The Best Canister Vacuums

HOW TO CHOOSE = You’ll want to shop for the best canister vacuums if you have stairs, upholstery, drapes, and other above-the-floor items that you wish to clean often. If you have stairs, look for models that are easily carried from one floor to the other.

Power nozzles are recommended for rugs or carpets. These have a revolving brush in the nozzle which can be turned off when vacuuming bare floors. If you have allergies or other air quality concerns, look for a HEPA filter. You should probably avoid bagless models if you are dust-sensitive.

Instead of a fixed wand, a telescoping wand will make it easier to vacuum in tight spots, on stairs, or high items like window valances. The attachments are pretty standard, but more expensive models might include powered hand tools.

THE REVIEW = The Best Budget Canister Vacuum is the Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765-040, which offers the best blend of performance and price – at $250.

Users and reviewers agree that it does a good job on both bare floors and carpets. A telescoping want helps reach tall drapes and maneuver on stairs, and a powered hand tool helps dig dirt from upholstery and stairs.

Emissions are low, but you’ll still be exposed to some dust when you empty the bin. It’s best to do that outdoors.

Other top performers include:

Best Lightweight Canister for Bare Floors = Miele S4210 Carina @ $400.

Best price found in Dec., ’09 and again in May, '10 = Amazon.com Marketplace is lowest. Once you get to Amazon, type the model you want into the search bar at the top of the page to reach the appropriate page.

A manufacturer with a great reputation and track record is BISSELL Homecare, Inc.

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