Choose a stick vacuum for quickly picking up crumbs and dust, provided you are happy with limited battery life. A cylinder vacuum is better suited to homes where carpets, rugs, larger areas or deep cleaning are priorities; a robot vacuum is ideal for scheduled cleaning in a prepared home, as long as you check how it performs on your floor coverings, as well as its app and maintenance requirements. Robot mopping functions do not automatically replace thorough manual mopping.
For picking up dust, crumbs or hair between full cleans, choose a lightweight appliance that is easy to store and cordless, provided you are happy with shorter running times at high power. Que Choisir says that a stick vacuum is mainly intended for supplementary cleaning.
A main appliance capable of handling hard floors, parquet, rugs and carpets will be more suitable for longer cleaning sessions and thorough cleaning. Que Choisir’s guides present the cylinder vacuum as a versatile solution for this type of use.
A robot vacuum can schedule regular floor cleaning if you can prepare the rooms and keep track of the mapping, app, dustbin and consumables. According to Que Choisir, its results also vary depending on the type of flooring.
Choose this if: you prefer quick, frequent manual cleaning, with compact storage and no cable.
Bear in mind: battery life at full power is limited; Que Choisir records an average of around ten minutes in this mode.
Choose this if: you want a main appliance for hard floors, rugs, carpets and longer cleaning sessions.
Bear in mind: the cable and bulk require more manoeuvrability, while a bagged model needs compatible consumables.
Choose this if: you want to schedule regular cleaning in accessible, clearly defined areas.
Bear in mind: cables and small objects must be cleared away, and some mapping functions depend on the app, an account or software updates.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness on different flooring | Compare results on tiles, parquet with gaps, rugs and carpets. Also check the vacuum head, brushes and edge-cleaning performance. | I want to remove dust and debris from my own floor coverings without judging performance based on a single power rating. |
| Speed and battery life | For a stick vacuum, look at battery life in the mode you will actually use, not just the maximum duration advertised. For a cylinder vacuum, check the cable, operating radius and bag or tank capacity. | I want to be able to clean quickly between full cleans while covering the necessary area without unexpected interruptions. |
| Robot automation | Check mapping, no-go zones, obstacle handling, app compatibility and update requirements. A docking station reduces some emptying tasks but does not eliminate maintenance. | I want the robot to clean the right areas without having to regularly deal with blockages or reconfigure cleaning cycles. |
| Maintenance and repairability | Examine the filters, brushes, bags, batteries and replacement parts. For applicable new vacuum cleaners in France, check the repairability index displayed out of 10. | I want to keep an appliance that is easy to maintain and be able to find the consumables or parts I need throughout its service life. |
Motor power alone does not determine cleaning performance: usable suction power, head design and floor type also matter. Que Choisir specifically distinguishes results on hard floors, parquet with gaps and rugs.
Compare tests carried out on your types of flooring and check the accessories supplied, such as a parquet brush or a solution suitable for rugs, rather than ranking appliances solely by watts or Pa.
According to Que Choisir’s tests of robot mops, cleaning results vary between models and do not necessarily replace thorough mopping, particularly when dealing with stubborn dirt.
Consider robot mopping a complementary function. Check the permitted floor types, mopping system, carpet handling and independent test results before changing your usual cleaning routine.
A clogged filter, tangled brush or full dustbin can reduce performance. An automatic docking station spaces out some tasks, but it also requires regular maintenance.
Before buying, check the references for bags, filters, brushes, wipes and parts, as well as the expected maintenance frequency for the model you choose.
A bagged cylinder vacuum involves replacing compatible bags periodically.
Mapping helps target specific areas, but clothing, laces, cords and small objects can block a robot. Obstacle avoidance performance also depends on the model and its environment.
Prepare the floor before scheduled cleaning cycles and check the no-go zone, multi-floor mapping and app compatibility features according to your home’s layout.
An established brand present in the French robot vacuum market and featured among the cylinder vacuum models tested by Que Choisir.
A robot vacuum brand offering mapping, cleaning zones, an emptying station or mopping functions, depending on the model.
A brand present in the French robot vacuum market, offering models with LiDAR navigation, multi-floor mapping and mopping options.
This Joybuy selection brings together robot vacuums for regular automated cleaning and cordless stick vacuums for quick manual cleaning between full cleans.
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Worth considering for scheduled cleaning on hard floors and rugs in a prepared home.
The product sheet states that it features LiDAR navigation, no-go zones, 3D obstacle avoidance, a 2 L bagless station and up to 180 minutes of advertised battery life.
Advertised as compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; check your network, filters, brushes and replacement parts before buying.
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This robot is suitable for homes wanting to automate regular vacuuming on mixed flooring.
The product sheet states that it offers vacuuming, mopping, carpet detection, multi-floor mapping, anti-tangle brushes and a station that washes the mop pads at 75 °C.
The ECOVACS Home app, an account and a Wi-Fi connection may be required; you will also need to fill the clean-water tank and empty the dirty water.
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An option for scheduling regular cleaning in several areas through an app.
The product sheet states that it offers LiDAR navigation, schedules, no-go zones, a bagged emptying station, a dual anti-tangle system and a wiping function.
Check phone and network compatibility, as well as the bag reference and availability, before buying.
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For quick manual cleaning on hard floors and rugs, including underneath furniture.
The product sheet states that it features a removable battery, a 700 mL dustbin, bare-floor, carpet and turbo modes, an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 minutes in standard mode.
Its stated weight is 3,3 kg; check whether the battery life suits your rugs, as well as the availability of the battery, filters and brush.
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Worth considering for manual cleaning on rugs, hard floors and pet hair, with fewer interruptions to empty the dustbin.
The product sheet states that it offers a 1,8 L dustbin, a V-shaped anti-tangle brush, hard-floor and carpet modes, a touch display and up to 45 minutes of battery life.
Check battery life in carpet mode, as well as the compatibility of replacement filters, batteries and brushes. This appliance is intended for dry indoor vacuuming.
Not automatically. Que Choisir assesses robot performance separately on rugs, tiles, parquet, edges and corners; if rugs or carpets hold on to a lot of debris, a cylinder vacuum remains the most suitable choice for thorough cleaning, while a robot can provide supplementary cleaning.
Look at battery life in the mode you will actually use, not just the maximum duration advertised. Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at full power for stick vacuums; take into account the area to cover, carpet mode and recharging between cleaning sessions.
Yes, especially if there are cables, clothes, laces, toys or small objects around. iRobot says these items can become caught in the rollers or block the robot; clearing the floor and opening the necessary access routes helps the robot follow its cleaning path.
It depends on the model and the functions you want to use. Before buying, check app, phone and Wi-Fi compatibility; for some ClearView LiDAR maps, iRobot says that an account, an up-to-date app and up-to-date robot software are required.
Yes, for an applicable new vacuum cleaner sold in France. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition states that the repairability index is displayed out of 10 and takes into account factors including ease of disassembly, documentation, and the availability and price of parts; it does not apply to second-hand, refurbished, loaned, rented or free equipment.