What is the difference between canister vacuums and uprights

Upright vacuums are heavy and because they are one large unit, carrying them up the stairs to vacuum each step is no mean feat. Although canister vacuums do sometimes have heavy units, the hose and wand should be very light to push around. Another thing to think about is the layout of your home and if there are awkward places to clean or stairs, bear in mind how heavy upright vacuums can be and consider the crevice tools that come with each type of vacuum cleaner.

Ultimately, choosing between canister and upright vacuums will depend on what you need for your home, but keep in mind maneuverability, weight, and storage to make your decision easier. When she's not testing coffee machines and appliances, Sophie is thinking of eating delicious food, and asking people what they're having for dinner. And the dusting brush makes light work of computer keyboards. Unfortunately, all vacuum cleaners are pretty loud. This means they tend to be noisier, but you can get some quieter models that are around 70dB.

They sit at the dB level instead. It might not sound a lot less, but in reality, it makes a huge difference. This makes them a good choice if you have anxious pets or are sensitive to noise yourself.

And they have good airflow, so you can vacuum up larger debris without it blocking the hose. So overall, a canister vacuum requires minimal maintenance. On the other hand, upright vacuums use belts that can break and need replacing.

So this is an extra hassle. But cleaning an upright is straightforward due to most of them having a bagless design. Both types of vacuum cleaners have their pros and cons when it comes to cleaning your home.

An upright vacuum is easy to maneuver and great for giving your carpets a deep clean thanks to the power head. But a canister vac feels lightweight and the straight suction leaves bare floors super clean.

Plus, the retractable cord is a real bonus that will save you time. Consider what you want from your vacuum cleaner. There are some fundamental differences that will have an impact on how you clean your home.

It all comes down to your personal choice of which type you prefer. Let us know in the comments below! Jeneva Aaron. Your email address will not be published. Both awesome. But which is best for you? Table of Contents. Upright vs. Those in apartments or other tight living quarters will likely prefer uprights for this reason.

If noise levels are a concern, a canister vacuum is usually much quieter. While some quieter models exist, uprights are sometimes noisy enough to warrant hearing protection. Typical canister units are equipped with a number of tools, such as a crevice nozzle, upholstery brush, and at times the mechanized brush, as found with upright units, to improve work with carpets and rugs. Upright models have motorized brushes and can be more efficient at cleaning thicker carpets and even rugs.

Further, using an upright vacuum makes transitions from bare floors or carpets much smoother when controlling the unit with a foot. If a home does not have carpeting, a canister vacuum may be a better option, especially if it is a unit with straight suction as opposed to one with a revolving brush head. The motorized revolving brush design is better for cleaning carpets and area rugs. In the U. Most of these brands specialize in uprights but also offer a small and growing selection of canister vacuums.

Upright vacuums are far more popular in the U. Share this comparison:. If you read this far, you should follow us:. Diffen LLC, n. Upright vs. Canister Vacuum. Comparison chart Differences — Similarities —. Design A canister vacuum consists of a wheeled body that is attached to a vacuum wand and power head via a flexible plastic hose.

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