For a thorough, regular clean, particularly in a larger home or one with rugs and carpets, start by looking at cylinder vacuum cleaners. A cordless stick vacuum is better suited to quick clean-ups, while a robot can automate maintenance on clear floors, though results will vary from home to home. With cylinder vacuums, a bag means less direct contact with dust when you empty it, while a bagless model avoids replacement bags but requires you to empty and maintain the dust container.
If you regularly clean hard floors, rugs and carpets, a cylinder vacuum is worth considering as your main appliance. According to Que Choisir, the choice of bag also affects how much contact you have with dust when emptying the vacuum. Then check how the specific model performs on each of your floor types.
A cordless stick vacuum is easy to grab and put away for frequent clean-ups. If you plan to use it to clean your whole home, compare its runtime in the mode you’ll use and how its brush performs on your rugs or carpets, rather than relying on the maximum runtime advertised.
A robot vacuum can run regularly on clear floors. However, Que Choisir notes that suction results vary, so check test results for your floor types and allow time for the maintenance of the dust container, brushes and sensors described by iRobot for its robots.
First decide what you want your vacuum cleaner to do at home, then compare models on the floor types and in the conditions that matter to you.
Consider it: for thorough cleaning, especially if you’d rather remove dust in a bag than empty an open dust container.
Bear in mind: the cord, the space taken up by the vacuum and the need to replace compatible bags.
Consider it: if you want a corded appliance for regular cleaning but would prefer not to use bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the dust container and maintain the filters. According to Que Choisir, this can mean more contact with dust than using a bag.
Consider it: for frequent, quick clean-ups when having an appliance you can grab straight away is especially important.
Bear in mind: battery life limits how long you can use it, so compare it with the time you usually spend cleaning.
Consider it: for scheduled cleaning on floors that are sufficiently clear.
Bear in mind: results can vary depending on the floors and obstacles, and the robot needs regular maintenance.
| Consideration | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Floor cleaning | Compare the model’s test results on the tiles, wooden floors and rugs or carpets in your home. Check which brush is designed for each surface: Que Choisir assesses performance by floor type, not just by motor power. | I have several types of flooring, so I want to know how the vacuum cleans each one rather than relying on the wattage alone. |
| Floor area and cleaning frequency | For a cylinder vacuum, check its operating radius and how often you’ll need to change sockets. For a stick vacuum, compare runtime in the intended mode and with the brush you’ll use; for a robot, look at how it navigates your home’s layout. | A quick clean-up is enough on some days, but I also want to cover the area I need to clean without an inconvenient interruption. |
| Dust and maintenance | Check how to remove the bag or empty the dust container, and how to maintain the filters. For a robot, also factor in cleaning the brushes and sensors; iRobot includes this in its maintenance guidance. | I’d rather choose maintenance tasks I can keep up with, especially when it comes to emptying the appliance. |
| Noise and manoeuvrability | Compare noise in the mode you’ll use, the weight you’ll need to move and how easy the vacuum is to store. A decibel rating alone doesn’t tell you how comfortable it is to use. | If I vacuum often or need to carry it between rooms, how easy it is to handle matters as much as its size. |
| Long-term maintenance | Check that compatible bags, filters and brushes are available. In France, vacuum cleaners are among the product categories covered by the repairability index, according to the ministry responsible for ecological transition. Compare the rating for the exact model. | I want to be able to maintain the appliance and consider how repairable it is before I choose. |
Usable runtime depends on factors including the power mode and brush you use. If your cleaning session takes longer than the runtime you get in those conditions, you’ll need to stop and recharge.
Compare runtime in the set-up you’ll actually use with the time it takes to clean your home. Que Choisir also measures stick vacuums’ runtime and charging time in its tests.
According to Que Choisir, emptying a dust container exposes you to more dust than removing a bag. The container and filters also need regular maintenance.
If handling dust is a concern, compare the emptying process with that of a bagged cylinder vacuum. Also check that compatible filters are easy to access.
Allow time to clean the dust container and filters, and factor in the possible cost of replacement filters, depending on the model.
Que Choisir often finds the mopping results of robot mops unconvincing. So a mopping function alone doesn’t prove that a model can replace manual cleaning.
Check vacuuming and mopping results separately on your floor types, then read the manufacturer’s guidance for those surfaces. You’ll also need to empty the appliance and maintain its mopping components.
The bags, filters and brushes you’ll need depend on the model. In France, the repairability index can also help you compare how easy the vacuum cleaners it covers are to repair, according to the ministry responsible for ecological transition.
Check which consumables are compatible and look up the rating for the model you’re considering. If you’re replacing an old appliance, ecosystem offers ways to donate or recycle vacuum cleaners.
These brands offer examples of different formats. Their range-level features don’t replace the need to compare the specific model and how it performs on your floors.
Miele France offers a range of bagged cylinder vacuums for cleaning around the home.
Rowenta also offers bagless cylinder vacuums. The brand states that its Silence Force Cyclonic Effitech operates at 59 dB(A) at maximum power; this figure applies to that model, not the entire range.
Dyson offers cordless stick vacuums, with Digital Motorbar heads designed for carpets and hard floors, depending on the configuration.
iRobot provides maintenance guidance for its robots, including for the dust container, brushes, filter and sensors.
This selection includes a bagged cylinder vacuum, a cordless stick vacuum and robots to suit different cleaning routines. Compare each model with the role you want your vacuum cleaner to play; this isn’t a ranking of the four formats.
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This bagged cylinder vacuum is an option if you’re looking for a corded appliance for regular cleaning. Check that its brushes are suitable for your floors, and consider the weight you’ll need to carry and the availability of compatible bags.
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This robot is aimed at households looking to automate regular cleaning. Its product description mentions an auto-empty station, 3D obstacle avoidance and up to 180 minutes of advertised runtime. Compare that runtime and its cleaning results with your home’s layout. Also check that you have space for the station and that your network is compatible with the app.
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This cordless stick vacuum is worth considering for frequent clean-ups without a cable getting in the way. Its product description states up to 65 minutes of runtime and includes an anti-tangle brush. Check the runtime you get with the mode and brush you plan to use, as well as its performance on your rugs and hard floors. You’ll also need to maintain and dry the filter.
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This robot is worth considering if you want to schedule cleaning across several rooms. Its product description mentions LiDAR mapping, an auto-empty station and up to 200 minutes of advertised runtime. Check that your network is compatible with the app, and compare its vacuuming and mopping results separately on your floors; the mop function doesn’t guarantee a thorough clean.
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This robot is worth considering if you’re looking for automated cleaning. Before choosing it, check how it performs on your floors, whether its runtime is sufficient for your home and whether you have enough space to set it up. The tanks and components will still need maintenance; follow the manufacturer’s guidance on any hot water left in the appliance.
No. Que Choisir explains that motor power alone doesn’t determine how well a cylinder vacuum cleans. When choosing a model, compare its test results on the floors in your home and check which brush was used.
Yes, if its performance on your floors and its runtime in the mode you use are enough to clean your whole home. Its manoeuvrability is a plus for quick clean-ups, as Que Choisir points out. For longer sessions, compare its runtime with how long you actually need to clean for.
Check the dust container, brushes, filter and sensors, following the guidance for your model. For its robots, iRobot also mentions the charging contacts, front castor wheel and side brush; the tasks and how often you need to do them depend on the series.
It gives a score out of 10 to indicate how easy or difficult a model is to repair. The ministry responsible for ecological transition states that vacuum cleaners are among the categories covered in France. Compare the index for the exact model rather than assuming it applies to an entire brand.
If it still works, you could donate it; if it can no longer be used, look for a collection and recycling scheme. ecosystem offers options for vacuum cleaners, so check which drop-off point is convenient for you.