11 Best Canister Vacuums (Review) In 2022
- The Best Canister Vacuum
- 1. BISSELL Zing Bagless Caniser Vacuum
- 2. Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum
- 3. BISSELL Zing Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum
- 4. Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G Corded Canister Vacuum
- 5. Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum
- 6. Miele Complete C2 Hard Floor Canister Vacuum
- 7. Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction Powerline Canister Vacuum
- 8. Oreck Commercial Pro Compact Canister Vacuum
- 9. Atrix AHC-1 Portable Turbo Canister Vacuum
- 10. BISSELL Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum
- 11. Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum
Canister vacuums are indispensable household appliances that make the job of cleaning your house simple and hassle-free. They are a useful alternative to a stick vacuum cleaner & shop vacs because they take up less space and make it easier to access stairs and awkward areas around the home. They can also be used to clean out the car or RV.
A canister vacuum cleaner can have a bag that will need to be emptied when it gets full or they may have a bagless design. They are powered by electric motors and usually come with a long hose (which may be extendable) so that you can reach even further. The best models are equally efficient on carpet and hard floors and come with a range of useful accessories. To help you choose the best canister vacuum cleaner for your home, read our comprehensive guide.
The Best Canister Vacuum
1. BISSELL Zing Bagless Caniser Vacuum


Key Features
Bagless cyclonic design with 2 liter dust cup
Power rating of 9 amperes for strong suction
Lightweight – weighs less than 8 pounds
15 foot retractable cord for reaching all over the home
Switches easily between carpets and hard floors
Range of useful tools and attachments
The cyclonic action of the BISSELL Zing Bagless Caniser Vacuum delivers powerful and continuous suction that works equally well on carpets and hard floors. This canister vacuum cleaner is compact and lightweight enough to move easily from one room to another using the useful carry handle. It features a swivel steering design that makes it exceptionally easy to use – you can get around furniture and other obstacles in the home without difficulty.
Supplied with an airflow regulator, when you want to change from carpet to hard floor mode you simply flip a switch, and this device becomes almost as efficient as a steam cleaner. As it is a bagless canister vacuum, emptying it out is simple – you just press a button and the dirt cup lid opens. Filtration is provided by the post-motor filter that collects fine dust and particles and stops them from being recirculated into your home. These filters can be used over again once you have washed them. There is a full 15 feet of cord that retract when you press a button and it comes with a floor tool, crevice tool, and dusting brush.
Pros
Large 2 liter dust cup that is easy to empty
Long cord that retracts easily and quickly
Lightweight enough to move around easily
Washable filters that remove fine dust
Crevice tool included
Cons
Works better on short pile carpets
Can be hard to drag across rugs
2. Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum




Key Features
Maximum cleaning radius of 29.5 feet
Superior suction power
High-level filtration and dust containment
Long power cord that retracts
Rubberized wheels to protect hard floors
Six power suction settings
The Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum delivers precision German engineering and superior suction power. The 1,200 Watt bagged canister vacuum is lightweight and highly maneuverable – it can reach around and under furniture. There are six different suction power settings accessed via the rotary dial suitable for a range of different floor surfaces.
The superior suction power of the vortex motor is matched by the Miele AirClean System. These Miele vacuums have a Miele FilterBag and a motor protection filter as well as an AirClean exhaust filter that ensures that the air is highly filtered before it is discharged back into the room. The long power cord contributes to the maximum cleaning radius of 29.5 feet. The Miele combination floorhead can be used on both hard floors and low-pile carpet and you switch between the two using a footswitch. The floorhead also has a metal sole plate so that it can pass across surfaces with ease and it has rubberized wheels so that it will not scratch the floor. In addition to the floorhead, it comes with a dusting brush, an upholstery tool, and a crevice tool that all clip conveniently to the hose so that you will always know where they are.
Pros
No dust can escape from the filter bag
Power level can be selected
Accessories clip to the hose when not in use
Advanced filtration for cleaner air
Does not scratch hard floors
Cons
It’s a bagged canister and therefore takes little longer to empty
Does not have wheels and has to be carried
3. BISSELL Zing Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum



Key Features
Equally suited to bare floors and carpets
Variable suction control with a slide switch
Multi-surface floor tool with telescopic wand and swivel steering
Lightweight design and carry handle
2.5 liter capacity canister with a bag
Crevice tool and dusting brush included
Offering both powerful and variable suction at a price that won’t break the bank, the BISSELL Zing Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum makes short work of cleaning bare floors, rugs, and all those high up awkward areas in the home. With just the flick of a foot-operated switch, you can move from carpet to hard floor and slide the power control to get as much suction as you need. Thanks to the lightweight design (it weighs just 8 pounds) and useful carry handle, you can easily hold it as you maneuver around the furniture.
The 15 foot cord allows you to reach areas far away from the power socket and it automatically rewinds when you are finished. The multi-surface floor tool has a telescopic wand and swivel steering for perfect maneuverability and control. This vacuum cleaner also comes with a crevice tool and a dusting brush. It is supplied with five dustbags with a capacity of 2.5 liters that are easy to remove and washable filters that are placed both before and after the motor. Make sure to check out our newest buying guide for the best carpet tapes if you wanna make sure your favorite decorative living room piece will stay in its place.
Pros
Dual filtration system before and after the motor
Lightweight vacuum that is easy to carry around
Multi-surface floor tool has a telescopic wand
Works on both bare floors and thicker pile carpets
Useful additional tools for cleaning in awkward areas
Cons
Limited cord length can make it tricky to reach all areas of the house
The whole unit can flick over when in use
4. Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G Corded Canister Vacuum





Key Features
Suitable for bare floors and carpets
Powerful enough to tackle pet hair
Lightweight and portable – useful for cleaning vehicles
Triple filtration system for effective cleaning
Long 20 foot power cord
Handy blower port at the rear of the canister
One of the best canister vacuums in terms of value for money, the Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G Corded Canister Vacuum Cleaner weighs less than 9 pounds but has a 2.5 liter capacity canister and comes with either 2 or 5 bags for quick and efficient dust removal in the home. You can use it on hardwood floors and tiles and for carpet cleaning.
These 12 amp canister vacuums come with a quick-release 20 foot power cord and a powerful brush that deep cleans carpets. It also has a set of tools for cleaning stairs and upholstery. The vacuum creates powerful suction to clean up pet hair and can reach into awkward areas. This canister vacuum even has two extension wands for your extension cord so that you can reach high-up areas. It features a triple filtration system that works with the bag system to produce efficient suction. You can even use the handy blower port for cleaning debris from your yard or garage.
Pros
Value for money canister vacuum
Removes pet hair and dust
Can easily be carried around
Comes with two extension wands
Blower port useful for clearing leaves
Cons
Does not have a rotating brush head
Plastic extension wands are friction fit
5. Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum


Key Features
Motorized carpet tool with a 13 and 3/8 inch brush roll
Parquet Twister head that can rotate around 180 degrees
Premium Complete C3 electrically-powered carpet tool
HEPA filter to protect respiratory health
Stainless steel telescopic wand for reaching high levels
LED light on the motorized carpet tool
The Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum is one of the premium Miele vacuums suitable for use on low and medium-pile carpets and rugs and on hardwood and all smooth flooring. These high-end vacuums are one of the best models for suction and functionality. The Miele Complete C3 features a robust vortex motor with an automatic setting and 6 speed settings that you control using a footswitch.
Included with the Complete C3, there is an electrically-powered carpet tool fitted with a wide brush roll. It can be used on carpets with a medium and high pile and can even be used on plush carpeting. It has a swivel neck and the height can be adjusted to five levels making the Complete C3 amongst the best canister vacuums in terms of versatility. It also has an LED light so that you have a clear view of what you are cleaning at low light levels. The Parquet Twister head can rotate around 180 degrees which makes it agile enough for all areas of bare floors. It comes with a range of accessories and a telescopic stainless steel wand. The HEPA filter traps 99.9% of all dust particles that can damage the lungs.
Pros
Miele Complete C3 superior suction on plush carpets
HEPA filter to efficiently remove dust particles
Easy to move around hard floors using the rotating head
Variable speed settings for versatile cleaning
Long cord with automatic rewind
Cons
Bag needs changing quite often
A considerable financial investment
6. Miele Complete C2 Hard Floor Canister Vacuum





Key Features
Suitable for both carpets and bare floors
Powerful 1,200 watt vortex motor provides strong suction
Six suction settings and rotary dial
Castor wheels for added maneuverability
Stainless steel telescopic wand to reach high up areas
Can clean to a radius of 33 inches
For households that want a Miele canister vacuum but don’t want to pay out for the most expensive models, the Miele Complete C2 Hard Floor Canister Vacuum may be the best option. It offers excellent carpet cleaning and is also suitable for bare floors. The compact C2 model features a 1,200 watt vortex motor and there are six suction settings to choose from using the rotary dial. The Miele AirClean sealed system ensures that no dust escapes and that it all enters the 4.76 quart filter bag after passing through the AirClean filter.
The Miele Compact C2 weighs 19.5 pounds with an ergonomic handle to make it easy to carry around and has castor wheels that will not mark delicate floors. It offers an adjustable working height thanks to the stainless steel telescopic wand into which the floorhead locks securely. The Miele Compact C2 has a 33-inch cleaning radius and is supplied with a Parquet Twister floorhead brush that is gentle enough for parquet floors, an integrated dusting brush, an upholstery tool, and a crevice tool.
Pros
Miele AirClean system seals in the dust
Miele compact C2 filtering system
Telescopic wand to reach higher areas
Does not mark delicate floors
Wide range of tools for versatility
Cons
Attachments do not fit into the wand
Power cord is a bit short
7. Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction Powerline Canister Vacuum




Key Features
Suitable for both carpet cleaning and to vacuum hardwood floors
Variable suction control that is easy to adjust using a large rotary dial
Combined floor head with metal sole plate and rubberized wheels
Extendable stainless steel wand giving cleaning radius of 29.5 feet
Three cleaning accessories to get into hard to reach areas
Efficient filtration system directing dust into the bag
The Miele Compact C1 Pure Suction Powerline Canister Vacuum uses its 1,200 Watt vortex motor to provide superior suction over six power settings to achieve the best cleaning results. The suction settings are selected using a large rotary dial with pictorial settings so you know which one to choose for which floor surface.
This Miele compact canister vacuum is supplied with a combined floor head that can be used for hardwood floors, tiles and carpets. The Miele floor head is fitted with a metal sole plate to make it glide across surfaces and rubberized wheels so that it will not damage delicate floor surfaces. Using the stainless steel wand, it can reach a cleaning radius of 29.5 feet. It comes with three Miele accessories for versatile cleaning all over the home. You get a dusting brush, an upholstery tool and a useful narrow tool for reaching into crevices. They all clip to the hose when not in use and they make it easy to get at those hard to reach areas in the home. This is one of the best canister vacuums in terms of filtration. The Miele filtration system makes sure that the dust ends up in the dust bag and does not get back into the room. There is a motor protection filter and an exhaust filter as well as a self-sealing collar where the bag attaches.
Pros
Powerful suction yet has a compact design
Large cleaning radius for efficiency
Plenty of accessories for different vacuuming jobs
Filter fitted before and after the motor
Bag seals in the dust which is better for people with allergies
Cons
No powered attachments
Will only work with one type of bag
8. Oreck Commercial Pro Compact Canister Vacuum



Key Features
Very lightweight – weighs only five pounds
Very long power cord – 30 foot
One quart capacity canister – disposable bag is included
Four foot vacuum hose
Powerful enough to pick up pet hair
Arguably the best canister vacuum in terms of portability, the Oreck Commercial Pro Compact Canister Vacuum has a 30 foot power cord allowing you to reach wherever you want to around the house or in your car and the cord wraps neatly at the side of the vacuum when it is not in use. Despite the fact that it only weighs five pounds, this canister vacuum has an impressive one quart capacity. The vacuum hose is four feet long which makes it easier for cleaning high up areas.
The powerful vortex motor creates a vacuum that is strong enough to pick up pet hair and for carpet cleaning all over the home. These canister vacuums are supplied with a disposable bag and filters. The vacuums also have a full set of tools and accessories.
Pros
Lightweight vacuum cleaner
Very long vacuum hose to get to high up areas
Lots of accessories for easy cleaning
Long power cord to reach awkward areas
Powerful vortex motor for efficient cleaning
Cons
Cord does not automatically rewind
Suction power cannot be adjusted
9. Atrix AHC-1 Portable Turbo Canister Vacuum




Key Features
Extendable hose reaches between 22 inches and 36 inches
Indicator light illuminates when the bag needs emptying
Three stages of HEPA filtration to remove pollen and dust
A choice of three suction settings
Powerful 1400 watt motor
Range of useful tools including an air-driven turbo brush
For cleaning all over the home and the office, the Atrix AHC-1 Portable Turbo Canister Vacuum makes it easy to get to all areas thanks to the telescopic wand with 17 adjustment settings. It has a lightweight and portable design yet offers suction power comparable to the larger commercial canister vacuums. There are three possible suction speeds on this canister vacuum powered by the 1400 watt motor. This allows you to choose the right amount of suction for any task. You can go from hardwood floors to curtains by simply adjusting the suction.
This is one of the best canister vacuums in terms of filtration. The six quart bag features HEPA filtration to remove dirt, pet dander, and pollen from the air stream using three stages of filtration. There are no excuses for you using the vacuum when the bag is full – an indicator light illuminates when the bag requires changing. It comes with several useful attachments including a floor tool, a turbo brush (air-driven), a round dust brush, a crevice nozzle, and an upholstery nozzle.
Pros
Easy to reach awkward areas with the telescopic cord
Six quart bags – easy to remove
Light to let you know when the bags need to be emptied
Includes a crevice nozzle for cleaning tight areas
Powerful suction – can be set to three speeds
Cons
Hose is attached to the top of machine
Can flip over on its side when in use
10. BISSELL Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum




Key Features
Strong carry handle makes it easy to move around
Lightweight and compact design
11 inch cleaning path for efficiency
Dirt tank opens at the bottom making it mess-free
18-feet power cord with automatic rewind
Turbine foot attachment with clear view of rotating brush
The Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum is a powerful but maneuverable canister vacuum that is one of the best choices if you have a lot of hard floors in your home. This 67.6 fluid ounce capacity canister vacuum has a turbine foot that has been designed to remove tough dirt and has a cleaning path of 11 inches. A stand out feature is the transparent window giving a clear view of the rotating brush as it is brushing up the dirt.
These canister vacuums also have a dirt tank that opens from the bottom to make emptying both speedy and mess-free. It has a lightweight design (8.3 ounces) and has a strong carry handle. The 18-feet power cord rewinds with a press of the button. The vacuums canister also comes with a multi-surface foot.
Pros
Cleaning path of 11 inches
Works equally well on carpet and hard floors
Easy to move around
Can be emptied without making a mess
Rotating brush has a transparent window
Cons
Rotating brush can get caught up in hair
Unit can tip over easily
11. Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum





Key Features
Powerful enough for homes with pets
Cinetic tips for separating fine dirt efficiently
No filters to clean or replace making it low maintenance
Ball design that stands back up when it has flipped over
360 degree cleaning arc
Stiff nylon bristles for removing ground-in dirt
Homes with pets need a powerful canister vacuum that can cope with pet hair and dander and all the dirt that pets track back into the house. The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum cleaners do all this and a lot more. Each vacuum features 36 Dyson Cinetic Big Ball tips which are highly efficient at separating tiny dust particles from the air stream. This prevents clogging and increases suction power. The Dyson Cinetic big ball vacuums offer the ultimate in hassle-free cleaning. They have no vacuum filters that need to be washed out or replaced and no vacuum bags that need to be emptied and replaced.
The self-righting design ensures that it gets back into an upright position when it flips over, saving you time and effort. The canister of the vacuum empties quickly and without you having to touch the dust – it also ejects trapped dust as it empties. The turbine cleaning head floor brush has carbon fiber filaments that are excellent at picking up fine dust and the stiff nylon bristles are great for removing ground-in dirt. Thanks to the articulating handle and the rotating wand, you can clean in a 360-degree arc and have complete control. The total reach of this canister vacuum is 35 feet.
Pros
No bags or filters to clean and replace
Empties without you having to touch the dirt
Turbine cleaning head for strong suction power
Can remove ground-in dirt
Large (0.42 gallon) cleaning head
Cons
Power cord is shorter than in some other vacuums
Attachments cannot be fixed to the vacuum when in storage
Features To Consider With Canister Vacuums
Generally regarded as more convenient and more powerful than an upright vacuum or handheld vacuum cleaner, the canister vacuum is a popular and versatile household device. They are offered with a range of different features. To help you select the best canister vacuum for your home and lifestyle, here are the main features that you should look out for.
Attachments
One of the main functions of a canister vacuum is to help you reach into areas that other types of vacuum cannot reach. The best models come with a range of attachments including an upholstery tool for cleaning curtains and sofas and crevice tools which are very useful for cleaning stairs, hard to reach areas and vehicle carpets and seats.
A canister vacuum will always come with a large cleaning head or floor brush than can be used on carpets, rugs, and bare floors and may have a height adjustment. Some cleaning heads have a power supply that actively rotates the cleaning brush to remove more dirt and hair. You may need to swap cleaning heads for vacuuming different surfaces. The various accessories may fit onto a telescoping wand so that you can reach higher up. It is very useful if the accessories attach to the vacuum when they are not in use, this means that you will always know where they are when you need them. Also, some users prefer a click attachment to a friction attachment as they feel it is more secure.
Bag/Bagless
A bagless canister vacuum deposits the dirt directly into a dirt cup or tank that is usually transparent so that you can easily see when it needs to be emptied. A vacuum with a bag deposits the dirt into a paper bag that needs to be emptied and will eventually need to be replaced. The choice of a vacuum with a bag or a bagless vacuum is largely down to the personal preference of the customer. Vacuums that have a bag tend to have a larger capacity but it can be fiddly to empty the bag and it can create a lot of dust that would not be best for a consumer who has allergies. Bagless vacuums have at least one, and possibly several, filters that need to be cleaned regularly. If you forget to do this, you will not get the best performance from your vacuum.
Cord/Cordless
Cordless canister vacuums are useful for clearing away patches of pet hair or for hard to reach areas in the home or car that are not near a power socket. A special type of cordless vacuum is the robot vacuum cleaner that moves around by itself once it has been programmed.
Corded vacuums, in general, are more powerful and are best for cleaning larger areas. However, you will have the inconvenience of a cord trailing behind you, and you are limited to cleaning near a power socket. If this is going to be an issue for you, it may be best to choose a model with a very long power cord. The main disadvantage of cordless vacuums is that you are limited by the run-time of the battery. This can be frustrating if you have a long cleaning job to complete. Also, it can take a while for the battery to charge back up which causes delays.
Filters
Filters are an important part of the suction system of a canisters vacuum and they make sure that the dust is not directed back into the room. An effective filter is especially important if you are picking up a lot of pet hair and dander because it will help with allergies. If you purchase a canister vacuum with HEPA filtration, you can be confident that it has been tested to a certain level of efficiency. In general, it stands for high-efficiency particulate arrestance and can be relied on to remove more than 99 percent of particles with a diameter of 0.3 μm. A HEPA vacuum cleaner is the best choice for households where a family member has allergies.
It is important to be aware that filters have to be inspected, cleaned, and replaced. The manufacturer will recommend how often you should wash out the filter. If you don't, it will clog up the flow of air through the vacuum and it will not work so efficiently. Eventually, it could cause permanent damage to the machine. Filters will eventually need to be replaced. Canister vacuums that have a bag often do not have filters because the bag itself acts as a filter. Bags also need to be periodically replaced.
Noise Level
As the name implies, a vacuum canister cleaner works by producing a vacuum, into which dust and dirt is sucked. They do this using an electric motor and this inevitably makes some noise. However, some models are noisier than others. This is important if you are worried about disturbing other members of the household as you clean. It would be best to search through the amazon.com reviews before buying online to check how noisy a particular appliance is.
Power
You can expect the best canister vacuum to have considerably more suction power than an upright vacuum. They are highly efficient and can tackle household dirt and dust as well as pet hair. Many products feature some type of suction control that enables you to increase or decrease the suction power depending on the type of floor cleaning you are carrying out. Rugs can lift off the floor as they are being vacuumed so you may need to decrease suction power for these.
The suction power is often altered using a click switch on the cleaning head which you operate using your foot. However, other models have a slide switch or a rotary dial with up to six power settings.
Size
The canister vacuum cleaners are easier to store than the upright vacuum cleaners. They have a compact design and many will fit in a large kitchen cupboard. Often, the wand can be removed for easy storage. The size of the vacuum that would be best for you will depend on the size of your home. The models with a larger capacity canister can go longer without needing to be emptied. However, they may be more difficult to store.
Weight
The weight of a vacuum cleaner is very important. The best canister vacuum cleaners are highly portable and easy to move around. Check out the weight on the product description and make sure that you are physically capable of moving it from room to room. Some models do not have wheels and need to be physically carried around. The accessories can add to the weight of the device.
Portability
Canister vacuums are meant to be portable so this is an important feature. It is useful if you have a 360 degree cleaning arc so that you can reach all areas in your home. Some canister vacuums do have a tendency to flip over when you are using them and this can be frustrating. Others have a clever design that makes them roll over and stand upright again! The best models have a swivel steering design that allows you to get around furniture and other obstacles in the home without difficulty.
Another useful feature is a carry handle that makes it easy to move the device around. This needs to be large enough for you to fit your hand in and needs to be robust.
Sources
13 Vacuum Cleaning Tips for Your Floors - Allergy & Air