Canister Vacuum Information

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.

Besides those reviews on our chart, we found the following resources to be particularly helpful:

Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc. is a nonprofit organization for families affected by allergies and asthma.

The Green Guide also has information related to vacuuming and allergies.

Article on "Vacuum Cleaner Care and Feeding" at TheNewHomemaker.com.

Vacuum cleaner buying guide on eBay.

Manufacturers' websites:

Bosch

Dyson

Electrolux (Eureka)

Electrolux (Aerus)

Hoover

Kenmore

Miele

SEBO

Rainbow