Households that need a thorough clean
If you regularly clean several rooms, carpets or upholstery, start by comparing how cylinder vacuums perform on these surfaces. Storage and manoeuvrability are also worth considering with a corded appliance.
Who are these types of vacuum for?
The area you need to clean, your floor types and how often you vacuum will help you choose a style before you settle on a specific model.
People living in smaller homes
A vacuum that’s quick to get out and put away can be a good fit for frequent clean-ups. If you want to use a cordless stick vacuum as your main appliance, make sure its battery life and performance are enough for a full cleaning session.
Households with carpets or pets
Check how the specific model picks up embedded fibres, then look at the brush supplied and how to maintain it. A range name that suggests it’s designed for pet owners isn’t enough to prove how it will perform on your carpets or upholstery.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the surfaces you need to clean, then consider whether the type of vacuum you’re looking at suits the length of your cleaning sessions and the maintenance you’re happy to do.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Floor types | Check how the exact model performs on your hard floors, parquet with gaps or carpets. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these surfaces separately in its tests. | I have different floor types: a good result on tiles alone doesn’t tell me how it will perform on carpets. |
| Pet hair and fabrics | Look for test results on embedded fibres. Check which brushes and nozzles are included, and how easy it is to clean the roller. | If I have pets or fabrics to vacuum, I want to know how the model performs on those surfaces, not just read the name of its brush. |
| Type and battery life | For a cordless stick vacuum, check how long it runs on the setting you need for your floors, how long it takes to charge and how easy it is to store. For a cylinder vacuum, check the cable reach and how much space you have. | If I usually clean in short sessions, being able to get the vacuum out quickly matters. For a longer clean, it needs to cover the whole area. |
| Bag or dust container | Compare how each type is emptied, how the filters are maintained and which consumables are compatible. UFC-Que Choisir says bagged cylinder vacuums expose you to less dust during maintenance than bagless models. | I’d rather replace a bag than empty a container, or vice versa: I need to be happy with the task I’ll be doing regularly. |
| Robot as an extra | Check performance on hard floors, carpets, edges and corners, as well as how the dust container is emptied. Check the app if it’s needed for the way you plan to use the vacuum. | I’d like to automate regular cleaning, without assuming the robot will clean every area as well as my other vacuum. |
| Repairability | In France, ADEME lists vacuum cleaners among the appliances covered by the repairability index. Check the score for the exact model, and whether spare parts and consumables are available. | I want to be able to maintain the appliance and check the repair options before choosing it. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing based only on motor power or maximum battery life
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will pick up dirt from a particular surface. With a stick vacuum, the quoted runtime on the lowest setting may also differ from how long it lasts on the setting you need for carpets.
Compare test results on your floors and check the runtime at the setting you plan to use.
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Relying on the ‘pet’ label
A brush supplied with the vacuum doesn’t, on its own, prove how well it picks up embedded fibres from a carpet.
Check test results for the exact model on carpets and fibres, which accessories are included and how to remove hair from the roller.
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Forgetting about maintenance when choosing between bagged and bagless
A dust container needs emptying and cleaning; a bagged model needs compatible bags. According to UFC-Que Choisir, bagged models expose you to less dust during maintenance.
Before you buy, check the reference numbers for bags and filters, their availability and the maintenance instructions for the model you’re considering.
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Expecting a robot to clean every area equally well
According to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuum performance varies between floor types. Edges and corners should be checked separately.
Before choosing one as an extra, look at test results for the surfaces in your home, how the dust container is emptied and any requirements for using the app.
Which brands should you compare?
These brands offer a starting point for comparing different types of vacuum. Their inclusion here doesn’t guarantee how a specific model will perform or whether it’s available.
Rowenta
A brand to consider when comparing different types of vacuum cleaner.
- Compare the features of the model that suits your needs, rather than choosing based on the brand alone.
- Check how it performs on your floors, which accessories are included and what maintenance it needs.
Dyson
UFC-Que Choisir includes the Dyson V11 Advanced and V8 Advanced stick vacuums among the models it has tested recently.
- Identify the exact variant before comparing its features.
- Check its battery life on the setting you need and how it performs on carpets and fibres. Being included in a list of tested models isn’t enough to draw a conclusion.
Bosch
The ProAnimal name may catch the eye of households with pets.
- Check the accessories included with the model you’re considering for your carpets and upholstery.
- The range name doesn’t prove how well it picks up pet hair: look for results for the exact model.
LG
UFC-Que Choisir includes the LG A9K-DMAX among the stick vacuums it has tested recently.
- Compare the variant you’re interested in against the cleaning time you need.
- Check which setting the quoted battery life applies to, along with charging time and the accessories included.
Roborock
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a robot vacuum to help with regular cleaning.
- Check the navigation and maintenance features of the model you’re interested in.
- Check how the exact model performs on carpets, edges and corners.
Vacuum cleaner options on Joybuy
These options include bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, corded and cordless stick vacuums, and a robot vacuum to consider as an extra. Compare each model against your floor types and how you like to clean.
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Philips 5000 Series FC9556/09, bagless
A bagless cylinder vacuum to consider for regular cleaning across different floor types. Check how the FC9556/09 performs on your carpets and hard floors, as well as how to maintain the dust container and whether replacement filters are available. The power figures given for this model differ between the title and description, so confirm which value applies before using it to compare models.
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Electrolux EB61C2GRN, bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
A bagged model is a good fit if you’d rather replace a bag than empty a dust container. For the EB61C2GRN, compare its performance on your floors and check the reference numbers and availability of compatible bags and filters.
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BISSELL PowerClean FurGuard Select stick vacuum cleaner
Worth considering for frequent clean-ups and for areas where fibres tend to collect. If you want to use it as your main vacuum, check its battery life on the setting you need and how the model performs on carpets and embedded pet hair; its name doesn’t prove how well it will do the job.
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ochama 2-in-1 corded upright vacuum cleaner
A corded option to consider for quick cleans in a smaller home, depending on where your sockets are. The title lists a 4,5 m cable and a 0,5 l dust container. Check that the reach is long enough, which accessories are supplied and how it performs on your floors. The motor power given in the title isn’t enough on its own to judge how well it will vacuum.
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Eureka E20 Plus robot vacuum cleaner
A robot to consider for automating regular cleans alongside a more thorough vacuuming routine. The title states a runtime of up to 180 minutes. Check the conditions for achieving this, how it performs on your carpets, edges and corners, and how much space the station needs. Make sure the app is compatible with your Wi-Fi setup.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cordless stick vacuum be my only vacuum cleaner?
Yes, if it performs well on your floors and its battery life on the setting you need is long enough for your cleaning sessions. However, UFC-Que Choisir says this type of vacuum is mainly suited to supplementary cleaning. Before making it your main appliance, check how it performs on carpets and fibres, and how long it lasts in everyday use.
Bagged or bagless: which should I choose to reduce contact with dust?
Consider comparing bagged cylinder vacuums: according to UFC-Que Choisir, they expose you to less dust during maintenance than bagless models. Then check whether compatible bags are available and how the model performs on your floors.
What should I look for when cleaning carpets and pet hair?
Look for test results for the exact model on carpets and embedded fibres. Also check which brush is included and how easy it is to remove fibres from the roller: an accessory’s name doesn’t guarantee how well it will perform.
Does the repairability index apply to vacuum cleaners in France?
Yes. ADEME and the French Ministry for Ecological Transition list vacuum cleaners among the appliances covered. Check the index for the exact model sold in France and find out whether the spare parts needed for maintenance are available.
Can a robot vacuum replace another vacuum cleaner?
Don’t assume it can: according to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuum performance varies between floor types. Start by treating it as an extra, then check how the model performs on your carpets, hard floors, edges and corners before deciding what you can rely on it to clean.