Households that want to clean small areas straight away
For dust and crumbs between more thorough cleans, how easy the vacuum is to get out and put away matters just as much as how well it handles the floors in your home.
Which option suits each household?
People who want to schedule cleaning
A robot vacuum can clean on its own. You’ll need to prepare the space and take care of the bin and maintenance, while checking how well it performs on the flooring in your home.
Households with rugs, pet hair or hard-to-reach areas
Check performance on rugs, fibres, gaps between floorboards, edges and corners separately. A quoted power rating alone won’t tell you how well a model will clean each of these areas.
What should you compare?
Cordless stick vacuum
Consider it: for tackling crumbs or a small area straight away.
Bear in mind: running time varies depending on the power setting, and the bin needs to be maintained.
Robot vacuum
Consider it: for automatic cleaning when you can keep the floors clear.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to prepare the space, and results vary across floor types, even though the vacuum moves around by itself.
Cylinder vacuum
Consider it: if removing dust matters more than being able to clean straight away.
Bear in mind: it takes longer to get out than a cordless stick vacuum; check its dimensions if you’re looking for a compact model.
| Consideration | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and dirt | Compare test results on your floor coverings, then on the crumbs, fibres, gaps between floorboards and edges that matter in your home. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing, for example, assesses these situations separately for robot vacuums. | I have rugs or pet hair to pick up: I want to know how well it performs on these surfaces, not just its quoted power. |
| Cleaning routine | For quick clean-ups, consider how easy the vacuum is to use and put away. If you want scheduled cleaning, check the robot’s features and what it needs to move around your home. | Crumbs appear after meals, so I’d rather be able to get the vacuum out straight away. If I’d prefer regular cleaning without having to guide it, scheduling is important. |
| Battery life and maintenance | For a stick vacuum, compare the running time in the mode you’ll actually use and how long it takes to charge. For every type, check how to empty the bin or replace the bag, and how easy it is to access the filters and brushes. | I want maintenance tasks to fit around how often I clean, even with a robot that has a docking station. |
| Repairs and parts | Check the repairability index if one is displayed, then look for parts and consumables that fit the model. According to ADEME, the index applies to corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners. | If a battery, brush or filter needs replacing, I want to know how to get the right part for my vacuum. |
What should you look out for?
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Choosing a stick vacuum based on its maximum running time
This figure doesn’t necessarily reflect how long it will last on a high power setting. UFC-Que Choisir measures cordless stick vacuum battery life and performance separately.
Compare the running time in the mode you’d use on rugs or for tougher dirt, as well as the charging time and whether the battery can be replaced.
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Assuming a robot’s independence means it cleans every floor equally well
A robot moves around on its own, but UFC-Que Choisir points out that results vary depending on the floor covering. Edges and corners are also assessed separately.
Identify the floors and types of dirt in your home, then look for tests that cover those exact conditions.
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Assuming a docking station or mop means no maintenance
The bin, brushes and mopping components still need attention. A mopping function alone doesn’t prove how well a robot cleans wet floors: UFC-Que Choisir found that most of the robot mops it tested performed poorly.
Check what maintenance the model requires, including emptying the bin, cleaning the brushes and sensors, caring for the mop pads and managing the water, where applicable.
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Overlooking parts and consumables
How easily a vacuum can be maintained or repaired depends partly on which components can be replaced. ADEME says that parts availability is one of the criteria used for the repairability index.
Check the reference numbers for filters, brushes, any bags and batteries, then look up repair information for the specific model.
Replacing these components is also part of the ongoing maintenance to factor in over the vacuum’s lifetime.
A guide to the brands
A brand that sells several types of vacuum won’t necessarily deliver the same results across every model. Compare test results and the features of the model you’re considering.
Dyson
A brand worth considering among cordless stick vacuums.
- Compare the model’s battery life and suction in conditions that match your floors.
- The brand’s presence in this category doesn’t tell you how easy each vacuum is to maintain.
Rowenta
A brand with both cordless stick and robot vacuum models.
- Its two types of vacuum give you the choice between quick clean-ups and automatic cleaning.
- Check the performance and features of the specific model separately, particularly when it comes to edges.
Roborock
A brand with robot vacuums, including models that combine vacuuming and mopping.
- Check the navigation and maintenance features included with the model you choose.
- A mopping function doesn’t tell you how well it will clean your floors.
Dreame
A brand to consider among robot vacuums, particularly models with a mopping function.
- If you want to reduce the amount of maintenance, check which tasks the docking station can handle.
- A docking station or extra features don’t prove how well a vacuum will clean or mop.
iRobot
A brand with a range of robot vacuum cleaners.
- Compare how well the model performs on your floor coverings and check how its bin is emptied.
- Check app compatibility and parts availability for the exact model.
Vacuum cleaners for these needs on Joybuy
This selection includes robot vacuums for automatic cleaning, a cordless stick vacuum for quick clean-ups and a bagged cylinder vacuum for anyone who prefers that style. Check how each model performs on your floors before choosing; the cylinder vacuum featured here isn’t described as compact.
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Eureka E20 Plus, black robot vacuum cleaner
If you want to schedule cleaning without guiding the vacuum, this robot features DuoDetect AI navigation and a bagless emptying station. Its specifications list 8 000 Pa suction power and a 180-minute running time, but these figures alone don’t show how well it will perform on your floors. Check test results for edges in particular, along with app compatibility and how the station is emptied.
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roborock Q7 L5+, black robot vacuum cleaner
Designed for scheduled cleaning, this model features LiDAR navigation, app control and an automatic emptying station. Its product listing states 8 000 Pa suction power and a mopping function, but doesn’t show how well it will perform on rugs or near walls. Check app compatibility and which consumables the station requires.
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UNINELL HOME UV1, 450 W cordless stick vacuum
For cleaning a small area straight away, this cordless stick vacuum can also be used as a handheld model, according to its specifications. It has a removable battery and a stated running time of up to 60 minutes. Check how long it lasts in the mode that suits your floors, as well as its performance on rugs and pet hair. The bin, filter and brush also need regular maintenance.
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roborock Qrevo S5V, white robot vacuum and mop
If you also want to automate some of the mop pad maintenance, this robot comes with a station designed for the task. Its product listing states 12 000 Pa suction power and FlexiArm mop pads, but neither of these features alone tells you how well it will vacuum or mop in your home. Check test results for your floors, what tasks you’ll still need to do and whether the app is compatible.
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Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG, bagged cylinder vacuum
This corded, bagged cylinder vacuum is suited to anyone who’d rather get a vacuum out for a cleaning session than schedule a robot. Check how it performs on your floor coverings and whether the right bags are available. If storage space is limited, check its dimensions before considering it a compact model.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cordless stick vacuum be the only vacuum in your home?
Not in every home. UFC-Que Choisir describes it as best suited to quick clean-ups. If you have lots of rugs or tougher dirt to remove, compare test results for the model on those surfaces and check its running time in the mode you’ll need. UFC-Que Choisir describes cylinder vacuums as more effective at picking up dust.
Will a robot vacuum pick up crumbs and clean rugs and edges?
It depends on the model and the surface. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol for robot vacuums assesses several types of flooring, debris, edges and corners separately. If one of these areas is particularly important in your home, look for a test that covers it specifically.
Can a robot’s mopping function replace mopping by hand?
Don’t assume it can. In its robot mop test, UFC-Que Choisir found that most of the models assessed performed poorly when mopping; the mopping tests in question were carried out on tiled floors. Check the results for the model you’re considering and follow any precautions for your flooring, particularly if you have solid wood floors.
What should you check to maintain and repair your vacuum?
Check the repairability index if one is displayed, then look up the reference numbers for filters, brushes, any bags and batteries, along with the stated availability of parts for the model. ADEME explains that the repairability index applies to corded, cordless and robot vacuum cleaners.
What should you do with an old vacuum cleaner in France?
Depending on its condition, first consider having it repaired, donating it or passing it on for reuse. If you need to dispose of it, ADEME lists options including collection bins in shops and electrical and electronic equipment recycling facilities at local waste centres.