6 Best Canister Vacuums, Tested by Cleaning Experts

To get your home truly clean from the ground up, a canister vacuum is hard to beat. Once thought of as bulky, heavy appliances, today’s best canister vacuums are far more streamlined and user-friendly, easier to maneuver, and work quickly and efficiently on a variety of surfaces. And unlike stick vacuums or other types of vacuums, canister models work well on everything from bare floors to carpets and even stairs. They also typically come with various attachments for detailed cleaning.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts have tested dozens of models across every price point and floor type. Using industry-standard ASTM International criteria and specialized Lab equipment, we evaluate dirt pickup, suction power, allergen control, ease of use, and range of attachments. We also prioritize models with HEPA filtration to capture even the tiniest dust and dirt particles.

How we test the best canister vacuums

In our tests, we look at how well vacuums remove large and small debris like gritty sand and dried orzo pasta from flooring. We also test how well they clean along edges and how much suction they draw through the tools.

With a custom-built, automated machine that makes the same number of passes over the same test carpeting (pictured), we objectively measure how well each vacuum removes dirt deeply embedded into a medium-pile carpet. We even have a separate machine to clean the carpets between test runs, so one result won't influence the next.

We use industry-standard rayon fibers to simulate pet hair that we evenly spread in six separate locations on a carpet’s surface to see how well each machine cleans it up. We count the strokes needed by each vacuum to completely remove the fuzzy fibers.

We also consider how effective each vacuum is at trapping allergens. Both canisters and uprights clean well, but canister vacuums excel for their versatility and flexibility, thanks to the distribution of weight between the canister and powerhead. With a bare floor brush attached, canister vacs do the best job cleaning wood, tile, and other hard floors, along with low-pile and looped carpets and area rugs. Plus, they are easy to carry with two hands.

In addition to performance testing, we test for ease of use. This includes evaluating maneuverability, design, and intuitiveness of the controls, and how simple it is to empty or change the bag. We also factor in the weight of each model. We assess all special features and even give the owner's manual a grade for clarity.

Because maneuverability ratings can differ from one consumer to the next, we often have 10 consumer testers rate each vacuum by running it on a bare floor, carpet, around corners, and under furniture. For sound measurements, we've worked with Quiet Mark, an independent global sound certification program, to objectively determine the loudness of each model.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, vacuum cleaners are a major product review category. We constantly get new models for testing, and as a member of ASTM International's F11 Vacuum Cleaner Committee, we meet twice yearly with engineers and technical reps from all brands to help develop and shape the vacuum cleaner test standards we all use to assess performance, ease of use, durability, and more. All vacuums are tested exactly the same way for more accurate comparisons.

Other canister vacuums we tested

• Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum: Shark vacuums consistently perform well in Cleaning Lab tests, and we particularly like this one because of its versatility. It can be used as an upright or a canister vacuum. During evaluations, it earned high performance scores on both carpeting and bare floors. We also like that its self-cleaning brush roll effectively prevents hair tangles, and the entire vacuum is sealed for better dust retention—both great features for pet owners.
• Bissell Hard Floor Expert Canister Vacuum: Bissell is another top-tested brand, and this canister vacuum impressed us with its compact design and unique, air-powered soft brush, which sweeps particles from the crevices of hardwood floors without damaging them. It doesn't have a HEPA filter, but it does offer multiple levels of filtration and a large 2-liter dirt tank that's easy to empty.

What to look for when shopping for a canister vacuum

We can't name one universal canister vac that is perfect for everyone, but with so many on the market, it is possible to find the perfect one for you. Consider the factors below when you shop.

✔️ Bagged or bagless: Both master messes, but one big thing sets them apart. Bagged canister vacs are generally much easier to maintain. You just remove and dispose of the used dust bag and put in a new one. You will need to buy bags, and prices vary across brands, but you will not tangle with a dust cup. Bagless canister vacuums have a dust cup you need to empty and a filter you need to clean after each—or at least every few—uses. This can get messy, and the dust cloud that some emit may bother allergy sufferers.

✔️ The ground you will cover: If you’ll vacuum stairs, a lightweight canister vac or one with an extra-long hose and cord is best. A telescoping wand, an attachment that extends the height of the hose, may also help you reach hard-to-clean areas like the stairs, windowsills, ceilings, under furniture, and more.

✔️ Attachments: These extra accessories can make or break your buying decision. Most canister vacs come with a dusting brush, an upholstery tool, and a crevice attachment. A powerhead attachment is key to deep cleaning carpets and rugs more efficiently. If you only have bare floors or very flat rugs in your home, a universal floor head or bare floor brush will do both. But if you have medium- or deep-pile carpets, spring for the motorized powerhead with a rotating brush. Car cleaning attachments are also great.

Do canister vacuums have better suction than other types of vacuums?

In general, canister vacuums do have more powerful suction than battery-operated stick models, handheld vacs, or robot vacuums. Electric energy gives them more oomph, though not necessarily any more than corded electric upright vacuums.

Why Trust Good Housekeeping?

Carolyn Forté has been testing, speaking, and writing about cleaning and home appliances at Good Housekeeping for more than 40 years. She has tested and reviewed hundreds of vacuum cleaners, carpet and hardwood floor cleaners, mops, and many other cleaning products. As the executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab, she oversees all testing, and she is an active member of the ASTM Committee on vacuum cleaners and chairman of the consumer information sub-committee.

Alice Garbarini Hurley has written about homes, holidays, house cleaning, and interior design for decades, not just for Good Housekeeping but also for Country Living, Aspire Design and Home, and many other magazines.