The Kenmore Canister Vacuum 2621 may be outfitted in a retro "guacamole" color, but it is equipped with forward-thinking features.

The Kenmore 2621 has a 14-inch cleaning path that makes short work of large rooms. In fact, the 14-inch cleaning nozzle is as large as many of the upright vacuums we test. We especially like the nozzle's double-tufted rotating brush. It fluffs carpet fibers, helps loosen larger debris and pet hair, and leaves carpets looking refreshed. It even has a headlight to help illuminate areas under furniture. The nozzle has something few other canister vacuums have: edge-cleaning bristles. These bristles, located on both edges of the main nozzle really make a difference. They pull dust and dirt into the nozzle when vacuuming hard-to-clean areas, such as the intersection between carpets and baseboards. The edge-cleaning bristles also work well when one is vacuuming in a corner. The main nozzle's rotating brush and edge cleaners can be switched off for vacuuming bare floors.

The Kenmore Canister Vacuum 2621 has a four-position height adjustment, which offers a lot of versatility. We tested each of the four positions on carpets of various heights, ranging from a utility-grade carpet to a high-pile carpet, and found it worked well. Our primary complaint is that the vacuum does not adjust automatically. Instead, one has to manually set the height.

The Kenmore 2621 isn't short on attachments. It comes with a crevice tool, two expansion wands, a 9-inch nylon floor brush and a combination brush. A HEPA filtration system helps trap dust and other allergens, and during our testing, we found the system worked adequately. This model's power cord retracts automatically, but we'd prefer a longer cord. At only 24 feet, the power cord isn't quite long enough to reach all areas of a large room in a home with an open floor plan.

With two wheels and a slim body, the Kenmore Canister Vacuum 2621 is ideal for vacuuming stairs. The body easily perches on a step, and the two large wheels on the back help the unit balance without tipping. (Few things are more frustrating than having a vacuum thunder down the steps and crash into one's shins.) For less than $200, the Kenmore Canister Vacuum 2621 is a hard worker with a number of extra features that make cleaning more convenient. We only wish it was available in a range of colors, just in case one isn't a fan of guacamole green.


Pros: Edge cleaners, slim design, headlight, four height-positions
Cons: Only comes in green, wish power cord was longer

Warranty
1 year