How to Pick the Best Bagless Vacuum

Buy a bagless vacuum to suit your needs.

If you vacuum your wall-to-wall carpet or hardwood floors often to remove debris or deep-set dirt, the price of bags for an upright vacuum can add up. Save money in the long run by buying a bagless vacuum cleaner to collect dirt in a reusable canister that you simply empty when it's full. Consider the following tips to pick the best bagless vacuum.

Instructions

1. Look for the best bagless vacuum with a HEPA vacuum filtration system to trap particulates that can trigger allergies. The Dirt Devil Breeze Bagless Upright, for example, features a "Microfresh" filter said to eliminate 99 percent of allergens. Note, however, that despite the HEPA vacuum filter, you'll be exposed to dust when you empty the canister.

2. Consider a slim, lightweight bagless vacuum if you need to get into tight spots, lug the vacuum cleaner up and down stairs or have limited storage space. Try the Dyson DC18 Slim All Floors Cyclone Upright Vacuum Cleaner that weighs just sixteen pounds and features the Dyson Ball technology to maneuver easily around tight corners.

3. Choose a self-propelled vacuum cleaner if you have trouble pushing and pulling a bagless vacuum without the power option. The Hoover WindTunnel Anniversary Edition Bagless Upright, for instance, includes fingertip power control to help you operate the heavy vacuum with less effort. The model even features a "DirtFinder" system that uses red and green lights to indicate which carpeted areas need more vacuuming.

4. Find the best bagless vacuum within your budget that also has enough amps to get the job done. The Eureka 4700D Maxima Bagless Upright Vacuum typically runs under a hundred dollars, but also features 12-amp motors, attachments and a HEPA vacuum filter. Other inexpensive options include the Hoover Flair Bagless Upright Stick Vacuum with Power Nozzle and the Bissell Cleanview II Bagless Vacuum Cleaner.

Tips & Warnings

• Read customer reviews to determine which bagless vacuum cleaners have canisters and filters that are the easiest to empty and clean if you suffer from allergies. Some may require you to tap the filter on a hard surface to free trapped dust, which also means you'll inhale a lot of the particles whenever you empty it.