A bagless canister vacuum cleaner (A) includes a selectively removable dirt cup (D), and an airstream (S) flows rotationally through the dirt cup (D) between an interior wall (31) of the dirt cup (D) and a filter assembly (F) selectively mounted in the dirt cup (D) so that entrained contaminants are separated from the airstream (S) flowing through the dirt cup (D) and collected by the dirt cup (D). The filter lies substantially parallel to the support surface on which the vacuum cleaner (A) is supported. A cover member (74) is connected to the main housing (B), and the cover member (74) is selectively movable to and held in an operative position in covering relation with an open first end (32) of a dirt cup (D). The main housing (B) defines a base (150) conformed to self-support the main housing (B) on a support surface with the dirt cup (D) arranged with its open first end (32) at a higher elevation than is closed second end (34). The removable dirt cup (D) includes a handle (80) adapted for being held by a user, and the dirt cup (D) defines or includes a spout (58) to facilitate emptying dirt therefrom.