Canister Vacuum Reviews

Filed in: Appliance, Canister Vacuums, Cleaning, Home and Garden, Vacuum Cleaners

Price Range

Cheapism

Mid-range

High end

$50

$300

$600

...+

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, like the Kenmore 24195, 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. And several users of the Kenmore 24195 comment on the unexpectedly quiet operation of this cheap canister vacuum.

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.

Best Cheap Canister Vacuums

Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765-040 »

starting at $229

Dirt Devil 082700 Vision »

starting at $136

Good Inexpensive Canister Vacuums

Electrolux EL6985A Bagged »

starting at $226

Eureka Maxima 972B »

starting at $49

Kenmore Magic Blue canister vacuum 24195 »

starting at $99

Inexpensive home repair tips

If the cost of home repairs is getting you down, pick up some cheap do-it-yourself tricks from this report by ABC News.

Low priced green cleaning solutions

Green and clean, according to readers of USA Today who sent in recipes for their favorite household-cleaning concotions. The Deseret News shares them with the rest of us.

Save on Cooling

Stay cool this summer (and for many summers beyond) by following these money-saving tips from 39online.com. (Note: There's a bonus video accompanying the article.)