A good vacuum is one of the first tools you need to keep your home clean and healthy for yourself and your family. Finding a vacuum with the right combination of features can make vacuuming less of a chore, and more effective.
A bagged vacuum offers the added convenience of easy disposal. All you need to do is remove and replace the bag. Unlike other vacuums, this leaves little opportunity for dust and debris to escape, forcing you to clean all over.
While they do require that you keep bags on hand, they make up for this inconvenience by being very allergy-friendly, and highly effective cleaning tools.
Finding a good one is challenging. Bagged vacuums are less popular than they once were. That makes the choice somewhat easier since there are fewer options available. But there are still a staggering number of choices. We’ve done the legwork to find the best-bagged vacuums available. We discuss their best and worst features, and what kind of person will benefit most from each model.
Table of Contents
Easy to Use Bagged Vacuums, Deep, Allergy-Friendly, Cleaning Power
Each of these vacuums is highly effective. However, they are best suited to different sorts of houses and different cleaning needs.
Keep in mind things like allergies, how deep and plush your carpeting is, and whether you need a carpeting-only vacuum or a vacuum that can take care of multiple types of flooring. These priorities will help you further narrow down your list of possible vacuums.
Best Bagged Vacuums – Comparison
| Picture | Product Name | Power Cord | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | O-Cedar Microfiber Mop | 35 ft. | 20 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Eureka Mighty Mite | 20 ft. | 11.6 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Oreck Magnesium RS | 30 ft. | 7.7 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Bissell Zing Lightweight | 15 ft. | 7.5 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Hoover T-Series Wind Tunnel | 30 ft. | 15.9 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Miele Complete C3 Marin | 22 ft. | 31.7 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Hoover Commercial Wind | 35 ft. | 22.8 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Miele Cat and Dog U1 Dynamic | 40 ft. | 28.3 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | Oreck Elevate Command | 16 ft. | 28.3 pounds | Check Latest Price |
 | SoniClean Soft Carpet Vacuum | 35 ft. | 10.5 pounds | Check Latest Price |
Best Bagged Vacuums – Reviews
1. Kenmore Elite Pet & Allergy Beltless Bagged Vacuum
The Kenmore Elite is one of the more versatile vacuums on our list. It’s suitable for both carpeting and bare flooring. It’s also powerful enough to clean up pet hair and clean after small children and toddlers.
Plus, this is a beltless vacuum. If you’ve ever had a belt go out on a car, you know that keeping belts in good working order is critical to having a well-functioning machine. Belts are also often some of the first pieces of machinery that wears out because they are soft and under constant stress and strain.
Being beltless, the Kenmore Elite is longer-lasting and requires less maintenance than a belted vacuum.
The Kenmore Elite also has a high RPM brush, perfect for lifting pet hair from carpeting and upholstery.
With the added HEPA filter and a replaceable bag, the Kenmore Elite is also a hypoallergenic option. Not only are you safer cleaning, and emptying your vacuum, but the HEPA filter can reduce allergens in your home as well.
This vacuum also has an advantage in price. It’s a middle of the road option which is neither too expensive nor too cheap. If you have a middle-class home and are concerned about allergens and other airborne contaminants, this vacuum is a good option.
What We Like:
- Reasonable Price
- Built-In HEPA filter
- Powerful enough for pet hair
- High RPM brush
- Durable beltless design
What We Didn’t Like:
- Blows a lot of air out the sides, need multiple passes to clean a room effectively
2. Eureka Mighty Mite Corded Canister Vacuum
Canister vacuums have many advantages. They are, usually, easy to use and maneuver. They also move the majority of the weight away from the vacuum head, making it lighter to use and easier for users with shoulder and back problems.
A bagged canister vacuum, like the Mighty Mite, combines the best features of both styles of vacuum. The Mighty Mite has a contained bag that is simple to remove and replace, but also has the increased capacity and extra power of a good canister vacuum.
However, that does cause some problems as well. Canister vacuums are harder to move up and downstairs, making them less suitable if you have a multiple story home.
That said, this canister is fairly lightweight compared to most canisters. It is also a multi-floor design. You can switch, with the touch of a button, between effectively cleaning thick carpeting and vacuum sweeping bare flooring.
It has a 20 ft power cord, large enough to easily vacuum whole rooms. Especially if you add in the length of the hose, which adds additional flexibility between the canister and the vacuum head itself, you have a lot of reach with this vacuum.
However, since this vacuum doesn’t have a HEPA filter, homes lots of fine particles like dust, pet dander, and even plaster dust from re-modeling, will need to change the bag more often since fine particles clog airflow.
This is a good vacuum for you if you have a medium or large home, with minimal small-particle mess, and want a flexible, maneuverable, vacuum.
What We Like:
- Canister gives you a slightly larger bag size
- Easy to maneuver
- Effective for both carpeting and hard flooring
- Controls are easy to see and use
- Includes a blower port for cleaning garages and other large spaces
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fine debris can prevent airflow
- No HEPA filter
3. Oreck Magnesium RS Swivel-Steering Upright Vacuum
The Oreck Magnesium is a high-end vacuum designed for durability and to be highly effective. It’s a multi-surface vacuum that works well on high-pile carpeting as well as hard flooring. It also has a 5-stage HEPA filter that removes up to 99.7% of the allergens and airborne contaminants in your home.
The Magnesium also has an automatic sensor for flooring type. Instead of manually moving between different flooring types, the vacuum will automatically adjust for the flooring it’s on.
This is also one of the lightest vacuums available. At approximately 7.7 pounds, the whole of the Magnesium is about the same weight as a gallon of milk.
It also has a swivel design, which makes it simple for you to control the Magnesium. You can vacuum right against the baseboard of your walls. Corners and tight spaces aren’t an issue with an easily maneuverable vacuum.
Its bags are easily replaceable, of moderate size, and come in packs of 6. You’ll be able to vacuum your whole home several times before you have to replace the bag. However, a 6-pack is slightly less than you can get at one time with other vacuums, so you will need to keep track of how many bags you have.
Overall this is a good vacuum if you’re looking for a bagged vacuum that can clean your whole home. It will likely last long enough to be the last vacuum you have to buy. It’s a higher-end vacuum, extremely allergy-friendly, and designed to be simple and easy to use.
What We Like:
- Reasonable bag size
- HEPA filter built-in
- Very lightweight
- Swivel steering for easy maneuverability and control
- Effective suction
- Automatic floor-type sensor and height adjustment
What We Didn’t Like:
- Bags come in small packs
- Can be difficult to move through high-pile carpeting
4. Bissell Zing Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum
The Zing is another canister vacuum that takes advantage of both bagged and canister features to create a high-effective cleaning tool.
This vacuum comes with a 1-year warranty, which gives you some added peace of mind. That’s important since the Zing is a highly-affordable machine. Its cleaning power is impressive for a vacuum that’s as affordable as it is. Having a warranty helps you feel secure that the vacuum will deliver over the long term.
One thing you should be aware of with this vacuum, there are several similar vacuums from Bissel in the same line. There are both bagless and heavier versions of this vacuum. They all perform similarly and work well, but if you’re looking for a bagged vacuum, this is the only one in their canister line.
The wand has a telescoping feature that allows you to vacuum further under furniture and grab cobwebs with ease.
The Zing has a 2.5L bag. That’s enough for several whole-home cleanings and is one of the larger bags available. That makes sense for a canister vacuum.
The cord is 15 ft long, a little shorter than average for a home vacuum. However, the automatic recoil adds some convenience to the cord itself, making the whole machine easier to use.
It’s also a multi-surface vacuum capable of going back and forth between carpeting and hard flooring. Although, it is more effective on carpeting.
However, the dusting brush is a great option for the tops of ceiling fans, shelving, and other more delicate surfaces.
What We Like:
- Large bag
- Highly affordable
- Pull-behind canister design is easy to use
- Swivel steering
- Auto cord rewind
- Multiple suction options
What We Didn’t Like:
- Less effective on hard flooring types
5. Hoover T-Series Wind Tunnel Bagged Corded Upright Vacuum
Hoover’s Wind Tunnel series is highly effective for most large-debris. That includes pet hair and the types of messes left by small children and toddlers. This vacuum lives up to that reputation.
The Wind Tunnel line is named for the crucial design feature in all the vacuums: the way the air is funneled into a single point of high-concentration suction.
That wind tunnel lets these vacuums pick up larger debris without clogging and without leaving other dirt on your floors. They’re particularly good for pet hair. Pet hair tends to work into the pile of your carpeting. High suction is necessary to effectively remove that hair after it worked its way in.
It also has a no-scratch buffer that lets you vacuum right along your baseboard. Instead of approaching the wall head-on, you can vacuum in a long line against the baseboard without scratching it.
This Wind Tunnel also has a headlight that will help you spot small debris on hard floors. Hard flooring can hide small debris that you can’t easily see, but that you can feel when you step on it. Getting truly clean floors is difficult if you can’t see the source of the problem. Headlights help take care of that problem and let you home in on the spaces that need your attention most.
It also comes with a pet hand tool and an upholstery tool for cleaning other spaces in your home.
You also get a lot of reach with this vacuum. It has both a 30 ft cord, the long side of average for a vacuum, and a 12 ft hose. A 12 ft hose is significantly longer than average, which hovers around 5-6 feet.
Overall this vacuum is a good option if you need high-powered cleaning, lots of flexibility, and have lots of upholstery or high ceilings.
What We Like:
- HEPA media filter reduces pet odor
- Long hose and electric cord
- Wind Tunnel tech allows you to lift more dirt and debris
- Headlight helps you spot dirt
- Additional tools and accessories included
What We Didn’t Like:
- Old fashioned appearance
- Requires occasional servicing, and service centers can be hard to find
6. Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum
This is likely the last vacuum you’d ever have to buy. That said, the Marin is also one of the more expensive vacuums available. That said, you can get it with a performance pack that will save you money on filters and bags in the long term.
In terms of cost, the Marin is worth it but maybe too expensive for some users since it requires a big up-front investment for years of effective vacuuming power.
Made in Germany, with a long warranty, this vacuum averages a 20-year life span and can last longer with regular servicing and maintenance.The Marin also has a HEPA filter, as well as specially designed bags that increase it’s filtering power.
That said, another downside for this vacuum other than its cost is its weight. At slightly more than 30 lbs., this vacuum isn’t stair or injury friendly. Almost all that weight is in the canister, of course. It’s not difficult to move the vacuum head across your flooring, but it is difficult to move up or downstairs.
But, the foot pedal suction settings are easy to use and effective. It has powerful suction and works on high-pile carpeting and hard flooring types.
One last note. This vacuum made our list thanks to exceptional performance and long-lasting design. However, the filters and bags can be hard to find. If you don’t live in Germany, you’ll almost certainly have to order its filters and bags online.
What We Like:
- Exceptional suction and deep cleaning power
- Highly durable
- Comes with a HEPA filter
- Large bags, high capacity, and additional filtration
- Effectively picks up cat and dog hair
What We Didn’t Like:
- Filters and bags are hard to find
- VERY heavy design
7. Hoover Commercial Wind Tunnel 13” Bagged Upright Vacuum
Another Wind Tunnel offering, the Hoover Commercial doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles when it comes to appearance, but it has some serious power in performance terms.
The Commercial Wind Tunnel is, as the name suggests, targeted toward commercial uses for cleaning companies. That said, there’s no reason you can’t buy a single vacuum for use in your own home.
Commercial vacuums have a great deal of power and suction but tend to be slightly heavier and louder than personal use machines.
But, if you’re looking for an affordable way to get a true deep professional-level clean, this vacuum might be a good option for you.
This vacuum works best on carpeting. It has 5 different height settings to let you adjust for different pile carpeting. The professional wheels give you lots of traction over the carpeting, and reduces wheel marks and won’t leave stains or discoloration.
Similarly, it has stain-resistant barriers for baseboards and furniture. That will help protect your home from damage and maintain high furniture value for years.
It comes with built-in allergen filtration, and HEPA filter upgrades are available. With either filtration system, this is a good vacuum for homes with mild to moderate airborne allergies.
What We Like:
- Powerful suction
- 5 different height settings
- Furniture and baseboard buffer
- Wheels for easy maneuverability and low-mark risk
- Built-in allergen filter
What We Didn’t Like:
- Heavier than most upright vacuums (approximately 22 lbs.)
- Louder than personal use vacuums
8. Miele Cat and Dog U1 Dynamic Upright Bagged Vacuum
Another Miele offering, this vacuum has many of the same strengths and weaknesses as their other vacuum on our list. However, we felt it deserved its own spot on the list thanks to a significantly different design and the added focus on lifting and cleaning cat and dog hair.
This upright vacuum is somewhat lighter than the canister design, although still heavier than average for an upright vacuum. If you purchase with a filter pack (which we recommend) the total shipping weight comes in just under 30 lbs. Figuring that at least a pound or two of that weight is eaten by packaging and the filters and bags, that still puts this vacuum well over the average 15-20 lbs. range.
However, it’s one of the deepest cleaning vacuums on our list. Pet hair, as we’ve already discussed, can work into your carpeting and be difficult to completely eliminate. You need a combination of deep suction and bristles that lift the hair free of the carpet.
The U1 offers both features. It also has brush roll obstruction detection, so the vacuum will notice if there is an issue with the brush that prevents it from spinning. Instead of fighting to spin past the block, it will stop spinning. That prevents overheat and prevents the brush belt from straining and breaking.
All of that translates to a longer life for your vacuum. Like the other Miele vacuum on our list, this one averages a 20-year lifespan.
What We Like:
- 20-year lifespan
- Brush belt protection
- Designed to lift and eliminate cat and dog hair
- High level of filtration
- Deep cleaning suction
What We Didn’t Like:
- Heavier than average
- Rather pricey
9. Oreck Elevate Command Bagged Upright Vacuum
Going the other direction, the Elevate Command is one of the lighter upright vacuums on the market. While not quite as light as some of the other options on our list, it’s still under 10 lbs., well below the average for an upright vacuum.
We’ve already talked a little about the advantages of having a headlight on your vacuum, especially on hardwood flooring. This vacuum comes with 5 different headlights. All of them help illuminate dust and debris so you can vacuum them away instead of feeling them underfoot later.
It also comes with an impressive 5 year, with services and tune-ups, warranty. That means you can keep your vacuum in top working condition, and also build the habit of regular services, without paying additional costs.
This model comes with a couple of options, 1 or 2 speeds, and a 30 ft or 35 ft cord. We recommend going with the 2-speed model since that will give you a little more cleaning flexibility. However, we recommend going with the 30 ft cord since the extra length can get in the way if you don’t need it.
The bags are also higher capacity than average, letting you go much longer between changing bags. As an added advantage, the bags themselves add a layer of allergen filtration. It has a HEPA filter, making it a good option for you if you or a family member have allergy concerns.
This is a good option if you want a long-lasting, high end, allergy-friendly vacuum, this may be a good pick.
What We Like:
- Great headlights
- Long-lasting comprehensive warranties
- Couple customization options
- Side edge brushes
- HEPA filter built-in
- Lightweight
What We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t work well for loose area rugs
- Beater bar belt can wear out over time
10. SoniClean Soft Carpet Vacuum
The SoniClean vacuum is explicitly designed for high-pile plush carpeting. While this isn’t a great vacuum for hard flooring, it’s the best on our list when it comes to the thickest, softest carpet types.
Thick carpeting is a dual challenge in that it can hold more dust and debris than shorter, thinner, carpeting types. But it’s also arguably more delicate than shorter carpeting. You need a vacuum that is delicate enough to protect the carpet fibers, but also powerful enough to lift dirt and debris from the whole carpet.
To accomplish that, the SoniClean has 200 sonic vibrations per minute. The sonic vibrations separate the dirt and debris from the carpet fibers, making it easier to lift off the fibers.
This vacuum also comes with a jam sensor. Instead of burning out the motor or stressing running belts, the vacuum shuts off if it detects a jam.
That does mean you need to remove the jam before you continue vacuuming. However, it does extend the life of the vacuum itself.
The larger front wheels also make it easier to push this vacuum through thick carpeting, as opposed to standard vacuum wheel designs.
What We Like:
- Large vacuum wheels
- Sonic vibration to lift dirt and debris
- Designed for the thickest carpeting
- Soft roll bristles protect carpeting
- 5-year motor, lifetime belt warranties
- HEPA filter
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not designed for hard flooring
Conclusion:
Overall, we’ve worked to present vacuums in a range of categories, all with bagged designs, for many different households and flooring styles.
We’re confident that one of these vacuums will work well for you.
We’ve also gone over some of the most important features of a vacuum, like suction, HEPA filters, vacuuming height and adjustability, and the expected life of each vacuum. You should consider, and rank, each of these features before deciding.
Other factors, like allergen risk, and the types of messes it will be expected to clean around your home, should make the top of your list.