Kenmore Elite Canister Vacuum

Pros

• Headlight & LED lights ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 5.0
• Noise level ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 5.0
• Carpet — High-Pile Pickup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.8
  The Kenmore Elite’s ultra plush power nozzle handles dense, high-pile carpets with strong suction and automated vents that prevent the head from sealing to the fibers, and testing finds it picks up far more debris than other canister vacuums on shag rugs, especially large crumbs, though some fine sand and rice can remain after a timed pass.
• Build quality & durability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
  Key components like the HEPA filter cartridge and horsehair dusting brush feel high quality and more premium than cheaper models, suggesting solid overall build quality when properly maintained.
• Stair Cleaning ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
  A stair grip feature lets the canister rest securely on steps while you use the motorized tool, making it easier and safer to remove hair and debris from stair treads.
• Tool-change simplicity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
  The crossover floorhead and quick-release handle let you detach the bare-floor nozzle or pet tool with simple motions, so switching between tasks takes little effort during cleaning.
• Upholstery / Above-Floor Pickup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
  The Pet PowerMate and dusting brush work well for couches, pillows, and other above-floor surfaces, especially when paired with the long hose and telescoping wand for extended reach.
• Controls & UI ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.3
• Onboard tool storage ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.3
  An integrated compartment in the canister stores the small tools behind a door, so accessories stay with the vacuum and are easy to find when you need them.
• Accessories & Tools ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.3
• Ease of use ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.3
  Overall ease of use is strong, with smooth surface transitions, straightforward maintenance of bags and filters, user-friendly attachments, and a built-in crossover floorhead that lets you switch quickly between carpets and bare floors without swapping tools.
• Versatility ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.3
  The crossover powerhead and built-in bare-floor nozzle, plus multiple specialized tools, make this canister adaptable for carpets, hard floors, upholstery, and above-floor dusting in one machine.
• Suction & Airflow ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.0
• Bag-full indicator ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.0
  A bag full indicator on the canister alerts you when the bag is nearing capacity so you can replace it before suction drops or dust backs up in the airflow path, though it does not warn you if the vacuum is accidentally used without any bag installed.
• Bin & Bag ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.0
• Debris illumination ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0
  A sensor light on the powerhead turns on when it detects dirt, giving visual feedback so you can see when an area still needs more passes.
• Filtration / Dust Containment ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.9
  A HEPA bag plus a high quality HEPA cartridge with a rubber seal can capture fine dust and allergens well when everything is latched properly, though some units have a rear filter door that can pop open and let dust and odors leak, which is a serious concern for allergy sensitive users.
• Pet-Ready Features ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.7
  The motorized Pet PowerMate tool and pet-focused design give this canister solid pet-cleaning potential on carpets and upholstery, but long hair can tangle on the brush and reduce effectiveness, so it is better suited to short-hair or moderate-shedding pets than to very heavy shedders.
• Maneuverability & Handling ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.6
• Carpet — Low-Pile Pickup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.5
  Recent lab testing shows the Elite can remove more than ninety percent of debris from low-pile carpet and get even closer to perfectly clean with a few extra passes, though it can still scatter some rice or small particles and will not always outperform the very best rivals on tougher messes.