For cleaning floors, rugs and fabrics with one main appliance, start by comparing cylinder vacuum cleaners and their accessories: Que Choisir describes how they perform on these different surfaces. A cordless stick vacuum is better suited to quick clean-ups, provided its battery lasts long enough in the mode you need. A robot automates floor care, but it cannot replace a manual vacuum for furniture and fabrics.
If you clean hard floors, rugs, sofas, bedding and awkward corners, look for a main appliance with accessories suited to each area. Que Choisir describes this versatility in cylinder vacuums, but the accessories included vary by model.
A cordless stick vacuum can be easier to grab for everyday clean-ups. However, check its battery life in the mode you need for rugs or dirtier areas, rather than relying on the maximum runtime alone.
A robot vacuum is suited to regular cleaning of accessible floors. You’ll still need a way to clean sofas, bedding, stairs and areas it can’t reach by hand.
First choose based on the surfaces the appliance will actually need to reach, then consider how much time and maintenance you’re prepared to put in. Each type suits different needs: a robot or stick vacuum won’t always replace a cylinder vacuum.
Consider it: for thorough manual cleaning across several surfaces, if the model’s accessories also cover your rugs and fabrics.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to move a corded appliance around and replace its bags.
Consider it: if you want a cylinder vacuum without having to replace bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the bin and maintain the filter and brushes.
Consider it: for short, frequent clean-ups with an appliance that’s easy to grab.
Bear in mind: runtime depends in part on the power setting.
Consider it: to automate cleaning on floors it can move around on.
Bear in mind: the appliance needs maintenance, and you’ll still need to clean fabrics and furniture by hand.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Surfaces and accessories | Check that the brushes suit your floors and rugs, then look for a long nozzle or a tool compatible with your fabrics. | If one appliance needs to clean floors, rugs and the sofa, I want to be able to reach every surface without assuming a floor brush will be enough. Around 37% of consumers put this all-round versatility at the top of their list. |
| Ease of handling and runtime | Compare the weight of the appliance when ready to use and, for a stick vacuum, the battery life in the mode you’ll use. | For short, frequent clean-ups, I prefer an appliance that’s easy to handle, even if I need to keep an eye on how long each session lasts. Ease of use is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Maintenance | Check how to replace the bags or empty the bin, how to clean the filters and brushes, and the battery replacement terms, if applicable. | If I want to keep things simple after buying, maintenance matters just as much as the type of appliance. Around 18% of consumers prioritise the amount of maintenance involved. |
| Automated floor cleaning | Check how the robot navigates, how it handles rugs and what’s involved in maintaining its bin or station. | If repeated floor cleaning takes up too much of my routine, I want to automate it while keeping an appliance for other areas. This is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
The stated runtime is generally based on the lowest power setting. Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at maximum power; this average doesn’t indicate the runtime of every model.
If your home has lots of rugs, compare the runtime in the mode you’ll use, with the brush you’ll need.
The same vacuum head won’t necessarily perform equally well on hard floors, rugs, in crevices and on fibres. Que Choisir tests these different surfaces and types of dirt separately.
Identify the surfaces that matter most to you, then check which accessories are included and, if possible, look for test results covering those surfaces.
Que Choisir reports varying vacuuming and mopping results among the robots it has tested. A mopping function also won’t clean sofas, bedding or stairs.
Before choosing this function, check any restrictions that apply to your floors, how the robot handles rugs and what’s involved in maintaining the mop pads. Keep a manual option for other surfaces.
A vacuum that’s also intended for sofas or awkward corners may need a separate tool in addition to its floor brush. Bags or bins, filters and brushes also need regular maintenance.
Before choosing a model, check what’s included, what’s compatible and whether the consumables you’ll need are available.
In France, Miele offers bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums as well as cordless stick vacuums, making it a useful brand to compare across different types.
In France, Rowenta offers bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, cordless stick vacuums and robot vacuums.
Dyson is worth considering here for its cordless stick vacuums and accessories designed for areas beyond the floor.
Roborock is worth a look if you’re comparing the settings and rug-handling features of a robot designed for floors.
These Joybuy products cover three distinct needs: a bagged cylinder vacuum for manual cleaning, cordless stick vacuums for everyday clean-ups and a robot for automated floor care. Start by choosing the type that suits your surfaces, then check the accessories and operating conditions for the specific model.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a main appliance for floors and rugs. If you also plan to clean fabrics such as sofas and bedding, check that a suitable accessory is included.
Corded, bagged design; remember to replace the bags and maintain the filter.
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Worth considering for frequent clean-ups on floors and fabrics. Check that the model you choose includes the accessories you need for your sofa and awkward corners.
The stated runtime of 55 minutes applies to bare-floor mode; for rugs, check the battery life in the mode you’ll use.
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Worth comparing for occasional cleaning of floors and, depending on the accessories included, furniture or stairs.
If you clean rugs regularly, check the runtime with the brush and power setting you’ll need.
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Worth considering if you want to move from cleaning floors to targeted cleaning of fabrics and awkward corners, but check which accessories are included.
If you plan to use it on rugs for extended periods, check the runtime and power setting for the UV5 model before choosing.
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Worth considering for regular floor cleaning if the robot can move around the rooms in question. Keep a manual appliance for sofas, bedding and other areas it can’t reach.
Allow space for the station and check its collection system, along with the consumables needed for maintenance.
Not if you also need to clean furniture, fabrics, stairs or areas that require a handheld nozzle. Que Choisir also notes that robot performance varies depending on the floor. Consider one as an addition, rather than an automatic replacement for manual cleaning.
The choice mainly depends on which type of maintenance you prefer: replacing bags or emptying and cleaning a bin. In its tests, Que Choisir reports better suction from bagged cylinder vacuums than from bagless models. However, compare the results and accessories for models suited to your surfaces.
It needs to be considered alongside the power setting and accessory used. Que Choisir says the maximum runtime is generally quoted for the lowest setting, and reports an average of around ten minutes at maximum power. Check the runtime that matters to you if you plan to vacuum rugs in one session.
A cylinder vacuum needs its bag replaced or bin emptied, as well as its filters and brushes maintained. With a stick vacuum, you’ll also need to keep an eye on the battery. For a robot, check the bin and brushes, along with the station or mop pads, depending on the equipment.