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The 7 Best Canister Vacuums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Here's our top picks that will make cleaning a cinch

Person using Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum to clean spilled food on carpet

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

Canister vacuums combine the cleaning power of an upright vacuum with the floor head maneuverability of a stick model, so you can tidy up your space with ease. They are often outfitted with a firm handle and wheels on the canister portion that make it incredibly easy to lug the appliance up a flight of stairs and around your room. Notably, canister models can also come with a bagless or bagged design—the latter of which can be a nice option for those with allergies who want to trap the dust.

We put a select group of canister vacuums to the test in The Lab and our own homes—and thoroughly researched dozens more—and evaluated their effectiveness, noise level, and maneuverability.

Editor's Note: This review was revised in February 2024 with other products you may need to add to your cart, seen in The Checkout Counter.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Miele C1 Turbo Team Canister Vacuum

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Maneuverability
    4.5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4/5
  • Noise Level
    5/5
  • Setup
    3.5/5
What We Like
  • Superior suction

  • Six suction settings

  • Extremely quiet

  • Takes a while to fill up

What We Don't Like
  • Might be too cumbersome for stairs

The Miele C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum, our best overall option, has plenty of winning qualities that make it worth the investment. Boasting six suction settings and a self-winding cord, this canister vacuum pulls out all the stops to clean your surfaces and is, all in all, built to last.

During testing, we gave it great ratings across the board, and were particularly impressed with how it performed on hard floors, low-pile carpet, and high-pile carpet. It scored well for cleaning effectiveness on these surfaces, requiring just two passes to pick up the cereal, even on the high-pile carpet. When it came to noise level, this canister earned high marks, because you can even have a conversation over it. In fact, we thought it was very quiet. This machine also made it easy to reach under our low-sitting couch and coffee table, thanks to a telescoping wand.

What is a telescoping wand on a vacuum?

A telescoping wand on a vacuum cleaner is a handy feature. It's essentially an adjustable pole that can conveniently extend the reach of the vacuum cleaner hose. You'll be able to clean high places, including the ceiling, light fixtures, and fans.

The vacuum is quite heavy at 15 pounds. You likely would get tired carrying it up and down the stairs several times on cleaning day. With a 3.75-quart bag, you will be able to do more cleaning at one time since it takes a while to fill it up (which is ideal because you have to purchase replacement bags separately). We also found that it clogged up a bit on the medium-pile carpet after sucking up hair in our testing in the lab, a potential drawback of all that power.

Dimensions: 16.9 x 9.1 x 9.8 inches | Weight: 15 pounds | Capacity: 3.75 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 9.8 inches | Bag Type: Bagged | Compatible Floor Type: Carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, and linoleum

Best Budget

Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum

Bissell Zing Bagless Canister Vacuum

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4.3/5
  • Maneuverability
    3.5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4.3/5
  • Portability
    4/5
  • Noise Level
    4/5
What We Like
  • Automatic cord rewind

  • Hair doesn't get tangled

  • Simple emptying process

What We Don't Like
  • Floor head not as maneuverable as other options

  • Relatively short power cord

The Bissell Zing Bagless Canister Vacuum, our best budget pick, gets the job done on hard floors and upholstery. When we tested this model in a home setting, we were impressed by its suction power and how much dust and debris it collected in the dust bin. It has both a hard floor and a carpet mode, so you can tailor the vacuum's suction power to the surface you're tackling.

The bagless design means you won't have to shell out more money on replacement bags, which is ideal. The container-emptying process was simple, and we didn't create a mess when dumping out the debris. We were also impressed at how longer strands of hair didn't get tangled up inside the vacuum.

This model leaves something to be desired when it comes to maneuverability. The floor head didn't swivel as we would have liked it to, but the compact design of the vacuum still made it relatively easy to get into nooks and crannies. The 15-foot-long power cord is on the shorter side, but the vacuum does come with a telescoping wand and a crevice tool to elevate your cleaning routine. Ultimately, we think this vac can be a loyal sidekick on cleaning days and offers much of the same power and features as other pricier picks.

Dimensions: 14 x 11 x 12 inches | Weight: 10.2 pounds | Capacity: 2 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 11 inches | Bag type: Bagless | Compatible Floor Type: Vinyl, laminate, hardwood, carpet, and tile

Best for Pet Hair

Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Maneuverability
    4.5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4/5
  • Portability
    4/5
  • Noise Level
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Quiet operation

  • Retractable cord

  • HEPA filter

What We Don't Like
  • Heavy

While canister vacuums are some of the most powerful on the market and can handle just about any type of mess, we love that the Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat and Dog Bagless Canister Vacuum is specifically designed for pet owners. This vacuum comes with five different attachments (not including the motorized brush head) that allow you to clean virtually any floor type, plus upholstery. This vacuum easily picked up dog kibble on its lowest setting on hard flooring, and on the highest setting on high-pile carpet. The brush head and canister are slightly difficult to maneuver on carpet, based on our experience, but the canister easily rolled from hardwood to carpet without any issues.

This vacuum also, on all of its settings, handled pet hair with no issues. Navigating stairs may be slightly more difficult with this unit, but leaving the canister at the bottom of a set of stairs while cleaning them can alleviate some of that. While this vacuum was not particularly loud on any of its settings, the motorized brush head did make more noise than the other attachments.

We believe this model is worth the splurge, especially if you're looking to make an investment in a vacuum for pet hair that's sure to last for several years and capable of tackling all kinds of messes created by your furry friend.

Dimensions: 12 x 20 x 12 inches | Weight: 19 pounds | Capacity: 2.1 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: Not listed | Bag type: Bagless | Compatible Floor Type: Hardwood, tile, vinyl, laminate, and carpet

Person using Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Bagless Canister Vacuum on carpet

The Spruce / Rachel Marek

Best Compact

Atrix Turbo Canister Vacuum

Atrix Turbo Red HEPA Canister Vacuum

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    3.9/5
  • Maneuverability
    4.3/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4.8/5
  • Portability
    4.8/5
  • Noise Level
    4.8/5
What We Like
  • 17 height settings

  • HEPA filtration

  • Easy to store

What We Don't Like
  • Narrow cleaning path

  • Not as durable as others

While canister vacuums can be practical for cleaning, they can be challenging to store in small spaces. If you're interested in something more compact—say, because you live in an apartment or condo, or simply do not want to lug a giant appliance up and down the stairs—look to the Atrix Turbo Red Canister Vacuum. Measuring a tiny 12 x 18 x 8.5 inches and weighing 11 pounds, the base is small, lightweight, and easy to store. We didn't put it to the test in the lab or at home, but we were impressed by the variable-speed motor and whopping 17 height settings that'll help you suck up debris on all surfaces. A three-stage HEPA filtration system will then trap the debris, while a dust bag will help you seal it and dispose of the mess cleanly.

What is a HEPA filtration system?

A vacuum cleaner's HEPA filtration system is designed to remove very small particles from the air. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air, and HEPA filters can trap particles as small as 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency.

While the cleaning path is relatively narrow, this canister vacuum has many other redeeming features, like a full-bag indicator light and an auto-retractable power cord. (The corded design is also ideal for small spaces where outlets may not be as far from the surfaces you want to clean.) The vacuum comes with a long list of useful attachments and accessories, including a floor tool, two HEPA bags, an air-driven turbo brush, a dust brush, an upholstery nozzle, and a crevice nozzle. An accessory holder is also provided to make storing all of the attachments much simpler.

Dimensions: 12 x 18 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 11 pounds | Capacity: 3 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 8 inches | Bag type: Bagged | Compatible Floor Type: Hardwood, vinyl, laminate, and tile

Best Bagless

Black+Decker Bagless Canister Vacuum

BLACK+DECKER Bagless Multi-Cyclone Canister Vacuum

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4.8/5
  • Maneuverability
    4/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4.5/5
  • Portability
    4.5/5
  • Noise Level
    5/5
What We Like
  • Powerful suction

  • Large canister

  • HEPA filtration

What We Don't Like
  • Relatively short power cord

  • Debris isn't sealed away

The perk of a bagless canister vacuum, as compared to a bagged one, is that it's generally easier to empty and cheaper to maintain, and you don't need to buy replacement bags. However, debris isn't sealed away during disposal, which can be an issue for those who suffer from allergies and are trying to contain all of the dirt, debris, and irritants in their home. Luckily, the Black+Decker Bagless Multi-Cyclone Canister Vacuum has a sizable dust bin at 3.8 quarts, so you don't need to empty it as often. It can also be cleared with the press of a button. The built-in HEPA filter helps to trap debris and allergens floating around your floors and in your air.

Flaunting a 1,200-watt motor and multi-cyclonic engineering, on top of the filter, this canister vac effortlessly sucks up debris and air particles and pushes them through the system, so you can keep cleaning your space without delay. At nearly 14 pounds, this pick is heavier than some canister vacuums on the market, and it might not be comfortable to carry up a flight of stairs. We didn't test this pick in the lab or at home, but we were nonetheless impressed with its engineering and provided attachments.

Dimensions: 14.06 x 10.47 x 16.06 inches | Weight: 13.9 pounds | Capacity: 3.8 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 10 inches | Bag type: Bagless | Compatible Floor Type: Carpet, hardwood, vinyl, laminate, and tile

Best Commercial

Hoover PortaPower Canister Vacuum

Hoover PortaPower Commercial Lightweight Canister Vacuum Cleaner

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    3.8/5
  • Maneuverability
    4.8/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4/5
  • Portability
    3.5/5
  • Noise Level
    4/5
What We Like
  • Lightweight

  • Long power cord

  • Easy to carry

What We Don't Like
  • Requires frequent bag changes

  • Need to purchase replacement bags

Commercial vacuums are great for cleaning workshops, studios, gyms, and other business spaces with ease, but that doesn't mean you can't use them at home. We think you can't go wrong with Hoover's PortaPower Canister Vacuum for residential use.

It's an ultra-lightweight vacuum that packs a serious punch. Weighing just 8 pounds, this unit is one of the easiest to carry, while offering an industrial-strength motor and an extendable wand with three convenient attachments. For one, it features a 36-inch power cord and a shoulder strap, making it super-easy to maneuver while channeling your inner Ghostbuster.

Not only can you clean just about any surface and tight space, but the added blower feature lets you tackle a tough job on your to-do list that requires forced air, such as blowing leaves. The bagged design will require you to buy extra bags in order to maintain this vac, and the bag tends to fill up quickly. However, a bagged design means that your messes will be sealed away after you pick them off the floor, which is a bonus.

Dimensions: 18 x 11 x 7 inches | Weight: 8 pounds | Capacity: Not listed | Cleaning Path Width: 10 inches | Bag type: Bagged | Compatible Floor Type: Hardwood, tile, vinyl, laminate, and carpet

Best Lightweight

Eureka Whirlwind Canister Vacuum

Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
  • Ease of Emptying
    4.9/5
  • Portability
    4.5/5
  • Noise Level
    3/5
What We Like
  • Weighs just over 8 pounds

  • Retractable cord

  • Easy to maneuver

What We Don't Like
  • Noisy

  • Power cord could be longer

This lightweight canister vacuum from Eureka is the kind of machine you can expect to move around your home without breaking a sweat. Designed with a handle on the top so you can even carry it while you vacuum stairs, we found it to be equally efficient on hard flooring and carpet when we tested it in the lab. The wand itself was easy to maneuver around, though we did notice that it was more effective—and generally easier to use—when we pulled it back toward us, as opposed to pushing it forward. The attachments were effective on upholstery (especially the crevice tool), but using the wand on its own gets the job done, too.

We're also fans of the retractable cord feature, which makes it easy to store without the hassle of a winding or worse, tangling cord. Though, we wish the cord were a bit longer than 16 feet to better clean larger spaces. Still, the dust cup size was more than sufficient, and we were able to complete our testing process without needing to empty it in between tasks. This vacuum did better with hair than some of its peers, and there weren't as many pieces caught up as we saw in certain other models. It's a stone's throw from our best budget pick, which makes us even more inclined to overlook the small inconveniences. You can even pick up the vacuum on its own, without the second filter, to save a few bucks.

Dimensions: 14.17 x 12.2 x 9.65 inches | Weight: 8.15 pounds | Capacity: 1.2 liters | Cleaning Path Width: Not listed | Bag type: Bagless | Compatible Floor Type: Carpet and hard floor

Final Verdict

Our best overall for a canister vacuum is undoubtedly the Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum. It has a small canister body, yet a large dust capacity, so you won't have to worry about stopping to empty the canister while cleaning your whole home. For our best budget pick, we highly recommend the Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum: a bagless, compact, user-friendly canister vac that weighs about 10 pounds and has a simple emptying process.

Other Options We Tested

Bissell Hard Floor Expert Canister Vacuum 1547: This Bissell model has a lot of positive features, like a pleasantly low noise level, retractable cord, and lightweight design. But—and this is a big "but"—the suction was so incredibly strong that we struggled to move it over carpeted surfaces and rugs. This vacuum literally has "Hard Floor Expert" in the name, so we did consider recommending it for hard floors only, since that's clearly in the design plan. However, we also found that the small brush roll struggled with larger debris like Cheerios and popcorn kernels, and that the attachment designs weren't as efficient as we would have liked. Overall, we see it as good for its intended purpose, but not necessarily great overall.

Prolux Tritan Canister Vacuum: While the Prolux Tritan Canister Vacuum features a built-in HEPA filter and does an average job on most surfaces, it earned a 1.5-star rating for setup and a 1-star rating for maneuverability, since it doesn't swivel, is cumbersome to lug around, and has a short power cord. The manual is super unclear, and it took us over 10 minutes to put the vacuum together. Additionally, the vacuum is notably loud, especially when using the brush roll attachment. If we could make changes to this canister vacuum, we'd make it quieter, lighter, and potentially cordless, with a more conveniently placed power switch.

Miele Boost CX1: Benefits of the Miele Boost CX1 lie with strong suction, easy-to-use attachments, and a simple emptying process. However, in our experience this vacuum struggled on carpet, and had to be placed directly over debris to suction it up. The handheld attachment did perform well, though, lifting hair and debris within a few passes. If your needs are solely to clean hard floors and furniture, it would still be a suitable choice, but you could likely find a more versatile vacuum at this price point.

The Miele Boost CX1 PowerLine SNRF0 Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner near a side bench and storage

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

How We Tested the Canister Vacuums

We tested over 50 vacuums side-by-side in the lab during our multiple vacuum tests.

  • Ease of setup: We started these tests by unboxing each model and rating the ease of setup, after timing the assembly process and following along with the instructions.
  • Effectiveness: We then challenged each pick to pick up measured amounts of hair, popcorn kernels, and Cheerios on a hardwood floor and three types of carpet, to evaluate its effectiveness.
  • Portability: While testing, we noted how many passes were needed to completely clean up the materials, if any hair were tangled in the model, the vacuum's weight and portability.
  • Ease of emptying: We emptied the dust bins and changed the bags, noting the ease of emptying each pick.
  • Maneuverability: In addition, we brought the vacuums through a living room-inspired obstacle course to test their maneuverability and see how they moved.
  • Overall value: Then we rated overall value based on our entire experience with the product.

We also tested additional models in at-home tests, where we considered the same exact attributes in real-world environments and scenarios. Our editors took all of the testing data and our thorough product research and analyzed it to decide upon the canister vacuums we believe are the very best.

A person holding up the Miele Boost CX1 PowerLine SNRF0 Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

What to Look for in a Canister Vacuum

Weight

When buying a canister vacuum, pay attention to the model's weight. Most models weigh between 8 and 20 pounds, with most of the mass sitting in the base of the unit. Generally, lighter vacuums are easier to maneuver and are great for cleaning surfaces other than floors, such as curtains, furniture, counters, refrigerators, and car interiors. They're also easier to maneuver on stairs, where you might be holding your vacuum's base at the same time as using the floor head. For our best lightweight pick, we chose the Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner, which only weighs just over 8 pounds. If you do choose a heavier model, look for one with a long power cord so you won't have to move the base around as much.

Capacity

You'll also want to consider the capacity, meaning how much dirt, dust, hair, and other debris it can hold in the bag or dust bin. Smaller canister vacuums have about 1 quart of space, which likely won't get you further than a couple of rooms. Canister vacs with higher capacities can hold up to 4 quarts at a time, allowing you to vacuum your entire home without having to empty the dust bin or change the bag. For our best overall pick, we selected the Miele Compact C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum, which sports a large dust capacity, so you won't have to worry about emptying the canister while cleaning your whole home. Canister vacuums traditionally have bags, though there are some excellent bagless models on the market.

Included Attachments

According to Robyn Pook, co-founder of Mint Cleaning, the most vital thing when shopping for your vacuum is "making sure you have the proper attachments" to clean the surfaces you have and pick up common debris like fur, hair, dust, dirt, food particles, and pollen. Canister vacuums often come with crevice tools, upholstery brushes, pet-hair tools, extension wands, and sometimes stair tools.

Aside from having the necessary equipment for cleaning hard-to-reach areas on your floors, Pook says you can use the attachments to clean everything from toilets and baseboards to windowsills and bed frames. "We love a vacuum with smaller attachments for these areas," Pook notes.

People using canister vacuums to clean food on carpet

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

FAQ
  • How do I clean a canister vacuum?

    If your canister vacuum uses a bag, you'll need to seal, remove, and throw it away. Bagless models will need to be emptied into the trash, most likely via a release button on the canister's body. After you empty the vacuum, wipe out the canister's interior with a microfiber cloth. Some models can be further cleaned using water and dishwashing liquid, but you'll need to check your vacuum's manual to make sure that won't damage the unit. Similarly, you'll either need to replace or rinse off the vacuum's filter. While the vacuum components dry, you can check the cleaning head and wheels for hair wrap and debris. Reassemble once everything is dry.

  • What's the difference between bagged and bagless canister vacuums?

    In addition to having different emptying processes, bagged and bagless canister vacuums offer different advantages in general. The former tend to seal away allergens more efficiently, while the latter may be more cost-effective in the long run, since they don't require replacement bags. Both offer plenty in the way of performance and cleaning power, so which type you choose is mostly a matter of personal preference.

  • What should I look for in suction power on a canister vacuum cleaner?

    There are undoubtedly some seriously powerful canister vacuums on the market—and many are designed to keep pace with their upright counterparts. Nevertheless, you may need to temper your expectations around suction if you're hoping to clean, say, a high-pile carpet with a canister vacuum. Some models just won't be powerful enough to tackle that kind of job. If suction power is your absolute top priority, and you're set on purchasing a canister vacuum, look for models with multiple fans, adjustable height settings, and a high cubic-feet-per-minute (CFM) count, all of which will give you an idea of how much airflow the vacuum can generate.

The Checkout Counter

Before you check out, consider these products you may also need to round out your cleaning kit.

  1. O-Cedar Pet Pro Broom & Step-On Dustpan PowerCorner: Before and after you vacuum, we recommend reaching for a broom like this one to pick up large debris that could clog up a vacuum or dust in a tight corner that your vacuum left behind.
  2. Miele AirClean 3D FJM Vacuum Cleaner Bags (4-pack): Our best overall canister vacuum can hold a lot in its bag before it needs a replacement, but you'll still want to stock up on replacements for when your vacuum does require some easy maintenance (roughly every 3 months or so, depending on how many pets you have!).
  3. Miele HEPA AirClean Filter with TimeStrip Filter: A fresh vacuum filter can help your vacuum run smoothly and effectively, trapping potential allergens while cleaning your floors; this extra HEPA filter is compatible with Miele vacuums, including our best overall canister vacuum.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Theresa Holland is a freelance writer for The Spruce who specializes in home improvement and lifestyle topics. For this roundup, she compiled insights from the lab and our real-world tests. Before making her final selections, she poured over product specifications, referenced reviews, researched surface compatibility, and considered dozens of canister vacuums from various brands. Holland has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019, covering cleaning gadgets, appliances, textiles, and furniture.

Our Experts:

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. What Is A HEPA Filter? US EPA. 2021.