34 Best Bagless Canister Vacuums of January 2021

Top 5 comparison

A Versatile and Budget Friendly Vacuum

If you’re looking for a budget friendly yet versatile vacuum, the bagless canister vacuum is one of the best choices out there! This vacuum is great for college students or people in small houses or apartments, but it also works well for pet owners, since it doesn’t require expensive dust bags to function properly. Instead it has a detachable dust bin, which can be emptied over a garbage can. Bagless canister vacuums are found in both cheap and expensive versions. Depending on your needs, you might be well off with one of the cheap models, but some of the expensive models might be recommended for a larger home or those with special needs - e.g. better filters, higher capacity, more suction, etc. All in all, the bagless canister vacuum is indeed a great choice for many people, and many models receive great reviews from buyers.

Bagless Canister Vacuums - How Do They Work?

The reason why bagless canister vacuums are considered among the best vacuums for various types of households, is because of its design and the way they work. It has a simple design which allows for easy use, and access to dust bin and attachments are effortless as well. The bagless canister vacuum consists of these main parts:

1. A canister containing motor, dust bin, and in some cases a few extra attachments.
2. A detachable hose, which connects the canister to the wand.
3. A detachable wand, which is usually telescopic and therefore suits users of different heights.

In most cases you control this type of vacuum from the canister, where on/off buttons are located along with adjustable suction. You’ll usually see an indicator light up if the dust bin is full, but this doesn’t apply to all models out there. Some of the most basic models just have an on/off switch, and a button for retracting the cord. One of the great advantages with this type of vacuum is the retractable cord, which is found on almost all canister vacuums. You don’t have to rewind the cord manually, instead you just push a button and it retracts automatically. Since the canister is on wheels, you’re usually pulling it behind you, as you vacuum across your house. Most models are easy to maneuver, but you have to pay attention to the canister from time to time, so it doesn’t bump into your furniture by accident. Most bagless canister vacuums come with different attachments for different tasks. The extension wand is always detachable, so you can use small attachments directly on the handle. By doing this, you’ll be able to easily vacuum your couch, stairs, curtains, shelves and much more, and with the extension wand you’ll be able to reach those far-away places, without using a ladder or standing on a chair. When it’s full, you just bring it to the garbage can, detach the dust bin, and empties it in a bag. It is recommended to do this outside, to avoid having a sky of dust flying up and spreading across the room.

Some Things to Consider Before Buying

There are many great bagless canister vacuums out there, but not all models are suitable to your needs. As with any other purchase, it is recommended that you consider a few things before deciding which model you want to buy. Here are a few things worth considering, before choosing a new bagless canister vacuum:

• Attachments: A canister vacuum typically comes with a narrow tool to reach the taller hard-to-reach spots of your house. The long hose is there so you don’t have to carry the canister, but it’ll simply roll after you, making it easy for those that aren’t able to lift heavy things. It should also come with a dusting brush and upholstery tool.
• Dust bin capacity: With a bagless vacuum, it’s definitely recommended to empty the dust bin after each cleaning session. It’s a good habit to get into and it’ll help your filter last longer. Also if you do this, the dust bin capacity won’t matter too much, as it probably won’t fill up that quickly!
• Cord length: This might be an important factor to look at, as it’ll determine how many times you have to unplug and plug the machine back into an outlet. If you have a large room, look for one around 20-30ft. which will allow you to move around a larger area. Another feature to look for is an automatic cord retract, which allows you to quickly retract the cord, when finished cleaning.
• Accessory storage: Some canister vacuums have internal storage for the accessories or clipped onto the hose, and others you’ll have to find room somewhere in your house to store all the accessories. Keeping it near other cleaning supplies is a great idea for easy access. A good place would be either a pantry/cabinet or a box in the garage, if you don’t have room inside the house.
• Weight and dimensions: The canister typically roles behind you on wheels while you clean, which makes it much lighter when you vacuum. It’s also not the heaviest vacuum when you have to carry it up the stairs or when you’re moving it around. Usually it’ll weigh between 10-20 lbs. The heavier ones will typically have stronger suction power.
• Price range: $50-$500+ depending on your budget. You can get a nice vacuum for $100 and above, just make sure to read reviews before deciding on one. Some of the best models cost way over $500 though, and depending on your needs, you might want to consider splurging. If you’re suffering from allergies or have a very large house, it might be worth the investment.

Pros and Cons of a Bagless Canister Vacuum

While a bagless canister vacuum is considered one of the best choices for many types of people, it has a few advantages and disadvantages to consider.

Pros:

• Saves money as you don’t have to buy bags
• Great for cleaning hard surfaces
• Great for hard-to-reach places, including. underneath furniture
• Works great on stairs

Cons:

• Emptying the dust bin can be messy
• Might not work well on carpets
• The shape makes it awkward to store
• Not the most powerful type of vacuum

Facts About Bagless Canister Vacuums

Below is a list of facts, which might be nice to know for those shopping for a new bagless canister vacuum.

How’s the transition from upright to canister? Is there a big difference?

If you’re currently using an upright vacuum cleaner, it might take a bit of practice and a few weeks of use, before you’re used to the bagless canister vacuum. Not only is it radically different in its design, but it works different compared with the upright models. While upright vacuums are made to be pushed forward, the canister vacuums are made to be dragged along. One of the biggest differences is therefore the way you move the vacuum around the house, which can be a bit tricky getting used to in the beginning. Some users think the upright vacuum is best when it comes to storing it, because it doesn’t have a long hose and wand, which makes it awkward to store. A bagless canister vacuum takes a bit more space to store properly, due to the hose being unable to bend completely, and the wand being a bit long in some cases.

Is the bagless canister vacuum suitable for pet owners?

Yes and no. While some models are indeed suitable for pet owners and come with a proper range of attachments for exactly this purpose, most of the bagless canister vacuums are not. Some of the models suitable for pet owners are great though, so you shouldn’t put it off completely, before looking into your options. As they are bagless, you can pick up as much pet hair as you want, without having to replace bags all the time. Bags fill up quickly, but the dust bin can be used again and again. Most models are quite easy to empty as well, which is one of its biggest advantages.

Why should I choose a bagless canister over a bagged model?

It goes without saying, that “bagless” is the key selling point here. While bagged vacuum cleaners are great for many purposes, they aren’t exactly the most economical choice. Especially not if you have a big house in demand of frequent cleaning. Bags tend to fill up quickly, and in periods they might even be hard to find in local stores, which means you’ll have to wait for a delivery from an online retailer. Bagless canister vacuums come with a dust bin, which is detachable. It usually has a lid in the bottom, and most models are able to “eject” the collected dust by pushing a button above. That means you’ll have minimal direct contact with its contents, as it shoots itself out and into the garbage can. However, sometimes dust or hair get stuck inside the container, which means you’ll have to reach in and pull it out. It can be quite messy too, so it’s best to empty it carefully or go outside when doing it.

Which attachments are usually included?

Depending on its price, you’ll find many different attachments included with the bagless canister vacuum. Most basic models come with a crevice tool and upholstery tool, but some of the fancier models have multiple floor attachments included for different types of floors, and a larger amount of small tools for all types of cleaning. It is usually possible to purchase extra attachments if needed, but those are usually quite expensive.