You don’t want to own a vacuum cleaner and still need to ‘manually’ clean some areas because your vacuum couldn’t reach it. If you have that issue, you are probably using an upright vacuum. A canister vacuum cleaner would easily reach into the nooks and crannies of your home.
The canister vacuum cleaner has that advantage because it uses a telescopic hose that can twist and bend around obstacles to reach places the uprights cannot.
Canister vacuum cleaners also have the advantage of maneuverability. They are much easier to move around and are often lighter. Those who have stairs in their homes will need a canister vacuum if they need to clean the stairs.
Though there are lots of upright vacuums that have telescopic hoses that let them clean like canister vacuums do. The flexible hose gives the uprights too the capability to do off the floor cleaning.
Generally, most canister vacuum cleaner models can do what uprights can do. There are canister vacuum cleaner models that are designed for lifting pet hairs. Others have premium HEPA filtration systems.
We decided to categorize wet and dry vacuum cleaners as a canister vacuum. This makes sense considering the fact that they are both 2-unit vacuum systems and are mostly presented the same way.
The only obvious difference between them is the fact that one can vacuum wet messes as well as dry ones.
Whatever you need an upright vacuum for, you can easily find a canister vacuum that can do the same.
As you continue to read, you will learn more about canister vacuum cleaners and what is special about them.
The Best of Canisters
Canister vacuums are a popular type of vacuum cleaner that connects the brush head to the main body with a hose. You can see it as a 2-unit vacuum cleaner, unlike the upright that is a single unit.
Canister vacuum cleaner models are preferred by some people because of some of their advantages which we will discuss. Maneuverability is one of the most obvious among them as you can reach more areas with it than an upright.
Canister vacuum cleaner models are known to be the best at cleaning bare floors. With the advancements in vacuuming technology, improvements have been made to make canisters as good for carpets and rugs too.
Now let us dive deep into the world of canister vacuum cleaners and find out why they are masters when it comes to vacuuming.
Maneuverability
This is by far the biggest advantage canister vacuum cleaner models have over uprights. They can reach into places the uprights are not capable of.
If you have lots of furniture or you don’t have that much space in your home, that will not hinder you from using a vacuum cleaner.
A canister vacuum cleaner will do well for you. You can easily twist and turn around obstacles and get into corners. The flexible hose will allow you to reach under furniture easily.
Most canister vacuum cleaner models have specialized wheels that let them effortlessly follow you around.
Versatility
With a canister vacuum cleaner, you can do almost all types of home cleaning you need. One awesome thing about a canister vacuum cleaner is that it can take you beyond cleaning floors.
With the right tool attached to a canister vacuum cleaner, you can do all sorts of above the floor cleaning.
You can clean vents, drapes, furniture, upholstery, etc. If you have stairs in your home, a canister vacuum cleaner is the type you need to clean it. Whether the stairs are carpeted or just bare floor, a canister is always there for you.
Every home has quite a number of nooks and crannies that dirt is known to collect. With a canister vacuum, you can easily reach into those to clean it out.
Going beyond indoors, you can attach an appropriate tool to your canister and vacuum the interior of your vehicle. There are few canister vacuum models that have a blower port that converts the vacuum cleaner into a blower.
Most canister vacuum cleaner models will do great on almost any type of surface. Whether it is tiles, carpet, hardwood floors, epoxy floors, etc. a canister vacuum can clean it to perfection.
Lightweight
A typical canister vacuum cleaner is lightweight. This is why they are so easy to move around when you are cleaning a large space.
You can easily take them from one room to another, up and down the stairs without feeling like you’re carrying the whole house.
Heavy vacuums can quickly wear you out and make vacuuming a whole lot of work. Lightweight canisters save you the hassles and make your chores fun and easy.
Noise
This is one huge issue that cuts across vacuum cleaners in general. Those things are annoying noisemakers. You’d almost think there is a speaker somewhere.
Generally speaking, a canister vacuum cleaner is quieter than an upright variant. This is good news for the canisters as it gives them an edge over uprights.
As innovation continues to grow, we hope that there will be more vacuum cleaners that will operate silently.
Power
This has been a topic of heated debate among vacuum cleaner enthusiasts. Pro canisters suggest that since brands can make the engines in a canister vacuum as big as they want, they can be potentially more powerful.
While that makes a lot of sense, a bigger engine will surely make the canister a lot heavier. It is difficult to imagine an end user willing to trade off lightweight for extra suction power.
The suction power of canister vacuum cleaner models is good which is why they perform well on all floor types. They have great airflow too which is why they rarely lose suction power.
Attachments
When it comes to this, canister vacuum cleaner models have it all the way. There are assortments of tools that can be added to the vacuum to carry out all sorts of cleaning. This is one of the main reasons users prefer a canister vacuum cleaner over an upright.
The types of attachments available for a canister vacuum cleaner allows you dust furniture, get hairs off the upholstery, etc.
You can even reach up to get dust out of your vents, clear cobwebs, clean your drapes, etc.
Some attachments are specialized for pet hairs which allow you to clean hairs and pet dander from several surfaces.
Attachments are crucial to the applicability of a canister vacuum cleaner.
Fortunately enough, a lot of canister vacuum cleaner models come loaded with useful attachments so you won’t spend extra getting them. The more attachments you have, the more your cleaning options.
Types Of Canister Vacuum Cleaner
There are many different canister vacuum cleaners out there and what separates one from another is their functionality. And we are pretty sure that is what buyers pay for.
Due to that, we will categorize canister vacuum cleaners according to their functionality. That is what we did with our robot vacuum cleaner guide too.
HEPA Filter
It is great when a vacuum cleaner clears out all the dirt you can see, but what about the microscopic ones? These are the types you don’t want in your space because in most cases, you end up inhaling them.
It these types of dirt that cause asthmatic attacks and triggers allergies. So, if you are looking to get a vacuum cleaner for your home, you might want to consider the filtration system. HEPA filters are certified as asthma and allergy friendly.
Even if you and yours do not have such sensitivities, you are still better off not filing your lungs with microscopic contaminants. Below are some of the best canister vacuum cleaner models with HEPA filters.
Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal
If you know about the Dyson collection of vacuum models, you will agree that they look good. This big ball canister is not an exception. It effortlessly glides on the floor not creating as much friction as some other canister vacuums.
This canister vacuum cleaner does not use filters which is where the Cinetic comes in.
This is a technology that agitates the vacuumed dust particles so it does not clog the airflow and lose suction.
This helps the filtration process by completely sealing in the dirt you got off your floor and air.
Another advantage you get is that you save money since there are no filters to renew or even clean out.
The dust cup is large and easy to empty so you don’t come in contact with the dirt you were trying to get rid of.
This is a really good canister vacuum cleaner with top of the range HEPA filtration system. Depending on your budget, this might be a bit expensive but it is worth every penny.
One downside of this Dyson you would quickly notice when you fire it up is, you guessed right, the noise. It produces a whopping 81 decibels. Your neighbors will surely know your vacuuming routine.
Miele C1 Turbo
If you want a thorough deep clean without dealing with the weight of an upright, this Miele right here is the one for you.
It has a 1200-watt motor that will pull dirt and dust from within the fibers of even deep pile carpets. This one packs a powerful cleaning punch.
It features 6 suction settings that you can adjust will your foot so there is no need to bend over. These adjustments allow the vacuum to clean all floor types.
It uses the AirClean Sealed System to trap in 99.99% of dust and allergens from getting back in the air. With that, you can breathe deeply and without worry.
This vacuum comes with a crevice tool, a dust brush, and an upholstery tool which all allows you do all sorts of cleaning on or above the floor.
If you have used a Miele product before, you know it is committed to quality and its products are durable. A Miele vacuum cleaner will last you for about 15 to 20 years.
One setback that might put quite a number of people off is the price tag. It is a bagged vacuum which means you will have to change the dust bag when it is full. That can further push up the price over time.
But considering how good it is and how long it can last, it seems a better option than the one you will change in about 3 years time.
Electrolux EL4012A Silent Performer
If you have been looking for a canister vacuum with low noise levels, here you go. That it is not lousy does not take anything away from how well it works.
As its name implies, it is a performer. It has a strong suction that cleans debris and dirt from hard floors and carpets.
If you have asthmatic or allergic members in your home (or even if you don’t), the HEPA filter on this vacuum cleaner is solid.
It can trap 99.97% of the microscopic pollutants in your home, even hair strand of up to 50 microns will not be left out.
With this canister vacuum cleaner, everyone can breathe deeply again without fear or worry.
This vacuum cleaner is lightweight even though it is a bit bulky. The maneuverability is not exactly sleek but it is still comfortable to move around.
Wet and Dry Canister Vacuum
Since we have a job of making things clear, we will do so here. Wet and dry vacuums are mostly not categorized as canister vacuums. But if we look at the physical attributes of both, what is really the difference.
Wet and dry vacuums are mostly used for heavy duty cleaning but a lot of people prefer it for household uses. Come to think of it, the most durable vacuums you can have are actually wet/dry vacuums. Since they are similar physically, functionally, and can be applied mostly the same way, why not?
Wet and dry vacuums are known to be more powerful than the regular ones. They are made of hard plastics so you are guaranteed that they will be serving you for a long time.
Wet and dry vacuums are popular in homes and there have been a lot of great reviews about them. One distinct advantage you will get from wet and dry ‘canister’ vacuums is that, well, you can vacuum wet messes too. Furthermore, they are quite affordable considering all the goodies that come with them.
As affordable as they are, they mostly still come with quite a number of attachments. Let us run through some of the best wet and dry vacuums you can use at home.
Shop-Vac 5989300 Stainless Steel Wet/Dry Vacuum
The mere sight of this vacuum cleaner depicts strength and that is a fact. This is a strong vacuum cleaner that sports a 4.5 HP motor. It has a 5-gallon capacity with a 6 feet hose for an extended reach.
It has an ergonomically designed carry handle on the side and at the top.
The on-board tool storage lets you keep the attachments you need close by which makes your vacuuming more efficient.
There is a secure latch system on it that keeps the lid and the tank together.
For added versatility, there is a blower port at the back that you can use to clean garages and disperse leaves off your lawn.
Most people buy a blower for this purpose but why should you if you can get that in your vacuum cleaner.
That’s not all, this wet and dry vacuum has a full circumference dolly that makes the movement smooth and easy. You can move and turn it in different directions without hassles.
That freedom of movement also prevents this vacuum cleaner from accidentally tipping over.
Vacmaster Wet/Dry Floor Vacuum
This is a small wet/dry vacuum which makes storage not a problem. It will discretely perch somewhere in your garage or anywhere else you want to keep it. However, don’t be fooled by the size, this is a powerful vacuum cleaner.
It sports a whopping 5 HP industrial motor and a 4-gallon polypropylene tank. That is enough for you to do almost any type of cleaning indoors or out.
It has an 18 feet cord that can rewind automatically at the touch of a button for added convenience.
Want some more features? This little vacuum has a HEPA material exhaust filter to keep the engine in top condition and avoid mold from forming due to wetness.
Its cartridge filter is washable so you won’t have to buy replacement filters all the time. Just wash, dry, replace, and it is as good as new.
It comes with 3 extension wands that give you a larger reach and 3 attachment tools that lets you do different types of cleaning.
There is a caddy at the back to store the attachments on board so you can reach them as soon as they are needed.
Amor All Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum
Here is a small wet and dry vacuum you can use for the little jobs around the house. It has a 2 HP motor and a 2.5-gallon tank. Imagine that your glass cup of water fell and made a mess of broken glass and water, this vacuum can actually clean both with a single move.
That is one advantage of wet and dry vacuums and this is why they are so loved by those who use them. It has a polypropylene tank too.
This vacuum has an auto shut off feature that triggers when the tank is full. That way, you can avoid any mess caused by overflow.
The tank is also easy to empty so there is no problem on that front either.
You can also convert this one too to a blower and it comes with quite a number of accessories.
If you have this vacuum cleaner, you won’t need a handheld anymore as this one serves that purpose. This is the type of vacuum that is best for cleaning the interior of your car.
Pet Hair
Miele Classic C1 Cat and Dog Vacuum Cleaner
Miele makes it to the list again with its vacuum specifically designed to get rid of pet hair and dander. If you want compact, powerful, and lightweight in one vacuum, you have it right here. It has a motor with 6 suction levels to choose from. No pet hair can get away from that.
It also sports the Electro+ motorized brush which has 5 levels of height adjustments. This makes the vacuum ideal for any floor type.
You can easily go from hard floors to carpets, all you need to do is adjust the brush head’s height accordingly and you get the deep cleaning that you want.
This canister vacuum cleaner comes with a mini turbo brush that lets you remove pet hair from carpets and upholstery.
It has a 7 feet crush proof hose that gives you a good reach into corners. As if that is not enough, it also has an 18-foot electric cord that lets you cover more grounds without changing sockets.
It also uses the Active AirClean filter that captures and seals in microscopic dust that would have otherwise ended up in your lungs.
Kenmore 81614 Canister Vacuum
This canister vacuum cleaner is not just good for pet hair, it is good for everything a vacuum cleaner is needed for.
It runs on a 2-motor system which is responsible for its powerful suction. It uses the exclusive Pop-n-Go brush specialized for bare floor cleaning.
A motorized pet brush that easily cleans pet hairs from floors and upholstery is one of the attachments it comes with.
It also comes with 2 additional cleaning attachments.
The telescopic wand on this vacuum does great at increasing the reach and is ideal for above the floor cleaning.
If you have lots of furniture or you have a tight space, the handle of this vacuum is detachable so you can reach every corner you need to clean.
One really cool feature of this vacuum is that the attachments can be stored on board in enclosed compartments. With this and other features, it is not a surprise that this canister vacuum cleaner is an Amazon bestseller.
Eureka Mighty Mite Pet Lover Canister Vacuum
If you read our guide on Eureka vacuum cleaners, you will know why this is a vacuum you should seriously consider.
It comes with pet attachments that help you do the job to the letter on different floor types. It also has a powerful suction which makes it all the more easier.
The HEPA filter on this vacuum cleaner captures and traps in 99.97% of pet dander and dust. Now you can have a cleaner home where you breathe deeply and easily.
Another thing that makes this vacuum great for pet owners is that it uses the Arm and Hammer dust bags that eliminates pet odor from your home. Who wouldn’t want that along with its pet hair cleaning capability?
How To Choose The Best Canister Vacuum Cleaner For Your Needs
Now that you know what you stand to get from canister vacuum cleaners and have seen some types that are available, you surely want one.
This is the part that will help you with that. There are certain considerations that you need to take before making a choice.
First of all, you need to understand what you want from the vacuum cleaner. How do you intend to use it? What sort of cleaning would you like to do with it? The importance of doing this is to know which features to look out for.
Being clear on what you want will help you stay focused and not end up paying for features you don’t need. The aim is to get the best value for your money.
Price
This is a crucial part. This is often the factor that stops people from getting the exact vacuum cleaner they’ve always wanted.
Since not everybody picks money from trees, you have a budget and it is most likely a tight one. So, be clear on how much you are willing to spend.
As you must have noticed, the best products are often the expensive ones. This does not mean that you cannot get good vacuums at affordable prices, sure you will, they just won’t have all the bells and whistles.
It is important to note that a great canister vacuum that will last you for many years is a long-term investment. So, it the sound of that excites you, be ready to pay the price. In the end, you can rest assured it is money well spent.
Suction power
This affects the performances of your canister vacuum cleaner in different ways but the main one is efficiency. If you have to go back and forth on a spot before the patch becomes clean, that vacuum does not have a great suction power.
With that type, you will spend a while cleaning your house. The suction power has everything to do with the motor installed.
Most canister vacuum cleaner models have 1200 to 2000 watts which are sufficient; a higher rating surely means better suction.
While you are happy with the suction power, you need to consider the efficiency of the motor as well. Two canister vacuum cleaner might have the same motor wattage rating but one will consume less power than the other.
You should watch out for the power consumption too. The last thing you want is an expensive vacuum cleaner that will last you for years and raise your power consumption. That has to be bad for business.
Bagged or bagless
A bagged vacuum cleaner arguably offers better filtration. They are less expensive and the fact that they have been around for a while means that they are durable. One of the best advantages they have is that they are more silent.
One downside, however, is that you have to replace the dust bags often. This can increase the cost of the vacuum over the lifespan of it.
On the other hand, bagless vacuums take away the need for replacing the dust bags as it does not need one.
Another advantage is that since there are no dust bags, the airflow is clearer so there is no loss of suction.
If you’re getting excited about the bagless variants, you should know that you will have to cope with the noise.
Attachments
Most canister vacuum cleaner models come with accessories so there really isn’t a problem with this.
You just need to make sure that whichever one you choose comes with the type of accessories you need. Or at least those accessories are readily available and affordable.
Filtration system
As we like to say, all vacuum cleaners are equal, but some are more equal than others. This statement holds true here. When it comes to the filter system, some vacuums do a better job than others.
If you or someone in your home is asthmatic or allergic, you want to be sure that the canister vacuum you choose has a true HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter system.
This type of filter is responsible for trapping microscopic pollutants from getting back into the air. Vacuum cleaners that have this filter system to some extent, can clean the air in your home.
That way you can breathe cleaner air and be sure the allergic ones are safe.
Welcome to the end of this guide, it was a long one and we appreciate that you came this far with us. Thank you, you did great.
Now you have all the information you need. You can now confidently decide on which canister vacuum cleaner will meet all your needs and not hurt your pocket. Once that is done, go right ahead to make the purchase.
