“how to find the best cheap products” — kiplinger
In this review:
  1. Cheap Canister Vacuums, Best Canister Vacuum
  2. HEPA Canister Vacuums, Bagless Canister Vacuums
  3. Lightweight Vacuums
  4. Canister Vacuum Reviews
  5. Discount Canister Vacuums Features Comparison Table
Sign up for our
Free Newsletter
Related Guides: Handheld Vacuums, Robotic Vacuum Cleaners, Steam Cleaners and Vacuum Cleaners

Canister Vacuum Features

HEPA Canister Vacuums.

Not too long ago, cheap bagless canister vacuums were associated with poor filtration and questionable performance. But manufacturers have improved the filtration systems on cheap bagless vacuums.
Many HEPA canister vacuums are available now, and are especially desirable for people with allergies because they capture more than 99.9% of the dust, dander, mites, and other particles embedded in carpets, floors, and furniture. The bagless Dirt Devil 082700 Vision uses a HEPA filter, and a consumer posting on Amazon says a few shots of compressed air now and then is an easy way to keep the filter clean and effective. Having a HEPA canister vacuum is no guarantee the air it expels will be allergen-free, however. Consumers posting comments on Amazon grumble about the HEPA filtration system on the higher-priced Bissell DigiPro Bagged 6900 (starting at $211, Amazon); one gives a detailed description of exhaust leaking through cracks and gaps in the vacuum rather than going through the HEPA filter.

The other cheap canister vacuums on our list rely on other types of particle-trapping filters. The Eureka Maxima 972B uses a standard filter, which is said to capture dirt, dust, and other small particles, while Kenmore indicates that the Magic Blue 24195 uses micro filtration. The Bissell Zing 10M2 uses four-stage filtration to catch dust and other particles.

Bagless Canister Vacuum vs. Bagged Canister Vacuum.

The dirt has to collect someplace, and whether to go bagless or bagged is the first decision to make when shopping for a cheap canister vacuum. Personal preference is the rule here, as each design has its fans. A critical factor seems to be how convenient it is to empty the cup on a bagless canister vacuum or replace a full bag with an empty/clean one on a bagged model. Many users like the simplicity of dumping the cup into the garbage, but others say doing so can unleash a swirl of dust. In general, bags do a better job containing the dirt, although a bagged design requires a bit more effort and a stream of replacement purchases. The Dirt Devil 082700 Vision (starting at $125, Amazon), our pick for best cheap canister vacuum, and the Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum 10M2 (starting at $50, Amazon) are bagless vacuums. Both of our picks for good cheap canister vacuum, the Eureka Maxima 972B (starting at $50, Amazon) and the Kenmore Magic Blue 24195 (starting at $100, Amazon), are bagged models.

by Raechel Conover (Google+ Profile)

Back to top »

Best Cheap Canister Vacuums

Where to buy

Good Inexpensive Canister Vacuums

Where to buy
Where to buy
 
 
Cheapism.com on Facebook
 

Don't Bother Cheap Canister Vacuums

Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum 10M2

Users give this cheap canister vacuum mixed reviews, saying it has good suction but isn't suited to carpet and could use more attachments. Many complain that the vacuum is unusually loud, and one user reports that the plug caught on fire. Read more »

 
Weekly Update: Cheap Compost Bin Recommendations, What to Buy in May and More

April showers bring May flowers, and savings are already sprouting. ...

8 Tips For Landscaping on the Cheap

Since most people will judge your home by it's landscaping, why not spruce it up with these cheap gardening ideas.

Weekly Update: Cheap Hiking Boots Recommendations, Cut Baby Costs and More

April is National Car Care Month, so protect your investment and save money down the road. ...