Between an upright and canister vacuum, which can help you clean your floors better? Read on to find out.
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The most common types of corded vacuum cleaners are upright vacuums and canister vacuums. When it comes to suction power, they offer exceptional reliability. Furthermore, they have limitless runtime as long as their dirt bins aren’t full and they are connected to a power supply.
The following comparison table will let you know the difference between these two vacuum cleaners.
UPRIGHT VACUUM | CANISTER VACUUM |
Can be used to clean difficult-to-reach areas, such as stairs, corners, and vehicle interiors Suitable for comprehensive floor cleaning, especially if your floor area is large Arguably more popular than upright vacuums | They are ideal for cleaning large spaces filled with carpets due to their power cleaning heads They don’t do well with spot cleaning, but many models have hose attachments for dealing with hard-to-reach areas Difficult to store because of their size and bulkiness |
Upright Or Canister Vacuum: Which One To Buy
Before you hit the market, you must know which type of vacuum you should choose. Of course, there’s a plethora of vacuum cleaners in the market today. So you are free to pick which one suits your needs.
If you are looking for a vacuum cleaner with strong suction power, you need to get an upright or canister vacuum. Regardless of the brand, these two vacuum cleaners are designed to provide superb suction, allowing them to conduct a thorough cleaning.
So let’s compare these two vacuums briefly:
Canister Vacuums
Typically, canister vacuums are composed of two parts: a canister holding the motor and dust bag and a wand used to vacuum up dirt and debris. Compared to upright vacuums, canister vacuums are easier to maneuver. They are also lighter and easier to store, making them a good choice for homeowners with pets or who have to vacuum around a lot of furniture.
Canister vacuums are perfect for cleaning areas under your furniture and stairs. You can also bring them outside your home, thanks to their wheels. If your floor type is tiles, stones, or hardwood, a canister vacuum could be the most suitable option.
Upright Vacuums
An upright vacuum is a vacuum cleaner with a large canister that rests on the floor and a long handle used to push the vacuum across the floor. The canister typically has a dustbin attached to it, where the dirt and debris are collected. They often come with attachments for cleaning carpets and upholstery.
If most of your floors are carpeted, an upright vacuum could be the ideal cleaning tool for you. After all, this type of vacuum cleaner has power cleaning heads that let them tackle stubborn dirt stuck on fabrics.
By default, upright vacuums can’t clean hard-to-reach spaces. However, due to their cleaning extensions and attachments, you may still be able to use these vacuum cleaners for spot cleaning.
Popularity-wise, canister vacuums are a step higher than upright vacuums!
One interesting fact is that both canister and upright vacuums may come in bagged or bagless forms. So this is also a consideration that you need to take into account.
Upright vs. Canister Vacuum Cleaners: Cost
You need to pay attention to the cost of an upright vacuum and a canister vacuum. Of course, these two vacuum cleaner types have varying price ranges. Some of them are placed on the entry-level, while others are downright expensive. The costlier ones are suitable for commercial use due to their higher suction power and increased dustbin capacity.
- The price range for a canister vacuum is $70 to $600. The Miele Blizzard CX1 Pure Suction, which is one of the most powerful canister vacuums, costs about $598.00. Meanwhile, bundle packages may cost up to $1,000.
- The price range for an upright vacuum is $60 to $400. The Shark AZ2002 Vertex is among those upright vacuums in the higher price range. At the time of this writing, its market price is about $354.99. This Shark product features the proprietary DuoClean PowerFins technology for deeper carpet cleaning.
Based on their prices, we can see that canister vacuums are generally more expensive than upright vacuums. The added convenience, versatility, and performance of these canister vacuums are among the reasons for their higher price tags.
However, allow us to emphasize that the most proficient upright vacuum can be as good as the most proficient canister vacuum. If the end result is just our concern, then these two machines can achieve their task.
Upright vs. Canister Vacuum: Convenience And User-Friendliness
If you’re debating between a canister vacuum and an upright vacuum, you might be wondering which one is easier to use.
Canister vacuums can be easier to maneuver around structures and tight spaces than upright vacuums. Furthermore, they have wheels that let you drag them around or outside your home without the need to lift them.
Meanwhile, upright vacuums can be easier to push and pull, and some people find them more comfortable to use. Ultimately, the best vacuum for you is the one that fits your needs and preferences.
Just keep in mind that the suction power of upright and canister vacuums may not differ that much, especially if they are within a similar price range. The larger the vacuums are, the more powerful their motors would be.
Of course, not all people are capable of using oversized, heavy vacuum cleaners due to injuries, age, and other impacting circumstances. At this point, you might realize that an upright or canister vacuum might not be the right choice for you. Go for a cordless vacuum instead.
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Upright vs. Canister Vacuum: Bagged Or Bagless?
When it comes to canister and upright vacuums, you may pick either a bagged or bagless model. A bagless vacuum has a built-in dirt bin that you can empty once it is full. Meanwhile, a bagged vacuum features replaceable bags as its primary dirt container. Once the bag is full, you remove it from the vacuum body (including its filter) and replace it with a new one.
We have a separate post that discusses the advantages and disadvantages of bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners. We recommend that you check that one out. In the meantime, allow us to give you the essential things that you need to know about bagged and bagless vacuums.
Bagged Vacuums (Upright And Canister)
- Bagged vacuums are good for those who don’t want to deal with the mess. The bags have shutters on them that prevent dirt and debris from being spilled accidentally.
- Bagged vacuums are also great for allergy sufferers. When you remove the bag from the vacuum, there’s a minimal risk of allergens escaping. Because of this, bagged vacuums are a popular choice for apartments with limited spaces.
- Changing the bags means that you are also changing their filters, which is a good thing.
- The capacity of these bags is bigger than the dirt container of bagless vacuum cleaners.
- Bagged vacuum cleaners have recurring costs due to the fact that you need to purchase replacement bags from time to time.
- Some vacuum cleaners are only compatible with bags produced by their brand. They are not compatible with generic ones, which can be frustrating in some instances.
- There’s an environmental concern when it comes to disposing of these bags.
- The popularity of bagged vacuums has been gradually decreasing over the years.
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Bagless Vacuums (Upright And Canister)
- The biggest advantage of a bagless vacuum is that you don’t need to purchase any replacement container. That should save you money.
- Bagless vacuums let you pick objects that have been sucked accidentally.
- They have a minimal environmental impact since you are not disposing of anything.
- When emptying their dirt containers, there’s a good chance that you’ll get in contact with the waste. It may lead to allergies.
- Emptying bagless vacuums can get messy.
- While it’s true that you don’t have to buy replacement bags, you may still need to purchase replacement filters.
Weigh the respective advantages and disadvantages of bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners. Your choice can impact the way you use a canister or upright vacuum. Again, take into account their operational costs and the potential conveniences they can give to you. Ethical concerns should be among your considerations, as well.
What Features Are To Look For When Buying Canister And Upright Vacuums
Whether you choose a canister or upright vacuum, certain features remain indispensable. If you want total cleaning performance from these devices, the following features should be present.
Cleaning Head
There are two types of cleaning heads you need to know: power heads and turbo heads.
- Power heads feature a rotating brush and motor. The way they are built is to ensure that they can remove dirt on carpets thoroughly by agitating the fabrics.
- Turbo heads have rotating brushes, as well. But their power isn’t as robust as power heads due to the absence of a driving motor. So instead of a motor, these turbo heads use airflow to spin the brush. So its performance isn’t as good as power heads.
Keep in mind that the usefulness of these attachments comes with a cost. Most of the time, they make the vacuum cleaner heavier and bulkier. They aren’t easy to maneuver, either.
For most floors, the standard cleaning head is already enough. You may only need these special attachments for floors with carpets or if your home has pets residing on it.
Head Height Adjustment
Not all cleaning heads are height adjustable. But if the vacuum you get has this feature, that would be great. A height-adjustable cleaning head will let you clean carpets with varying pile heights more efficiently.
At the same time, these specialized cleaning heads are useful for sweeping dirt from tiled and wooden floors. Essentially, they are great for multi-floor cleaning applications.
Telescoping Wand
A telescopic wand is a wonderful feature that upright or canister vacuums should possess. This simple but ergonomic function will let you adjust the height of the wand. In this way, the vacuum will match your height. In turn, this would let you use the vacuum cleaner more comfortably.
But to be sure, you should test the vacuum cleaner. In this way, you will know if the wand height adjustment can accommodate your height.
Cleaning Tools
Multiple cleaning tools may come with the vacuum cleaner. These cleaning tools will enable the canister or upright vacuum to handle specific cleaning errands. By knowing the function of these tools, you might be able to narrow your choices.
For instance, crevice nozzles are for cleaning tight corners and the corners of sofa cushions. Meanwhile, an upholstery brush is an excellent tool for removing dust from curtains. Dusting brush may be useful, as well.
HEPA Filter
Most canister and upright vacuums have filters on them. But not all of these units have HEPA filters. HEPA filters, or high-efficiency particulate air filters, are specialized filtration mediums that capture small airborne particles.
The size of particles that these HEPA filters capture may vary from one model to another. But at the very least, these filters should be able to trap down to 0.3-micron contaminants.
These HEPA filters are important for vacuum cleaners. After all, they are the ones that prevent allergy-causing elements from escaping from the vacuum. Just keep in mind that you need to wash or replace these HEPA filters regularly.
Adjustable Suction Power
It would really be great if the upright or canister vacuum you choose had an adjustable suction power. You probably know by now that not all cleaning jobs require monstrous suction.
Many parts and surfaces in your home are delicate. For example, if you don’t want to ruin your curtains and cushions, you need to lower the suction of the vacuum cleaner. In a nutshell, versatility is an important aspect of any upright or canister vacuum.
Integrated Storage System
Eventually, you would find storing the attachments of these vacuum cleaners difficult. It is also hard to keep on juggling from one accessory to another while you are cleaning. Hence an integrated storage system is an extremely useful feature for vacuums.
Recommended Upright Vacuum Cleaners
The following are some of the upright vacuum cleaners that you should check out:
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Recommended Canister Vacuum Cleaners
If you are interested in acquiring canister vacuums, the following units might work for you.
Product Image | Model Name | Product Rating | Where to Buy |
Shark Rotator Lift-Away Upright w/Duo Clean | 4.6 / 5 | Amazon | |
Hoover WindTunnel 3 Max Performance | 4.3 / 5 | Amazon | |
Dyson Ball Multi Floor Origin | 4.5 / 5 | Amazon |
Upright vs Canister Vacuum: Final Thoughts
Here, we can see that both upright and canister vacuums have their respective advantages and disadvantages. You simply need to assess your existing cleaning requirements and preferences so that you can decide which of the two fits the bill. At the end of the day, these two vacuum types will help clean your floors.