For regular cleaning across several surfaces, start by considering your flooring, the attachments you need for upholstery and how long your cleaning sessions last. A cylinder vacuum is suited to longer cleans, while a cordless stick vacuum makes quick clean-ups easier. If emptying the vacuum is a concern, compare the process of changing a bag with emptying a dust container. Robot vacuums and wet and dry vacuums are designed for more specific uses and do not automatically replace manual vacuuming of furniture and upholstery.
If you clean several rooms and move between hard floors and rugs or carpets, check that the brushes are suitable and that the vacuum has enough reach. Que Choisir Ensemble describes these types as catering to different needs.
If you want to grab your vacuum easily to clean floors, stairs or furniture, a lightweight, easy-to-handle design can make all the difference. Also check the run time at the power setting you plan to use. Que Choisir Ensemble points out that the maximum advertised run time is generally measured at low power.
If you would rather not tip dust straight out of a container, compare the process of removing a bag with emptying a dust container. Que Choisir Ensemble notes that cleaning a bagless container can expose you to dust; this factor alone does not prove any health benefit.
Start with your surfaces and how long your cleaning sessions usually take, then compare manoeuvrability, attachments and how the vacuum is emptied. For cordless stick vacuums, check the run time in the mode you actually need rather than relying on the advertised maximum.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Surfaces and cleaning time | Performance on your flooring, the floorhead and the cleaning range. | If I clean several rooms and switch between hard floors, rugs and carpets, I want a suitable brush and enough reach. Around 31% of consumers prioritise a mix of flooring and longer cleaning sessions. |
| Manoeuvrability and run time | Weight in the configuration you use and run time in the mode you need. | For frequent, short clean-ups, I want to be able to pick up and put away the vacuum easily without having to cut a session short. Around 25% of consumers prioritise manoeuvrability and quick cleaning. |
| Pet hair and upholstery | Attachments actually supplied for furniture and how the brush performs on rugs. | If I vacuum rugs, seats or the sofa, I check for brushes designed for these surfaces and how well they remove hair. Around 19% of consumers put pet hair and upholstery at the top of their list. |
| Dust when emptying | How the container opens or the bag is removed, and how the filters are maintained. | If I would rather not empty an open dust container, I compare how the bag and container are handled, without assuming this affects health. Around 25% of consumers prioritise the emptying process and contact with dust. |
An electrical power or Air Watts figure on its own does not tell you how well a vacuum will perform on wooden floors, rugs and carpets.
Que Choisir Ensemble recommends looking at tests carried out on the surfaces you need to clean and checking which floorhead comes with the vacuum.
The advertised maximum is often measured at the lowest power setting, so cleaning rugs or using a higher setting may call for a different check.
Compare the run time in the mode you plan to use and with the brush you intend to fit, as well as the length of your usual cleaning sessions.
A dust container needs emptying and cleaning, and handling it can send dust back into the air. A bagged model, on the other hand, requires consumables.
Before choosing, check how the vacuum is emptied and look up the compatible bag references or the care instructions for the container and filters.
A bagged model needs compatible bags; the bag, container and filters all require maintenance suited to the specific model.
Being able to vacuum up water or larger debris does not mean the attachments are suitable for rugs, sofas or other upholstery.
Choose this type if its extra uses are helpful to you, and check separately which brushes are intended for everyday household cleaning.
The G-Force Silence RO6179EA and X-Force Flex 12.60 Neo RH9L42WO are examples of a bagged cylinder vacuum and a cordless stick vacuum, respectively.
The BGS41PET1 Series 6 ProAnimal is an example of a bagless cylinder vacuum to consider if pet hair is one of your cleaning needs.
The Pure D8 PD82-4ST bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering if reach, mixed flooring and the stated noise level are important to you.
The V12 Detect Slim range is an example of cordless stick vacuums with attachments designed for hair, pet hair and household surfaces.
The WD 3 S V-19/4/20 is an example of a wet and dry vacuum for larger debris or small amounts of water, rather than an automatic replacement for a vacuum designed for upholstery.
This selection includes cordless stick vacuums and bagged or bagless cylinder vacuums for everyday cleaning of floors and upholstery.
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Worth considering if you want to clean hard floors and rugs as well as furniture with a vacuum that converts into a handheld model.
The product listing specifies an anti-tangle brush, a 1.8 l dust container and an upholstery tool. It states 55,000 Pa and a 45-minute run time.
The washable filter must be left to dry completely for 24 to 48 hours before being refitted.
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Worth considering for cleaning several rooms and mixed flooring if you prefer a bagged dust collection system.
The product listing specifies a 3.5 l bag, a 12 m operating radius, a parquet brush, an all-floor brush and a turbo brush.
Replace the bag when the fill indicator shows that it is full.
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Worth considering if you want to switch from a stick vacuum to a handheld model for cleaning floors and furniture.
The product listing states 18 kPa, an LED display and up to 40 minutes of run time.
Do not use to vacuum liquids, flammable substances or hot materials.
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Worth considering if you prefer a bagless cylinder vacuum and are happy to empty and maintain its dust container.
The product listing specifies a removable 2 l dust container, a washable HEPA 12 filter and a 2-in-1 crevice tool.
The container must be emptied and maintained; handling it can expose you to dust.
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Worth considering if you want to clean floors, stairs and furniture with a vacuum that converts into a handheld model.
The product listing mentions an anti-tangle brush, an upholstery tool, a 0.4 l dust container and up to 40 minutes of run time. The battery is listed as removable.
Do not use to vacuum liquids.
Compare the run time in the mode you plan to use and with the brush you will fit, as the advertised maximum is generally measured at low power. Also check its performance on your flooring and how long it takes to charge.
A bag means you do not have to tip the contents straight out of a dust container, while cleaning a bagless container can expose you to dust, as Que Choisir Ensemble points out. This is about the emptying process and does not prove that a vacuum prevents or treats a health condition.
Remove any fibres and hair caught in the brushes, then maintain the bag or container and filters in line with the model’s instructions. Also check which upholstery attachments are actually supplied.
Check which bags, filters or batteries need replacing for your model. When a private individual buys a product from a professional seller, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies subject to its conditions; the French Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to claim under it.
The DGCCRF includes corded household vacuum cleaners, battery-powered models and household robot vacuums among the categories covered, including for online sales. This list does not mean the requirement can be extended without checking to every drum-style wet and dry vacuum.