For regular cleaning of carpets, hard floors and upholstery, compare results for each surface and check which brushes are actually included with cylinder vacuum cleaners. Choosing between a bag and a bin also comes down to whether you’d rather replace bags or empty the bin. A stick vacuum is handy for quick clean-ups if its battery life suits the mode you’ll use, while a robot can keep accessible floors tidy between manual cleans—but it won’t replace a vacuum for the sofa.
If you need to tackle embedded fibres and upholstery, compare carpet test results and the brushes supplied rather than relying on the advertised power alone. Tests by UFC-Que Choisir assess fibres in carpets and pet hair, among other things.
If you’ll be getting your vacuum out regularly, weigh up how easy it is to handle, its battery life in the mode you’ll use and what’s involved in emptying the bin.
A robot can clean accessible floors regularly, but it won’t clean the sofa. Consider your floor coverings, corners and the maintenance required.
Worth considering: for manual cleaning across several surfaces if you’d rather replace a bag than empty a bin.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move the body and manage the cord, and buy replacement bags. Check which brushes are included with the version on sale.
Worth considering: if you’d rather not buy bags and don’t mind emptying the bin and maintaining the filters.
Bear in mind: “bagless” doesn’t mean maintenance-free. Compare results on carpets, wooden floors and hard floors for the exact model.
Worth considering: for frequent quick clean-ups, stairs or accessible upholstery, provided it has a suitable brush.
Bear in mind: battery life limits how long you can use it; the maximum advertised runtime may be for the lowest-power mode.
Worth considering: for regular upkeep of accessible floors between manual cleans.
Bear in mind: results vary across floor types and in corners; sofas still need to be cleaned by hand.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Picking up dirt from floors | Compare test results by floor type and type of dirt, noting which brush was used. UFC-Que Choisir tests dust and fibres on different floor coverings, among other things. | If my home has a mix of carpets, wooden floors and hard floors, I compare the results for each surface and the brush used; around 29% of consumers prioritise pick-up across different floor types. |
| Pet hair on upholstery | Check whether the kit includes a mini brush or an upholstery tool compatible with the model. | If pet hair builds up on the sofa, I look for an accessory designed for upholstery rather than relying on the main floor brush; around 23% of consumers prioritise cleaning upholstery. |
| Frequent quick clean-ups | Compare the weight and ease of handling in the setup you’ll use; for a stick vacuum, check the battery life in the mode you need. | If I prefer to clean little and often, I check whether the vacuum is easy to get out and handle; around 18% of consumers prioritise quick, easy clean-ups. |
| Maintenance and consumables | Check what’s involved in emptying it, how easy the filters and brushes are to access, and which compatible consumables are available. | To minimise the jobs involved after each clean, I compare replacing a bag with emptying a bin and cleaning the brushes; around 18% of consumers put post-use maintenance first. |
| Automated floor care | Check how it performs on your floor coverings, how well it navigates your home and what maintenance the docking station needs; plan separately for the sofa. | If I want to automate some of my floor care, I check that the robot suits my floor coverings and room layout; around 12% of consumers prioritise automated floor cleaning. |
The floor head and brush used affect how well a vacuum cleans a particular surface. Carpet performance can vary depending on whether a test uses a turbo brush or a standard brush.
Look for results by floor type and type of dirt, then check which brush is included with the version you’re buying.
You’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filters and brushes; a bagged model also needs its bag replacing.
Check how to empty it, how easy the filters are to access and which consumables are compatible with the exact model.
Bags, filters and other consumables vary by model, so check which part numbers you’ll need before buying.
The advertised runtime may be for the lowest-power setting, and actual battery life depends on the mode you use.
Check the figures for the mode and brush you’ll be using.
A robot’s results vary across floor types and in corners; it won’t replace a manual vacuum for the sofa.
Decide which jobs you’ll leave to the robot and which will need to be done by hand.
You may still need a manual vacuum and a suitable accessory for the sofa.
The brand offers bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, as well as stick vacuums; accessories vary by model.
The bagged ProAnimal BGB41PET1 and bagless BGS41PET1 models illustrate two different ways of collecting dirt.
The V8 Advanced is an example of a cordless stick vacuum with the Motorbar floor brush, which the brand says is designed to untangle hair.
The Qrevo Edge S5A is an example of the brand’s robots with a docking station and an advertised anti-tangle system.
These vacuums cover automated floor care, manual cleaning across different floor types and quick clean-ups on accessible surfaces.
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For keeping floors clean between manual vacuuming; a robot won’t replace a vacuum designed for sofas.
The product title lists 8000 Pa suction power, DuoDetect AI 3D obstacle detection and an anti-tangle brush.
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For cleaning floors by hand; the bagged system means replacing the bag and maintaining the vacuum.
Power listed in the title: 550 W. Listed colour: black.
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Worth considering for manual floor cleaning; check that the configuration also suits your upholstery-cleaning needs.
The title lists 600 W, 15 kPa, a 2.2 kg body and a 180° swivel floor brush.
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For cleaning floors and accessible upholstery: the description says it converts into a handheld vacuum for sofas and stairs.
The title lists 550 W, a visible 0.5 l bin and a 4.5 m cord; this is a corded model.
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For quick clean-ups without having to move the plug; check that the battery life suits the mode you’ll use. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the maximum runtime of stick vacuums may be measured on the lowest setting.
The title lists 18 kPa, 40 minutes of runtime and an LED display.
Check the results for hard floors and dirt in the gaps between floorboards separately, then look at results for dust and fibres on carpets. Note which brush was used: in two separate historical tests of Rowenta cylinder vacuums, fibre pick-up on carpets was better with the turbo brush than with the standard brush. These tests don’t reflect current models.
No. A robot keeps accessible floors clean, but it won’t clean seating. If pet hair also builds up on the sofa, you’ll need a manual vacuum; check which upholstery accessory is included.
Follow the instructions for your model to replace the bag or empty the bin, then clean the filters and brushes. A robot’s auto-emptying station can reduce how often you need to empty it, but you’ll still need to maintain the brushes and replace consumables.
According to the DGCCRF, claims under the statutory guarantee of conformity must be brought within two years of the goods being delivered, whether they’re new or second-hand. You make a claim to the professional seller; an optional commercial warranty doesn’t replace this statutory guarantee.
The French Ministry responsible for the environment says that the “one-for-one” take-back scheme covers handing in an electrical appliance when you buy a product of the same type from a participating shop. Rules for take-back without a purchase depend, among other things, on the type and size of the shop: check with the retailer.