For regular cleaning of a large area, or of rugs and carpets, a canister vacuum is generally the most suitable choice. A bagged model means replacing bags, while a bagless one needs its bin emptied and maintained. A cordless stick vacuum makes quick clean-ups and storage easier, provided its battery life in the mode you use is long enough. A robot automates frequent cleaning on uncluttered floors, but results vary depending on the floor covering and it needs maintenance too, as Que Choisir points out.
The area you need to clean matters just as much as how often you clean it. A handy appliance for a quick tidy-up may not meet the same needs as your main vacuum cleaner.
If you clean several rooms and floor types in one session, start by looking at canister vacuums. Que Choisir describes them as suitable for large areas. For rugs and carpets, compare test results and the supplied floor head, while also considering the weight and reach.
A cordless stick vacuum is easy to grab and put away for a quick clean. If you plan to use it as your main appliance, check that its battery life in the mode you need will cover a full cleaning session, and find out whether the battery can be replaced.
A robot can handle frequent cleaning on uncluttered floors. However, Que Choisir notes that results vary depending on the flooring. Check how it performs on your floors, and remember to empty the bin and maintain the brushes and other consumables.
First decide how the appliance will fit into your home, then compare models against your floor types, the length of your cleaning sessions and the maintenance you’re happy to take on.
Worth considering: for a thorough clean across several rooms, particularly if you have rugs or carpets.
Bear in mind: the cord, moving the appliance around and replacing bags. Que Choisir describes canister vacuums as suitable for large areas.
Worth considering: if you want a canister vacuum without having to replace bags.
Bear in mind: emptying the bin and maintaining the filters. According to Que Choisir’s guide, bagged canister vacuums pick up more effectively than bagless models. Even so, compare test results for the models you’re considering on your floors.
Worth considering: for quick clean-ups, if storage space is limited or you often need to carry the appliance.
Bear in mind: how long you can clean for depends on the mode you use. Que Choisir also notes that stick vacuums may struggle with thick rugs and carpets.
Worth considering: for automated, frequent cleaning on uncluttered floors.
Bear in mind: preparing the space and maintaining the robot. Que Choisir says its results depend on the type of flooring.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Performance on different floors | Compare test results for your specific floor types and check which brush is supplied. Que Choisir’s testing protocol covers rugs, fitted carpet, tiles and parquet with gaps, among other surfaces. Motor wattage alone isn’t enough to judge performance. | I have rugs or gaps in my parquet flooring. I want to know how the model performs on these surfaces, not just on a smooth floor. |
| Battery life and manoeuvrability | For a stick vacuum, check the battery life in the mode you’ll use. For a canister vacuum, consider its reach, weight and how much storage space it needs. Que Choisir gives an average battery life of around ten minutes for stick vacuums at full power, although this average does not describe every model. | I often clean in short bursts, or I clean several rooms in one go. The appliance needs to be practical throughout the session. |
| Maintenance and parts | Find the bags, filters, brushes or batteries that match the exact model number. If you’re buying a new vacuum in France, also check its repairability index: the French Ministry for Ecological Transition includes vacuum cleaners among the product categories covered. | I’d rather know what maintenance is involved and which parts to look for before committing to a model. |
| Automation | For a robot, check its performance on your floors, how it handles rugs and what’s involved in maintaining the bin, brushes or dock. If it needs an app, make sure it’s compatible with your devices. | Scheduled cleaning appeals to me, but I can still tackle tricky areas myself and maintain the robot. |
Motor power alone doesn’t tell you how much a vacuum will pick up from a rug, fitted carpet or parquet flooring with gaps.
Look for tests carried out on your types of flooring and check which floor head comes with the model you’re considering. Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses several types of floor separately.
These figures refer to different ways of using a stick vacuum. Que Choisir says that the average battery life at full power is around ten minutes.
Look for the runtime in the mode you’ll need for your floors, and check which replacement battery is compatible with the model.
Remember to factor in the possible cost of replacing the battery as part of ongoing maintenance.
Results vary depending on the type of flooring, according to Que Choisir. A robot also needs its bin emptied and brushes maintained. A dock or mopping function may mean additional consumables, too.
Check its performance on your floors, how it handles rugs and what maintenance the specific model requires.
A filter, brush or battery needs to match the exact model. A brand’s accessories catalogue doesn’t confirm that every part will fit every vacuum cleaner.
Make a note of the full model number, look up its consumables and, if you’re considering a new appliance in France, check its repairability index where applicable.
These brands can help you look up consumables by model number. Their catalogues don’t indicate how well a vacuum performs or guarantee that a part is available for every model.
Worth a look if you’re comparing different types of vacuum and want to identify the parts for the model you choose.
A brand to consider if you’re looking at cordless stick vacuums and want to search for parts by model.
A brand to consider if you’re comparing Roomba robots and looking into accessory maintenance.
A useful brand to check when looking for consumables and parts for a canister vacuum by model number.
Worth considering if you’re looking at a robot with vacuuming and mopping accessories.
This selection includes a bagged canister vacuum, two cordless stick vacuums and two robots, so you can compare options for different household needs. For each one, check how it performs on your floors and what maintenance is involved before deciding whether it could be your main appliance.
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This bagged canister vacuum is worth considering for cleaning sessions that cover several rooms. If your home has rugs or carpets, compare its test results on these surfaces and look for bags compatible with the EB61C4OG model number.
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This robot combines vacuuming and mopping for regular cleaning. Its product details list 25 000 Pa, an OMNI station and mop washing at 75 °C, but these figures don’t show how it will perform on your floors. Check how it handles rugs, which app it needs and which consumables are compatible.
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This stick vacuum could be a good option for frequent clean-ups if easy storage matters to you. Its product title lists 55 000 Pa and 45 min, without specifying the runtime for each mode. Check which runtime matches your cleaning sessions, how it performs on rugs and which replacement battery fits the M100.
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This robot with a mopping function is designed for automated cleaning. Its product title lists 16 200 Pa and hot-water cleaning at 75 °C, but these figures aren’t a substitute for results on your floors. Also check its runtime, how to maintain the station and which consumables are specific to the J15 Pro Ultra.
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This PowerClean is one option to consider for regular household cleaning. Before choosing it for longer sessions or rugs, check the runtime in the mode you need, how it performs on these floor types and which parts are compatible with its exact model number.
Not in every home. Que Choisir describes stick vacuums as handy for quick clean-ups, but notes that battery life and performance on rugs or thick carpets can be limited. If these surfaces cover a large part of your home, compare test results on fabric flooring and check which brush is supplied before relying on one as your only vacuum.
You’ll need to replace the bags that fit its model number and follow the care instructions for its filters and brushes. Check the bag identification before buying: a bag designed for another canister vacuum from the same brand may not be compatible.
Look up the appliance’s exact model number in the manufacturer’s catalogue and check which bags, filters, brushes or batteries it needs. For a robot with a dock or mopping function, also check which dock bags and mop pads fit the model.
Don’t assume so: according to Que Choisir, robot vacuum performance varies depending on the type of flooring. Check test results for rugs similar to yours and find out how the model detects and handles them before relying on it as your only appliance.
If your vacuum still works, consider donating it or passing it on for reuse. If it can no longer be used, ecosystem provides information about collection routes for electrical equipment. Used batteries should be taken to a dedicated collection point, in a shop or at a recycling centre, rather than put in household rubbish.