Vacuum Cleaners

11 Best Canister Vacuum Cleaners Reviews and Guide

Why You Need a Good Canister Vacuum Cleaner?

Vacuum cleaners are one of the most sought-after products these days. The busy lifestyle and the hectic schedule of most people around the globe have made cleaning and taking care of the home a time-consuming task and this is where vacuum cleaners, especially canister vacuum cleaners appear as saviors. Canister vacuum cleaners are much more efficient than regular upright vacuum cleaners. They are much lighter and maneuverable than the latter. They are the ideal partners to use for cleaning compact and tight spaces. They can even be carried on stairs and this sheer convenience has made them a popular product in the market.

Quick Summary

Canister vacuum cleaners, being one of the crowd-pullers in the market has many subpar competitions in the market itself. There are many unreliable market players who mass produce subpar products for sale. It is necessary to identify such forged products and manufacturers and to rely on reputed manufacturers for purchases. The following list consists of the best market players who offer trustworthy products and services and anyone who wishes to purchase a quality canister vacuum cleaner can make use of the following list for a better purchase.

Canister Vacuum Cleaner – Detailed Reviews with Pros and Cons

1. Kenmore BC3005 Pet-Friendly Bagged Canister Vacuum

The canister vacuum cleaner from the brand Kenmore comes with dual motors and a retractable cord. It weighs just around 20 pounds and thus, makes it an ideal partner to clean anywhere required. It can be used on both hardwood floors and carpets. They showexceptional capacity in cleaning the fine pet hair also. This vacuum cleaner comes with several extra attachments that can be swapped and used accordingly. They are crevice tools, brushes, bare floor tools, etc. The retractable cord of this product has a length of 26 inches and is ideal to be used in wide areas. Being bagged vacuum and as the bag has a reasonable size, the user can easily finish cleaning a large area and need not worry about clearing the bag occasionally. As this vacuum cleaner is equipped with a two-motor system, the suction strength is higher than many of its counterparts. The cleaning wand has a feature to get extended and thus, can be used to clean various surfaces and compact spaces. The height of the cleaner can also be adjusted up to four positions which add to the cleaning efficiency of the product.

Pros

  • High maneuverability
  • Bagged
  • Lightweight
  • High suction strength
  • Powerful filter system

Cons

  • The hose tends to be a bit stiff

2. Dyson Big Ball Yellow Canister Vacuum

The Dyson canister vacuum cleaner is one of the top-selling products in the concerned section. What makes it extremely different from the other similarly priced products is its ability to self-rights itself even after being tripped or toppled down. There are not many products that have such an advanced feature and this feature makes this product a unique one. It has a cord with a length of 21 feet making it suitable to even clean ceilings and fans. This product has a suction power of 250 AW and it is also equipped with an advanced dirt ejector that let the user not touch the dirt inside the bag and rather ejects the dirt out when it is up for cleaning. The turbine head of this product is equipped with carbon fiber and it enables the cleaner to even pick up the mild and minute particles including pet hair. The filter need not be removed or cleaned occasionally as it sports a non-washable filtering feature. The manufacturers also offer a 5-year warranty for this product.

Pros

  • Self-rights even after tripping
  • 21 feet long cord
  • Dirt ejector for easy cleaning
  • Helps in the collection of fine dust
  • 5-year warranty

Cons

  • Noise is a bit loud at times

3. Miele Classic C1 Canister Vacuum Cleaner

The German-engineered canister vacuum cleaner from the brand Miele offers numerous features to its users. It comes in a bagged version and can collect a reasonable amount of dirt and dust during a single usage. It is built to be used on multiple surfaces including hardwood floors and carpets. It is efficient enough to be used to clean fine dust particles and pet hair. This product also gives the provision to adjust the suction power for its users. The suction power can be adjusted and shifted up to six settings according to the surface to be cleared and cleaned. The cleaning wand of this cleaner is compact enough to be inserted into small spaces and corners to clean them and several additional fittings come with it that can clean upholsteries and similar surfaces efficiently. They are also suitable to clean stairs and such complicated spaces. The vortex motor in it makes sure maximum power is being provided to the machine. The efficient air clean system in it offers maximum filtration to the user. the ergonomic design of this product ensures effortless cleaning for the user.

Pros

  • High suction power
  • Bagged
  • Extra accessories to reach into compact spaces
  • Maximum filtration

Cons

  • Not as lightweight as being claimed

4. Kenmore Pet Friendly 81214 200 Bagged Canister Vacuum

The canister vacuum cleaner from the brand Kenmore is popular for the quality of the products that they offer. The manufacturers claim this product to be lightweight and convenient to be used. This bagged cleaner is an ideal partner to be used in and around any home. It can be used to clean multiple surfaces in the best way possible. The suction power of this product is quite high and is enough to clear even minute dust and dirt particles. The filter system of this vacuum cleaner is highly advanced and traps more than 99% of dirt inside the filter system and also controls the pollutants that may cause allergies. The dual-motor system equipped in this machine offers maximum suction power and makes the cleaning an effortless experience for the user. The height of this vacuum cleaner can be adjusted to multiple positions for better performance and airflow. It can be used on multiple surfaces also. Being extremely lightweight, this cleaner offers high maneuverability to its user and it can be ported anywhere if necessary. The cleaning cord in this machine can be retracted and it has a length of 24 foot also comes with several extra attachments like a brush and crevice tool.

Pros

  • Bagged
  • Lightweight
  • Pet-friendly
  • Powerful filter system
  • Easy to maneuver

Cons

  • The suction tube is mostly made of thin aluminum and plastic mostly

5. Kenmore Pet Friendly 81414 400 Canister Vacuum

The lightweight canister vacuum cleaner from the brand Kenmore is equipped with a dual-motor system that offers maximum power to the machine. It comes with two cleaning wands and the shift between these two wands is extremely smooth and quick so that both the hardwood floor and the soft surfaces like upholstery can be quickly cleaned. The retractable cord of 26-foot length can be easily controlled by the flipping of a switch. The advanced filtration system of this product traps around 99.97% of dirt and debris inside it and also takes care of the allergy-causing pollen and odors. It comes with three attachment tools that serve multiple functions in the cleaning and they are an upholstery brush, a crevice tool, and a bare floor tool. The height of the machine can be adjusted up to four positions according to the surface to be cleaned. It is also flexible enough to be used to clean numerous surfaces like hardwoodfloors, carpets, etc. the compact design of the machine makes it easy to clean tight and small spaces and portions. The extendable and removable handle makes it a suitable partner to clean fans and ceilings.

Pros

  • Retractable cord
  • Bagged
  • Triple filter system
  • Lightweight
  • Two motors

Cons

  • Use of plastic is a bit too much

6. Kenmore Elite Ultra Plush 81714 Canister Vacuum

The canister vacuum cleaner from the brand Kenmore is claimed to be a pet-friendly product by its manufacturers. It comes as a bagged model and supports cleaning on any surface including hardwood floors. It comes with several additional attachments that make the machine ideal to pick up fine dust particles like pet hair. The designers were also very keen to create the product in such an advanced way that the removed pet hair parts don’t remain tangled at the tip of the wand and rather removed completely into the bag. The height of the machine can be adjusted manually according to the height and nature of the surface to be cleaned. The air filter system of this machine is quite advanced and removes even odors and pollen particles. This product weighs just around 22 lbs and can be conveniently carried around. The cleaning wand of this product can be adjusted and even removed to clean compact spaces. The compact design of this product and the strong stair grip make it extremely ideal to be stored in compact spaces. It also comes with several functional attachment tools like a dusting brush for better cleaning.

Pros

  • Pet friendly
  • Bagged
  • Deep cleaning supported
  • Detachable handle

Cons

  • The suction hose is a bit subpar in quality

7. Kenmore Elite 21814 Canister Vacuum

This canister vacuum cleaner from Kenmore is undoubtedly a top sellerin the vacuum cleaner section. It is a bagged vacuum cleaner that can clean the nooks and corners of any house indeed. It is a pet-friendly product that has enough suction power to remove the fine pet hair particles from the floor and other surfaces. It comes with a dual-motor system which offers maximum power and efficiency to the cleaning process. It is also equipped with an efficient air filter system that can clear more than 99% of dust and debris from the environment where it works on. The extendable and adjustable wand of this product is made of strong aluminum that can be extended up to 11 inches and can be used to clean both wide and compact spaces. The handle can also be removed to clean tight spaces like the interior of a car. The cleaning portion of this vacuum cleaner has a width of 14 inches which is a reasonable width to carry out cleaning at a reasonable pace. It is also equipped with a swivel and steering system that makes the cleaning of corners and tight spaces an effortless experience.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Bagged
  • Ideal for all surfaces
  • Advanced filter system

Cons

  • Availability of replacement parts is limited

8. Miele Blizzard Canister Vacuum Cleaner CX1

The German-engineered canister vacuum cleaner from the brand Miele is one of the very few bagless models available in the market both online and offline. It can be used on most surfaces like carpets and hardwood floors. The suction power of this product can be adjusted to four settings according to the surfaces that are to be cleaned. This product is equipped with advanced vortex technology that ensures the collection of all dust particles despite being coarse or fine. The air filter of this particular product does not require any occasional maintenance and cleaning. The design of this machine is also smart enough to employ a provision to avoid any cloud of dust from ejecting out when trying to emptyand clean the machine. It also comes with several accessories like a fine brush, crevice tool, etc. that can be appropriately used to serve many other cleaning functions. Although it can be used on almost all surfaces, its best performance is visible on hardwood floors. It has a 33-foot cleaning radius, which is one of the best when compared to many similarly-priced products in the market.

Pros

  • Bagless
  • High suction power
  • Suction power can be adjusted
  • Maintenance-free filter
  • Easy to empty

Cons

  • A bit on the heavier side

9. Miele Canister Vacuum Cleaner Complete C3 Marin

The canister vacuum cleaner from the brand Miele is known for the powerful performance that it brings to the table. The manufacturers recommend their use on multiple surfaces like hardwood floors and carpets. The electro brush of this product makes sure that even tight and compact spaces are cleaned properly and that no fine dust or debris is left behind. The design of this particular product also offers high maneuverability as its cleaning head is capable of swiveling so that all nooks and corners are made accessible to the cleaner. It has a cleaning radius of 33 feet. The cord of this product is extendable and is made of stainless steel material and is also equipped with a one-touch rewind technology. The electro brush is also equipped with built-in LED lighting which adds to its performance and efficiency. The speed of the suction can be adjusted up to six settings and this feature can be operated manually with foot switches. The foot switches ensure maximum convenience to the user. Even though the motor of this product is powerful, it operates in the most silent way possible.

Pros

  • Silent operation
  • Ideal for most floor types
  • Powerful air filter
  • Built-in LED lighting

Cons

  • On the expensive side

10. Hoover Commercial Canister Vacuum Cleaner

The canister vacuum cleaner from the brand Hoover Commercial is one of the most lightweight products available in this section. The clearing path of this product is wide enough to save the user from doing any extra rounds of cleaning. The built-in blower of this cleaner makes cleaning and emptying of dust and debris an easy task. The cleaning wand is stretchable and can even be used to clean ceilings and fans.

Pros

  • Comes with additional attachments
  • Only weighs 8 pounds
  • Comes with a built-in blower
  • Cord of length 33 feet

Cons

  • Performance lowers gradually

11. Kenmore Canister Vacuum

The bagless version of the canister vacuum cleaner from the brand Kenmore is known as one of the most pet-friendly products in the section. It has a motorized attachment tool that makes sure that the last of the fine pet hair on any floor is perfectly removed. Other highlight features of this product are its capability to adjust heights, advanced air filtration system, etc.

Pros

  • Retractable cord
  • 4 height adjustments possible
  • Dual motor system
  • Filter can be washed

Cons

  • The motor tends to face jeopardy after a while

What is a canister vacuum cleaner?

A canister vacuum cleaner came as an alternative to upright vacuum cleaners which used to have a heavy motor, cleaning apparatus, etc. within the vacuum cleaner which was so hard to push around and rarely offered any flexibility. The canister vacuum cleaners are devices that have separated the cleaning apparatus and the motor and other accessories that come with it. It comes with a body part that has wheels to facilitate movement and a separate cleaning wand that is attached to the body of the cleaner with a long flexible cord. The cord or hose part is usually made of plastic and thus, offers maximum flexibility for the user to use the cleaning wand in every nook and corner. The wheeled body is referred to as a canister and this part consists of a motor, cleaning bags or dust bags, and the filtration unit.

The canister vacuums are extremely convenient to use as only the cleaning hand needs to be used over dirty surfaces and it being so lightweight offers little to no difficulties for the user. Also, as the canister part of the cleaner is wheeled, the user need not push or pull it with serious effort, but rather easily pull it around to the required places. It is one of the most sold cleaning equipment these days even though it is a bit on the expensive side of the market.

How does a canister vacuum cleaner work?

An important aspect that has to be taken care of before buying a canister vacuum cleaner is to understand the various parts of it and the roles that they serve in the system. Understanding the components of the vacuum cleaner system could help the users to understand the working and the immense possibilities of the canister cleaner that they own and it could help them make the most out of their vacuum cleaner. Some of the major parts of a canister vacuum cleaner can be found in the list below.

Main canister unit

The main canister unit of a canister vacuum cleaner is the wheeled part of the cleaner that can be moved along the user with a simple pull. It is the main powerhouse of the cleaner and it contains several major components of the machine like the motor, dust bags, air filtration system, etc. If the model is a bagless one, the canister would contain a dust compartment that can be emptied and used again as and when required. The motor inside a canister would differ in power according to the model and the manufacturer of the machine. The main canister unit has a durable frame and body with which the components are covered properly and for some models, an extra protection layer will also be provided above the canister unit.

Powered hose

The powered hose is the long tube-like part that connects the main canister unit with the cleaning wand. This part is mostly stretchable and sometimes retractable. This offer maximum mobility for the cleaning wand without having to move the canister part. It is generally made of plastic for maximum flexibility.

Main cleaning wand

The main cleaning wand is the part on which the powerhead of the vacuum is mounted. This is made of a sturdier material that supports the user to hold it firmly and moves the suction head of the machine over various surfaces. It is usually on this cleaning wand that the control switches of the machine are equipped. This gives the user maximum accessibility to the control switches even while the machine is being operated.

Vacuum powerhead

The power head or the suction head of a canister vacuum cleaner is the part that is present on the tip of the cleaning wand. It is this power head that sucks the dust and dirt particles as part of the cleaning. It is usually made of strong material, but the end of it is usually padded to avoid it from causing any scratches or damage to the surface on which it is being used.

What are the benefits of a canister vacuum cleaner?

Canister vacuum cleaners are one of the most sold and sought-out products in the cleaning section. The sheer convenience it offers over its many counterparts is one of the sole reasons why it has attracted much popular support. But along with that core reason, there are several other reasons why a canister vacuum cleaner is considered an ideal option by lion’s share of the population. Some of those reasons or the benefits of owning a canister vacuum cleaner are listed and detailed below.

Portability

Canister vacuum cleaners are miles ahead of the other vacuum cleaner models when it comes to portability. It consists of a wheeled canister and a lightweight cleaning wand that can be carried without much effort. This design of a canister vacuum cleaner makes it flexible enough to use in even nooks and corners of a space. It is generally observed that a canister vacuum cleaner performs well even on corners and compact spaces under furniture. The canister comes as a wheeled version and thus, pulling it along would not be a problem for the user.

Lightweight

A canister vacuum cleaner indeed has all the essential parts that an upright vacuum cleaner has. But still, the canister cleaners provide a lightweight experience due to their design. While other vacuum cleaners expect the users to push or pull the entire machine for cleaning, a canister vacuum cleaner expects the user to clean with the extendable cleaning wand and the canister will tag along as the user moves further. This excellence in design and the resultant lightweight feature of a canister vacuum cleaner makes it ideal to be used by anyone in a family or workplace.

Silent operation

One of the biggest advantages offered by a canister vacuum cleaner is its silent operation. Unlike many of its counterparts, a canister vacuum cleaner does not cause hindering noise while being used, especially if it is a bagless canister vacuum cleaner.

How to choose a canister vacuum cleaner?

Canister vacuum cleaners, being extremely popular in the markets across the globe, offers numerous models and options to choose from. So, not just the price of a particular model should not be the sole criteria for choosing it as your ideal vacuum cleaner. Instead, several other criteria should be considered and cross-checked before proceeding with the purchase of any particular canister vacuum cleaner. Some of those criteria are listed below with a summary as to why they are important. Potential buyers can refer to the following list and find your ideal canister vacuum cleaner accordingly.

Bagged or bagless

Canister vacuum cleaners come in two versions- bagged and bagless. With the word bag, it is the dust bag that is being meant and some models have the dust bag included in the canister part of the vacuum cleaner whereas some models do not come with a bag. It is a proven fact that bagged cleaners tend to provide more filtration to the cleaner and also operate quietly when compared to a bagless vacuum cleaner. When it comes to a bagless canister vacuum cleaner, it is the dust compartment that functions as the place to collect the dust. Although it is a bit noisier than many other models, it completely removes the need of buying cleaning bags as and when required, and thus reduces the economic impact on the user. Both models vary in their prices also, and thus, the buyer needs to identify their needs and liking and choose one of them accordingly.

Length of the power cord

When you are purchasing a canister vacuum cleaner, the length of the power cord should be closely monitored. Because a vacuum cleaner with a limited length of power cord would cause difficulties in cleaning a large room. It is estimated that a minimum of 20 feet in length should be there for a canister vacuum cleaner so that a reasonably sized room can be cleaned. Although it is possible to use an extension cord for such situations, it is not always desirable or possible. So, make sure that the vacuum cleaner comes with a reasonably long power cord. Also, try to buy a vacuum cleaner that is equipped with a retractable power cord. Otherwise, the long power cord may cause practical difficulties during the cleaning and could even be the reason for tripping and falling.

Air filtration system

Vacuum cleaners tend to differ from each other in terms of the air filtration system equipped with them. Some models feature a simple air filtration system that is only able to suck in the dust particles in the atmosphere whereas some others are extremely advanced that can even clear the air with bad smell and pollen. If the buyer is bothered by any kind of allergies or is living in a highly polluted area, it is advisable to buy a canister vacuum cleaner with a HEPA or High-Efficiency Particulate Air filtration system.

Performance of the engine

The performance or the efficiency of a canister vacuum cleaner almost completely depends on the performance of its engine. The suction power, rate of power consumption, etc. are all dependent on the engine. So, it is important to choose the right-powered engine for your cleaning purposes. If the buyer has a spacious place to clean regularly, suction strength should be maximum. So, having a high-power producing engine would be ideal for that buyer. An engine that can produce a minimum power of 1200 W would be enough to handle such high-power requirements and thus, the buyer can choose an engine with power up to 2000 W. if the customers are worried about the high-power consumption that a heavy engine can cause, there are options for green canister vacuum cleaners that offers to produce high power with lower input.

Easiness to handle

A canister vacuum cleaner needs to have a reasonable easiness to handle. As it is a tool that is used within a closed space mostly, several things have to be perfect for the user to make the most out of the machine. One such thing is the size of the wheel. It should be noted that the wheels are not extremely small as smaller wheels tend to get in between the long cord or even find it difficult to move further in a carpeted area or get their movement hindered by small objects. So, the buyer should be careful enough to buy a canister vacuum cleaner that has a reasonably sized set of wheels.

Another point regarding the ease of use is the weight of the machine. It should be reminded that a heavy canister vacuum cleaner could make the cleaning job extremely harder due to the low mobility that it offers. Canister vacuum cleaners are available from 6 pounds onwards in the market and the customer should pay heed to the weight of their favorite product and then choose accordingly.

Design of the machine

It is a known fact that a well-thought-out design could make or break any product. Similar is the case with the canister vacuum cleaners. Several design aspects could provide you with a better cleaning experience. One of them is the accessibility to the control switches. It should be checked whether the power switch and the other control switches are present on the canister or the wand. If they are on the canister, the user will have to bend each time to use a switch and this would pose a practical difficulty to the user. So, it is advisable to pick a canister vacuum cleaner that has its control switches on the wand itself.

Having a protective casing around the canister is another feature offered by many models that could make a change in the user experience. As canisters are pulled randomly by the user, chances are high for them to hit on furniture and walls and could damage themselves. A rubber layer of protection around the canister would be an ideal solution to save both the canister and the furniture from having any damage. So, the buyer should pay attention to such details in design to make sure that you are making the most out of a deal.

Conclusion

Owning a canister vacuum cleaner could lighten up the daunting task of cleaning in and out of the home. But being an important cleaning tool, a canister vacuum cleaner must maintain a reasonable quality both in build and performance. Having a subpar vacuum cleaner could easily turn out to be a nightmare just for the sheer inconveniences that it can bring forth. So, the first and foremost thing to be done before purchasing a canister vacuum cleaner is to find a reliable and trustworthy manufacturer to buy the product from. The above list details the best manufacturers and products in the canister vacuum cleaner section and it also features a detailed review of each of the products with appropriate pros and cons. That list can be referred to for better options in the vacuum cleaner market. But for even narrowed-down and to-the-point information regarding the best products, a short list of the best of the best from the above list is provided below.

The list above contains products that are worth at least a chance and it would be ideal if all the potential buyers try to check these specific ones before settling on any particular product. The best options presently available in the market have made it to the above list and potential buyers can also use it to compare the features of your favorite product.


5 out of 5 (1 Votes)

This post was last modified on April 29, 2023 3:36 pm

Susan Lu

I'm a professionally trained product reviewer. Every piece of content is based on real user experiences and hundred hours of research.

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