For a deep clean of carpets and rugs that trap pet hair, start by comparing how cylinder vacuums perform on the fibres and flooring in your home. A stick vacuum may suit you if its brush and usable battery life cover your whole cleaning session; a robot is better suited to regular upkeep on compatible floors. Whichever you choose, check which floorhead is included and how to maintain the brush, filter and dust container.
If your carpets, rugs and upholstery need more than a quick once-over, look for test results for the exact model on fibres similar to pet hair. UFC-Que Choisir uses this type of fibre in some of its test protocols.
An easy-to-grab stick vacuum can be handy for frequent cleaning of floors, stairs and upholstery. For carpets, also compare its brush and battery life on the setting you need: UFC-Que Choisir notes that the maximum battery life quoted is often measured at low power.
A robot vacuum can take care of regular cleaning on compatible floors with enough clear space. Keep a manual vacuum for upholstery and areas it may not clean as well; according to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuum performance varies depending on the type of floor.
Consider it: for your main clean across carpets, rugs and different floor types, provided its results suit the fibres and flooring in your home.
Be prepared for: a corded, bulkier appliance. With a bagged model, you’ll need to replace the bags; a bagless model needs its dust container emptied and maintained.
Consider it: if easy manoeuvrability and frequent quick cleans are important, as long as the accessories and usable battery life also suit your carpets.
Be prepared for: a shorter run time on the setting needed to remove embedded fibres.
Consider it: to automate regular cleaning on compatible floors, alongside manual cleaning for upholstery.
Be prepared for: varying results on different surfaces and the need to maintain the dust container, brushes or docking station.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Carpets and embedded fibres | Test results for the exact model on fibres and carpets; the floorhead supplied for your floors. | When pet hair is left in the carpet after a quick pass, I want to judge how well it deep-cleans rather than relying on the advertised power alone. Around 45% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Frequent cleaning and battery life | Weight in use and, for a stick vacuum, battery life on the setting needed for carpets. | If I often get the vacuum out to clean floors and upholstery, it needs to be easy to handle without interrupting my session. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Automated floor care | The robot’s results on your flooring, and what’s involved in emptying and maintaining it. | To reduce manual cleaning between thorough cleans, I’d prioritise a routine for compatible floors. Around 22% of consumers prioritise this additional automation. |
These figures alone don’t tell you how much fibre a vacuum will lift from a carpet. The floorhead supplied and its results on each type of flooring matter too.
Look for test results for the exact model on carpets and fibres, then check that the brushes supplied suit your floors.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the stated battery life is often measured at low power; using a more demanding setting reduces the run time.
Compare the run time on the setting needed for your carpets with the time your cleaning session takes.
Hair can wrap around a brush, while a clogged dust container or filter needs maintenance specific to the model.
Check the manual before buying to find out how to remove, clean and dry the relevant parts, and when to replace them.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that robot vacuum results vary depending on the floor. Cleaning floors won’t take care of your upholstery.
Assess how the robot performs on your carpets and along edges, and plan to use a manual vacuum for upholstery and more thorough cleans.
The X-Force Flex range includes stick vacuums with accessories designed for uses such as cleaning upholstery.
The ProAnimal range includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, giving you two dust collection options to compare based on the maintenance you prefer.
The V8 Advanced and V11 Advanced stick vacuums are among the models featured in UFC-Que Choisir’s comparisons.
Roomba robot vacuums feature in UFC-Que Choisir’s robot vacuum comparison.
The brand is represented among the robots reviewed in UFC-Que Choisir’s French comparison.
These models illustrate three different options: two stick vacuums for easy manoeuvrability, a bagged cylinder vacuum for your main clean and a robot for additional floor care. For carpets and embedded pet hair, compare test results for each model before deciding.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for regular cleaning of carpets and hard floors; check how this model performs on embedded fibres.
The product description lists an anti-tangle brush, charging station and LED touchscreen. Don’t assume the quoted 55 minutes is the guaranteed battery life on the setting needed for carpets.
Image unavailable
Consider this model if a stick vacuum suits your frequent cleaning routine, but check how it performs on your carpets.
The product description mentions an anti-tangle brush and a quoted run time of up to 65 minutes. Compare the battery life on the setting your floors require rather than relying on the maximum figure alone.
Image unavailable
Worth considering as your main vacuum for different floor types; compare how this model performs on your carpets and fibres.
This cylinder vacuum uses a bag, so factor in replacements and check which floorheads are supplied for your flooring.
Image unavailable
Consider it for automated cleaning on compatible floors, alongside a vacuum designed for upholstery and deeper cleans.
The product description mentions an anti-tangle brush and app control. Check test results for this model on carpets, fibres and edges, and make sure the app is compatible with your phone.
Look for test results for the exact model on fibres similar to pet hair. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocols include this type of assessment for cylinder and stick vacuums; also check results on the other floor types in your home.
No. Having one doesn’t guarantee that embedded fibres will be removed. Check how the vacuum performs on carpets with its brush, and, if you’re considering a stick vacuum, check its battery life on the setting you’ll use for this clean.
Check the model’s manual to find out how to remove, clean, dry or replace each part. UFC-Que Choisir notes that maintenance requirements vary between appliances, and its cylinder vacuum tests also assess the effects of clogging.
Don’t assume it can: UFC-Que Choisir says robot vacuum results vary depending on the floor. A robot is better suited to additional upkeep, unless test results for the exact model show that it meets your needs on carpets, fibres and edges. Upholstery still needs a suitable cleaning solution.