Homes with rugs, carpets and hard floors
If you move between different floor types, compare the floorheads actually supplied and how well they suit your rugs. Que Choisir highlights the importance of floorhead design, beyond the power figures alone.
Who is this choice for?
Anyone who wants to handle dust less
If emptying a dust container puts you off, start by looking at bagged cylinder vacuums. Then check the reference and availability of bags compatible with your chosen model.
Anyone who prefers quick clean-ups
A cordless stick vacuum can be easier to get out and manoeuvre for frequent touch-ups. For rugs and carpets, check its battery life in the mode you plan to use.
Which features should you prioritise?
First decide whether you need longer manual cleaning sessions or quick touch-ups. Then compare models based on your floor types and how you want to collect the dust.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider it if: you want to clean different floor types manually and limit dust handling when emptying the vacuum.
Bear in mind: it needs to be moved around while plugged in, and compatible bags need replacing.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider it if: you want a mains-powered vacuum without using bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty and maintain the dust container, which involves handling more dust.
Cordless stick vacuum
Consider it if: easy manoeuvring and quick clean-ups are your priorities.
Bear in mind: battery life depends on the mode you choose, so it’s particularly important to check how long it lasts on rugs and carpets.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning different floor types | Check which surfaces the supplied floorhead is designed for and, if needed, whether a parquet brush or powered brush is compatible with your rugs. | If my rugs need a thorough clean, I want to be able to use the vacuum on hard floors too, rather than choosing based on wattage alone. Around 37% of consumers would prioritise this need to clean different floor types. |
| Contact with dust | Compare removing and replacing a bag with the process for emptying and cleaning a dust container. | When I empty my vacuum, I prefer to handle as little dust as possible. This would be the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ease of use | For a stick vacuum, check its weight in use and its battery life in the mode intended for rugs and carpets. | I want to be able to get the vacuum out quickly for frequent clean-ups without relying on a cable. Around 18% of consumers would put ease of use first. |
| Bagless maintenance | Look at the dust container’s capacity and emptying system, as well as how to clean the filters. | I prefer not to use bags, even if that means emptying and maintaining a dust container. Around 9% of consumers would put this preference ahead of other features. |
| Automated cleaning | If you’re adding a robot vacuum and mop, check its settings for rugs and carpets, as well as how to maintain its dock, if it has one. | I’d like to automate some everyday cleaning while keeping a manual vacuum for areas that need a thorough clean. Around 9% of consumers would prioritise this as an extra. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing based on motor wattage alone
Que Choisir points out that floorhead design plays a particularly important role in cleaning performance. A stated motor wattage isn’t enough to judge how a vacuum will perform on your rugs, carpets and hard floors.
Check which floorheads are supplied or compatible with the exact model, and which floor types they’re designed for.
-
Confusing maximum battery life with battery life on rugs and carpets
Que Choisir notes that a stick vacuum’s maximum battery life is generally quoted for low-power mode; a more powerful mode uses more energy.
Compare battery life in the mode you’ll use on rugs and carpets, and check the charging time before choosing a stick vacuum as your only option for thorough cleaning.
Recharging can interrupt a longer cleaning session. Depending on the model, it’s also worth checking whether the battery can be replaced.
-
Forgetting about maintenance
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs compatible bags. A bagless model avoids this consumable, but its dust container still needs emptying and maintenance; filters and brushes also need regular attention.
Find out which consumables are suitable for the model and check exactly how to remove the bag or dust container and the filters.
-
Expecting a robot vacuum to replace manual cleaning
A robot vacuum can clean regularly, but its suitability for textiles depends on the model. iRobot notes, for example, that no-mop zones need to be set up for rugs and carpets with the Roomba Combo j5/j5+.
Keep a suitable manual vacuum for areas you want to clean thoroughly, and check the robot’s settings before using it near rugs and carpets.
Brands to know when comparing vacuum cleaners
Miele
Bagged cylinder vacuums and a choice of brushes to consider if your home has different floor types.
- Miele offers different brushes for delicate hard floors, rugs and carpets.
- Check which accessories come with the specific model and whether they’re compatible: not every model in the range comes with the same brushes.
Rowenta
Bagless cylinder vacuums to compare if you prefer a dust container and mains power.
- For the RO7647EA, Rowenta describes a three-position floorhead for hard floors and deep-pile rugs, as well as a parquet brush.
- These accessories are specific to this model; also check how to empty and maintain the dust container on the model you’re considering.
Dyson
Cordless stick vacuums to consider if quick clean-ups and easy manoeuvring are higher priorities.
- Dyson claims up to 60 minutes of battery life for the V12 Detect Slim Absolute.
- This quoted maximum doesn’t necessarily reflect use on rugs and carpets at high power; check the mode that suits your needs.
iRobot
Robot vacuums to consider as an addition, rather than an immediate replacement for manual rug and carpet cleaning.
- iRobot says the Roomba Combo j5/j5+ lets you set up no-mop zones for rugs and carpets.
- This setting depends on the model and doesn’t indicate how well it will clean textiles thoroughly.
Vacuum cleaners to consider on Joybuy
These models cover the two types of manual cleaning discussed here: bagged cylinder vacuums for mains-powered cleaning and cordless stick vacuums for greater flexibility. For each one, compare the floorhead’s suitability for your floor types with its maintenance or battery-life requirements.
Image unavailable
Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG, bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
Worth considering if you prefer a bagged cylinder vacuum for cleaning different floor types manually. Check which brushes are included, how well they suit your rugs and whether compatible bags are available.
Image unavailable
Daynee XL618E-8, 55 kPa cordless vacuum cleaner with flexible hose and pet brush
Worth considering for cordless cleaning on rugs and hard floors, especially if you need to deal with pet hair. The product title lists 55 kPa, a flexible hose and a pet brush; check the battery life in the mode you’ll use on rugs and carpets.
Image unavailable
Monsga M100, cordless stick vacuum cleaner with anti-tangle brush
Worth considering for cordless cleaning on rugs and hard floors. The product title lists 55,000 Pa and 45 minutes, but doesn’t specify the conditions for this battery-life figure; check the supplied floorhead and battery life in the mode intended for your rugs.
Image unavailable
Electrolux EB61C2GRN, 550 W bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
Worth comparing if you want a bagged, mains-powered vacuum for your floors. Its 550 W motor rating isn’t enough to judge how it will perform on carpets: check the included floorhead, whether it’s suitable for your rugs and whether compatible bags are available.
Image unavailable
Lubluelu G11, 45 kPa cordless stick vacuum cleaner with anti-tangle brush
Worth considering if you’re looking for a cordless stick vacuum for rugs and hard floors. The product title lists 45 kPa; to see if it suits your home, check the included accessories, its weight in use and battery life in the mode you’ll need on rugs and carpets.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a different brush for rugs and hard floors?
Not necessarily: a multi-surface floorhead may be designed for both, but check what it’s intended for and whether it’s compatible with your chosen vacuum. For delicate hard floors, look at a parquet brush; for rugs or carpets that are difficult to clean, ask about a suitable turbo brush or powered brush.
Is a stick vacuum’s maximum battery life enough to help you choose a model for rugs and carpets?
No: check the battery life at the power level you’ll use on your rugs. Que Choisir explains that quoted maximum battery life generally refers to low-power mode, while turbo mode uses more energy.
What maintenance does a bagged vacuum need?
You’ll need to replace compatible bags and maintain the filters and brushes. Before buying, find out which bag reference the model uses and how to remove the bag.
What should you do if a vacuum bought from a retailer in France doesn’t match its description?
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. Keep the product listing and order confirmation to show which accessories or features were advertised, then contact the seller about the lack of conformity.