Homes with carpets and hard floors
If you clean both carpet and tiled or wooden floors, compare performance on each surface. Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses cylinder vacuum cleaners on carpet, tiles and parquet, among other surfaces.
Who is this choice for?
Homes with wooden floors with gaps
If dust collects between your floorboards, look for a test that covers gaps and check which floorhead comes with the exact model number. A result on a smooth floor alone won’t answer this question.
Buyers choosing between a bag and a dust container
Your choice also depends on how you remove collected dust and maintain the appliance. Check that the filters are easy to access and that compatible bags or filters are available for the model you’re considering.
What should you compare?
Start with the surfaces that are hardest to clean in your home, then compare the appliances’ accessories and maintenance needs. If you’re considering a cordless stick vacuum, also check its battery life under demanding conditions.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on different surfaces | Compare test results separately for rugs or carpet, hard floors, gaps between floorboards and fibres trapped in fabrics. Check that the results are for the exact model. | My rugs trap fibres, while dust collects between my floorboards, so a result on tiles alone isn’t enough to help me choose. |
| Bag or dust container | Consider how easy it is to remove the bag or empty the dust container, as well as its capacity and the availability of compatible consumables. Que Choisir’s guides indicate that bagged cylinder vacuums perform better than bagless models; this doesn’t mean you can skip comparing individual models. | I’d rather minimise direct contact with dust, or avoid buying bags regularly if I’m happy to empty a dust container. |
| Floorheads and maintenance | Check which floorheads are included for wooden floors and carpets, and how easy it is to access the filters and brush for maintenance. Follow the model’s instructions for cleaning and drying the filters. | After vacuuming my rugs, I want to be able to remove fibres from the brush and maintain the filters as instructed. |
| Stick vacuum battery life | If you’re considering a cordless stick vacuum as your main cleaner, compare test results on your surfaces with its battery life at the power setting you’ll use. Check the charging time too. | I want to finish cleaning my whole home without having to stop and recharge the appliance. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
-
Choosing based on motor wattage
Wattage alone doesn’t tell you how much dust a vacuum will pick up from a rug or between floorboards.
Instead, compare tests on your floor types and check which floorhead is included.
-
Assuming the right brush guarantees good results
A floorhead described as suitable for wooden floors or multiple surfaces indicates its intended use, not how well it will pick up dust from gaps or embedded fibres.
Check that the accessory is included with the version you’re considering, then look for a test on the surface in question.
-
Forgetting that bagless models need maintenance
You’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters as instructed; handling them is part of everyday use.
Before buying, check how to access the dust container, the filter maintenance instructions and the availability of compatible parts.
-
Replacing a cylinder vacuum with a stick vacuum without checking how you’ll use it
Que Choisir’s testing protocol notes that some cordless stick vacuums fail suction tests because they lack sufficient power. You should also consider their battery life at the power setting you need.
If it’s going to be your only vacuum cleaner, compare the model’s results on carpets and wooden floors with the time it takes to clean your whole home.
A guide to the brands
These examples highlight features to check for each version. A brand’s inclusion here doesn’t guarantee a particular model’s performance or its availability on Joybuy.
Electrolux
Electrolux offers bagged cylinder vacuums in its Pure D8 range.
- If your home has wooden floors and rugs, check which floorheads are included with the full model number.
- A measurement published by the brand for hard floors with gaps doesn’t tell you how well the vacuum performs on rugs and fibres.
Bosch
Bosch lists the bagless BGS41PET1 cylinder vacuum with a washable HEPA filter.
- A washable filter is worth considering if you’re happy to maintain a model with a dust container.
- For this specific model, check the maintenance instructions, included floorheads and results on your floor types.
Rowenta
Rowenta offers bagless cylinder vacuums; the product page for one model designed for wooden floors lists a dedicated floorhead as included.
- Check that this floorhead is included with the model number you plan to buy.
- The accessory alone doesn’t prove how well the vacuum picks up dust from gaps or carpets.
Miele
Miele’s French range of bagged cylinder vacuums includes the Guard M1 Cat & Dog, among other models.
- Compare full model numbers to see which floorheads and filters are actually included.
- Features included with one version don’t automatically apply to other models in the range.
Bagged cylinder vacuums available on Joybuy
These two Electrolux models are bagged cylinder vacuums to consider for cleaning different floor types manually. To choose between them, check the floorheads included with the exact version and look for test results on carpets, fibres and gaps between floorboards.
Image unavailable
Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
A bagged cylinder vacuum to consider if you’re looking for a main cleaner for your carpets and hard floors. Check which floorheads come with this model number and how it performs in tests on the most demanding surfaces in your home.
Image unavailable
Electrolux EB61C2GRN bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner, 550 W, black
This bagged cylinder vacuum is another option for cleaning your whole home. Its product details list a 550 W motor, but that alone doesn’t establish how well it performs on carpets or in gaps. Compare test results and the floorheads included with this version.
Frequently asked questions
Which tests should I compare for wooden floors with gaps and carpets?
Compare separate results for hard floors, gaps between floorboards, rugs or carpets, and fibres trapped in fabrics. Que Choisir’s testing protocols distinguish between these uses, so a result on tiles doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum performs in gaps or on carpets.
Is wattage enough to choose a vacuum cleaner?
No. Motor wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean your floors. Compare test results for the model on the relevant floor types and check which floorheads are actually included.
How should I maintain the filters and brushes?
Follow your model’s instructions on how often and how to maintain it, then remove any fibres caught in the brushes as directed. Que Choisir’s advice reminds users to let washed filters dry completely before putting them back in.
What should I do with the dust I’ve vacuumed up?
ADEME advises putting household dust collected by vacuuming in your general household waste. It says you can compost dust only if it consists solely of pet hair or soil, not a typical mix of household dust.