The Best Canister Vacuum Reviews for 2018

What do you do when your home isn’t quite big enough for an upright vacuum, but too big for a stick vac? For many, the answer is a canister vacuum. The best canister vacuums have a reach that is nearly equal to an upright, yet have the versatility of more portable vacuums. Coming in many different shapes and sizes, today is the day to discover the reviews which will lead you to your next vacuum cleaner.

The Best Chart For Canister Vacuums 

Because there are many different makes and models for canister vacuums, it can sometimes be difficult to know which one will be the right one to meet your particular needs. The chart below is a great first step to take in the comparison process.

PictureNameOur RatingPrice
PictureNameOur RatingPrice
Miele Complete C3 Limited Edition4.4$$$$
BISSELL Zing Bagged Canister Vacuum4.4$
Eureka AirExcel Compact No Loss of Suction Canister Vacuum4.2$
Eureka 3670G Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum4.2$
Electrolux UltraSilencer Canister Vacuum4.1$$$
Panasonic Full Size Bag Canister Vacuum Cleaner4.1$$$
Miele Complete C2 Limited Edition4.7$$$$$
Miele Delphi Canister Vacuum Cleaner4.3$$$$$+
Bissell C4 Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum4.3$$$$
Dyson DC39 Animal canister vacuum cleaner4.4$$$$$

What Are Canister Vacuums and Why Do I Need One?

Canister vacuums offer users the chance to vacuum like they have an upright, but have the portability of a stick-style vacuum. The primary motor, debris container, and other mechanical components are all housed in a central unit. A lengthy hose attaches to this central unit and connects it to a vacuuming wand. The wand is what the user controls while vacuuming to remove dirt and debris from the environment.

Think of it like a backpack vacuum, but it sits on the floor instead.

Because of the unique design of the canister vacuum, the best models tend to have certain features. The best canister vacuum reviews will point these features out, so look for the following components as you research for your next purchase.

  • Telescoping wands. The wand is the key component of the canister vacuum. A telescoping wand allows users to make vacuuming a more comfortable experience while being able to extend their reach to some tough spots for a clean home.
  • Variable suction. When you’ve got a dirty carpet, then you have a need for a high powered suction experience. If you’re trying to remove the pet hair from a hardwood floor, you might prefer a low powered suction experience. The best canister vacuums will allow users to control how much suction they actually receive.
  • Changeable heads. How an area rug is cleaned is different from how a bare floor is cleaned. Carpeted stairs are cleaned differently than a carpeted hallway. The best vacuums offer enough choices to fit any need the home may have.

Not every home may need a canister vacuum, but those with larger rooms and heavy furniture items can certainly benefit from owning one. It provides a premium cleaning experience without the premium price.

What Are the Advantages of a Canister Vacuum?

The primary advantage of using the best canister vacuums is that there is less weight put on the user. Upright vacuums require users to push the entire assembly about the home while cleaning. Canister vacuums, on the other hand, require users to push a stainless steel wand, a cleaning head, and the hose instead.

Canister vacuums which have wheels on the central unit provide another advantage. Instead of having a centralized stable unit, users can pull along the vacuum cleaner as they maintain their floors, making it faster to clean the home. If the best canister vacuum for your needs doesn’t have wheels, then look for a balanced unit that won’t tip over with a slight yank of the hose.

There’s also the advantage of seamless cleaning from floor to ceiling. With uprights, handhelds, and other vacuum cleaner styles, different hoses, parts, and attachments must be interchanged to clean different surfaces. With the best canister vacuums, the basic setup allows users to vacuum cobwebs from their walls, clean their upholstery, and transition from carpets to hardwood. Fewer changes mean faster work. 

Are There Common Problems With Canister Vacuums?

The primary issue that most homes face when using a canister vacuum is its overall size. Many households tend to look at entry level vacuums in this category and the end result is a small debris bag or dirt container that requires frequent changes. The larger models with premium features are a better overall value as they eliminate this problem, but it comes at a price.

How To Find the Best Canister Vacuum Right Now

The first step is to gather information. Think about your home’s vacuuming needs and what tools you could use to create a clean home. From there, match up the information from your home to the info found in the best canister vacuum cleaner reviews to discover a winning solution.

What information should you be gathering from your home? Here are some questions to ask yourself before you begin researching reviews.

  • Do I have multiple types of floors to vacuum?
  • Is my carpet low pile, medium pile, or high pile?
  • Are my area rugs sturdy enough to withstand vacuuming?
  • What obstacles stand in the way of the classic vacuuming experience?

Canister vacuums work the best in environments where there are obstacles to move around, but a large space that must be cleaned as well. The wand/cleaning head combination makes it a lot easier to maneuver around objects to pick up debris other vacuums typically miss.

What Are the Prices of Canister Vacuums Today?

Canister vacuums can typically be found in the $100-$400 price range. Some entry level models are priced below $100 and are designed for smaller homes or 1-2 bedroom apartments or condos. Premium canister vacuums may have up to a 30 foot cleaning reach, contain HEPA filtration, and have variable suction features to help make cleaning any floor a lot easier to do.

The average household can typically find a suitable canister vacuum cleaner which will meet their needs for $250 or less on a website like Amazon.

What Do Our Reviews Have To Say?

Miele Complete C3

The design of the stainless steel wand on this Miele vacuum cleaner is a definite bonus. It’s a telescoping wand so users are able to set it to a length that is comfortable for regular use. If there’s a need to vacuum off the dust bunnies from on top of a ceiling fan or the top of a tall fireplace mantle, then just extend it out all the way and the job gets done quickly. Miele has been making vacuum cleaners since 1899 and that experience shows with the S2121 canister vac. This one is well worth the investment.

Click here to look at the price on Amazon and find a great deal.

Panasonic Canister

The best part about using this vacuum cleaner is the belt saver features that have been included with the design. If you happen to catch the drapes, a sock, or even the fringe of an area rug with this vacuum, you’re not going to smoke the belt. Part of that comes from the dual motor system which includes a motorized nozzle, but the design of the head itself helps to prevent the large items from being sucked up to create the stuck “burn” effect.

Click here to look at the price on Amazon and find a great deal.

Dyson DC39 Animal

Dyson has made an incredible canister vacuum that is even more versatile than their ball steering uprights. This vacuum cleaner can power out the pet fur like you won’t believe. It transitions perfectly between the floor and your upholstery and is especially great for cleaning couches, sofas, or loveseats. Just pick up the wand, clean where you want, and you’ve got a clean home in no time at all. If you feel like the dirt has claimed your home, then the Dyson DC39 Animal will help you reclaim your home in no time at all.

Click here to look at the price on Amazon and find a great deal.

Electrolux UltraSilencer

The one problem that many users agree upon when it comes to a canister vacuum is that they tend to be a little loud. That isn’t the problem with the ultra silent cleaning that this model from Electrolux is able to provide. At just 65 decibels, this vacuum cleaner isn’t going to hurt your ears or disturb your neighbors as you work to achieve a clean home. It does work best on bare floors or low pile carpets, however, so keep that in mind as you examine every quality feature this vacuum has to offer.

Click here to look at the price on Amazon and find a great deal.

Bissell 1223 Bagless Canister

This canister vacuum was built for mobility. Not only is the wand sturdy and comfortable, but the sleek design of the central unit helps to keep users moving about a room with ease. Large wheels enhance the maneuverability of this vacuum. It’s a bagless model as well, so there is less dust exposure with this particular vacuum as well. The hose and wand compact down nicely for a great storage experience. Despite the power of the suction, this Bissell vacuum is remarkably gentle on all surfaces.

Click here to look at the price on Amazon and find a great deal.

Are you ready to find the best canister vacuums today? These canister vacuum reviews are just the first step in your journey toward a clean home. Use them right now to find the perfect tool and then begin enjoying all of the benefits of a clean floor.