| Vacuum Cleaner Buyers Guide
Choosing a Vacuum Cleaner: Canister or Upright
While the choice between a canister type or upright vacuum
cleaner might be personal preference, there are differences
between the two types. Read the vacuum cleaner pluses and
minuses* below and choose the best vacuum cleaner type for
your home or office. See our vacuum
cleaner comparison chart - ratings, reviews, reports by consumer
experts.
|
|
|
| Canister Pluses
• Best rated design for allergy sufferer since hepa
sealed systems are available
• Flexible hose gives excellent versatility
• Most suction power for carpets
• Pushes more easily with the lightweight head as opposed
to pushing the entire vacuum cleaner
• Can get under furniture easily because head has lower
profile
• Usually has a retractable electrical cord
• Easier and lighter to carry up and down stairs
• Easier to vacuum stairs - a canister vacuum cleaner
will often have a tool specially for stairs
• On board tools for convenience and for cleaning special
surfaces |
Upright Pluses
• The vacuum cleaner is always in front of you, which
some people prefer
• Vacuum cleaner bags are usually larger and require
less changing
• Most upright vacuum cleaner models now come with a
flexible hose for greater versatility
• An upright vacuum cleaner is easy to use for hallways
and large open carpet areas |
| Canister Minuses
• Canister is behind you as you pull which some people
find awkward
• This kind of vacuum cleaner may require lifting over
thresholds
• If using powerhead, may require changing floor brushes
when going from carpet to bare floor (This is not true of
a canister vacuum cleaner with extra turbo head or straight
suction.) |
Upright Minuses
• The hose is usually short and somewhat stiff and
can cause the vacuum cleaner to tip over
• Cannot get under furniture easily (except for the Sebo
X4 vacuum cleaner)
• Less maneuverable around furniture legs
• Does not have a retractable electrical cord
• Harder to vacuum stairs and much heavier
• An upright vacuum cleaner is more difficult to carry
up and down stairs
• Does not have on board specialty vacuum cleaner parts
or tools for dusting crevices, upholstery and the like
• The beater bar can damage delicate Persian rugs
• The design is not as friendly to allergy sufferers |
*Pluses and minuses compiled by AllergyBuyersClub.com Staff
back to top |
Learn more about Vacuums 
