Best Canister Vacuum Options for Lightweight Maneuverability

Housework can be exhausting, especially if you have to push a heavy, clunky vacuum cleaner from room to room. Getting into corners and along the edges of rooms can be especially awkward. Luckily, vacuum cleaner manufacturers are coming up with more efficient machines to help you get the job done. The best canister vacuums are designed to be lightweight and more maneuverable than older models. In this article, we review some of the best canister vacuums on the market.

Best Canister Vacuum FAQ

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1. What Is a Canister Vacuum?

A canister vacuum consists of two main parts. The first part is the canister, which contains the engine and other important parts of the vacuum. The other part is the cleaning nozzle and wand, which are attached to the canister by a hose. The user moves the nozzle and wand around to vacuum the floor and pulls the canister along with them.

2. What Are the Benefits of Using a Canister Vacuum Instead of an Upright Vacuum?

Canister vacuums often have larger and more powerful engines, because the engine does not have to fit the size and shape of an upright vacuum. They are therefore able to clean more quickly and more thoroughly than upright vacuums. Newer models of canister vacuums are often lighter and easier to move from room to room.

Plus, instead of having to push an entire upright vacuum cleaner, the user only has to maneuver the wand and nozzle. This means it can easily clean in corners and along baseboards. The best canister vacuums usually come with attachments that can be used to vacuum furniture and even the corners of the ceiling.

3. Are Canister Vacuums Difficult to Clean?

The best canister vacuums are fairly easy to clean. Usually, cleaning a canister vacuum consists of washing out the reusable filter or replacing a disposable one, and emptying debris from the canister into the trash. Occasionally you should also wash the canister out with soap and water.

​How We Reviewed

The products in this list were reviewed based on the following parameters: Features, Pros & Cons, Price, Where to Buy, and Warranty. We looked at many different vacuum cleaner models from the top companies and then chose our ten favorites.

​Overall Price Range

The most expensive vacuum cleaner on our list is over $1,000, and the least expensive one is less than $50. However, most of the vacuum cleaners we saw were between $100 and $350. More expensive vacuum cleaners tend to come with more attachments and features, while less expensive vacuums may contain just the basic attachments and features.

What We Reviewed

• Bissell Zing Bagged Canister Vacuum
• Kenmore (22614) Bagless Canister Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner
• Fuller Brush Co. Home Maid Power Team Canister Vacuum
• Electrolux EL4335B Corded Ultra Flex Canister Vacuum
• Eureka Lightweight Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum
• Bissell Deluxe Canister Vacuum
• Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum Cleaner
• Ovente Electric Bagless Canister Vacuum
• Dyson DC39 Multi Floor Canister Vacuum
• Bissell 1233 C4 Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum

Bissell Zing Bagged Canister Vacuum

Features

This vacuum cleaner is small but mighty. While many vacuum cleaners seem to be made either for hard flooring or for carpets, this one can take care of both. Despite its powerful 10 amp motor, it is lightweight and easy to carry from room to room using the handle. Since it has wheels, you can also easily pull it along with you. The 17-foot power cord means that you won’t have to stop to unplug and re-plug it as frequently as you move throughout the house.

It also allows you to control the level of suction, the airflow, and the height of the brush roll. While many canister vacuums are bagless, this one has a bag. This can be a plus for people with allergies because the bag lessens the user’s contact with dust when it is time to change it. The indicator light lets you know when the bag is ready to be changed

Warranty

This product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

PROS

• Compact size is great for people who don’t have much storage space
• Automatic cord rewind eliminates tangles
• Variable suction control for cleaning different surfaces
• Adjustable suction, airflow, and brush roll height
• An indicator light lets you know when to change the bag
• Two reusable filters

CONS

• Not many attachments

​Kenmore (22614) Bagless Canister Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner

Features

This vacuum cleaner features two motors for extra cleaning power. Its cyclonic interior design uses centrifugal force for top suction capabilities. Its 24-foot power cord allows you to clean more of your house without unplugging it. It has a HEPA filter which removes 99% of dust and other allergens from the air, and a special attachment that is designed to remove pet hair from carpeting and furniture. These features make this one of the best canister vacuums for people with allergies. The clear dust cup makes it obvious when it needs to be emptied.

Warranty

This product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

PROS

• Two motors
• Cyclonic interior design
• 23-foot cord

CONS

• Small dust cup may need to be emptied frequently

​Fuller Brush Co. Home Maid Power Team Canister Vacuum

Features

This vacuum looks heavy, but only weighs a total of 16 pounds. However, inside it is an 11 amp motor. It has a brush roll to clean carpets, and also a special floor tool with natural bristles that can clean hardwood floors without scratching them. Its 23-foot cord with automatic rewind makes it easy to move from room to room and eliminates the problem of a tangles. A HEPA media filter and bag make this another one of the best canister vacuums for people with allergies. Other attachments include a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool. Reviewers have noted that the motor is quieter than most.

Warranty

This product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

PROS

• Powerful motor
• Lightweight
• Good for carpets and hard flooring
• HEPA filters
• Long cord with automatic rewind

CONS

• Some reviewers said it cleaned messes up more slowly than other vacuums

​Electrolux EL4335B Corded Ultra Flex Canister Vacuum

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Features

This is another small vacuum with a strong, 12 amp motor. It is meant to be used on both hard floors and carpeting, and it’s suction pressure and height adjustment controls make it easy to use on all surfaces. Its large wheels make it easy to pull along with you as you go. Its swivel steering even allows it to follow you around corners.

It may be one of the best canister vacuums for pet owners, as it has brush roll clean technology that allows trapped brush-hair to be removed with the push of a button. This vacuum is bagless, with a clear bin to let you see when it is ready to be emptied. It has a 30-foot retractable power cord and LED nozzle headlights. It has a HEPA filter, plus two washable foam filters.

Warranty

This product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

PROS

• Strong motor
• Can clean hard and carpeted floors
• Brushroll clean technology for pet hair

CONS

• Fewer attachments than some other vacuums

​Eureka Lightweight Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum

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Features

The Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum may be one of the best canister vacuums for people with all hard floors, as users report that it performs excellently on hard floors but not so well on carpeting. It is not a great choice for allergy sufferers, because it doesn’t have a HEPA filter. However, users love it for its lightweight, and its ability to thoroughly clean in tight spaces such as on stairs, under furniture, and in corners. It also has a long extension wand that works well for vacuuming dust and cobwebs from the corners of the ceiling. It has a blower function that can be used for tasks such as blowing leaves out of a garage.

Warranty

This product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

PROS

• Lightweight
• Great at cleaning hard floors
• Extension wand
• Blower function
• Auto shut off feature prevents overheating

CONS

• No HEPA filter
• Doesn’t work well on carpeting

​Bissell Deluxe Canister Vacuum

Features

This is another vacuum that performs well on hard floors but not so well on carpeting. Users like it because it is lightweight and easy to maneuver, but some people complain that the wand can get clogged with debris. It also only has one suction mode, which means it is not a perfect fit for households with multiple surfaces. It does have powerful suction capabilities and is gentle on all types of hard floors. The controls to this vacuum are on the handle at your fingertips, so you won’t have to stoop down to press buttons on the canister itself. It also has rubber wheels with felt treads, so as you pull this vacuum cleaner along with you it won’t scratch the floors.

Warranty

This product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

PROS

• Lightweight
• Easy to maneuver
• Gentle on hard floors
• Powerful suction
• Fingertip controls

CONS

• Short power cord
• Only one suction mode
• May not perform well on carpeting

​Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum Cleaner

Features

This vacuum cleaner is the priciest on our list, but we wanted to include it for readers who are willing to pay more. Made in Germany, it is one of the company’s top models. It has six-speed settings that can be controlled by pushing a button with your foot as you vacuum. The power brush can handle hard carpeting and has an LED headlight to make sure you don’t miss any spots of dirt. For hard floors, use the parquet twister accessory, which rotates 180 degrees to clean in every single corner. This vacuum uses its own AirClean filtration system to capture dust particles. This is one of the best canister vacuums for people with lots of pet hair to contend with, as reviewers said it does a great job at sucking up both dog and cat hair. It is also quieter than many other vacuums.

Warranty

This product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

PROS

• Tools for both carpeting and hard floors
• Air filtration system
• Strong suction
• Does well at cleaning up pet hair
• Six-speed settings

CONS

• A little heavy
• Some reviewers reported that the hose can clog

​​Ovente Electric Bagless Canister Vacuum

Features

This vacuum cleaner has powerful suction, with several attachments to help users clean different surfaces. It includes a HEPA filtration system, with replacement filters that are less expensive than the ones some other vacuums use. It is easy to clean, just by removing the dust filter, emptying it, and snapping it back in place. While it is lightweight, some users complain that it is awkward to maneuver because the wheels don’t turn very well. The attachments cannot be stored on the vacuum itself, so users have to find someplace to keep them all.

Warranty

This product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

PROS

• Powerful suction
• Lots of attachments
• Easy to clean
• Easy to clean

CONS

• Difficult to maneuver
• Attachments require extra storage

​Dyson DC39 Multi Floor Canister Vacuum

Features

This vacuum cleaner uses ball technology, meaning it can pivot in all directions and will not tip over. It also has patented root cyclone technology, which keeps allergens trapped inside the vacuum instead of escaping into the air. It has a reusable filter that will never need to be replaced. While it only comes with two attachments, they can both be stored inside the vacuum.

The vacuum can also be taken apart and cleaned and is easily put back together. It has a trigger grip that allows you to turn off the suction power quickly if you need to, without having to shut down the entire vacuum. That can come in handy if you accidentally start to vacuum up something you don’t want to, like a sock or a cat toy. Some users complained that emptying the canister was inconvenient.

The instructions say to hold it over a trash can and open it, but the canister opens so quickly that sometimes debris falls out onto the floor. Another complaint was that it doesn’t do a great job of picking up pet hair. The company makes a similar vacuum cleaner that is specifically meant for households with lots of pet hair.

Warranty

This product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

PROS

• Ball technology
• Root cyclone technology
• Attachments can be stored inside the vacuum cleaner
• Trigger grip to turn off suction
• Can be taken apart for cleaning

CONS

• Can be difficult to empty canister
• Does not pick up all pet hair

Bissell 1233 C4 Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum

Features

This vacuum has a brush roll with an on/off switch and fingertip controls. This means, instead of having to stoop over every time you want to turn the vacuum on or switch from hard floor to carpeting, you just push a button on the handle. This may be the best canister vacuum for people who hate noise, or who live in places where noise can be disruptive. It is quieter than most other vacuums.

It also has a large dustbin, which means you won’t have to empty it as frequently. It comes with plenty of attachments that are easy to snap on and off. One complaint users had is that, when they do empty the dustbin, a cloud of dust comes out. Some users solved this problem by emptying the dustbin outdoors, but if this is not convenient for you, this might not be the best vacuum for your household. It doesn’t have a very strong filtration system, which means it might not be the best vacuum for allergy sufferers.

Warranty

This product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

PROS

• Fingertip controls
• Quiet
• Large dustbin
• Several attachments

CONS

• Less than perfect filtration system
• Can be messy to empty dustbin

​The Verdict

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For those on a budget, we recommend the Bissell Zing Bagged Canister Vacuum. For the lowest price on our list, it has many strengths, such as the

variable suction control for cleaning different surfaces, adjustable suction, airflow, and brush roll height, and the indicator light that lets you know when it is time to empty it. The bag helps to prevent people with allergies from coming in contact with the dust. It doesn’t have as many attachments as other vacuums, but users are happy with the attachments it does have.

If you can spend a little more, we’d recommend the Electrolux EL4335. We like its brush roll technology that makes it perfect for cleaning pet hair. Plus, it has a strong motor that can handle both hard floors and carpeting.

Investing in the best canister vacuum can take the hassle out of cleaning, so we hope you find one you love!