follow us on twitter or facebook

We make the low-price picks, you make the budget buys.

Cheap Canister Vacuums, Best Cheap Canister Vacuums Review

Contents Buying Guide » What to Look For » What to Expect »

Best Cheap Canister Vacuums Good Inexpensive Canister Vacuums Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765-040 starting at $229 Dirt Devil 082700 Vision starting at $136 Electrolux EL6985A Bagged starting at $226 Eureka Maxima 972B starting at $49 Don't Bother Cheap Canister Vacuums  »

Cheap Canister Vacuums Buying Guide

Just more than 100 years ago, an asthma sufferer named James Spangler suspected that a carpet sweeper he used as a janitor in an Ohio department store was the culprit behind his persistent cough. His solution to the job-related health and safety problem involved household items like a pillowcase and broom handle, which eventually led to the invention of the modern electric vacuum cleaner. Floor-care technology has come a long way since but the basic function of a vacuum has never changed.

Today’s budget-minded consumers can choose among a wide assortment of top-performing models that sell at bargain prices. Canister vacuums are versatile machines. They are designed with long handles and hoses and come with various tools and brushes for cleaning a variety of surfaces, from tile and hardwood floors to upholstered furniture, area rugs, and wall-to-wall carpeting. Although many users prefer upright vacuums with beater brushes that pound out the dirt for heavy-duty carpet cleaning, inexpensive canister models with a carpet attachment can get the job done. In the low-price canister segment, where prices range from $49 to $300, Dirt Devil, Hoover, Bissell, Electrolux, and Eureka are the major manufacturers.

The price spread for economical canister vacuums is broader than this segment’s more popular and cheaper upright cousins. Recent in-store visits at national chains such as Walmart, Target, Sears, Kohl’s, and Best Buy reveal that the typical product mix is about 15 or 16 uprights to one or two canister models, such as the Dirt Devil 082700 Vision (starting at $126, Amazon) and the Bissell DigiPro Bagged 6900 (starting at $199, Amazon). Online, though, the story is different: there are numerous canister options and sorting them out can be confusing. To help make your shopping easier, we’ve compiled a rundown of basic, must-have features for economical canister vacuums and prepared a brief summary of their performance.

Back to top »

What To Look For: Inexpensive Canister Vacuums Features

Low-Priced Canister Vacuums Design.

The dirt has to collect someplace, and whether to go bagless or bagged is the first decision value-minded shoppers must make. Personal preference is the rule here, as each design has its fans. One critical factor seems to be convenience; that is, how easy it is to empty the (bagless) cup or replace the full bag with an empty/clean one. 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, canister bags do a better job containing the dirt, although this design requires a bit more effort and a stream of replacement purchases. Users of the moderately-priced Electrolux EL6985A (starting at $200, Amazon) gripe on Amazon.com that the bags are small and the replacements expensive, although one owner of the Eureka Maxima 972B (starting at $49, Amazon) writes on Viewpoints that bags for this bargain canister vacuum are not costly. The bagless Dirt Devil 082700 Vision scores points with a user posting on Thesevacuumssuck.com who says the cup is easy to take apart and clean. Another cost-conscious user, writing on Amazon.com about the same model, says the relatively small container must be emptied after each use but doesn’t consider this a hassle.

Bargain Canister Vacuums Filtration.

Not too long ago bagless designs on budget canister vacuums meant poor filtration and questionable performance. But manufacturers have improved the filtering systems on low-cost bagless machines. One initially skeptical consumer writes on Epinions.com that s/he was won over by the Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765040 (starting at $192, Amazon) design and washable HEPA filter. (HEPA filtration systems are made to capture more than 99.9% of the dust, dander, mites, and other particles embedded in carpets, floors, and furniture and are especially helpful for people with allergies.) Another user post on Epinions.com says the filter works well but leaves an unpleasant odor after being washed; although this model comes with a cleaning tool for the filter itself, an expert review on Howstuffworks.com suggests using water instead. The bagless Dirt Devil 082700 Vision earns praise on Buzzillions.com from a consumer who likes the user-friendly filter and dirt cup, and one fan of the bagged Electrolux EL6985A writes on Epinions.com that the HEPA filter and the special “clinic” bags are effective antidotes to family members’ allergies. The filtration system on the Bissell Digipro Bagged 6900, on the other hand, leaves users grumbling, like this one on Amazon.com who gives a detailed description of exhaust leaking through cracks and gaps in the vacuum rather than through the HEPA filter.

Inexpensive Canister Vacuums Weight.

As with any type of floor-care product, lugging a heavy machine around the home is a drag, which makes lightweight designs particularly appealing. Although demand for canister models has diminished, canisters have carved out a niche with consumers who find these machines lighter and easier to maneuver than the more popular uprights. The Eureka 3670 Mighty Mite (starting at $68, Amazon) and the Electrolux EL6985A are downright feathery, weighing in at 11.6 and 12 pounds respectively; uprights, by comparison, typically weigh between 14 and 24 pounds. One user review of the Eureka Maxima 972B on Walmart.com points out that arthritis sufferers need a lighter cleaning machine, and this economical canister model fits the bill. The Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765040 often wins high marks from consumers, like this one on Epinions.com who appreciates its relatively lightweight design; ditto on Epinions for the 11.5-pound Dirt Devil Vision 082700.

Low-price Canister Vacuums Ease of Use.

Consumers tend to choose canister models over uprights partly because the hose, wand, and floor nozzle can maneuver in and around areas that the bulky uprights cannot—under furniture, for instance, and over door jambs. Power cord and hose length also affect the user-friendliness of inexpensive canister vacuums. Canister models all have extension wands and six- or occasionally seven-foot hoses that make cleaning stairs, curtains, ceiling fans, and the corners of rooms a whole lot simpler. Power cords on many models extend 20 feet, letting you clean most rooms without constantly pulling out the cord from one outlet and plugging it in to another; the Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765040 has an extra-long 25-foot cord compared to the 16-foot cord of the Eureka Maxima 972B, which reviewers on Walmart.com complain is too short (one user suggests buying an extension cord). While most bargain models have an automatic rewind function for the power cord, the Eureka 3670 does not, says one user on Epinions.com.

A potpourri of other features help make these economical canisters user-friendly. A change-bag indicator light, like the one featured on the Eureka Maxima 972B and Bissell DigiPro, save the bother of checking how full the bag is. Well-designed wheels enhance maneuverability, especially if they don’t leave a trail on the floor, writes a satisfied owner of the Dirt Devil 082700 Vision on Buzzillions.com. The Eureka 3670, on the other hand, has wheels that move in one direction only, according to a posting on Epinions.com by a disappointed consumer, who says it’s hard to vacuum stairs and around the legs of furniture. And finally, the controls on most lower-cost canister vacuums are located on the hose handle; the HooverWindTunnel Bagless S3765040 is no exception.

Cheaper Canister Vacuums Accessories.

Powered hand brush rolls for detailed upholstery cleaning, bare floor attachments, telescopic wands, and crevice and soft brush attachments are standard fare on many budget-priced canister vacuums. Thrifty consumers looking for versatile accessories to make cleaning more efficient and effective will find many choices in the economical canister segment. The cleaning tasks you routinely perform should guide your purchase. This user post on Walmart.com says the attachments on the Dirt Devil 082700 Vision work well on task-specific cleaning, such as ceiling fans and hard-to-reach spots. The Eureka Maxima 972B might not be suited for someone who has wall-to-wall carpeting, comments one user on Amazon.com because this low-priced vacuum lacks a roller brush attachment. The Bissell DigiPro lacks a floor brush and only comes with three attachments; the new Bissell Zing (starting at $52, Amazon), meanwhile, comes with a present of six replacement bags and five reusable washable filters.

Back to top »

What To Expect: Cheap Canister Vacuums Performance

Economical Canister Vacuums Cleaning.

Among bargain canister vacuums, cleaning performance is fairly consistent. In fact, several models exceed expectations. One review of the Dirt Devil 082700 Vision on Amazon.com expresses satisfaction with its suction power but grumbles about the attachments. Likewise, the Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765040 garners praise on Buzzillions.com from users for its strong and powerful suction; one even notes the carpet attachment tends to “eat” the rag rugs, so substituting the floor attachment is the way to go. While upright vacuums may be a better choice for tough jobs, such as high-traffic carpets, cheaper canister models may be ideal for hard-surface floors and light carpet duty. Many also perform quite well in the pet department. This user reviewer on Epinions.com successfully puts the Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765040 up against the dander and hair onslaught of two dogs and five cats—no easy cleaning task, for sure. The Dirt Devil 082700 Vision excels at pulling dog hair off of baseboards, according to a user post on Buzzillions.com. On the other hand, some moderately-priced canister vacuums, like the Bissell DigiPro, draw general grumbles about overall quality along with some specific complaints; one user writes on Epinions.com about loose wiring, the hose separating from the plastic housing, and carpet dirt collecting in the belt area. An expert review on Howstuffworks.com of the Bissell Zing says flat out that this value canister vacuum is not meant for heavy-duty cleaning.

Cheap Canister Vacuum Noise.

Vacuums are inherently noisy. High-end canister models from makers like Miele and Bosch are known for their quiet operation but can carry price tags of $1,200 or more. In the value segment, however, Electrolux has found a nifty way to insulate the sound in the Electrolux EL6985A; the result is a quiet, budget-priced canister vacuum that does not crimp on performance. This expert review on Howstuffworks.com praises the machine's low-noise design as well as its compact size and top-notch performance.

The bottom line: budget canister vacuums are versatile cleaners that can tackle a variety of tasks. With an arsenal of attachments and cleaning tools, as well as the ability to reach tight spots, the value canister vacuum is a worthy machine.

Back to top »

 

 

Products Mentioned in This Review

Bissell DigiPro Bagged 6900
Eureka 3670 Mighty Mite Canister
Electrolux EL6985A Bagged
Eureka Maxima 972B
Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765-040
Dirt Devil 082700 Vision

Thrifty Resources

We do not accept payment or other gratuities from manufacturers or retailers to recommend or discuss their products on Cheapism.com. Nor do we accept any payment or other gratuity from websites to blog about their news stories or posts.