For regular cleaning across several rooms, especially if you have different floor types, start by considering a corded cylinder vacuum. A cordless stick vacuum may be more convenient for short, frequent clean-ups, while a robot is worth considering if it can move around your floors. These uses reflect the distinctions made by UFC-Que Choisir, which also notes that robot performance varies depending on the floor. Before choosing a model, check how it performs on your flooring, whether its cable or charging requirements suit you, how much maintenance it needs and whether that specific model can be repaired.
If you vacuum several rooms, covering both hard floors and rugs or carpets, a corded cylinder vacuum is worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir describes it as suitable for larger areas. Check which tools are included, the cable’s reach and how to empty the bag or bin.
A cordless stick vacuum is easy to grab for crumbs or a quick tidy-up in your living space. UFC-Que Choisir sees it more as a vacuum for occasional cleaning. If you also plan to clean your whole home with it, compare its runtime in the mode you’ll use with the length of your cleaning sessions and how much weight you’ll need to carry.
A robot is a good option if you’d rather not handle the vacuum every time, provided it can move around your home and return to its dock. UFC-Que Choisir notes that performance varies by floor type. Check how it handles edges and corners, as well as how to maintain the bin, brushes and, where applicable, the dock.
First decide how you want to clean, then compare each appliance with your floors, the length of your cleaning sessions and the maintenance you’re happy to do.
Worth considering: for a thorough clean across a large area, if plugging in and moving the appliance around fits your routine. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the cylinder vacuum as a good choice for this type of cleaning.
The trade-off: handling the cable, hose and wheeled body is different from using a stick vacuum, but your cleaning session won’t depend on a battery charge.
Worth considering: if you want to grab the vacuum quickly for frequent clean-ups in smaller areas, without having to find a socket each time.
The trade-off: you’ll need to plan for recharging. UFC-Que Choisir describes a stick vacuum primarily as a supplementary appliance, rather than assuming it will handle a full clean of your home.
Worth considering: for scheduled, regular cleaning, if your rooms let the robot move around and find its way back to its dock.
The trade-off: automation doesn’t mean no maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir also finds that performance differs depending on the floor covering.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on different floors | Look for tests that specify the floor type and the brush used. For a robot, check performance near edges and in corners too, as included in UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol. | I have parquet flooring as well as rugs, so a result with no details about the floor won’t help me choose. |
| Runtime and manoeuvrability | For a stick vacuum, compare runtime in the mode you plan to use, charging time and weight. For a corded model, check the cable length, working radius and location of your sockets. | I want to finish several rooms without stopping, or grab the vacuum quickly for a short clean-up. |
| Robot navigation | Measure doorways and thresholds, and check there’s space for the dock and that the scheduling features meet your needs. If they rely on an app, check its compatibility and update requirements. | For a robot to handle regular cleaning, it needs to be able to reach all the rooms I want it to clean. |
| Maintenance and repairs | Check how to empty the vacuum, which bags or consumables it needs, and how to clean the brushes. For the exact model, check its repairability index where applicable, along with the parts and documentation available. | I’d rather know what maintenance is involved and be able to look for a compatible battery, brush or filter for the model I choose. |
A single figure doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum performs on every floor type. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of the vacuum head, while Les Numériques tests several different floor types in its measurements.
Look for tests carried out on the types of flooring in your home, and check which brush is included.
The quoted runtime may not apply to the mode you’ll use to clean your floors. A longer session could therefore be interrupted while the battery recharges.
Compare the stated runtime in the mode you plan to use with the charging time, and check whether a suitable replacement battery is available for that model.
You’ll still need to maintain the bin and brushes, and, depending on the model, the dock or mopping components. UFC-Que Choisir also points out that performance varies by floor type.
Check the obstacles and rugs in your home, then find out what maintenance the model you’re considering requires.
Bags are part of regular maintenance, so their compatibility and availability matter just as much as how easy they are to replace.
Before choosing an appliance, check the reference for compatible bags and how often they should be replaced for your type of use.
You’ll need to replace the bags as you use the vacuum.
Information about spare parts and support can help you choose between two models, but check any brand commitment against the specific model you’re considering.
Rowenta offers resources to help you find parts and documentation for its corded, cordless and robot vacuums.
Dyson France has a spare parts section for vacuum cleaners.
Roborock France publishes support and troubleshooting information for its robot vacuums.
These models offer different ways to clean your home: a corded stick vacuum, a bagged cylinder vacuum, a cordless stick vacuum and robot vacuums. Compare each option with the area you need to clean and the layout of your home, rather than treating this list as a ranking of vacuum types.
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Worth considering if you’d prefer a stick vacuum that doesn’t need recharging while you clean. The product title quotes 65 kPa and 600 W, but these figures don’t replace performance results for your floors. Also check that the cable reach suits your rooms, and look for parts available for this model.
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This style is worth considering if you regularly clean several rooms and don’t mind using a cord. Check that the included brushes are suitable for your flooring, and find out the reference and availability of replacement bags and maintenance parts.
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The cordless design is suited to frequent clean-ups when you want to grab the vacuum quickly. The title quotes a runtime of 60 minutes; check how long it lasts in the mode you’ll use, and whether a compatible battery is available for this model. The quoted 55 kPa figure alone doesn’t tell you how well it performs on carpets or hard floors.
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Worth considering if you’d like to schedule cleaning on floors the robot can navigate. The title lists LiDAR navigation and 200 minutes of operation; check the conditions for achieving that runtime and make sure the robot can fit through the gaps in your home. Product information says it needs a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network to connect, and the dock doesn’t remove the need to maintain the bin and brushes.
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This app-controlled robot is designed for homes where automatic cleaning is an option. Check that it can navigate around obstacles and rugs, then look into maintenance for the dock and brushes. Before comparing its suction power with another model, confirm the exact figure for the version on offer.
Yes. ADEME says that corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners are among the appliances covered. Separate French regulations set out how the index is calculated for these categories. If a new appliance is required to display one, check the index for the exact model, then look for the parts and documentation you’ll need to maintain it.
No. Always check the model reference and the part you need. Rowenta says it keeps technical parts for 15 years after purchase for almost all the products covered by its commitment, but this wording doesn’t include every model without exception. Dyson France also has a spare parts section for vacuum cleaners, which you can check for the exact variant.
You’ll need to empty the bin and clean the brushes, as well as maintain the dock or mopping components if the model has them. An auto-empty dock doesn’t eliminate these tasks. For a connected robot, also check that the app, your phone and your network are compatible before buying.
No. According to guidance from the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, the requirement to calculate and display this index doesn’t apply to second-hand, reused or refurbished appliances. When choosing one, ask for its full model reference and check the condition of wear parts, as well as the parts available.