The 6 Best Canister Vacuums of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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Our top pick is the Kenmore Compact Bagless Canister Vacuum
People / Brian Kopinski
When it comes to your home’s main vacuum cleaner, there are two main styles to choose from: an upright vacuum or a canister vacuum. Both of these vacuum styles are powerful enough to pick up all types of dirt and debris from your floors and carpeting, but there are several reasons why a canister vacuum may be the superior choice for your home.
Today's Top Deals
Kenmore 10701 Compact Bagless Canister Vacuum is 22% off at Amazon
Bissell SmartClean Canister Vacuum is 22% off at Amazon
Aspiron Canister Vacuum Cleaner is 21% off at Amazon
“Canister vacuums typically have more suction power than an upright vacuum, and they are also usually quieter,” explains Jessica Samson, cleaning expert at The Maids. “They also tend to be much lighter, and the wand is more maneuverable and can be helpful for reaching hard-to-reach places.” Canister vacuums come in both bagged and bagless models, and there are a wide range of sizes — and price points — to choose from, so you can find an option that’s well-suited to your needs.
To help you find the canister vacuum that’s right for you, we tested 16 of today’s most popular models, evaluating them on suction power, noise level, maneuverability, and more. We used them to clean up debris on carpet, tile, and hardwood to see which models performed best, logging a total of 16 hours of testing to compile this list.
Here are the best canister vacuums People Tested.
Best Overall: Kenmore 10701 Compact Bagless Canister Vacuum
Pros
It quickly captures debris from both hard floors and carpeting.
The canister rolls smoothly in any direction, even on rugs.
Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry up stairs.
Cons
Pet hair gets wrapped around the brush roll and is tricky to remove.
The power cord is shorter than most.
Thanks to its top-tier performance and overall value, the Kenmore Bagless Canister Vacuum is our top pick for most homes. This canister vacuum is on the smaller side, weighing less than 10 pounds, and we found that it was easy to pull around as we cleaned — the wheels rolled smoothly in any direction, even when the vacuum was on carpeting. We had no problem maneuvering the vacuum around obstacles, and its lightweight form makes it easy to carry up stairs when needed.
This Kenmore vacuum didn’t disappoint when it came to suction power, either. It quickly picked up debris like sand, dust, pet hair, and raw pasta, and it performed equally well on carpeting and hard surfaces. The upholstery tool was also very effective, quickly pulling hair and lint off sofa cushions. However, long hair strands can get wrapped around the vacuum’s brush roll, and we found it challenging to clean off, as the brush itself can’t be removed from the floor attachment.
When you’re done cleaning, it’s easy to empty the vacuum’s bagless dust bin, and it can be rinsed out with water for a more thorough clean. The vacuum has a HEPA filter system that keeps dust and allergens out of your home, and it also comes with a dusting brush, crevice tool, and bare floor tool, allowing you to clean any surface throughout your home. Our only other criticism is that the power cord is quite short — just 16 feet — which limits how far you can clean before needing to find a new outlet.
Price at time of publish: $121.25 (orig. $149.99)
Type: Bagless | Dimensions: 11.4 x 12.2 x 28.8 inches | Weight: 9.5 pounds | Capacity: Not listed | Hose Length: 9 feet | Cord Length: 16 feet | Attachments: Dusting brush, crevice tool, bare floor tool, pet turbine brush
Best Budget: BLACK+DECKER Bagless Multi-Cyclone Canister Vacuum
Pros
This vacuum efficiently picks up small debris from carpeting and hard floors.
It’s quiet enough to talk over while vacuuming, even on the highest setting.
Cons
Taller people will have to bend over to push the wand, which is uncomfortable for longer cleaning sessions.
Large, heavy debris like pasta often falls out of the vacuum.
Canister vacuums can be quite pricey, but this model from Black+Decker is a budget-friendly choice, retailing for less than $125. Despite its reasonable price point, this canister vacuum is still quite a powerhouse — it had no problem picking up dust, dirt, and pet hair from both carpeting and hard floors in our testing. (Though, it did struggle a bit when vacuuming on tile floors.) Plus, we love that the vacuum operates so quietly, and we were able to hold a conversation while cleaning, even when the vacuum was on its highest setting.
This vacuum has two oversized wheels that allow it to roll around behind you when cleaning, but we didn’t have to move it as much as other models thanks to its extra-long hose and wand. It also has a large 3-liter bagless dust bin that’s easy to empty, as well as a HEPA filter for allergen control. However, there are a few downsides to this budget-friendly model: Taller people may find the vacuum to be uncomfortable to use, as you do have to hunch over to push the wand around the floor. Additionally, the vacuum isn't the best on larger pieces of debris — during testing, pieces of orzo pasta tended to fall back out of the nozzle after we turned the vacuum off.
Price at time of publish: $122.20
Type: Bagless | Dimensions: 14 x 10.47 x 16 inches | Weight: 21.1 pounds | Capacity: 3 liters | Hose Length: 5 feet | Cord Length: 19.5 feet | Attachments: Crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool
Best Investment: Miele SBAN0 Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine Canister Vacuum
Pros
Powerful suction picks up debris on hard floors in just one or two passes.
Thanks to the design of the floorhead, pet hair doesn’t get tangled up in the rollers.
The indicator light lets you know when the bag is full.
Cons
Larger debris sometimes gets pushed around by the floorhead.
It’s slightly hard to push across carpeting.
If you don’t mind spending a little more on a vacuum that will last for years, the Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction is a worthwhile investment for your home. Miele is known for its powerful canister vacuums, but we were still blown away by just how much suction power this model delivered. It needed just one or two passes to pick up all the debris off the floor during testing, and it worked particularly well on hard floors, leaving them looking spotless. The vacuum has six suction settings and a combination floorhead that can be switched between hard floors and carpeting, but we did find that it’s hard to push across rugs, as the suction creates quite a bit of resistance.
This canister vacuum collects all the dust and debris inside a 4.5-liter bag, and we like that there’s an indicator light to let you know when the bag is full. The canister sits on three wheels that make for easy maneuvering, and the vacuum is impressively quiet on its lowest setting, making it possible to clean without disturbing other people in your household. The Miele C1 comes with three small accessories that clip onto the base of its hose, and overall, it’s a powerful cleaning tool that’s especially great for homes with lots of hard floors.
Price at time of publish: $349
Type: Bagged | Dimensions: 18.2 x 11 x 8.7 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Capacity: 4.5 liters | Hose Length: 5.5 feet | Cord Length: 18 feet | Attachments: Upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush
Best Design: Bissell SmartClean Canister Vacuum
Pros
Edge-cleaning bristles capture dirt from along the walls.
Its integrated dust brush is convenient to use.
A long power cord provides an extra-large operating radius.
Cons
The vacuum needed multiple passes to pick up pet hair.
The Bissell SmartClean Canister Vacuum is another worthwhile option for your home, and we particularly liked its thoughtful design features, including edge-cleaning bristles and an integrated dust brush. The vacuum’s floorhead has extra bristles on the sides, and in testing, they were great for capturing dirt and dust along the edges of walls. Additionally, the vacuum has a dust brush built into its handle, so it’s always on hand and ready to use when you need to dust off baseboards or window blinds.
The SmartClean vacuum has three suction settings, and it transitions well from hard floors to carpeting. It was able to pick up the majority of debris in just two or three passes, but it did struggle a bit with pet hair, so it might not be the best choice for households with furry friends. In addition to its powerful suction, we liked that this vacuum has a long 30-foot power cord with a retractable design, which allowed us to clean more surface area without having to stop and find a new outlet. We did have a little trouble opening the dust bin at first, but it shouldn’t be an issue once you know how to do it.
Price at time of publish: $200.61 (orig. $257.49)
Type: Bagless | Dimensions: 12 x 19 x 50 inches | Weight: 18.1 pounds | Capacity: 2 liters | Hose Length: 6.6 feet | Cord Length: 30 feet | Attachments: Crevice tool, dusting brush
Best for Carpet: Aspiron Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
This vacuum has powerful suction for a budget-friendly price.
It easily picks up debris on low-pile carpeting.
It’s effective at picking up pet hair without tangling.
Cons
It occasionally spits out larger debris like dry pasta.
Not all canister vacuums excel on carpeting, but in our testing, the Aspiron Canister Vacuum had no problem sucking up dirt and debris off rugs. In our tests, the vacuum picked up the majority of coffee grounds and pet hair off a low-pile carpet in just one pass, and we were surprised at its powerful suction, especially considering the model’s low price point. Plus, because the floorhead doesn’t have a classic brush roll, there was no pet hair tangled up in the vacuum, making for minimal maintenance and consistent suction power.
There’s a knob on the canister of this vacuum that allows you to adjust the suction power, and it has a telescoping wand that’s handy for cleaning high areas. The pet turbo tool was amazing for cleaning pet hair off upholstery, but we did find that the vacuum’s floor attachment would occasionally spit out larger debris, such as pieces of orzo pasta, forcing us to go back over them again. Still, you can’t beat the suction power and versatility of this vacuum for such a low price, especially if you have a lot of carpeting in your home.
Price at time of publish: $93.99 (orig. $123.16)
Type: Bagless | Dimensions: 17 x 12.3 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 16 pounds | Capacity: 3.5 liters | Hose Length: Not listed | Cord Length: 20 feet | Attachments: Crevice nozzle, dust brush, pet powermate attachment, upholstery brush
Easiest to Maneuver: Shark CZ2001 Vertex Canister Vacuum
Pros
The vacuum rolls smoothly and is easy to pull around obstacles.
Its self-cleaning brush rolls don’t get tangled with hair.
The wand bends to clean underneath furniture.
Cons
It requires several passes to pick up debris off carpeting.
The Shark Vertex is a top choice if you have lots of obstacles in your home. During testing, it was able to maneuver around furniture and roll smoothly between carpeting and hard floors, and we never had any issues with it tipping over or getting stuck. It features the brand’s signature dual-brush roll design, which includes a soft roller to pick up fine particles on hard floors, and it was able to pick up the vast majority of debris in a single pass. (It didn’t do quite as well on carpeting, often needing five or more passes to capture all the debris we laid out.)
The Vertex has several other features that make it a worthwhile contender, too. Its wand bends in the middle, allowing you to easily clean under low-profile furniture, and it also has a non-tangle brush roll design with LED headlights. The bagless design weighs just 9 pounds, making it easy to carry around, and while it’s slightly expensive at its full price, this vacuum is definitely worth it if you can find it on sale.
Price at time of publish: $449.99 (orig. $479.99)
Type: Bagless | Dimensions: 17.7 x 14.2 x 49.2 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Capacity: 1.8 liters | Hose Length: Not listed | Cord Length: 25 feet | Attachments: Pet crevice tool, upholstery tool
Other Canister Vacuums We Tried
Eureka Mighty Mite Canister Cleaner: Once you get the hang of it, this inexpensive vacuum does a good job cleaning debris off carpeting and hard floors, but there’s definitely a learning curve involved. It took us a while to figure out the best suction settings for different cleaning applications, and we also had to keep the floorhead at a certain angle for maximum effectiveness. However, if you can get past its quirks, it’s a solid option for a low price.
Hoover Commercial Portapower Canister Vacuum: Unlike most canister vacuums, which are designed to roll along behind you, the Hoover Portapower has a compact canister that you carry as you clean. It’s lightweight and highly portable, and in testing, it excelled on hard floors. However, this vacuum is quite noisy and definitely isn’t as effective on carpeting as other models.
Miele Classic C1 Turbo Team PowerLine: This canister vacuum from Miele is powerful and extremely effective on all types of flooring, making quick work of all sorts of debris. It maneuvers easily, and its bagged design keeps dirt and debris from being expelled back into your home. However, it’s quite a bit more expensive than most of the other models on this list, so it’s not the best pick if you’re looking for a great value.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Canister Vacuum
Bagged vs. Bagless
Unlike upright vacuums, which typically have a bagless dust bin, many canister vacuums still use vacuum bags to capture dirt and debris. There are a few benefits to a bagged vacuum design — they often do a better job capturing allergens and dust, making sure these particles aren’t circulated back into your home. They’re also quick and easy to empty, as you simply remove the bag and replace it with a new one. The downside, however, is that you’ll have to invest in a supply of vacuum bags, which can be somewhat pricey, depending on the brand.
There are also bagless canister vacuums, as well, including the Kenmore Compact Bagless Canister Vacuum, which earned our top overall recommendation. These dust bins can simply be dumped into the trash as needed, but you will occasionally need to wash them out to remove any lingering dirt and dust.
Weight
Canister vacuums can vary quite significantly in weight, ranging anywhere from eight to 20+ pounds. “You need to look at the size of the canister and how heavy it is,” recommends Samson. “Canister vacuums can be cumbersome because you have to move the canister around, and you want to find one that is light enough for this not to be a big issue.”
The good news is that most canister vacuums are mounted on wheels, making them easier to maneuver, but if your home has multiple floors, consider whether you’ll be able to comfortably carry it up and down the stairs. For multi-story homes, a lightweight model like the Shark Vertex is likely your best option.
Operating Radius
If you have a large home, chances are that you’ll want a vacuum with a larger operating radius. This term refers to the maximum distance away from a power outlet that you can use the vacuum, and it takes into account both the cord length and, in the case of canister vacuums, the vacuum’s hose length. When this measurement is higher, you’ll be able to cover more area without having to stop and find a new electrical outlet, and of all the vacuums we recommend, the Bissell SmartClean has the best operating radius, thanks to its 30-foot retractable power cord.
How We Tested
To find the best canister vacuums available today, we gathered 16 top-rated models from brands like Miele, Kenmore, Shark, and more. We put each vacuum through a total of seven tests in our lab, scoring them in each of the following areas:
Effectiveness: The most important tests we conducted were designed to assess the vacuum’s suction power and performance on a variety of flooring types. We used a mixture of materials, including sand, baking soda, Cheerios, uncooked orzo pasta, fake pet hair, and Chex cereal to evaluate each vacuum’s pickup abilities. We ran these tests on hard floors, low-pile carpeting, and tile floors, noting how many passes were required to pick up all the debris.
Maneuverability: We also wanted to see how easy it was to move each vacuum, as some canister models are prone to tipping over or getting stuck on obstacles. To test this, we set up an obstacle course, using each model to clean around furniture such as a coffee table, lamp, and couch, while pulling the canister along behind us.
Portability: To see how each vacuum performed on non-floor surfaces, we used them to clean debris off an upholstered chair, as well as carpeted stairs. We also noted the weight of each vacuum and whether it would be comfortable to carry up stairs and store when not in use.
Noise Level: We measured the decibel rating of each vacuum on both its highest and lowest settings, noting whether it would be possible to hold a conversation or watch TV over the noise.
Maintenance: Finally, we assessed how easy it was to empty each vacuum and remove/wash any filters that require regular cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of canister vacuums?
The two main types of canister vacuums are bagged and bagless models, each of which has its own benefits. Bagged vacuums are great for allergy sufferers, as they do a better job keeping dust and allergens trapped inside the vacuum, but their overall cost of operation is higher, as you’ll need to replace the bag regularly. Bagless models, on the other hand, can simply be emptied into the trash, which is often more convenient, but you will need to wash out the dust bin periodically to stop dirt and dust from building up inside.
What is a good weight for a canister vacuum?
For most people, a canister vacuum that weighs less than 15 pounds will be ideal. This weight is manageable to pull around your home as you clean and even carry up stairs as needed. Models like the Kenmore Compact Canister Vacuum and the Shark Vertex weigh less than 10 pounds, making them accessible for virtually anyone to use.
Is Miele the best canister vacuum brand?
Many people consider Miele to be the best canister vacuum brand, as models like the C1 Pure Suction and C1 Turbo Team are powerful and reliable, lasting for many years when cared for properly. However, Miele vacuums tend to be quite expensive, generally retailing for $300 or more, so they’re definitely an investment for your home. If you don’t necessarily want to spend that much on a vacuum, there are plenty of other powerful canister models that will provide equal suction power for a more affordable price.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer who specializes in home, kitchen, and pet products, and she’s personally tested dozens of different vacuums. To compile this roundup, she spoke with our testers about the strengths and weaknesses of different canister vacuums, evaluating each model on factors like its suction power, weight, and ease of maneuvering.
Meet Our Experts
Jessica Samson is a cleaning expert and the director of national branding for The Maids, a housekeeping service with locations all around the country.
Emily Rairdin is a technician and salesperson at University Vacuum & Sewing, a vacuum retail and repair company based in Des Moines, Iowa.
What Is People Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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