Upright or Canister

Versatility is at the top of the list for canisters. The bare floor attachments do the best job on hardwood, ceramic and other non-carpeted services. Power nozzles (an attachment with a spinning brush) do a great job on carpet. Canisters have more maneuverability vacuuming under coffee tables and other low-profile furniture with ease - a difficult or impossible task with a traditional upright model.

Canisters are generally compact and lightweight, making them ideal for toting up and down stairs. Because the bulk of the cleaner's weight is in the canister itself, using one is not a difficult chore. A relatively lightweight head; whether motorized or not, at the end of the hose and wand is extremely easy to push across bare floors as well as deep-pile carpet, and because only the head travels, it can go where no upright can go.

Another advantage is that even the tightest quarters can afford storage for the canister vacuum, which can stand on end and take up no more than four cubic feet of space, tucking neatly into a small closet and not impinging on hanging coats. These days, most canisters have attachment compartments and retractable cords for quick storage.

Upright cleaners are designed for carpets. You can easily find an upright that incorporates the reach and maneuverability of the canister with a long hose and attachments that clean upholstery, reach under furniture and into corners and even clean bare floors without the traditional upright kickback of dust and debris onto your feet. A good number of uprights available today feature telescoping hoses that reach 11 feet and more - enough for most staircases. Nice hardwood floor attachments are generally an option. Many uprights will not follow you easily when using the attachment hose, creating difficulties maneuvering around furniture.

Many uprights can switch between a rotating brush "on" for carpets and brush "off" for bare floors. The bare floor works best for small areas such as a foyer. Large non-carpeted areas will get the best cleaning with a bare floor attachment and the accessory hose.

Summary:

• If you have mostly carpet get an upright
• A mix of carpet and hardwood, tile or similar surfaces a canister with a power nozzle is your best choice.
• If you have hardwoods and ceramic a straight canister is ideal.