Best Canister Vacuum Cleaners
There are so many models and brands of canister vacuums available in the market that the task of finding the one that best suits your requirements can be difficult.
In order to make your task easier, the following list of canister vacuum reviews includes the best 3 models that we tested and that have received the highest ratings in performance, ease of use and value for money.
Why Choose a Canister Vacuum?
There are several features that make canister vacuum cleaners the exellent cleaning device for modern homes. Compared to other conventional cleaners and uprights, some of the features that help canister vacuums earn brownie points are:
1. Lightweight: Most canisters are lightweight. Most upright vacuum cleaners on the other hand are quite heavier than canisters due to their design and construction.
2. Suction Power: An important factor to consider when buying canister vacuums. Equipped with a fairly new technology called the cyclonic separation technology, some canisters are able to provide suction similar to that of central vacuuming systems.
3. Low Noise: One of the most redeeming features of canister vacuums is the suppressed noise levels, which is quite a change from vacuuming with a noisy upright. Typical noise level range of canister vacuums is around 72-80 decibels.
4. Emissions: With the use of top of the line technology, brands like Miele and Dyson have created models that offer zero emissions at less than 0.5 microns. One of the best examples of this is the Miele S5281.
5. Type of floor or surfaces: Designed to reach into the deepest corners in the walls or staircases, or even inside a car, canisters can clean almost any type of carpet, rugs, and floor surfaces.
6. Adjustable suction power (mostly Miele canisters): It means that depending on the surface that needs to be cleaned, the suction power can be adjusted. If you are cleaning a hardwood floor then use of maximum power is advised, when cleaning carpets lower suction is advisable.
Adjustable suction speed for example on the Miele Neptune S4212helps clean rugs, furniture, and curtains and at the same time protects them from damage during cleaning.
7. Maneuverability: Canister vacuums are easy to maneuver as they are compact and lightweight. That makes them easily portable and easy to use.
Canister Vs. Upright Vacuum Cleaners
If you are wondering how canister vacuums compare to uprights then here are a few insights:
- Size: Canister vacuums are definitely more compact, lightweight, and smaller in size and this is a big advantage as most upright vacuums are bigger and bulkier. You can easily store a canister vacuum under the bed and push/pull and lug it with ease and carry it around the house without hurting your back or arms.
- Allergens: Some of the top canisters like Miele and Dyson are guaranteed to remove 99.9% allergens thanks to the HEPA technology used. Not all top models in Uprights use HEPA filtration technology.
- Dirt Bag: Most of the top canister vacuum cleaners are available with a large dirt bag, which adds aother layer of air filtration. Only top Dyson vacuums compare with such efficient air filtration capabilities.
- Cord Length: The length of the cord in canister models can vary from 12feet to 40feet and this flexibility is typically not available with upright vacuum cleaners.
- Ceiling Cleaning: All canisters offer the flexibility to clean high-reach areas like ceilings with ease due to their light weight and long hose.
All brands now offer canisters but so far none has been able to challenge Miele canister vacuum cleaners when it comes to performance and ease of use. They are typically more expensive than canisters of other brands but they are also more durable and last typically over 15 years.
The list below includes all canister vacuum reviews we have completed in 2011 and we’ll continue adding more in the future.
