I purchased this canister vacuum with the understanding that canister vacuums are the best to use when you have animals. This vacuum is smaller than expected but is powerful. Human and animal hair do not get stuck around the rollers as in other vacuum brands. I feel my house is overall cleaner since I got this because of the amount of particles it picks up on every surface. It is easy to maneuver through the house, easy to use when vacuuming stairs, and even better to switch from rug to hard wood floor to carpet with the press of a button. I even feel this picks up particles that are very close to the walls as the head itself is not very large and does not have large bumpers on it. I thoroughly recommend this product!