Buying guide for Best canister vacuum cleaners
Every home needs a vacuum cleaner, but which one is right for you? One thing is certain: The ability to clean floors quickly and easily is a top priority in your home. And if you have hardwood floors, you know just how luxurious and beautiful your home can look when your bare floors are cleaned right.
Finding the best vacuum cleaner for your home is not a straightforward process when you consider all of the available options. Would an upright vac from a traditional brand like Hoover or Eureka suit your needs best? What about a lightweight stick vac with a swivel head? Or perhaps a canister vac with an array of cleaning tools and powerful suction would render the cleanup you’re looking for.
When it comes to cleaning hardwood floors and other bare surfaces, a canister vacuum is hands-down the best choice. Bear in mind that the versatile canister vac can also clean up carpets and rugs with ease, so the various rooms in your home would all be covered by one machine.
In short, a canister vac would make a great standalone purchase for any home — especially a home with hardwood flooring. It would also be a fantastic complementary addition to any cleaning arsenal.
We note how the roller head of each canister vac is powered. Often, the suction is much more powerful on carpet and rugs when the roller is powered by electricity rather than air.
We value bagless canister vacuums with a plastic chamber that collects dust and litter. Using a bagless vacuum is not only environmentally friendly, it can save you money because you don’t have to buy refills.
Keeping consumers with allergies in mind, we investigate bagged vacuum cleaners, which do not require cleanings or filter replacements very often.
We place high value on canister vacuums that come with a long cord of 20 feet or more. This minimizes the need to plug and unplug during cleaning.
A handy feature of some canister models is the cord unwind button, which allows users to automatically rewind the power cord with the push of a button.
We consider how many filters each canister vacuum has. Every model will have at least one filter, but some higher-end options have more. The best models have HEPA filters that can catch tiny dust particles and allergens.
We value canister vacuums that let you adjust the power so you can change the suction of the vacuum. This is a handy feature if you’re going to be switching between floor types often.
For cleaning carpets, we look for canister models that come with a carpet height adjustment. This allows users to turn a knob or lever to adjust roller brush height.
We consider the length of the hose on each canister model. The longer the hose, the easier it will be to reach around or under furniture.
The best canister vacuums have wide cleaning heads. This allows users to make fewer passes over the floor, which translates to less time vacuuming.
Why choose a canister vacuum cleaner?
When it comes to basic floor care, there are three common types of vacuum cleaners: upright vacuums, stick vacuums, and canister vacuum cleaners. Each type offers its own strengths and weaknesses.
Upright vacuums
An upright vacuum is probably the best choice if you have a home that’s mostly carpeted. A high-quality upright vacuum cleaner delivers powerful suction and, generally speaking, a wider cleaning path than a canister vacuum cleaner. The best uprights have settings that allow them to clean both high-pile carpets and low-pile carpets. On the downside, upright vacuums are heavy and sometimes clunky, making them difficult to maneuver and tricky to manipulate in tight spaces and on staircases.
Stick vacuums
A stick vacuum is best reserved for quick cleanups. Furthermore, unless you live in a very small home, a stick vacuum isn’t an ideal replacement for your regular vacuum cleaner. For most people, it’s a complementary purchase rather than a primary cleaning tool.
A stick vacuum is suitable for vacuuming up crumbs, last-minute cleanup to make your home presentable before company arrives, and the ongoing task of sucking up pet hair. Many stick vacs have swivel heads that make them easy to maneuver, especially in tight spaces.
The drawbacks of stick vacs include a comparative lack of power, a smaller dustbin, and not-so-powerful suction on carpet, particularly in rooms with high-pile carpeting.
Expert Tip
Canister vacuums require more storage space than some other types of vacuum cleaners because, although low to the floor, they tend to be bulky.
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Canister vacuums
As mentioned, canister vacuum cleaners excel at the task of hard floor cleaning. Depending on the model, they also do a fair job cleaning up low-pile carpeting. Canister vacs are easier to maneuver than upright vacuum cleaners. They reach further underneath furniture, and because of their design, they feel much lighter in the hand.
If your home has a staircase, you’ll appreciate the long hose and separate head of a canister vacuum cleaner. Plus, with the right cleaning tools, you can use a canister vac on drapes, upholstery, and even the interior of your car.
There are a few drawbacks to canister vacuum cleaners. Many cannot compete with an upright vac when it comes to cleaning carpeting — particularly high-pile carpeting. The smaller head of a canister vacuum takes longer to cover a large expanse of floor, and it’s more difficult to store a bulky canister vacuum than it is a sleek upright vac.
Still, if your home has stairs, lots of hard flooring, tight spaces, or furniture raised on legs (as is common with mid-century modern design), a canister vacuum cleaner could well be worth your while.
Bagged canister vacuums vs. bagless canister vacuums
In the battle of bagged canister vacuums versus bagless canister vacuum cleaners, owners are evenly divided in terms of preference. Both sides offer benefits and drawbacks, of course, so the answer to which one is better is a definite “it depends.”
Bagged canister vacuums
Bagged canister vacuum cleaners hold collected dirt and dust in a bag that is tossed in the garbage when full. Many bags have a HEPA filter that greatly cuts down on allergens and prevents dust from collecting inside the vacuum or blowing back into the room.
- Pros: A bagged canister vacuum is the best choice if allergies pose a major problem in your home. You won’t need to replace or clean the filter as frequently, and you won’t be exposed to allergens or dust when replacing the bag.
Expert Tip
When deciding whether to get a canister vacuum cleaner with wheels, you'll want to consider how easy it is for you to bend over and retrieve items. A model with wheels allows you to move the vacuum around without bending and lifting.
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Bagless canister vacuums
A bagless vacuum has a plastic chamber, a dustbin, that collects dust and debris. You empty the dustbin when it becomes full. Frequently, this is a messy process that exposes the user to all the allergens and grit inside the chamber.
- Pros: There are no bags to buy, thus reducing your ongoing expense. And bagless vacuums tend to be more environmentally friendly because you aren’t tossing a paper bag every time you fill it up with debris.
- Cons: Along with the potential for a dusty mess when emptying the chamber, you’ll also have to clean the vacuum filter more frequently, as dust tends to escape and gather in the filter.
Did you know?
Switching directions while you vacuum will dislodge dirt, hair, and other grime from your carpets.
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Canister vacuum features to look for
Canister vacuum cleaners come with a wide array of possible features, and some of those features might satisfy your needs better than others. Here’s a list of the most common features to consider.
Long power cord
Unless you live in a tiny space, vacuuming your entire home generally means unplugging and replugging your vacuum cleaner cord at least once or twice as you work. A power cord length of 20 feet or longer is ideal. This generous cord length cuts down on the number of times you would need to repeat this action.
Cord rewind
Cord rewind is a handy feature that automatically rewinds the power cord at the push of a button or with a slight tug of the cord.
Hose length
While many canister vacuums have a hose that is 5 or 6 feet long, a long hose (greater than 5 or 6 feet) simplifies the task of accessing tight spaces and underneath furniture.
Filtering ability
Every vacuum cleaner has at least one filter, but some have more than one. And some have HEPA filters to catch even the tiniest allergens and dust particles. In the case of bagged vacuums, the bag itself serves as a filter.
Expert Tip
When choosing a canister vacuum, knowing the size canister you need for your size home is very important.
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Dirt collection capacity
Bagless vacuums have a plastic dustbin container for collecting dirt. If this dustbin sports a compact design, note that you will have to stop working and empty it frequently.
Carpet height adjustability
Cleaning high-pile carpets is no problem if you have the best vacuum cleaner for the job. There is usually a lever or knob that allows you to set the roller brush height for different piles of carpet.
Cleaning path
If you want additional cleaning power in a shorter amount of time, check out the width of your chosen vacuum head. The wider the floorhead, the less passes you must make to cover the entire floor.
For your safety
Clean or change your vacuum’s filter on a regular basis. Clogged filters prevent the vacuum from suctioning at full power and scatter dust and allergens back into your room.
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Weight
While you won’t be lifting or pushing a canister vacuum cleaner in the same way you would an upright vac, it’s still easier to work with a reasonably light vacuum cleaner. Take note of the weight of any potential canister vac you might purchase.
Power settings
Some canister vacuums allow you to make adjustments to the power level so you can use lower suction while working on delicate surfaces and higher suction when cleaning carpets and big messes.
Roller brush switch
The roller brush, also called a beater brush, loosens and lifts grime and hair out of carpeting. However, it could potentially scratch wooden flooring or other hard-surface flooring. Some canister vacuums have a switch that allows you to turn the roller brush off while cleaning your wooden floors.
Powered head
When the roller head is powered by electricity instead of air, you’ll get much more powerful and effective suction on carpet and rugs.
Pet head
If you have pets, you probably deal with pet hair and dander on a regular basis. Canister vacuums marketed as “for pets” generally come with a powered pet hair head, which is basically a miniature vacuum head that excels at picking up pet hair and dander from carpets, upholstery, and drapes.
Resist the urge to pick up small metal items like paper clips or coins with your vacuum. It’s also smart to avoid picking up leaves shed from potted plants, balls of paper, and other large items with a vacuum cleaner. Attempting to pick up these items would likely clog the hose or damage the motor fan.
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Headlight
More common on upright vacuums than canisters, a headlight is highly convenient when vacuuming underneath furniture and beds.
Sound level
Vacuum cleaners are noisy; there’s just no getting around it. That said, some models and brands are put out a little less noise than others.
Accessories
Your canister vacuum will probably include a set of accessories. Typically, a hose extender, upholstery brush, and crevice tool are in this set. Higher-end vacuums may include other useful accessories, as well.
How much does a canister vacuum cost?
Inexpensive
As a general rule, canister vacuums are more expensive than upright vacuums. However, you can certainly find some compact canister vacuum cleaners that are priced under $80. Two quality companies with several superior offerings in this price range are Eureka and Bissell.
Mid-range
Between $80 and $150, you can find mid-range canister vacuums from the likes of top companies like Hoover and Oreck. Though the vacuums may or may not be cordless at this price range, they employ a few more desirable features than the cheapest of canister vacs. Helpful clean up tools are usually included with these options, such as an attachment for bare floors and swivel steering. Some of these choices offer an air filtration system, as well.
Expensive
If you want a canister vac with many desirable bells and whistles — HEPA filtration system, powerful suction, cordless capabilities and/or a long power cord — be prepared to spend $150 or greater. In our research, we have discovered high-end canister vacs from the likes of Miele, Dyson, and Kenmore that cost several hundred dollars.
FAQ
Q. How often should I use my canister vacuum cleaner?
A. For many homes, a weekly session with the canister vacuum is enough. If you have pets, kids, lots of foot traffic, or live in a dusty area, however, you’ll probably need to vacuum two to three times a week. And in some households, daily vacuuming is necessary to keep all areas sparkling clean.
Q. How often should I replace my canister vacuum bag?
A. It’s recommended that you replace your canister vacuum bag when it’s approximately two-thirds full. Beyond that point, your vacuum will start losing suction power.
Q. I bought a Hoover canister vac with an upholstery tool, but what am I supposed to use this tool for?
A. An upholstery tool is an attachment that allows you to clean items other than your flooring, such as your couch cushions, curtains, and mattresses. Some people take their canister vac outside and use their upholstery tool to clean the inside of their cars. But Hoover isn’t the only company that makes this handy attachment. Look for an upholstery tool in any vacuum cleaner product’s list of included cleaning tools before you consider making a purchase.
