Bagged Or Bagless?

The question of bagless or bagged vacuum cleaner is likely on your mind as you start to research the many canister vacuum cleaners available today. There are some pros and cons to each type and we will do our best to arm you with the information you need to make the right choice. In the long run, you want to be sure you have the right machine for your weekly vacuuming chores.

What are the advantages to bagless canister vacuums? Here are a couple of the pros of owning one and the main reasons why they are so popular today. First, when you buy a bagless vacuum you won't have to purchase any replacement dirt bags. These bags are usually only good for a couple of vacuuming sessions so the cost of them does add up quickly. Another big advantage is that you can see how full the dirt chamber is on a bagless model. As soon as it is close to being full you can simply empty it into the garbage and start using it again. Some of the bagged vacuums will lose suction as their bags become full.

What about the disadvantages to bagless canisters? One problem with the majority of these vacuums is they use removable, non washable filters that must be changed periodically to keep the unit operating near maximum capacity. One way to get around this is to buy a canister vacuum cleaner with washable filters but these are not as common, plus they tend to cost more money. Another problem with them is they tend to be messy when emptying the dirt chamber into the garbage. Sometimes the dirt and dust will get all over the outside of the chamber or worse, on your hands. You will likely get used to this task and find a way to keep yourself from getting dirty but the possibility will be there.

What are the advantages to using a bagged canister vacuum? Probably the biggest advantage to a bagged model is the ease of emptying the dirt from the machine. You will have no difficulty pulling the bag off and putting it into the garbage. You won't get dirty at all and will find the vacuum itself stays much cleaner. The filtration is typically more efficient as well because everything is sealed up airtight. The dirt has no place to go except into the bag. When you pull the bag off the vacuum it will seal itself shut automatically so nothing escapes back into your home.

What about the disadvantages to bagged vacuums? As mentioned before, the price of the replacement bags can add up over time. However, some of the bagless models require you to replace the filters more often so this could be a wash. It all depends on which particular brand and model you buy as to how much extra replacement bags or filters you will need to purchase. Sometimes it is also hard to tell when you need to empty the bag but most of the quality bagged canister vacuum cleaners have an indicator to let you know. This takes all the guesswork out of it and allows you to keep your cleaner operating at full power.

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