For regular cleaning of hard floors and carpets, start by choosing a brush suited to your floor coverings and comparing performance on those surfaces, rather than focusing solely on the advertised wattage. A bagged cylinder vacuum is a good choice for your main household clean if you prefer to dispose of dust in a bag; a bagless model avoids this consumable but means you’ll need to empty the bin. A cordless stick vacuum makes quick clean-ups easier, provided its battery lasts long enough on the setting you use. A robot can automate some cleaning, as long as your carpets, obstacles and docking station location are suitable.
For your main household clean, compare performance on each of your floor coverings and check that the supplied brush is suitable for carpets too. UFC-Que Choisir’s test methods assess cylinder vacuums on carpets, tiles and wooden floors, among other surfaces.
A cordless stick vacuum is quick to grab for crumbs, high-traffic areas or stairs. Check, though, that its battery life and bin capacity suit the length of your cleaning sessions. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the advertised maximum battery life is measured at low power.
Check which accessories are supplied for upholstery and carpets, then decide whether you’d rather replace a bag or empty a bin regularly. Make sure the specific model you’re considering comes with a suitable brush; don’t assume it’s included across the whole range.
Worth considering: for your main household clean across several floor types, if you’d rather throw away a bag than empty a bin.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace compatible bags and move the wheeled vacuum around.
Worth considering: if you’d rather empty a dust container than use bags.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty and clean the bin regularly. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide points out that this exposes you to more dust than using a bag.
Worth considering: for quick clean-ups, either on its own or alongside a cylinder vacuum.
Bear in mind: running time depends on the setting you choose, and you’ll need to recharge it afterwards.
Worth considering: for automated cleaning on floors where the layout allows the robot to move around.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to set up a docking station and check performance on carpets, along edges and around obstacles separately.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed flooring and carpets | Test results for your floor coverings; whether a brush for wooden floors or carpets is actually included. | When both carpets and hard floors need regular cleaning, I want to know how the vacuum performs on each. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this versatility. |
| Frequent clean-ups | Weight in use and storage; for a stick vacuum, battery life on your chosen setting and charging time. | For quick clean-ups in high-traffic areas, I want to be able to get the vacuum out and put it away without too much effort. Ease of use would come first for around 31% of consumers. |
| Dust and pet hair | Emptying method or compatible bags; accessories supplied for carpets and upholstery. | With pet hair on carpets or furniture, I also need to consider how I’ll empty the vacuum. This would be the priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Automation | Space needed for the docking station; how the model handles carpets, thresholds and obstacles. | If I want to schedule regular cleaning, the robot needs to move around my home and return to its docking station. Around 15% of consumers would put this automation ahead of other considerations. |
The motor’s wattage alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean carpets, wooden floors or edges. UFC-Que Choisir tests performance on different floor coverings and highlights the importance of the vacuum head.
Identify the floor types you have most of, then compare the relevant test results and the brush supplied with the specific model you’re considering.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the advertised maximum battery life for a cordless stick vacuum is measured at minimum power. It therefore may not reflect a carpet clean using your preferred setting.
Check the running time with the setting and brush you plan to use, then compare it with how long your usual cleaning takes.
UFC-Que Choisir’s tests assess performance on floors, edges and corners separately. Your home’s layout and installation requirements can also affect whether a particular model is right for you.
Check thresholds and carpets, measure the space available for the docking station, and read the connectivity requirements for the specific robot.
A bagged cylinder vacuum needs compatible bags, while a bagless dust container must be emptied and cleaned. Brushes and filters also need the care set out in the instruction manual.
Check that the parts you need to maintain are easy to access and that compatible consumables are available. For a stick vacuum, also check whether the battery can be replaced.
Remember to factor these maintenance tasks and any replacement consumables into everyday use.
The range includes bagged cylinder vacuums, with versions designed for different floor types.
The brand offers bagged and bagless cylinder vacuums, cordless stick vacuums and robots, with accessories varying by model.
Dyson cordless stick vacuums are available with different brush configurations for floors and upholstery.
The Roomba range includes robot vacuums and vacuum-mop robots, with features varying by model.
The brand offers robot vacuums and mops, some of which come with a maintenance station.
These Joybuy products cover three of the uses discussed here: a bagged cylinder vacuum for your main household clean, two cordless stick vacuums for quick clean-ups, and two robot vacuum-mops for automated cleaning. Start by choosing the format that suits your home, then look closely at the specific model and its accessories.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a bagged cylinder vacuum for regular cleaning of floors and carpets. Check that the supplied brushes suit your floor coverings and that you’re happy with the compatible bags.
Image unavailable
A stick vacuum is a handy choice for frequent clean-ups if its running time suits your needs. The product title lists 55 minutes’ battery life, 550 W, 55 kPa and an anti-tangle brush. Check how long it lasts on your chosen setting on carpets, rather than relying on the maximum figure alone.
Image unavailable
Worth a look for shorter cleaning sessions if a removable battery is important to you. The product title claims up to 50 minutes’ running time and a self-standing design. Compare this with how long it lasts on the setting you’ll use for your floors.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want automated vacuuming and mopping. The product title lists 16 200 Pa suction and 75 °C water self-cleaning. These figures don’t replace checking how it handles your carpets, thresholds and obstacles. If your carpets are next to areas you want mopped, check how the model manages its mop pad.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want automated cleaning and mopping near areas with carpets. The product title lists 10 000 Pa suction, an anti-tangle system and automatic mop-pad lifting. Check how it actually handles your carpets and obstacles before choosing this model.
No. It doesn’t tell you enough about performance on your floors. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the role of effective suction power and the vacuum head. Compare test results for your floor coverings and the brushes supplied with the specific model.
Yes, if its battery life on your chosen setting and its performance on your floor coverings are suitable for your regular cleaning. If you have carpets or tend to clean for longer, pay particular attention to these two points. According to UFC-Que Choisir, the advertised maximum battery life is measured at low power.
Not for every function or on every model. Roborock says the Qrevo S can complete full cleaning cycles and return to its docking station without Wi-Fi, while a connection gives you access to advanced settings. Check the manual for your chosen robot to find out which features it offers and which Wi-Fi bands it supports.
Air your home after cleaning. This is the advice from ADEME, which notes that vacuuming can stir up dust. This measure does not mean that any particular type of vacuum cleaner can be said to offer a health benefit.