For a quick clean-up of crumbs, dust or pet hair, choose a cordless stick vacuum if you want something that's easy to grab. Check its runtime at the power setting you'll actually use. A robot vacuum is a good choice if you'd like to schedule cleaning and are happy to maintain the machine, but don't assume it will clean every floor or corner equally well. For rugs, carpets or grooved wooden floors that need a more thorough clean, consider a cylinder vacuum with a suitable floorhead and accessories. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the limitations a stick vacuum can have on these surfaces.
How often you clean isn't the only thing to consider: the way you clean and the floor coverings in your home matter too.
If you mainly need to do quick clean-ups between bigger cleaning sessions, a cordless stick vacuum is easy to take out and put away. UFC-Que Choisir generally describes it as a handy back-up for cleaning; check its weight and runtime to make sure it suits your needs.
A robot vacuum can clean while you get on with something else. However, you'll need to clear its route, empty or maintain its dust collection system, and check how well it performs on your floors. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results vary between floor types.
If quick clean-ups need to cover rugs, thick carpets or grooved wooden floors, compare the floorheads and accessories supplied with cylinder and stick vacuums. UFC-Que Choisir notes that stick vacuums can be more limited on these surfaces.
Worth considering: for quickly picking up small messes with a vacuum that's easy to take out and put away.
Bear in mind: runtime drops at higher power settings. UFC-Que Choisir also notes limitations on thick rugs and grooved wooden floors.
Worth considering: for scheduling regular cleaning, if you can clear its route.
Bear in mind: you'll need to keep an eye on the dust container, brushes and consumables, and results can vary by floor type, as UFC-Que Choisir notes.
Worth considering: if your cleaning routine also includes rugs, carpets or grooved wooden floors.
Bear in mind: it's bulkier to take out and put away. Choose a floorhead to suit your floors rather than relying on motor power alone, advises UFC-Que Choisir.
Once you've chosen a type, check that its features suit the floors you need to clean and the maintenance you're prepared to do.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Check how much the vacuum weighs, whether it's easy to store and how much space the machine or its docking station needs. | I want to be able to pick up crumbs or pet hair without having to set up a bulky machine. |
| Performance on different floors | Look at test results for your floor coverings, including rugs, wooden floors and hard floors. Check performance along edges and in corners too, as well as the floorhead and accessories supplied. | At home, dirt doesn't just gather in the middle of a hard floor: it can get caught in a rug or collect near the skirting boards. |
| Stick vacuum runtime | Compare runtime at the power setting needed for your floors, not just the maximum advertised runtime. Check whether a compatible battery is available for the exact model. | I want to finish cleaning without having to stop when I'm using a higher power setting. |
| Robot vacuum routine | Check the scheduling options, the space needed for the docking station and how much of its route needs to be cleared. For a connected model, check app compatibility and the terms of use. | Scheduling floor cleaning appeals to me, but I can also prepare the room and maintain the robot regularly. |
| Maintenance and parts | Find out how to empty the dust container and clean the filters and brushes. Check which consumables and parts fit the exact model number; compare the repairability rating where one is shown. | I'll use the vacuum often, so I want to know which parts need cleaning or replacing. |
The advertised runtime may refer to the lowest power setting. In its laboratory tests, UFC-Que Choisir found an average runtime of around ten minutes at maximum power, although this average isn't a prediction of how long every model will last.
Compare runtimes at each setting for the stick vacuum you're considering, and check the reference number for any compatible replacement battery.
UFC-Que Choisir finds that robot vacuum performance varies between floor types, and its tests also look at edges and corners. Mopping performance also differs between models.
Check results for your floor coverings and plan how you'll clean areas the robot can't reach easily. If you're interested in a mopping function, look at its results separately from those for vacuuming.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, motor power alone isn't enough to judge suction: suction power and floorhead design matter too.
Prioritise test results for the floors in your home, and check which floorhead and accessories come with the model.
iRobot says that batteries with the same capacity aren't always interchangeable because they can have different shapes. A part listed for one range won't necessarily fit every model.
Search for the full model name on the brand's website and check the reference numbers separately for any batteries, filters, brushes and other consumables you need.
Parts catalogues can help you plan for maintenance, but always check that a part fits the exact vacuum model.
Rowenta offers self-repair resources for cylinder, cordless stick and robot vacuums.
Dyson France lists spare parts for its vacuum cleaners, including some cordless stick models.
iRobot France offers accessories and parts for its Roomba robots.
These models offer two ways to keep your floors clean between bigger cleaning sessions: schedule cleaning with a robot or tackle quick messes with a cordless stick vacuum. When choosing between them, also consider your floor coverings, available space and the maintenance required.
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Worth considering if you'd like to schedule cleaning rather than take out a vacuum every time.
The product listing mentions an auto-empty station, 3D obstacle detection and a runtime of 180 minutes. Check the conditions for this runtime, app compatibility and performance on your floors.
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This robot with a docking station is worth considering for scheduled cleaning if you have space for it and can keep it maintained.
The product listing mentions an OMNI station and mop pad washing at 75 °C. Check app compatibility and vacuuming and mopping performance on your floors; the presence of these features doesn't guarantee a particular result.
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Its cordless stick design makes it suitable for quick clean-ups between more thorough cleans.
The product listing claims up to 65 minutes of runtime and says the vacuum can stand upright on its own. Before choosing this model for rugs or longer cleaning sessions, check the runtime at the required power setting and whether a compatible battery is available.
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This model combines vacuuming and mopping for regular cleaning, provided you can keep the robot and its docking station maintained.
The product listing claims that the mop pads are cleaned with hot water at 75 °C. Check its vacuuming and mopping results on your floors separately, as well as app compatibility. The mopping function isn't guaranteed to replace manual cleaning.
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This stick vacuum could suit frequent clean-ups if you have room for a collection and charging station.
The product listing claims up to 70 minutes of runtime and an automatic dust collection station. Check which setting this runtime applies to, what maintenance and consumables the station needs, and how well the vacuum performs on your floors.
It may be enough for quick clean-ups and, depending on your floors and the size of your home, could take care of much of your regular cleaning. But don't assume it will necessarily replace a vacuum designed for deeper cleaning: UFC-Que Choisir notes limitations in runtime and suction, particularly on thick rugs and grooved wooden floors.
Not necessarily: the maximum runtime usually refers to the lowest power setting. UFC-Que Choisir found an average of around ten minutes at full power in its tests. Compare runtimes at each setting for the specific model rather than assuming this average applies to every stick vacuum.
It may be, but results won't necessarily be the same on every floor covering. UFC-Que Choisir found that performance varies between floors. Look for test results on your rugs and hard floors, including around edges and in corners, then check that the robot can move around the rooms you want it to clean.
No. A station may empty the robot's dust container, but you'll still need to check, clean or replace the brushes, filters and any bags, depending on the model. Check what's involved before choosing a station to make your routine easier.
Compare the repairability rating where one is shown for the models you're considering. According to the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition, the score out of 10 indicates how easy or difficult they are to repair. Then check with the brand for the part numbers and availability of batteries, brushes, filters and other parts specific to your chosen model.