For a thorough regular clean throughout your home, start by looking at cylinder vacuum cleaners. Que Choisir tests their performance on different floor types, while a cordless stick vacuum also needs enough battery life at a useful power setting to finish the job. Of the cylinder models, a bagged vacuum is the better choice if you want to minimise contact with dust. A bagless model means emptying the bin and maintaining the filters.
If you move from hard floors to parquet, then rugs or fitted carpet, compare performance on each surface rather than relying on a single measurement. Que Choisir’s testing protocols distinguish between these surfaces, including parquet floorboards with gaps.
The choice between a bag and a bin matters if you want to minimise contact with dust when disposing of dirt. Que Choisir highlights this advantage of bagged models. You should also consider the cost of consumables and filter maintenance.
For embedded fibres, sofas and awkward corners, look at both suction test results and the accessories available. Que Choisir’s testing protocol includes a test on fibres. Then check which brushes and nozzles come with the model you’re considering.
Bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, along with cordless stick vacuums, suit different needs when cleaning your whole home. A robot vacuum can help with everyday upkeep, but you’ll still need to check how it handles rugs, fibres and awkward corners.
Consider it if: you clean several rooms and want to minimise contact with dust when disposing of dirt, as Que Choisir notes.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to store a mains-powered appliance and buy compatible bags.
Consider it if: you’d rather not use bags and are happy to empty the bin after use.
Bear in mind: emptying it may bring you into contact with dust, and you’ll need to maintain the bin and filters. Compare its performance on your floors.
Consider it: as your main vacuum only if it performs well on your floors and has enough battery life at a useful power setting to clean your whole home.
Bear in mind: the battery limits how long you can use it. Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at full power for the stick vacuums in its guide.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Suction on floors | Compare test results on the surfaces in your home, including parquet with gaps, rugs and fitted carpet, and check performance with a full bag or bin. | If I move from a hard floor to a rug, I want the vacuum to handle the dirt in each room. Around 36% of consumers rank effective cleaning across multiple floor types as their top need. |
| Dust and maintenance | Check how the bag is removed or replaced, or how the bin is emptied, then read the filter maintenance instructions. | I’d rather avoid spreading dust when disposing of dirt and be able to maintain the vacuum easily. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Accessories and awkward corners | Check whether a parquet brush, crevice tool or upholstery attachment is included and compatible with your floors. | I need the right tools to reach skirting boards and sofas or remove fibres from a rug. Around 21% of consumers say reaching awkward areas is their main need. |
| Noise, runtime and storage | Compare noise levels and storage requirements. For a stick vacuum, check the battery life at a useful power setting and how long it takes to charge. | I need to be able to finish cleaning, use the vacuum at an acceptable noise level and find somewhere to store it afterwards. For around 14% of consumers, these practical considerations come before other criteria. |
This figure alone doesn’t tell you how well the vacuum will perform with the supplied floor head. Results can vary between tiles, parquet with gaps, rugs and fibres.
Look for tests carried out on the surfaces and types of dirt found in your home, then check which brush comes with the model.
For a cordless stick vacuum, the advertised maximum battery life may be based on a low power setting. Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at full power in its stick vacuum guide.
Before relying on one as your only vacuum, compare its runtime at a useful power setting with how long it takes to clean your home. Check the charging time too.
A bagless model means you won’t need bags, but you will have to empty the bin. According to Que Choisir, a bagged model minimises contact with dust, but you’ll need compatible bags.
Check the reference for the bags or filters and read the maintenance instructions before choosing between the two systems.
Delicate parquet, upholstery, fibres on rugs and corners all put different demands on a vacuum. The right attachment may not be included in the version on sale.
Check which brushes and nozzles are included, whether they’re suitable for your surfaces and how much storage space they’ll need.
These ranges offer different configurations to compare; they don’t guarantee results on the floors in your home. Check the exact version and its accessories before choosing a model.
The bagged Pure D8 range is worth considering if noise, reach and accessories for floors and awkward corners are important to you.
The bagged Silence Force Effitech range is worth a look if noise, reach and accessories for different floor types matter to you.
The BGS41PET1 ProAnimal bagless cylinder vacuum is worth considering if you clean rugs and pet hair, and are happy to empty a bin.
The Complete C3 bagged cylinder vacuums come in different configurations to suit different floors, including delicate hard flooring.
Prioritise tests that cover the floor types in your home and the dirt you need to remove. Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses suction on different surfaces and fibres, as well as performance as the bag or bin fills up.
Start by looking at bagged cylinder vacuums. Que Choisir says removing a bag exposes you to less dust than emptying the bin of a bagless model. However, check the reference for compatible bags and make sure they’re available for the model you choose.
Yes, if it performs well on your floors and has enough battery life at a useful power setting to clean your whole home. Que Choisir explains that advertised maximum battery life is measured at a low power setting and reports an average of around ten minutes at full power. If you have rugs, fibres or parquet with gaps, check how it performs on those too.