Is A Bagged Or Bagless Vacuum Cleaner Better?

With all the different options available nowadays, choosing the right vacuum can be pretty confusing.

And possibly one of the biggest decisions to make before you take home your new vacuum is whether to go with a bagged or bagless machine. Both will get the job done, but you may find one suits your needs that bit better.

Not sure which is right for you? Let’s walk through the differences between a bagged vacuum cleaner and a bagless vacuum cleaner together.

Bagless vacuum cleaners are perhaps the most common option you’ll come across, especially in cordless stick vacuums, but what exactly are the benefits?

• Simple empty function: As bagless vacuum cleaners come with a built-in bin, all you need to do to empty it is pop the lid over your waste bin and let the contents empty out.
• Easy bin access: If you accidentally vacuum up a stray earing or a bit of loose change, then the easy bin access means you can get right in and remove it. 
• Visible bin: You don’t need to guess when your bin is full and needs emptying, as the visible bin means you can see exactly when your bagless vacuum cleaner needs emptying.
• Allergen filter: Nothing is worse than a sneezing fit when you’re just trying to clean your fabric sofa or carpet, but as most bagless vacuum cleaners come with filters, you’re protected from any pesky allergens.

Some of the very first vacuums available were bagged, but how do they hold up today? Let’s get into the benefits of bagged vacuum cleaners below:

• Hygienic: As dust, debris, and crumbs are kept confined within the bag, bagged vacuum cleaners are incredibly hygienic.
• Easy empty: Once your bag is full, emptying it is super simple. All you need to do is take the bag out and drop it in your waste bin.
• Allergy-friendly: Nose and throat tickling allergens are kept tucked away within the bag, so you don’t need to worry about runny eyes and sneezes as you vacuum.
• Large capacity: Most bagged vacuum cleaners feature a large bag area, meaning you can get your home clean and tidy in one go!

Now you know the benefits of both a bagless vacuum cleaner and a bagged vacuum cleaner, let’s iron out the exact differences to decide which one is right for you.

The biggest difference between a bagged vacuum cleaner and a bagless one is simple – one comes with a bag, and one doesn’t. As such, you may find a bagged vacuum cleaner is slightly better if you’re worried about allergies since any dust is kept safely within the bin. However, with HEPA filters available, you can easily make your bagless vacuum cleaner allergy safe as well.

A bagless vacuum cleaner may be slightly easier to monitor as well. Due to the visible bin on a bagless machine, you don’t need to reply on spotting signs like your bagged vacuum cleaner leaking dust or not picking up crumbs properly to tell you when it’s full – you simply take a look.

To compare the differences between a bagged and bagless vacuum cleaner, check out our table, below.

Still stuck wondering whether a bagged or bagless vacuum cleaner is better for you? Well, you can give our quiz a go to help find the answer!

Simply note down whether you answer ‘A’ for yes or ‘B’ for no as you run through the questions, below. Once you’ve reached the end, tally up whether you have more answers for A or more for B, and you’ll find your answer at the bottom!

Pens at the ready? Begin!

Do you suffer with dust allergies?

A: Yes

B: No

Can you spare 15 minutes a week for maintenance?

A: No

B: Yes

Will you find it easy to keep on top of replenishing bags?

A: Yes

B: No

Do you like to see how much dirt you’ve vacuumed up?

A: No

B: Yes

And we’re done! Now it’s time for the answers:

If you answered mostly A, you should try a bagged vacuum cleaner

Our HyLite2 is the bagged vacuum cleaner for you! Able to tackle all types of mess from dusty carpets to crumb covered countertops, this trustworthy machine is incredibly lightweight and easily adaptable from upright to handheld function. For the smaller home, check out our ProLite cordless handheld which easily takes care of cleaning a studio or apartment, without taking up unnecessary storage space.

If you answered mostly B, then a bagless vacuum cleaner is for you

Ditch the bags and reach for the Gtech System for ultimate floor and handheld cleaning power. And if you have furry friends, check out the System K9, built to deal with the added dirt and pet hair.

Now you know the difference between a bagless vacuum cleaner and a bagged vacuum cleaner, you can start exploring our full cordless vacuum cleaner collection! Alternatively, for advice on putting your vacuum to good use like how to clean a mattress or clean your carpet steps, head over to our blog.