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While few Canadians enjoy cleaning, vacuuming is one of those jobs that we must do. Whether we like it or not, our vacuum cleaner can make a big difference when it comes to keeping your home tidy. You might as well make this task as simple as possible. That’s where a canister vacuum comes in. These vacuums have a longer reach, and make for easier cleaning than most traditional upright vacuums cleaners in Canada.

To help you find the best canister vacuums in Canada, we have compiled a list of some of our favourite picks based on the features that Canadians value the most. The following list contains a variety of canister vacuums that might be perfect for use in your home. We’ve reviewed features such as the weight, filter type, hose, and cord of each canister vacuum to ensure that these options are the best in Canada.

Why Did We Choose These Canister Vacuums in Canada?

We chose the canister vacuums on our list because they offer a variety of features that make cleaning life’s dirty messes a little easier. Each of the options on our list is there for a reason, so here’s why we chose these models as the best canister vacuums in Canada.

The Kenmore Pet-Friendly Bagged Canister Vacuum is the best overall option on our list because it offers a great combination of helpful features, powerful suction, and a triple HEPA filtration system. We think this makes this the best canister vacuum for Canadians.

The Hoover Pro Deluxe Bagless Canister Vacuum is our choice for the best suction power because of its unique Windtunnel 3 technology. This canister vacuum uses three individual channels to create powerful suction. Plus, it uses a multi-cyclonic system to prevent clogging and help keep dirt out of the filter.

For Canadians who want to vacuum large spaces without unplugging and replugging the vacuum every two minutes, we suggest the Miele Complete C3 Excellence as the best option. This canister vacuum features a power cord that is 7.3 metres in length, so you can vacuum even large spaces without moving the plug.

The Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Canister Vacuum is our top choice for Canadians who have pets in their home. This canister vacuum is great for removing pet hair from both carpets and hard floors, and it won’t damage your floors in the process.

If you’re looking for a vacuum that does more than just suck up dirt, we suggest the Eureka Mighty Mite Corded Canister Vacuum. This powerful unit can handle carpets and hardwood floors but is versatile enough to clean nearly any surface in your home. But the feature we love the most is the blower function, which is powerful enough to function as a leaf blower.

If you’re looking for the best lightweight canister vacuum in Canada, we recommend the Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister Cleaner. At just 3.6 kilograms, this small but mighty canister vacuum is portable and easy to carry around the house or anywhere you want to use it.

Best Overall

Kenmore Pet-Friendly Bagged Canister Vacuum

Kenmore BC3005 Pet Friendly Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum Cleaner with Extended Telescoping Wand, HEPA, 2 Motors, Retractable Cord, and 4 Cleaning Tools, Blue

Features:

It's Great For:

Our top choice for the best canister vacuum in Canada overall is fully loaded with power and functionality options designed to make cleaning your home a breeze. The Kenmore Pet-Friendly Bagged Canister Vacuum has four separate height adjustments, making it super versatile and efficient on bare floors, carpeted floors, and area rugs. This canister vacuum has two individual motors on board, giving it extra suction power to handle even the hardest jobs, like removing that stubborn pet hair from virtually any surface.

This Kenmore vacuum has a 7.9-metre retractable power cord, meaning you don’t need to move the plug to reach the entire room. The hose attachment includes a telescoping wand and has a reach of 2.9 metres, so you can easily vacuum dust and cobwebs from the curtains or those hard-to-reach corners and ceilings. You can detach the handle when you want to vacuum hard-to-access spaces, such as the interior of your car.

This canister vacuum comes equipped with four separate cleaning tools to tackle nearly any job. The carpet brush is for vacuuming your carpeted spaces. The bare floor tool makes cleaning your hardwood or linoleum floors easy and it won’t damage or scratch the surface. The upholstery brush can handle the cleaning and refreshing of your furniture. The crevice tool is designed to get into those cracks and corners with no problem.

Inside, you’ll find a triple HEPA filtration system that traps 99.97% of dirt, dust, debris, and allergens, making the air in your home safer and healthier to breathe. To top it off, this vacuum is lightweight (at just over 9kg). The swivel steering makes it super maneuverable, too.

The Highlights

The Kenmore Pet-Friendly Bagged Canister Vacuum is lightweight, portable, maneuverable, and powerful. It comes with a slew of options to make cleaning easier and an effective HEPA filtration system to make your home healthier.

  • Triple HEPA filtration system traps allergens and bacteria
  • Four separate height adjustments for optimum airflow and performance
  • Double motors for extra suction power
  • The extra-long cord makes cleaning easier

Our Expert’s Take

“This canister vacuum from Kenmore checks all the boxes, making it the best overall choice for your home and your family.”

Best Suction Power

Hoover Pro Deluxe Bagless Canister Vacuum

Hoover SH40230CA Pro Deluxe Bagless Canister Vacuum

Features:

It's Great For:

If you need a canister vacuum that takes its job seriously and gets the job done right the first time, then we recommend the Hoover Pro Deluxe Bagless Canister Vacuum. It has some serious suction power and versatility that make this the perfect vacuum for Canadians who don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning.

The Hoover Pro features Windtunnel 3 technology – a super-powerful design that uses three separate channels of suction. The multi-cyclonic system is designed to limit the amount of dirt and dust that make it to the filter, which prevents the filter from clogging. The filter itself is a HEPA Media style filter, capable of trapping 99.97% of dust and allergens from the air, down to 0.3 microns.

This canister vacuum transitions easily between hard floors and carpets, and it comes with helpful attachments to make it easier to tackle any job. Included are the dusting brush and upholstery tools for cleaning delicate upholstery, curtains, window shades, and more. The power brush roll nozzle makes vacuuming carpets and rugs easy, and the hard floor brush is meant to vacuum and protect your hard floors. Just push the button to move from carpet to hard floors. The hose reaches up to 3 metres, so you get floor-to-ceiling cleaning for the whole house.

The Highlights

Serious suction power and technology designed to keep air flowing at all times, coupled with a HEPA air filter and all the tools you need for efficient multi-surface cleaning from floor to ceiling, make the Hoover Pro Deluxe Bagless Canister Vacuum a real powerhouse.

  • Windtunnel 3 technology and multi-cyclonic system for improved airflow and suction
  • HEPA filter for removing allergens from the air
  • Hose reaches up to 3 metres
  • Attachments for multi-surface and above-floor cleaning

Our Expert’s Take

“We love the Hoover Pro Deluxe Bagless Canister Vacuum for its maneuverability and versatility. This is a powerful canister vacuum cleaner that offers multi-surface cleaning for the whole house.”

Best Reach

Miele Complete C3 Excellence

Miele 41GDE039CDN Complete C3 Excellence Lotus White

Features:

It's Great For:

Next on our list is a canister vacuum cleaner that can clean the whole room from a single outlet. The Miele Complete C3 Excellence canister vacuum features a power cord that reaches 7.3 metres with an 11-metre operating radius – long enough to vacuum even large spaces without needing to unplug and re-plug the cord every few minutes. This super-long cord saves you time and saves your back since you won’t need to bend over repeatedly during use.

That’s not all these powerful canister vacuum offers, however. The Miele Complete C3 Excellence uses an ergonomic foot control pedal for adjusting the power of the vacuum up or down. Or use the symbol buttons on the display to easily select the power level that matches the surface you’re cleaning, including curtains, upholstery, rugs, carpets, and hard floors. It really couldn’t be any simpler.

This canister vacuum has a 1,200-watt motor for powerful suction and performance. It cleans ground-in dirt from your carpets and is gentle on your hard floors. And it features a triple filtration system that includes the Miele AirClean dustbag, Miele exhaust filter, and an additional filter that protects the motor. Combined, these filters remove more than 99.9% of allergens and fine dust particles from the air.

With the Miele Complete C3 Excellence, you also go on-board storage for all the included attachments, which include the dusting brush, crevice nozzle, and upholstery nozzle, as well as the electric power head for carpets and rugs, and the universal floor head for all your hard floors.

The Highlights

The Miele Complete C3 Excellence canister vacuum is functional, easy to operate, and includes an extra-long power cord to save you time and hassle during cleaning. Onboard attachment storage and easy push-button digital power controls make this a convenient and powerful cleaning machine.

  • 3-metre cord reaches across even the largest spaces
  • Onboard attachment storage for easy multi-surface cleaning
  • The triple filtration system protects both you and the vacuum motor
  • Foot-pedal or push-button control to change the power level

Our Expert’s Take

“The extra-long, 7.3-metre cord is our favourite feature on the Miele Complete C3 Excellence canister vacuum, but we also love the digital icon controls and easy foot-lever operation.”

Best for Pets

Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Canister Vacuum

Bissell 1547 Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum, Silver

Features:

It's Great For:

For the next canister vacuum on our list, we looked for a model that is designed for powerful suction and performance on both carpets and hard floors. The Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Canister Vacuum fits the bill. Additionally, it’s perfect for homes where pet hair seems to wind up everywhere.

This canister vacuum features multi-cyclonic technology, which is designed to create powerful suction regardless of the surface you’re cleaning. The power cord is 5.4 metres long, which provides excellent reach even in larger spaces. And the power cord has an automatic rewind feature, so there’s no more wrestling with the power cord when you’re done vacuuming.

The Bissell Hard Floor Expert has a hose with a telescoping wand and a 2-metre reach, so you can easily clean hard-to-reach areas above-floor, such as curtains and upholstery, as well as those annoying dust bunnies under the couch or cobwebs in the corner. It comes with a dusting brush, an upholstery tool, and a tool for cleaning cracks, crevices, and narrow spaces, all of which are stored on board for easy access. Plus, there’s a sliding air regulator on the handle so you can adjust the airflow for gentle cleaning.

The Highlights

Overall, we love this canister vacuum for its great performance on both carpet and hard floors, and the ease of transitioning between surfaces. The dirt cup is large enough to hold almost 2 litres before needing to be emptied and has an easy empty design that opens from the bottom to help keep your hands clean during the process. This canister vacuum also features a clear window so you can see the brushes without taking anything apart.

  • Powerful suction and scatter-free performance on multiple surfaces
  • On-board attachments
  • Automatic rewind, 5.4-metre power cord
  • Extra-large capacity dirt cup

Our Expert’s Take

“Canadians with furry friends in the home will love the Bissell Hard Floor Expert for its great performance on any type of flooring, and easy cleaning of multiple surfaces.”

Best Multi-Function

Eureka Mighty Mite Corded Canister Vacuum

EUREKA Mighty Mite 3670G Corded Canister Vacuum Cleaner Bagged,Pet,Yellow w/ 2 Dust Bags, 9 x 17.5 x 11.6 inches

Features:

It's Great For:

If you’re looking for a vacuum that does more than just vacuum, check out the Eureka Mighty Mite Corded Canister Vacuum. This lightweight, portable unit not only handles typical cleaning jobs but doubles as a blower. The blower operation makes it perfect for blowing leaves around the backyard, clearing dirt and debris from patios and porches, or even cleaning up the garage floor.

As a vacuum cleaner, the Eureka Mighty Mite hits all the marks. It features a 10-amp motor that is powerful enough to create strong suction. We love it for its extra lightweight design. At just 5.3 kilograms, this canister vacuum is portable and easy to carry around with you from room to room or even outside. This is great because the Eureka Mighty Mite is perfect for all those jobs that other vacuums can’t handle.

Adding to its flexibility is the 6-metre-long power cord, which provides plenty of length for tackling any job. Even better are the included attachments, which make reaching even the tallest ceilings a cinch. This canister vacuum comes with a floor nozzle, a crevice tool, and a double-sided upholstery brush. Plus, you get not one, but two extension wands, so you won’t need a step ladder to clean those hard-to-reach areas. It’s also perfect for vacuuming out the car, or nearly any other use you can think of.

The Highlights

We love the Eureka Mighty Mite Corded Canister Vacuum for its flexibility and multi-use functionality. It’s super lightweight, portable, and serves as a whole-house cleaning buddy for nearly any job – inside or outside.

  • Blower operation means this vacuum serves more than one purpose
  • Two extension wand attachments make floor-to-ceiling cleaning easy
  • Super-lightweight and portable, so you can carry it with you anywhere
  • Great for multi-surface cleaning inside and outside the home

Our Expert’s Take

“Whether you need to vacuum the floors, clean out the car, or blow the leaves from the back patio, the Eureka Mighty Mite can help you get it done.”

Best Lightweight

Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister Cleaner

EUREKA Whirlwind Bagless Canister Cleaner NEN110A Lightweight Corded Vacuum for Carpets and Hard Floors, Blue

Features:

It's Great For:

For those Canadians who don’t appreciate having to drag a heavy vacuum around, our choice for the best lightweight option is here to help. The Eureka Whirlwind Bagless Canister Cleaner is just 3.62 kilograms, making it light enough to carry with you anywhere in your house, and even up the stairs between floors.

Despite its lightweight design, this canister vacuum doesn’t sacrifice suction power. It uses whirlwind technology inside the canister for powerful suction. And it includes cyclone filtration to prevent loss of airflow and a cleaner environment for your family and pets. We also love the easy-empty dust cup, which opens from the bottom and keeps dirt where you want it.

The Eureka Whirlwind is perfect for cleaning carpets, rugs, hard floors, and upholstery, and you can easily transition between settings with a simple foot pedal. The hose attachment features a telescopic wand to help reach those high places where cobwebs love to hide. It comes with a hose with integrated airflow adjustment, a telescopic tube, and an upholstery brush stored on board for easy access. And the accessories are designed to snap easily into place. Add to the package the retractable power cord with a 4.86-metre reach, and you’ve got a lightweight, portable cleaning machine.

The Highlights

As the lightest and most portable model on our list, the Eureka Whirlwind is perfect for Canadians who want a powerful canister vacuum that won’t break their backs. It’s easy to use, powerful on multiple surfaces, and even uses washable components for easy maintenance.

  • Only 3.62 kilograms for easy carrying
  • Easy-empty dirt canister
  • Retractable cord and onboard tools
  • Washable reusable components

Our Expert’s Take

“The lightweight design of the Eureka Whirlwind is super simple and convenient.”

Why Trust Us?


We’ve been evaluating household and lifestyle products for years to help Canadians make the most efficient and sensible choices for their homes, their lives, and their families. We’ve evaluated products in nearly every category, from mattresses to exercise equipment and beyond. We look for the very best products that include the features that matter the most in Canada.

Our experts evaluate each product based on a list of features aht we think are important. Each product is put through hours of research and in-depth analysis. Based on those observations, we compiled a list that we are certain contains products that you will love and get great use from. When evaluating products to find the best canister vacuums in Canada, we looked for the following features:

  • Suction Power. A canister vacuum doesn’t serve much purpose if it doesn’t sufficiently do the job it was intended for, and that’s to suck up dirt, dust, and debris from your home. For our list, we looked for canister vacuums that performed the best and had the most power behind them.
  • Filter Capabilities. The air filter on a canister vacuum is what protects your home and your family from dangerous allergens, dust particles, and bacteria. When you vacuum, these particles are stirred up, and without a powerful filter, may be blown out into the air that you breathe. We chose vacuums that provided HEPA filters for multi-filtration systems so we could be sure that our recommendations were designed with your health in mind.
  • Weight and Portability. Canister vacuums were designed to be lightweight and maneuverable. So, we looked for models that incorporated those features into the design. The vacuums on our list are lightweight and easy to move around or carry from room to room.
  • Attachments. Vacuums are for more than just sweeping the floors. They are used to clean upholstery, curtains, under the couch, or even in the car. Canister vacuums are perfectly suited for these types of jobs because of their design. We looked for vacuums that included helpful attachments to make cleaning any space or surface a breeze.

Why Use a Canister Vacuum in Canada?

When most people think of a vacuum cleaner, they picture a traditional, upright model. Vacuum cleaners of this kind have been a staple in Canadian households for decades. However, they are typically cumbersome, and not very maneuverable. They also have limited power because of the small space allowed for the motor and have a shorter reach as far as the hose attachment is concerned. Most people assume that this is as good as it gets when it comes to vacuuming their floors.

However, the canister vacuum is becoming more popular in Canadian households – and for good reason. All the shortcomings and limitations provided by the standard, upright vacuums are solved by a good canister vacuum. These powerful, functional, and lightweight vacuum cleaners offer a variety of benefits, including:

More Power

Canister vacuums have greater power and suction capacity than their upright counterparts, mostly because there is more space available to house a larger motor. With upright vacuum cleaners, the base of the unit is the only space available for a motor. And because uprights are typically heavier, to begin with, this motor is usually smaller in size, and therefore, less powerful.

With canister vacuums, the motor is housed in the canister itself. This canister is significantly larger than the front part of a standard upright vacuum. This extra space allows for a much larger motor or even multiple motors. Many canister vacuums use cyclone technology or multiple airflow channels to create powerful suction action that an upright model simply can’t duplicate.

Better Maneuverability

If you’ve ever used an upright vacuum, you know that they only travel in one direction: forward. To maneuver the vacuum, you have to point it in another direction. The front of an upright vacuum, where the roller brushes are housed, is typically wider than a canister vacuum as well. Although this means a wider cleaning path, it also limits the maneuverability of the vacuum. Upright vacuums do not fit easily into tight spaces, under furniture, or in corners.

A canister vacuum is designed to be easily maneuverable and suitable for cleaning in even tight spaces. Because the vacuum includes two separate parts – the canister itself and the cleaning nozzle itself – which are connected by a detachable hose, there are no limitations on where you can reach with one of these handy vacuums.

Flexible Functionality

Canister vacuums are intended for use on multiple surfaces. While some newer models of upright vacuum cleaners include height adjustments to make them usable on hard floors as well as carpets, there is no comparing them to the increased functionality of canister vacuums. Upright vacuums that include height adjustments rely on that higher height to protect hard floors from damage. Canister vacuums, however, may include both height adjustments and additional tools specifically designed for hard floors. They also typically come with a variety of tools and attachments to handle a multitude of cleaning tasks, such as crevice tools, upholstery brushes, and more.

Quieter Operation

Canister vacuums are almost always quieter during operation than their upright cousins. This is because canister vacuums are designed so that extra insulation of the canister component, where the motors are housed, is possible. This means less noise while vacuuming.

Still, most vacuum cleaners will advertise a decibel rating for how loud they can get. This usually only represents their noise level on the lowest possible setting. Make sure to check out the noise setting listed for the vacuum you have your eye on, as it may determine whether it fits your lifestyle.

How to Choose a Canister Vacuum in Canada

While there aren’t as many canister vacuums on the Canadian market as other types, the choice can quickly become overwhelming. To combat this, we’ve put together this guide with tips, tricks, and features to help you navigate your choices before you decide on your next canister vacuum cleaner in Canada. 

Reach

The reach of your canister vacuum can refer to the length of the cord or the length of the hose. Either way, you may want to choose the longest option you can find. Nobody wants to stop cleaning to move the plug around repeatedly. A longer hose and extension attachment means you can reach many different levels of your home, including high ceilings or ceiling fans without the use of dangerous ladders. Choosing a canister vacuum with a longer reach can make cleaning easier for you in the long run.

Filter Type

Canister vacuums can use a variety of filter types to help clean your air and your floors. Many use HEPA filters to remove allergens from the air, filtering out dirt and leaving your home cleaner overall. Multi-level filtration systems often have the best benefits, as they offer multiple filters for your air to pass through before the vacuum releases it back into your home.

When considering the type of filter your vacuum cleaner uses, make sure to consider the cost. Your canister vacuum may have washable filters that don’t need to be replaced often. Some models have replaceable filters, and these may cost more than you expect. Look into the filter in each canister vacuum you consider before making a purchase.

Weight

Canister vacuums are lightweight options in general, which is why the weight of each unit is so important. You want to make sure that the vacuum is comfortable to use, especially if you have special needs or limited mobility.

Most canister vacuums will be extremely portable. Some even come with wheels on the canister section, allowing you to easily move the vacuum from one location to the next. Consider choosing an option with wheels if you can’t (or don’t want to) move the heaviest part of the vacuum around with you.

Capacity

How much dirt can the bag (or cup) hold? Since canister vacuums can remove a lot of dirt and debris at once, the dirt cup or bag tends to fill up quickly. You don’t want to stop to empty the bag multiple times during the same cleaning session, so you should pay attention to the capacity of each canister vacuum you’re considering.

Choose a canister vacuum that will last through a full cleaning session without cleaning. The larger the capacity, the better off you’ll be. Keep in mind that high-capacity vacuums will get heavier with use, and may be bulkier to transport. It’s a trade-off you might have to consider.

Attachments

Canister vacuums are useful for cleaning a variety of surfaces, and are helpful for refreshing upholstery, getting those hard-to-reach cobwebs from the corners of your home, and even sweeping out your car. Each of these functions requires a different attachment to get the job done right. Because canister vacuums are made to be used in a variety of locations, many come with a host of attachments for different jobs.

Make sure to look for the attachments you’ll be reaching for most often. It’s important to choose a vacuum that comes with these attachments rather than purchasing them later. While you can purchase additional attachments as you need them, this can quickly become expensive for some models. Instead, look for a model that includes all the attachments you need with the purchase of the machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

The filter is designed to catch dirt and debris and prevent it from escaping into the air. When the filter becomes too full of dirt, it can block the airflow and cause your canister vacuum to lose suction power. It’s advised to clean washable, reusable filters every one to four months, depending on how often you use the vacuum and how much dirt passes through the filter. Replaceable filters follow the same timetable unless they are HEPA filters, which have a lifespan of between two to three years. Overall, replace or clean the filter when it becomes saturated with dirt and debris.

The best way to wash a reusable vacuum cleaner filter is by running it under room temperature water. As the water passes through the filter, it will take the dirt with it. You can use a soft sponge to remove any remaining dirt. Rinse the filter until the water runs completely clean. Then, allow the filter to air dry for between 24-48 hours. Ensure the filter is completely dry before reinstalling it in the vacuum to prevent damage.

A bagged vacuum cleaner, whether canister style or a traditional upright, includes a “dirt bag” that is used to collect the dirt and debris that the vacuum cleaner sucks up. When the bag is full, it is simply thrown out and replaced with a new bag. A bagless vacuum cleaner, however, collects dirt and debris in a dirt cup or dirt container. When the container is full, you simply empty the dirt into the trash and reattach the container to the vacuum cleaner to use again. Many newer dirt containers feature an easy-empty design that opens from the bottom to make emptying easier and cleaner.