Bagless vacuum cleaners have become very popular in recent years. This is largely due to the influence of Dyson who have extensively marketed their bagless machines for the past decade or more. A bagless vacuum is different from a bagged vacuum in that it has a dust canister that holds the dust and debris as opposed to a disposable bag. The dust canister, when full, is removed, emptied and then reattached to the vacuum.
Consumers often have a favorite vacuum type – bagged or bagless. There is really no “best” configuration and it is a matter of preference. Many people like bagless machines because they do not require the purchasing and ultimately throwing away of bags. Bagless machines thus have less operating costs and some would argue are more environmentally friendly. However, fans of bagged vacuums prefer the simplicity of dealing with a disposable bag. They also cite difficulties with removing and reattaching a dust canister as well as the sometimes messy affair of emptying the canister.
Finding the best bagless vacuum involves first understanding your cleaning needs. If you have a very small area to clean you may consider a stick vacuum. For larger areas a full size vacuum is recommended. Also, if you have a lot of carpet you will likely want a bagless machine with a motor driven brushbar. The brushbar should have on/off controls in case you also want to vacuum bare floors. If you have mostly bare floors an air-driven brushbar may suffice.
Small area cleaning can be handled well with the cordless Shark Navigator Freestyle Stick Vacuum or the corded Hoover SH20030. Either of these would be a good choice for a small apartment for example. Both vacuums are bagless and get very good consumer ratings. These two stick vacs are also lightweight, maneuverable, and capable on both carpet and bare floors.
For larger areas the following machines are good choices and are all highly rated by consumers. Each one is capable on both bare floors and carpet as well.
Dyson DC25 Animal – upright
Shark Navigator Lift Away – upright
Bissell Healthy Home 16N5 - upright
Electrolux UltraActive Deepclean EL4300A - canister
The Dyson DC25 Animal probably needs no introduction as it is quite well known and Dyson is famous for its bagless vacuum cleaners. This upright vacuum comes with a special turbine tool for removing pet hair from carpet or upholstery and it uses Dyson’s Ball Technology. Ball Technology involves using a ball instead of wheels to aid vacuum movement. The ball allows one to change direction with the flick of a wrist. It should be said that while most people really like the ball system, some folks have a hard time getting used to it.
The Shark Navigator Lift Away, like other vacuums in the list above, gets great ratings from owners. It is also powerful, quiet and comes with washable filters. Washable filters save money over the lifetime of the vacuum as new filters do not need to be purchased simply because they get dirty. Also, the dust canister and motor unit can be separated from the rest of the vacuum. This can be carried and used for mobile cleaning.
The Bissell Healthy Home 16N5 has HEPA filtration which is a high level of filtration that removes very fine particles from the air. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air and this level of filtration is capable of removing particles down to 0.3 microns in diameter. This typically includes the likes of ragweed, pollen, mold spores, dust mite feces, etc. HEPA filtration is popular with asthma and allergy sufferers. The 16N5 carries a lengthy 5-year warranty, but it should be noted that at 22 lbs some find the vacuum a bit heavy.
The Electrolux canister is very light at just over 12 lbs and it is compact and easy to store. This vacuum also has variable suction with maximum, medium, and minimum settings. Being able to limit vacuum suction can be helpful when vacuuming delicate items like lamp shades or curtains for example. In addition, the UltraActive Deepclean has a retractable power cord and a low profile nozzle that allows it to easily get under low furniture.
Visit Vacuum Cleaner Advisor to learn more about these top-notch bagless vacuums and to read more reliable, in-depth vacuum cleaner reviews.
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