The best vacuum cleaner with a power head depends on your floors, pets, and preferred vacuum style. The Kenmore 600 Series is best for buyers who want a bagged canister with multiple floor tools, while the Shark Vertex suits homes that need an upright for carpets and hard floors. For pet hair, consider the Bissell FurFinder stick or the Bissell CleanView Swivel. The Kenmore 81214 is a lightweight-style bagged canister option with four height adjustments. Compare the brush and floor features below to find the right fit.
| Product | Best For | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Kenmore 600 Series | Multi-surface cleaning | Two floor nozzles and Pop-N-Go floor brush |
| Kenmore 81214 | Bagged cleaning with floor adjustments | Four height settings |
| Bissell CleanView Swivel | Room-to-room maneuverability | Triple Action Brush Roll and swivel steering |
| Shark Vertex Lift-Away | Carpets, rugs, and hard floors | DuoClean PowerFins brushroll and soft roller |
| Bissell PowerClean FurFinder | Pet hair and quick spot cleaning | Tangle-Free Brush Roll and LED headlights |
Kenmore 600 Series Pet Friendly Canister
Best for: Households seeking a bagged canister vacuum with several floor-cleaning options. Its two-motor system is designed for strong suction, and the package includes two floor nozzles plus a Pop-N-Go floor brush. The listed features also name a crevice tool, dirt brush, and bare-floor tool, making this a flexible choice for cleaning different areas of the home, car, or garage.
The triple HEPA filter system is specified to trap 99.97% of dirt. The listed hose-end suction power is 183 watts, and the cleaning width is 14 inches. Limitation: This is a corded, bagged canister design, so buyers preferring a cordless stick or bagless upright should compare other formats.
Kenmore 81214 Lightweight Bagged Canister
Best for: Buyers who want a bagged canister and adjustable floor settings. This model has a two-motor system and four height adjustments intended to provide airflow and cleaning efficiency across surfaces. Its HEPA filter system is specified to trap 99.97% of debris, including dander and dust, inside the vacuum.
The listed features give 120 watts of power for bare floors and describe corded operation. Choose this Kenmore if floor-height adjustment and a bagged design are priorities. Limitation: The provided product details do not identify a specific powered carpet-head design, so buyers focused on a motorized carpet brush should confirm the floor nozzle included with the model.
Bissell CleanView Swivel Vacuum
Best for: Buyers who want an upright with swivel steering for navigating furniture and corners. Its Triple Action Brush Roll makes it relevant to shoppers comparing brush-equipped floor vacuums, while the active extension wand is designed to help reach higher or less accessible areas.
Choose this model if maneuverability and an extension wand are more important than a canister format. The product information also notes that purchases support the Bissell Pet Foundation’s mission to help save homeless pets. Limitation: The provided features do not specify filtration details, floor-height settings, or a removable canister, so check those needs before choosing it.
Shark Vertex Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
Best for: Homes with a mix of carpet, area rugs, and hard floors. The DuoClean PowerFins system combines a PowerFins brushroll with a soft roller to engage carpets and hard floors. The powered Lift-Away pod detaches for motorized cleaning under furniture, and the nozzle can be detached for stairs, upholstery, and other above-floor areas.
This is the clearest fit for shoppers specifically seeking an upright with a powered floor head and flexible above-floor cleaning. It also includes a dusting brush for delicate surfaces. Limitation: It is an upright with a detachable pod, not a lightweight canister or cordless stick design.
Bissell PowerClean FurFinder Corded Stick
Best for: Pet owners who want a stick vacuum that converts to a handheld for stairs, upholstery, shelves, and car interiors. Its FurFinder LED headlights are described as revealing more pet fur and debris, while the Tangle-Free Brush Roll is specified to pick up hair up to eight inches long without clogging.
The 30-foot cord provides continuous corded operation, and the self-standing design lets users pause without leaning the vacuum against a wall. Limitation: The corded stick format may be less suitable for buyers who specifically want a canister or a cordless vacuum.
Buying Guide: How To Choose A Vacuum With A Power Head
Which floor head suits your flooring?
For mixed floors, compare models that explicitly describe how the brush system handles both carpets and hard floors. The Shark Vertex lists a PowerFins brushroll and soft roller for those surfaces. The Kenmore 600 Series includes two floor nozzles and a bare-floor tool. If a product’s details do not clearly identify its head or floor settings, verify those specifications before purchasing.
Should you choose an upright, canister, or stick?
An upright keeps the main floor-cleaning assembly in one unit. A canister separates the body from the floor nozzle and may offer several attachments, as the Kenmore models do. A stick vacuum is a narrower format that can convert to handheld use; the FurFinder is designed for that flexibility. Match the format to storage, stairs, and the areas you clean most often.
What matters for pet hair and filtration?
For hair pickup, look for a clearly described brushroll, such as the FurFinder’s Tangle-Free Brush Roll or the Shark’s PowerFins system. For dust and dander containment, compare stated filtration information: both Kenmore models list HEPA filtration and specify a 99.97% capture figure. Do not assume a filtration feature is included when it is not listed.
Is a corded vacuum the right choice?
All five products are described as corded or do not list cordless operation in the supplied details. The FurFinder specifies a 30-foot cord, while the Kenmore 81214 identifies corded operation. If avoiding outlets is essential, check the product specifications for power source and runtime before choosing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a power head do on a vacuum?
A powered floor head uses a driven brushroll to agitate flooring and help pick up debris. Check the product details to confirm that the particular nozzle or brushroll is powered.
Which listed vacuum is best for mixed floors?
The Shark Vertex is a strong match based on its listed DuoClean system, which combines a PowerFins brushroll and a soft roller for carpets and hard floors.
Which option is best for pet hair?
The Bissell FurFinder is designed for pet hair, with LED headlights and a Tangle-Free Brush Roll specified to handle hair up to eight inches long.
Which models include HEPA filtration?
The Kenmore 600 Series and Kenmore 81214 list HEPA filtration. Their supplied details specify a 99.97% capture figure.
Can these vacuums clean furniture or stairs?
The Shark Vertex lists a detachable nozzle for stairs and upholstery. The FurFinder converts to handheld use for stairs and upholstery, and the Kenmore 600 Series includes several attachments for varied cleaning tasks.