For frequent quick cleans and the sofa, a stick vacuum with a suitable upholstery brush can be handy. For longer cleaning sessions across several surfaces, compare cylinder vacuums and their accessories too. A robot can keep accessible floors clean, but it won’t replace cleaning upholstery, and how useful it is depends on your flooring, obstacles and brush maintenance. A claim such as ‘anti-tangle’ is no guarantee that your pet’s hair won’t wrap around the roller.
If hair gets caught in the fibres, check the results with the supplied floor head and whether an upholstery brush is included. Que Choisir Ensemble describes a carpet test protocol for assessing how well fibres are collected.
For frequent, short cleaning sessions, how easy the vacuum is to get out and put away matters just as much as its run time in the mode you’ll actually use. Que Choisir Ensemble’s advice on stick vacuums points out that the maximum run time quoted is for the lowest setting.
When hair builds up, compare the dust capacity, accessories and how easy it is to access the brushes and filters. Que Choisir Ensemble’s recommendations for cylinder vacuums stress the importance of checking which accessories come with each specific model.
Worth considering: for quick cleans and pet hair on the sofa, if the kit includes a suitable mini brush.
Bear in mind: the run time and dust capacity may limit longer sessions. The quoted run time in Eco mode won’t necessarily reflect intensive use on carpets.
Worth considering: for longer cleaning sessions or moving between floors and upholstery with the right accessories.
Bear in mind: the cord, moving the vacuum around and putting it away make it less convenient for quick cleans. If you choose a bagged model, you’ll also need to buy replacement bags.
Worth considering: if your floors are suitable for scheduled cleaning and the tests cover your types of flooring.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to maintain the vacuum and clean upholstery, skirting boards and hard-to-reach areas. Small obstacles can also cause problems for some models.
Carpet fibre pick-up tests can tell you how well a vacuum collects fibres, but they don’t show how much hair gets wrapped around the brush. Que Choisir Ensemble’s test protocol treats these as separate factors; also check how easy it is to access the roller for maintenance.
| What you need | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Hair on carpets and upholstery | Look for tests using the supplied floor head; check whether an upholstery mini brush is included and compatible with the model. | I want to remove hair embedded in carpets and sofas, not just clean the floor; around 31% of consumers prioritise carpets and upholstery. |
| Quick daily cleans | Compare the run time in the mode you’ll use and the dust capacity; check how easy it is to store, too. | I’d rather have a vacuum that’s easy to get out for a quick clean, even if I have to empty it or recharge it more often; around 25% of consumers prioritise speed for everyday cleaning. |
| Intensive cleaning and maintenance | Check the capacity and collection system, as well as how easy it is to access the brush and filters. | When hair builds up, I want to finish cleaning and easily clean the parts that collect fibres; around 25% of consumers prioritise intensive cleaning and vacuum maintenance. |
| Automated floor maintenance | Check tests on your types of flooring, how the vacuum handles small obstacles and how to maintain the dock. | I’m looking for scheduled cleaning on accessible floors, while keeping another option for the sofa; around 19% of consumers prioritise automated floor maintenance. |
Results also depend on the floor head and the flooring. A Que Choisir Ensemble test of a specific model found differences depending on the brush used; it doesn’t allow you to draw conclusions about every model.
Compare tests carried out with the accessory that actually comes with the vacuum, and check that it’s suitable for your type of carpet.
The maximum run time may be quoted for the lowest setting. For the Rowenta RH9B74WO, Rowenta France states up to 90 minutes in Eco mode when used as a handheld vacuum.
Check the quoted run time for the mode and floor head you’ll use, especially if you clean for longer during shedding season.
A robot won’t clean the sofa, and you’ll still need to check for obstacles and make sure you can access the brushes. In its test of the Roborock Qrevo Curv, Les Numériques notes that this model can push or swallow small objects; this finding applies to this particular model.
Consider how much room you have for the dock, what might be left on the floor and how you’ll clean upholstery and hard-to-reach areas.
A range name doesn’t guarantee that every version comes with the same brush or accessories. Rowenta France and Bosch Home Appliances France list equipment for specific models.
Check the full model number, what’s included in the kit and whether the accessories are compatible before choosing.
The X-Force Flex Animal range includes stick vacuums worth considering for frequent cleans and upholstery, but check exactly what’s included in the kit.
The ProAnimal range includes cylinder vacuums. The BGB41PET1 is worth considering for longer sessions and upholstery.
The V15 Detect Absolute is an example of a stick vacuum with different heads for floors and pet hair; check which accessories come with the version on offer.
The Qrevo range includes robots with docks for scheduled floor cleaning; results depend on the model and your home.
The PowerPro Pet and PowerDetect ranges include stick vacuums worth considering, depending on the model and accessories supplied.
These models cover cleaning floors and carpets, as well as upholstery depending on the model. Check which accessories are included and the specifications of the version before choosing.
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Worth considering for hard floors and carpets, with accessories listed for furniture and crevices.
The product listing states a 1,5 l bin, a 4 m cord and multi-stage filtration.
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Worth considering for pet hair on the sofa and floors, depending on the surfaces and uses described for this model.
The product listing states 12 kPa suction, a rated power of 450 W and two separate tanks for clean and dirty water.
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Worth considering for pet hair on floors and carpets if you’re looking for a cordless stick vacuum.
The product listing states a 1,8 l bin and up to 80 minutes’ run time. The brush is described as anti-tangle; this claim isn’t a comparative test result.
Stated power: 750 W; quoted suction: 75 kPa.
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Worth considering for cleaning several surfaces, including upholstery with the mini turbo brush listed for this model.
The product listing mentions a 2 l bin, 850 W power and a mini turbo brush, as well as accessories for parquet and crevices.
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Worth considering for pet hair on floors and carpets, with a 1,6 l bin listed on the product page.
The quoted run time is up to 75 minutes. The product listing describes the brush as anti-tangle, but this claim doesn’t prove how effective it is on every type of flooring.
Stated power: 600 W; quoted suction: 65 kPa.
Compare tests covering the fibres and flooring you’re interested in, then check whether the roller is easy to remove for cleaning. Fibre pick-up and the amount of hair left wrapped around the brush are two different results.
Identify hard-to-reach areas and check the results on your carpets, as well as how the robot handles small objects. Even with a dock, you’ll need to maintain the robot and use another solution for the sofa and upholstery.
Check which bags, filters, brushes and batteries fit the exact model. Que Choisir Ensemble points out that bags, filters and brushes on cylinder vacuums need regular maintenance or replacement; for a stick vacuum, you should also consider the battery.
The statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies when a private individual buys from a professional seller. The French Ministry of the Economy and Finance states that you have two years to make a claim under it; this statutory guarantee is separate from an optional commercial warranty.
The French ministries responsible for the ecological transition include vacuum cleaners among the product categories covered. Check the score and information about spare parts for the model you’re considering; you can’t infer these from another model in the same range.