Unsure of what to look for before buying a vacuum cleaner with a bag? Our buying guide will help you choose the right vacuum cleaner based on your needs.
Price
One of the biggest considerations is how much you want to pay for a vacuum cleaner. These are the typical differences between a budget vacuum cleaner in comparison with an expensive model:
Noise: They are typically more noisy.
Attachments: They typically have fewer attachments.
Filter: The filter is worse.
Smaller: They are smaller, which typically means they have a shorter operating radius and a smaller bag capacity, but are, on the other hand, easier to carry and store.
Lifespan: The lifespan is typically shorter.
The cheapest bagged vacuum cleaner is the Tristar SZ-1920, which costs £65.99. These are the five cheapest bagged vacuum cleaners:
You can find the best vacuum cleaners with a long operating radius here.
The operating radius across the bagged vacuum cleaners ranges from 7 to 27 meters. The following chart shows how the operating radius is distributed:
Updated March 18, 2024
Capacity
Choosing a vacuum cleaner with a large bag capacity has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that you don’t have to replace the bag as often, and the disadvantage is that the vacuum cleaner is more extensive and heavier.
Whether you should choose a vacuum cleaner with a large or small capacity depends on your needs and the size of your household. For a large household, a vacuum cleaner with a large capacity will typically be the best choice.
The following chart shows how the bag capacity is distributed across the bagged vacuum cleaners:
Updated March 18, 2024
Consider one of the following five models if you are looking for a bagged vacuum cleaner with a large bag capacity:
You can find the best vacuum cleaners with a large bag capacity here.
Attachments
Identify the cleaning you’ll be doing. Are you primarily cleaning carpets, hard floors, or both? Do you have pets that shed?
The accessories you should select for a vacuum cleaner depend on your specific cleaning needs.
These are the most common accessories to consider:
Crevice nozzle: A crevice nozzle is a slender attachment designed to reach into narrow spaces, such as corners, crevices, and between cushions. It’s ideal for thoroughly cleaning areas that are difficult to access with a standard vacuum head.
Furniture nozzle: A furniture nozzle, also known as an upholstery nozzle, is an attachment designed for cleaning soft surfaces like sofas, chairs, and mattresses. It’s typically equipped with a soft bristle to prevent damage while effectively removing dust, pet hair, and debris.
Parquet brush: A parquet brush, also called a hard floor brush, is designed for cleaning hard flooring surfaces like parquet, tile, or laminate. It typically has soft bristles to prevent scratches.
Combi brush: A combi brush is a versatile attachment that can be used on both carpets and hard floors.
Turbo brush: A turbo brush is a motorized attachment where a brush rotates, which makes it effective for pet hair removal and removal of embedded dirt from carpets and upholstery.
Filter
If you have allergies or asthma, opt for a vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters trap tiny particles and allergens, improving the air quality.
You can find the best allergy-friendly vacuum cleaners here.
Noise level
For some, the vacuum cleaner’s noise level matters a lot, while others don’t care. There is a big difference in the noise level of vacuum cleaners. The quietest bagged vacuum cleaner is the Siemens VSZ7442S, which has a noise level of 67 dB; in comparison, the noisiest vacuum cleaner has a noise level of 80 dB.
If you are looking for a quiet vacuum cleaner with a bag, consider one of the following models, which are the five quietest:
The following chart shows how the noise level is distributed across the bagged vacuum cleaners in comparison with bagless vacuum cleaners:
Updated March 18, 2024
Other considerations
These are some of the features you should consider for your vacuum cleaner:
Adjustable suction power: Look for a vacuum with adjustable suction power. This allows you to adapt the cleaning intensity based on the surface. Most vacuum cleaners have this function.
Sensors: Some vacuum cleaners come with sensors that can detect the type of flooring. These sensors automatically adjust the suction power for optimal cleaning results.
Bag replacement indicator: A helpful feature that ensures timely bag changes. Airflow decreases as the dust bag fills up, negatively impacting the vacuum’s efficiency.
Filter replacement indicator: A filter replacement indicator signals when the filter needs to be replaced.
LED lights on the nozzle: Some vacuum cleaners have LED lights on the nozzle, which provides better visibility while cleaning and makes it easier to see dirt on the floor.
Control buttons on the handle: Most vacuum cleaners have control buttons on the main body, while some models feature control buttons on the handle, which are particularly useful for those who have difficulty bending over.
Bump guards: Some vacuum cleaners have bump guards to protect walls and furniture from accidental bumps during cleaning.
Our bagged vacuum cleaner test consists of 18 models, and all the models have been given a score from 0 – 100. Each of the vacuum cleaners scores is based on reviews and results from vacuum cleaner tests and the data collected from around the web. Please read this page to understand how our ranking works better.
We have not tested every product ourselves from the list of 129 products, but the score is solely based on information about each product from data around the web.
If you are looking for a test where the vacuum cleaners have been tested physically, we suggest you go to Which.co.uk.
Comparison
Product information
Name
Henry Compact HVR 160-11
Henry Numatic HVR200-11
Miele Complete C3
Score
96
95
94
Reviews
★★★★★
★★★★★
(4.8)
17983 reviews
★★★★★
★★★★★
(4.7)
4658 reviews
★★★★★
★★★★★
(4.8)
26 reviews
Price
£130
£167
£319
Energy consumption
Power
620 W
620 W
890 W
Filter
Type of filter
AirClean
Washable filter
Technical details
Noise level
72 dB
72 dB
77 dB
Bag capacity
6.0 L
9.0 L
4.5 L
Operating radius
10.0 m
26.8 m
12.0 m
Variable power control
Telescopic tube
Control buttons on the handle
Nozzles
Crevice nozzle
Furniture brush
Parquet nozzle
Motorized floor nozzle
Combi floor nozzle
Mini turbo brush
Turbo brush
Round brush
Dimensions and weight
Height
34.5 cm
22.7 cm
Width
31.5 cm
49.6 cm
Depth
34.0 cm
28.4 cm
Weight
7.5 kg
8.1 kg
Suited for
For allergy sufferers
Suited for pet hair
Pros and cons
Pros
Powerful long-life motor
TriTex filtration system
Neat on-board accessory storage
Large dust capacity
Durable
On-board storage
Simple and easy to use
Good operating radius
Budget vacuum cleaner
Easy maintenance and repair
Cons
Heavy
Occupies a lot of storage area
Less effective in removing pet hair
Hard to manoeuvre in small spaces
Bulky/heavy
Not very flexible suction power
9L bin capacity does not have dirt ejection system
Main cleaning head does not glide easily
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