A drop in suction doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace your vacuum cleaner. ADEME recommends finding the cause of the problem and checking maintenance requirements before deciding. If you do need a replacement, choose one that suits your floors and cleaning routine, then check the model’s repairability index, spare parts and maintenance needs. No one type of vacuum is right for every need.
You want to know whether maintenance, a warranty claim or a repair could get your appliance working properly again before you buy another one. ADEME recommends finding the cause of a fault before replacing an appliance.
You regularly clean hard floors, carpets or areas where fibres build up, and are looking for a vacuum type and floor head suited to the job. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of checking performance on different surfaces.
You’re weighing up quick clean-ups with a cordless vacuum against scheduled cleaning with a robot, while keeping charging and maintenance in mind. UFC-Que Choisir notes that robot vacuum performance varies depending, among other things, on the type of flooring.
Before replacing your vacuum, ADEME recommends diagnosing the fault. If you still need to buy a new one, compare repairability and cleaning performance on your floors separately : the repairability index doesn’t tell you how well it will pick up dirt.
The guidance below is for consumers in France who are considering repairing or replacing a household vacuum cleaner.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Repair or replace | Follow the maintenance steps in the manual, then compare the diagnosis and repair quote. If the model is covered, check the details of its index and whether spare parts are available. | If I want to keep an appliance that suits my needs, I check its maintenance requirements and the cost of getting it repaired before buying another one. Consumers who prioritise repair or repairability could account for around 33 % of the relevant audience. |
| Hard floors and carpets | Check which floor head is included and how the vacuum performs on your surfaces. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol distinguishes between carpets, tiles and parquet flooring, among other surfaces. | When my home has both hard floors and carpets, I look for a set-up that works well on both rather than relying on the type of vacuum alone. Consumers who prioritise cleaning different surfaces could account for around 27 % of the relevant audience. |
| Quick clean-ups | For a cordless vacuum, check the runtime in the mode you’ll use, charging time, bin emptying and access to spare parts. UFC-Que Choisir notes that runtime varies by model. | For short cleaning sessions, I want an appliance that’s easy to grab and check how long it runs in the mode I need. Consumers who prioritise quick, easy-to-handle cleaning could account for around 20 % of the relevant audience. |
| Scheduled cleaning | Check which surfaces and areas the robot can reach, as well as how it’s emptied and maintained. UFC-Que Choisir highlights that a robot’s performance depends, among other things, on the type of flooring. | If I want to schedule cleaning, I check that the robot can move around the areas I need to clean and plan for emptying it. Consumers who prioritise scheduled cleaning could account for around 20 % of the relevant audience. |
A drop in suction doesn’t mean your appliance can’t be repaired. ADEME recommends finding the cause of the problem before deciding.
Check the manual for the recommended maintenance steps. If the problem persists, get a diagnosis before comparing the cost of a repair with the cost of a replacement.
The index is based on repairability criteria, while suction performance needs to be assessed on the surfaces you clean. The DGCCRF explains the index, and UFC-Que Choisir provides evaluations by floor type.
Check the details of the index, then separately check the results relevant to your floors and the floor head supplied with the model.
A cordless vacuum needs recharging and its bin needs emptying. A robot also needs maintenance, and its dust container may need to be emptied regularly.
Check the model’s full care routine : charging, emptying, cleaning its components and access to compatible spare parts.
This selection includes robot, corded and cordless vacuum cleaners, so you can compare different ways to manage your household cleaning.
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Worth considering for scheduled cleaning on hard floors and carpets : the product listing specifies a mopping function, an anti-tangle brush and an automatic-emptying station.
The dust container is listed as 2 L. Check the floor surfaces in your home and the regular maintenance required for this model.
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If you want to clean without having to stop to recharge, the product listing describes a corded model with a motorised floor brush and a mattress brush.
The title states 65KPA and 600W. The description mentions a 7 m cable, a 1.8 L bin, washable filters and a telescopic tube.
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Worth considering for cleaning carpets and hard floors : the product listing also mentions accessories for different tasks.
The description specifies a 1.5 L bin, a washable filter and a 4 m cable with automatic rewind. Consider the cable length in relation to your plug sockets and the area you need to clean.
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For automated vacuuming and mopping, the product listing specifies a self-cleaning station, anti-tangle technology and mop cleaning with hot water at 75°C.
The title states 16200 Pa. The product listing specifies that the brushes and filters need to be cleaned regularly.
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The product listing describes it as suitable for cleaning hard floors, carpets and upholstery, with a removable battery and washable filter.
The title states 45kPa. The listed runtimes are 15 minutes on high mode and up to 40 minutes on low mode ; runtime therefore depends on the mode you use.
In France, household corded vacuum cleaners, battery-powered models and robot vacuums covered by their respective regulations are included, according to information published by the DGCCRF on 26 June 2025. The specific orders date from 22 April 2022. Guidance from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition notes, in particular, that the labelling requirement does not apply to second-hand, reconditioned or rented equipment.
No. On its own, it doesn’t tell you how well the vacuum will clean your floors. The orders of 22 April 2022 set out separate calculation methods for corded, battery-powered and robot vacuum cleaners. Check the details of the index, then separately check how well the model suits your needs.
Check the manual and follow the recommended maintenance steps for the filters and suction system. If the problem persists, get a diagnosis before deciding that the appliance needs replacing. ADEME recommends finding the cause of the fault before replacing equipment.
An out-of-warranty vacuum cleaner repair may be eligible if it’s carried out by an approved repairer and meets the scheme’s conditions, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Ecosystem states that replacing or repairing certain removable accessories, including filters, brushes, hoses and bags, isn’t covered. Check that the fault and repair quote are eligible before the work is carried out.
Contact the seller. The Ministry of the Economy notes that, subject to its conditions, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and reconditioned goods sold by a trader to a consumer. It’s separate from a commercial warranty and the repair bonus, which applies to out-of-warranty repairs.