliance and stop too often. This would be the main need for around 23% of consumers. |
| Maintenance and consumables | Compatible bag, filter and brush references; the maintenance required for the dust container or bag. | Before choosing between a bag and a dust container, I want to know what maintenance is involved and be able to find the right consumables. Around 15% of consumers would make this their priority. |
This figure alone doesn’t tell you how well the vacuum picks up fibres from a carpet. UFC-Que Choisir tests different floor types and fibres separately in its testing protocol.
Check the results for your floor coverings and see which vacuum head comes with the model you’re considering.
The accessories vary from one model to another. A carpet brush won’t necessarily replace a small tool designed for cushions or armchairs.
Check what’s in the box and make sure each accessory is compatible with the exact model you’re buying.
If the right tool isn’t included, you’ll need to find a compatible accessory to clean the upholstery you have in mind.
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs its bag replaced regularly, while a bagless model needs its dust container emptied. Filters and brushes also need the maintenance specified for the appliance.
Check the references for compatible consumables and read the maintenance instructions before choosing between the two systems.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuum performance varies depending on the type of floor. Automated cleaning alone won’t meet your needs when it comes to sofas, bedding and other upholstery.
Consider a robot vacuum for regular cleaning of accessible floors, while keeping a suitable solution for a thorough clean of other surfaces.
The robot’s dust container also needs to be emptied regularly.
These examples of product ranges and accessories highlight what’s worth checking. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean that another model comes with the same accessories or that these products are available on Joybuy.
The bagged cylinder vacuum range includes the Power XXL Animal Care RO3172EA, which Rowenta France describes as suitable for several types of surface.
The ProAnimal range includes the bagged cylinder vacuum BGB41PET1 and the bagless model BGS41PET1.
Miele France lists bags, filters and brushes for specific cylinder vacuum series.
Electrolux France offers the ZE116 mini turbo brush, designed to pick up hair and fibres from specific upholstery areas.
These models include a bagged cylinder vacuum to consider as your main appliance for floors, as well as two cordless stick vacuums. If you have a large home with carpets and a sofa to clean, compare their accessories and, for the stick vacuums, check that the battery life suits the length of your cleaning sessions.
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Worth considering as your main vacuum cleaner for a large home if you prefer a bagged cylinder model.
If your sofa and carpets are among your priority surfaces, check which tools are included with this version and find out which bags and filters are compatible.
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Consider this if you’d prefer a cordless appliance for moving regularly from room to room.
The product title lists a 45-minute run time. If you want to clean a large area in one go, check how long it lasts in the mode you’ll use. Also check which accessories in this version are suitable for your sofa upholstery.
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Worth considering for cordless cleaning across several surfaces, as long as the run time suits your home.
The product title lists a removable battery and up to 60 minutes of run time. Check how long it lasts in each mode, the dust container capacity and which tools are designed for upholstery. The stated wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well it will pick up pet hair.
If you’re choosing a cylinder vacuum as your main appliance, UFC-Que Choisir’s guide reports that bagged models generally have an advantage for suction, including when picking up pet hair. A bagless model is still an option if you’re happy to empty its dust container and maintain its filters. Either way, look for test results on the floor coverings in your home.
Look for an upholstery tool or a fabric brush that’s compatible with your chosen vacuum cleaner. If hair gets trapped in the cushions, also check whether a mini turbo brush is included or compatible. Rowenta France lists both types of accessory for the RO3172EA, but you’ll need to check the details for any other model.
Note down the exact model reference of your vacuum cleaner, then look for bags and filters listed as compatible with it. Miele France, for example, organises its consumables by ranges and series. A bag designed for one series shouldn’t be assumed to fit every model.
For a thorough clean of floors and furniture, keep a main appliance that’s suited to the surfaces the robot can’t handle. According to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuum performance varies depending on the type of floor, so a robot is better suited to regular cleaning between full sessions. Remember that you’ll also need to empty its dust container.