Reviews say canister vacuums are best for folks who have a combination of hard wood and rugs, as well as those who plan to vacuum stairs, upholstery, drapes and other above-the-floor items. Uprights, on the other hand, are best for homes with lots of carpeting.

Like upright vacuums, canister vacuums come in both bagging and bagless versions. Bagging canisters are more common, and may be preferable if you have allergies, since emptying a dirt bin can expose you to a cloud of dust. On the other hand, buying bags for a vacuum is an ongoing expense that you may want to avoid by buying a bagless model. Both types perform equally well.

The following is what the experts say to look for in a canister vacuum:

  • Look for a model you can carry up and down stairs. Most people buy canisters to clean floors, stairs, shelves, drapes and upholstery. Also, make sure you can easily maneuver both the nozzle in front of you and the canister body behind you.
  • Power nozzles are recommended if you plan to vacuum plush rugs or carpet. Power nozzles (also called power brushes or motorized brushed) have a revolving brush in the nozzle, which helps dig dirt out of carpets and can be turned off when vacuuming bare floors. Canisters without a power nozzle are called "suction-only" units. These work fine on hard floors and on Berber-style carpet.
  • Look for a HEPA filter if you have allergies or significant air quality concerns. Most reviews say true HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters are best, especially for allergy and asthma sufferers, although some HEPA-type filters can provide very good filtration.
  • A telescoping wand is a nice feature. Instead of a fixed-length wand, some vacuums have an adjustable telescoping wand, which makes it easier to vacuum in tight spaces, on stairs or to reach tall spots like drapes.
  • Most canisters come with some standard attachments, including a bare-floor brush, dusting brush, crevice tool and upholstery tool. More expensive models often include a powered hand tool, useful for car floors and carpeted stairs. Onboard attachment storage can be especially convenient if you use the attachments frequently while vacuuming.
  • If you find bending over uncomfortable, look for a vacuum with controls on the handle rather than the canister. This feature is especially useful if you buy a vacuum with adjustable suction or if you will be switching between vacuuming hard floors, carpeting and rugs frequently.

Canister vacuums are best for wood floors, curtains and upholstery, but a different kind of vacuum may be more appropriate for your needs.

Upright vacuums. These are a good choice for homes that have a lot of carpet. Uprights aren't as versatile, but many people feel more comfortable pushing an upright than they do maneuvering the two different parts of a canister. See the ConsumerSearch report on upright vacuum cleaners.

Carpet cleaners. Carpet deep cleaners are used less frequently than any of the other vacuums mentioned here. Most work by spraying a detergent-water mixture onto the carpet, and then extracting the detergent along with ground-in dirt. Carpet spot cleaners are also included in this group. See the ConsumerSearch report on carpet cleaners.

Wet/dry vacuums. Also known as shop vacs, wet/dry vacuums are most useful in the garage or in a workshop for dust collection. See the ConsumerSearch shop vac report for more information.

Handheld vacuums. Handhelds are convenient for picking up small spills and cleaning car interiors. You can find corded or cordless models. See our report on handheld vacuums.

Central vacuum systems. With a central vacuum, you hook a hose to a wall outlet, which is attached by pipes in the wall to a power supply, usually located in the garage or basement. Dirt is sucked through the hose and then exhausted outside, preventing you from breathing in any vacuum emissions. Since the power source is far away from the room being vacuumed, central vacs are also very quiet. Their drawbacks are cost, estimated at $600 to $2,000, and the need for installation, which some experts say experienced do-it-yourselfers may be able to manage. We do not yet have a report on central vacuum cleaners.

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