A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a housing having an upper surface and an underneath surface in which at least on suction opening is formed. The underneath surface has opposing side edges each having a first part which lies adjacent the suction opening or openings and forms a sharply-defined edge with the upper surface and an upwardly curved second part which is located rearwardly of the suction opening or openings. This arrangement is advantageously used in vacuum cleaners or other cleaning appliances in which a ball-type support allows an increased level of steerability involving lateral movement of the cleaner head across the surface to be cleaned. The upwardly curved side edges of the underneath surface of the cleaner head reduce the amount of effort required to achieve the steering by presenting a smoothly curved surface to the carpet or other floor covering.