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Canister vacuum cleaners offer powerful, sustained suction, a versatile set of attachments, and a sizable dustbin capacity. This combination of factors can add convenience to your cleaning process and deliver thorough results.
To help you select the model that’s right for you, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best canister vacuums on Amazon. Explore our top recommendations, learn what to look for when buying, and get answers to your questions below.
Compare Top Canister Vacuums
| Product | Cord Length | Dustbin Capacity | Frame Weight | Motor | Noise Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka Bagged Canister Vacuum | 20 feet | 2.5 liters | 8.6 pounds | 10 amps | 90 dBa |
| Oreck XL Pro Bagged Canister Vacuum | 30 feet | 1.2 liters | 5 pounds | 4 amps | Not listed |
| Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum | 15 feet | 2 liters | 10.2 pounds | 9 amps | 72 dBa |
| Hoover PortaPower Canister Vacuum | 33 feet | 3.7 liters | 8.3 pounds | 7.4 amps | 66 dBa |
| Kenmore Bagged Canister Vacuum | 26 feet | 2.1 liters | 24.4 pounds | 12 amps | 72 dBa |
| Product | Cord Length | Dustbin Capacity | Frame Weight | Motor | Noise Level |
In This Guide: Top 5 | Buyer’s Guide | FAQs | Why Trust This Old House
Top 5 Canister Vacuums
- Best Medium Capacity: Eureka Bagged Canister Vacuum
- Most Lightweight: Oreck XL Pro Bagged Canister Vacuum
- Best Dirt Disposal: Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum
- Most Accessories: Hoover PortaPower Canister Vacuum
- Best Filtration: Kenmore Bagged Canister Vacuum
Best Medium Capacity: Eureka Bagged Canister Vacuum
Eureka Bagged Canister Vacuum
- $82.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Compact form factor fits on stairs and in cramped spaces
✔ Includes a built-in blower port
✔ Features carrying handle and two wheels for portability
✘ Includes a limited number of attachments
✘ Bagged design is less convenient and may be cost more over time than bagless alternatives
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said that this vacuum worked for a variety of cleaning tasks. They also commented on its quality build and powerful suction. However, some dissatisfied customers said that the vacuum had a stiff hose.
Most Lightweight: Oreck Canister Bagged Vacuum
Oreck XL Pro Bagged Canister Vacuum
- $123.75
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Includes a complete set of detailing tools
✔ Features 30-foot-long power cord
✔ 5-foot hose extends total reach to 35 feet
✘ Storage caddy cannot accommodate all of the tools
✘ 1.2-liter dustbin requires frequent emptying
What Customers Are Saying
Most reviewers enjoyed the cord length and suction power of this machine. However, some customers indicated that the hose extension was shorter than advertised and fell off easily.
Best Dirt Disposal: Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum
Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum
- $79.95
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Bagless design saves time and money
✔ Features an automatic cord rewind function
✔ Purchases support Bissell’s Pet Foundation
✘ 9-amp motor is not the strongest available
✘ The 15-foot power cord is shorter than many competing models
What Customers Are Saying
Most customers said that this Bissell model was durable. Several reviews also rated its suction power highly. However, some customers struggled to fasten the included attachments to the hose securely.
Most Accessories: Hoover PortaPower Canister Vacuum
Hoover PortaPower Canister Vacuum
- $155.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features built-in blower and dusting brush
✔ Wands are made of chrome, not plastic
✔ Comes with a lengthy 2-year warranty
✘ Does not include a storage solution for attachments
✘ Design lacks wheels
What Customers Are Saying
Customers complimented this vacuum’s maneuverability and versatility. However, a common complaint was that the suction power faded as the dustbin filled with debris. As a result, users had to dump the container more frequently than expected.
Best Filtration: Kenmore Bagged Canister Vacuum
Kenmore Bagged Canister Vacuum
- $279.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ 12-amp motor is one of the most powerful on the market
✔ Features swivel steering
✔ Offers four four height settings
✘ Form factor is larger and heavier than some competing models
✘ Operating noise level reaches 72 decibels
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said this machine effectively cleaned hardwood floors, especially when using the floor-specific attachment. However, some customers said the vacuum wasn’t heavy-duty enough for professional use.
Buyer’s Guide
Canister vacuums can vary in terms of power, weight, and more. This buying guide will help you determine which models and features suit your needs best.
Portability
By design, most canister vacs are portable and weigh less than 20 pounds. Portable models feature a handle, shoulder strap, wheels, or a combination of the three. Lighter units are also more maneuverable, allowing them to work well in tight spaces.
Filtration
A vacuum’s filtration system determines how much dirt remains in the dustbin and how much reenters the air.
For the best filtration, choose a vacuum with a certified HEPA filter, as it contains 99.97% of particles.
Power
As with most electrical equipment, we measure vacuum cleaner power in amperes or “amps.”
The average household vacuum draws around 10 amps, but with the many options available today, you can opt for more or less powerful units.
Power Cord
To achieve adequate and sustained cleaning power, the best canister vacuum cleaners on today’s market are corded. Cord lengths range between 15 and feet in length. A longer cord gives you more reach, but it’s more cumbersome to handle while you vacuum.
Throughout our research, we did not encounter a single battery-powered canister vac.
Dustbin
Canister vacuums will include bagged or bagless collection chambers. Bagged chambers require a liner bag that users must empty or dispose of and replace when it reaches capacity. For bagless canister vacuums, you usually detach the chamber, shake it over a trash can, and reattach it.
Regardless of the chamber type, most dustbins hold between 1-3 liters of dust.
Accessories
All canister vacuums come with at least a few accessories and attachments. Some standard features include the following:
- Adjustable height mechanism
- Bag or bagless dustbin
- Brush roll
- Cord strap
- Crevice tool
- Dusting brush
- Extension wand
- Filter
- Retractable cord mechanism
- Shoulder strap
- Upholstery tool
Price
A high-quality canister vacuum can cost anywhere between $50-500. Smaller models with fewer features often sell for less than $100.
However, if you’re looking for a high-efficiency vacuum with better ease of use or a higher-amp motor, it will have a higher price point.
Brands
Some of the most reputable canister vacuums brands include:
- Atrix
- Bissell
- Black + Decker
- Craftsman
- DeWalt
- Dyson
- Eureka
- Hoover
- Kenmore
- Miele
- Oreck
- RIDGID
- Shop-Vac
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I dump my canister vacuum?
Dump your canister vacuum after each use to ensure optimal performance, even if you only cleaned a small area.
How often should I change my canister vacuum filter?
How often you swap out or deep clean your vacuum filter depends on the specific kind of filter it uses. There are two commonplace types—disposable filters and high-efficiency particulate air (“HEPA”) filters.
Most manufacturers recommend replacing disposable filters every six months on average. Note that the frequency with which you replace your filter will depend on how often you use the vacuum and the size of each cleaning job.
The maintenance protocols for HEPA filters are different from that of disposable filters. HEPA filters are either washable or non-washable, and most options last around a year, depending on usage. As always, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions when tuning up your vacuum.
How can I fix my vacuum if it loses suction?
There are many potential reasons that a vacuum might lose suction over time. Maybe you need to empty its dustbin or change its filter. If you have tried both of these and are still struggling with the suction, contact the manufacturer for help.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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