Spring is just one season a year, but you don’t have to wait until springtime for spring cleaning and sprucing up the place. A vacuum cleaner with tremendous suction and manageability will definitely help do the job. Different types are used for various floorings and surfaces, and that includes the canister vacuum cleaner.
Many companies produce these vacuums at a wide price range. In addition to companies like Miele and Shark, there are budget options from Bissel, Eureka, and other manufacturers. You might think cheaper products don’t have enough suction power or hesitate to spend a lot of money on a vacuum that might not suit your needs. But that may not be the case.
We've compared 13 bestselling canister vacuum cleaners available online and put them to the test to recommend the best one for you.
We tested each product for the following:
Which product ended up being the best of the best? We'll also tell you how to pick the best canister vacuum cleaners on your own in our buying guide, so read on for more shopping tips.
McKay Christensen has been working with electronics and tech ever since his first job in high school when he had a job repairing robots. Aside from working for several different tech companies, he spent several years teaching English in China and doing landscape design in Alaska. He has worked with computers for the past 10 years as an IT specialist. McKay also keeps busy doing tech product reviews on his Youtube channel GoTechGeek.
During his university years, Hiroki Tamaru worked as a dispatch sales representative for Dyson, where he was in charge of vacuum sales at electronics stores for two years. As head of HVAC and vacuums at mybest, Hiroki has rigorously tested and reviewed a diverse range of over 150 vacuum cleaners and HVAC products such as evaporative coolers, oil heaters, and cordless vacuums, and more from notable appliance brands such as Haier, De'Longhi, and Electrolux, HVAC manufacturers like Hessaire, and vacuum cleaner manufacturers like BISSELL and Eureka. He meticulously evaluates performance metrics, features, energy consumption, and more. Leveraging his sales experience in the household appliance industry, Hiroki strives to create content that makes it easy for anyone to develop a passion for these products.
The most important factor to consider when choosing a vacuum is suction power. To test this, we prepared an 18-by-6-inch piece of flooring and scattered a set amount of dirt on it. We set each vacuum on normal mode or the equivalent and passed it over the debris and back once. Then we took a picture and evaluated each product based on how much debris was left in the middle and on the outer edges.We used the following debris for this test:Sand- (colored blue) 0.35 ouncesDirt- 0.18 ouncesCrumbs- 0.21 ouncesHair- 0.004 ouncesPet hair- 0.004 ouncesYarn- 0.004 ounces
We tested each vacuum on two different types of carpet. We prepared an 18-by-6-inch section of 3/8-inch pile carpet and scattered a set amount of dirt on it. We set each vacuum on normal mode or the equivalent and passed it over the debris and back once. Then we took a picture and evaluated each product based on how much debris was left in the middle and on the outer edges.We used the following debris for this test:Sand- (colored blue) 0.35 ouncesDirt- 0.18 ouncesCrumbs- 0.21 ouncesHair- 0.004 ouncesPet hair- 0.004 ouncesYarn- 0.004 ounces
Debris tends to get stuck in long-pile carpet, and vacuum cleaners tend to cling to it, making it hard to clean. If your vacuum can draw out even sand from deep down in the carpet, you can have peace of mind knowing your carpet is clean. We tested each vacuum on two different types of carpet. We prepared an 18-by-6-inch -section of 1-inch pile carpet and scattered a set amount of dirt on it. We set each vacuum on normal mode or the equivalent and passed it over the dirt and back once. Then, we took a picture and evaluated each product based on how much was left in the middle and on the outer edges.We used the following debris for this test:Sand- (colored blue) 0.35 ouncesDirt- 0.18 ouncesCrumbs- 0.21 ouncesHair- 0.004 ouncesPet hair- 0.004 ouncesYarn- 0.004 ounces
Tile is resistant to humidity, so it’s used in areas that are exposed to moisture, such as the bathroom, kitchen, and hallways. We also tested each vacuum on it. We prepared an 18-by-6-inch-section of tile and scattered a set amount of dirt on it. We set each vacuum on normal mode or the equivalent and passed it over the dirt and back once. Then we took a picture and evaluated each product based on how much debris was left in the middle and on the outer edges.We used the following debris for this test:Sand- (colored blue) 0.35 ouncesDirt- 0.18 ouncesCrumbs- 0.21 ouncesHair- 0.004 ouncesPet hair- 0.004 ouncesYarn- 0.004 ounces
Canister vacuums weigh 15½ pounds on average. To find the vacuums that are easiest to move, we evaluated each product based on the following criteria related to user fatigue.Handle weightMain unit weightHead weightWhether the wheels can move in all directionsWhether the head is self-propelledWhether or not the wand can be adjusted to different levelsMeasuring devices used for this test:Main unit and head weight: A&D Digital Scale SL20KHandle weight: Beslands Digital Force Gauge SF-500
Unlike upright vacuums with thick heads, canister vacuums can fit in narrow spaces, such as around the legs of the table and under the sofa. To find a vacuum that can easily clean anywhere, we looked at the following factors to determine which vacuums let you clean tight spaces with as little stress as possible:Does the vacuum fit under a sofa and entertainment center?Can you turn it on and off via the handle?Can you switch modes via the handle?Does the cord retract automatically?How long is the cord?Can you empty it with one button?
Maintenance is absolutely essential to preserve suction power. In addition to emptying the dust container, you have to clean out the debris trapped in the brush. We evaluated each product on the following parameters related to ease of maintenance:Is it designed to leave as little debris as possible, such as by employing a paper bag or scraper?Does hair get tangled in the brush?
Vacuums are known for being noisy, but if they’re too loud, they can scare pets or small children. The noise can prevent you from using it at night as well. We used the quietest mode (or normal mode if there was no quiet mode) and strong mode and measured the noise level from 3 feet away to find the quietest vacuum possible.Testing Equipment:RION "Standard Sound Level Meter NL-27"Testing Location: Soundproof room inside mybest
All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.The mybest team independently conducts its own tests to rank products.
Table of Contents
Canister vacuums consist of a main body, which contains the motor and dust case. It also has a head that sucks up dirt. Many homes have either an upright or stick vacuum, so many are unfamiliar with the canister type. Let’s take a look at what these products have to offer.
Unlike a stick vacuum cleaner, canister vacuums plug into the wall, so you don’t have to worry about the battery running out. Long-lasting stick vacuums can last up to an hour, but that’s not enough to comfortably clean the entire house. That being said, canister vacuums can’t compete with stick types when it comes to ease of use.
Since you need to plug them into the wall, the length of the cord limits the size of the area you can clean. Stick vacuums are typically cordless and weigh about 8 pounds on average, with many products weighing even less, so you can move around freely while cleaning. Canister and upright vacuums need to be plugged in, so they don’t offer the same level of freedom as their cordless counterparts. On top of that, they’re also heavier, with an average weight of 15½ pounds for canister vacuums and 11½ pounds for upright models.
However, canister vacuums have casters on the bottom, making them easier to move than upright ones. Furthermore, you don’t need to move the canister while vacuuming. So it won’t feel as heavy.
To summarize, canister vacuums:
Provide more maneuverability than upright vacuum cleaners.
Compared to stick vacuum cleaners, canister and upright types have more budget options available. Nevertheless, cheaper vacuums have limited suction power and features for ease of use, so you probably need to spend around $300.
Here are the points to keep in mind when choosing the best Canister Vacuum Cleaners.
When choosing a vacuum, the first thing to look for is suction power. It doesn’t matter how light or durable it is if it can’t pick up dirt well. We tested the suction power on flooring, short-pile and long-pile carpet, and tile. Based on these results, we found that a powerhead is the best bet if you’re looking for strong suction.
Let’s take a look at the differences in brush heads and suction power.
It’s hard to overstate how much the vacuum head influences its suction power. Canister vacuums that cost $100 or less often come with only a floor head, which lacks bristles to draw in dirt and can only suck it up directly beneath the mouth.
We tested the floor heads and found that they tended to push dirt around, especially on hard surfaces like flooring and tile. It felt more like mopping than vacuuming. On the other hand, canister vacuums priced at $400 or more often come with a power head with rotating brushes inside. The bristles draw in dirt around the mouth, offering excellent suction power on any surface.
One of the appealing things about canister vacuums is that you can buy one for about $100. However, suction power is the whole reason to have a vacuum cleaner, so you probably want to spend a little more to make sure you get a powerhead.
Not all vacuums with powerheads are created equal. If you want to get every nook and cranny, make sure the head is less than 10½ inches wide and that the vacuum has a carpet mode installed. If the head is wider, it will be difficult to move it along the wall leading to leftover dirt in the corners of the room. Large heads also disrupt the center of gravity, making it harder to control.
If you want to clean the entire room, it’s best to look for one with a carpet mode. If you use the same suction power on carpet that you use on flooring, it will stick to the carpet and ruin your cleaning experience. Some vacuums make it easier to clean carpet by creating space between the floor and head or by opening the vent to control the suction power physically.
However, this doesn’t actually adjust the motor, so there’s a limit to how much you can change the suction power. A carpet mode adjusts the suction power via the motor. This prevents it from sticking to the carpet and sucks up debris rather than pushing it around, reducing the amount left behind.
Cheap and lightweight vacuums tend to not have a carpet mode. However, since they get stuck on carpet, they aren’t easy to use despite being lightweight. Suction power matters not just for sucking up debris, but also influences the overall ease of use.
Using a canister vacuum doesn’t wear you out as much as using an upright one. But if you have a whole house to clean, including the living room, stairs, and second-floor bedrooms, you want to limit your exhaustion as much as possible. We had two testers use 13 vacuum cleaners and found that the weight and wand type were the major factors that contributed to fatigue.
The average weight of a canister vacuum is 15½ pounds. Most of this weight is in the canister which contains the motor and dust collector. Units weighing between 9 pounds and 10 pounds are the most balanced.
Some canister vacuums weigh less than 9 pounds, but they tend to use a floor head. They cling to carpet very firmly, causing a lot of user fatigue, and they feel heavier than they really are. Most vacuums that weigh more than 10 pounds have a power head, but many of their heads are over 10½ inches wide. A heavy head not only wears you out, but also makes it hard to use and negatively impacts your cleaning.
No matter how well it sucks up debris, you don’t want to be lugging a heavy machine all over the house. If you can find a vacuum between 9 and 10 pounds, you can clean without wearing yourself out too much. The head won’t be so heavy that it throws off the center of gravity, so these are the easiest vacuums to use overall.
Most people use a single vacuum cleaner for various situations. Aside from simply vacuuming the floor, you probably want to vacuum under furniture like sofas and tables and in small crevices. To make sure that it's maneuverable and that people of different heights can use it in different situations, it’s important to pay attention to how you adjust the wand. If you can adjust it to the appropriate length, you can use it with a natural posture.
Most canister vacuums have a wand that you can adjust to different levels by sliding, but some make you take the wand off to adjust it. These don’t have a lot of length options, so you might not be able to set them to the right length for you, which can put stress on your wrists and shoulders.
The Eureka Mighty Mite and Bissel Zing Bagless Canister Vacuum have wands that have to be removed to adjust the length. It might be harder for multiple users to comfortably use these two products. Shark vacuums like the Flex feature proprietary technology in which the wand can bend and clean hard-to-reach places. However, they don’t have features to accommodate different heights, which costs them some points in user fatigue level in our testing.
If you use your vacuum cleaner every day, it’ll inevitably lose suction power over time. It’s important to clean your vacuum regularly so it can perform optimally. When it comes to canister vacuums, it’s important to clean the head and dust container. Shark and Dyson excel in ease of maintenance.
Of all the products we tested, over half had power brush heads. Vacuum brushes come in different shapes and sizes, and some are easier to use than others. The roller and fin-type heads that Shark is known for have short, smooth bristles that help avoid tangling. The same goes for Dyson’s heads, which have thin, free-flowing bristles similar to human hair. This helps the vacuum suck up dust and hair without them getting caught in the brush.
Floor heads don’t have a brush, so there’s no danger of tangling when vacuuming up hair. Still, some floor heads do have a comb-like brush where debris can get caught. However, it’s easy to remove debris from these brushes, so floor heads are generally easy to maintain.
Where you run into problems is heads with coarse brushes. When the bristles are hard and have space between them, dirt can get caught in the brush. When this happens, it's hard to get it out, so it’s best to avoid these types of heads.
You need to clean the dust container as well. However, most of the time you can remove it with the push of a button to simply remove and dump out the waste. So, the products don’t differ much in terms of ease of maintenance in this regard. If ease of maintenance is one of your top concerns, I recommend the Dyson. They have a unique mechanism that scrapes off debris around the filter when you empty it, so you don’t need to clean the dust container or the area around the filter.
The average noise level of canister vacuums while in use is 66.9 decibels. This is about the same as a ringing phone or alarm clock, so it’s loud enough to make you uncomfortable if you’re in the same room. You want to make sure your vacuum isn’t too loud, especially if you own a pet. Cats and dogs have more sensitive ears than humans, so loud vacuums can stress them out. In this case, you should use a vacuum with a weak mode.
Among the products we tested for this article, a few let you adjust the suction power mode. If it doesn’t have different modes, you’ll have to use it at full power both during the day and at night. Weak mode restricts the suction power and lowers the volume so you can use it at night when your kids are sleeping and turn it to strong mode in the afternoon when you want to clean thoroughly.
Of all the vacuums we tested with a quiet mode, Miele was the quietest. You can use it at this level at night without disturbing your family or neighbors.
Miele vacuums have a “quiet mode” that stays relatively quiet without sacrificing suction power. While it’s called quiet mode, it’s still louder than weak mode, so you might want to stick with the latter at night when people are sleeping.
Canister vacuums sit on casters that make them easy to move. However, if you have to go back to the canister to operate it or if it doesn’t follow you, you can’t concentrate on the task at hand. For the best usability, pay attention to whether it can be controlled from the handle and how the wheels move.
In addition to weak and strong modes, some vacuums also feature special modes to adjust the suction power for specific areas, such as carpet and curtains. However, if the button to change modes is on the canister, you have to go all the way back every time to switch from flooring to carpet.
If you can change modes without touching the main unit, you can clean the whole house freely. Furthermore, if the power switch is on the handle, you can smoothly turn it off and on when you want to move furniture or change the attachment.
The wheels on the bottom of the canister allow you to move it around without picking it up. If the wheels can move in all directions, it’ll be even easier. When the wheels are on the side of the canister, the vacuum can typically only move forward and backward. You can only move in a straight line, so when you try to turn, it can often tip over or crash into walls, making it hard to use.
If the wheels rotate 360 degrees, the canister can easily follow you around corners. It almost feels like you’re not pulling a vacuum at all, which can really help you feel less tired after vacuuming.
Products | Image | mybest Score | Click to purchase | Key features | Main Score | Details | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Suction power (flooring) | Suction power (tile) | Suction power (short-pile carpet) | Suction power (long-pile carpet) | Fatigue level | Ease of use | Ease of maintenance | Quietness | Width | Depth | Height | Main body weight | Total weight | Power consumption | Head types | Dust collection method | Dust capacity | Washable dust container | Washable filter | Operation noise | Upright storage | Accessories | Omni-directional wheels | Wand adjustment method | ||||||
1 | SharkNinja Operating Shark|Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum|CZ351 | ![]() | 4.35 | mybest’s Top Choice: Best-in-Class Suction Power | 4.42 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.02 | 4.31 | 4.50 | 4.48 | 10.2 in. | 19.3 in. | 10 in. | 9.7 lb. | 16.87 lb. | 850 W | Powerhead | Bagless | 1.9 qt. | unknown | unknown | 65.0dB | Pet crevice tool, upholstery tool | Moves in all directions | unknown | ||
2 | SharkNinja Operating Shark|Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins|CZ2001C | ![]() | 4.22 | Excellent Suction Using Anti-Tangling Roller and Fin Brushes | 4.50 | 4.42 | 4.50 | 3.75 | 3.95 | 4.31 | 4.50 | 4.42 | 9.8 in. | 19.1 in. | 10 in. | 9.72 lb. | 17.66 lb. | 850 W | Powerhead | Bagless | 1.9 qt. | unknown | unknown | 62.0dB | Pet crevice tool, upholstery tool | Moves in all directions | unknown | ||
3 | Dyson Manufacturing Big Ball Multi Floor Canister Vacuum | ![]() | 4.15 | Slim With Suction Power: Great Ease of Maintenance From Dyson | 3.88 | 4.34 | 4.25 | 3.88 | 4.02 | 4.35 | 5.00 | 4.06 | 11.8 in. | 14.8 in. | 14.2 in. | 13.6 lb. | 17.4 lb. | unknown | Turbine head | Bagless | 1.92 qt. | unknown | 69.8dB | Stair tool, combination tool | Moves in all directions | Telescopic wand | |||
4 | Cleva North America Kenmore|400 Series Bagged Canister Vacuum Cleaner|BC3005 | ![]() | 4.14 | Excellent Usability and Suction Power: Adjustable for Different Heights and Situations | 4.34 | 3.88 | 4.17 | 4.34 | 3.84 | 4.43 | 4.17 | 3.82 | 12.4 in. | 18.9 in. | 8.5 in. | 10.61 lb. | 19.47 lb. | unknown | Powerhead | Vacuum bags | unknown | 74.7dB | unknown | Crevice tool, floor brush, dusting brush, attachment holder, dust bag (2-pack) | Only moves forward and backward | Telescoping Wand | |||
5 | Miele & Cie Classic C1 Turbo Team PowerLine|SBAN0 | ![]() | 4.09 | Not Recommended for Carpet, but Decent Usability and Fairly Light | 4.34 | 3.88 | 3.88 | 3.88 | 4.19 | 4.27 | 4.00 | 4.27 | 9.8 in. | 18.3 in. | 8.3 in. | 9.75 lb. | 13.58 lb. | 1200 W | Floor brush, turbine head | Vacuum bags | 4.8 qt. | unknown | 62.8dB | Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush with synthetic bristles, small parquet floorhead SBB Parquet-3, turbo brush floorhead STB 305-3 | Moves in all directions | Telescopic wand | |||
6 | Miele & Cie Complete C3 Kona PowerLine|SGFE0 | ![]() | 4.07 | A Top Luxury Vacuum: But Self-Propelled Head Is Too Heavy | 4.00 | 3.75 | 4.42 | 4.00 | 3.84 | 4.23 | 4.17 | 4.27 | 10.3 in. | 19.3 in. | 8.1 in. | 11.71 lb. | 22.54 lb. | 1200 W | Floor brush, powerhead | Vacuum bags | 4.8 qt. | unknown | 56.5dB | Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush with synthetic bristles, parquet twister floorhead SBB 300-3, electro plus floorhead SEB 228 | Moves in all directions | Telescopic wand | |||
7 | Miele & Cie Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine|SBAN0 | ![]() | 4.03 | Clings to Any Surface, but Could Make a Good First Miele | 3.50 | 3.50 | 4.42 | 4.00 | 4.04 | 4.23 | 4.50 | 4.19 | 10.6 in. | 17.9 in. | 8.3 in. | 9.7 lb. | 13.14 lb. | 1200 W | Floor brush | Vacuum bags | 4.8 qt. | unknown | 63.4dB | Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush with synthetic bristles, SBD 365-3 floorhead | Moves in all directions | Telescopic wand | |||
8 | Eureka NEN110 Bagless Canister|NEN110A | ![]() | 3.97 | A Cost-Friendly Vacuum With Limited Suction Power for Small Spaces | 3.50 | 3.50 | 4.34 | 4.25 | 4.02 | 3.95 | 4.00 | 4.18 | 9.4 in. | 13.4 in. | 12.5 in. | 8.09 lb. | 10.98 lb. | 960 W | Floor brush | Bagless | 2.64 qt. | 69.5dB | Telescoping metal wand, hose, floor brush, crevice tool, dusting brush | Only moves forward and backward | Telescopic wand | ||||
9 | Cleva North America Kenmore|Compact Bagless Canister Vacuum|10701 | ![]() | 3.94 | Greatly Limits User Fatigue, Suction Power Falls Short | 3.63 | 3.63 | 4.00 | 3.88 | 4.32 | 4.08 | 3.75 | 3.96 | 10.2 in. | 14.2 in. | 9.1 in. | 8.71 lb. | 12.3 lb. | unknown | Turbine head | Bagless | unknown | 75.1dB | Bare floor tool, 2-in-1 combination tool | Only moves forward and backward | Telescoping Wand | ||||
10 | Eureka Mighty Mite|3670G | ![]() | 3.93 | Light and Affordable With Minimal Features: Can’t Be Adjusted for Height, Leads to Fatigue | 4.17 | 3.50 | 3.88 | 3.88 | 4.00 | 3.75 | 4.17 | 3.99 | 9 in. | 17.5 in. | 11 in. | 7.23 lb. | 9.66 lb. | 1200 W | Floor brush | Vacuum bags | 2.64 qt. | unknown | unknown | 72.6dB | unknown | Floor nozzle, extension wands, combination crevice and brush tool | Only moves forward and backward | Two detachable extension wands |
Main body weight | 9.7 lb. |
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Total weight | 16.87 lb. |
Head types | Powerhead |
Omni-directional wheels | Moves in all directions |
Wand adjustment method | unknown |
The Shark Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum features PowerFins that claim to dig deep into carpet. Its unique shape not only draws out debris, but also helps to keep dust and hair from getting stuck in the brush. The suction power is as strong as advertised, and it works on everything from hard surfaces such as flooring and tile to fluffy rugs with a long pile. It performed best on short-pile carpet, completely suctioning up even the sand deep inside just by going over the area once.
On the other hand, it left a little bit of debris behind against walls and on long-pile carpet. Suction power can be broken down into how well it sucks up and collects dirt, and this vacuum seems to excel at the latter. It lacks some power in that regard, which causes it to leave some dirt left in nooks and crannies. It also lost some points in user fatigue. While the head is compact, it weighs over 3½ pounds, and the canister weighs 9 pounds, 11 ounces. That sort of weight can easily tire you out.
That being said, you use the handle to switch between modes in addition to turning it on and off, so it’s very easy to use. This is one of the more expensive canister vacuums, but it has no glaring flaws and performs up to its price. If you’re looking to replace your canister vacuum, we strongly recommend this product.
Width | 10.2 in. |
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Depth | 19.3 in. |
Height | 10 in. |
Power consumption | 850 W |
Washable dust container | unknown |
Washable filter | unknown |
Operation noise | 65.0dB |
Upright storage | |
Accessories | Pet crevice tool, upholstery tool |
Main body weight | 9.72 lb. |
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Total weight | 17.66 lb. |
Head types | Powerhead |
Omni-directional wheels | Moves in all directions |
Wand adjustment method | unknown |
In addition to a head called PowerFins, the Shark Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum comes with a roller brush. Just like the Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum, it makes use of Shark’s proprietary Flexology technology that allows the wand to bend seamlessly and clean between furniture and under tables. While it can’t be adjusted to match your height, you can clean hard-to-reach areas without bending over, making it comfortable to use.
However, it weighs 17 pounds, 11 ounces, and the head alone weighs a whopping 4½ pounds. This is heavy enough to make it hard to lift with one armand doesn’t let you move it how you’d like. On top of that, it has two brushes that create space between the mouth and the wall, which causes it to struggle to pick up dirt. The roller brush gets blocked up, especially on long-pile carpet, which makes it uncomfortable to use and leaves debris behind.
On the other hand, it has flawless suction power on flooring and short-pile carpet, leaving only a few crumbs and grains of sand near the wall. While heavy, it’s long and compact including omnidirectional wheels, which allow you to pull it around corners without issue. You can operate it from the handle, so you can stop and start smoothly. Dust and hair won’t get stuck in the roller and fin heads, making it easy to maintain. This is a perfect product for people with long hair or pet owners.
Width | 9.8 in. |
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Depth | 19.1 in. |
Height | 10 in. |
Power consumption | 850 W |
Washable dust container | unknown |
Washable filter | unknown |
Operation noise | 62.0dB |
Upright storage | |
Accessories | Pet crevice tool, upholstery tool |
Main body weight | 13.6 lb. |
---|---|
Total weight | 17.4 lb. |
Head types | Turbine head |
Omni-directional wheels | Moves in all directions |
Wand adjustment method | Telescopic wand |
Dyson is up there with Shark and Miele among the top vacuum brands. As its name suggests, their Big Ball Multi Floor Canister Vacuum is a compact canister vacuum similar in shape and size to a basketball. It stands up by itself if it tips over, so you can focus on cleaning. It uses a turbine head without a motor, designed to rotate the brush using its suction power. But when used on clingy surfaces like long-pile carpet, it can’t pick up debris and the rotation of the brush stops.
However, we found that it demonstrated adequate suction power on short-pile carpet. The brush didn’t get clogged and cleaned the surface while drawing out sand in the carpet. Surprisingly, it didn’t perform well on flooring, which is where turbine heads typically excel. The head is a relatively light 22 ounces, and it repels light debris, such as crumbs.
Where this product really stands out is in ease of maintenance. It has thin bristles and hardly any debris gets caught in the brush. It used Dyson’s signature scraper to make sure no debris stays in the filter, making it easy to clean thoroughly. It doesn’t have a carpet mode, but the suction power can be adjusted near the trigger. It’s rather minimal in terms of features and attachments, but is reasonably priced compared to Dyson’s stick vacuum cleaners. This is an excellent product to consider if you’re looking for a powerful vacuum at a cheaper price.
Width | 11.8 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 14.8 in. |
Height | 14.2 in. |
Power consumption | unknown |
Washable dust container | unknown |
Washable filter | |
Operation noise | 69.8dB |
Upright storage | |
Accessories | Stair tool, combination tool |
Main body weight | 10.61 lb. |
---|---|
Total weight | 19.47 lb. |
Head types | Powerhead |
Omni-directional wheels | Only moves forward and backward |
Wand adjustment method | Telescoping Wand |
Kenmore is a brand with over 100 years of experience in appliances and daily necessities. Their 400 series Bagged Canister Vacuum Cleaner comes with a compact floor head for use on flooring and stairs, and a power head for long-pile carpet. The floor head is diamond-shaped, and unfortunately struggles to pick up debris along the walls and in the crevices. It left behind dirt on flooring and tile no matter what we tried. Nevertheless, the suction power is very strong and can suck up sand from deep down in carpet even if the mouth doesn’t reach it. When you use the floor head, it doesn’t take too much time to clean if you change the direction of the head as you go.
Unfortunately, it falls short when it comes to user fatigue. The floor head is light and compact, but the PowerMate head weighs 5 pounds and can wear you out just by moving it. It’s more than 10½ and a half inches wide, so it's hard to fit in narrow spaces such as around table legs.
Conversely, it’s extremely easy to use. You can change between carpet and flooring modes, adjust the suction power, and turn it on and off from the handle. The only products we tested that could control everything from the handle were the Shark and Kenmore products. The Shark vacuums don’t have other heads or an adjustable wand, so if you want a vacuum to adjust to your height and different situations, you might want to go with this Kenmore instead.
Width | 12.4 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 18.9 in. |
Height | 8.5 in. |
Power consumption | unknown |
Washable dust container | |
Washable filter | |
Operation noise | 74.7dB |
Upright storage | unknown |
Accessories | Crevice tool, floor brush, dusting brush, attachment holder, dust bag (2-pack) |
Main body weight | 9.75 lb. |
---|---|
Total weight | 13.58 lb. |
Head types | Floor brush, turbine head |
Omni-directional wheels | Moves in all directions |
Wand adjustment method | Telescopic wand |
Miele is a high-class appliance brand from Germany. The Classic C1 Turbo Team PowerLine is one of their more budget-friendly products and is recommended for use on hard surfaces such as flooring and tile, as well as short-pile carpet. For flooring and tile, they recommend using the attached floor head. While floor heads tend to push debris around rather than suck it up, this head has a fine-bristled brush that leaves less debris behind than other heads in this category.
On the other hand, the Turbo Brush Floorhead used for carpet leaves space between the mouth and the upper part of the head, which causes debris to be pushed inside. Unfortunately, this product is one of Miele’s weaker vacuums in terms of suction power, so it doesn’t have the strength to pick up this leftover debris. We also noticed that it scattered sand and crumbs around the carpet as we went, which hurt its performance. It also clung tightly to carpet, which was another downside.
You can change the mode and adjust the suction power from the handle or the main unit. In addition to flooring and carpet modes, it also has modes for curtains and upholstery and a quiet mode to reduce noise while maintaining suction power, making it very versatile for an entry-level model. It comes with illustrations demonstrating how to use it, so it’s very intuitive. While lacking in suction power, it’s fairly easy to use and has a relatively light head at just 1½ pounds. And while it has some notable flaws, it’s one of Miele’s more well-balanced machines.
Width | 9.8 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 18.3 in. |
Height | 8.3 in. |
Power consumption | 1200 W |
Washable dust container | |
Washable filter | unknown |
Operation noise | 62.8dB |
Upright storage | |
Accessories | Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush with synthetic bristles, small parquet floorhead SBB Parquet-3, turbo brush floorhead STB 305-3 |
Main body weight | 11.71 lb. |
---|---|
Total weight | 22.54 lb. |
Head types | Floor brush, powerhead |
Omni-directional wheels | Moves in all directions |
Wand adjustment method | Telescopic wand |
The Complete C3 Kona PowerLine is a luxury vacuum cleaner with an Electro Plus Floorhead that can be used on long-pile carpet. The head is self-propelled, rising and vibrating when used on carpet to prevent clogging. It has many useful features, but the large head costs it points in user fatigue and suction power. At almost 6½ pounds, the head is very heavy and weighs about as much as a stick vacuum cleaner. This weight shifts the center of gravity, making it hard to use along walls. Despite having wheels, lugging this heavy head around can really tire you out when cleaning the entire house.
The floor head is light and compact, but it can’t pick up debris away from the mouth, which is in the center of the head. Similar to other floor heads, we found that it pushes debris away. But it’s a high-end model with some of the best suction power Miele has to offer. In particular, it only left dust and crumbs near the walls on short-pile carpet. It has Miele’s superb technology and a powerful motor. It also stays quiet during operation, keeping the noise level around 56.5 decibels on average in quiet mode.
Width | 10.3 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 19.3 in. |
Height | 8.1 in. |
Power consumption | 1200 W |
Washable dust container | |
Washable filter | unknown |
Operation noise | 56.5dB |
Upright storage | |
Accessories | Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush with synthetic bristles, parquet twister floorhead SBB 300-3, electro plus floorhead SEB 228 |
Main body weight | 9.7 lb. |
---|---|
Total weight | 13.14 lb. |
Head types | Floor brush |
Omni-directional wheels | Moves in all directions |
Wand adjustment method | Telescopic wand |
Miele was established in Germany in 1899 as a producer of household appliances and daily necessities. All their products have passed the rigorous testing of Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer organization, so people trust them to be durable. The Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine only has the basic features, so it lacks the self-propelled head that comes with the high-end models. It has a universal floor head, which can be used on every surface, from flooring to carpet. You don’t need to change the head; you can physically adjust the suction power by pressing a button on the head with your foot.
It has superior suction power, even when compared to other products by Miele, but this makes it cling to long-pile carpet, and even flooring and tile. It also causes it to kick debris around rather than suck it up, leaving a lot near the walls. The floor head negatively impacts its suction power and how comfortable it is to use, but when compared to Miele’s Complete series, its compact size makes it easy to use. You can clean under a coffee table or sofa without changing the nozzle, making it easy to clean around tight areas, such as around the legs of a table. Its only glaring weakness is in the suction power category, but it’s more budget-friendly than other Miele products, so it might be a good option for people who want to try out a Miele for the first time.
Width | 10.6 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 17.9 in. |
Height | 8.3 in. |
Power consumption | 1200 W |
Washable dust container | |
Washable filter | unknown |
Operation noise | 63.4dB |
Upright storage | |
Accessories | Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush with synthetic bristles, SBD 365-3 floorhead |
Main body weight | 8.09 lb. |
---|---|
Total weight | 10.98 lb. |
Head types | Floor brush |
Omni-directional wheels | Only moves forward and backward |
Wand adjustment method | Telescopic wand |
Eureka was established in 1909 in Detroit, Michigan, and produces stick and robot vacuums in addition to their canister models. The NEN110 Bagless Canister vacuum is one of the more affordable products on the market. Despite its price, it’s not as weak as you would think, particularly on short-pile carpet, where it picks up debris with ease and even gets sand out.
However, it’s no match for long-pile carpet, as it simply passes over dirt and sand deep inside. It also struggles on flooring and tile. It clings tightly to tile; we were able to lift a 20-inch piece of tile with the vacuum. The only way to adjust the suction power is by opening the vent, but it will stick to surfaces. In the end, it functioned more like a mop and just pushed the debris around, which hurt its suction power score.
It’s relatively light at just 11 pounds, but due to the clinging and its wheels, which can only move forward and backward, the vacuum doesn’t follow you around smoothly. Despite being light, it doesn’t feel easy or comfortable to use. Additionally, the cord is only about 16½ feet long, which is short for a canister vacuum and could cause it to get unplugged when moving around even if you stay in one room. This might be a good option for people with small spaces or to use as a secondary vacuum for one room.
Width | 9.4 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 13.4 in. |
Height | 12.5 in. |
Power consumption | 960 W |
Washable dust container | |
Washable filter | |
Operation noise | 69.5dB |
Upright storage | |
Accessories | Telescoping metal wand, hose, floor brush, crevice tool, dusting brush |
Main body weight | 8.71 lb. |
---|---|
Total weight | 12.3 lb. |
Head types | Turbine head |
Omni-directional wheels | Only moves forward and backward |
Wand adjustment method | Telescoping Wand |
Unlike the 400 Series Bagged Canister Vacuum Cleaner, this product only has the bare minimum in terms of features. It doesn’t have different modes for different floor surfaces, so you have to adjust the suction power physically by opening the vent or changing the brush. Living up to its “compact” name, it only weighs 12 pounds, 5 ounces. In addition, the wand length can be adjusted to different levels by sliding, so this vacuum is very good at preventing fatigue.
It struggles to follow you as you pull it, as the wheels can only move forward and backward, but you don’t feel much resistance, even when turning. There’s a slight protrusion under the handle that makes it easy to grip and it wards off exhaustion even when you use it for an extended period. On the other hand, it lacks suction power on flooring and tile. The mouth of its floor head is long and narrow, and it struggles to pick up debris. As a result, it tends to push debris up against the walls.
It uses a turbine head for carpet, which achieves adequate suction power on short-pile carpet, but falls short on long-pile. The rotation of the brush stops often, and it fails to pick up debris. All things considered, this vacuum doesn’t wear you out and it comes at a more budget-friendly price. If you’re satisfied with your space being mostly clean, or if you plan to vacuum every day and want to limit fatigue as much as possible, give this product a try.
Width | 10.2 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 14.2 in. |
Height | 9.1 in. |
Power consumption | unknown |
Washable dust container | |
Washable filter | |
Operation noise | 75.1dB |
Upright storage | |
Accessories | Bare floor tool, 2-in-1 combination tool |
Main body weight | 7.23 lb. |
---|---|
Total weight | 9.66 lb. |
Head types | Floor brush |
Omni-directional wheels | Only moves forward and backward |
Wand adjustment method | Two detachable extension wands |
The Mighty Mite by Eureka is affordable and very light, weighing only 10 pounds. It shouldn't be too tiring even if you need to carry it up and down the stairs. However, it has a classic design and lacks the basic features of modern canister vacuums. For example, it doesn’t have a retractable cord. This is the only product we tested that didn’t have one. The cord is about 20 feet long, so it takes around a minute to coil it by hand. Also, while the unit is light, you can’t attach the wand to the main unit. When you store or clean it, you have to put it up against the wall or a desk, which isn’t the most secure.
The biggest downside of this product is how you adjust the wand. You remove and replace it to adjust the length, and you can’t match it to your height or the situation perfectly. With the wand removed, it’s comfortable to use if you’re around 5 feet tall, but too short for those over 6 feet. With the wand attached, it’s a bit too tall for people around 5 foot 7, causing their shoulders to stiffen up. Even though it’s light, the inability to adapt to the user’s height makes it hard to say it limits fatigue. You might come to regret choosing this vacuum just because of its weight. It only comes with a floor head, which limits its suction power. We noticed that it pushed debris around on all surfaces and passed over smaller pieces of litter.
Width | 9 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 17.5 in. |
Height | 11 in. |
Power consumption | 1200 W |
Washable dust container | unknown |
Washable filter | unknown |
Operation noise | 72.6dB |
Upright storage | unknown |
Accessories | Floor nozzle, extension wands, combination crevice and brush tool |
Main body weight | 14.66 lb. |
---|---|
Total weight | 25.42 lb. |
Head types | Floor brush, powerhead |
Omni-directional wheels | Moves in all directions |
Wand adjustment method | Telescopic wand |
The Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog PowerLine by Miele is a high-end canister vacuum with a vast array of features and attachments. It comes with a Parquet Twister Floorhead, which limits damage to wood floors and tile. It also has a self-propelled Electro Plus Floorhead, which vibrates and is used for long-pile carpet. This is a high-end vacuum, so it doesn’t lack suction power, but rather the problem is its collection power. The floor head kicks debris around on flooring and tile. It performs better on carpet, especially short-pile, where it only leaves a small amount of dirt near the walls.
However, it doesn’t limit user fatigue as much as you’d like. The Electro Plus Floor head weighs almost 6½ and a half pounds by itself, and the unit's total weight is over 25 pounds. The head's weight makes it very stable when standing on its own and it's easy to store. That being said, it weighs as much as a small child, so it’s unrealistic to carry it up and down stairs on a regular regularly.
On the other hand, it excelled in quietness. On its weakest setting, it produces just 54.2 decibels of sound while in use, which is extremely quiet. This means you can use it while people are sleeping or working in other rooms. However, considering the price, it’s hard to recommend this vacuum if you're just looking for one that gets the job done well. You’d probably be better off going with the Classic series by this manufacturer.
Width | 12.1 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 19.7 in. |
Height | 11.4 in. |
Power consumption | 1200 W |
Washable dust container | |
Washable filter | unknown |
Operation noise | 54.2dB |
Upright storage | |
Accessories | Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, parquet twister floorhead SBB 300-3, handheld mini turbo brush STB 101, electro plus floorhead SEB 228 |
Main body weight | 7.67 lb. |
---|---|
Total weight | 9.35 lb. |
Head types | Floor brush |
Omni-directional wheels | Only moves forward and backward |
Wand adjustment method | Two detachable extension wands |
Bissell boasts over 140 years of experience as a vacuum cleaner manufacturer. This prestigious company supplied vacuums for the English royal family in the 1890s. They specialize in vacuums, and this product has great suction power for the price. It only comes with a floor head, but it can draw out sand from deep inside short-pile carpet. It feels similar to vacuuming flooring, as it hardly sticks to the carpet at all. It’s still a floor head, though, and only swept the dirt into a mound. It gets caught on long-pile carpet and takes a lot of effort just to push it forward, let alone pick up any debris.
While it has great suction power, it unfortunately lacks the ability to pull dirt in. To reduce the amount of leftover dirt, you need to put the head directly on top of it from above rather than pass over it like you normally would. The head is very light, though, weighing in at just a half pound, and the entire unit weighs just 10 pounds total.
However, we can’t say it limits user fatigue because you can't adjust the wand's length. Instead of being able to extend or shorten the it, you have to take it off completely and put another one on, which may still be too long or short for the user. This can lead to stiff shoulders just from holding it. With the wand attached, it’s comfortable to use if you’re around 5 foot 8 or taller. If you ignore its suction issues and it suits your height, it might be a decent choice.
Width | 10.4 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 13.6 in. |
Height | 11.8 in. |
Power consumption | unknown |
Washable dust container | unknown |
Washable filter | |
Operation noise | 80.3dB |
Upright storage | |
Accessories | Multi-surface brush, crevice tool |
Main body weight | 11.18 lb. |
---|---|
Total weight | 13.89 lb. |
Head types | Floor brush |
Omni-directional wheels | Only moves forward and backward |
Wand adjustment method | Telescoping wand |
This Bagless Multi-Cyclonic Canister Vacuum from Black and Decker uses a floor head. It doesn’t necessarily have weak suction, but the construction of its head causes it to push debris around on flooring and tile. You can adjust the suction power via the vent near the handle or with the head, but it doesn’t make as much of a difference as adjusting the motor, which you can do with other products. It clings to carpet regardless of the length of its pile and struggles to clean it at all. Because of this, a lot of debris is left behind on both flooring and carpet.
In addition, it’s not exactly light at almost 14 pounds. The vertical dust collector juts out, causing it to bump into the wall when going around corners. The wheels can only move forward and backward, so it’s hard to pull it along as you move around. On the plus side, the head was not prone to tangling. With most floor heads, dust and hair tend to get caught in the brush on the upper portion of the head, but this one has hard, thick bristles that resist tangling.
However, even if you’re looking for an affordable and lightweight vacuum, this doesn’t measure up to other products. Even if you’re not picky about your appliances, you’re better off going with Bissell or Eureka.
Width | 10.5 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 15.7 in. |
Height | 9.4 in. |
Power consumption | 1200 W |
Washable dust container | |
Washable filter | |
Operation noise | 63.3dB |
Upright storage | |
Accessories | Crevice tool, small brush, upholstery tool |
We tested each product on the following eight parameters to find the best one.
Products we tested
We used the following debris for this test:
We used the following debris for this test:
We tested each vacuum on two different types of carpet. We prepared an 18-by-6-inch -section of 1-inch pile carpet and scattered a set amount of dirt on it. We set each vacuum on normal mode or the equivalent and passed it over the dirt and back once. Then, we took a picture and evaluated each product based on how much was left in the middle and on the outer edges.
We used the following debris for this test:
We used the following debris for this test:
Measuring devices used for this test:
Testing Equipment:
Testing Location:
No. 1: SharkNinja Operating|Shark|Canister Pet Bagless Corded Vacuum|CZ351
No. 2: SharkNinja Operating|Shark|Vertex Bagless Corded Canister Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins|CZ2001C
No. 3: Dyson Manufacturing|Big Ball Multi Floor Canister Vacuum
No. 4: Cleva North America|Kenmore|400 Series Bagged Canister Vacuum Cleaner|BC3005
No. 5: Miele & Cie|Classic C1 Turbo Team PowerLine|SBAN0
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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