By Mike Szostech Last updated
Featuring a simple-to-use comparison chart of specifications like motor power, weight, and power cord length, you’ll be able to quickly find the best Bissell canister vacuum to meet your cleaning needs.
Known for their vacuums in the entry-level budget price range, Bissell has been around for move than a hundred years. It all started with the need to clean sawdust off of their 1800-era crockery shop.
Fast forward to today, and Bissell ‘s employees were mostly pet owners, and as a company they realized the need to help people with or without pets keep their houses clean.
Now there are more Bissell Canister Vacuums than you can shake a paw at, and that can make your buying decision confusing. In addition, even if you’ve decided on the best Bissell canister vacuum for you, you might have a hard time finding it.
Check out our review of the Best Canister Vacuum Canada if you want to see how Bissell stacks up against the competition.
Choosing the best Bissell canister vacuum
Bissell has exclusive models that are only available at certain retailers. For instance, certain model Bissell canister vacuums are only available at Canadian Tire, but a very similar looking model is available at HomeDepot Canada.
This comparison chart helps you find the best Bissell canister vacuum for you. You can easily compare power cord length, vacuum weight, and included accessories.
| Model | Shop | Motor Power | Vacuum Heads | Accessories | Dirt Bin Capacity | Cord Length | Weight | Warranty | Model Number | HEPA Filter | Bagged or Bagless | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bissell Hard Floor Expert | Amazon.ca |  | 9.2 amps | Basic Suction, Turbine Foot | Crevice tool, dusting brush | 2 L | 18 feet | 12 pounds | 2 year | 1547 | No | Bagless |
| Bissell SmartClean Canister Vacuum | Amazon.ca |  | 11.6 amps (3 suction speeds) | Multi-surface floor nozzl... | Crevice Tool, integrated dusting brush | 2 L | 30 feet | 8.2 kgs | 5 year | 2268B | ||
| Bissell Zing Bagged Canister Vacuum | Amazon.ca |  | 9.5 amps | Basic Suction | Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush | 2.5 L bag | 17 feet | 9.4 pounds | 1 year | 2154C | No | Bagged |
| Bissell Powerclean Canister Vacuum | Amazon.ca |  | 9.2 amps | Motorized | Crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool | 2 L | 18 feet | 7.2 kgs | 2 year | 1654C | ||
| Bissell OptiClean Canister Vacuum | Amazon.ca |  | 7.3 amps | Basic suction | Crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool | 1.6 L | 15 feet | 2 year | 1547E | |||
| Bissell PowerForce Canister Vacuum |  | 7.3 amps | Basic suction | Crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool | 1.6 L | 16 feet | 13.78 lbs | 1 year | 1547C | |||
| Bissell CleanView Canister Vacuum |  | 7.3 amps | Basic suction | Crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool | 1.6 L | 15 feet | 9.4 lbs | 1 year | 3003N | |||
| Bissell CleanView Plus Canister Vacuum |  | 9.2 amps | Basic suction, Turbine Foot | Crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool | 1 L | 16.4 feet | 13.78 lbs | 2 year | 1547N | |||
| Bissell PowerLifter Canister Vacuum | 9.2 amps | Motorized | Crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool | 1 L | 18 feet | 10.2 lbs | 2 year | 1654N | ||||
| Bissell Powerclean Wet/Dry Vacuum | Amazon.ca |  | 11 amps | Basic suction, Wet Mess Head | Crevice tool, dusting brush | 6 gallon | 19 feet | 17 lbs | 2 year | 2035E | ||
| Bissell Multiclean Wet/Dry Vacuum | Amazon.ca |  | 11 amps | Basic suction, Wet Mess Head | Crevice tool, dusting bru... | 6 gallon | 19 feet | 17 lbs | 2 year | 2035D |
Canister Vacuum Head Types
The Bissell canister vacuums listed with a ‘basic suction’ vacuum head come with a simple head that has a foot switch. When you press on the switch, it lowers a rubber blade to easily transition from vacuuming hard surfaces to vacuuming low pile carpets and area rugs.
There is also a ‘turbine foot’ that includes a vacuum powered brush roller that helps scoop larger chunks into the vacuum. Some users complain this brush simply spits the bits out the back of the vacuum, but that only happens on hard floors. When used on carpet, the vacuum powered brush head helps separate carpet fibers to get out stubborn dirt.
If you have lots of carpet, however, the best Bissell canister vacuum for you will be one with a motorized brush head. The powered brush head has the power to keep spinning and brushing long carpet fibers to get deep cleaning done.
The other type of head is what Bissell calls the “Multi-surface floor nozzle.” Currently only available on the Bissell SmartClean, it has edge cleaning bristles on both sides to help get dirt tucked tight along cupboards and baseboards.
Why are there some wet/dry vacuums listed?
While technically not a canister vacuum, both of the Bissell wet/dry vacuums listed above serve the same functions as canister vacuums. And, depending on your needs, we didn’t want to leave them out of the list. A wet/dry canister vacuum might be your best Bissell canister vacuum option if you plan to use it in the garage, or for cleaning your cars as well.
The Bissell wet/dry vacuum has the power to lift up large debris, and it has a huge 6 gallon barrel for collecting wood chips, leaves, and other bulky messes. Plus, it can vacuum up liquid spills as well.
We wouldn’t recommend the Bissell shop vacuum if you plan on dragging it around behind you to clean your whole house. They just aren’t as manueverable, or as light, as other models so they wouldn’t be the best Bissell canister vacuum choice. Also, they are typically louder than other canisters as they’re designed for use in the garage or shop.