For a quick clean-up between deeper cleans, choose a cordless stick vacuum if its runtime in the mode you need is long enough. A robot vacuum is better suited to scheduled cleaning on clear floors, provided you’re happy to prepare the rooms and maintain the machine. If carpets or more intensive cleaning are your priority, consider a canister vacuum too – it has no battery runtime limit.
If you often need to clean a particular area, a cordless stick vacuum lets you get the job done quickly by hand. UFC-Que Choisir recommends this type for quick, top-up cleans. Still, check the runtime in the mode you need, as well as how easy it is to store and empty.
A robot vacuum is a good choice if you’d rather not start every clean yourself, especially on clear floors. How useful it is depends on obstacles and how well it cleans your particular floor types: UFC-Que Choisir tests floors, edges and corners separately.
If you have carpets, thick pile rugs or longer cleaning sessions to tackle, and easy storage is less of a priority, compare a canister vacuum with the other two types. UFC-Que Choisir highlights its ability to remove dust, while noting that this format takes up more space.
First decide whether you want to clean straight away, leave regular cleaning to a machine or set aside more time for demanding floors. Then check how the specific model performs on your floor types and consider what maintenance you’re prepared to do.
Consider it if: you want to grab the vacuum and tackle a small area straight away.
The trade-off: a session in a powerful mode can be much shorter than the maximum advertised runtime.
Consider it if: you want to schedule regular cleans on clear floors.
The trade-off: you’ll need to clear the robot’s route and maintain the vacuum or its docking station.
Consider it if: you need longer cleaning sessions, particularly if carpets matter more than quick top-up cleans.
The trade-off: its size makes it less convenient to grab for a quick clean.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Automated cleaning | Check how the robot navigates around obstacles and how well the model cleans edges and corners. | If I want to leave regular cleans to a robot, I need to be able to let it clean clear floors without supervising every session; around 36% of consumers might put this kind of automation at the top of their list. |
| Small messes | Check how easy the stick vacuum is to store, how heavy it feels in use and how long it runs in the mode you need. | For crumbs or a dirty patch I need to tackle straight away, I want to be able to get the vacuum out and put it away quickly; this would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Carpets and more intensive cleaning | Look for tests of the exact model on your floor types and compare the runtime you’ll need. | If I have carpets or difficult messes to deal with, I want to prioritise a vacuum suited to those jobs, even if it’s less convenient to store; around 21% of consumers might put this need first. |
| Maintenance and spare parts | Check the consumables, the battery part number and whether the parts are compatible with the full model number. | If I plan to use the vacuum often, I want to be able to maintain its components and identify the right spare parts; around 14% of consumers might put this concern first. |
This figure usually refers to the least powerful setting. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at full power. A carpet-cleaning session may therefore call for a different choice than a quick pass over a hard floor.
Compare the time you need at home with the advertised runtime in the mode you’ll actually use, then decide whether you’d be happy to recharge the vacuum part-way through.
iRobot and Roborock catalogues list accessories compatible with specific series or models. Automating your cleans doesn’t remove the need to clean the vacuum or replace parts when needed.
For both the robot and its docking station, check which filters, brushes, mop pads or bags you’ll need and make sure they’re compatible with the model you’re considering.
UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses floor types, kinds of dirt and areas such as corners separately. A quoted power figure alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean your carpet or parquet flooring.
Look for tests of the specific model on the floors that matter most to you, and consider a second vacuum if some areas need to be cleaned by hand.
Rowenta, Dyson and iRobot have catalogues of parts or accessories, but choosing a battery or a replacement part depends on the exact version of the vacuum.
Make a note of the full model number, then check the part’s compatibility and stated availability before you buy.
In France, the brand offers cordless stick vacuums, X-Plorer robot vacuums and canister vacuums.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a cordless stick vacuum and want to identify spare parts by model.
You can compare Roomba robot vacuums model by model for scheduled cleaning and the maintenance they require.
The brand offers robot vacuums and cordless vacuum cleaners, among other products. Compare the features and maintenance requirements of the specific model.
These models cover two ways to keep on top of everyday cleaning: scheduled cleans with a robot vacuum and quick, manual cleaning with a cordless stick vacuum. For each one, compare the advertised features with your floor types, the time you need to clean and the maintenance the vacuum requires.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to schedule regular cleans with a robot vacuum.
The product listing quotes 8 000 Pa suction power, obstacle avoidance and up to 180 minutes of runtime. This figure doesn’t guarantee the same results on every floor type.
Check how it performs on your floors, whether it’s compatible with 2,4 GHz Wi-Fi and which consumables the docking station needs.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for quick cleans by hand on hard floors or carpets.
The product listing quotes a 0,7 L dust container and up to 55 minutes of runtime on hard floors. This figure may not reflect how long it will run on carpets.
Compare the runtime in the mode you need, check how it performs on your floors and make sure compatible batteries and parts are available.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to schedule cleans and have the docking station empty the robot for you.
The product listing quotes LiDAR navigation and 8 000 Pa suction power. These specifications don’t demonstrate how well it cleans carpets, edges or corners.
Check how long the cleaning cycles take, look for tests on your floor types and check which consumables are compatible with this model.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for frequent manual cleans if you’d also like to look at a model with an automatic collection station.
The product listing quotes up to 70 minutes of runtime, but doesn’t specify the mode. This figure won’t tell you how long it will last during a carpet-cleaning session.
Check how easy the whole unit is to store, how long it runs in the mode you need and which filters and brushes are compatible.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for manual cleaning on hard floors and carpets, with a design that can stand upright on its own.
The product listing quotes a 700 ml dust container, a removable battery and up to 65 minutes of runtime. Check which mode this figure applies to for your needs.
Check how it performs on your floors and make sure the batteries and wear parts are compatible.
Not for every job. A robot can handle regular cleaning, while a stick vacuum lets you tackle a small area straight away. If carpets or more intensive cleaning are a priority, consider a canister vacuum too. UFC-Que Choisir tests different floor types, kinds of dirt and corners separately.
Check the runtime in the mode you need for your floors, rather than looking only at the maximum advertised figure. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests report an average of around ten minutes at full power, so check whether the mode you plan to use will last for a typical cleaning session.
Start with the vacuum’s full model number and check which parts are compatible, particularly the battery and wear parts. Dyson, Rowenta and iRobot catalogues can help you identify part numbers, but they don’t guarantee that a particular part will fit every version or be available when you need it.
Contact the professional seller and make a claim under the legal guarantee of conformity. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that this mandatory guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional. It is separate from returning a product simply because you’ve changed your mind.