We think it’s pretty cool that, even though we keep refining our tests, the same vacuums keep coming out on top year after year. For handling, we had 22 testers run each model through a slalom course, simulating a real-life apartment with a tight floor layout to clue us in on a few frustrations and flaws that might annoy owners. For example, some vacuums can bunch up area rugs, and others are too heavy or clunky to steer shark robotic vacuums around tight corners. Still other vacuums have trouble transitioning from bare floor to carpeting, and some have dustbins that are relatively more difficult to empty. Our testers vacuumed parts of the ceiling and a medium-pile and high-pile carpet, and they maneuvered the machines into corners and tight spots. We also measured each vacuum’s raw suction with a specialized gauge and each one’s airflow with an anemometer.
However, it costs more than comparable models from other brands, it didn’t clean as well in our tests, and it is much heavier and harder to steer than our favorites (even the “lightweight” model). We came close to recommending the Shark Navigator Swivel Pro NV150 because the dustbin is easy to empty and the handle is comfortable to hold. In our fine-debris pick-up shark robotic vacuums test, however, it picked up less sand and baking soda than any of the other upright models we tested. Since the Navigator Lift-Away is predominantly plastic, some of its parts can get brittle and crack over time. The chief complaint seems to be about the accordion hose on the wand; it’s a little stiff to begin with, and the constant flexing can wear it out.
Another complaint regarding the hose is that the stiffness limits its mobility, and it doesn’t extend far enough to reach places that are high up. Other reviewers point out that the clips attaching the dust cup to the rest of the main assembly can break off after a couple years’ use, particularly if you carry the assembly by the handle in lift-away mode. Praised by nearly everyone as excellent, this nimble canister vacuum works on any kind of flooring, runs quiet, and should last for decades. This model is great for those with asthma and allergies, but it requires bags. The low-profile head of a canister vacuum’s pickup tool fits under furniture, and the lower weight makes tight corners less tiring.
Think of our test results as a rough, rather than an exact, measurement of cleaning performance, due to real-world limitations. For example, none of the vacuums could pick up all of the debris from the rugs we were testing on. To rid a rug of any leftover sand or baking powder in the fibers, we shook the rug out as hard as we could in between tests. We think our cleaning tests gave us valuable information, but we didn’t draw hard lines between models if their results were within a few grams of each other. For this review, we tested two canister vacuums from Kenmore that use motorized brushrolls, and one turbine-powered system from Electrolux. The Kenmore – Elite is designed to sit securely on a stair, and it does that job well.
One of the main appeals of this vacuum is its Matrix Clean technology, which moves across floors in a grid pattern, effectively passing every spot multiple times so no debris is left behind. You can also notify the robot for spot cleanings, which is great if a sudden mess occurs or if you have a high-traffic area in your home that you’d like to pay special attention to. However, the Shark vacuum does feature a flexible wand that is a real game changer for reaching under furniture.
This canister vacuum isn’t cheap, and you’ll also pay for new filters and bags pretty regularly. But a Miele canister can last so long that it works out to be an excellent long-term value. With those parameters, the Kenmore – Elite is a clear winner for anyone who also needs to deal with carpeted floors.
Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best vacuums with a canister design. We don’t just base our results on overall performance but also factors like availability, price, and reader feedback. Mary H.J. Farrell is a senior editor at Consumer Reports whose real passion is for cooking and all that entails.