14 Best Bagless Vacuum Cleaners (January 2020)

Bagless Vacuum Cleaner Guide

Consumers have more choice in vacuum cleaners than ever before. Along with a growing range of robot and upright vacuum cleaners, innovative bagless designs are also in high demand. While the sheer number of new products on the market is great news for consumers, it can be tricky making a decision when it comes time to buy. With so many specifications to compare, it’s easy to make the wrong choice. Let’s take a look at the common features available in bagless vacuum cleaners so you can get the right model for your home.

What is a bagless vacuum cleaner?

When you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner, it’s important to choose a model that meets your needs. While traditional bagged designs are still popular with many consumers, modern bagless vacuums offer a number of new and exciting features.

Bagless vacuums are easy to use, simple to maintain, and more powerful than ever before. Because they rely on a dedicated dust canister to trap dirt particles, these vacuums can take advantage of a number of new and innovative filtration features. While bagless vacuums still require regular cleaning, they are generally easier to maintain than bagged vacuum cleaners.

Types of bagless vacuums

There are two main types of bagless vacuum cleaners on the market – filtered and cyclonic. Filtered bagless models use a simple filter system to trap dirt particles, with these designs generally the more affordable option. Filtered vacuum cleaners can be made using a variety of filters, some of which are designed with a special internal bag. While not working the same way as conventional bagged vacuums, these designs use inverted bag filters that are pulled up towards the motor when in use. Washable foam filters are also used in some models, and pleated cartridge filters are used in others.

Cyclonic bagless vacuums are more advanced in many ways. These designs use innovative cyclonic technology to separate dirt particles from the air and trap them inside the dust canister. Most cyclonic vacuum cleaners also feature a filter system, which means there are two different technologies being employed. Instead of using a bag to catch particles, cyclonic vacuum systems remove dust particles by venting them outside the unit. While this system is not as sealed as a traditional bagged design, most modern cyclonic vacuums are well designed and almost completely dust free.

Cleaning ability and features

Regardless of what type of bagless vacuum cleaner you want to purchase, it’s important to check the cleaning ability of each model. There are many ways to analyze cleaning ability, including the power rating, the battery life, the performance on different types of surfaces, the filtration system employed, the size of the dust canister, and the accessories included. Different features are important to different people, so you always need to do your own research before laying down your hard earned money.

There are a number of industry standards used to help people compare vacuum models, including the energy efficiency class, carpet cleaning performance class, hard floor cleaning performance class, power rating, air wattage, and dust re-emission class. Individual units also focus on special cleaning features, including pet hair removal, allergy-free cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and high pile carpet cleaning. While you often have to make compromises, you should always choose a vacuum cleaner that has been designed to meet the demands of your home.

The power rating

The power rating of a vacuum cleaner is an important consideration, although it’s often misunderstood. Also known as the wattage, the power rating does not solely determine the suction ability of the unit. How well a vacuum cleaner works is also determined by the overall design, with bagged, filtered, and cyclonic vacuums all likely to perform differently even when they display the same overall wattage.

When choosing a vacuum cleaner, it’s more important to compare the Air Watt rating, which is the actual suction power available during operation. While this is not always available from manufacturers, you can always test out individual units or read online reviews before making a purchase. Along with overall power, there are differences between units based on whether or not you can change the suction available to you at any one time.

Filters and dust emission

There are many different filters used in vacuum cleaners, all of which have an impact on how well the vacuum functions. Different filter designs affect how well the vacuum works for fine dust particles, pet hair and odors, and allergens. Modern bagless vacuum cleaners are rated for their dust re-emission performance, with the most advanced models equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration unit.

HEPA technology is the equivalent of European S-class filters, which are much more efficient that standard filter designs. In order to get an official HEPA designation, a vacuum cleaner needs to be tested to trap 99.7% of all emissions down to a minuscule 0.3 microns in size. This class of filtration is much better than regular designs which trap an average 96% of emissions.

HEPA filters are recommended for anyone who suffers from allergies and asthma, with this technology able to trap tiny particles such as dust mite droppings, pollen, household mold, fine pet hair, and tobacco smoke particles. Vacuums that don’t use HEPA filters may use replaceable electrostatic filters or durable double-walled bags as an alternative.

Accessories and functionality

Bagless vacuum cleaners can also be compared according to their accessories and overall functionality. A number of accessories can be included in a vacuum cleaner package, including various nozzles and brushes for different surfaces and types of upholstery, ergonomic handles and features, and flexible handles to accommodate different heights and extend the operating radius.

It doesn’t matter how powerful your vacuum cleaner is if it’s difficult to use or designed for someone with a different height. The performance of a bagless vacuum cleaner can also be improved through on-board suction control, ergonomic carrying systems, and easy canister emptying among other considerations.

The overall weight and size of a vacuum cleaner can also have a significant effect on functionality, as can the length of the electrical cord, the materials used in construction, and the existence of a motorized brush. This can be an incredibly valuable feature for cleaning high pile carpets because you won’t have to rely on the power of the unit alone.

Dust canister capacity

Bagless vacuum cleaners feature an opaque or transparent dust canister that is easy to empty and clean. The size of this canister is one of the most important considerations in any purchase. While vacuums with a large capacity design of two liters or more will be much better for cleaning large houses, they may also be bulky and heavy.

Bigger is not always better, with a smaller design often more beneficial for someone living in an apartment or small house. Along with how often you need to remove the dust, it’s important to realize that the size of the dust canister will determine how quickly the vacuum loses suction and how often the filters need to be cleaned.

Weight, size, sound and other features

When it comes to vacuuming, sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. As well as comparing bagless vacuums based on their power filtration, and accessories, it’s also important to look into other product details. For example, some people will be unable to carry around a heavy model, and others may not want a vacuum that comes in a certain color.

Before choosing a bagless vacuum cleaner, it’s important to look into the weight, product dimensions, operating radius, color, design, and materials of construction. The sound of a vacuum cleaner can also have a big effect on how often you choose to use it and the impact you have on the surrounding environment. Many modern bagless designs are made with silent or almost silent motors to ensure a peaceful cleaning experience.