For regular cleaning of rugs, carpets and floors, start by comparing cylinder vacuum cleaners on the floor coverings in your home, rather than judging them solely by motor power. A bagged model may suit you if reducing contact with dust during maintenance is a priority; a bagless model means you don’t need to buy bags, but you will have to empty its dust container. Consider a wet and dry vacuum for household jobs that also involve liquids or larger debris.
If you clean these floor coverings often, look for vacuuming results that relate specifically to them. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests distinguish between carpets, rugs and hard floors, for example: a general power rating is no substitute for checking performance on your type of flooring.
Replacing the bag or emptying the dust container is just as important as vacuuming. UFC-Que Choisir says that cylinder models with bags expose users to less dust than bagless models, but this should not be taken as medical advice.
If you also need to pick up damp dirt or larger debris, a wet and dry vacuum is worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir and Kärcher France describe these specific uses; however, check the manual for the materials the model you choose can handle.
For dry household floors, first choose according to your floor coverings and how you prefer to dispose of dust. If you regularly need to deal with liquids or larger debris, you’ll need to consider a different type of appliance.
Consider it: if you do thorough cleaning regularly and want to limit contact with dust when disposing of it.
Be prepared for: replacing bags, and moving and storing a mains-powered appliance.
Consider it: if avoiding the cost of bags matters more to you than handling the dust container.
Be prepared for: emptying the dust container and maintaining the filters; UFC-Que Choisir notes that this exposes users to more dust than a bagged model.
Consider it: if you also need to vacuum up liquids, larger debris or dirt from DIY projects.
Be prepared for: a bulkier appliance for jobs that go beyond routine carpet and floor cleaning.
| Criterion | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning performance on floor coverings | Results on your types of flooring and whether a brush for rugs or carpets is included. | When rugs and carpets need regular cleaning, I want to know how the appliance performs on them before I choose. Around 34% of consumers prioritise this kind of performance on their floor coverings. |
| Contact with dust | How dust is disposed of, and how the bag, dust container and filters are maintained. | If I’m concerned about dust being stirred up during maintenance, how the vacuum is emptied influences my choice. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| No bags | Dust container capacity and the process for emptying it and cleaning the filters. | I’d rather not buy replacement bags, even if that means emptying a container and maintaining its filters. Around 20% of consumers put this preference first. |
| Damp dirt and larger debris | Materials permitted by the manual, container capacity and the space needed for storage. | For a garage or DIY projects at home, I also need to deal with more than dust from dry floors. This is the top priority for around 13% of consumers. |
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum removes dust from a rug, carpet or hard floor. UFC-Que Choisir also takes performance on different floor coverings and the vacuum head into account.
Look for reviews that cover your floors, then check which brush and accessories come with the exact model you’re considering.
Not having bags doesn’t remove the need to empty the dust container or maintain the filters. If limiting contact with dust is your priority, find out what this involves before you choose.
Check the instructions for emptying the container and cleaning the model, then compare this routine with replacing the bag in a bagged cylinder vacuum.
Allow time to empty the dust container and maintain the filters.
The uses described by UFC-Que Choisir and Kärcher France include dealing with liquids, larger debris and DIY mess. This versatility doesn’t mean that a wet and dry vacuum is better for routine carpet cleaning.
If you don’t need these specific features, start by comparing how cylinder vacuums perform on your floor coverings.
Consider how much storage space you have and how much effort it will take to move the appliance.
A fault doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy a new vacuum cleaner. ADEME recommends considering repair before looking at reuse or recycling options.
Check whether your old appliance can be repaired and, if you do replace it, compare the repairability information for the models you’re considering.
The French range includes bagged cylinder vacuums to consider for different types of flooring.
The range of bagged cylinder vacuums includes options for different floor coverings and maintenance preferences.
The brand offers bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, which are worth comparing according to whether you prefer emptying a dust container or replacing a bag.
The wet and dry vacuum range is designed for specific household jobs, particularly in the garage or during DIY projects.
This selection includes two cylinder vacuums, one bagged and one bagless, as well as a cordless vacuum for household floors. For thorough cleaning of rugs or carpets, check the performance of the exact model on your type of flooring; a cordless design doesn’t replace this comparison.
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Worth considering if you’d rather replace a bag than empty a dust container when cleaning your floors regularly.
For rugs and carpets, check the vacuuming performance and the brushes supplied with this model. Also check that compatible bags are available. Do not use this appliance to vacuum liquids.
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Worth considering if you want to avoid bags and are happy to empty and maintain a dust container.
The model name lists a motor power of 900 W, which alone doesn’t tell you how well it will perform on carpet. Check reviews for your floors, the accessories included and the instructions for emptying the container.
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Worth considering if the freedom to move around with a cordless appliance matters when cleaning your floors and rugs.
The product name states a run time of up to 45 minutes; check whether this is long enough for your cleaning sessions. For a thorough clean of carpets, look at its performance on this type of flooring and check which brush is included. Also check the instructions for emptying the dust container.
Yes. In the comparison presented by UFC-Que Choisir, bagged models expose users to less dust than bagless cylinder vacuums. This can help you choose a dust collection system, but it isn’t a medical conclusion; also check how to replace the bag in the model you’re considering.
No. Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean carpets. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights the importance of the vacuum head: look for performance results on this type of flooring and check which accessories are included.
First, consider having it repaired or, if it still works, donating or selling it. If you need to dispose of it, ADEME lists options including in-store take-back or a recycling centre as part of the electrical and electronic equipment collection scheme.