Bagless Vacuums: Ditch the Dust!
An interesting side benefit to bagless vacuums is that you actually get to see what comes out of your carpet -- a sight that can be a little disgusting and scary, but you can console yourself that at least all that nastiness is not in your carpet anymore! Plus, you'll never vacuum in vain because the bag was full -- you always have the visual reminder of when to empty the vacuum.
If you're especially sensitive to dust, dust mites, pet dander and hair, other allergens, or general household vacuum gunk, look carefully at what type of air filtration system the bagless vacuum you choose uses. Many models use washable filters, which are great for saving money, but may not filter quite as well as others and the filters themselves will need some time (~24 hours) to dry after you've washed them before you can put them in the vacuum again. A more expensive option is usually a bagless vacuum with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. HEPA filters trap particles as small as .3 microns (pollen ranges between 5-100 microns in size). You may also find bagless vacuums with HEPA-type filters, which will not work as consistently well on small particles that can cause respiratory problems as a true HEPA filter, so be sure you look before you buy if that's important to you.
Dyson makes a very popular line of bagless vacuums. The Dyson Ball (pictured above) is anchored on a steering ball rather than traditional straight wheels, making it super-maneuverable for vacuuming all the areas in a house. The Dyson Animal (also available in a ball version and a hand-held version) features a motorized vacuum head to help pick up stubborn pet hair from couches, stairs, and other surfaces that can be hard to reach with a traditional vacuum. Dyson bagless vacuums can be pricey, but they're worth it, consistently earning high reviews in consumer ratings.
If you're looking for a bagless vacuum but hoping to spend a little less, the Hoover EmPower can be a good affordable alternative and can be found for less than $100. The Kenmore Progressive is a little more expensive but still below the range of a Dyson. Both of these vacuums get good reviews from consumers.
And then for those of you who don't want to actually push a vacuum around and are intrigued by the thought of robots working for you, there's the iRobot Roomba. These little circular robot vacuums can be programmed to vacuum when and where you want them to and can handle both hard floor surfaces and carpet. Roombas are bagless -- and even though their capacity may be smaller than other vacuums, you can program them to vacuum more frequently so the dust and dirt doesn't build up that much anyway!
Check out some of our other posts on top-rated vacuums and vacuums for your car as well and ditch that dust!
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Comments page 1 of 1
Highest Rank
Dee said 7-12-2010 @2:29PM
It seems to me that a bagless vacuum defeats the purpose of vacuuming in the first place. When you empty them all of the dust, pollen and crud you've vacuumed up goes flying back into the air. Any statistics or scientific facts to prove me wrong...?
replyNeutral
Andrea said 7-12-2010 @2:55PM
I have a Dyson and love it. I also have a central vac, and was sure nothing could possibly beat it. I bought my son a Dyson, and I borrowed it and used it right after vacuuming with the central vac. I was shocked when the previously empty canister was full! We bought our own the same day. The dyson empties from the bottom. There are 2 releases at the top of the canister. You push one to remove the canister and gain access to the second. Put the canister into the trash can about 6 inches above any existing trash, push the second for the catch at the bottom, and the dirt drops out. I suppose if you held it way above the trash can, you might get some dust back into the air. But I have never had a problem with it at all. I have 2 pets, toddler and crawling grandbabies, and allergies to most pollens, weeds and grass. It is important to me to keep the house clean, and the Dyson is unmatched in my opinion.
Highest Rank
carlton wilson said 7-12-2010 @2:58PM
Absolutely the worst advice I've seen given on a topic ever.
replyBagless vacuums are garbage...junk. They cannot properly vent their own heat, much less maintain adequate suction.
I own and operate a vac shop. I can get any vac wholesale and sell it at retail for a profit. I decided 6 years ago that I would never, ever sell any more bagless vacs in my shop. The failure rate was unbelievable and the disgusting funk that builds up inside them was even worse. I charge $12.50 extra to work on bagless vacs because it is necessary for my own health and that of my workers to pre-clean bagless vacs prior to servicing them. Eeeyuck!
If you could be a little bird sitting on my shoulder as I take apart a Dyson you would be shocked to see how many lbs of built-up debris is in them. It's positively hideous. If the crud that you thought you threw out months ago is still in there, so is the bacteria that travelled along with it. When you turn on your bagless vac, it spreads often infectious material to the air that you're breathing. Gross.
Advice from a truly qualified professional? Buy a vacuum cleaner that takes a bag. The bags are cheaper than filters,more efficient, don't lose suction like bagless(unless they are full and need changed) and once you throw out the bags that dirt is gone for good. Bagless sweepers just keep recycling the same filth, over and over until it overheats and you find yourself out shopping for a new vac.
Another piece of good advice? Shop for your vac at a Vac Shop, NOT Wally World, Target, K-Mart, or any other garbage distributor that wants to shove more Chinese junk down your throat.
P.S. You know that British Guy from the Dyson Ads? He's full of it. I take in Dysons for repair nearly every day. The main complaint? POOR SUCTION.
Neutral
Dee said 7-12-2010 @11:53PM
Thank you Andrea and Carlton,
I'm inclined to agree with Carlton. I'm on my second Oreck in 20+ years; and I'm satisfied. The first one still works just fine; I just wanted the newer model. I keep one upstairs and one downstairs. Yes, changing the bag probably takes a few seconds longer than dumping a cansiter; but it certainly is cleaner.
Neutral
what ever said 7-13-2010 @8:59AM
I am a housekeeper and I have had 3 Dyson's and I love them but I do totally clean them once a month I have had very little problems with them all 3 are still running I just wanted a new one they are great!
Highest Rank
Tom said 7-13-2010 @7:20AM
Root Cyclonic Technology? That is where your dirt goes! I spend 95% of my time overhauling James Dyson's miracal machines powerwashing the filth you never see out of the top of the dirt cup. Dyson is a genius - a marketing genius. Show me a Dyson and I will show you a Panasonic that was made in Malaysia.
replyBut what about the ball? The main motor is in the ball. The handle can be twisted anyway you want, but the nozzle (or base) is still in the same spot on the floor.
I can see the dirt it picks up? You can see the popcorn machine at the movies working, too - but you still get a bunch of seeds at the bottom.
Highest Rank
nancy said 7-13-2010 @7:38AM
I do commercial and residential cleaning...The guy at the store talked me out of getting a dyson when i asked him why..He pointed to all of them lined up in needing to be repaired...There is nothing like a electrolux...The dam thing out lasted my marriage...My parents got me one for our first anniversary 24 hour years later...The vaccuum is in the closet...and the loser is living down town...lol and for commercial cleaning I love the Hoover upright...Light commercial...: )
replyHighest Rank
Linda Gregory said 7-13-2010 @8:09AM
As a housecleaner I must say the bagless vacuums are not my cup of tea. All are awkward to empty with dust flying everywhere. I have used my customers' bagless vacuums if they request it but would much rather use my own tank. I do not have time to clean filters. With a bag, it gets full and you toss. Also, the cheaper vacuums emit a "cooked dust" smell. Ick!! Oh, by the way, tru to get a Dyson under your bed or even under the kitchen cabinets. Ain't gonna happen.
replyNeutral
jng said 7-13-2010 @8:20AM
We've had bagless vacuums and were completely grossed out by the dust that was raised by the simple act of emptying the compartment... give me a cleaner with a bag EVERY TIME.
replyNeutral
PA,ELA MURPHY said 7-13-2010 @8:51AM
I love my dyson byt recently the spindle does not move when I am vacuuming ~ if I put another attachment on it will......I have cleaned it out feriouciously to no avail and the contract has run out......PLeas help if you can
replyThank you,
Pam
Neutral
susan said 7-13-2010 @8:29AM
Bagless vacuums are horrible! I got rid of mine. When I first turned it on, if there was just a smidget of dust in it, it blew out into the room. When you go to "dump" it, dust flies all over the place, even when I was at the bottom of the trash can, slowly dumping it out. I DO NOT recommend a bagless vacuum at all. Especially with the allergies my children have.. what a dumb idea.
replyNeutral
kevin said 7-13-2010 @8:48AM
Not only does the dust fly all over the place it gets on your face and up your nose.
Neutral
Donna said 7-13-2010 @8:33AM
I have tried 2 bagless vacuums. The first one cost less then $100 [ I can't remember the brand]. I blamed the issues on what I paid for it [ you get what you pay for]. The second one was a Dyson Animal I paid around $350 for. GUESS WHAT? I had to empty both of them outside! About every third use I had to use a high pressure air hose from the garage to blow all the crap outside. It was mostly packed in super fine dust that clogged it up and I was afraid it would damage the unit eventually. If Dyson ever makes a bagged version of the Animal I would consider one. It was otherwise a good machine. DON'T EVER BREATH IN THE DUST FROM A BAGLESS VACUUM!
replyDonna,
Respiratory Therapist
Neutral
Denise said 7-13-2010 @8:59AM
Bagless vacumes? FAIL. Worst idea ever-you'll find out the 1st time it comes to empty the nasty thing.
replyNeutral
daisyg said 7-13-2010 @9:52AM
I HAVE A 7 YEAR OLD HOOVER BAGLESS, AND I LOVE IT. I HAVE 1 DOG AND 3 CATS SO I VACUMN EVERY DAY, AFTER I VACUMN I TAKE THE CONTAINER OUT T THE TRASH CAN AND EMPTY IT BECAUSE IT IS FULL. ONCE A MONTH I CLEAN THE CONTAINER AND FILTER REALLY GOOD. IT WORKS GREAT FOR ME. THERE HAS BEEN TIMES I EMPTY IT AND COME IN AND REVACUMN JUST TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND I TILL PICK UP DOG HAIR AND STUFF
replyNeutral
Ron said 7-13-2010 @11:05AM
Try a RAINBOW! Everyone is talking about what gets past the filters (Bag or bagless). The BAG is also a filter! Every dry filter "leaks & clogs." Think about it. The stuff that leaks is germs, bacteria, stuff you'd NEVER feed your kids, yet it gets through the pores of the bag. Moving air-AIRFLOW-is what cleans, not suction. When dirt hits the filter, it will leak and it will clog. Only WATER as a filter will neither leak nor clog. The oldest Rainbow in the world uses fresh water to filter your dirty air, and is thus better than the newest bag OR bagless vac! Vac repairmen may know how to get the motor running on a vac, but they probably don't CLEAN as much as a homeowner does! See a Rainbow and you'll never use anything else. It's simple to dump the dirty water outside, with all it's contaminates trapped by the water. Many with aleregies also love Rainbow because it cleans the air as it's running!
replyNeutral
mannamedjoe said 7-13-2010 @11:18AM
CW, Why the nasty name calling? The person you called a dumbass has just as much a right to comment as you do. You are a very hateful person so you must have a very lonely life. You probably don't have any friends either so you name call to make yourself feel good about yourself. Sad.
replyNeutral
Linda A. said 7-13-2010 @11:48AM
I HATE bagless vacuums! Give me a bagged vacuum any day! Fortunately, there are still plenty of them available. With bagless vacs, there's always the problem of where to dump the dirt. With bagged vacuums, the dirt is collected and contained in the bag and you just throw away the entire bag when it's full. No muss, no fuss.
replyDyson vacuums are way too expensive and gimmicky for me. Mr. Dyson says in his commercials that vacuums tend to lose suction over time. Sorry, Mr. D., but that hasn't been my experience. The only times I've had vacuums lose suction on me is when they've been plugged up by debris. Vacuums don't lose suction unless there's an obstruction. As for the Dyson ball vac, well as far as I'm concerned, that's just another gimmick. Have we gotten so lazy that we don't even want to push a vacuum around anymore? SHEESH! With all due respect, Mr. Dyson, you seem to love wasting your time in finding "solutions" for non-existant "problems." Besides, I don't think Dyson vacuums are very attractive. They're too "industrial" looking for my taste.
As for the Roomba, as far as I'm concerned, it's nothing but an expensive, impractical toy, not a serious vacuum, because it has at least two strikes against it. Strike #1: It's round, so it can't get into corners; Strike #2: It can't get above floor level, so what good is it.
Nope! None of those new-fangled vacuums for me! Give me a good old-fashioned bagged vacuum with a complete set of on-board attachments any time.