Do you know when you have a vacuum that won't pick up the pet hair or dust bunnies?

Or how about when you need to clean your kitchen but don't want to take out the big and bulky upright vacuum cleaner?

Canister vacuums are perfect for these situations. Canister vacuums offer all of the same benefits as an upright, yet they're smaller and lighter.

But where to start?

This article seeks to answer the question what's a canister vacuum & how do they work, so keep reading!

What Exactly Is A Canister Vacuum?

Canister vacuums are a vacuum cleaner that comes in two parts: the canister and the hose.

Canisters vacuums have no bag, so you don't need to worry about taking it out or emptying it.

As a bonus, canister vacuums have many tools stored right on their body, which means less reaching around and more cleaning.

Canister vacuums are also great for small spaces because they're smaller and lighter weight than uprights which means you can get them into tight corners or under furniture with ease.

In addition to these benefits, canisters vacuums cleaners have a cordless design so that you don't need to worry about tripping over one when your room is cleared of clutter.

When to Use a Canister Vacuum?

Canister vacuums are great for several tasks, including cleaning tight spaces, quick clean-ups on spills or pet hair, furniture, and floors.

Canisters work well in homes with toddlers since they can be maneuvered easily around the house without worrying about falling over.

You might also want to invest in one if you have allergies because most people find canisters vacuums to be more gentle, and the filters are designed for people with allergies.

Canisters also work well on hardwood floors, rugs, stairs, or upholstery¹ - just about any surface.

Highlight Features of the Canister Vacuum

Canister vacuums come with a variety of features that make them perfect for every home.

Canisters can be broken down into four categories: Basic, Standard, Specialty, and Advanced.

Basic canisters are great if you're looking to clean up small messes or in smaller spaces like the car.

Standard canisters have more power than Basic ones, so they work well on large spills and hard floors but require more maintenance as their filters need regular cleaning.

The specialty canister vacuum is designed specifically for pet owners who want to get all those pesky cat hairs off carpeting or furniture without having to use any chemicals.

Finally, advanced canister vacuum cleaners offer even more tools, such as converting from upright sweeping mode (which is best for hardwood floors) to canister vacuuming mode (great for under the couch or behind furniture).

The Downsides To Canister Vacuums

The downsides of canister vacuum cleaners are:

• Canister vacuums work best on hard surfaces. For a canister to clean well, the dirt has to go into the canister, which means they're not great for carpets or area rugs.
• Canisters are more expensive than most uprights, but it's worth noting that Canisters don't require bags and their filters need less maintenance².
• Canisters are not designed for large spaces. Canister vacuums need to be emptied often, so they're good for quick spot cleaning or small jobs but don't work well as an all-day vacuum cleaner.

Choosing the Right Vacuum for Your Needs

Now that you know the different canister vacuum cleaners available to purchase, it's time to decide which one is best for your needs.

Basic Canisters might be a good choice if you're looking for a vacuum that can clean up small messes or in smaller spaces like the car.

Canister vacuums with Standard power are good for large spills and hard floors but require more maintenance as their filters need regular cleaning.

Pets will love canister vacuum cleaners that are designed specifically to get all those pesky cat hairs off carpeting or furniture without having to use any chemicals.

Canisters work well on hard surfaces, so they might be a better choice than an upright vacuum cleaner if you have allergies.

Canisters are also more expensive than most uprights, but it's worth noting that canister vacuums don't require bags and their filters need less maintenance.

Canisters are not designed for large spaces, so they might be a good choice if you're living in a small apartment or house with low ceilings.

Additional Things To Consider When Buying A Canister Vacuum

Canister vacuums can clean under furniture and in small spaces better than upright vacuum cleaners.

Canister vacs can also be used for quick clean-up jobs around the house, such as getting crumbs or pet hair off a couch cushion before the company arrives.

The attachments that come on canister vacuum most often include an upholstery brush, crevice tool, dusting brush, and floor nozzle.

Still, there is typically not enough room to store these tools with all the other equipment, which comes with many canister models like HEPA³ filters and telescoping wands.

Some canisters have compartments⁴ to tuck away your cleaning accessories, while others do not have this feature. If you want a canister that stores the attachments, you should be able to find one.

In some cases, canister vacuums will have an automatic cord rewind feature, which is great for people who are physically unable or love convenience.

This does not come standard on all canisters, so if this is important to you, it's worth considering when buying your new vacuum cleaner.

Speaking of convenience, canister vacuum cleaners often come with two wands and a few tools, making them easy to use while vacuuming stairs or other tight spaces like cars and closets.

You can extend these power cords even more by purchasing additional extensions separately as well.

Common Questions

In Conclusion

A canister vacuum is a great option for cleaning large spaces and hard-to-reach areas. It has been the number one choice of professionals in the industry for years because of its ease and efficiency.

While there are many types of vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners seem to be the most popular. The convenience and versatility that these machines offer are one reason they're so widespread.

With a little research and help from this canister vacuum guide, you should be able to find a model that meets your needs in terms of power, weight, noise level, size, or other features.

For more info, take a look at our vacuum cleaner reviews!