I cannot compare brands for you, but most Kostiner items are designed and manufactured to be as good as it gets. They usually come with a vacuum pump, but there is no reason a reverse connected canister cleaner couldn't work as well. They do not require a huge suction force unless they leak from damage. (My recollection is that the whole surface of the easel is covered with little holes for suction. There are removable panels to cover the surface areas outside the paper area to av0id open suction. They are a great luxury if you do a larger volume of work and if you have the working area to place them. My personal plan is to sink mine flush with the working surface and connect the vacuum hose and electrical through the back wall to place the noisy vacuum pump in the next room, which is just for storage otherwise.