Are You Weighing Your Options Between a Bagless & a Bagged Vacuum Cleaner?

Are You Looking To See Whether a Bagged or Bagless Canister Vacuum’s Right for Your Home? Here’s My Breakdown of Detailed Comparisons, Pros & Cons, & More. Find the Answers Here…

Bagged vs. Bagless Canister Vacuums

Are You Looking To See Whether a Bagged or Bagless Canister Vacuum’s Right for Your Home? Here’s My Breakdown of Detailed Comparisons, Pros & Cons, & More. Find the Answers Here…
This article contains tops tips from our experts, backed by in-depth research.
Last Updated: 18 Apr 2025
The ByPurify Promise

We stay independent and maintain editorial integrity. See how we're funded.

Bagged Vs Bagless Canister Vacuums

Choosing between bagged and bagless canister vacuums can feel like a tug-of-war, especially with each option boasting its own set of advantages.

Bagged vacuums tend to trap dust and allergens effectively, making them a great choice for allergy sufferers.

However, they require regular bag replacements, which can add to costs.

On the flip side, bagless models are convenient and eco-friendly, but they can be messy to empty.

Both vacuums are a great choice, but what are their similarities and differences, and which one is more efficient for you?

As experts in our field, we discuss the following in this article:

    The ByPurify team has compiled all the information you need to know about each canister vacuum type, so you have all the info you need to compare the vacuums

    What's a Canister Vacuum?

    A canister vacuum is a vacuum that comes with a wheeled container connected to a hose.

    The hose suctions the dirt from the surface and transfers the debris to the container. 

    Canister vacuum cleaners are lighter than most vacuums and easy to move around due to the wheels on the bottom of the canister. 

    Not to mention: 

    Canister vacuums come in both bagged and bagless types. 

    What's a Bagged Canister Vacuum?

    A bagged canister vacuum is a vacuum that uses a bag within its canister to trap dirt suctioned from the floor.

    With newer models, you can dispose of the bag once it's full, and with the older models, you can simply empty the debris from the bag into a bin and place the bag back into the canister. 

    Pros of Bagged Canister Vacuums

    The pros of bagged canister vacuum cleaners include that they're easy to use and more hygienic. 

    Let’s have a look at the list of pros: 

    • Easy to use.
    • More hygienic.
    • Holds more dirt. 
    • Good for deep cleaning.
    • Easy to find replacement bags. 
    • Higher-quality bags offer better filtering.
    • Debris is caught in the inner bag.
    • No excessive pressure leads to leaks.
    • The inner bag can be HEPA filtered1.
    • The outer bag filters anything that escapes the inner bag.
    • When removing the bag, it instantly seals to prevent dust from entering the air.

    Cons of Bagged Canister Vacuums 

    The cons of bagged canister vacuum cleaners include that they're expensive and the bags aren’t recyclable.

    Let's have a look at the list of cons:

    • The price of new bags can be costly.
    • The vacuum loses suction power when the bag is full.
    • It may be hard to find a bag suited for your canister vacuum as new versions get introduced to the market.
    • The bags aren’t recyclable. 

    What's a Bagless Canister Vacuum?

    A bagless canister vacuum is a vacuum that works almost like its bagged counterpart, only it has a filter with a cup.

    Once the filter and cup are full, they need to be emptied and cleaned.

    Pros of Bagless Canister Vacuums 

    The pros of bagless canister vacuum cleaners include that they're convenient to use and are eco-friendly. 

    Let's have a look at the list of pros:

    • They're easy to empty.
    • They're eco-friendly. 
    • Convenient to use.
    • They’re low maintenance.
    • Less expensive to run.

    Cons of Bagless Canister Vacuums

    The cons of bagless canister vacuum cleaners include the fact that they must be constantly emptied and that the filter clogs easily.

    Let's have a look at the list of cons:

    • Emptying the bagless canister can be very messy.
    • Requires regular cleaning of the vacuum itself.
    • The canister often needs to be emptied.
    • The canister and filter can clog easily. 

    Bagless vs. Bagged Vacuum: Which Will Work Best for You?

    The type of vacuum that’ll work best for you ultimately depends on what you're searching for.

    While the great bagless vs. bagged vacuum argument may never truly be resolved, it's crucial to understand that both kinds are excellent at collecting debris and dirt and making your home look tidy. 

    Fortunately, we've compiled a list of factors that may help you choose between the 2 vacuums, including how simple they’re to use and maintain.

    Convenience 

    If you value convenience, a bagless vacuum is a good choice because you don't have to buy additional filters from a store.

    The bagless vacuum is more convenient because you don't have to do anything to use it, whereas with a bagged vacuum, you’d have to constantly check and replace the bag. 

    You can immediately begin vacuuming with the bagless vacuum.

    Prone to Allergies 

    You should choose a bagged vacuum cleaner if you're prone to allergies

    Even though a bagless vacuum does a fantastic job of hiding dirt and dust, some may inevitably reappear during the cleaning process.

    Pets

    A bagless vacuum cleaner can be a better choice for you if you have pets; otherwise, you might have to change the bag every time you vacuum. 

    The bagged vacuum cleaner might be more of a hassle for you in this situation because it can be ineffective.

    Minimal Maintenance

    The bagged vacuum is a better option if you’re looking for less maintenance

    This may seem like a contradiction, but when you take the bag off a bagged vacuum, it seals itself right away. 

    This keeps dust and debris from getting back into your home and, in that sense, ultimately creates less cleaning work.

    Best Bagged & Bagless Canister Vacuums of 2025

    The best bagged and bagless canister vacuums can be summed up as follows:

    Best Bagged Canister Vacuum 

    Through my thorough research, we’ve found that the best bagged canister vacuum is the Kenmore 600 Series Pet-Friendly Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum. 

    The swivel head and versatile design make it easy to clean any surface or area in your home, car, office, or garage. 

    The motorized attachment makes it easy to get rid of stubborn pet hair, dander, and other debris from surfaces, and it keeps hair from getting tangled around the brush.

    Best Bagless Canister Vacuums

    According to my research, the best bagless canister vacuum is the Dyson Ball Multi Floor Vacuum.

    This vacuum is designed specifically to clean all types of flooring and has stunning suction power.

    It features a washable HEPA filter that claims to last a lifetime; all that’s required from you is to keep it clean and reusable. 

    Why You Can Trust ByPurify

    You can trust ByPurify because my sole purpose is to keep you informed about a healthy living environment with my in-depth reviews

    I make every effort to keep you up-to-date with the best bagged and bagless canister vacuums on the market, which will hopefully improve and enhance your lifestyle. 

    ByPurify empowers families and households to live in a clean, purified environment.

    Common Questions

    Where Does the Dirt Go In a Bagless Vacuum?

    How Long Do Vacuum Bags Last?

    Which’s Better Between a Bagged & Bagless Canister Vacuum?

    Do Vacuums with Bags Work Better?

    Are Bagless Vacuums Worth It?

    Do I Need a Canister or an Upright Vacuum?

    In Conclusion

    Bagged vs. Bagless Canister Vacuums; both are efficient in their own ways; it all comes down to your needs. 

    People say that the bagged canister vacuum works better, but the bagless canister vacuum has become popular over the past few years.

    Now that you know the difference between bagged and bagless canister vacuums, I trust this information helps you make the right decision for your needs and your home. 

    Trending Articles to Read
    Vacuum Cleaner Vs Carpet Steamer
    Is a Vacuum Cleaner OR a Carpet Steamer Better?
    Bagless Vs Bagged Vacuum Cleaners
    Should You Get a Bagless or Bagged Vacuum Cleaner?
    Scroll to Top