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The best canister and upright vacuums for 2024, tested and reviewed
Take control of your home with powerful, versatile picks from Shark and Miele, just in time for hosting season.
A good vacuum is powerful and practical, with strong, unwavering suction, high capacity and a generous cord. A great vacuum is also agile and versatile, ideally with swivel steering and customizable settings for different types of cleaning jobs and floors. The best canister and upright vacuums for 2024 take matters even further with innovative designs — plus accessories — that allow you to go where no upright or canister vacuum has gone before.
Whether you're looking for a vacuum that can highlight dust (the Shark PowerDetect sees beyond the naked eye) or give you limitless access (Miele's canister vacuum lets you reach nearly anywhere), we found an option worth buying. Keep scrolling to discover upright and canister vacuums that will give your cleaning a serious boost, plus shopping tips and more info on our thorough reviews. Don't see something that fits your needs? Check out our guides to the best lightweight vacuums and the best vacuums for pet hair.
A quick note before we dive in: The upright and canister vacuums on our list are recommended for use on both hardwood floors and carpets. When we mention height, we're referring to how tall the vacuums are assembled; length and width reflect how long and wide the cleaner heads are (also referred to as a vacuum's cleaning path). We focused our top picks on vacuums that appeared to have the most powerful suction, with additional bells and whistles to boot. Scroll down to our "others we tested" section for honorable mentions.
Table of contents:
Best upright and canister vacuums for 2024
Size: 12.01"L x 15.12"W x 46.18"H | Weight: 17.08 pounds | Bin capacity: 1.9 liters | Vacuum type: Corded upright | Filter: Yes, HEPA | Power: 1,416 watts
Topping our list is the Shark PowerDetect, which looks almost intergalactic and leverages a network of sensors to adapt to different environments and zap everything in sight.
How it works: The Shark PowerDetect includes a detangling cleaner head with two brush rolls and an odor-neutralizing pod, a HEPA filter, a large 1.9-liter dust cup, a long hose and a wand with a handle and controls. The wand clips into the cleaner head base and the cup clips to the front of the wand.
There are buttons for detaching the dust cup for emptying or lifting it away (with the motor intact) for detailing corners, stairs and upholsteries.
Power settings are located along the top portion of the handle for easy reach. They let you select your floor type or put the vacuum in "Detect" mode, which automatically adjusts its suction.
Why it's great: For being on the heavier side (a common feature among vacuums with strong motors and sizable dust cups), the Shark PowerDetect proved incredibly agile, with swivel steering for optimal maneuverability and a shallow cleaner head that allowed us to get under and around furniture. The two-brush system meant more traction, additional coverage and shorter passes (less time and energy!), while LED lights helped with visibility. The cord length is also 30 feet, on the longer side for a vacuum in the upright category.
The PowerDetect proved a match for a wide range of messes, sucking up Cheerios, rice, kitty litter, sand and stubborn pet fur from a range of surfaces, including against edges of cabinets (for more info on our protocols, scroll down to the "how we tested" section). The anti wrap-style brush cleaner head worked well, with no issues of hair getting caught or tangling.
In automatic "Detect" mode, we were able to harness this Shark vacuum's powerful pickup to navigate multi-surface homes with abandon, cruising from bare floors to low-pile and plush carpets swimmingly. This feature was particularly impressive when it came to tackling smaller areas of carpet, like kitchen mats, because it used just enough suction to vacuum effectively without getting stuck or pulling up corners as a result of excessive gripping. Based on our experience, that's not an easy feat!
That smart technology extended to the vacuum's ability to do detail work, like vacuuming carpeted steps or sofa cushions. The "lift-away" style dust cup meant we didn't have to drag the entire vacuum around or worry about it falling down a flight of stairs, which was so freeing. It also allowed for more reach, and therefore a deeper clean.
In addition to its allergen-zapping, hair-detangling, odor-neutralizing capabilities, the Shark PowerDetect comes with a range of accessories including a Duster Crevice Tool, HairPro Self-Cleaning Pet Power Brush and Pet-Multi Tool. This makes it a great option not only for those with varying surfaces and/or cleaning needs, but pet owners (see more great vacuums for tackling pet hair). You can also purchase the vacuum with fewer bells and whistles for less money. Last time we checked, it was down to $299 with code POWER100.
- Easy-reach buttons, with automated "Detect" option
- Lift-away style dust cup
- LED headlights
- Dual-brush cleaner head with odor-neutralizing pod
- HEPA filter
- On the heavier side
- No cord rewind
Size: 18.2"L x 11"W x 8.7"H | Weight: 13 pounds | Bin capacity: 0.95 liters | Vacuum type: Corded canister | Filter: Yes, AirClean | Power: 1,200 watts
In a canister vacuum, the dust bin is on wheels and trails behind the cleaner head, whereas with a traditional upright vacuum, the dust bin sits in front. The benefit of a canister vacuum is that the wand is freed up and therefore more nimble. And the Classic C1 Turbo is among the most powerful and versatile models we tried.
How it works: The Classic C1 Turbo comes with a 0.95-liter canister containing a dust bag, a long hose, an adjustable wand and two cleaning head bases — a bristled brush for hard floors and a TurboTeq brush for carpeted surfaces. It also has three attachments for detailing purposes: a dusting brush, a crevice tool and and upholstery tool.
Setup is easy: You just attach the hose to the canister on one side and to the wand on the other, then click the wand into whichever cleaner head base — or attachment — you'd like to use.
There's a dial on the canister for selecting your desired suction strength depending on the job at hand, along with power and cord-rewind buttons.
Why it's great: The Classic C1 Turbo managed to suck up all of the materials in our "kitchen sink" test, and though Miele recommends using the hard floor brush, we found the TurboTeq brush more effective with larger materials, such as Cheerios. But where this vac really outpaced the competition was in our "passenger pet" test — when we used the TurboTeq brush, it sucked up stubborn pet hair in just a few passes. (Read more about our tests in the "how we tested" section below.)
We liked how we could customize the suction settings to optimize for not only different surfaces, but different materials in varying heights. When tackling larger piles of Cheerios or sand, for example, we found the vac worked better in lower suction modes, especially in our "carpet course." The lower suction ensured the brush glided along the surface versus hunkering down too intensely.
The adjustable pole allowed us to customize for different user heights and, when fully extended and combined with the hose, allowed for optimal reach when it came to particularly high or shallow areas. This really helped when vacuuming under sofas and around kitchen chairs. In total, the vacuum offers a 29.5-foot operating radius.
The attachments were effective, with the upholstery tool among our favorites for getting hair and crumbs out of sofa crevices. This is another area where it was useful to customize the suction depending on the thickness and fragility of different fabrics.
Despite its fairly large capacity, the Classic C1 Turbo canister was easy to maneuver, especially for this type of vacuum. It glided along floors behind us and has a handle for transporting it when and where there's a lot of furniture or clutter that might get in its way.
This vacuum boasts a three-tiered filtration system, complete with a filter bag with automatic sealing for trapping dirt and hair, a motor protection filter and a separate AirClean filter that, according to Miele, zaps up to 99.9% of airborne debris and other potential allergens. The brand also sells bagless models for those who are ready to leave the bag behind.
- Customizable suction settings
- Adjustable wand
- Automatic cord rewind
- Three-tiered filtration system
- No headlights
- Have to swap cleaner brush heads for different floors
- Need to change bag
Factors to consider when choosing a vacuum
Size: Bigger vacuums generally have larger dust cups and cleaner (brush) heads. Longer hoses, wands and cords equate to greater reach. Longer brush rolls mean fewer passes. Wider and dual brush rolls mean shorter passes.
Weight: The lighter the vacuum, the easier the lift (and steer). Lightweight designs glide across hardwood floors seamlessly but can mean less grip on thick carpets. Lighter models are often associated with smaller dust cups and fewer tech components (like LCD screens and the respective engineering that makes a vacuum top-heavy), though not always. Swivel cleaner heads and dust cups can help with maneuvering, especially when dealing with heavier vacuums.
Bin capacity: Larger cups house more dirt so you don’t have to take as many trips to the trash can. Aside from capacity, look for dust cups that release forcefully with the help of a lever so you don't have to manually unclip the cup lids and pull out debris with your fingers.
Vacuum type:
Upright vacuums consist of a cleaner head, a dust cup, a hose and a wand. Dirt travels to the dust cup via the hose and the dust cup sits above the cleaner head, with the wand behind it and handle up top. Detachable hoses (and wands) can be paired with attachment tools, but canisters usually remain in place. If you don't want to have to carry an entire vacuum up the stairs, you may want a "lift-away"-style canister, which can be detached while cleaning. Also helpful: longer cords for greater reach, plus cord-rewind options so you don't have to wrap up the cord manually.
Canister vacuums (also referred to as cylinder or barrel vacuums) have a body (motor and dust cup) that sits on the floor. That body trails behind the hose, attached to a wand (held by the user) and attachment tool or cleaner head.
Stick vacuums consist of a cleaner head, a long tube (aka wand) which the dirt travels through and a vacuum head upper (or "brain") that features power controls and any LCD screens. The upper also houses the dust cup and can typically be detached and used as a handheld vacuum with attachments. Cordless stick options allow for more freedom and flexibility when vacuuming, but require charging and, in cases of non-freestanding options, docking.
Filters: Vacuum filters zap pollutants and improve air quality, with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters considered the gold standard. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HEPA filters "theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns," with larger or smaller particles “trapped with even higher efficiency.” Follow instruction manuals for how and when to replace or clean filters for optimal results. Many brands like Dyson now use washable filters for cost efficiency.
Wattage: A higher wattage often correlates to greater suction power. When it comes to cordless vacuums, high-voltage batteries generally have a longer shelf life, or run time, so you can tackle more spaces or several jobs in one go without recharging.
Brushes and attachments: Most vacuums come with a detangling-style brush roller (in many cases, customizable or auto-adjusting) that can be used for multiple floor types. Brush cleaner headlights offer more visibility in low lighting and beneath furniture, while mini roller attachments help tackle tighter spaces (such as inside your car; they’re also great for getting stubborn pet fur from sofas). Attachment tools aid in detailing and spot-treating cushions and curtains, and crevice tools are a must for navigating ceilings and wall corners.
How we tested these vacuums
We set up several obstacle courses to test these canister and upright vacuums against materials with varying shapes, textures and densities on different surfaces like carpet and hardwood. We also tested their respective attachments on sofas and other upholstered furniture. Then we put the vacuums through their paces in real-life scenarios, prioritizing homes that needed a good cleaning and/or had pet inhabitants. The nitty gritty:
"Carpet course" test: We spaced out materials — faux fur, rice, Cheerios, kitty litter and sand — across a plush carpet to see how the vacuums managed to cut through the clutter.
"Kitchen sink" test: We poured rice and Cheerios on a hardwood kitchen floor to gauge how well the vacuums could get a grip — especially against trims and in cabinet crevices.
"Passenger pet" test: We asked family and friends to avoid vacuuming for a week, then used car mats to collect the fur their pet companions had shed, to see which vacuums had the best suction.
"Vacs gone wild" test: We didn’t stop there! We clocked hours testing these vacuums in different houses and settings to see if they could rise to different occasions.
Other canister and upright vacuums we tested
So many great vacuums, so little time! We were impressed by a lot of these models, even if they didn't make it to our top picks.
Eureka PowerSpeed ($90): This upright vacuum comes pretty much ready to go and is easily powered on and relaxed via foot pedals. The dust cup is massive (at 2.6 liters, it was the largest of this testing segment), and while the customizable settings on the base are helpful, they're not automatic like the Shark PowerDetect. Also, this vac doesn't have lights, and it wasn't as effective in the "passenger pet" test. That said, if you need a vacuum just for hardwood floors and/or light cleaning, the PowerSpeed offers good value.
Hoover WindTunnel Pro ($140): The WindTunnel Pro is similar in design to the Eureka PowerSpeed, but comes with fewer tools, a smaller dust cup and an additional setup step (a screw that goes into the wand/handle). The suction didn't compare to the Shark PowerDetect, but we'd consider the performance on par with the price, especially when you factor in that this Hoover has a cord rewind feature.
Hoover Complete Performance (Bagged) ($155): Hoover's Complete bagged upright vacuum is straightforward and cost-efficient, with four surface settings, a long hose and three attachments. It did great in our "kitchen sink" and "carpet course" tests, and sufficient in the "passenger pet" evaluation. The cons: It doesn't have headlights or swivel steering, the settings are manual and the bag will need replacing.
Shark Navigator Lift-Away ($200): The Shark Navigator Lift-Away upright is an Amazon No. 1 bestseller, with a nimble, swivel style frame and 1,200 watts of suction power. It doesn't have headlights, and it doesn't hold as much dirt as the Shark PowerDetect, but it proved sufficient in our testing, especially on hardwood surfaces. It'll probably work for someone who prefers to operate their vacuum manually and/or is looking for the same "lift-away" functionality for a lesser price and weight (it's 12.5 pounds).
Kenmore Featherlight Lift-up ($150): The Kenmore Featherweight zipped through our "kitchen sink" test. It fared slightly better than the Shark Navigator Lift-Away when it came to higher piles of sand and Cheerios in our "carpet course" test, and it did slightly worse in the "passenger pet" test. Like many vacs on this list, the Featherweight doesn't have headlights and has manual surface settings, though we'd consider it a good bet for those who have smaller spaces or prefer a more compact option.
Kenmore Canister Vacuum ($120): Like our top Miele pick, this canister vac from Kenmore boasts two cleaner heads, cord-rewind and an extendable wand. But it doesn't have as many customizable settings, as much capacity or quite as much carpet traction (evident in our "passenger pet" test; it also stumbled on some Cheerios).
Bissell Zing ($80): The Bissell Zing is the most affordable canister vacuum on our list, with the largest dust cup capacity (2 liters). The wheeled canister is svelte and swift and incredibly easy to empty. Alas, it doesn't have customizable settings or multiple brush cleaner heads like other canister vacuums we've tested — it also didn't fare as well on carpets and we didn't find the cleaner head or wand as flexible.
Upright and canister vacuum FAQs
What's the difference between a stick and an upright vacuum?
Stick vacuums typically consist of a handled vacuum head, complete with a battery, dust cup, control buttons, filter and sometimes a digital display screen (think of the head, or “upper,” as its central processing and operating unit). The vacuum head attaches to a thin tube, which then connects to a cleaner head with roller brush(es). The "upper" can be attached to various tools for handheld use.
Like many upright vacuums these days, stick vacuums are often bagless (thanks to their dust cups). They also are often cordless, whereas most upright vacuums have a cord. Given their svelte silhouettes and detachable parts, cordless stick vacuums tend to be more nimble and storage-friendly. But they may not pack as much power as an upright vacuum.
Are upright vacuums better than cylinder vacuums?
Cylinder (aka canister) vacuums are often lighter and more compact, and therefore easier to maneuver and store, than upright vacuums. As they typically have more room to support bigger motors, cylinder vacuums can also prove more powerful than uprights. The downside is that because a cylinder vacuum's body trails behind the cleaner head, it's more likely to bump into things.
How often should you vacuum?
It depends on how many people (and pets!) are in your home. As a general rule of thumb, cleaning services like Molly Maid suggest vacuuming carpeted floors twice per week, and hardwood and tile floors once. Pet owners should aim to do a quick maintenance vacuum daily to keep fur and dander at bay.
How do you clean an upright vacuum?
To ensure your vacuum remains in tip-top shape, many brands, such as Dyson, advise cleaning washable filters at least once a month with regular use. We recommend consulting your vacuum's manual for tips, including when to wash and/or replace filters and brush rollers. Look for dust cups that have levers for forcefully ejecting dirt into the trash can. And, because vacuums are often at the center of the action, wipe yours down regularly to reduce the amount of dust and dirt that can emanate.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
