If you also need to deep-clean carpets and rugs, start by comparing cylinder vacuums on how well they remove embedded fibres. A cordless stick vacuum is suitable for quick clean-ups if its runtime on the setting you need is long enough. A robot vacuum can be scheduled to clean in between, but don’t assume it will replace manual cleaning. In every case, results for the exact model on your surfaces matter more than a “pet” label alone.
Picking up visible pet hair from hard floors isn’t enough to judge a vacuum designed for carpets. UFC-Que Choisir’s test methods for cylinder and stick vacuums also assess how well they remove fibres embedded in carpets, similar to pet hair. Look for the results for the model you’re considering on this measure.
A cordless stick vacuum can be handy for quickly tackling areas where pet hair builds up. However, check its runtime on the setting you need for your floors, as well as how easy it is to empty the bin and clean the brush.
A robot vacuum lets you schedule regular cleaning, while a manual vacuum is still useful for upholstery, corners and deeper cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir notes that robot vacuum results vary depending on the floor type, so check how a model performs on your surfaces before relying on it for more tasks.
First decide whether you need a vacuum for your main cleaning or to make quick clean-ups between more thorough sessions easier. Then compare results on your surfaces and the practicalities of using the specific model.
Choose this if: you want a main vacuum for different surfaces, including carpets and rugs.
Bear in mind: the cord and the space needed for storage; if it has a bag, you’ll also need to replace it.
Choose this if: quick clean-ups and easy storage matter more than being able to clean continuously for a long time.
Bear in mind: runtime depends on the setting you use, especially when you turn up the power.
Choose this if: you want to schedule regular cleaning while keeping a manual vacuum.
Bear in mind: the robot needs emptying and maintenance, and results vary by floor type, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
| Feature | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair on carpets | Check the model’s results on embedded fibres, carpets and rugs. Confirm which head or brush comes with the version on sale. | My carpets trap pet hair, so I want to know how well the vacuum removes it, not just how it performs on hard floors. |
| Runtime | For a stick vacuum, compare runtime on the setting you need with the area you have to cover. In UFC-Que Choisir’s laboratory tests, average runtime at maximum power is around ten minutes. | I often clean in short bursts, but I need to be able to finish the areas where pet hair builds up. |
| Maintenance | Check how easy it is to access the bin or bag, filters and brush. If you’re considering a bagged cylinder vacuum, check that compatible bags are available. | If I clean frequently, emptying the vacuum and removing hair from the brush will be part of my routine. |
| Upholstery and awkward areas | Check which accessories are actually included for sofas, stairs and narrow spaces, and consider how easy the vacuum is to manoeuvre. | Pet hair doesn’t just stay on the floor, so I want to reach furniture and hard-to-access areas. |
| Repairability | Check the repairability information for the model, the availability of parts and, for a cordless vacuum, whether the battery can be replaced. | I’d rather be able to maintain or repair a vacuum I use regularly than choose one based on its stated power alone. |
The quoted runtime is usually based on a low power setting. In UFC-Que Choisir’s laboratory tests, average runtime falls to around ten minutes at maximum power.
Compare runtime on the setting you’d use for your carpets and check whether it’s long enough to clean the areas you usually tackle.
How well a vacuum removes embedded fibres depends on the appliance and its suction head, not just the range name. UFC-Que Choisir’s test methods assess carpet cleaning using fibres similar to pet hair.
Look for the exact model’s results on fibres and carpets, then check which accessories are included with the version on sale.
Emptying the bin and cleaning accessible parts are regular tasks, especially when pet hair builds up. UFC-Que Choisir also distinguishes between emptying a bin and disposing of a bag.
Check how easy it is to access the bin, filters and brush. If you’d prefer a bagged model, check which replacement bags fit it.
Regular cleaning takes time; a bagged cylinder vacuum also needs replacement bags.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuum results vary depending on the floor type. An automated clean doesn’t, by itself, guarantee that carpets, edges and corners will be cleaned.
Check the model’s test results for these areas, how to empty its bin and which tasks you’ll still need a manual vacuum for.
These brands feature in the categories assessed by UFC-Que Choisir. Their features and performance should be considered on a model-by-model basis.
Worth considering if you’re comparing a cylinder vacuum for your main clean with a stick vacuum for quick jobs: UFC-Que Choisir tests Rowenta models in these categories.
Worth considering among cordless stick vacuums; UFC-Que Choisir includes models such as the V8 Advanced and V11 Advanced among those tested.
Worth considering when comparing cylinder and stick vacuums; UFC-Que Choisir specifically mentions the BGS41PET1 ProAnimal Série 6 cylinder vacuum.
Worth considering among the cylinder and stick vacuums tested by UFC-Que Choisir; the PD82-4ST Pure D8 is one of the cylinder models mentioned.
Worth considering if you’re thinking of getting a robot vacuum for scheduled cleaning alongside a manual vacuum.
These models cover three of the needs discussed here: frequent clean-ups with a cordless stick vacuum, main cleaning with a cylinder vacuum and scheduled cleaning with a robot. Compare each appliance against your carpets, upholstery and typical cleaning time.
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Worth considering for frequent clean-ups on floors and in areas where pet hair builds up. The product listing states that it has an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 min of runtime. Compare this with the time it lasts on the setting you need for your carpets, and look for test results on embedded fibres.
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The stick format is handy for quick clean-ups and easy storage. The product listing states that it has 45 min of runtime and an anti-tangle brush. Check how long it lasts on the setting you use, and how the M100 performs on your carpets before making it your main vacuum.
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For regular clean-ups and spot cleaning, check which accessories come with this version, particularly if you want to reach upholstery or awkward corners. If your carpets trap pet hair, also compare the exact model’s results on embedded fibres and its runtime on the setting you need.
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This format is worth considering for main cleaning across different surfaces, if you’re happy with a corded model and have room to store it. Before choosing it for pet hair on carpets, check the EB61C4OG’s results on embedded fibres, which brushes are included and whether compatible bags are available.
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Worth considering for scheduled clean-ups between manual sessions. The product listing states that it runs for up to 180 min and avoids obstacles. Separately, check how it performs on carpets and along edges, how the docking station collects dirt and whether the app is compatible with your set-up.
It can handle frequent clean-ups if its runtime and performance suit your surfaces, but it won’t automatically replace a cylinder vacuum for a long session on carpets and rugs. UFC-Que Choisir found that tested stick vacuums averaged around ten minutes at maximum power, so compare the runtime on the setting you’ll need.
Because a power rating alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum removes pet hair trapped in a carpet. UFC-Que Choisir’s test methods for cylinder and stick vacuums use fibres embedded in carpets that are similar to pet hair. Look for results for the specific model you’re interested in.
A robot can take care of regular cleaning, but don’t assume it will perform as well as a thorough manual clean. UFC-Que Choisir reports that results vary by floor type, so check tests on carpets, edges and corners, as well as how to maintain and empty the bin.
You’ll need to empty the bin or replace the collection bag, maintain the filters as instructed and remove any hair wrapped around the brush. Before buying, check that these parts are easy to access on the model you’ve chosen.
First, check whether it can be repaired or given away. ADEME also suggests taking your old appliance to a collection point if it can no longer be used.