Upright vs. canister vacuum cleaners?

Canisters have significantly declined in popularity. Brands like Hoover and Eureka no longer make them at all and Dyson seems to have abandoned their one canister model.

Uprights and stick vacs are what’s in right now, though Miele still makes excellent canister vacuums (for a price). Bissell and Kenmore also make a few decent more affordable canister models.

My most recent vacuum purchase was a Shark Vertex. It’s an upright but you can detach the canister from the brush head so it essentially can be used as a handheld canister vacuum to get the spaces where the brush head won’t fit (though I will say it’s pretty heavy and took some getting used to).

We also have a Shark upright with detachable canister. A little unwieldy. But I appreciate the options.

And a cordless handheld Black & Decker for smaller jobs and the car.

Canister fan, here. I have had excellent luck with Kenmore canisters over the years. I recently had to order a new one, (so many things broke during the pandemic!) so I got it from Target, on line, shipped and delivered.
It was just under $300.

It was very similar to this one, but from Target.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M36B5JZ/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=9add4fbe700807ec11c609e693dfff6c&hsa_cr_id=7177675780401&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=027e69ea-755c-469b-bfcf-cbee5506f301&pd_rd_w=4UgTm&pd_rd_wg=zenaB&ref=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_0_img

Not related to type of vacuum. But I’d recommend Costco. Great prices and amazing return policy.

If you don’t have a membership, you can ask a friend or I’ve heard you can use a Costco gift card.
(Assuming you are in the states.)

Over the years, I have come to feel hate for vacuums. I have a steam cleaner, which cost no more than a decent upright vacuum. It is a bit heavier, but it’s more thorough. I have a dustbuster for occasional spots, and stuff that should not go in the steamer.

The drawbacks, stairs. A dustbuster isn’t enough by itself. For that, a cannister is best, but cumbersome.

The frequency of filling and emptying tanks.

I just like the smell afterwards, because there are no airborne particles.

I’m only sharing this in case it sounds like a good alternative for anybody besides me.

Nowadays, everything comes with attachments. An upright can do upholstery, drapes, and pets. Stairs are still a challenge. I don’t know if you have that to consider.

Everything is less than perfect.
This is how I feel about options.

For the best clean, get a Rainbow. But clean the filter after every use.
I have a Compact Electra that I love. It’s like a small canister on wheels but the way the air goes through the machine is different than a standard canister. That’s why it cleans so well and you don’t have to empty the bag after every use.

I can’t think of any complaints about my upright vacuum. It weighs 16 lbs, has a swivel-head, is made for pet owners, is multi-cyclonic, is bag-less, you can remove the rotor brush to clean hair off of it, and you can turn off the brushes with a switch in order to vacuum hardwood floors.

I noticed in the link that Amazon is out of stock and doesn’t know when they’ll get any in – I suspect they’ve stopped making them because the Bissell site said they didn’t have any. But I wanted to let you see and read about the features because you might want to look for certain features in your new one. Price? I’m pretty sure I paid $120 or less for it, maybe even less than $80, but I just can’t remember. It’s my first upright and I won’t go back to a cannister.

https://www.amazon.com/BISSELL-PowerGlide-Vacuum-1305-TurboEraser/dp/B00KR5UJJU

I have an upright that you can remove the canister part and use it just as a canister, but the canister doesn’t have wheels. It’s good for stairs. The vacuum when all put together is quite heavy, but I almost never have to lift it so I don’t mind.

Been through like three shark uprights, they only last a year. Last one we got was a dirt devil swerve of the same design as the shark and it’s been going strong for a couple of years now.

It doesn’t matter to me. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. When I look for a vacuum cleaner, I want one that’s idiot proof. It needs to be easy to troubleshoot. No funky corners that trap broom straws (The wand on many cannister vacs have a built-in angle that can make clogs hard to remove.) Replacement parts need to be affordable, and I want to know that the model has been around for many years. The Panasonic upright fits all those requirements, but as with all uprights, if you want to use the hose only, you must remember to watch that the beater bar doesn’t snag anything while you’re using the wand. it doesn’t stop running.

In addition, Panasonic’s design is set up so you can’t burn up the motor! That’s a main selling point for me. https://www.ezvacuum.com/panasonic-mcug383-upright-vacuum-cleaner-free-sh-p-2814.html

I do not, DO NOT recommend bagless vaccum cleaners. Many vacuum shops refuse to even work on them. And yes, you’ll save money on bags, but you’ll be cleaning or replacing multiple filters, and most of them are expensive!

@Blackwater_Park The shark navigator we purchased in 2015 was still going strong. Only out of commission because I yanked the hose too hard and broke it. Could purchase a hose replacement. But it was out of stock and I didn’t want to wait for them to restock. :/

Wow, so much helpful information here! Thank you, everyone. Additional comments welcome.

@snowberry My upright’s beater bar/rotating brush stops with the flip of a switch located next to the power button, so apparently they’ve revamped the designs on some brands.

I have a Miele canister that does a great job. The machine is light and quiet, and it has removed about a ton of dog and cat hair without being damaged.

This is my second Miele. The company’s products are pricey but worth it, and I swear by them.

I just moved and bought a cordless upright vacuum, probably weighs about 5 pounds. It comes apart to use like a dustbuster, has a very small canister for dirt and debris, and has about a 40 min battery. But we have hardwood and ceramic floors with low pile area rugs, no pets, and don’t wear shoes inside, so it feels reasonable to me. I know it doesn’t pick up dirt like a heavier vacuum, but is easy to navigate and I am very pleased. I just leave it plugged in all the time when not in use. It was about $100 on Amazon and came highly rated by users.

If you don’t like an upright because they’re usually too heavy try an Oreck Titanium.
I waited for them to go on sale and am quite glad I got it.
For stuff where I need a hose, I think this was a great value: it’s relatively cheap, quite, easy to clean out.

Dittos on the Oreck, had canisters and Other Uprights before, Oreck best decision I made.

If my memory serves correctly, one of the best selling features about Orek was its light weight.