Households cleaning several rooms in one go
If you move from room to room and also clean furniture or soft furnishings, look at the vacuum’s reach, capacity and accessories. Que Choisir describes cylinder vacuums as suitable for larger areas.
Who is this guide for?
People who want to handle less dust
If emptying the vacuum is a concern, compare removing a full bag with handling a dust bin. A bagged model is worth considering, provided you can find compatible bags.
Households mindful of weight and storage
If getting the vacuum out and moving it around is your main concern, compare the size and manoeuvrability of a cylinder vacuum with a stick vacuum. For a stick model, also check that its battery life will cover your cleaning sessions.
What should you compare?
For a large home, start with the surfaces you need to clean. Then choose between a bag and a bin before checking how easy the vacuum is to move and maintain. A stick vacuum can be handy for quick clean-ups. If you’re considering a robot, keep a manual vacuum that’s suitable for the surfaces it can’t clean.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Rooms and surfaces | Compare the vacuum’s reach and included brushes with your home’s layout and floor coverings. Where possible, look for tests covering the types of flooring you have. | I want to clean several rooms, their floors and a few soft furnishings without stopping repeatedly. Around 37% of consumers put this ability to clean continuously at the top of their list. |
| Bag, bin and filters | Check how the vacuum is emptied and make sure you know the reference numbers for bags or filters compatible with the exact model. | Handling dust when emptying the vacuum or maintaining a bin would change my routine. Around 27% of consumers make ease of maintenance their priority. |
| Moving and storing the vacuum | Check the weight, dimensions and storage position. Don’t judge how easy it is to manoeuvre by the stated weight alone. | I need to be able to move the vacuum between rooms and find a place to store it after use. This is more important than other factors for around 18% of consumers. |
| Comfort over time | Compare noise levels under similar conditions and find out about the parts and consumables available for the model you’re considering. | If I clean for a long time, noise and being able to maintain the vacuum matter to me. Around 18% of consumers put this long-term comfort first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on motor wattage alone
The stated power doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum picks up dirt from hard floors, rugs or carpets. Que Choisir tests cylinder vacuum performance on different types of flooring.
Look for results on the floor coverings in your home and check that the relevant brushes are included.
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Assuming a large bin needs little maintenance
A bagless vacuum means you don’t have to replace bags, but you’ll still need to empty the bin and maintain the filters. You’ll also need to consider how much dust you’ll handle when emptying it.
Before you choose, check how to remove the bin and read the filter care instructions for the exact model.
Allow time to empty and clean the bin, as well as maintain the filters.
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Relying on a stick vacuum’s maximum battery life
A long cleaning session may require a different power setting from the one used to quote maximum battery life. Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes of battery life at maximum power in its tests.
If you want to clean your whole home with a stick vacuum, compare its battery life and performance in conditions similar to your own use, especially on carpets.
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Overlooking future maintenance
Choosing a vacuum also means considering whether you’ll be able to get the right bags, filters, brushes and parts for its model number.
Check the reference numbers for consumables and find out what repair options are available before you buy. For an old appliance, ADEME also outlines options for repair, donation and collection.
Cylinder vacuum brands to consider
Electrolux
The Clean 600 range lets you compare bagged and bagless models. Check the features included with each one.
- Electrolux states that the bagged EB61C4DB has a 12 m operating radius and a 3.5 L bag.
- Check the accessories and consumables for the specific model you choose.
Rowenta
The Silence Force Cyclonic Effitech range is worth a look if you want a bagless cylinder vacuum and care about its stated noise level.
- For the RO7935EA, Rowenta states a noise level of 59 dB(A) at maximum power and an operating radius of 12 m.
- Check which brushes are included with the version you’re buying. These figures don’t apply to every Rowenta model.
Bosch
The bagged BGL41HYG2H is worth considering if you’re comparing capacity and accessories.
- Bosch states that this model has a 4 L bag and an operating radius of 11 m.
- Check its weight, accessories and compatible bags before choosing this model.
Philips
The FC9747/09 PowerPro Expert is a bagless model to compare based on your floors and the brushes included.
- Philips states that the FC9747/09 has a 2 L bin and an operating radius of 10 m.
- If you have rugs or carpets, these specifications aren’t a substitute for dirt pick-up results on those surfaces.
Miele
The Complete C3 range includes several bagged models, with different brushes depending on the model.
- Miele lists a brush for delicate parquet flooring and a turbo brush among the features of the Complete C3 Special Flex.
- Check the features of the version you’re choosing rather than relying on the Complete C3 name alone.
Bagged cylinder vacuums on Joybuy
These two bagged models are worth considering if you’re looking for a cylinder vacuum to clean several rooms by hand. To compare them, check the brushes included, the stated operating radius and the bags compatible with each model.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG, bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner
Worth considering if you’d rather remove a bag than empty a bin after cleaning several rooms.
Check that the included brushes are suitable for your floors and that bags compatible with the EB61C4OG are available.
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Electrolux EB61C2GRN, bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner, 550 W, black
Worth a look if you’re after a bagged cylinder vacuum for cleaning several rooms by hand.
The product name states 550 W, but this figure alone doesn’t tell you how well it will pick up dirt from your floors. Check the brushes included and the bags compatible with the EB61C2GRN.
Frequently asked questions
What should I compare before looking at wattage for a large home?
Compare the vacuum’s reach and capacity, along with the brushes suited to your surfaces. Then look for dirt pick-up results by flooring type. Que Choisir tests different floor coverings, as motor wattage alone doesn’t sum up how well a vacuum will perform.
Does a bagged cylinder vacuum mean I won’t have to handle a dust bin?
Yes. You can remove a full bag without emptying a bin, but you’ll need to have compatible bags and maintain the other parts according to the model’s instructions. A bagless cylinder vacuum saves you buying bags, but you’ll need to empty and clean its bin.
How do I find the right bags or filters for a particular model?
Check the exact model number of your vacuum and use it to search for compatible consumables. Electrolux, for example, lets you search for parts using the product number, known as the PNC. Check that the part is compatible before ordering bags or filters.
Is a cordless stick vacuum enough for a large home?
Don’t assume so. Check its battery life at the power setting you’ll need, as well as how well it performs on your surfaces. Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes of battery life at maximum power in its tests. If a full clean takes longer, a stick vacuum may be better suited to quick clean-ups.