Homes with a mix of flooring and upholstery
You move from hard floors to rugs or fitted carpets, then on to the sofa or furniture. Check the results for each surface and which tools are included rather than assuming one brush will work everywhere.
Who is this guide for?
Homes with pets and embedded fibres
If pet hair builds up on carpets or upholstery, look for a test of how well the vacuum picks up fibres and check whether a turbo brush or mini turbo brush is actually included. UFC-Que Choisir tests fibre pick-up on carpets separately.
Buyers who value easy maintenance
Choosing between a bag and a dust container affects how you empty the vacuum and which consumables you’ll need. Also compare how easy it is to access the filters, whether model-specific parts are available and, for eligible corded vacuum cleaners, the repairability index.
Which features should you prioritise?
For a vacuum designed to clean your whole home, start with the flooring and upholstery you need to clean. Then choose a format and maintenance routine that you’ll be happy with day to day.
Bagged cylinder vacuum
Consider it if: you’re looking for a main vacuum for several types of flooring and would rather remove collected dust with the bag.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace the bags and move a corded appliance around. Check which brushes are included with the model you choose.
Bagless cylinder vacuum
Consider it if: you want to avoid buying bags and are happy to empty the dust container regularly.
Bear in mind: emptying it can expose you to more of the collected dust, according to UFC-Que Choisir, and the filters need maintenance.
Stick vacuum
Consider it if: easy handling matters for frequent cleaning, stairs or as an extra vacuum.
Check: before making it your only vacuum, compare the model’s results on your carpets and, if it’s cordless, its battery life in the conditions you expect to use it in.
Robot vacuum
Consider it: for keeping floors clean between more thorough cleaning sessions.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to prepare the area before it runs and empty its dust container. UFC-Que Choisir reports that results vary depending on the type of floor.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Floor cleaning | Test results for each type of flooring in your home; whether a floor head for hard floors and carpets is included. | When my rooms have a mix of wood flooring, tiles and carpet, I want my main vacuum to handle all of them. Around 36% of consumers would make this cleaning versatility their top priority. |
| Fibres and pet hair | Carpet fibre pick-up test results; whether a turbo brush or mini turbo brush is actually included. | If pet hair is embedded in my carpets or on the sofa, cleaning those surfaces is my first concern. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Maintenance | How to handle the bag or dust container; care instructions for the filters and brushes. | If I clean my whole home often, emptying and maintenance need to be manageable. Around 21% of consumers would put this first. |
| Ease of use and cleaning between deep cleans | Weight, reach and controls; for a robot, its navigation and dust-container maintenance. | To clean several rooms or make it easier to keep on top of things between deep cleans, I prefer an appliance that’s easy to move or programme. This convenience would be the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
What should you look out for?
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Choosing based only on the motor’s wattage
The stated motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum picks up dirt from carpet, wood flooring or hard floors. The vacuum head and results on each surface matter too.
Look for test results for the specific model on your type of flooring, ideally including tests with a full bag or dust container.
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Assuming a ‘pet’ label guarantees the right brush
UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses embedded fibres in carpets separately. The accessories listed can vary from one model to another.
Check what’s included with the version on sale and, if possible, look for test results specifically covering fibre pick-up on carpets.
If the brush you need is sold separately, check that it’s compatible before adding it to your set-up.
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Confusing ‘bagless’ with ‘maintenance-free’
You still need to empty the dust container, and the filters and brushes also need looking after in line with the model’s instructions.
Before you buy, check the manual to find out how to remove the container and maintain the filters.
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Assuming a robot can replace a deep clean
According to UFC-Que Choisir, robot vacuum results vary depending on the type of floor. Using one doesn’t, by itself, prove that it can replace cleaning the carpets, upholstery, edges and corners in your home.
Think of it first as an extra way to keep on top of cleaning, and check test results for the surfaces in your home.
Brands to consider
Miele
Miele’s bagged cylinder vacuum range may appeal if you’re looking for a main vacuum with tools for carpets and upholstery.
- Miele lists a turbo brush for the Guard M1 Cat & Dog Flex. Check that it’s included with the version you’re considering.
- The specifications of this model don’t demonstrate how the whole range performs on your flooring.
Rowenta
Several of the brand’s bagless cylinder vacuums come with different dust containers and accessories. Compare individual models rather than relying on the range name alone.
- Rowenta lists a 2,5 L dust container for the Compact Power Cyclonic XXL RO4B50EA and a mini turbo brush for the Silence Force Cyclonic RO7260EA.
- The dust container and filters need maintenance, and an accessory listed for one model won’t necessarily be included with another.
Bosch
Bosch’s bagged cylinder vacuums are worth considering if bag capacity and the inclusion of a carpet brush are important to you.
- Bosch’s product information for the BGBS4POW1 lists a 4 L bag and a turbo brush.
- Bosch says the BGBS4POW1 is no longer available. If you’re buying now, check the specifications and test results for another model that’s actually on sale.
Vacuum cleaners available on Joybuy
This selection includes bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, as well as stick vacuums. Compare them based on the floors you need to clean, the accessories you want and the type of maintenance you prefer.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged
A bagged cylinder vacuum to consider for regular cleaning across several rooms. If carpets or pet hair are a priority, check which brushes come with this version and compare its results on your flooring. Also bear in mind that you’ll need to move the appliance around.
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MONSGA HQ1 Gold 65KPA 600W corded
This corded stick vacuum may suit you if you’d rather clean without needing to recharge. The power stated in the name doesn’t prove how well it performs on carpets: compare results for different surfaces and check the appliance’s weight in the set-up you’ll use.
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Philips 5000 Series FC9556/09 bagless
A cylinder vacuum to consider if you’d rather empty a dust container than replace bags. For carpets and upholstery, check which accessories come with this model and look for relevant test results. You’ll also need to empty the container and maintain the filters.
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BISSELL PowerClean FurGuard Select
This cordless stick vacuum is worth considering for cleaning where easy handling matters. Before using it as your only vacuum for a full clean, check its battery life with the brush and mode you plan to use, how often you’ll need to empty the container and how it performs on rugs and fitted carpets.
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Electrolux EB61C2GRN bagged
This bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering for cleaning several rooms. If carpets or pet hair are a big concern in your home, check which brushes come with this model and how it performs on different surfaces before you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a bagged vacuum for a thorough clean?
No. Your choice also depends on the model and your flooring. UFC-Que Choisir says that, on average, bagged cylinder vacuums perform better than bagless models. Still, compare test results for the model you’re considering, the brushes it comes with and the maintenance it requires.
How should you choose a vacuum for pet hair on carpets?
Look for carpet fibre pick-up results for the specific model, then check which brush is actually included. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol separately assesses synthetic fibres embedded in a carpet to simulate pet hair.
Does motor wattage tell you which vacuum cleans best?
No. Motor wattage alone isn’t enough to compare cleaning performance. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of the vacuum head, so look for test results on the flooring in your home.
What maintenance should you expect?
You’ll need to replace the bag or empty the dust container, then maintain the filters and brushes according to the model’s instructions. For a vacuum cleaner bag full of dust, ADEME recommends putting it in your household rubbish, preferably inside a sealed bag.
What does the repairability index tell you about a corded vacuum?
It helps you compare the repairability of eligible models, not how well they clean. In France, the decree of 22 April 2022 published by Légifrance sets out how this index is calculated for corded household vacuum cleaners. Check the score for the specific model, then look separately at how it performs on your flooring.