When it comes to thorough cleaning, one of the best vacuum cleaners (opens in new tab) should be at the top of your shopping list, with a plethora of different types including cordless, handheld, and large capacity vacs that can truly make your life easier, depending on your situation. As with many home purchases, the crucial difference between bagged vs bagless vacuum cleaners is really down to what you’d prefer as a consumer. So whether that’s changing disposable vacuum bags or allowing the filters within a bagless model to pick up dirt instead, there will be a choice to best suit your needs.

Bagged vacuum cleaners  

The more traditional vacuum type, bagged cleaners have specially engineered bags with filters, so that they can capture the dirt and debris that’s just been sucked up through your appliance. Buying, switching and disposing of these bags are tasks that many have ditched in favor of less-hassle bagless vacuums, but those who have stuck to this system can enjoy benefits too, including the likelihood of extending the life of your vacuum and its filters, and less risk for those suffering from asthama or allergies.  The good news is that when it’s time for maintenance, learning how to clean a vacuum filter (opens in new tab) is relatively simple, so it’s an easy task to keep your bagged vacuum cleaner in top-notch condition.  Pros of bagged vacuum cleaners

  1. Straightforward disposal process  If you’ve ever emptied your bagless vacuum the wrong way around and ended up in a cloud of unspeakable floor debris, then the idea of simply throwing a sealed vacuum bag into the trash will appeal to you. 
  2. Longer vacuum lifespan Switching bags regularly means that the body of your appliance will stay in better condition for longer. 
  3. Better for trapping allergens and dirt You can keep debris and dust from posing a threat to your health by using vacuum bags, rather than opting for a bagless emptying system. Bagged vacs also tend to have larger capacities, so that you can deal with crucial allergens on a more regular basis before disposal.  Cons of bagged vacuum cleaners
  4. Repurchasing costs The process of finding a stockist and repurchasing vacuum bags can be tiresome.
  5.  Less sustainable Adding to your household waste with vacuum bags isn’t regarded as a green move, and you’ll need to delve into said bag and dispose of it early if something of value is accidentally swallowed up.  

Bagless vacuum cleaners

The convenience of bagless vacuum cleaners wins out for many; all you need to do when your appliance fills up is to direct the tank into the nearest trash can. Whilst advantageous in many ways, the dust and debris in the air with this method can be problematic for allergy sufferers and without a bag, the job of filtration falls upon the filters that live within your vacuum, which can affect longevity.  Whilst the vacuum capacity tends to be smaller with bagless models, there is often increased choice with options for cordless and handheld vacuums (opens in new tab) without bag systems.  Pros of bagless vacuum cleaners

  1. Quick and hassle-free emptying The emptying process of a bagless vacuum is often helped along by shooting mechanisms and collapsing doors. 
  2. No further bag costs You won’t need to find or repurchase bags with your vacuum.   Cons of bagless vacuum cleaners
  3. Burden on your vacuum Some see bagless vacuums as like using a trash can without a liner, as there will be increased toil on the filter and parts of your expensive new investment. 
  4. Increased cleaning Carefully cleaning and drying your vacuum tank and parts must be done without a bag to keep debris from the inner parts. 

The verdict 

When it comes to investing in a bagged vs bagless vacuum cleaner, your personal preferences and time commitments matter. Whilst bagged vacuums can be more time consuming to empty, and though it takes effort to source bags, many see them as built to last, plus the large capacity often appeals to larger families.  For those who can’t see themselves remembering to pick up vacuum bags, then a bagless cleaner will win on convenience, but it’s crucial to keep up with your vacuum maintenance if you want your purchase to keep its value in the long run.   Discover more guides for the home… Best top load washers (opens in new tab) Best dishwashers (opens in new tab) Best dryers (opens in new tab) Best steam mops (opens in new tab) Best robot vacuums (opens in new tab)

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