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While the choice between a canister vacuum cleaner 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.
We offer a great selection of the best HEPA vacuum cleaners from top brands such as Miele, Sebo, Dyson, and Electrolux. Our category winner for canister vacuums is the Miele S5981 Capricorn and for uprights, the Miele S7580 Bolero. The Electrolux EL4101A ErgoSpace Green is one of our best value canister vacuums and the Sebo X4 Extra upright is a customer favorite. See our vacuum cleaner comparison chart to compare features, reviews and prices on all of our vacuum models.
Canister Vacuum Cleaners |
Upright Vacuum Cleaners |
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
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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
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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.)
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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
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