Bagged vacuum cleaners – should you invest in one?
You’re tired of dust and debris getting everywhere when you empty your bagless vacuum cleaner. And you want a vacuum that has low maintenance.
With a bagged design, you’ll get a vacuum that is more hygienic and easy to look after. And you won’t need to worry about maintaining the air filters and cleaning out the disposable container. You just dispose of the bag and replace it when needed.
Here, we’ll tell you all you need to know about bagged vacuums. Whether you need an upright or a canister model, and if you should opt for a product with a HEPA filter.
Read our reviews and pick the best bagged vacuum for your needs!
Our Top Picks
The HouseWire earns a commission through the following independently chosen links at no additional cost to you.| Best Bagged Vacuums of 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Best Overall Miele Classic C1 |
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 | Best Budget Bissell Zing Bagged |
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 | Best Upright Hoover WindTunnel |
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 | Best Canister Kenmore Pet Friendly |
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 | Best for Commercial Use Oreck XL Commercialy |
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What To Look For In A Bagged Vacuum
Here are the key features you need to look for when buying the best bagged vacuum cleaner.
Types
Upright Vacuum Cleaner
An upright vacuum cleaner has a vertical design with a long handle. They have a large body where the motor and bag are housed, and the cleaning head is at the bottom. An upright vacuum is easy to move around. And it’s easy to store as there’s no hose for you to fit into your closet.
However, an upright vacuum isn’t as ideal for cleaning underneath furniture and in awkward spaces. The cleaning head is wider than on canister models and so might not fit everywhere you want to clean.
This type of vacuum cleaner has a beater bar or rotating brush roll. This removes dirt and dust via vibrations or sweeping motions. Upright vacuums are available as either corded or cordless models.
Here’s an example of a corded upright vacuum: Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Tempo.
Canister Vacuum Cleaner
A canister vacuum cleaner has a main body with a slim wand attached to it. The wand has a long hose and smaller, lower cleaning head than in an upright vacuum. So canister models are better for cleaning under the couch or in corners and tight spaces.
In addition, a canister vacuum is the better choice for cleaning your crown molding or ceiling corners due to the lengthy hose. And, the wheels on the canister body make it easy to transport the vacuum cleaner around your house. The body moves itself behind you as you vacuum.
But, also note that they don’t move as well over some types of floor, for example, deep carpets. So if your house has lots of this type of surface, an upright vacuum might be better.
The majority of canister vacuum cleaners are corded such as this one: Miele Complete C3 Alize.
Filters
HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters trap more dirt and dust than other filter types. They filter out 99.97% of dust, mold, pollen, and other airborne particles that are larger than 3 microns (1).
Because they’re so good at trapping such tiny particles, HEPA filters can benefit your health. They can reduce the ill effects that you might experience from dust, pollen, pet hair, some molds, and respirable-size particles (which come from things like tobacco smoke).
This Kenmore bagged vacuum comes with a HEPA filter: Intuition Bagged Vacuum.
But, you might not suffer from allergies, and you might be buying a bagged vacuum cleaner more because they’re easier to clean and maintain. In this case, you don’t need to worry as much about the type of filtration system.
Suction Power
But there’s no agreed standard for measuring suction power across the vacuum cleaner industry. Different manufacturers talk about different kinds of measurements. And sometimes these figures have nothing to do with whether a vacuum has powerful suction or not.
For example, amps refer to the amount of electricity that the motor uses. RPM relates to the speed of the motor. And pa (pascals) is a unit of pressure. None of these 3 measurements can tell you how good the suction power is.
CFM or cubic feet per minute is a good indicator. This relates to the airflow of the vacuum cleaner. This is the force exerted by the moving air as you vacuum, which sucks up dirt and debris and pulls it into the bag or dust canister. The higher the CFM rating, the better the vacuum cleaner. And the higher the price usually.
Airwatts is another measure of this force or flow. It’s used primarily by Dyson so it’s useful for comparing their vacuums against each other. So it’s difficult to compare bagged vacuums from different brands if one talks about CFM, and the other highlights airwatts.
Capacity
So if you’ve got a small area to clean, you don’t need a large dust bag. But if you have a big house and lots of traffic in your home that causes more mess, you want to look at a higher capacity. Then you’ll have more time for vacuuming instead of having to regularly change the bag.
See, for example, this NaceCare HVR 200 Henry bagged vacuum which has an impressive 9 liters capacity.
Corded or Cordless
But you might not like the power cord trailing after you as you vacuum. Or you might find it annoying having to plug and unplug the cord several times throughout your house.
To avoid this, you’d need a cordless vacuum cleaner. These also tend to have larger dust containers. So you’ve got less emptying to do. And there are fewer chances for you to be exposed to any dust escaping from the vacuum. So if you suffer from allergies, a cordless vac could be the better option.
Cordless vacuums also offer convenience and are normally lighter. You can move them anywhere you need to around the house (or garage). But with this type, you do need to think about the battery life as this varies from brand to brand. Opt for one with a high-voltage lithium battery to avoid having to recharge as often.
The Best Bagged Vacuums of 2023
We’ve spent lots of time researching the best bagged vacuum cleaners so you don’t have to! Our reviews are based on customer feedback, manufacturer details, and product specs. We’ve covered capacity, suction power, price, and weight so you can compare these products for yourself before buying.
1. Miele Classic C1 Canister Vacuum Cleaner
“At last you can breathe easily”. Miele is well-known for making products that are suitable for allergy sufferers. And their promise is for users of their vacuum cleaners which have their AirClean filter system.
And this Classic C1 Miele vacuum benefits from this triple filtration system. There’s a dustbag, motor protection filter, and AirClean exhaust filter. More than 99.9% of fine dust will be filtered as you vacuum. You’ll be left with a room that is cleaner than had a HEPA filter been used.
So this bagged vacuum is a great pick if you suffer from allergies. But, you’ll also get powerful suction and a dusting brush, upholstery tool, and crevice tool included. And the warranty offers 1 year for parts and labor. Plus an impressive 7 years for the motor.
What We Like
Good Suction Power
This bagged vacuum cleaner has a vortex motor which gives it 1,200W power. And lots of customers commented on how well it performed in sucking up dirt and dust. Plus there’s 6 power settings. So you can change the suction depending on what type of floor you’re cleaning.Accessories
Many users liked that they could use this vacuum cleaner anywhere for different cleaning jobs and not just vacuuming floors. For example, the dusting brush attached to the end of the wand let them easily clean blinds and baseboards. Plus there’s a handy clip to attach the tools to the hose for easy storage.Easy to Maneuver
Reviewers were pleased with how easy this bagged vacuum was to move around. It wasn’t too heavy or bulky. They could transport it around their homes easily, and the canister moved effortlessly behind them as they vacuumed.What We Don’t Like
Short Cord
Some customers didn’t feel that the electrical cord was long enough. They got a bit fed up with having to continually unplug and plug it in to cover one room.Technical Specs
| Style | Canister |
| Weight | 11.4 pounds |
| Bin Volume | 4.76 quarts |
| Mess Type | Heavy Traffic Dirt , Pet Hair |
| Surface Type | Hard Floor, Low-pile Carpet |
| Anti-Allergy Filter | Yes |
2. Bissell Zing Bagged Canister Vacuum
You don’t need to spend a fortune on a bagged vacuum to bag yourself a great product. This Bissell vacuum cleaner is very affordable. But it also has good suction (with a variable power control) and a substantial bin capacity of 2.5 liters.
As well as the dust bag, this bagged vacuum comes with pre-motor and post-motor filters. These ensure that even more fine dust particles are trapped. And the filters are washable so you can reuse them.
Plus you’ll get a dusting brush and crevice tool to cover all your cleaning needs. This vacuum cleaner also has a 15-foot power cord that automatically rewinds back in once you’re finished vacuuming.
What We Like
Easy to Empty
Customers loved that they didn’t need to worry about emptying a dirty canister and dust being released back into their homes. The bags in this canister vacuum are easy to remove. And they’re inexpensive to replace – several customers stocked up on Amazon.Great Performance on Hard Floors
For those users who had predominantly tile or hardwood floors, this Bissell model was a great pick. It glided effortlessly over their hard floors. And the suction power was good enough to clean up dirt and pet hairs from their tiles.Lightweight
Several reviewers were happy with how easily they could move this canister vacuum around. At just 7.5 pounds, it was light enough to move up and down floors in their homes. And this bagged vacuum is also compact meaning that storage is not a problem.What We Don’t Like
Not Great for Carpet Cleaning
Some users weren’t happy with this vacuum cleaner’s performance on carpets. There isn’t a beater bar on the hose. And some felt it didn’t pick up dirt and debris from carpets very well or move over this type of floor easily.Technical Specs
| Style | Canister |
| Weight | 7.5 pounds |
| Bin Volume | 2.5 liters |
| Mess Type | Above-floor Cleaning, Everyday Dirt |
| Surface Type | Hard Floor, Carpet and Rugs, Stairs |
| Anti-Allergy Filter | No |
3. Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Tempo Upright Vacuum Cleaner
For an upright bagged vacuum from a well-established and trusted brand, this Hoover WindTunnel model is a great pick. It comes with several accessories to cover all your cleaning needs, including an upholstery tool and crevice tool.
The WindTunnel technology creates channels of suction to lift and remove dust and debris. So even embedded dirt will be cleaned up. And there’s a HEPA filtration system which is great if you suffer from allergies.
Hoover offers a 2-year warranty on this bagged vacuum. And the brush roll is adjustable so you can clean all different types of floor.
Finally, a 30-foot cord means that you can vacuum a large area in one go.
What We Like
Bag Check Indicator
Many users liked the indicator light that told you when the bag was full. As you use the vacuum, the light begins to show red. It’ll become completely red when the bag is full. So you know exactly when it needs emptying.5 Height Settings
Customers liked the flexibility this bagged upright vacuum offered in terms of the type of surface it can clean. There are 5 settings you can choose from whether you’re cleaning hardwood floors or deep carpets.Good Accessories
Reviewers commented on the useful attachments that this bagged vacuum comes with that made their cleaning chores easier. The air-powered hand tool was great for cleaning up pet hair. And the extension wand could be used with any of the brushes to extend the length of the flexible hose.What We Don’t Like
Can be Noisy
Some customers found that this bagged vacuum was noisier than others they’d had. If noise levels are an issue for you, it might be worth looking at another model.Technical Specs
| Style | Upright |
| Weight | 15.9 pounds |
| Bin Volume | N/A |
| Mess Type | Above-floor Cleaning, Pet Hair |
| Surface Type | Hard Floor, Carpet, Upholstery |
| Anti-Allergy Filter | Yes |
4. Kenmore Pet Friendly Bagged Canister Vacuum
Effectively removing pet hair is crucial if you want to make your home clean and allergy-free. And this bagged canister vacuum will help you to do just that.
This vacuum cleaner has a triple HEPA filtration system. Once hair, dirt, and dust are trapped inside the bag, it won’t be released again into your home. Plus there’s a dual motor that provides strong suction power. And crevice and upholstery tools and a Pop-N-Go brush that’s ideal for bare floors.
Finally, we think you’ll like that you can select one of four colors when buying this product. There’s a choice of blue, green, purple, or a shiny-looking rose gold. So you can brighten up your home whilst doing the cleaning!
What We Like
Great For Pet Owners
The Pet PowerMate tool is a big bonus for those who have pets. Many users said that this was one of the best tools they’ve had on canister vacuums. It picked up pet hair really well and because it’s motorized, the hair didn’t get tangled on the brush either.Long Cord
This bagged canister vacuum has a power cord that is an impressive 28 feet long. Customers felt that this was long enough to easily vacuum a whole room in one go without having to swap the power outlet.Offers Flexibility
Reviewers commented on how versatile this canister vacuum was. It has 4 height adjustment levels that can be changed if you’re vacuuming carpets or bare floors. Plus the included attachments and 10-foot wand meant that they could clean the stairs and hard-to-reach spaces such as under the couch.What We Don’t Like
Heavy
This bagged vacuum weighs over 22 pounds. Some users did find it a little difficult to move around. So if weight is a concern for you, then you might be best looking at a different model.Technical Specs
| Style | Canister |
| Weight | 22.6 pounds |
| Bin Volume | 2.2 quarts |
| Mess Type | Heavy Traffic Dirt, Pet Hair, Above-floor Cleaning |
| Surface Type | Hard Floor, Carpet, Upholstery, Pet Beds |
| Anti-Allergy Filter | Yes |
5. Oreck XL Commercial Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Straightforward and with a commercial look. But very effective. This bagged vacuum cleaner is lightweight and has great suction power for all types of floor cleaning. As Oreck says, they aim to make cleaning easy.
There’s a lengthy power cord and a handle that’s comfortable to hold and has an on/off switch you can control with your thumb. And the XL dust bags mean there’s less time and money spent on buying and replacing bags. Plus the inner bag has a Saniseal automatic closing seal to help trap the tiniest of dust particles.
Finally, this bagged upright vacuum has been designed to help you clean in awkward spaces. The handle lies flat so you can fit the cleaning head under couches and tables. And there are little brushes on the side edges that will reach into corners and along your baseboards
What We Like
Powerful Suction
This bagged vacuum has a high-speed brush roll which means that it should be good at sucking up dust and debris. And this is backed up by user feedback, as many reviewers commented on how good the suction power was. In particular, several said that it was good for cleaning pet hair.Easy to Use
For a commercial-grade vacuum cleaner, this Oreck model is really light. It weighs just 9 pounds. So customers found that it was easy to move around their house as they cleaned. And the 35-foot long cord made their vacuuming chores even easier.Large Bag Capacity
Many users were impressed with how much dirt the bags would hold. They were happy that they didn’t have to change the bags that often. And when they did, it was also an easy task. The bags held the dust and debris so there was no mess or exposure to allergens.What We Don’t Like
Limited Capability
This bagged vacuum doesn’t come with any attachments or accessories. So it’s great for floor cleaning. But if you want a more versatile vacuum cleaner – one that you can use to clean your stairs/curtains/car/etc. – you might want to look at another model.Technical Specs
| Style | Upright |
| Weight | 9 pounds |
| Bin Volume | XL bag |
| Mess Type | Heavy Traffic Dirt, Pet Hair |
| Surface Type | Hard Floor, Carpet and Rugs |
| Anti-Allergy Filter | No |
Related Reading
Bagged Vacuum Comparison Chart
| Product | Style | Weight | Bin Volume | Surface Type | Anti-Allergy Filter | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miele Classic C1 Vacuum | Canister | 11.4 pounds | 4.76 quarts | Hard Floor, Low-pile Carpet |  | |
| BISSELL Zing Bagged Canister Vacuum | Canister | 7.5 pounds | 2.5 liters | Hard Floor, Carpet and Rugs, Stairs |  | N/A |
| Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Upright Vacuum | Upright | 15.9 pounds | N/A | Hard Floor, Carpet, Upholstery | | N/A |
| Kenmore Pet Friendly Vacuum | Canister | 22.6 pounds | 2.2 quarts | Hard Floor, Carpet, Upholstery, Pet Beds | | N/A |
| Oreck XL Commercial Upright Vacuum | Upright | 9 pounds | XL bag | Hard Floor, Carpet and Rugs | | N/A |
