Best Bagless Canister Vacuum 2022 – Reviewed and Compared

Canister vacuums aren’t a new or novel vacuum type, though combining the canister style with a bagless collection system is fairly new compared to the lifespan of these vacuums.

What was once a commercial-only style of vacuum, you can find these durable, reliable and powerful vacuums in more and more homes across the country.

There are a lot of options, too, making the choice even more difficult.

Best Bagless Canister Models on the Market 2022

When it comes to the best of the best, you want performance, durability and functionality.

These are the best bagless canister models on the market right now.

1. Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum
2. Severin 7118 Special Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
3. Bissell Powergroom Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum
4. Bissell Zing Bagless Canister
5. Atrix Canister Revo Red Vacuum

Scroll down for more reviews and our buying guide.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Right Bagless Canister Vacuum

Choosing the right canister vacuum for your home can be a challenge to find and even harder to know which to buy. With most major brands offering what seem like great vacuums, there are several things you need to consider before you pull out your wallet.

Floor Type

The type of flooring you want to clean is going to be important. For example, carpet comes in varying thicknesses and pile heights. Some cleaning heads aren’t capable of deep cleaning thicker carpet, or high pile styles.

For hard flooring, the brush roller can be too stiff to clean properly. The stiff bristles may scratch or mark some floor types that are more prone to being damaged. Knowing the floor type along with the cleaning head styles will help narrow your choices

Room Size

Though it isn’t a rule, most bagless canister vacuums are corded models. This can make cleaning large spaces more difficult. If the cord is too short, you will spend a great deal of time changing outlets or maneuvering furniture.

On the same note, though, smaller rooms or homes may find the top of the line models (which usually cost a lot more) are too much vacuum for the space. It is important to understand the room or home size compared to the power can capabilities of the model you choose.

Filtration

Filtration is quite important, especially if you or someone in your home has allergies. HEPA filtration is preferred, but not all models will use it. Standard filtration protects the motor from becoming dusty or collecting debris which can shorten the life.

Overhead Cleaning

Canister vacuums are known for their versatility. And while they may not be as versatile as handheld or backpack vacuums, some models are capable of cleaning more than your floors.

Using attachments or being lightweight allows them to clean furniture, shelving or even overhead. For a truly versatile machine, make sure it includes everything you need to clean more of your home than just the floors.

Accessories and Attachments

In an effort to be more valuable, a lot of manufacturers will include upholstery and crevice cleaning tools. Extra hoses, flex hoses, and other attachments also help you clean other areas of your home.

Price and Warranty

Warranties for vacuums are just as varied as the vacuums themselves. The industry average, though, is a term coverage for 1 to 2 years. 3 to 5 years and even 90-day or less warranties also exist.

Knowing the coverage length as well as what is actually covered and what is not is important to your final decision.

Finally, the price will be the biggest factor. You don’t want to overpay for a machine you use sparingly. You also don’t want to be too frugal that you get a machine that doesn’t perform where you need it to.

7 Best Bagless Canister Vacuums Reviewed

1. Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum

The Hard Floor Expert from Bissell is a multi-cyclonic powerhouse that performs on all floor types with a penchant for cleaning hard flooring. It offers you very few accessories, but there isn’t much else you need with this model.

The claim to fame here is the turbine cleaning head, or foot as Bissell calls it. The specially designed roller is full of bristles that will loosen and lift even the most stubborn stuck on messes, but is gentle enough to not leave scratches on any hard flooring surface.

The other cleaning head is designed for all surfaces and has a small brush roller for cleaning carpet. You can also use the foot pedal to stop the brush roller when cleaning rugs or hard flooring areas that may scratch otherwise.

The canister portion has a large capacity and will hold several rounds worth of debris. It also is fairly lightweight, at only 13 pounds. The large wheels roll easily and won’t scuff floors, letting you pull it behind you as you clean without having to worry about where it is or bumping your ankles.

The 18-foot cord is a bit short, which may have you searching for outlets more than you want, but it does retract with the press of a button, so you don’t have to worry about cord maintenance when you have finished cleaning.

2. Bissell Zing Bagless Canister

For smaller spaces, the Bissell Zing is ideal. Condos, apartments and smaller homes will get the most use of this little canister vacuum. The multi-surface cleaning head and HEPA filtration take care of most of your house cleaning chores.

The one downside is the 15-foot cord. For most small or medium sized rooms it may be enough, but it won’t get you very far into multiple rooms or cover larger areas.

Aside from that, this model has everything you need. The multi-surface tool is great for low and medium pile carpeting. It has a foot pedal to turn the roller on or off, so you can also clean all hard flooring surfaces without leaving scratches behind.

The HEPA rated filtration and easy-empty canister keep dirt, dust and allergens at bay. Ideal for homes with pets, the Zing will clean your floors, furniture and even your curtains. You can clean above your head, too, with or without the cleaning head to get those cobwebs in the corners and the tops of your bookshelves.

This model only comes with a 1-year warranty, but Bissell does honor it without the usual runaround or rigmarole. 

3. Severin 7118 Special Bagless Vacuum Cleaner

The Severin 7118 is a bagless canister vacuum that comes with a lot of extras. Whether you need to clean your floors, curtains or even your car, there is a tool for you included. The 7118 Special comes with more accessories than almost any other model out there.

The basic tools are included, crevice and brush tools for hard to reach areas and the turbo handheld cleaning head for stairs, mattresses and other areas.

However, you also get three cleaning heads. The XL Parquet cleaning head is ideal for most hard flooring surfaces without scratching.

You also get the wide upholstery tool head that works wonders on sofas, chairs and car seats. The powered floor cleaning head is what you will use most often, though. With a brush roller to take on carpet or any grooves in your hard floor, you will get most of your home done with this single cleaning head.

It does have a multi-stage HEPA filtration system and an impressive 18-foot power cord. The cord retracts automatically too, though it is a bit slow when winding.

Like the Bissell Zing and others, there is only a 1-year warranty and it is difficult to get a hold of customer service. However, most users have either no need for the warranty or any problems crop up right away, giving you time to make the necessary calls to get it sorted.

4. Bissell Powergroom Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum

Bissell makes our list once again, and for good reason. Not only is Bissell a well-known and reputable brand, but they produce some of the finest canister vacuums on the market. The Powergroom model is one such model.

Like the Zing, the Powergroom uses a multi-surface cleaning head. This one is a newer models, though and features a stiffer bristle brush roller for deeper carpet cleaning. However, it can scratch some hard flooring surfaces.

To combat this, the brush roller can be turned on or off through fingertip controls on the handle. That handle also extends out giving you more freedom of movement or for better overhead cleaning.

AS with most other Bissell canister vacuums you get the excellent 15-stage cyclonic suction for increased power and minimal suction loss. The HEPA filtration removes in-home allergens while the easy-empty canister means you don’t have to worry about replacement bags.

You do get a retractable power cord, but it is only 15-feet long. Larger homes and bigger rooms may need a few outlet changes to get the entire space clean.

Unlike the Hard Floor Expert model, this one only has a 12-month warranty. Still, with Bissell on the nameplate, you have little to worry about.

5. Ovente Electric Bagless Lightweight Canister Vacuum

Ovente is the new kid on the block and they are making introductions by coming out swinging. They have a few canister style vacuums worthy of this list and this is the base model. Affordable, powerful and full of features, you really can’t go wrong.

The floor brush cleaning head features a pivot brush roll so you can put it up for cleaning hard flooring without scratching or down to agitate and deep clean carpets.

The other tools allow you to clean above your head, in hard to reach areas (think beside your stove) auto and home upholstery, stairs, curtains, the list goes on. The metal wand handle has a push button control extension to get it to the perfect height for your needs.

It also features a HEPA filtration system (a secondary filter wrap is placed around the filter manually). The one downside is the retractable power cord. At only 16-feet long you may need to find new outlets often.

With a 1-year warranty, you may not get the service you desire, but when they can be contacted, customer service is friendly and helpful. They do want all of their customers to be happy, and make every effort to do so.

6. Ovente ST2620B Bagless Canister Cyclonic Vacuum

The ST2620B from Ovente is the next step up from their base model. This one features a few extra tools and a slight improvement in suction power. There are a few notes that knock it down a peg or two, though.

Let’s get the bad out of the way. The cleaning head for floors isn’t the greatest. A slightly different design and you find yourself working harder on carpet than you should. The wheels roll, but they seem to get stuck (feeling, not literally).

Other than that, the vacuum is tops. The multiple tools allow you to clean in your car, above your head, and at angles most other vacuums ignore. Furniture, stairs and hard flooring clean easily and quickly.

The better suction means less passes over an area which then translates to less work for you. This model also features a telescoping handle and helps fight bending or stooping which can end with back pain or fatigue.

The same 1-year warranty and spotty customer service are found with this model, too. But for the price and performance, we can let this slide, a bit.

7. Atrix Canister Revo Red Vacuum

Another name you may not know (yet) is Atrix. This bagless canister vacuum is full of surprises, including 3-stage HEPA filtration and variable speed motor. You can clean everything in your home except, maybe, the dishes.

The three-speed motor can alternate based on your needs from low, to high for cleaning more delicate surfaces with less suction or deep cleaning carpet with higher power.

The extra long 20-foot power cord retracts when no tin use and locks in place so you don’t have to constantly tug on it. You also get three stage filtration with pre-filter, and HEPA plus foam post-filters. All of the filters are long-life and washable.

The Revo Red comes with multiple attachments for cleaning upholstery, stairs, mattresses, curtains, ceilings and more. The air-driven turbo power head is ideal for pet hair and stubborn messes, too.

While it does struggle with high-pile carpet a bit, low and medium pile carpeting as well as hard flooring are no match for the suction power and ease of use.

The 1-year warranty is lacking, and customer service isn’t the best, but we are hopeful that as the company grows this will change.

Bagless Vacuum Pros and Cons

All vacuums have their distinct advantages. And just as there are good points, there are also downsides. Bagless canister vacuums are no exception. Let’s take a closer look at the good and the bad for these vacuum types.

Advantages

The good news is that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Here are the most important aspects to keep in mind when checking off the good side of the list.

• More structured pricing. On average, the cost of canister vacuums is more uniform between brands and even styles. You can find models generally between $100 and $250. Unlike uprights which vary between $50 and $2000.
• Compact design. Use and storage are concerns with any appliance. Canister vacuums store easily and maneuver well thanks to their small, compact design.
• Multiple accessories. From cleaning heads to specialty tools, bagless canister vacuums have a lot of tool options to help you clean more parts of your home.
• No long-term additional costs. Aside from the rare part replacement years down the road, bagless models don’t have as many monthly costs (bags, etc.) as some other vacuum styles do.
• Low maintenance. All vacuums have care and maintenance that you must perform on a regular basis. Canister vacuums have smaller areas that need attention and most of the removable parts are washable. Cutting down on maintenance time is always a bonus.
• Simple to use. Almost all canister vacuums work the same way. A simple power switch and a few floor type settings and you are on your way. Unlike upright vacuums or other styles, you don’t need to do a whole lot to transition from cleaning your floors to your couch to your window dressings either. Saving time on cleaning will go a long way to making you more likely to use the vacuum.

Disadvantages

Not everything is good with canister vacuums, though. While they have a lot of good points, there are a few bad ones, too.

• Filter availability. Times change and companies make new models every year. While many will produce parts and filters for their older models, at some point this process begins to die down. With lesser known brands, they may not make filters that fit your model after a couple of years. You either need to plan ahead and stock up, or expect long searches years down the road.
• Power Cords can get in the way. Unlike stick and upright models, there are little choices for cordless canister vacuums. The cords may be too short for your liking and can get in the way when you are trying to clean.
• Warranties vary. Unlike other vacuum styles, there isn’t a more uniform warranty period. Most will fall between 12 and 24 months, but there are a lot of outliers with terms less than 90 days or over 10 years.

Troubleshooting Bagless Canister Vacuums

As with any electrical appliance with moving parts, there will come a time when something goes wrong. Each model will come with an owner’s manual that can be checked for troubleshooting procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about bagless canister vacuums. If you have further questions, feel free to use the comment section below the article. 

Q. Are canister vacuums worth it?

1. Canister vacuums produce a lot of power, rotation and suction. They are capable of cleaning most floor types, as well as furniture, stairs and even overhead. With a high cleaning ability and relatively low cost compared to other vacuum styles, canister models are worth every penny.

Q. Are bagless vacuums better than bagged models?

1. There is one single basic trade off between bagged and bagless canister vacuums: Filters. Bagged vacuums have the added cost of replacement bags on a regular basis, but because the bag collects the debris, their filters last longer. Your choice comes down to buying filters more often or bags regularly.

Q. How do you clean a bagless canister vacuum?

1. Regular care and maintenance is needed with a canister vacuum. The extra steps include removing and washing the canister to remove any debris or dust from inside. Inspecting the longer hoses for clogs and debris build up and replacing the filter on a regular basis. Beyond these additional steps, the care and maintenance of these machines is fairly minimal.

Q. How long should a bagless canister vacuum last?

1. Several research studies conducted by Consumer Reports state that the average lifespan of most vacuums is eight years. This will depend on the brand, quality of construction and how you use and care for it, but you can expect your new vacuum to last at least 5 years with many reaching 10 or more years of use.

Conclusion

Finding the best bagless canister vacuum can be a daunting task. They aren’t as popular as upright and robotic vacuums and aren’t sold everywhere. However, with some diligent research and consideration, the choice soon becomes clear.

This article showed you what you should think about when deciding to buy a canister vacuum and showed off the 8 best models. If you are still in doubt, take another look at the Bissell Hard Floor Expert Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Canister Vacuum.

This model has enough accessories and features to clean most of your home in a single outing. It is high quality and easy to use, making it a perfect choice for most homes, including yours.