Canister vacuums stand out from the crowd due to their compact design. They tend to have great maneuverability, using a long hose and wand to get into hard-to-reach places while their canister body follows behind on wheels. Many are reconfigurable to tackle different surface types or debris by swapping the vacuum head for different tools, which is handy if you're cleaning stairs or inside your car. Their canister bodies can hold a larger dirtbag or dirt compartment than stick vacuums, and some specially designed canister models can even tackle finer debris found in workshops or garages.
We've tested over 100 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best canister vacuums to buy. We select these picks based on not only their performance across a variety of surfaces but also their design and price. Look at our lists of the best vacuums, the best laminate floor vacuums, the best corded vacuums, and the best multi-surface vacuum cleaners.
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Best Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Bare Floor7.7Low-Pile Carpet6.6High-Pile Carpet6.0Pets6.9Stairs7.7Cars7.8Workshop5.4Vacuum TypeCanisterBaglessNoCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)YesWet CompatibleNoThe Miele Complete C3 is the best canister vacuum we've tested. There are a few variants; for the best of the best, check out the flagship Brilliant PowerLine variant. Like most C3s, it has seven levels of suction power adjustment, a power cord that retracts at the press of a button, an allergen-sealed body made of high-quality plastic, and an onboard storage compartment for three of its included attachments. The Brilliant adds features such as an additional surface-sensitive automatic power adjustment mode, additional sound insulation for its already quiet motor, and the brand's flagship HEPA AirClean post-motor filter. It comes with three floorheads: a parquet head for cleaning hard floors, a universal pure suction floorhead with retractable bristles for cleaning low-pile carpets, and the height-adjustable SEB 236 powerhead for cleaning various types of high- and shag-pile carpeting.
If the Brilliant is a little too pricey, consider the C3 Kona model. It comes with two floorheads instead of the Brilliant's three, and it lacks the Brilliant's automatic power adjustment system, additional sound insulation, and handle-mounted controls. Otherwise, it'll deliver near-identical performance on most surfaces.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Canister Vacuum
Bare Floor7.6Low-Pile Carpet6.6High-Pile Carpet6.0Pets6.8Stairs7.5Cars7.9Workshop5.3Vacuum TypeCanisterBaglessNoCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoWet CompatibleNoIf you're shopping for a canister vacuum at a slightly lower price point, the Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog PowerLine is a great choice. Unlike the Miele Complete C3, the C1 lacks an onboard tool storage compartment and has a slightly less sturdy construction. That said, the C1 lineup offers similarly excellent performance at a cheaper price point, with all variants equipped with the same powerful 1200W motor as the C3. The C1 Cat & Dog variant is particularly good; it sits near the top of the C1 lineup and sports Miele's height-adjustable SEB 228 powerbrush, making it a solid option for a wide variety of carpet types, as well as a lightweight parquet tool for cleaning hard floors. It also has a miniature turbo brush tool for cleaning pet hair from upholstered surfaces.
While this variant doesn't include the top-of-the-line HEPA AirClean filter, it does come with the brand's Active AirClean filter, which uses activated charcoal to trap odors as you clean. Besides, you can purchase the higher-end HEPA filter separately if you have very serious allergies, though filtration performance with any post-motor filter is still very good overall. Unfortunately, its power cord is shorter than that of the C3, so you might need to swap outlets when cleaning bigger rooms or areas that are far away. Like many other Miele canister vacuums, the ownership cost is higher since it uses smaller 2.5L dirtbags that'll need to be replaced fairly often.
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Best Mid-Range Canister Vacuum
Bare Floor7.6Low-Pile Carpet6.6High-Pile Carpet6.0Pets6.8Stairs7.5Cars7.9Workshop5.3Vacuum TypeCanisterBaglessNoCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoWet CompatibleNoIf you aren't willing to spend as much on the Cat & Dog variant of the C1, look at the Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine, the entry-level model in the C1 lineup. From the outside, the two C1 models look almost identical. However, there's an important difference: the C1 Cat & Dog's hose has an electrosocket, allowing it to use a powered floorhead, while the C1 Pure Suction doesn't. While this is a huge disadvantage if you have a lot of thick carpeting in your home and need a powerhead, the Pure Suction model is a significantly better value if you mostly have hard floors, where you don't need a powerhead with a spinning roller. The SBD 365-3 floorhead isn't as lightweight as the secondary parquet tool included with the Cat & Dog model; however, it's still great for dealing with debris on surfaces like vinyl or hardwood, and you can retract the bristles to clean low-pile area rugs.
This model comes with the entry-level AirClean filter, which does a pretty good job of capturing allergens. However, you can always swap in a HEPA AirClean or Active AirClean filter for even better air filtration performance. If you want a similarly priced canister vacuum that uses larger dirtbags, the NaceCare HVR 200 Henry is a great alternative with a remarkably sturdy, easy-to-maintain design and a longer range. However, it has a less powerful suction motor and doesn't do as well on low-pile carpeting as the Miele.
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Best Budget Canister Vacuum
Bare Floor7.3Low-Pile Carpet7.1High-Pile Carpet7.1Pets6.4Stairs7.7Cars7.9Workshop5.1Vacuum TypeCanisterBaglessNoCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)NoWet CompatibleNoThe best canister vacuum cleaner we've tested at a budget-friendly price is the Eureka Mighty Mite. Given its low price point, it's no surprise it isn't as well-built, quiet, or packed with convenience features as a more premium canister model like the Miele Classic C1. That said, its 12-amp motor puts out a good amount of power for something this cheap, allowing it to easily clear away solid debris on bare floors. You can retract the bristles on its straight suction floorhead to improve contact on low- and medium-pile carpets. Its compact, lightweight design also makes it a breeze to maneuver in tight spots or to pick up and carry around your home.
Unfortunately, this vacuum feels pretty cheap in places, especially its wand, which is made of a pair of plastic tubes and can fall apart if you don't force them together tightly enough. You also can't expect class-leading filtration performance from this vacuum; some newer Mighty Mite models lack the requisite mounting clips to use aftermarket HEPA filters. The Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister is a good option if you want to avoid the expense of replacing filters and dirtbags completely; however, it has an even shorter overall range, so you must swap outlets when cleaning bigger rooms.
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Best Bagless Canister Vacuum
Bare Floor7.6Low-Pile Carpet7.6High-Pile Carpet7.5Pets8.0Stairs7.7Cars7.7Workshop5.1Vacuum TypeCanisterBaglessYesCordlessNoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)YesWet CompatibleNoIf you want to avoid buying new dirtbags periodically, consider the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball, one of the best bagless canister vacuums we've tested. It doesn't offer the same level of performance as the similarly priced Pure Suction variant of the Miele Classic C1, as it struggles with bulky debris and material embedded deep in carpets. However, unlike the Miele, ownership costs are practically nonexistent if you maintain it according to manufacturer recommendations due to its bagless design and the lack of conventional fabric or paper filters.
Dyson advertises its cyclonic filter system as being capable of providing HEPA-level filtration. However, it still won't be your first choice if you suffer from serious allergies; shaking out its dustbin can release a cloud of dust into the air, making it a much less hygienic process than disposing of a sealed dirtbag. This compact vacuum is easy to store and maneuver in tight areas, thanks partly to its lightweight plastic wand. The canister body is rather heavy but carries most of its weight very low to the ground, so you don't need to worry about the vacuum tipping over when pulling it around on uneven surfaces. Unfortunately, static buildup can cause some debris to get stuck on its floorhead's wheels.
![Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal [Animal Pro, Multi Floor] Design Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/ONSishFs/dyson-cinetic-big-ball-animal-animal-pro-multi-floor/design-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal [Animal Pro, Multi Floor] In-Test Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/V2XSmpS6/dyson-cinetic-big-ball-animal-animal-pro-multi-floor/in-test-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal [Animal Pro, Multi Floor] Build Quality Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/T9jpaLBk/dyson-cinetic-big-ball-animal-animal-pro-multi-floor/build-quality-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal [Animal Pro, Multi Floor] In The Box Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/w9PXJmsK/dyson-cinetic-big-ball-animal-animal-pro-multi-floor/in-the-box-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal [Animal Pro, Multi Floor] Picture Of Controls](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/HXZM0oz9/dyson-cinetic-big-ball-animal-animal-pro-multi-floor/controls-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal [Animal Pro, Multi Floor] Storing Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/8BBUs4Fa/dyson-cinetic-big-ball-animal-animal-pro-multi-floor/dimensions-small.jpg?format=auto)
Notable Mentions
- SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium:
If you aren't convinced by the C3 and want something with a longer range, check out the SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium. It delivers similar performance, feels remarkably robust, and incurs lower recurring costs than the Miele because it has higher-capacity dirtbags and a longer-lasting filter. However, it's noticeably heavier, and its stiff hose can make it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces.
See our review - Airsign HEPA Vacuum: The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is a mid-range bagged canister vacuum that uses biodegradable dirtbags and comes bundled with a HEPA filter, unlike the Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine. That said, it has a shorter range than the Miele and doesn't feel as sturdily built. See our review
- BISSELL Zing Bagged Canister: The BISSELL Zing Bagged Canister is a basic, budget-friendly canister vacuum that's easy to use and maintain. It's effective at clearing small debris on carpeted floors but struggles with pet hair and bulky debris compared to the Eureka Mighty Mite. See our review
Recent Updates
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We've verified our recommendations are available and represent the best choices. We also made small edits for clarity.
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Oct 03, 2024: We've verified our recommendations are available and represent the best choices. We've also moved the SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium to the Notable Mentions for in-text clarity and made minor edits for concision.
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Jun 20, 2024: Small text edits for conciseness and clarity. No change in recommendations.
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Mar 13, 2024: We've confirmed all our recommendations for their continued relevance, stock availability, and pricing.
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Jan 23, 2024: Ensured all main picks remain the best option for user needs and requirements.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best vacuums with a canister design. We don't just base our results on overall performance but also on factors like availability, price, and reader feedback.
If you'd like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's the list of our canister vacuum reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While there's no single best vacuum with a canister design, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
Recommended Articles
Comments
Best Canister Vacuums: Main Discussion
What do you think of our picks? Let us know below.
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- 21010
Hi, how much more noticeable is a difference of 4k vs 1440p on a 27in monitor like these?
- 21010
Hi Recordedanemone, Thank you for the suggestion. It’s something we’ll keep in mind and reconsider the next time we update our keyboard testing methodology. I can see a small challenge since not all PE foams are equal (for example) but there’s most likely a way to make it work.
The thing is, yes, in a lot of boards, especially from a lot of custom keyboard companies that are not standard gamer oriented (nuphy and such) usually use their own types of PE foam, but on the other spectrum of the mass produced keyboard world, such as the aula f75, yunzii boards, rainy boards and such, are often mass produced with similar materials, including the foams. Also, it is a combination of the different types of foam that makes the biggest difference in the sound profile overall, so, for instance, if there were 5 layers of foam in a keyboard, a different type of PE foam wouldn’t contribute much to the overall sound profile.
- 21010
Hi, i have done some bios updates to thing thing, and with the i7 13700h model with integrated graphics, with 120hz and whisper mode, standard power profile, there is about 4 hours of battery life with this device. It is actually a substantial difference.
- 21010
So, by default, this laptop goes into 60hz while on battery, do you recommend that leaving it that way gets a good amount more battery life, or is the tradeoff not really worth it?
- 10-12-2
lmao this mouse is so goofy
- 0-1-21-2
It’s been about time…
- 21010
The AOC seems to have better value for the refresh rate + lack of overshooting backlighting and decent color gamut but I wish it’s color accuracy and text clarity were better, because in comparison it seems a little warm, especially at the bad viewing angles. The Acer Nitro model # makes it hard to differ from another model named similar on ACER’s Site. Acer’s is a whole 300+ dollars more for minimal improvement in my opinion. I wish there was a monitor that was best of both worlds/monitors, and a decent price like the AOC. The Black uniformity I just can’t let go under a 7 rating because its so messy and hard to look at.
I’ve read some reviews and the backlighting was absolutely atrocious. What was your experience like with the acer in that case? would you recommend the aoc over the acer for that reason?
- 21010
Hi, thanks for your question! If your budget can stretch to $550, then an easy recommendation for all-round use is the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx, as it’s on sale right now for a reduced price. It’s great for office work, gaming, movies, and most other uses. It’s not perfect, but it’s exceptionally versatile, and is our pick for best overall monitor. It doesn’t have the best native contrast, but its local dimming performs well, so deep blacks are visible next to bright highlights if you’re watching/playing HDR content, and it should work well in a darker room for those things.
If you want to spend less, or want a monitor with better native contrast, then the AOC Q27G3XMN is worth considering. However, this monitor washes out from the sides and has a lower resolution, so text and images won’t look as sharp. It also doesn’t get as bright as the Acer in SDR (though if you’re in a dark room this won’t matter). However, it’s otherwise very comparable to the Acer in terms of performance, and is a great monitor for the price.
Let us know if this helps, and if you’d like to review more options or go over more details just let us know!
If I prioritize picture quality will the acer be better in that case?
- 21010
Hi, thanks for your question! If your budget can stretch to $550, then an easy recommendation for all-round use is the Acer Nitro XV275K P3biipruzx, as it’s on sale right now for a reduced price. It’s great for office work, gaming, movies, and most other uses. It’s not perfect, but it’s exceptionally versatile, and is our pick for best overall monitor. It doesn’t have the best native contrast, but its local dimming performs well, so deep blacks are visible next to bright highlights if you’re watching/playing HDR content, and it should work well in a darker room for those things.
If you want to spend less, or want a monitor with better native contrast, then the AOC Q27G3XMN is worth considering. However, this monitor washes out from the sides and has a lower resolution, so text and images won’t look as sharp. It also doesn’t get as bright as the Acer in SDR (though if you’re in a dark room this won’t matter). However, it’s otherwise very comparable to the Acer in terms of performance, and is a great monitor for the price.
Let us know if this helps, and if you’d like to review more options or go over more details just let us know!
thank you very much
- 32120
oh, nice
- 21010
What do y'all think is the best monitor for work and play in the 300-500 usd range? I’m looking for good overall contrast as well, as I work in a dark room.
Edited 11 months ago: Clarification - 32120
Our settings are always the same for these battery tests for comparability across laptops. Our screen is set to 200 nits, all display altering settings are turned off (such as automatic brightness adjustments, screen off, etc) and the power mode is set to Balanced in Windows and whatever the default is if there is a power mode associated with the brand’s software. And as I mentioned earlier, speakers are muted, Bluetooth/Wifi are disabled (Wifi is only enabled for the web browsing battery test).
I see thanks for confirming
- 21010
quick question: What display and power settings do you use to test the battery life on this?
- 21010
Do you test the performance of the laptop while it’s plugged in
- 21010
Hey! Just wanted to chime in quick and let you know that we did not have any specific battery issues with our unit. Something to keep in mind for our battery test is that we are running the display at 200 nits (usually much less than the max brightness the display can produce), speakers muted and Bluetooth disabled (and Wi-Fi disabled on our non Web Browsing test).
The reason I ask is because I use it at 50% brightness at whisper mode, but at 120hz
- 21010
Hey! Just wanted to chime in quick and let you know that we did not have any specific battery issues with our unit. Something to keep in mind for our battery test is that we are running the display at 200 nits (usually much less than the max brightness the display can produce), speakers muted and Bluetooth disabled (and Wi-Fi disabled on our non Web Browsing test).
Oh I see thanks
- 21010
Here’s what I would compare it to:
All the zenbooks from about a year ago and now MacBook air Hp spectre
- 21010
Question: did you run into any battery issues while testing? I wanted to confirm as my unit only gets about 2.5 to 3 hours on very light use.
- 21010
when do you plan on posting this laptop for early access?
- 32120
Question: Do the blacks appear to be raised or are they actually emitting light? From the photos y'all showed, it seemed that the blacks were comparable to an LCD tv. Is it just camera trickery or is it actually that awful?
- 21010
this laptop is not on the priority list lmao
- 21010
its april 11th…
- 21010
This already has come out in Canada right?
- 21010
sniffy has joined the chat
- 21010
I recommend you get the i7 variant. It has good performance at a decent price compared to the i5 variant. The i9 variant is simply WAYYY too overpriced
- 21010
ah well that backfired…
- 21010
Can you tell the name of the YouTuber
- 21010
if you will buy it, I recommend the i7 as it has a HUGE boost in performance over the i5 for just 200 usd more.
- 21010
Btw 1 question: if you will review the laptop, will you review the i5, i7, or i9 variant?. I’ve seen from various sources that the i7 is the most popular one.
- 21010
Oh ok, thanks then 🙏
Edited 1 year ago: Ah ok thanks then 🙏 - 21010
Btw isn’t the slim 7 pro x and older laptop at this point? I would 100% take the 14x over the slim 7 pro x because of this CPU performance benefits
- 21010
Yeah I have the i7 variant I got on sale for 750 usd and I can confirm it’s great. Beware, the battery life SUCKS!!!!!!!! It lasts like 5 hours.
- 21010
100% no, you can find much better and faster laptops for that price, like the zephyrus g14 when it goes on sale. If you want to compromise a bit on gaming, you should get the variant with the i7, that’s when the value shines, otherwise, look elsewhere
- 21010
Hopefully Samsung bumped up the brightness measurements after literally DIMMING THE SCREEN WITH A FIRMWARE UPDATE. I own an s95b hopefully that is the case
- 32120
Yeah the s95b became worse after the 1520 firmware update idk why Samsung did that
- 32120
Why would they decrease the brightness? Is it to sell their other TVs
- 32120
yeah, I agree. The 14x with the i7 for 699 on sale is tremendous value, and should be considered for earning a review on rtings.com
- 21010
would you recommend this over an Asus Zenbook 14 Flip? YES OR NO