(Last Updated: April, 2024)
What Changed?
- Added Oreck XL2100RHS
- Removed Discontinued Products
- Updated Pros and Cons on Sanitare S45A
Buyer's Guide Table of Contents (Click To Expand)
One way or another, you need to clean your house. How you do it is up to your preferences though: bagged vacuum or not?
Here, we’ll take a look at your best vacuum options where the vacuums all use replaceable bags. All of these vacuums trap dirt and dust inside the bag, but all of which are not made equal. If you want to get your house completely clean, consider buying a vacuum with a bag for your home.
So let's start your search for the best vacuum for your home!
Since starting Modern Living 101, we've had the chance to test hundreds of vacuum cleaners, some of which are great options with bags. After our tests, we found that the best bagged vacuum is the Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS. It's extremely lightweight, powerful and great at deep cleaning, making it a great choice for just about everyone and the best of these reviews.
7 Best Best Bagged Vacuum Cleaners: Upright & Lightweight
More About The Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS
Oreck’s Commercial vacuum is made to stand upright with a large cleaning path that’s suited to handle low pile carpeting without taking up all that much space in your home.
Make use of the helping hand handle whether you have arthritis or not, and relax knowing that the automatic floor adjustment will help you move between carpet and hard floors and bare floors without needing to make any manual adjustments yourself.
While this option may not be a looker, it provides next-level cleaning capability, maneuverability (under 9lbs), excellent filtration, all in an affordable package.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Very easy to work on if you ever need to
- Powerful enough to clean large and small debris
- Features an arthritis-friendly handle
- Can get under furniture easily
Cons:
- Some people struggle with pet hair or high-pile carpeting
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
BISSELL Lightweight Cleaner  | Tritan Cleaner  |
Sanitaire EUK688  | Eureka NEU182A  |
More About The Bissell BigGreen Commercial PowerForce
You have a wide cleaning path when it comes to the Bissell BigGreen vacuum, which is both lightweight and easy to push around too. You even have a few tools like a crevice tool included in this vacuum to make cleaning that much easier, and can store your tools in the back of the vacuum when you’re done. Just adjust to one of the five use the 10-amp motor and 30-inch cord to be sure that you get your house looking just right.
Pros:
- The size of the carrying handle is perfect to hold it
- The bags ensure that you don’t have to deal with dust in the air
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Bags change with ease
- Good on carpet and hard floors
Cons:
- It is a little heavier than other options
- Not easy cleaning under low furniture
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
BISSELL Lightweight Vacuum | Tritan Bagged Cleaner |
Sanitaire Cord EUK688 | Eureka Pet Hair NEU182A |
More About The Hoover Wind Tunnel
You have wind tunnel technology in this Hoover Wind Tunnel, which will create a channel of suction to lift and remove dirt—even dirt that’s really deeply embedded.
Know that there’s a HEPA filter inside this bag to help with allergies, and there are multiple floor adjustments that allow you a lot of maneuverability.
Change the settings to work on either hard floors, bare floors or carpeting without a problem.
This low-cost, but effective bagged upright vacuum cleaner is great if you have a smaller budget but still want a decent vacuum with good cleaning capabilities and ease of use.
Pros:
- Handles pet hair really well
- Affordable for what it does
- Mass produced, so it’s easy to find bags
Cons:
- The attachments for the hose don't work very well on furniture
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
BISSELL Lightweight Vacuum | Tritan Canister Cleaner |
Sanitaire EUK688 | Eureka NEU182A |
More About The Kenmore Elite 200 Series Pet Vacuum
You might not want to push the entire vacuum cleaner around with you, which is where this Kenmore Elite canister vacuum comes in.
It’s designed to clean all surfaces including hardwood and carpet with ease, and even with a HEPA filter to reduce the amount of debris flying in the air. Rely on the two-motor system to clean your home, with four height adjustments for great airflow and a lightweight design to help you use the vacuum cleaner however you’d like.
Pros:
- Easy to click the on/off switch on the canister
- Easy to pick up with the handle on it
- Canister vacuum is easy to to push through high pile carpet
Cons:
- The attachment for the hard floors and bare floors is too small to clean quickly
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
BISSELL Lightweight Vacuum | Tritan Canister Cleaner |
Sanitaire EUK688 | Eureka NEU182A |
More About The Hoover Commercial CH53005
People like strong vacuums with good cleaning capabilities, but you don’t want something that’s impossible to lift. That’s why you might like this Hoover Commercial vacuum, which is lightweight and will stay sitting upright.
The clean-drop bags are easy to use, and the upright bagged vacuum cleaner itself can be adjusted to five different height positions. This means that anyone can use it, and you can carry it anywhere in your home thanks to the 35-foot high visibility cord, made so that you see it and won’t trip over it.
Pros:
- Perfect for cleaning up pet hair after multiple pets
- Easy to replace the bags
- Great cleaning ability on all flooring types
Cons:
- The attachments tend to fall off when working
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
BISSELL Lightweight Vacuum | Tritan Canister Cleaner |
Sanitaire EUK688 | Eureka NEU182A |
More About The Oreck Commercial Upright Vacuum U2000RB1
You will need to assemble this Oreck commercial upright bagged vacuum yourself when you get it, but once you’ve got it put together, you’ll love how it works. It has an automatic floor adjustment, which means that it can move between carpet and hard surfaces without you needing to change the settings. Grab onto the Helping Hand handle to help move along without hurting your hand or wrist. Especially if you have a slight frame or are dealing with arthritis, you’ll love where the on/off switch is located on the handle, and how strong this vacuum is. Just push it along without dealing with clogs or jams.
Unlike other upright vacuums, this one is powerful and very maneuverable and easy to use.
Pros:
- Lightweight to lift
- Powerful suction picks up almost all debris in a single pass
- Very easy to push around
Cons:
- You have to be very careful with the bags you buy, since all Oreck bags are not the same
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
BISSELL Lightweight Vacuum | Tritan Canister Cleaner |
Sanitaire EUK688 | Eureka NEU182A |
More About The Sanitare S645A
You have a strong motor in this Sanitare vacuum that is made to give you a superior performance just by pushing it around.
When you do push it around, you shouldn’t have to keep unplugging it either thanks to the 30-foot power cord that will reach most areas in your home.
You’ll even be sure to see all the dirt in front of your path with this vacuum, so you won’t miss any spots.
Pros:
- Very powerful for the price
- Durable construction
- Lasts a long time with proper maintenance
Cons:
- No hose attachment
RElated Products | |
|---|---|
BISSELL Lightweight Cleaner | Tritan Canister Cleaner |
Sanitaire Cord Model EUK688 | Eureka Model NEU182A |
What is a Bagged Vacuum?
Bagged or bagless: which of the best vacuum cleaners will you choose and which comes at the best price? Will you choose a canister vacuum or upright?
Both canister vacuums and upright can be a bagged vacuum cleaner, and the first and most obvious think you should know is that with bagged vacuums, you need to buy bags. This means that you will use a replaceable bag as a filter to trap dirt while allowing air to flow through the bag. You’ll also need to replace the bag when it gets full.
Use your bagged vacuum to suck up dirt and just replace the bag when it gets full. There’s less dirt that escapes with these types of vacuums, and they work great if you suffer from allergies too, since they suck up everything well.
The best bagged vacuum cleaners are great at picking up everything from dust to pet hair and more. Generally, bagged vacuums are either upright vacuums or canister, and come with tools such as crevice tool or upholstery tool.
Perks of a Bagged-Style Vacuum Cleaner
More Hypoallergenic
The best bagged vacuum cleaners are mostly recommended for allergy sufferers because they keep things such as dirt, dust, and other types of debris, trapped inside of the bag. This is true for both upright and canister vacuums, and will prevent the exposure of the debris to allergy sufferers and make it much easier to empty the container and clean the house. They do not even have to be emptied as often as bagless vacuum cleaners, which saves a lot of trouble and reduces the amount of exposure to allergy triggers for around the same price.
Better for Hygiene
Bagged vacuums can be great for overall cleanliness. This is because bagged vacuums are inherently more effective at keeping debris contains than bagless vacuums. Reducing the amount of exposure to the debris that gets suctioned into the vacuum bags and having the ability to clean debris out of tighter cleaning areas makes bagged vacuum cleaners the more hygienic option and one of the best if you have allergies. The strong, high quality HEPA filters that are built into the bags of bagged vacuum cleaners help to trap and remove common allergens from the air. Bagged vacuums will also help you finish your cleaning jobs faster and easier than regular vacuum cleaners so that the chances of having to be exposed to allergens are greatly reduced.
Powerful Accessories
The best bagged vacuum cleaners tend to have stronger suction for a longer period of time than their bagless counterparts. Since you don't have to worry as much about dust buildup with these types of vacuums, suction stays long, and this extended suction power also applies to vacuum accessories.
Whether its a crevice tool, or an attachment for hard floors, a bagged vacuum cleaner is a great choice overall when it comes to powerful accessories. Make sure you always check with each specific cleaning machine, some don't have a hose for accessories, which makes them less versatile for cleaning areas like the stairs.
Features to Look For In The Best Vacuum Cleaners
Motor Power & Brush Roll Cleaning Features
The motor power of bagged vacuum cleaners correlate with the overall energy consumption that the vacuum uses, and sometimes with the suction power. These two factors tend to go hand in hand.
Some vacuum cleaners with low motor power can still have a high level of suction power, but it will have the advantage of consuming less energy while in use. If you are someone who believes energy conservation is important, then you may want to find a vacuum cleaner with a low motor power that will still be able to offer you a high level of suction power.
The brush roll is the part of the machine that comes into contact with your floor. The brush roll is a very important part of your vacuum!
Having a good brush roll or two will also help with dirt extraction. Make sure the brush rolls are compatible with the type of floor you have though! Hardwood requires a soft cleaning brush roll.
Some vacuums may come with more than one brush per machine. A dual brush design is great for switching between cleaning hardwood floors and carpet.
Filtration Features of a Vacuum Cleaner
If you are looking for the best quality bagged vacuums you will need to find one that has a superior filter that will keep the air clean of allergens and keep debris trapped inside the vacuum. The best bagged vacuums have exceptional filters and are easy to use. Cheap ones do not.
Even the smallest particles of dust can be trapped with a HEPA filter and have very little chance of escaping back into the air. HEPA filters are capable of trapping and removing 99.97% of all airborne dust and allergen particles from the air. This gives you a cleaner environment to live in and eliminating the concern of suffering from your allergies.
Cleaning Area
While selecting your bagged vacuum cleaner, you may want to consider which areas of the house you will be cleaning the most. Ask yourself whether you are buying a vacuum cleaner to clean your whole house or just one specific cleaning area of the house, what sizes the areas of your house you will be cleaning are, and whether or not you will be using the vacuum to clean carpet, hard surfaces, or any other types of surfaces. These details will factor into which type, size, and power level your vacuum will need to be in order to get the best use out of it.
If your cleaning area requires a machine with certain features, make sure you pick the one with a lot of the list of features you're looking for.
Length and Maneuverability of the Cord
Depending on how large the area you intend to use your vacuum for is, you may want to find a vacuum with a power cord that offers you a sufficient level of length and maneuverability. Cordless stick options won't have a cord, but most cordless stick vacuums don't do well for deep cleaning, and don't use bags. If you want a deep clean, a corded vacuum is the one to choose. Running out of space to move your vacuum due to being restricted by a short power cord is a common problem. So it is best to find a vacuum with a larger power cord for bigger areas of the house.
If you're planning on cleaning areas like the stairs, you need to choose a machine with a hose attachment. A host allows you attach specific tools to the machine for extra cleaning functionality.
Upright or Canister Vacuum Options
Bagged upright vacuum cleaner models and canister vacuum models serve different cleaning purposes but they are both useful a useful machine in their own way.
A canister vacuum is lighter than upright vacuum cleaner models and are useful for reaching into tighter areas and cleaning under furniture and around furniture. They also come with a hose and other efficient attachments. Upright vacuum cleaners are useful for cleaning carpet and rugs. They are built with a suction head and motor does a lot of cleaning before it loses suction
Price
Price and value are related, but not the same. Sometimes a better value vacuum may have a higher price tag. Whether you want to use your vacuum with ease on carpet and hardwood, or want something for quick cleaning, always read reviews when you see a one you like, with the suction capabilities, and features you want.
Changing the Bag
In order to change the bag on your vacuum cleaner correctly, you will first have to figure out whether the bag on your vacuum is disposable, reusable, or a handheld one.
All types have different methods of removing and changing that you need to follow. It is important to read the user manual to figure out which type you are using on your vacuum.
For disposable bags, the first thing you will need to do is lay out some newspaper. You need something that can catch any dust of debris that falls out of the bag when you are removing it from the vacuum.
Open the vacuum cleaner and check how full the bag is to determine whether or not it is ready to be removed. Remove it carefully if it is ready. Throw away the old bag, replace it with the new bag and make sure it is placed properly. Now, firmly shut the lid to your vacuum once the replacement is complete.
For replaceable bags, open the vacuum and remove the bag carefully. Be sure to avoid getting stray dust on the floor as you do so.
Release the contents of the bag into the trash and wash the cloth bag out with a damp rag. Alternatively, wipe out the plastic chamber with a dry or damp rag, depending on which one your vacuum uses.
Place the newly cleaned bag or chamber bag into the vacuum. Securely close the body of the vacuum once it is positioned properly.
Lastly, for handheld vacuums, you will need to dismantle the vacuum manually and throw the contents of the bag away into the trash can. Place the bag of the handheld vacuum under warm water to get rid of any lingering dust or debris and let it dry thoroughly before putting it back inside of the vacuum.
Conclusion
A bagged vacuum is a classic appliance. They've been around for years, and have a reputation for getting the job done. If you want one vacuum to clean your whole home, consider a bagged vacuum.