For quick clean-ups, choose a cordless stick vacuum; for regular maintenance on uncluttered floors, consider a robot; if you don’t mind getting out a hose and want to avoid recharging, look at compact cylinder vacuums. In each case, check how well it performs on your floors, how much storage space it needs and what maintenance it requires. A handy extra appliance won’t automatically replace more thorough cleaning sessions.
You want to vacuum a small area after a meal or once a pet has been through, then put the appliance away straight away. UFC-Que Choisir describes cordless stick vacuums as handy for quick clean-ups, while also pointing out their possible limitations in battery life and power.
You’d rather set a routine and can keep your floors clear for a robot to move around. Depending on the model, some docking stations handle part of the emptying or maintenance. However, both the robot and its station still need looking after.
You care more about how well it cleans your surfaces than about automation. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing methods assess carpets, tiles, wooden floors, edges and corners separately, among other things. Look for results that reflect the surfaces in your home.
Choose this if: you want to tackle a small area straight away and put the appliance away quickly.
Bear in mind: the battery needs recharging, and the stated run time may differ from what you get in the mode you use.
Choose this if: you want regular cleaning while you get on with other things, and your floors give the robot room to move around.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for its docking station and will still need to maintain the robot, even with an automated station.
Choose this if: you’d prefer an appliance that doesn’t rely on a rechargeable battery and don’t mind getting out a hose.
Bear in mind: check how much room you’ll need to store the appliance, hose and accessories, as well as its reach.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to use and easy to store | Space and a power socket for the charging dock; run time in the mode you plan to use, with the relevant brush. | When crumbs appear, I want to grab the appliance without any preparation and put it away as soon as I’m done. Around 43% of consumers put having it ready to use straight away first. |
| Automated maintenance | Room to move around, the programme you want and any maintenance required for the station. | I’d rather set a routine than vacuum by hand, even if that means clearing the floor before it starts. This is thought to be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Carpets, pet hair and debris | Performance on the floor coverings in your home; a brush or accessory suited to fabrics. | Carpets or pet hair make even small clean-ups more demanding in my home. Around 28% of consumers are thought to prioritise how well a vacuum picks up on these surfaces. |
This figure may not reflect how long it lasts with a powered brush or a higher-power mode. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the stated run time may disappoint in everyday use.
Compare the run time in the mode you plan to use, with the relevant brush, then check the charging time and whether you can store it near a socket.
UFC-Que Choisir’s testing methods assess carpets, hard floors, edges and corners separately. An automated station doesn’t remove the need for the maintenance specified for that model.
Identify your carpets, thresholds and cluttered areas, then look for relevant test results and check the station’s instructions.
Depending on the model, the station may need replacement bags or other consumables.
If it’s awkward to empty, that can make frequent use less convenient. Dyson France also says that a filter which isn’t working as well can reduce the appliance’s suction.
Check how easy it is to access the dust container, the filter cleaning instructions and whether the right replacement parts are available for your model.
Being able to grab a stick vacuum quickly or let a robot move around on its own doesn’t guarantee the results you want on carpets, pet hair or edges.
Decide whether your priority is a quick clean-up, an automated routine or tackling challenging surfaces. Then compare the relevant performance and accessories.
The X-Force Flex range includes cordless stick vacuums, with features varying between models.
Dyson offers a range of cordless stick vacuums, which you can compare by looking at their manoeuvrability and accessories.
Roborock’s robot vacuums have carpet settings and station features that vary by model.
These cordless stick vacuums are suited to manual clean-ups, while these robots are designed for automated maintenance. Decide which approach suits you before comparing the models’ features.
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Worth considering for manual clean-ups on hard floors or carpets. Check how it performs on the floor coverings in your home.
The product listing states 550 W, 55 kPa and up to 55 minutes’ run time in bare-floor mode; this figure doesn’t apply to every mode. The brush and filters need regular maintenance.
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Consider this if you want to do quick manual clean-ups and set the appliance down between uses without a wall mount.
The product listing states 60,000 Pa and up to 65 minutes’ run time, but doesn’t specify how long it runs with different brushes and modes. It also gives a weight of 3.3 kg, so check whether it feels comfortable to handle.
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For automated cleaning if the robot can move around your home and you have space for its station.
The product listing states 25,000 Pa suction, a mopping function and an OMNI station. Check how it performs on your floors and remember to maintain the tanks and mop pads.
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Worth considering if you’d rather schedule cleaning than vacuum by hand.
The product listing states 8,000 Pa and up to 180 minutes’ run time; this doesn’t guarantee it will cover every home. To schedule cleaning through the app, check that your network has the required 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
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Worth considering for automated cleaning if you can make room for the robot and its station.
The product listing states 16,200 Pa and hot-water cleaning at 75 °C. If scheduling or remote control is important to you, check the features of this model. You’ll also need to carry out regular maintenance.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir describes it mainly as a handy option for quick clean-ups, with possible limitations in battery life and power. If you have carpets, pet hair or large areas to clean, compare how it performs on your floors before relying on it as your only appliance.
It doesn’t necessarily show how long the vacuum will run with your brush and chosen power mode. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the stated run time may be less impressive in everyday use. If you’re planning several cleaning sessions close together, check the charging time too.
No. It may handle some tasks, such as emptying the dust container on models with this feature, but what it does depends on its configuration. Check the instructions to see what you’ll need to do with the dust container, any bags, the tanks and the mop pads.
When you buy a new appliance, the French Ministry for Ecological Transition describes a ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme for a product of the same type. If your old vacuum is still usable, ADEME also suggests considering repairing or donating it. Otherwise, find out about a collection scheme for electrical equipment.