Who are these options for?

People living in a studio or small flat

If you mainly pick up dust and crumbs between cleans, check how much space the vacuum takes up when stored, including its accessories and charger, if applicable.

Small homes with carpets or gaps between floorboards

A small floor area doesn’t necessarily make cleaning easy. How well a vacuum performs on your flooring matters more than how compact it is.

People looking to automate their cleaning routine

A robot vacuum can take care of some routine floor cleaning on clear floors, as long as you have space for its base and remember to empty its dust container.

What should you prioritise?

Cordless stick vacuum

Worth considering: for quick, frequent cleans, if you have a stable place to store it at home.

The trade-off: runtime drops on the highest setting; Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at full power.

Compact cylinder vacuum

Worth considering: if you want one vacuum to clean carpets, gaps between floorboards and dirtier areas, too.

The trade-off: you’ll need an accessible plug socket and space to store the vacuum body, hose and accessories.

Robot vacuum

Worth considering: for scheduled, regular cleans when your floors are clear enough for it to move around.

The trade-off: the dust container and brushes need maintenance, and you’ll still need to check edges, corners and cluttered areas.

Start with your flooring and cleaning needs, then check how the specific model works and where you’ll store it.

Priority What to check What I need
Cleaning performance Compare tests of the model on flooring like yours, whether that’s hard floors, carpets or gaps between floorboards, and using comparable types of dirt. With a cylinder vacuum, don’t judge the floorhead by the advertised motor power alone. I have carpets or gaps between floorboards: I want to know how well the vacuum cleans these surfaces, not just whether it picks up crumbs from a smooth floor.
Usable runtime For a stick vacuum, check how long it runs on the setting you need for your floors, and how long it takes to recharge, rather than looking only at the maximum advertised runtime. My cleaning sessions are short, but I want to finish the areas that need a higher setting.
Storage Measure the space needed for the vacuum, accessories and charging. Check that a stick vacuum stays stable when stored upright, and decide where a robot’s base can stay permanently. I have limited space: I need to be able to get the vacuum out and put it away without it getting in the way.
Maintenance Check how to empty the dust container or find the right bags, how easy it is to access the filters and brushes, and which replacement parts are available. In France, compare the repairability index for applicable models. I’d like to know what maintenance is involved and what consumables I’ll need before choosing between a bagged and bagless model.

What should you watch out for before buying?

  • Confusing maximum runtime with cleaning time

    A stick vacuum’s advertised runtime usually refers to its least demanding setting. Que Choisir reports that it drops to an average of around ten minutes at full power.

    Check the measured runtime on the setting you’ll need for your floors, then estimate how long your usual clean takes.

  • Choosing a cylinder vacuum based on motor power alone

    The design of the floorhead also affects cleaning performance. The advertised motor power alone doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will clean carpets or hard floors.

    Compare tests on the types of flooring you have and check which brushes come with the model.

  • Assuming a robot vacuum needs no maintenance

    According to Que Choisir, a robot vacuum’s dust container needs emptying very regularly. Its base also takes up a permanent spot in your home.

    Decide where it will go and check access to the dust container and brushes. If the model needs an app, check the app and its compatibility, too.

  • Forgetting about consumables and replacement parts

    A bagged vacuum needs compatible bags, while a bagless model needs its dust container emptied and cleaned. Access to replacement parts also affects how long you can use the vacuum.

    Make a note of the consumables you’ll need, find out which spare parts are available, and compare the repairability index for the model sold in France, where applicable.

Which brands should you compare by model?

A brand may offer several configurations. Check the performance and requirements of the specific model you’re considering rather than assuming they apply across the whole range.

Dyson

For a Dyson cordless stick vacuum, check how it performs on your floors and how much storage space it needs.

  • Check runtime and repairability for the specific model and configuration you’re considering.

Rowenta

The points to check will differ depending on whether you’re considering a Rowenta stick or robot vacuum.

  • Compare cleaning performance on your floors, storage requirements and available parts separately for each model.

Bosch

For a Bosch cordless stick vacuum, start by checking the configuration on sale and how it fits your cleaning routine.

  • Don’t assume its usable runtime or carpet performance based on the brand name alone.

Two vacuum cleaner types on Joybuy

These two options suit different needs in a small home: a bagged cylinder vacuum for more thorough cleans, as well as everyday use, and a cordless stick vacuum for quick pick-ups. Check how they perform on your floors before choosing.

Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner

Electrolux 600 EB61C4OG, bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner

A bagged cylinder vacuum is worth considering if you’d like one appliance for everyday cleaning and more thorough cleans. Check how much space you’ll need for the body, hose and accessories, along with test results on your flooring and the reference for compatible bags.

View on Joybuy
MONSGA X UNINELLHOME UV5 cordless stick vacuum cleaner

MONSGA X UNINELLHOME UV5, cordless stick vacuum cleaner

A cordless stick vacuum is a handy choice for quick cleans without a cable. The product title states a runtime of up to 65 minutes and a self-standing design. Check the runtime on the setting you’ll need for your floors, as well as how stable it is and how much space it takes up when stored.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can a stick vacuum be the only vacuum in a small home?

It may be enough for some light cleaning routines, but a small floor area doesn’t resolve the question of carpets or more thorough cleaning. Que Choisir describes stick vacuums mainly as handy supplementary cleaners; check tests of the specific model on your floors before deciding against a cylinder vacuum.

What does a stick vacuum’s advertised runtime mean?

It doesn’t mean you’ll get the same runtime on every setting. Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at full power. Look for runtime figures on the setting you need for your flooring rather than relying on the maximum advertised runtime alone.

Bagged or bagless for a small home?

Choose based on how you feel about emptying and maintenance. A bagged model needs compatible bags, while a bagless one needs its dust container emptied and cleaned. Also compare the performance of the specific model on your floors.

Does a robot vacuum mean you never have to clean manually?

No. It can automate floor cleaning, but its dust container and brushes still need maintenance. Que Choisir also assesses how well robot vacuums clean corners and the edges of rooms. Check these results, as well as app compatibility if the model requires an app.

How can you compare the repairability of vacuum cleaners sold in France?

For applicable vacuum cleaners, compare the repairability index for the model and find out which parts are available. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition describes this index as a score out of 10; it doesn’t replace checking that the parts you need are available for the vacuum you’re considering.