We needed a canister vacuum that was specifically for cleaning up after multiple pets. We have 3 dogs, and this mighty little vacuum cleaner sure can clean! I recently used a Dyson canister vacuum, and it didn't compare to the suction power of the Mighty Mite. I should mention a couple of things about this, though. This vacuum works best on hard floors, upholstery, and rugs, not for carpeted areas. If it had a carpet cleaning attachment, we wouldn't need any other vacuums. This is perfect for sucking up cobwebs and such (we have 12-20 ft walls: it extends). This is a fantastic value.