For carpets and longer cleaning sessions, consider a cylinder vacuum and its brush. For quick clean-ups, a stick vacuum may be more convenient, while a robot vacuum can help you maintain accessible floors regularly. UFC-Que Choisir recommends looking at the floorhead and performance on different surfaces. Also check the upholstery tools, battery life or operating reach, and how easy your chosen model is to maintain.
If you regularly clean rugs and carpets, check performance on these surfaces and the design of the floorhead rather than relying on motor power alone. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of the floorhead and effective suction power.
If you often vacuum small areas, how easy the appliance is to get out and handle may matter more. For a cordless stick vacuum, compare battery life with the mode you’ll actually use: UFC-Que Choisir points out that the advertised maximum runtime may apply to the lowest setting.
For sofas, seats, stairs and awkward corners, check that an upholstery brush and a suitable crevice tool are included or compatible with the exact model number. A product range doesn’t guarantee that every version comes with the same accessories.
Worth considering: for longer cleaning sessions or several rooms, compare the floorhead and operating reach of the model.
Keep in mind: the cord and storage may be less convenient than with a cordless stick vacuum; a bagless model needs its bin emptied.
Worth considering: for short, frequent clean-ups, check how easy it is to manoeuvre and the battery life in the mode you need.
Keep in mind: the advertised maximum runtime doesn’t necessarily reflect battery life at full power.
Worth considering: if you want autonomous cleaning, look for performance that suits your floors and room layout.
Keep in mind: the bin, brushes and filters need maintenance; sofas and other upholstery need to be cleaned with a suitable appliance.
In a home with pets, your priorities may include carpets, frequent clean-ups, upholstery or the day-to-day maintenance of the appliance.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who is it most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on floors | Look for results on your types of flooring and check which floorhead is included. UFC-Que Choisir advises looking beyond motor power alone. | If pet hair gets left in rugs or carpets, check the brush and performance on those surfaces. Around 33% of consumers prioritise floors and carpets. |
| Quick clean-ups and battery life | Compare runtime in the required suction mode, charging time and, for a stick vacuum, the battery supplied with the exact model number. | If you often vacuum small areas, look for an appliance that’s easy to get out and has enough battery life in the mode you need. Around 25% of consumers prioritise quick clean-ups. |
| Upholstery and awkward corners | Check whether a mini brush and crevice tool are included or compatible with the exact model; find out whether any accessories are sold separately. | If pet hair gets caught on the sofa or collects in awkward corners, check which accessories are genuinely suitable and included. Around 25% of consumers put upholstery and hard-to-reach areas at the top of their list. |
| Maintaining the parts | Check the maintenance instructions and the compatible filter and brush model numbers. For a robot vacuum, also check performance on your floors, along edges and in corners. | If you’re relying on autonomous floor cleaning, check which parts need cleaning or replacing. Around 17% of consumers prioritise automated floor care. |
The advertised runtime may be measured on the lowest setting, so it doesn’t tell you on its own how long the appliance will run in the mode you need.
Compare the figures for the mode you plan to use and check the battery supplied with the exact model number.
An upholstery brush may need to be bought separately, so check what’s included before you choose.
You’ll still need to check a robot’s bin and cleaning parts, and its performance may vary depending on the floor.
Check the maintenance instructions, the model numbers of compatible parts and which surfaces will need additional cleaning.
The BGS41PET1 ProAnimal is an example of a bagless cylinder vacuum with accessories for floors and upholstery.
The Silence Force Effitech RO7473EA is an example of a bagged cylinder vacuum with accessories designed for different surfaces.
The V8 Advanced is an example of a cordless stick vacuum designed for cleaning floors.
The Roomba Combo Essential range is an example of autonomous floor care, with replacement filters and brushes specified for particular models.
The products featured here are corded or cordless vacuum cleaners for floor care; some product titles also mention accessories or use on upholstery.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a corded stick vacuum whose product title lists a mattress and upholstery brush.
The product title lists 600 W, a 7 m cable, a 1.5 l bin and a weight of 1.3 kg. It also mentions an anti-tangle brush and a mattress brush.
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Worth looking at if you want a vacuum advertised for carpets, hard floors and pet hair.
The product title lists a 4 m cord and multi-level filtration. Check the exact configuration and which accessories are suitable for upholstery and awkward corners.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagless cylinder vacuum and want to check which accessories are included for floors and upholstery.
The product title lists 850 W, a 2 l bin and a washable EPA filter. Check that the accessories you need for your surfaces are included with the version you choose.
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Worth considering if you prefer a cordless stick vacuum and want a removable battery for the way you plan to use it.
The product title lists 45 kPa, two modes and a removable battery. Runtime varies by mode: 15 minutes on high and up to 40 minutes on low. Check which accessories are included for the surfaces you need to clean.
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Worth considering if you want a corded appliance that converts into a handheld vacuum for floors and some upholstery.
The product title lists 550 W, a 0.5 l bin and a 4.5 m cord. Check that the capacity and cord length suit your needs.
Look for separate results for each surface and check which floorhead comes with the model you choose. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing procedure distinguishes between hard floors, carpets, edges and corners for robot vacuums, among other things. A result on tiled floors alone isn’t enough to show how it will perform on carpets.
Check the bin, filter and brushes according to your model’s instructions. For older Roomba ranges covered by its table, iRobot recommends checking the brushes, extractors and filters twice a week in homes with pets; this frequency doesn’t apply to every robot vacuum.
Note down the model numbers of any compatible bags, filters, brushes and batteries, then check their availability and price for the exact model. The French Ministry of the Economy says that the repairability rating takes into account, among other things, commitments on the availability of spare parts and their delivery times.
Yes. The DGCCRF lists corded household vacuum cleaners, battery-powered household models and robot vacuums among the categories covered by the repairability rating information requirements. This information requirement doesn’t mean buyers are required to choose a model with a minimum rating.
Contact the professional seller under the legal guarantee of conformity, which applies, subject to its terms, to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold to a private individual. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that this legal guarantee is separate from a manufacturer’s commercial warranty.