For a thorough clean of carpets and hard floors, start by looking at cylinder vacuum cleaners with a suitable floorhead. Que Choisir describes this type of vacuum as a solution for deep cleaning, although the results depend on the model and the floor covering. A stick vacuum can do the job if its carpet performance and battery life in the required mode suit your cleaning session. A robot vacuum is better suited to maintaining your floors between deep cleans. Emptying, bags and filter maintenance are also worth considering when choosing.
If fibres are getting caught in your floor coverings, compare the brush supplied and test results on carpets. Que Choisir’s testing protocols assess suction across different surfaces and, for some appliances, how well they remove embedded fibres.
If you move between carpet, tiles and wooden floors, check the results on each surface and the accessories included. Que Choisir tests hard floors, carpets and gaps between floorboards separately, among other things.
If emptying the vacuum is an important consideration, check how the bag or bin is removed and how the filter is maintained. Que Choisir notes that cleaning the bin of a bagless vacuum exposes you to more dust than replacing a bag. Also check that consumables for your chosen model are available.
Consider it: for the main clean of carpets and hard floors, choosing a floorhead suited to each surface.
Bear in mind: a bagged model needs replacement bags; a bagless one needs its bin emptied and maintained.
Consider it: if you want a cordless appliance whose carpet performance and runtime meet your needs.
Bear in mind: the battery limits how long you can clean. Check runtime in the suction mode you need, not just in an energy-saving mode.
Consider it: to automate some of your routine cleaning between deep cleans.
Bear in mind: check each model’s performance on carpets, in corners and along edges before considering it for a different role.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dust and fibres on carpets | Test results on carpets and embedded fibres; the brush supplied with the exact model. | If pet hair or human hair gets caught in my carpet, I want to know whether the vacuum can really remove it. Around 29% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Moving between different floor types | Separate results for carpets, hard floors and gaps between floorboards; whether a brush suitable for delicate floors is included. | To move from carpet to wooden flooring without neglecting either, I need accessories suited to the surfaces in my home. Around 29% of consumers would make this versatility a priority. |
| Dust when emptying | How the bag or bin is removed and the filters maintained; whether replacement bags are available if needed. | If emptying the vacuum puts me in contact with dust, I prefer a maintenance routine that suits me. Around 24% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Cleaning time and effort | For a stick vacuum, runtime in the mode used on carpets; for any appliance, ease of use and routine maintenance. | When cleaning several rooms takes time, I want to finish without runtime or handling becoming the main obstacle. Around 18% of consumers would put this first. |
A power rating on its own doesn’t tell you how much dust a vacuum removes from a carpet. Que Choisir compares performance across different surfaces and highlights the importance of the floorhead.
For a rug or carpet, look for a test of the exact model on that floor covering and check which brush is included.
Emptying and cleaning the bin can expose you to dust. A washable filter also needs to be maintained according to the instructions.
Check how to empty and clean the vacuum before you buy. If minimising contact with dust is a priority, compare bagged models too.
Cleaning the bin and filters takes time; some filters may need replacing, as specified in the manual.
A parquet brush or mini turbo brush may be available for one model in a range but not included with the version you’re considering.
Check what comes in the box and make sure the brush is compatible with the exact model number.
If the accessory you need isn’t included, you’ll have to buy a compatible one separately.
Que Choisir’s testing protocols assess suction on different floor coverings, as well as cleaning in corners and along edges. Autonomous navigation alone doesn’t tell you how well a robot performs in these areas.
Think of a robot vacuum as an extra until tests on your carpets and in tricky areas show that it can handle more.
The range includes bagged cylinder vacuums, such as the Guard L1 Parquet XL, designed for delicate hard floors.
The range of bagged cylinder vacuums includes the Silence Force Effitech RO7473EA, which Rowenta describes as having several accessories and a filtration system.
The ProAnimal range includes the bagged BGB41PET1 and the bagless BGS41PET1, two different formats with different maintenance needs.
These models let you compare a bagged cylinder vacuum with several cordless stick vacuums for a home with mixed flooring. Before choosing one for a deep clean of carpets, compare test results for the exact model. For a stick vacuum, also check its runtime in the mode you need.
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Worth considering if you prefer a bagged cylinder vacuum for your main cleaning. The product listing states 550 W, but this figure alone isn’t enough to judge its performance on carpets. Check which brushes are included, look for tests on your floor coverings and make sure compatible bags are available.
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Worth considering if you want a cordless stick vacuum for different surfaces, provided it performs well on your carpets. The product title mentions an anti-tangle brush and up to 65 minutes of runtime. Check how long it lasts in the mode used on carpets, as well as its performance on fibres.
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If you clean several rooms without a cord, consider this model in light of how long your cleaning session takes and the carpets in your home. The product title states that it has a removable battery and offers up to 60 minutes of runtime, but doesn’t specify how long it lasts in the mode needed for carpets. Also look for tests on the surfaces you have.
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Worth considering if you need to clean carpets and remove pet hair from other areas too. The product title mentions a hose, a pet brush and a stated 55 kPa. This figure doesn’t prove how well it removes fibres from carpets. Compare tests for the model and check its runtime in the mode you need.
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If you want to reduce the amount of handling when emptying the vacuum, check how its station works and what consumables it needs. The product title mentions an anti-tangle brush and an emptying station. Check its carpet test results and runtime in the required mode separately.
Compare their results separately on carpets, hard floors, gaps between floorboards and fibres, where relevant to your home. Que Choisir’s testing protocols assess these situations separately. The stated wattage is no substitute for test results for the exact model.
A bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering first if minimising contact with dust is your priority: Que Choisir notes that cleaning the bin of a bagless model exposes you to more dust. However, check how the bag is removed, the model’s filtration and whether compatible bags are available.
A stick vacuum can do the job if its test results on your carpets and in gaps between floorboards suit your needs, and its runtime in the required mode is long enough for your cleaning session. Que Choisir notes that many stick vacuums struggle to pick up dirt from gaps, so a rotating brush or a claimed maximum runtime isn’t enough to draw a conclusion.