For deep cleaning a large home with a mix of surfaces, a cylinder vacuum cleaner is a sensible place to start. Que Choisir considers it suitable for larger homes, provided you choose brushes that match the floors and furniture you need to clean. A model with a bag is a good choice if you’d rather remove dust without emptying a bin directly. A bagless model means you won’t need to buy bags, but you will need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. A stick vacuum or robot can help with cleaning between deep cleans, but won’t automatically replace your main appliance for this purpose.
If your home has hard floors, carpets, furniture and bedding to clean, start by choosing a main appliance that can handle all these tasks, rather than one designed just for quick clean-ups. Que Choisir tests several floor types separately, so check the results for your floors and the accessories supplied.
If you’d rather not empty a dusty bin, look at bagged cylinder vacuums and their closure systems. Que Choisir says removing a bag exposes you to less dust than cleaning out a bagless container. You’ll still need to check which consumables are compatible with your chosen model.
If you already have a main appliance, a stick vacuum or robot can help with smaller jobs in between. Choose an additional appliance based on the areas you need to reach. For a stick vacuum, check the run time in the mode you plan to use.
For a large home, start with the surfaces you need to clean, then compare models based on how they collect dust and how easy they are to move around. Que Choisir tests suction performance on different floor types, among other things. Motor power alone won’t tell you which model to choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Different surfaces | Compare test results for your floor types and check which brushes and nozzles are included. | With parquet, carpets and furniture to clean, I want results that suit each surface, not just a stated power rating. Around 36% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Dust and consumables | Check how to empty the bin or remove the bag, how to maintain the filters and whether consumables are compatible. | I’d rather remove a sealed bag than empty a bin, even if that means buying compatible bags. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Moving and storage | Consider the operating radius, weight and storage options in relation to the layout of your home. | If I need to move between several rooms or carry the appliance up stairs, ease of movement matters as much as storage. Around 21% of consumers would make this their first consideration. |
| Cleaning between deep cleans | For a stick vacuum, check the run time in the mode you’ll use. For a robot, consider obstacles and which areas it can reach. | Between deep cleans, I want to tidy certain areas without getting out my main appliance. Around 14% of consumers would put this need first. |
This figure alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean parquet, tiles or carpets. The floorhead and brushes also affect how it performs in everyday use.
Check test results for the types of floor in your home and see which accessories are actually included.
You’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. According to Que Choisir, this can expose you to more dust than removing a sealed bag.
Before choosing a model, check the instructions for details on emptying the bin and compatible filters.
Remember to allow time to clean the bin and filters, too.
Bags from the same brand won’t necessarily fit all its models. For example, Miele limits compatibility of the CO HyClean Pure Guard M1 to Guard M1 models.
Check the exact reference of your vacuum cleaner and make sure you know which bags and filters fit before you buy.
A stick vacuum’s run time depends on the mode you use. A robot can keep some floor areas clean, but it won’t clean furniture or bedding on its own.
First decide which appliance will handle your deep cleans, then choose an additional one to help with the jobs you’d otherwise have to do between sessions.
These examples highlight features to compare on specific models. A brand’s stated specifications don’t describe its entire range.
The bagged Pure D8 PD82-4ST cylinder vacuum gives you some useful points to compare, including operating radius and accessories for a larger home.
These two models let you compare the differences between bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums.
The Série 6 ProAnimal BGS41PET1 is an example of a bagless cylinder vacuum to consider if you’re happy to maintain the bin and filters.
The Guard range includes bagged cylinder vacuums with different features to consider, depending on your floors and the accessories you need.
These two bagged models are options to consider if you’re choosing a main appliance for a large home. If you’re comparing them with a bagless model, also think about emptying the bin and maintaining the filters before deciding how you’d prefer to collect dust.
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Consider this as your main cylinder vacuum if you’d rather replace a bag than empty a bin. If your home has carpets, furniture and hard floors, check which brushes are included and look for model-specific suction test results on these surfaces.
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Worth considering as your main vacuum if you want a bagged cylinder model. The product name specifies a 550 W motor, but that figure alone doesn’t tell you how well it will clean. Check test results for your floors and make sure it comes with the accessories you need for carpets, furniture and bedding.
According to Que Choisir, removing a bag exposes you to less dust than cleaning out a bagless container. If this is a priority for you, check the closure system and make sure compatible bags are available, noting their reference.
Look for a brush suited to hard floors, a tool for carpets and nozzles that work well on the furniture and crevices you need to clean. Que Choisir tests several floor types separately, so look for results that are relevant to your home and check which accessories come with the model you’ve chosen.
Empty the bin or replace the bag, maintain the filters and clean the brushes according to the model’s instructions. ADEME also recommends avoiding vacuuming up plaster, as it can damage the appliance.
If it’s still usable, consider repairing it or giving it a new lease of life first. ADEME also suggests donating or reselling it. If you need to dispose of it, check the local collection options for electrical equipment in your area.