When it comes to your home’s primary vacuum cleaner, there are two main styles to choose from: an upright vacuum or a canister vacuum. Both of these vacuums are powerful enough to pick up all types of dirt and debris from your floors and carpeting, but there are several reasons why a canister vacuum may be the superior choice for your home.
Canister vacuums come in both bagged and bagless models, with a wide range of sizes and prices to choose from, so you can find an option that’s well-suited to your needs.
To help you find the canister vacuum that’s right for you, we tested 16 of today’s most popular models, evaluating them on suction power, noise level, maneuverability, and more. We used them to clean up debris on carpet, tile, and hardwood to see which models performed best, logging a total of 16 hours of testing to compile this list. Keep reading for our top picks.
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Quickly captures debris from hard floors and carpet
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Rolls smoothly in any direction
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Lightweight design makes it easy to carry up stairs
The Kenmore Bagless Canister Vacuum impressed us with its suction power. If you’re looking for a great vacuum for pet hair, this model quickly picked that up — as well as debris like sand, dust, and raw pasta — and it performed equally well on carpeting and hard surfaces.
The upholstery tool was also very effective, quickly pulling hair and lint off sofa cushions. However, long hair strands can get wrapped around the vacuum’s brush roll, and we found it challenging to clean off, as the brush itself can’t be removed from the floor attachment.
This vacuum is on the smaller side, weighing less than 10 pounds, and we found that it was easy to pull around as we cleaned. The power cord is quite short, which limits how far you can clean before needing to find a new outlet. When you’re done cleaning, it’s easy to empty the vacuum’s bagless dustbin, and it can be rinsed out with water for a more thorough clean. The vacuum also has a HEPA filter system that keeps dust and allergens out of your home.
Type: Bagless | Dimensions: 11.4 x 12.2 x 28.8 inches | Weight: 9.5 pounds | Capacity: Not listed | Hose Length: 9 feet | Cord Length: 16 feet | Attachments: Dusting brush, crevice tool, bare floor tool, pet turbine brush
Canister vacuums can be quite pricey, but this model from Black and Decker is a budget-friendly choice. Despite its reasonable price, this vacuum is still quite a powerhouse — it had no problem picking up dust, dirt, and pet hair from both carpeting and hard floors in our testing. (It did struggle a bit when vacuuming tile floors, and it wasn’t the best on large pieces of debris.) We love that the vacuum operates quietly; we were able to hold a conversation while cleaning, even on the highest setting.
This vacuum has two oversized wheels that allow it to roll around behind you when cleaning, but we didn’t have to move it as much as other models thanks to its extra-long hose and wand. It also has a large three-liter bagless dustbin that’s easy to empty, as well as a HEPA filter for allergen control. However, taller people may find the vacuum uncomfortable to use, as you do have to hunch over to push the wand around the floor.
How It’s Held Up
After two months of testing, we found this vacuum to be most effective on bare floors. The suction is strong even at the lowest setting, which was great on hard floors but challenging on area rugs.
Type: Bagless | Dimensions: 14 x 10.47 x 16 inches | Weight: 21.1 pounds | Capacity: 3 liters | Hose Length: 5 feet | Cord Length: 19.5 feet | Attachments: Crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool
The More You Know
Bagless canister vacuums will save you from having to purchase pricey vacuum bags. To empty a bagless canister vacuum, simply dump the dustbin into the trash. You will occasionally need to wash out the bin to remove any lingering dirt and dust.
The Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly CrossOver canister vacuum is an efficient choice for pet owners. It operates quietly enough for conversations during use, though it may still disrupt TV watching. The vacuum shined on carpeted surfaces; it provided strong suction and efficiently vacuumed up pet hair and debris without leaving any behind on the roller brush. It was also easy to maneuver on stairs thanks to the lightweight vacuum head.
The canister is a bit bulky, but its smooth-gliding wheels make it manageable across different floor types. We liked the convenience of the retractable cord which operates with the press of the foot pedal. It handled upholstery well, and we found the crevice tool effective. While it excels on carpet, it requires additional passes on hardwood and tile, especially when using the hardwood setting (we observed debris getting pushed around). The hose can sometimes get tangled, but overall, it’s a reliable vacuum with easy setup and integrated storage for attachments.
How It’s Held Up
After using the Kenmore Elite for several months, we were able to get rid of our upright which was inferior to this vacuum. It picks up all the cat litter, hair, and debris that our previous vacuum couldn’t handle. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and makes it simple to get into hard-to-reach areas.
Type: Bagged | Dimensions: 27.76 x 17.91 x 13.98 inches | Weight: 23 pounds | Capacity: 4.9 liters | Hose Length: 7 feet | Cord Length: 26 feet | Attachments: Motorized Pet PowerMate, dusting brush, crevice tool, fan tool
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Powerful suction at a budget-friendly price
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Easily picks up debris on low-pile carpeting
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Grabs pet hair without tangling
Not all canister vacuums excel on carpeting, but in our testing, the Aspiron canister vacuum had no problem sucking up dirt and debris off area rugs. The vacuum picked up the majority of coffee grounds and pet hair off a low-pile carpet in just one pass, and we were surprised at its powerful suction, especially considering the model’s low price. Plus, because the floorhead doesn’t have a classic brush roll, there was no pet hair tangled up in the vacuum, making for minimal maintenance and consistent suction power.
There’s a knob on the canister of this vacuum that allows you to adjust the suction power, and it has a telescoping wand that’s handy for cleaning high areas. The pet turbo tool was amazing for cleaning pet hair off upholstery, but we did find that the vacuum’s floor attachment would occasionally spit out larger debris, such as pieces of orzo pasta, forcing us to go back over them again.
How It’s Held Up
After six months of use, we continue to be happy with how well this vacuum performs on low-pile carpeting and laminate flooring. The retractable cord is convenient to use, and because of the vacuum’s slender frame, we find it easy to move around the house. The dustbin is also easy to empty and mess-free.
Type: Bagless | Dimensions: 17 x 12.3 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 16 pounds | Capacity: 3.5 liters | Hose Length: Not listed | Cord Length: 20 feet | Attachments: Crevice nozzle, dust brush, pet hair attachment, upholstery brush
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Rolls smoothly and is easy to pull around obstacles
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Self-cleaning brush rolls don’t get tangled with hair
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Wand bends to clean underneath furniture
The Shark Vertex is a top choice if you have lots of obstacles in your home. During testing, it was able to maneuver around furniture and roll smoothly between carpeting and hard floors, and we never had any issues with it tipping over or getting stuck. It features the brand’s signature dual-brush roll design, which includes a soft roller to pick up fine particles on hard floors, and it was able to pick up the vast majority of debris in a single pass. (It didn’t do quite as well on carpeting, often needing five or more passes to capture all the debris we laid out.)
The Vertex has several other notable features, too. Its wand bends in the middle, allowing you to easily clean under low-profile furniture, and it also has a non-tangle brush roll design with LED headlights. The bagless design weighs just 9 pounds, making it easy to carry around, and while it’s slightly expensive at its full price, this vacuum is definitely worth it.
How It’s Held Up
We’ve been using this vacuum regularly for six months. It has the suction power of an upright, but is more portable and has more attachments. It works well on carpeting and hard floors, though we do still reach for our cordless vacuum for quick cleanups.
Type: Bagless | Dimensions: 17.7 x 14.2 x 49.2 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Capacity: 1.8 liters | Hose Length: Not listed | Cord Length: 25 feet | Attachments: Pet crevice tool, upholstery tool
Experts Say
“Canister vacuums typically have more suction power than an upright vacuum, and they are also usually quieter,” says Jessica Samson, cleaning expert and former director of national branding at The Maids. “They also tend to be much lighter, and the wand is more maneuverable and can be helpful for reaching hard-to-reach places.”
If you don’t mind spending a little more on a vacuum that will last for years, the Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction is a worthwhile investment for your home. We were blown away by just how much suction power this model delivered. It needed just one or two passes to pick up all the debris off the floor during testing, and it worked particularly well on hard floors, leaving them looking spotless. The vacuum has six suction settings and a combination floorhead that can be switched between hard floors and carpeting, but we did find that it’s hard to push across rugs, as the suction creates quite a bit of resistance.
This canister vacuum collects all the dust and debris inside a 4.5-liter bag, and we like that there’s an indicator light to let you know when the bag is full. The canister sits on three wheels that make for easy maneuvering, and the vacuum is impressively quiet on its lowest setting.
How It’s Held Up
After six months of testing, this lightweight vacuum continues to make cleaning a breeze. The vacuum works especially well on stairs and picks up all of the hair left by two long-haired cats. We did note that the vacuum bag sensor falls out prematurely sometimes, but it’s easy to put it back in to get the vacuum working again.
Type: Bagged | Dimensions: 18.2 x 11 x 8.7 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Capacity: 4.5 liters | Hose Length: 5.5 feet | Cord Length: 18 feet | Attachments: Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush
Other Canister Vacuums We Tried
- Eureka Mighty Mite Canister Cleaner: Once you get the hang of it, this inexpensive vacuum does a good job cleaning debris off carpet and hard floors, but there’s definitely a learning curve involved. It took us a while to figure out the best suction settings for different cleaning applications, and we also had to keep the floorhead at a certain angle for maximum effectiveness. However, if you can get past its quirks, it’s a solid option for a low price.
- Hoover Commercial Portapower Canister Vacuum: Unlike most canister vacuums, which are designed to roll along behind you, the Hoover Portapower has a compact canister that you carry as you clean. It’s lightweight and highly portable, and in testing, it excelled on hard floors. However, this vacuum is quite noisy and isn’t as effective on carpeting as other models.
What to Know About Canister Vacuums
Bagged vs. Bagless
Unlike upright vacuums or cordless stick vacuums, which typically have a bagless dustbin, many canister vacuums still use vacuum bags to capture dirt and debris. There are a few benefits to a bagged vacuum design — they often do a better job capturing allergens and dust, making sure these particles aren’t circulated back into your home. They’re also quick and easy to empty, as you simply remove the bag and replace it with a new one. The downside, however, is that you’ll have to invest in a supply of vacuum bags, which can be somewhat pricey, depending on the brand.
There are also bagless canister vacuums, including our best budget pick, the Black and Decker Bagless Canister Vacuum. With bagless vacuums, you just need to empty the dustbin as it becomes full; there are no additional vacuum bags to purchase.
Weight
Canister vacuums can vary quite significantly in weight, ranging anywhere from 8 to over 20 pounds. The good news is that most canister vacuums are mounted on wheels, making them easier to maneuver, but if your home has multiple floors, consider whether you’ll be able to comfortably carry it up and down the stairs. For multi-story homes, a lightweight model like the Shark Vertex is likely your best option.
Experts Say
“You need to look at the size of the canister and how heavy it is. Canister vacuums can be cumbersome because you have to move the canister around, and you want to find one that is light enough for this not to be a big issue.” —Jessica Samson
Operating Radius
If you have a large home, chances are that you’ll want a vacuum with a larger operating radius. This term refers to the maximum distance away from a power outlet that you can use the vacuum, and it takes into account both the cord length and, in the case of canister vacuums, the vacuum’s hose length. When this measurement is higher, you’ll be able to cover more area without having to stop and find a new electrical outlet, and of all the vacuums we recommend, the Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Vacuum has the best operating radius, thanks to its 26-foot power cord.
Price Range
The price of a high-quality canister vacuum ranges from around $100 for a basic budget model to $500 or more for a vacuum with a lot of features or attachments. The canister vacuums that made our list fall within this price range.
Behind the Scenes
To find the best canister vacuums available today, we gathered 16 top-rated models from brands including Miele, Kenmore, Shark, and more. We put each vacuum through a total of seven tests in our lab, scoring them in each of the following areas:
- Effectiveness: The most important tests we conducted were designed to assess the vacuum’s suction power and performance on a variety of flooring types. We used a mixture of materials, including sand, baking soda, Cheerios, uncooked orzo pasta, fake pet hair, and Chex cereal to evaluate each vacuum’s pickup abilities. We ran these tests on hard floors, low-pile carpeting, and tile floors, noting how many passes were required to pick up all the debris.
- Maneuverability: We also wanted to see how easy it was to move each vacuum, as some canister models are prone to tipping over or getting stuck on obstacles. To test this, we set up an obstacle course, using each model to clean around furniture such as a coffee table, lamp, and couch while pulling the canister along behind us.
- Portability: To see how each vacuum performed on non-floor surfaces, we used them to clean debris off an upholstered chair, as well as carpeted stairs. We also noted the weight of each vacuum and whether it would be comfortable to carry up stairs and store when not in use.
- Noise Level: We measured the decibel rating of each vacuum on both its highest and lowest settings, noting whether it would be possible to hold a conversation or watch TV over the noise.
- Maintenance: Finally, we assessed how easy it was to empty each vacuum and remove/wash any filters that require regular cleaning.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer who specializes in home, kitchen, and pet products, and she’s personally tested dozens of different vacuums. To compile this roundup, she spoke with our testers about the strengths and weaknesses of different canister vacuums, evaluating each model on factors like its suction power, weight, and ease of maneuvering. She also spoke with cleaning expert Jessica Samson on what to look for when purchasing a canister vacuum.
Our Expert Panel
Jessica Samson is a cleaning expert and former director of national branding for The Maids, a housekeeping service with locations around the country.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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