I was planning to build this roundup for quite some time, as a lot of people are asking me lately what type of vacuum cleaner should they buy. There are plenty of good reasons why both types would suit any household, no matter how big or small. Bagless units are really trending right now because they’re cheaper in long-term, comfortable and usually transparent. However, plastic bins have some flaws. Besides the smaller capacity, emptying them is a messy business. Filters need to be changed (or washed) often on bagless vacuums. On the other hand, bagged units can accommodate up to 2 lbs. of debris, they may come with an additional filtration layer and are safe and easy to dispose.
Over the last weeks, I have gathered several emails from bloggers, online experts and editors whom I regularly follow. After contacting them, I’ve managed to gather 12 answers to the following question:
What type of vacuum cleaner do you prefer, bagged or bagless?
Without further ado, here they are:
Mariette Mifflin (Twitter, Facebook), housewares and appliances expert at About.com, chooses bagless:
I currently have both types of vacuums in my home – a bagged model and a bagless unit and each has earned its keep. While there are pros and cons to each type, if I had to downsize to only one, I would prefer a bagless model.
I like the fact that there are no bags to purchase (my frugal side) and watching the small dirt bin fill up, gives me sense of (cleaning) accomplishment. As long as a bagless vacuum meets all my expectations performance-wise, I don’t mind being proactive with care, especially when emptying/cleaning the dirt bin.
My hubby on the other hand, prefers a bagged vacuum cleaner with multi-layered disposable bags. The main reason being that it does a better job when it comes to containing and disposing of fine dust, allergens and dirt. Understand that he is extremely proactive with care and maintenance which is essential.
We obviously have a divided house when it comes to vacuum preference. However, our main objective is the same. A vacuum requires regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it performing efficiently. It’s not necessarily what you buy; it’s how you use it and look after it.
Diana Miller (Twitter, Facebook), a mom writing about her creative little adventures on TheGirlCreative.com, chooses bagless:
To be honest, I’ve been using a bagless vacuum cleaner for years. I always thought they were best. I just recently read somewhere though that bagged vacuums are better. I do find the bagless to be much easier to maintain. I can remember trying to change the bags on our vacuum as a teenager and always making a mess. So, for me, I’m going with bagless.
Dana White (Twitter, Facebook), editor of ASlobComesClean.com – a reality-based cleaning and organizing blog, chooses bagged:
Bagged for sure! I suffer from severe dust allergies. I love my Oreck xl (that I’ve had for more than 13 years) with the hepa filter built into the bag. It never needs to be cleaned or replaced. I borrowed a friend’s bagless while my Oreck was being serviced, and when I emptied it, dust flew everywhere. The outside of my trashcan was covered in dust. I see the value in not needing to purchase bags, but I find the cost very worth it!
Crystal Light Faulkner (Twitter, Facebook), a Southern mom blogging at MrsHappyHomeMaker.com, chooses bagless:
I used to prefer a bagged vacuum, but recently that has changed & I now prefer bagless. This is only because I ended up getting a Shark Rotator, which is bag less, and it completely changed my mind. It’s just fabulous!
Jamie Dorobek (Twitter, Facebook), creator of C.R.A.F.T. – a blog about creating awesome free things by yourself, chooses bagless:
I use a bag less vacuum! I love it because I never have to worry about a bag and I just empty the container in my compost bin every 10 or so times I vacuum… easy peasy!
Diane Henkler (Twitter, Facebook), a DIY expert which helps you decorate your home with style at InMyOwnStyle.com, chooses bagless:
I choose bagless.
- You can dump the dirt right away. When vacuumed up dirt stays in a bag for a while it starts to smell and you have to dump it before it is filled. A waste of money having to buy bags.
- Better for the environment – no bags to add to a landfill.
Lisa Teeter (Twitter, Facebook), the engine behind FlourMeWithLove.com, a lovely blog about the baking adventures of a stay-at-home mom, chooses bagged:
I prefer bagged because they are less dirty, easier to change and I feel it keeps the germs inside 🙂
Jennie Larsen (Twitter, Facebook), an expert DIY blogger which enjoys creating things at Craft-o-Maniac.com, chooses bagless:
I prefer bagless and that is currently what My family owns. We just remove the main compartment that holds all the dirt and we dump it in the garbage, very easy.
Darla Shine (Twitter, Facebook), author of “Happy Housewives”, a housewife blogger writing about cooking and cleaning at HappyHouseWivesClub.com, chooses bagged:
I like the old fashioned canister vacuums with the bag. They work the best. The bag less get so filthy.
Kristyn Merkley (Twitter, Facebook), mom of five (meaning she expert in just about everything from cooking to cleaning), blogging at LilLuna.com, chooses bagless:
Bagless… yes, it’s more work but I like knowing I can empty and refill my vacuum without having to have bags on hand.
Cheryl Sousan (Twitter, Facebook), creator of TidyMom.net – a blog which inspires women around the world to embrace their inner-homemaker spirit, chooses bagless:
I LOOOVE my bagless Dysons and will never go back to bagged! I feel like bagless are cleaner. I like that they have to be emptied more often and the filters and some parts can be rinsed to clean.
Tiffany Hewlett (Twitter, Facebook), a writer which tries to make the world cuter at MakingTheWorldCuter.com, chooses bagless IMO, but doesn’t really fit my question in her opinion:
I haven’t responded because I have a rainbow, and while it is bagless, it is also filled with water. It’s what I prefer, and it doesn’t really fit with your question. I also have a Dyson for quick jobs around the house, and I do like that better than anything bagged I have ever owned. I’m a big vacuum snob, and really hate a crappy vacuum.
Finally, after drawing a line and accounting the answers above, we find that it’s 9-3 in favor of bagless vacuum cleaners. I guess experts from companies such as Dyson and Shark have figured it out and moreover, that leaves Miele, Kenmore & co. with place for improvement. Before finishing this post, I would like to thank once again to all the participants of this roundup. I didn’t expect to see that many answers, I really enjoyed your thoughts and I will definitely do more roundups in the near future, so stay tuned!
And what about you, dear reader? What do you think? What type of vacuum cleaner do you prefer? Comment bellow and improve your karma levels :).
Jason Roberts
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Sharon says
If you are allergic to anything, and particularly if you have problems with pet dander, bagged is the only way to go. I moved to a new state and a new home, and was gifted a bagless upright. I tried so very hard to appreciate it, but the concentrated dirt and allergens in the canister would leave me sick for two days after emptying it, no matter how careful I was. It felt like I was poisoning myself, frankly.
So, I purchased a vacuum that uses bags — just yesterday! I will now regift the bagless upright to someone who doesn’t have issues with allergens.
Tyler says
I prefer bagged, because they deep clean carpet better and are easir to clean. For those of you who prefer bagless, you’re ruining your lungs and you’re not removing dirt from your house. I have a Miele S7 Salsa and it’s the best vacuum that I’ve ever used or owned and I’ve used just about every brand out there. Yeah, I have to buy bags, but it’s a lot cheaper than replacing vacuum. filters every three months, like you’re supposed to. The best place to buy a vacuum at is a place that sells and repairs them, not your local mall, Wall*Mart, Target e.t.c. If you want an excellent vacuum, get a Riccar, Miele, Sebo,Royal, Filter Queen. I used to want a Shark, until I went into the store where I bought my Miele and the guy told me that they’re going to stop making parts for all bagless machines, because they’re junk. So if you love your bagless, then enjoy replacing them often. You’re also filling up your lungs with all the dirt you’re vacuuming.
Chris says
Don’t buy into the bag-less vacuum hype they are a product of corporate marketing to keep you buying their cheap relabeled Chinese products being sold at a premium. Bagged vacuums use simple efficient design structure that while bag-less will always be compensating for loss of air flow no matter how over-engineered it may be it will never be as efficient. Your bag-less vacuum will also have to be purchased 4 times over before a quality bagged vacuum gives up the ghost or any new “breakthrough” tech warrants an upgrade. If that isn’t enough bags are also more clean as they don’t release dust back into the air after being collected like all bag-less do. Concerned about the environmental impact? Imagine the pollution behind the production of these plastic behemoths that are bag-less and how many are constantly being thrown and production going as fast as ignorant consumers will pull out their wallet.
Jason Roberts says
Thanks for your thoughts Chris. Note: I had to edit a small part of your comment which I don’t find either helping or proactive.
Ram Bony says
This is obviously a sales pitch against bagless. Probably brought to us from a bagged sweeper company.
Vicky says
We bought a Panasonic upright bagless vacuum. I loved it except for the mess and constantly washing the filters. More often than it recommended. Then just as the warranty expired the motor packed up. Specialist repaired it via Panasonic as it was a build fault but was told it would be expensive if reoccured. 1 year on it has! As well as the agitator brush motor.. Don’t recommend cleaning belt out do they?! Now on the scrap heap.
Dave says
Not true! I am the real independent that doesn’t mind house cleaning but hates dirt.
Dave says
I use a hepa bag with my central vacuum. No acrid dirt smell in my home-hate it! Changing the bag is cleaner than dumping a dirt container. Yes, there is an expense, but you get what you pay for.
Sheila says
I prefer bagged vacuum cleaners. They are so much cleaner and the bags are easy to replace. I have tried two bagless vacuums and it is so nasty trying to empty the canister and clean the filter. The bagged vacuum I have has much better suction.
harry furkas says
Were are some statistics on amount and particle size released for each type.My wife at times says everything gets dusty so fast and I often wonder if she is telling me this after vacuuming. We have a bagless
Jason Roberts says
I believe you’re referring to filters, not to the dirt recipient used. Check out my discussion about filtration here.
Kevin says
I have both, but prefer bagged. I use hepa bags and filters. Canisters are messy and dusty to empty. Almost makes me want to use the bagged vac to clean the bag less canister, lol.
Chris W. says
Even now, I use my 12 year old Kenmore upright to clean my Shark Bagless and my Roomba on a regular basis. I use it to vacuum the dirt containers, vacuum filters to make them last longer, etc. I truly don’t know how anyone can properly maintain a bagless and have it last without having a bagged vacuum of some type or a near HEPA filtered shop vac to do the job. Similar to other commenters, I have noted that when I empty the dust bin on the Roomba or the Shark, my trash cans seem to collect fine dust around the rim of the can which I try to vacuum, but you can’t get it all out of the crevices. I also note that it does make a bit of a cloud each time I empty them. I’m willing to sacrifice this for the daily convenience of my robot vacuum, but at the end of the day, I will always be a bagged vacuum fan. I have now owned a Dyson, a Hoover, and a Shark bagless. I gave away the Dyson and the Hoover as both seemed to do a mediocre job at picking up pet hair, and both were noisy and when emptying, super dusty. They also always seemed “dirty” to me; meaning the dust bins and filters were always disgusting and would get worse over time requiring me to wash them out and then wait for them to dry. This seemed like a much bigger hassle then I was willing to take. Finally, with Dyson and others, I find that air powered beater brushes and tools just don’t do the same job as those powered by electric motors or a motor and belt arrangement. Aside from reducing airflow at the nozzle, they just aren’t powerful enough to deep clean a carpet or rug of any depth.
I am a bagged fan and don’t think I’ll ever change unless a new way to empty and clean/maintain bagless machines comes along.
Jeff Hubert says
I’m surprised at the comments and choices of the “experts”. I had a $1100 Miele Blue Moon (bagged) for 10 years and switched to a $400 Dyson canister instead of fixing the Miele. What a mistake. So junky but I was all in on the Dyson. It worked pretty good for a few months but then I noticed that all the brushes on the roller bar snapped off. I returned the Dyson back to Costco and purchased a new Dyson from Costco. Again after a few months the same issue occurred so back it went. I tried a Dyson upright model but returned it within days. It kept falling over when using the hose for stairs.
At that point I had tried every Dyson Costco had. I did some research and thought that bagless was still the best choice so I bought the top of the line Dyson cinetic canister. That was last year. I’m done with bagless and Dyson. First the amount of dirt it can hold is tiny. Constantly emptying it. Then when emptying it it is truly disgusting. I have a dog and the amount of dust and dirt that needs to be pick out of the canister by hand is gross.
Now I’m gonna eat the cost of the $800 Dyson and buy another vacuum. I’m going back to a new $1100 Miele canister bagged vacuum. I’m done with bagless. If your gonna buy a bagless please just don’t do it. It’s not worth it. Your lungs deserve to breath clean air. Also, you certainly can rinse out a bagless to clean it but that process is gross as well and you must let it dry for 24-48 hours before you can use your vacuum after washing it. Don’t do it.
Jason Roberts says
Thank you for your input Jeff!
Dave says
Thank you! well said.
Erik Tate says
I have repaired tens of thousands of vacuum cleaners as a manager for Tidewater Sew Vac in Virginia and can definitely tell the readers that bagless machines put more dust in the air, wear out quicker and loose performance faster. All the air flow on a bagless vacuum is confined to channel through the limited surface area of the filter. Once the filter gets a layer of dust on it the air flow is impeded, the filter contracts and the dust leaks through. The only way to get around this is to either wash or replace the filters every few months or so. Even the instructions printed on the machine say this. A vacuum that uses a high filtration cloth bag such as Miele, Maytag, Simplicity, some Kenmore and Royals gives you cleaner air, more cleaning airflow, a longer lasting vacuum cleaner a a much more hygenic method of removing the dead dust mites, sloughed off dead skin and a myriad of other indoor air pollution.
Evelyn says
I prefer bagged vacuum because it is so much easier and convenient to clean. I’ve used bagged vacuums for many many years until recently I was gifted a bagless vacuum and I hated it. When it’s time to clean the dirt cup and filter, I have to wear a track suit and mask to protect my clothings and lungs, and I have to do it outside. The dust just flys everywhere once I open it, and I have to use my hand to pull out the balls of dust that’s stuck inside. It’s just gross. I dread doing it every time.
Josephine says
I have just purchased the Shark Rotor bagless vacuum that everyone raves about. Well no one tells you how difficult it is to handle. By the time you finish your arm and hand are sore. Too many parts and much too bulky. AND emptying out the dust container is disgusting and very dirty. Has to be thoroughly cleaned each time. Should have done more research before buying this product. Will be returning it to Costco and looking for a bagged model. Much easier and cleaner.
Tseg says
I work in a whole separate industry from vacuums that sells a performance consumer good. We have a huge technical department filled with PhDs that prove in laboratories and real world testing the performance of different designs/formulations. Interesting that a particular design/formulation became “en vogue” a few years back because how it made the user feel vs. how it performed technically and now it has huge share. The manufacturers with scientific proof their alternative designs deliver a better result nonetheless had to follow as that is where the market moved. Marketing is a funny thing – all about winning hearts over minds. The allure of bagless: perceptions of costing less, never have to worry about having a bag on hand and seeing the results of your labor through the clear cannister trump a number of other factors, most importantly delivering the cleanest floor and cleanest air (which is the main function of a vacuum?). It reminds me of someone who brags about the water/electrical efficiency of their new dishwasher but is then then willing to look past the fact the dishes don’t actually get clean… why own a dishwasher in the first place then? Anyway, my son and I have bad allergies… been using bagless for years with lifetime HEPA filter. Recently we moved to a bagged canister vac with replaceable HEPA filter and within weeks our sleeping and breathing greatly improved. Was this causal? I don’t know, but the vacuum manufacturers that have been around a long time and have huge testing departments swear a well sealed bagged vacuum ultimately delivers a better cleaning result than bagless. I suppose if one does not have allergies, this point is a non-issue.