Best Canister Vacuums of 2024

They're easy to handle, making them great for cleaning stairs, and they pick up pet hair with ease

CR has found that canister vacuums are perfect for cleaning stairs in homes with multiple levels because you don't have to lift the whole appliance.

By Mary H.J. Farrell

Updated by Quentyn Kennemer

All the canister vacuums we test at Consumer Reports do a terrific job cleaning bare floors, and some are very good at cleaning carpet. But what really makes canister vacuum cleaners stand out from other types of vacuums is their design, which makes them particularly suitable for cleaning a house with multiple levels.

Because the weight is distributed between the canister itself and the powerhead, canister vacuums are easier to move around than upright vacuums . "Canisters have an advantage for cleaning stairs because you're not lifting the whole vacuum—plus the wand and hose give you a longer reach," says Frank Rizzi, who tests vacuums for CR. "They're also easier to maneuver than an upright."

CR tests the airflow of canister vacuums using scientific instruments that measure their ability to limit debris from escaping back into the air. We also judge them on their ability to tackle specific jobs, like removing pet hair .

Below, in alphabetical order, we've listed the top bagged and bagless canister vacuums from CR's tests. In addition to those picks, you'll find more details on how we test canister vacuums and determine which ones are the best. You can also browse our full canister vacuum ratings and consult our vacuum cleaner buying guide to learn more.

Kenmore Elite Pet Friendly CrossOver 21814

The Kenmore Elite Pet Friendly CrossOver 21814 is top-notch at cleaning bare floors and, like many of the canisters featured here, earns a very good rating for cleaning carpet. Suction through the hose is superb, and emissions are clean. At 26 pounds, however, it's one of the heaviest canisters in CR's tests, which contributes to its unimpressive score for handling (a key advantage of canisters). Other Kenmore canisters remove pet hair better in our tests, but the 21814 model still does a solid job.

As a brand, Kenmore canisters earn midlevel ratings for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our member surveys.

Kenmore Elite Pet Friendly UltraPlush 81714

The Kenmore Elite Pet Friendly UltraPlush 81714 is indeed friendly to pet owners, earning an excellent score in our test for removing pet hair. It's also a champ at cleaning bare floors and a solid performer at cleaning carpet, making it a smart choice if you have a combination of flooring. It makes the grade in our clean emissions test, but in terms of noise, there are quieter choices.

Kenmore Pop-N-Go BC4026

The versatile Kenmore Pop-N-Go BC4026 makes an impressive showing in both our bare-floor and pet-hair cleaning tests, leaving little or nothing behind. It also earns above-average marks for carpet cleaning. The Pop-N-Go name refers to how easy it is to attach the floor brush, and our testers liked the way this vacuum maneuvers around and under furniture. Emissions are clean, and this model has robust airflow, making it a good choice if you often use your attachments to clean upholstery.

Kenmore Pop-N-Go UltraPlush BC4027

The Kenmore Pop-N-Go UltraPlush BC4027 earns the category's highest scores for cleaning bare floors and pet hair. It also aces our clean emissions test, which measures the quantity of wood-flour ps a vacuum releases in our lab. Like the PC4026 , this model features the brand's Pop-N-Go feature, which allows you to easily transition between the powerhead and the floor brush. But our testers did note that the powerhead doesn't swivel.

Kenmore 200 Series 81214

This Kenmore 200 Series 81214 performs quite well in CR cleaning tests, with a very good score for cleaning carpets and suction power, while its ability to clean bare floss and pet hair is stellar. Negatives? Handling is average and it's one of the noisier canisters. Differences from the 400 Series : the on/off switch is on the body, it has a different type of suction control, and there's no telescopic wand.

Kenmore 200 Series BC4002

The Kenmore 200 Series BC4002 offers both strong performance and value. At this relatively low price, you get an impressive bagged canister vacuum that vanquishes pet hair and leaves floors spotless. It's also quite capable of cleaning carpet, scoring a near-top-level score in that test. Emissions are clean and tool airflow is strong, so you'll have no problem using your attachments. Our testers found it decently easy to handle and move under and around furniture.

Kenmore 400 Series 81414

The budget-friendly Kenmore 400 Series 81414 earns top marks for cleaning bare floors and removing pet hair. It's almost as good at cleaning carpet, too. It gets only an average score for clean emissions, so if you have allergies, consider a vacuum with better scores in this test. Suction through the hose is very good, making this a good choice if you often use attachments. This Kenmore is a bit noisy, though.

Miele Complete C3 Calima Powerline SGFE0

The Miele Complete C3 Calima Powerline SGFE0 aces our bare-floors cleaning test and is a solid performer at cleaning pet hair, making it a smart choice if you have pets. It earns an excellent score in our clean emissions test, and in terms of noise, it's very quiet. But it's mediocre at cleaning carpets and is very expensive, too. Miele vacuums have a devoted following, and in our member surveys the brand earns top scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.

Miele Complete C3 Marin

Our highest-rated canister vacuum, the Miele Complete C3 Marin , earns impressive marks in almost every test we throw its way. It's a champ at cleaning bare floors and picking up embedded pet hair, and its emissions are free of debris, earning the highest score possible in that assessment. Its carpet cleaning capabilities are only so-so, though. It's the most expensive canister in this group (costing two to three times as most of its competitors), but its consistently strong performance has made it one of our top canisters for several years running.

Kenmore 22614

Impressive cleaning and lots of airflow for tools make this bagless canister a top pick. The budget-friendly Kenmore 22614 is also a great choice for cleaning up pet hair. The machine's features include manual carpet pile-height adjustment, suction control, a brush on/off switch, and a retractable cord. One caveat: Handling this vacuum's 23 pounds takes some muscle. In our member surveys, Kenmore canister vacuums earn midrange scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.

Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog

The Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog is on the pricey side, but it's one of the best canisters you can buy. It's a top-grade performer in our bare-floor and pet-hair tests, but it's not as great when it comes to cleaning carpet. This vacuum also performs well in our clean emissions tests; it doesn't release debris back into the air of the room you just cleaned. Miele vacuums have a devoted following, and in our member surveys, the brand earns top scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.

Miele Boost CX1 SNRF0

This Miele Boost CX1 SNRF0 is a bagless canister that doesn't have a rotating brush roll in the powerhead, which prevents it from being one of the best carpet cleaners. That said, its powerful suction makes it a contender. It performs extremely well when cleaning bare floors and pet hair—plus, it's especially quiet and performs very well in clean emissions testing. Our testers liked the emptying mechanism and ease of bin removal. The accessories can be stored on the vacuum.

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