There’s nothing quite like a freshly vacuumed floor to really make you feel at home.
But the process of buying a brand new vacuum cleaner is sometimes very overwhelming, especially if your goal is to have the best canister vacuum around without overpaying excessively.
Walk into the nearest big box store, and you’re likely to get dizzy with all the options.
Bags? Bagless? Canister? Upright?
Even the best canister vacuum reviews can’t help you if you don’t know what exactly you really need for your home.
So, before you start looking at reviews, take 3-5 minutes to read this article and find out what your real needs are. By doing this quick and simple step first, you’ll greatly increase your odds of finding that perfect vacuum cleaner.
Signs You Need A Canister Vacuum
If you consistently find yourself trying to clean under hard-to-move furniture, have concerns about allergens, own a set of stairs that require regularly cleaning, or simply not vacuuming very frequently, then you will probably benefit from having one.
Compared with upright models, canisters come out ahead on several counts:
- They are lighter in weight and usually easier to maneuver.
- They are better for reaching underneath furniture and along staircases.
- They are considered to be the best vacuums for hardwood floor and other hard floor surfaces.
On the other hand, a canister machine isn’t for everyone. Go with an upright model instead if you’re looking for:
- Larger dirt bags (which require less frequent changing).
- Better maneuverability along hallways and around large open areas.
- Ease of movement (for straight paths).
Selecting The Right Canister Model
If you’ve decided that a canister cleaner is right for your home, then it’s time to narrow down your search a bit more.
The first step is to decide between a bagged or bagless system.
Each has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on how you use it, how often you use it, your home economics, and how you prefer to discard all the collected debris. Here are the main points to consider for each type:
Bagless
The obvious advantage of bagless vacuums is that you won’t need to buy bags, making it easier and cheaper to keep your home squeaky clean. Also, if you’re someone that enjoys seeing your own progress, then you’ll be glad to have a canister with a dirt chamber that fills up as you clean.
Of course, the flip-side is that you’ll then have to empty out that dirt chamber without the benefit of a tidy bag, which is not the most ideal situation for those with allergies and sensitivity to dust.
If you do end up choosing to buy a bagless model from your local store, be sure to “practice” emptying it while still at the store. You want to know how easy or hard it is before you take it home.
If you’re buying it online, then read as many customer reviews as you can and see if there are any issues that others have had to deal with. Big vacuum brands like Dyson are well known for their bagless vacuums and modular designs, which make them quite easy to use, and even to repair if it ever gets broken.
Bagged
The appeal of having a disposable bag is obvious to anyone who’s emptied an unwieldy vacuum on a draughty day, or after a major clean. The simplicity of tossing an enclosed bag can’t be denied.
Plus, choosing a bagged cleaner improves your chances of finding one with top-notch filters. Many of them combine HEPA filters with additional filtration systems, which are built into the bags, making them ideal for allergy sufferers.
Additional Points to Consider
Hopefully, you’ve already narrowed down your search a bit and have a better clue of what you might be looking for.
Here are a few additional points that you may want to consider:
- Vacuum head design can make a huge difference to ease of use. Heads with spinning brushes are wonderful for cleaning carpets, especially if you have pets that shed.
- To pick the best vacuum for the job, always pay special attention to the features that distinguish one model from another.
- Before making your purchase, take some time to read some of the customer reviews and see what others have had to say about it.
Top Rated Canister Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum ratings are a great way to quickly compare the different models based on their most important aspects.
Just keep in mind that the best rated cleaners are not always the best choice for your home and situation. But, there is no better way to begin your research than by checking out a product that others have already purchased, used, and rated favorably.
Here is a quick comparison chart of the top 3 canister vacuums currently available:
Top 3 Canister Vacuum (Classic & New) Comparison Chart 2023:
| Top 3 Canister Vacuums | Overall Rating (1 - 10) | Price | Power | Performance | Weight | Features | Customer Feedback | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Miele Complete C3 Alize | |||||||
 | BISSELL Hard Floor Expert 1161 | |||||||
 | Dyson Ball Multifloor DC39 | |||||||
*Click on any vacuum cleaner above to see customer feedback reviews and price on Amazon.com
If you want to learn more about a specific brand, check out: BISSELL, Dyson, Electrolux, Eureka, Dirt Devil, Hoover, Miele, Panasonic, Sanitaire, and Shark.