Canister vacuums are the best all-around household cleaning tools for vacuuming. The best canister vacuum cleaners have as much power as upright vacuum. Their lightweight, flexible hoses, powerful suction, and large dust cup capacity make cleaning the home easy and almost effortless. Even cheap canister vacuums do a suitable job of cleaning stairs, hard floors, low-pile carpets, and getting under furniture.
Choosing the best canister vacuum cleaner to buy isn’t as easy as you may think. Canister vacuums come with a range of tools and accessories for almost any cleaning job in the home. Additionally, it’s vital to consider the vacuum cleaners suction power, size of the dust cup, weight, and ease of use.
Many people with pets choose an appropriate canister vacuum for pet hair. Most bagged and bagless canister vacuums can have excellent filtration systems that prevent pet dander from getting back into the air. Some vacuums for cleaning pet hair also come with HEPA filters—also ideal if anyone has allergies.
Top Canister Vacuum Cleaners Compared
This article is a review of the best canister vacuum cleaners currently for sale online. This review looks at the benefits of canister vacuums. You will also find out the pros and cons of each vacuum cleaner
1. Kenmore Elite 81714 Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum
The Kenmore Elite is first in the canister vacuum cleaner review because it represents the best overall value. The Kenmore vacuum has a two-motor system providing exceptional suction power. Buying this vacuum is also a good idea if you have pets because it is a bagged vacuum with an integrated HEPA filter. The 26-foot cord and 10-foot telescopic wand make cleaning easier.
One of the best features of the Kenmore Elite canister vacuum is its excellent filtration system. There is also a dust and crevice tool, stair grip, and attachments for all floor types. If you have pets, there is also a unique tool for cleaning pet hair. This model is one of the best Kenmore canister vacuums.
Pros:
- Long electrical cord and telescopic wand
- Specially designed pet attachment
- Powerful two-motor system
- HEPA filtration
- Suitable for all floor types
Cons:
- Relatively heavy
2. Miele Electro+ C2 Compact Canister Vacuum
Miele has a reputation for quality household appliances, and the Electro+ matches Miele’s high standards. This top-of-the-range vacuum packs in remarkable, powerful suction in a small, compact canister vacuum. This incredible vacuum is one of the best for power, range of attachments, and quiet operation. There are two motorized brush types for cleaning hardwood floors as well as deep-pile carpets.
One of the best features of the Miele compact canister vacuum is its upholstery tool. This attachment sets the Miele vacuum apart from others on this review. Also, its small compact size means you can store it in the smallest of spaces. All the attachments are clipped to the hose for ease of use.
Pros:
- Powerful 1,200-watt motor
- Extremely quiet
- Adjustable motorized power head with five carpet pile height settings
- Ideal for people with allergies
Cons:
- High price tag
- Short power cord
3. Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum
The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball model is one of the best canister vacuums for pet hair. Dyson has a strong reputation for creating powerful stick, upright, and canister vacuums. The Dyson canister vacuum does an incredible job of sucking dog and cat hair without jamming. The bagless vacuum is easy to empty and has outstanding performance
As one of the best Dyson canister vacuums, the Cinetic Big Ball is easy to maneuver. The lightweight telescopic wand comes with a powerful tangle-free roller brush to remove the most stubborn dust particles from carpets. A nice feature of this Dyson vacuum is its self-righting technology—if it topples over, it immediately rights itself.
Pros:
- Dyson quality and power
- Maneuverable head with 360° rotation for greater control
- No need to wash or replace the filter
- Hygienic dirt ejector
- Total reach of 35 feet
Cons:
- Narrow cleaning head
- High price tag
4. Bissell Hard Floor Canister Vacuum
The Bissell canister vacuum cleaner is one of the best for cleaning tiled and hardwood floors. The multi-cyclonic vacuum has a wide, hard floor turbine brush attachment that’s perfect for vacuuming any type of hard floor without scattering dirt. The vacuum comes with a range of attachments to clean carpets, crevices, and tight corners.
Because the Bissell vacuum is designed for hard floors, you don’t risk damaging floor surfaces. The 11-inch-wide cleaning head and 18-foot power cord allow you to clean the house faster. Additionally, the one-click, no-mess dust cup emptying means that it’s easy to maintain the bagless vacuum.
Pros:
- Quiet, lightweight, compact vacuum
- Gentle on hard floors without compromising cleaning power
- Good filtration system
- Good value for money
Cons:
- Tends to clog
- Not great for cleaning deep pile carpets
5. Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G Corded Canister Vacuum Cleaner
The Eureka Mighty Mite is a powerful bagged canister vacuum that is compact and lightweight. The powerful brush rolls do an excellent job of sucking up dirt and debris. A wide range of attachments includes an upholstery nozzle, bare floor attachment, crevice tool, and dusting brush. Thanks to the long extension wand, you’ll reach under furniture and high places.
An excellent feature of the Eureka canister vacuum is that it has a blower function. This allows the unit to double up as a leaf blower to keep outdoor spaces clean. The triple-filtration bag also keeps the air clean after vacuuming.
Pros:
- Huge 2.5-liter dust cup capacity
- Lightweight, easy to maneuver, and carry
- 20-foot power cord
- Compact and easy to store
- Blower function—something rare on canister vacuum cleaners
- Excellent value for money
Cons:
- No automatic power cord storage
- Plasticky feel
6. Ovente Bagless Lightweight Canister Vacuum
The Ovente canister vacuum is a budget-priced bagless cleaner with a HEPA filter and a wide range of attachments. The vacuum’s power comes from the cyclonic system that ensures powerful suction. Thanks to the bristle brush, crevice tool, and floor attachments, you can effortlessly keep your house clean.
The bagless, high-capacity dust cup means that maintenance is minimal. All you need to do is empty the canister straight into the trash, wash it, and replace it.
Pros:
- HEPA filtration system
- Easy to empty
- A good range of attachments
- Excellent price
Cons:
- Cheap, flimsy design quality
7. BISSELL Zing Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum
The Bissell Zing vacuum is one of the best budget canister models currently for sale. Despite its low price, the Bissell Zing doesn’t compromise on quality. The compact canister vacuum has a large, bagged dust cup, powerful motor, and floor and crevice attachments. Additionally, the pre- and post-motor filters ensure that airborne dust particles are kept to a minimum.
The lightweight design and integrated carrying handle mean that the Bissell Zing is ideal for cleaning stairs. Also, the steel telescopic wand gets to the most hard-to-reach places in your home.
Pros:
- A cheap canister vacuum cleaner with a powerful motor
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Variable suction control
- Automatic cord rewind
Cons:
- A limited array of options
The Best Features of Canister Vacuums
The best feature of canister vacuums is their ease of use. Because you only have a lightweight hose with a brush head to carry, these vacuums are easier to use for vacuuming. Also, the long telescopic handles mean that you don’t have to bend down, and you can easily reach under furniture.
The most common use of canister vacuum cleaners is to clean hardwood or tiled floors and low-pile carpets. The brush head is usually adjustable to make switching between hard floor surfaces and carpeted floors easy.
Bagged vs. bagless
When choosing the ideal canister vacuum for your cleaning needs, deciding between a bagged or bagless model is one of the biggest considerations. What is the difference between bagless and bagged models? Do bagless vacuums have the advantage over bagged models?
Generally, bagged canister vacuums are better if someone in the house suffers from allergies or you have pets. Bagged vacuums do a better job of trapping allergens and fine dust particles. Also, it is easier to empty and dispose of debris from bagged models.
Bagless canister vacuums have the advantage because you don’t need to buy bags. This means that there are no maintenance costs with bagless models. Additionally, you can empty bagless vacuums more frequently, thus keeping the canister vacuum working efficiently.
It is possible to find bagless and bagged canister vacuums with HEPA filters for pet dander and allergens.
What to Consider Before Buying a Canister Vacuum
With many canister vacuum cleaners to choose from, it can be challenging to pick the right one. Before you purchase a new vacuum, here are a few things to consider about canister models:
- Attachments—Make sure you get the range of attachments you require. The best canister vacuums have a range of tools and accessories. These include vacuums with power heads, crevice tools, brush attachments, extension wands, and bare floor attachments.
- Bagged or bagless—It’s vital to consider if you need a bagged canister model or a bagless one. Generally, if you have allergies or pets, choose a bagged model.
- Filters—All canister vacuums—even cheap canister vacuum cleaners—have filters. If you must vacuum a lot of pet hair, dust, or debris, then a sound filtration system is vital. For allergies, choose a canister vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- Floor surfaces—The type of floors in your home is another consideration when choosing the best vacuum. Canister cleaners are better for tiled and hardwood floors and low-pile rugs and carpets.
- Size—Compared to other vacuum cleaners—upright, stick, and robot models—canister vacuums take more room to store. Some small, lightweight canister vacuums can be stored in compact spaces. However, you still have to find room for the flexible hose and attachments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a canister vacuum with a HEPA filter?
Buying a canister vacuum with a HEPA filter is essential if someone in the house has allergies or respiratory conditions. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter. Using a vacuum with this type of filter means that air expelled from the vacuum is clean and virtually allergen-free.
How often should you vacuum your home?
The frequency to vacuum your home depends on several factors. First, consider the number of people living there, foot traffic, and any pets. Generally, it’s advisable to vacuum homes twice a week.
How often do I need to empty and replace a bag?
Depending on how often you vacuum your house, you may need to change a vacuum cleaner bag every two to three months. However, if you have pets at home, it may be necessary to change a bag every month. With bagless canister vacuums, it’s cost-effective to empty the dust cup as often as you want.
Is a canister vacuum cleaner better than an upright vacuum?
Whether to choose a canister vacuum or upright vacuum cleaner comes down to a few factors. Canister vacuum cleaners tend to be less noisy, lighter, and easier to maneuver. Also, they generally have excellent suction power and are better for cleaning various floor surfaces.
On the other hand, upright vacuums are easier to store and are better for cleaning carpets.
In Conclusion
The best choice of canister vacuum cleaner usually comes down to a few variables. If you need a canister vacuum to clean pet hair, choose a model with a suitable filtration system, motorized brush, and large dust cup capacity. However, it’s also important to consider your budget. In this review, vacuum canisters range in price from under $100 to around $1,000. So, it’s vital to assess your needs and budget before purchasing a vacuum.
The best all-around canister vacuum is the Kenmore Elite canister vacuum. It has a mid-range price tag, powerful motor, and ideal if you have pets in the house. Also, the telescopic wand and range of attachments meet most household cleaning needs