
Are you tired of lifting your heavy upright vacuum step-by-step as you try to vacuum your stairs? Does it seem like your current vacuum does not have enough suction to quickly pick up the dust, dirt, pet hair and other issues on your floors and carpets?
Canister vacuums typically have more power, are more maneuverable, and have higher flow rates and suction than their upright cousins. Here are our top picks on the market today. Let’s check them out!
Our Top Best Canister Vacuum Cleaners List
# | Preview | Product | Link |
1 | Miele Grey Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum Cleaner | No products found. | |
2 | Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Vacuum | No products found. | |
3 | Kenmore 600 Series | No products found. | |
4 | Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum | No products found. | |
5 | Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G Vacuum Cleaner | No products found. | |
6 | Oreck Commercial BB900DGR XL Pro 5 | No products found. | |
7 | Miele Complete C2 Hard Floor Canister Vacuum | No products found. | |
8 | Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly | No products found. | |
9 | EyeVac PRO Touchless Stationary Vacuum | No products found. | |
10 | Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner | No products found. |
1. Miele Grey Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum
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The Miele Classic C1 is an excellent choice for an all-around canister vacuum cleaner. For over 120 years, Miele has been designing, developing and manufacturing high-quality domestic and commercial vacuum cleaners and appliances.
Miele’s vacuums are well-respected for their reliability, versatility and quality German engineering. The C1 Pure Suction continues in this longstanding tradition.
This product delivers 1,200 watts of suction powers to help you get your floors thoroughly cleaned. It also offers six different power settings to allow you to set the suction to an ideal level for each surface type in your home. There are settings that are ideal for different flooring types, such as carpet or tile, as well as upholstery.
Unlike other vacuums that leave your room feeling dusty after you clean the carpets, this cleaner will actually leave the air cleaner than before you vacuumed. This is because of Miele’s AirClean System with the Miele FilterBag, motor protection filter, and AirClean exhaust filter.
This item also comes with accessories to help you clean other surfaces in your home. A dusting brush, crevice tool, and upholstery tool are included with your purchase.
Miele Grey Classic C1 Takeaways
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- 1,200-watt suction capability
- 6 suction power settings to choose from
- AirClean System leaves the air in your room cleaner after vacuuming
- Accessory tools are included with your purchase
- 7-year warranty on the motor and casing, 1-year warranty on parts and labor
Pros
- 1,200 watts of suction capability can quickly and easily pick up most messes.
- 4.76 quart bag capacity.
- 29.5 foot cleaning radius.
- AirClean System cleans the air in your home.
Cons
- The cord is not as long as we’d like.
2. Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Vacuum
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The Hard Floor Expert from Bissell is a bagless option for you to consider. This product features and 11-inch cleaning path to help you quickly clean the different flooring surfaces in your home. The vacuum also has a multi-surface foot which allows it to do a good job cleaning hardwood and carpets or area rugs.
You’ll be impressed with the cleaning capabilities of this product. It uses Bissell’s Multi-Cyclonic Technology, which allows the vacuum to retain powerful suction longer than other similar products.
This item is designed to be lightweight and easy to use, allowing you to easily carry it to different rooms in your home. It also features a compact design, so you won’t need to worry about it taking up tons of storage space when it isn’t in use.
With an 18-foot power cord and a 7-foot hose, you’ll find that you’re able to easy reach all the areas that need to be cleaned in your home. The dirt cup also has a large 67.6-fluid ounce capacity to reduce the number of times you’ll need to stop to empty it. For easy and mess-free empty, the dirt tank is designed to open from its base.
Bissell Hard Floor Expert Takeaways
- 11-inch cleaning path
- Lightweight and compact
- Multi-cyclonic technology provides strong and lasting suction
- 18-foot power cord
- 7 foot hose
- 67.6-fluid ounce capacity dirt cup
Pros
- Longer power cord than other models
- Dirt tank opens from base for mess-free emptying
- Powerful, lasting suction
Cons
- No attachments are included
3. Kenmore 600 Series
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If you have cats or dogs that leave pet hair all over your house, you may want to consider the Kenmore 600 Series vacuum. This item includes the Pet PowerMate, which is a special attachment designed to remove dander, pet hair, and other dirt from the surfaces in your home. The attachment is designed to prevent the pet hair from getting twisted around the brush, which is what happens with other products.
The head of this product swivels, making it easy to maneuver the vacuum around your floors and reach all the areas that need to be cleaned. If you plan to use this product to vacuum hard flooring surfaces in your home, you’ll appreciate the Pop-N-Go Brush. The brush stores right inside the vacuum and can be easily accessed and attached whenever you want to vacuum a hard floor.
Another great feature of this vacuum is the 10-foot telescoping wand. This will help you reach those stubborn cobwebs in the corners of your ceiling with ease.
The triple HEPA filter system is designed to keep the air in your home clean and reduce allergens. This system is able to trap 99.97% of dander, dust, and other debris, preventing them from getting back into the air in your home.
This product features a 2-motor system to ensure it always has powerful suction. Your purchase will also include two floor nozzles, a crevice tool, a bare floor tool, and a dusting brush.
Kenmore 600 Takeaways
- Includes the Pet PowerMate attachment to help eliminate pet hair and dander
- Swiveling head
- Pop-N-Go Brush for cleaning hard floors
- 10-foot telescoping want
- Triple HEPA filter system that traps 99.97% of dirt and debris
- 3 attachment tools are included
- 28-foot retractable cord
Pros
- HEPA filters leaves air clean by trapping 99.97% of allergens
- 2-motor system provides powerful suction
- Pop-N-Go Brush stores in vacuum for easy access when cleaning hard floors
Cons
- Heavier than some other options
4. Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum
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Dyson is another trusted name when it comes to vacuums and their Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum is an option you’ll definitely want to consider. This product features Dyson’s powerful suction and is designed to never lose suction over the life of the product.
The design of the product allows it to separate dust to prevent it from clogging the vacuuming. And, as an added bonus, because the vacuum’s ability to separate dust is so efficient, you don’t need to ever worry about replacing or washing a filter with this model.
This product does an excellent job cleaning the surfaces in your home. It has a carbon fiber turbine head that allows it to pick up very small pieces of dust and leave the floors in your home spotless. It also has stiff bristles to help loosen and pick up dirt that may be ground-in to your carpets.
The innovative design of this item allows it to stand itself back up should it get toppled over. This can save you the pain and hassle of having to bend over to pick up your vacuum every time it gets knocked over.
When it is time to empty the dirt canister, you won’t need to worry about getting your hands dirty or dusty. The vacuum features a hygienic dirt ejector that helps push out any trapped dust and debris for you.
Dyson Cinetic Big Bal Takeaways
- 36 Cinetic tips that keep the dust separated to prevent a loss of suction.
- Carbon fiber turbine head for picking up fine dust particles
- Nylon bristles for removing dirt from carpeting
- Rotating handle/wand for easy cleaning
- Total reach of 35 feet
- Vacuum will stand itself back up if it gets toppled over
- Dirt ejector to push dirt out of the canister
Pros
- It will never lose suction
- Dirt ejector will keep your hands clean when emptying the dirt canister
- It will stand itself back up if it gets knocked down
Cons
- One of the more expensive options
5. Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G Vacuum Cleaner
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Another option you may want to consider is the Eureka Might Mite. This canister vacuum is designed to be easy to use for both home and auto cleaning. It is compact and lightweight, so you’ll be able to easily move it around your home and store it when it is not in use.
When you’re using this vacuum to clean your carpets, you’ll appreciate the powerful brush rolls that effortlessly remove dirt and debris. This item also comes with a variety of attachments, including a crevice tool, upholstery nozzle, dusting brush, bare floor nozzle and carpet nozzle, to help you clean upholstered furniture and stairs. It also has a long extension wand to help you reach high or challenging-to-reach places in your home.
Unliked bagless vacuums that can make a mess when you empty the dirt canister, this item uses bags. You won’t need to worry about a dusty or dirty mess when you remove the bag from the vacuum. The bags also have a triple filtration system to help ensure the air in your home is left clean and safe.
One cool feature included with this model is the ability to use the vacuum as a blower. You can connect the hose to the blower port, which will let you use it to remove leaves or other debris from your porch, garage, or another space.
Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G Takeaways
- Powerful 10-amp model
- Dust cup has a 2.5-liter capacity
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Numerous attachments included
- Triple filtration system on bags to keep air clean
- Can be used as a blower
Pros
- Easy to carry and store
- Fingertip controls
- Multiple attachments included for cleaning different surfaces
Cons
- Not a bagless vacuum
6. Oreck Commercial BB900DGR XL Pro 5
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A compact, yet powerful option, to consider is the Oreck Commercial XL Pro 5. This model is very lightweight, weighing just 5 pounds. It features a carrying handle to help you easily move it around as you are cleaning.
This model also comes with a four-foot long hose and an adjustable extension wand. These features will help you get at some of the higher and tougher-to-reach areas in your home including ceiling fans, vents, and tight corners. Your purchase will also include a variety of attachments that can help you clean different surfaces including stairs, upholstered furniture, curtains, light fixtures, bookshelves, and more.
This product’s 30-foot cord can help users get a large area of their home cleaned before they’ll need to unplug the vacuum and move it to a different outlet.
Oreck Commercial BB900DGR Takeaways
- Weighs just 5 pounds
- Easy-to-hold handle
- Dust cup has a 1-quart capacity
- Lots of attachment tools included to help clean different areas
- Made in the United States
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- 8 attachments included
- 30-foot power cord
Cons
- There are no wheels; you have to carry the canister
7. Miele Complete C2 Hard Floor Canister Vacuum
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The Miele C2 is another great option to consider. This model features Miele’s powerful 1,200 watt vortex motor to help leave all the surfaces in your home clean. It offers six different suction settings that can be selected using the rotary dial on the front of the canister.
You’ll find that this product will move around your floors with ease. The canister features castor wheels and there is also a comfort handle to help you carry the vacuum between rooms or up and down stairs.
To ensure the air in your home stays clean and safe for all of the members of your household, this product features Miele’s AirClean Sealed System. There are multiple filters on the vacuum, including the AirClean FilterBag and the AirClean Filter.
Miele Complete C2 Takeaways
- 1,200-watt vortex motor
- Height is adjustable
- 33-foot operating radius
- 6 suction settings
- 4.76 quart dirt cup capacity
- Castor wheels on canister
- Comfort handle for carrying
- AirClean Sealed System
Pros
- Powerful motor and 6 suction settings
- AirClean Sealed Filter System to leave air in home clean and safe
- 33-foot operating radius
Cons
- Rather expensive
8. Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly
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Another option to consider if you have pets in your home is the Kenmore Elite Pet Friendly vacuum. This is a bagged model that will make it easy and dust-free to remove the dirt and debris when the bag is full.
The Pet PowerMate motorized attachment is designed to effortlessly remove dander, dirt, and pet hair from the surfaces in your home. You also won’t need to worry about hair getting tangled around the brush due to the innovative design of the attachment.
The nozzle attachment on this model can be adjusted to clean carpets of different heights. It also features strong airflow to help ensure you remove all dirt and debris from your floors.
Another benefit of this model is the HEPA filter system. The filter system will trap 99.7% of dust, dirt, and other debris, effectively removing them from your air and leaving your home cleaner and more allergy-friendly.
To help you clean tough-to-reach spaces, this product features an adjustable telescoping wand. This vacuum also has the Stair Grip feature, which makes it easy to rest the vacuum on the stairs as you are working.
Kenmore Elite 81714 Takeaways
- Pet PowerMate attachment for removing pet hair and dander
- Nozzle can be adjusted to clean carpets of different heights
- HEPA filter system traps 99.7% of dirt and allergens
- Telescoping wand can be extended to help you reach up to 10 feet
- Lightweight-weighs only 22 pounds
- 26-foot retractable cord
Pros
- HEPA filter removes 99.7% of allergens and dust from your air
- Retractable cord for easy clean-up
- Adjustable nozzle for different heights of carpeting
Cons
- The controls are on the canister, not on the handheld part
9. EyeVac PRO Touchless Stationary Vacuum
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The EyeVac Pro is a touchless-option that you may want to think about. This product has a very powerful 1,400-watt motor, allowing it to effortless suck up hair, dirt, debris, and other items.
Unlike other canister vacuums that you pull around the room, this model is designed to stay in one location in a room. You use a broom to sweep the dirt and dust up to the base of the vacuum, then the vacuum will turn on and suck up everything you sweep towards it. Using the vacuum instead of a dustpan, can help you ensure that none of the fine dust or dirt particles are left behind on your floors.
It features an always-on design. When the machine detects a sweeping motion nearby, it will activate and begin sucking up the duct and debris you are trying to clean up.
This product has two high-efficiency filters. When the vacuum sucks up dirt and dust, it will return clean air to your space, helping alleviate allergy concerns.
EyeVac PRO Touchless Takeaways
- 1,400-watt motor
- Stays in one location
- Always on design
- 2 high-efficiency filters
- Returns clean air to your home
Pros
- Very powerful suction
- Two filters
- Motion activated
Cons
- You will have to sweep up the dirt and move it towards the vacuum
10. Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner
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Finally, you may also want to consider the Miele Classic C1 and Dog Canister Vacuum, especially if you have pets at home. This cleaner is designed to used to clean carpets, hard floors, and upholstered furniture. It offers 6 different speeds for cleaning, allowing you to select the perfect amount of power and suction for each task.
This model features Miele’s Electro + motorized brush to help make vacuuming your floors /a breeze. The brush has five height levels to choose from to make sure you’re able to remove all the pet hair from your carpets.
Another nice feature of this model is the Active AirClean filter. This filter helps the vacuum to remove more than 99.9% of pet odors. It can also help remove pet odors from your space.
This model has an 18-foot cord and a 7-foot hose to help you reach all of those higher areas, corners, and other challenge-to-reach spots. The vacuum has an operating radium of 29.53 inches, reducing the number of times you’ll need to unplug the cord and plug it back in as you clean.
For added durability, the hose on this product is designed to be crush proof. It also features a swivel handle to make it easy to maneuver around your space as you clean.
Miele Classic C1 Takeaways
- 6 speed settings
- 1,200 watts
- 4.5-liter FilterBag capacity
- Specifically designed for pet parents
- 5-level height adjustment for motorized brush
- Active AirClean filter that removes over 99.9% of odors from pets
Pros
- 6 speed settings to choose from
- 99.9% of pet odors are removed by Active AirClean filter
- 5-level height adjustment
Cons
- The cord is only 18 feet long
Verdict & Review
All 10 of the canister vacuums we reviewed above would be a great addition to your cleaning routine, but the Miele Classic C1 is our favorite pick. There is a lot to love about this product.
The C1 offers 1,200-watts of suction power and 6 different suction settings to help you find the perfect setting for each surface in your home. This allows this one tool to be used for all of your hard floors, carpets, and upholstered furniture.
Another thing you’re certain to love about this product is the AirClean System. The multiple filters in the system leave the air in your home cleaner after vacuuming than it was before you started vacuuming.
Miele is a well-known and respected brand when it comes to vacuums and their C1 Pure Suction vacuum is no exception.
Canister Vacuum Cleaners Buyer’s Guide
While few people enjoy vacuuming, it is a chore that must be done to keep your home clean. Finding the right vacuum can make this not-so-enjoyable task easier, more efficient, and even a little fun. Canister vacuums are a great option to consider because they are typically more powerful than other vacuums and can be used on both hard floors and carpeted floors.
However, each canister vacuum is different and offers different features and benefits. Before selecting a product to purchase, take some time and read through our buying guide which is designed to help you identify some of the key factors you’ll want to consider when choosing a canister vacuum.
Power and Performance
Two of the first things you should look at when choosing a canister vacuum are how powerful it is and how well it will perform. You want to choose a model that features strong suction that will do a thorough job removing dirt, dust, hair, and other debris from the surfaces in your home. You should also look for features, such as powerful nylon bristles, that will help ensure the vacuum will be able to get your floors nice and clean.
Filtration
Next, look at whether the vacuum has a filter system and how effective the filter system is. Look for a product that will remove dust and allergens from your air and leave them trapped in the vacuum where they won’t be able to escape back into the air you breathe.
Ease of Use
You will also want to look for information about how easy to use each model is. Vacuuming is a chore that has to happen frequently, and you don’t want to spend tons of time getting your vacuum set up, attaching tools, or playing with the buttons to get it to work properly.
You should also take into consideration how easy to the vacuum is to move around a room. Look for something that is lightweight and has wheels to help it move seamlessly.
Included Accessories
Next, pay attention to what, if any, accessories are included with your purchase. Think about what surfaces in your home you’ll want to clean with your vacuum, and look for a product that will provide you all the tools you’ll need to accomplish these tasks.
Canister vacuums are pretty good for cleaning cars, but be sure to check out our list on the best auto detailing vacuums for more on that topic!
Bagless or Bagged
Another factor to consider is whether each model is bagged or bagless. Each option has its own pros and cons, so it will come down to which option you’d prefer.
Bagless options are preferred by some because you don’t have to spend money buying new bags. On the other hand, other people prefer bagged models because the dust and dirt stay trapped in the bag and won’t get back out into the air when you empty the dirt canister.
Upright Versus Canister Vacuums: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve started looking for a vacuum cleaner, you’ve probably noticed that there are two main choices: upright vacuum cleaners and canister vacuum cleaners. While there are definitely some similarities between the two types, there are also some key differences. Learning how an upright vacuum is different from a canister vacuum can help you identify which product type will best meet your needs.
With upright vacuums, the motor and the suction head are both integrated into one unit. Typically, these vacuums feature a columnar design with a handle at the top that allows you to push the unit forward and backward in front of you. Many people also find that an upright vacuum is easier to control than a canister model because of this design.
Upright vacuums are good for cleaning carpets and thick rugs because they have motorized brush heads and rollers with bristles. These bristles can sweep deep into carpet or rug fibers to remove dirt. Their integrated design also means that they are easy to store.
However, they are typically heavier than canister models and often weigh 20 pounds or more. Furthermore, they are noisier than canister vacuums. It can also be challenging to use an upright vacuum to clean a tighter spot because of their wide footprint.
In contrast, canister vacuums separate the suction head or nozzle from the body, which contains the motor and the bag or receptacle to hold the dirt and debris sucked up by the vacuum. Canister vacuums are typically more powerful than upright vacuums. This is because there is more space to put a larger, more powerful motor in a canister vacuum than there is in an upright vacuum.
Canister vacuums also weigh less than upright models, with some options even weighing less than 10 pounds. Many users also prefer canister vacuums since they make less noise than upright models.
Most canister vacuums come with a variety of attachments designed to help you clean different surfaces with easy. This makes them a more versatile option than upright vacuums.
On the negative side for canister vacuums is the fact that they are bulkier and take up more storage space than most upright models. However, many canister vacuums do come apart, allowing them to take up less space when they are not being used.
Canister models can also be a bit more challenging to move around the room with you as you clean since you need to pull the large canister along with the hose. Many models may also require that you bend down to the canister to power the vacuum on or off or change the suction settings.
Canister Vacuum Cleaners FAQs
What is a canister vacuum cleaner?
A canister vacuum cleaner is a type of vacuum that features a long hose and wand attached to a large canister. The canister houses the motor and dirt collection cup for the vacuum. The canister is also on wheels, allowing it to get pulled behind as you vacuum.
Canister vacuums feature a small and easy to maneuver cleaning head. Most models also come with different attachments, such as upholstery tools and crevice tools, that allow you to use a canister vacuum to clean just about any surface in your home.
Are canister vacuums better than upright vacuums?
There are pros and cons to consider for both canister vacuums and upright vacuums. Many people prefer canister vacuums to upright vacuums because they are more powerful, quieter, and more versatile. People who prefer upright vacuums find that they are easier to push around a room to clean, more compact to store, and provide a wider cleaning head for quicker clean up.
Do Miele canister vacuums justify their high price tag?
If you’ve looked at Miele vacuums, you’ve probably noticed that they are more expensive than many other similar models. While it may seem like a lot of money to spend on a canister vacuum, you’ll almost certainly find that it was money well spent.
Miele vacuums are very powerful and reliable. They are well-built and built-to-last, so you’re really making a multi-year investment that will continue to pay off. Miele also protects your purchase with a warranty as most of their vacuums come with a seven-year warranty.