Households looking for one appliance to clean everything
You regularly clean hard floors, rugs, carpets, sofas, bedding and furniture. Check that the appliance’s accessories are suitable for each surface, rather than relying on its main brush alone.
Who is this guide for?
People who care about emptying and maintenance
You may prefer to replace a bag to minimise contact with dust, or be happy to empty and clean a dust container and its filters regularly. Que Choisir notes this difference between emptying bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums.
People who often clean hard-to-reach areas
Stairs, furniture and high-up upholstery make manoeuvrability important. If you’re considering a cordless stick vacuum as your only vacuum cleaner, check that its accessories and battery life in the mode you’ll use can handle the whole clean.
Which features should you prioritise?
For a home with a mix of floors and upholstery, first choose the type of vacuum that suits the cleaning session you have in mind. Then check the brushes, emptying method and maintenance requirements of the specific model.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider it: for regular, whole-home cleaning, especially if you want to minimise contact with dust when emptying.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags. Que Choisir’s comparative findings don’t mean you can skip checking each model’s performance and brushes.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider it: if you prefer a reusable dust container and are happy to look after it.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the container and follow the instructions for cleaning and drying any washable parts.
Cordless stick vacuum
Consider it: if you want an easy-to-handle appliance for stairs, furniture and quick clean-ups.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir generally considers stick vacuums better suited to occasional cleaning; their advertised maximum battery life may only apply at the lowest power setting.
Wet and dry vacuum
Consider it: if you also need to clean up liquids, rubble or bulky waste.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir highlights how bulky these models can be. For household upholstery, check which attachments are designed for the model you choose.
| Feature | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Floors, rugs and carpets | A brush suitable for delicate hard floors and one compatible with the carpets you own, particularly if hair or pet fur gets caught in the fibres. | I want to clean both wooden floors and rugs in one session, without assuming one head will suit every surface; around 36% of consumers put coverage of different surfaces first. |
| Emptying and maintenance | The type of bag or dust container, access to the filters and drying instructions after washing. | I’d rather choose between replacing bags and regularly cleaning a dust container before I buy; easy maintenance is said to be the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Upholstery and manoeuvrability | A compatible upholstery tool and, for a stick vacuum, battery life in the mode you’ll actually use. | To reach the sofa, stairs and high-up furniture, I mainly need an easy-to-handle appliance and the right attachment; around 21% of consumers would prioritise access to these areas. |
| Liquids and bulky waste | Whether it’s designed to vacuum liquids, the required filter, the tank and the storage space it needs. | If I also need to clean up after DIY or collect bulky waste, these tasks will guide my choice; around 14% of consumers would put them first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on the advertised power or battery life
A listed specification won’t tell you whether the brush is suitable for wooden floors, carpets or sofas. Que Choisir also points out that a stick vacuum’s maximum battery life is measured at the lowest power setting.
Check which accessories are included, whether extra attachments are compatible and how long the battery lasts in the mode you’ll use.
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Assuming a bagless vacuum needs no maintenance
The dust container and washable parts need to be maintained according to the instructions. Bosch says that, under its cleaning guidance, a washed part should be left to dry at room temperature for at least 24 hours and must be completely dry before it’s refitted.
Before choosing a bagless model, check how easy it is to access the container, the instructions for its filters and whether replacement parts are available.
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Assuming a large tank makes a wet and dry vacuum suitable for upholstery
A tank designed for bulky waste doesn’t replace an attachment for sofas or carpets. Que Choisir also notes that wet and dry vacuums can be bulky.
Choose this type for its specific uses, and check separately for upholstery accessories if you’ll also use it in your living areas.
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Overlooking parts you may need in the long run
Whether you can keep using your appliance depends, among other things, on which parts are relevant to your model and how you use it. These might include a battery for a stick vacuum, as well as brushes, a hose or filters.
Before deciding, check that parts for the exact model number are available.
Brands to consider
Miele
A brand to consider for cylinder vacuums and brushes designed for different floors and upholstery.
- Miele France lists brushes for wooden floors, carpets and upholstered surfaces.
- Check the connection, compatibility with your chosen vacuum and which accessories are actually included: these brushes aren’t representative of the entire range.
Rowenta
A brand to compare if you’re deciding between a bagged cylinder vacuum and a cordless stick vacuum for cleaning furniture and upholstery.
- Rowenta lists parquet and upholstery accessories for the Silence Force Effitech.
- For the X-Force 8.80, the advertised battery life of up to 45 minutes applies to Eco mode when used as a handheld vacuum; check the conditions for the model you’re considering.
Bosch
A brand to consider when comparing the maintenance requirements of bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums.
- Bosch lists a 4,0 L bag and a 10 m operating radius for the BGL38WH3H, and describes a 2,0 L dust container for the BGC21HYG1.
- These specifications apply to those specific models. For washable parts on a bagless vacuum, follow the model’s drying instructions.
Kärcher
A brand to consider if your cleaning needs also include specific tasks, such as dealing with liquids, workshop mess or bulky waste.
- Kärcher lists wet and dry vacuum cleaners designed for dry or wet dirt.
- This intended use doesn’t guarantee that the model has what you need for household upholstery. Check the attachments, filter and size of the specific model you choose.
Bagged cylinder vacuums on Joybuy
These two bagged cylinder vacuums are options to consider for cleaning the floors in your home. If you also plan to clean carpets, sofas and bedding, check which brushes and attachments are compatible with each model before you choose.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum for hard floors and carpets. Check that the brushes suit your flooring and that there’s an attachment compatible with your sofa or bedding.
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Electrolux EB61C2GRN bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner, 550 W, black
Worth considering if you prefer a bagged cylinder vacuum. If your carpets trap hair or pet fur, check whether a suitable brush is compatible; for upholstery, check which attachments are designed for the EB61C2GRN.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bagged cylinder vacuum suitable for cleaning an entire home?
Yes, it’s a good option if you regularly clean several types of surface and want to minimise contact with dust when emptying. Que Choisir reports that bagged cylinder vacuums performed better than bagless models in its tests. However, check how your chosen model performs on your floors, carpets and upholstery, and make sure its brushes are suitable.
What do you need to do to maintain a bagless vacuum?
You’ll need to empty the dust container and clean the relevant parts according to your model’s instructions. Bosch’s cleaning guidance, for example, says to leave a washed part to dry at room temperature for at least 24 hours and only refit it once it’s completely dry.
Is the advertised battery life of a stick vacuum enough to clean the whole home?
Not necessarily. Que Choisir notes that advertised maximum battery life is measured at the lowest power setting, and generally presents stick vacuums as being better suited to occasional cleaning. If you plan to use one as your only vacuum cleaner, compare battery life in the mode you’ll need for your carpets and floors, as well as the accessories required for upholstery.
Should you replace your old vacuum cleaner before choosing a new one?
Not necessarily. If it can be repaired, look into that before replacing it. ADEME also suggests donating your old vacuum or taking it to an appropriate recycling facility, depending on its condition.