For a thorough clean in a home with carpets, first compare the vacuuming test results for each of your floor types, then consider how the cleaner is emptied, its brushes and how easy it is to manoeuvre. UFC-Que Choisir identifies a general trend in favour of bagged cylinder vacuums for suction and emptying, but this doesn’t tell you how individual models compare. Bagless models save you buying bags, but you’ll need to empty and maintain the bin. A stick vacuum is only suitable as your main cleaner if its performance and battery life are enough for your cleaning session.
You’re looking for a main vacuum cleaner with performance assessed separately on hard floors, rugs and carpets. The supplied brush matters just as much as the advertised power. UFC-Que Choisir tests these floor types separately.
You want to minimise contact with dust when disposing of dirt, and weigh this up against the regular cost of buying bags. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between removing a bag and cleaning a bin.
You want a vacuum that’s easy to move and store, while checking how well it performs on your floors and, for a cordless model, how long the battery lasts. UFC-Que Choisir’s test methods take battery life and noise levels into account, particularly for stick vacuums.
Consider it: if you’d rather remove and dispose of a bag than empty a bin, and the model has been tested on your floors and carpets.
Bear in mind: bags are consumables, and the vacuum needs to be plugged in.
Consider it: if you want to avoid buying bags and are happy to empty the bin and maintain the filters.
Bear in mind: going bagless doesn’t remove the need for maintenance or the possibility of contact with dust when emptying.
Consider it: if easy manoeuvring and storage are important, provided the test results for your floors and carpets are suitable and the battery lasts long enough at the required setting.
Bear in mind: battery life varies by model and the setting you use.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on different floors | Compare test results for the floor types in your home and check which brushes are actually included. | If I move between tiles and carpets, I want to know what the vacuum picks up on each surface; around 29% of consumers prioritise performance across different floor types. |
| Emptying | Check how the bag is removed and sealed, or how the bin is opened and cleaned. Filtration during use alone doesn’t tell you how easy it is to empty. | When I empty my vacuum, minimising contact with dust matters more than choosing between consumables; around 23% of consumers prioritise hygienic emptying. |
| Manoeuvrability and storage | Check its size, how easy it is to move around your home, and the reach of a corded model or the usable battery life of a stick vacuum. | If storage space is limited or I have to tackle stairs, I want a vacuum that’s easy to move; around 18% of consumers prioritise manoeuvrability and storage. |
| Noise | Check the noise level stated for the exact model and consult independent test results where available. | For a longer cleaning session, I want to take noise into account without compromising on the suction performance I need; around 18% of consumers put quiet operation first. |
| Maintenance and consumables | Check which bags or filters are compatible, the maintenance instructions and the repairability index shown for the product in question. | If I want to maintain my vacuum and find replacement consumables, I check these details before choosing; around 12% of consumers prioritise maintenance and consumables. |
Results can vary depending on the surface, dust, fibres and cleaning head. A test on tiles alone isn’t enough to assess how well dirt is removed from carpet.
Compare results for your floor types and check which brush is actually supplied with the model you’re considering.
Filtering the air while vacuuming and opening or cleaning a bin are two different things.
Check the filter, emptying process and maintenance instructions separately.
The bin and filters still need looking after, even when there’s no bag to replace.
Check the filter references and read the model’s maintenance instructions before choosing.
Battery life and performance vary by model and setting. Running time at full power may be different from what you get on a lower setting.
Compare battery-life test results with the setting you’ll need for your carpets and the time you spend cleaning.
The bagged RO6189EA and bagless RO7C66EA models illustrate two different ways of collecting dust. Their specifications don’t represent the entire range.
The bagged BGB41PET1 and bagless BGS41PET1 cylinder vacuums offer different configurations to consider if your household also cleans upholstery.
The Pure D8 PD82-4ST bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering if noise levels and operating radius matter to you.
The V12 Slim Absolute is an example of a cordless stick vacuum you could assess as your main cleaner, rather than assuming it’s a proven replacement for a cylinder model.
The products below include bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, as well as a cordless stick vacuum. Compare their features with the floors and carpets in your home, and how long you usually spend cleaning.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum with brushes designed for hard floors and parquet.
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Worth considering if you want a bagged cylinder vacuum with a hard-floor brush, a parquet brush and a turbo brush.
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Worth considering if you prefer a bagless model and want to compare the brushes supplied for floors and carpets.
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Worth considering if you want to avoid bags and need a 2-in-1 tool for cleaning crevices. Remember to empty the bin and maintain the filter.
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Worth considering if you prefer a cordless stick vacuum for cleaning different surfaces. The product title states up to 70 minutes on the low setting; check that the battery lasts long enough at the setting you need to clean your home and carpets.
The motor’s electrical power isn’t enough to tell you how well a vacuum cleans. Compare dust-removal test results for your floors using the intended brush, particularly on carpets and in parquet crevices, as recommended by UFC-Que Choisir’s testing method.
For a bagged model, check the bag reference and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For a bagless model, remember to empty the bin. Filters and brushes also need maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir gives an indicative average of 15 € per year for buying bags; this isn’t a guaranteed cost for every model.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to an individual. The Ministry of the Economy states that claims must be brought within two years of the goods being delivered; any commercial guarantee is in addition to, and does not replace, this legal guarantee.
No. In France, vacuum cleaners are among the products covered by the repairability index, according to the Ministry of the Economy and ADEME. This index tells you about a product’s repairability, not how well it vacuums.