Homes with mixed flooring and carpets
You move between wooden or tiled floors and carpets, and need an appliance for longer cleaning sessions. How it performs on each surface and which brush is included matter more than the wattage alone.
Who is this choice for?
Homes with pet hair and upholstery to clean
You also need to vacuum hair or pet fur from carpets, sofas or cushions. Check which attachments for these surfaces are included and compatible with your chosen model.
People who care about maintenance
You want to be able to identify the bags, filters, brushes and parts that fit the exact model number. The choice between a bag and a canister also depends on which regular maintenance tasks you’re happy to do.
What should you look for?
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Worth considering: as your main appliance for longer cleaning sessions across different surfaces, if you’d rather dispose of dust with the bag.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to find compatible bags and replace them; a cylinder vacuum is less convenient to carry up and down stairs than a stick vacuum.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Worth considering: as your main appliance if you want to avoid bags and are happy to empty the canister.
Bear in mind: the canister and filters need regular maintenance; compare how it performs on your own flooring before making a decision.
Stick vacuum as a complement
Worth considering: for stairs, furniture or small areas between sessions with your main vacuum cleaner.
Bear in mind: how long you can use it depends on the battery and the mode selected; its manoeuvrability doesn’t mean it can handle a thorough clean of your whole home on its own.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this useful for? |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on different floors | Compare test results on the surfaces in your home, including hard floors and carpets, using the supplied floorhead. | If I clean both tiled floors and carpets, I want to know what the appliance picks up from each, not just its wattage. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this need to clean multiple floor types. |
| Pet hair and upholstery | Check which attachments for carpets and fabrics are included, and whether they’re compatible with the exact model number. | To remove pet hair from the sofa and cushions, I need an attachment suited to these surfaces. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Maintenance and consumables | Identify compatible bags or filters and check what’s involved in maintaining the bag or canister. | I plan to keep this appliance as my main vacuum cleaner and want to maintain it without having to search for the right model number every time. Around 21% of consumers prioritise maintenance and consumables. |
| Ease of use as a secondary appliance | For a stick vacuum, check the battery life in the mode you’ll need and whether it comes with attachments for hard-to-reach areas. | On the stairs or around furniture, I want to clean easily between bigger sessions without expecting the stick vacuum to replace my main appliance. Around 14% of consumers prioritise ease of use as a secondary appliance. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on wattage alone
The stated motor power doesn’t tell you on its own how well a particular floorhead will vacuum a carpet or hard floor. Que Choisir’s testing, for example, looks at performance on carpets, tiles and wooden floors.
Look for comparable tests on your flooring and check which floorhead comes with the version on sale.
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Assuming one brush works everywhere
Carpets with lots of pet hair, upholstery and delicate wooden floors may each need different attachments. Miele France’s catalogue lists different accessories depending on the surface you need to clean.
Before relying on them, check which accessories are actually included and whether they’re compatible with the exact model.
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Thinking bagless means maintenance-free
A bagless cylinder vacuum saves you from replacing bags, but you still need to empty the canister and maintain the filters as instructed in the manual.
If you’d rather avoid these tasks, compare the maintenance involved with a bagged model too.
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Overlooking consumable model numbers
To keep using a vacuum cleaner as your main appliance, you need to be able to identify the bags, filters and brushes that fit its model number.
Check the relevant model numbers and whether replacement parts are available for the exact model, rather than for the brand in general.
Brands to consider for your needs
Miele
Worth considering if you’re looking for a cylinder vacuum with separate attachments for carpets, hard floors and upholstery.
- Miele France lists brushes and turbo brushes designed for different surfaces and types of dirt.
- Check which attachments come with the version you choose: an accessory being listed in the catalogue doesn’t mean it’s included.
Bosch
Worth considering for a bagged cylinder vacuum if carpets and bag capacity are key factors in your decision.
- Bosch lists the BGB38BA3T with a turbo brush for carpets and rugs, a 4 L bag and a stated operating radius of 10 m.
- These specifications apply to this model; they aren’t comparative test results for your floors.
Electrolux
Worth considering if you want to compare the brushes and consumables supplied with a bagged cylinder vacuum.
- For the Pure D8 PD82-4ST, Electrolux lists an all-floor brush, a parquet brush, a 3.5 L bag and an operating radius of 12 m.
- Confirm the accessories and consumables for the model number you’re buying; the PD82-4ST specifications don’t apply to other Electrolux models.
Philips
Worth considering among bagged cylinder vacuums if you’re comparing capacity and brushes for the floors in your home.
- For the 3000 Series XD3110/09, Philips lists a 3 L bag and a TriActive brush.
- Check the included accessories and performance on your flooring for the exact model number; these specifications don’t describe all Philips vacuum cleaners.
Rowenta
Worth considering if you prefer a compact, bagless cylinder vacuum and want to check which parts are specific to the model.
- Rowenta describes the Swift Power Cyclonic RO2913EA as a compact bagless model with a canister that needs cleaning.
- You’ll still need to empty the canister and maintain the filters; check which parts are available and what repair options apply to your model number.
Vacuum cleaners to consider on Joybuy
These bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums are suited to shoppers looking for a main appliance for different floor types. To choose between them, compare the brushes supplied with the version on sale and test results for your flooring; a stick vacuum is designed for a different purpose.
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Philips FC9556/09 5000 Series bagless vacuum cleaner, LED, 900 W, blue
If you’re looking for a bagless main vacuum cleaner, compare its performance on your floors and carpets before choosing; remember that you’ll also need to empty the canister and maintain the filter.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged vacuum cleaner
For cleaning sessions across different floor types, check which brushes come with this version, especially if you have carpets or wooden floors. Also find out which bags are compatible before buying.
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Electrolux EB61C2GRN bagged vacuum cleaner, 550 W, black
If carpets or the sofa are part of your deep-cleaning routine, check which attachments come with this model and look for test results on these surfaces. Also check the model number of compatible bags.
Frequently asked questions
Is wattage enough to compare two vacuum cleaners?
No. The motor’s wattage alone isn’t enough to predict how well a vacuum cleaner will perform on your floors. Que Choisir also highlights the role of airflow, suction and the floorhead; look for comparable tests on the surfaces you clean.
What maintenance is needed for bagged and bagless models?
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs a new bag when the old one is full, as well as maintenance of its filters and brushes. A bagless model needs its canister emptied and its filters and brushes maintained. Follow the manual for tasks specific to your model.
How can I check which consumables I need before buying?
Note down the exact model number of the vacuum cleaner, then look for compatible bags, filters and brushes. For example, Electrolux offers a parts search for the PD82-4ST; make the same checks for the version you’re actually considering.
Where can I find the vacuum cleaner’s safety instructions?
Before using it for the first time, check the manual and warnings for the exact model. For example, the French product page for the Pure D8 PD82-4ST refers you to its manual for these instructions.