Rankings
The Sanitaire SL3681A is a compact, lightweight canister vacuum delivering strong suction with a 1200 W motor and HEPA-ready filtration. Its trade-offs include a bagged collection system and lack of a brush roll, limiting deep-carpet cleaning. Ideal for light-commercial or residential use where quiet operation and portability matter.
The Oreck Super-Deluxe Compact Canister combines ultra-lightweight design with a powerful 1 HP motor and dual vacuum/blower modes, delivering versatile cleaning for stairs, upholstery, and cars. Its single speed and reliance on proprietary bags limit flexibility and increase operating costs. Ideal for allergy-sensitive users and anyone needing a portable, multi-surface cleaner.
The Hoover CH30000 PortaPower is a lightweight, bagged canister vacuum offering strong suction and a versatile 2-in-1 blower function. Its small bag capacity and lack of a furniture guard limit extended cleaning sessions. Perfect for detail work in cars, offices, and small spaces.
The Oreck Commercial XL Pro 5 is an ultra-lightweight, bagged canister vacuum with strong suction and a long cord, making it ideal for tight-space and stair cleaning. Its small bag capacity and lack of automatic cord rewind are notable trade-offs. Best suited for users who prioritize portability and allergen filtration.
The Eureka 3670M is a lightweight bagged canister vacuum offering a 1200 W motor, 20-ft cord and built-in blower for versatile cleaning. It is limited by its bagged system and absence of a powered brushroll or headlights. Best suited for apartments and small homes needing portability and budget-friendly performance.
The Bissell Zing 2156A is a compact, bagless canister vacuum praised for its ultra-lightweight design and variable suction control. Its small 2-liter dust bin and flimsy plastic wand limit suitability for larger homes or medium-pile carpets. Ideal for apartments and quick clean-ups on hard floors and low-pile carpet.
The Atrix AHSC-1 Lil' Red is a compact, lightweight canister vacuum delivering 1,200 W motor power, making it ideal for quick clean-ups in small spaces. Its small 2 L dust capacity and relatively short cord limit longer cleaning sessions. Best suited for apartment dwellers and allergy sufferers needing portability.
The Dirt Devil SD40201 is a compact bagless canister vacuum featuring a cyclonic system, rinseable HEPA filter and one-touch 16-ft cord rewind for quick cleaning. Its small 0.6 L bin, variable weight up to 15.4 lb and louder operation are notable compromises. It fits apartment dwellers and allergy-sensitive users seeking a portable, multi-surface vacuum.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ↓ lower better | 14 kg | 2.27 kg | 3.9 kg | 5.26 kg | 4.64 kg | 1.81 kgbest | 3.8 kg | 13 kg |
1,200 Wbest | 480 W | 1,200 Wbest | 1,200 Wbest | — | 735.5 W | — | — | |
2.46 L | 1.18 L | 2.5 L | 2 L | 2 L | 5.2 Lbest | — | 0.6 L | |
11 cm | 20.32 cm | 52.32 cmbest | 20.32 cm | 30.48 cm | 22.86 cm | 17.78 cm | 38.3 cm | |
6.1 m | 9.14 m | 6.1 m | 4.88 m | 4.57 m | 6.1 m | 10.21 mbest | 4.88 m | |
1 years | 1 years | 1 years | — | 1 years | 3 yearsbest | — | — | |
9 cm | 13.34 cm | 26.92 cm | 25.4 cm | 27.94 cm | 17.78 cm | 27.94 cm | 30.1 cmbest | |
17 cm | 34.29 cm | 29.97 cm | 34.29 cm | 35.56 cm | 41.91 cm | 45.72 cmbest | 43 cm |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance(2) | ||||||||
Dust Capacity (L) | 2.46 L | 1.18 L | 2.5 L | 2 L | 2 L | 5.2 L | — | 0.6 L |
Motor Power (W) | 1200 W | 480 W | 1200 W | 1200 W | — | 735.5 W | — | — |
Warranty(1) | ||||||||
Warranty (years) | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | — | 1 years | 3 years | — | — |
Build & Design(4) | ||||||||
Weight (kg) | 14 kg | 2.27 kg | 3.9 kg | 5.26 kg | 4.64 kg | 1.81 kg | 3.80 kg | 13.0 kg |
Height (cm) | 11 cm | 20.32 cm | 52.32 cm | 20.32 cm | 30.48 cm | 22.86 cm | 17.78 cm | 38.3 cm |
Width (cm) | 9 cm | 13.34 cm | 26.92 cm | 25.4 cm | 27.94 cm | 17.78 cm | 27.94 cm | 30.1 cm |
Length (cm) | 17 cm | 34.29 cm | 29.97 cm | 34.29 cm | 35.56 cm | 41.91 cm | 45.72 cm | 43.0 cm |
Accessories(1) | ||||||||
Number of Included Accessories | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
Power(4) | ||||||||
Cord Length (m) | 6.1 m | 9.14 m | 6.1 m | 4.88 m | 4.57 m | 6.10 m | 10.21 m | 4.88 m |
Hose Length (m) | — | 1.52 m | 2.13 m | — | 1.46 m | — | 2.44 m | 2.44 m |
Amperage (A) | 10 A | 4 A | 12 A | — | 9 A | 1 A | 7.4 A | 8.5 A |
Power Consumption (W) | — | — | 1200 W | — | — | — | 888 W | — |
Features(2) | ||||||||
Filtration Type | HEPA-ready | Sealed Allergen System | — | 3-stage HEPA | cyclonic 3-stage | HEPA (bagged) | — | HEPA (rinseable) |
Suction Settings | — | — | — | — | variable | Variable | — | — |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers and editors commend the SL3681A for its strong suction, quiet operation, long cord, and HEPA-ready filtration, noting it offers excellent value for budget-conscious light-commercial or residential users. They also highlight the comprehensive accessory kit but caution that the bagged system and lack of a brush roll limit its effectiveness on heavily soiled carpets.
Everyday users praise the vacuum's lightweight construction, portability, long cord, and quiet performance, especially appreciating the 2.6-quart bag that reduces emptying frequency. The main consumer-level criticism centers on the ongoing cost of disposable bags, with no major complaints about performance.
“Lightweight design, portability, 20 ft cord, and 2.6 qt bag for large rooms without frequent emptying.”
“Lightweight design (8.6 lbs), allowing even an 8-year-old to vacuum the house and sofa effortlessly”
“weighs 10.23 pounds and is easy to maneuver”
Editors and professional reviewers commend the BB900-DGR for its remarkable portability and suction power in a compact form, noting the high-vortex motor delivers heavy-canister performance, while the long cord and full accessory suite make it ideal for stairs and tight-space cleaning. Safety certifications and a one-year warranty reinforce its commercial-grade positioning.
Consumer feedback is limited, with a single 2-star rating suggesting some dissatisfaction, though no widespread negative trends appear.
Professional reviewers commend the Eureka 3670G for its exceptional portability, compact footprint and solid suction, especially noting the 7 ft hose and 20 ft cord that eliminate the need to constantly reposition the unit. While the vacuum lacks premium features like a powered brushroll or built-in lights, its low price and added blower port make it a strong contender for budget-conscious shoppers seeking a versatile, lightweight canister.
Consumers consistently praise the vacuum's feather-light weight, strong suction and the convenience of the long cord and hose. The built-in blower is a frequent favorite for quick outdoor tasks. The main frustrations revolve around the bagged system and the relatively small dust-bag capacity, which some users find inconvenient during longer cleaning sessions.
No independent professional reviews were found; manufacturer and retailer descriptions emphasize the vacuum's portability, HEPA filtration effectiveness, and power in tight spaces, positioning it as ideal for quick clean-ups in small environments.
Professional reviewers commend the Zing 2156A for its lightweight construction, easy maneuverability, and convenient features like automatic cord rewind, variable suction, and an easy-empty bagless dirt cup. However, they criticize its small dust capacity, flimsy plastic wand, and limited performance on medium-pile carpets, noting the absence of HEPA filtration and advanced sensors.
Everyday users consistently praise the vacuum's light weight, ease of use, and strong performance on bare and wood floors, as well as the convenience of the bagless cyclonic system. Recurring complaints focus on the flimsy plastic wand, the small 2-liter dust bin that fills quickly, and reduced effectiveness on thicker carpets.
Professional descriptions emphasize the Oreck BB880-AD's portability, HEPA filtration, and unique blower capability, positioning it as an indispensable tool for quick clean-ups in tight or elevated spaces. However, editors note the trade-off of a bagged system and lack of bagless convenience compared to rivals.
Consumers consistently praise the vacuum's light weight, ease of use, and effective allergen capture, often citing its reliability over many years. Recurring themes include appreciation for the blower function and frustration over the need for proprietary bags and limited speed settings.
Professional reviewers commend the Hoover CH30000 for its exceptional portability and power, emphasizing the lightweight design, strong 7.4 A motor, CRI/UL certifications, and the versatile 2-in-1 blower capability. They also highlight the generous 33-ft cord, 10-inch cleaning path, and comprehensive accessory kit as ideal for commercial detail work and above-floor cleaning.
Everyday users consistently praise the vacuum's light weight, strong suction, and the inclusion of useful tools, noting its usefulness for quick spot-cleaning in cars, offices, and small homes. The most common complaint is the small bag capacity, which leads to frequent bag changes and limits the unit's suitability for larger cleaning jobs.
Professional reviewers describe the Dirt Devil SD40201 as a versatile, lightweight canister vacuum that leverages cyclonic suction and HEPA filtration to handle everyday multi-surface cleaning. They commend its compact footprint, easy-empty cup, and one-touch cord rewind, while noting its lack of wet-dry capability and relatively loud operation.
Everyday users generally praise the vacuum's maneuverability on stairs, the convenience of the easy-empty cup, and the reusable HEPA filter, but they commonly mention the unit's weight, noise level, and small dust bin as areas for improvement.
