For frequent pick-ups of crumbs and dust without taking up much storage space, a cordless stick vacuum is worth considering first. However, check the battery life in the mode you’ll use and how much room it needs to charge. If you need one appliance to handle longer cleaning sessions too, compare it with a cylinder vacuum that fits your home. A robot vacuum is better suited to automating floor cleaning, provided you have room for its docking station and are prepared to maintain it.
You want to pick up crumbs and dust quickly between full cleans, without giving up valuable cupboard space. Que Choisir describes cordless stick vacuums as easy to handle and suitable for quick clean-ups, while noting that battery life and power can be limiting factors.
Your appliance needs to handle both quick clean-ups and a full house clean. The question is whether the freedom of a cordless stick vacuum matters more to you than being able to clean for longer without recharging with a mains-powered model.
You’d like a robot to take care of regular floor cleaning. You’ll need to leave its docking station accessible and keep the dustbin, filters, brushes and sensors maintained, following Ecovacs’ instructions for the relevant robot models.
In a small home, first decide whether you want an appliance you can take out and use yourself or a robot for regular floor cleaning. Then consider whether it also needs to handle a thorough clean of your home.
Worth considering: for frequent clean-ups in small areas with an easy-to-use cordless appliance.
Bear in mind: battery life depends on the mode you use, and the battery needs to meet your needs over time.
Worth considering: if you need one mains-powered appliance for longer cleaning sessions.
Bear in mind: the cable, hose and space needed to store the model you choose.
Worth considering: if your priority is to schedule regular floor cleaning.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to keep its docking station accessible and maintain the robot.
Worth considering: if you already have an appliance for full cleans and want a stick vacuum for quick clean-ups.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to store and maintain two appliances.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Easy access and storage | Compare the overall size of the appliance and the space needed to charge or store it. | I want to pick up crumbs as soon as they appear, without having to move several things to get the vacuum cleaner out. Around 37% of consumers may put easy access at the top of their list. |
| One appliance for a full clean | Look at suction tests for the types of flooring in your home and, for a stick vacuum, battery life in the mode you plan to use. | I only have room for one vacuum cleaner, and it also needs to handle thorough cleaning sessions. Around 27% of consumers may prioritise this versatility. |
| Long-term maintenance | Check which filters and brushes are compatible and, for a cordless model, whether you can get a replacement battery. | I plan to keep my appliance and want to know how to replace wear-and-tear parts for its exact model. Around 18% of consumers may prioritise long-term maintenance. |
| Automated cleaning | Measure the space for the docking station and check thresholds, obstacles and the maintenance required for the robot. | I’d rather leave regular floor cleaning to a robot, even if I still need to maintain it. Around 18% of consumers may consider this a priority. |
That figure may not reflect how long it will last with the brush and suction mode you’ve chosen. Que Choisir assesses battery life, charging and suction performance separately for stick vacuums.
Look for battery-life figures measured in conditions close to how you’ll use the appliance, and compare them with suction test results for your flooring.
The availability of spare parts doesn’t mean every component is covered by a repair service. For example, Rowenta excludes batteries, consumables and accessories from its repair package for stick vacuums.
Check which parts are compatible with the exact model and what’s excluded from the service you’re considering.
The battery and wear-and-tear parts may need to be dealt with separately from repairs to the appliance.
Automated cleaning still requires an accessible place for the robot to dock, and you’ll still need to maintain the dustbin, filters, brushes and sensors.
Measure the space for the docking station and check the maintenance instructions for the model you’re considering.
Even if the vacuum itself fits in a cupboard, you’ll also need room for its hose, tube and accessories. The cable also means you’ll need an accessible socket.
Compare the dimensions and weight of the complete model with the space where you actually plan to store it.
A brand to consider if access to spare parts and repair options matter when choosing a stick, cylinder or robot vacuum.
Worth a look if you’re considering a bagged cylinder vacuum and are happy to check how much storage space it needs, including for its accessories.
Worth considering for a cordless stick vacuum if you want to check the battery and other parts by model number before choosing.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a robot vacuum for regular floor cleaning and have space for its docking station.
These models include cordless stick vacuums for quick clean-ups, corded stick vacuums if you have an accessible socket, and a robot vacuum to automate floor cleaning. Compare their storage and usage requirements with your home before choosing.
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Worth considering for quick clean-ups without a cable. The stated battery life is up to 65 min: check how long it lasts with the mode and brush you plan to use.
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Worth considering if you prefer to move around freely without a cable for quick clean-ups. Check that its storage requirements and run time in your chosen mode suit your routine.
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Worth considering if you want to clean without waiting for a recharge and have an accessible socket. Its 5 m cable does give you less freedom of movement than a cordless stick vacuum. Also check how much room you’ll need for the complete appliance.
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Its stick and handheld design could suit quick clean-ups near a socket. The cable is 4.5 m long and the dustbin has a stated capacity of 0.5 L. Check its dimensions if you have limited storage space.
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Worth considering if you want to automate floor cleaning. Set aside a permanent place for its docking station and check the clearance it needs, the obstacles in your home and the maintenance required for this model.
Compare the scores shown for the models you’re considering, then check the repair options for the exact model. A score doesn’t replace checking which compatible batteries, filters and brushes you may need.
Not necessarily: useful run time depends on factors including the mode and brush you use. Que Choisir assesses battery life and charging separately from suction performance. If the stick vacuum will be your only one, compare results from tests that reflect how you’ll use it.
It depends on the model. Look for a battery explicitly listed as compatible with the model you’re considering and check the repair terms. Dyson France lists batteries by model, while Rowenta excludes batteries from its repair package for stick vacuums.
No. Even though the robot cleans your floors, its components still need maintenance. Ecovacs’ instructions mention the dustbin, filter, brushes and sensors. Also check what needs doing to the docking station for the model you choose.