Although many vacuums nowadays have done away with bags, lots of people still prefer traditional bagged versions. If you are looking for the best bagged vacuum on the market but haven’t quite made up your mind, here are our top picks to help you decide which one to go for.
The Best Bagged Vacuum On the Market of 2022
1. Best Budget: EUREKA 3670H Bagged Vacuum
This is a traditional-style bagged canister vacuum cleaner from Eureka. With a 20ft cord along with a telescoping wand and a 6ft hose, it gives you plenty of reach to vacuum just about anywhere you need, including the more inaccessible spots in your home.
It includes a crevice tool, which is ideal for cleaning in tight gaps or along with angles, and a pet hair attachment that makes it suitable for homes with animals. The easy-to-remove bag works to seals odors inside – again, useful if you share your home with pets.
It also incorporates a HEPA filter that traps 99.97% of dust particles and allergens inside, another feature that makes it ideal for pet owners, especially if you or other family members suffer from pet-related allergies.
It boasts a wide 10” cleaning pass that helps reduce the time you spend vacuuming, and at only 9lbs, it’s light enough for just about anyone to work with. With two height settings, it is suitable for vacuuming on practically every type of surface.
There are just one or two negatives to mention. The hose is slightly inferior in quality and kinks easily, reducing suction power – you need to be careful to avoid this.
Also, the suction control switch is awkwardly located and is easy to activate accidentally, unintentionally reducing the power.
However, despite these minor issues, this is still an outstanding bagged vacuum cleaner on the market – especially for something at this price point. If you want a no-nonsense bagged unit for all your household vacuuming tasks, this model should be high on your list of possibilities.
What We Like
- Good reach – with telescoping wand and 6ft hose
- Blower function – can be used to clear garages, etc. of debris
- Suitable for most surfaces – has two height settings
- HEPA filter – traps 99.97% of dust particles and allergens inside
- Lightweight model – at 9lbs, easy for most people to manage
What We Don’t Like
- Hose is easy to kink – this will reduce suction power
- Suction control switch placed awkwardly – easy to hit by mistake
2. Best Commercial: Oreck XL2100RHS Commercial Bagged Vacuum
image: Oreck
This is a commercial bagged vacuum from all-American company Oreck. It features a wide 12” cleaning path, a 35ft cord, and an easy-to-use top-fill bag system.
It is suitable for use on a wide range of surfaces, and the auto-floor adjustment means it transitions effortlessly between floor types without you having to do anything.
We like the ergonomically-designed, comfortable handle that practically eliminates all squeezing – it has received an Ease-of-Use commendation from the Arthritis Foundation, making it a good pick for arthritis sufferers.
It features a conveniently-placed on/off switch on the handle, also making it convenient to operate. At only 8lbs, it’s the lightest commercial vacuum on the market, making it easy for most people to operate.
It is designed to be furniture-friendly, incorporating non-marring bumpers to ensure it doesn’t mark your furniture or walls. It also has a low profile, so you can use it to reach right underneath furniture to clean spots that you might otherwise miss.
One welcome feature is the high-speed brush roll that spins at 6,500 RPM, ensuring this vacuum picks up even the most stubborn dirt and debris. The side brushes also help ensure you don’t miss anything when cleaning along walls.
The main downside is the noise it makes, which is loud and unpleasant. If you are sensitive to high volumes, this might not be the best option.
Also, the cord seems quite thick and heavy, making it slightly unwieldy and also upsetting the balance when the cord is wound up.
All in all, there’s a lot to like about this vacuum. This will appeal to people who want a no-frills, traditional upright vacuum that will get the job done without any fuss. If that sounds like what you want, this model is well worth checking out.
What We Like
- Furniture-friendly – non-marring bumper and low profile for cleaning underneath
- Helping-Hand handle – ergonomic and approved by the Arthritis Foundation
- 6,500 RPM high-speed brush roll – to help pick up even more debris
- Auto-floor adjustment – for easy transitions between floor types
- Super-lightweight for its class – weighs in at only 8lbs
What We Don’t Like
- Loud machine – makes an unpleasant noise
- Thick and heavy cord – makes it more unwieldy
3. Best Upgrade: Kenmore 600 Bagged Canister Vacuum
image: Kenmore
This is a bagged canister vacuum from Kenmore that includes a 28ft cord and boasts a wide 14” cleaning path that will help reduce the number of passes you need to make when vacuuming.
It includes a motorized pet hair tool that is designed to pick up animal hair while reducing tangling inside, making it a good choice for homes with pets.
It also incorporates a triple HEPA filter system that is designed to trap 99.97% of microparticles, dust, and allergens inside, reducing allergic reactions. This is another important consideration in households with animals.
One thing we like is the amount of power this machine generates – it delivers plenty of suction to pick up all the dirt, debris and dust it meets. The power level is also adjustable, meaning you can adapt it to the surface you are cleaning.
Another positive is the long 10ft aluminum telescoping wand that gives you plenty of extra reach. If you need to clean above curtains or remove cobwebs from corners, this vacuum will help you get it done.
It also comes with several other accessories, including a crevice tool, a bare floor attachment, and a dust/upholstery attachment, making it a highly versatile unit.
One thing we like less is the weight – at 22.6lbs, it is one of the heavier options available – and there is no handle, making carrying it up and down stairs a little tricky.
Another slight complaint is that the hose comes out of the vacuum at a bit of an odd angle. This makes it easier to damage and could also create problems for storage.
To summarize, this is a solid option for anyone looking for a bagged canister vacuum on the market. It provides plenty of power, offers good versatility and is suitable for homes with pets. A recommended pick for anybody who values these qualities.
What We Like
- High suction power – and adjustable for versatility
- Motorized pet hair tool – suitable for homes with animals
- Triple HEPA filter – traps 99.97% of microparticles and allergens inside
- Long aluminum telescoping wand – gives you up to 10ft of extra reach
- Suitable for most surfaces – and with a range of accessories
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy unit – weighs in at 22.6lbs and awkward to carry
- Hose juts out at a strange angle – easy to damage and hard to store
4. Best Upright: Hoover Commercial CH53005 Bagged Vacuum
image: Hoover
If you want a bagged vacuum that does well in an environment with lots of pet hair to pick up, this Hoover T-Series should be worth a look.
It is a powerful vacuum incorporating Hoover’s WindTunnel technology that sucks up all kinds of dirt, including pet hair.
It features a HEPA filter and a HEPA bag, ideal for keeping pet-related allergens trapped safely inside and reducing allergic reactions.
The built-in headlights are also perfect for illuminating dirt and pet hair you might otherwise miss.
It comes with several accessories that also make it a great option for pet owners. It includes an air-powered pet tool and a pet upholstery tool that is designed to help you in your daily battle with stubborn pet hair.
However, it isn’t perfect. One drawback is the noise it makes – it’s a rather loud machine. Also, the HEPA bags are not cheap, and if you want to benefit from their dust-trapping properties, you need to be willing to pay a slightly higher price.
All in all, a great option for general vacuuming and housework, especially if you share your home with pets. A recommended product on the market.
What We Like
- Powerful suction – plenty of power to pick up even stubborn pet hair
- Built-in headlights – helps you see debris and animal hair more clearly
- Comes with pet accessories – air-powered pet tool and pet upholstery tool
- HEPA filter and bag – keeps pet-related allergens trapped inside
- One-touch door release – and “clean drop”
What We Don’t Like
- Very loud – a noisy machine
- HEPA bags not cheap – but do a good job of keeping dust trapped inside
5. Best for Pet Hair: Kenmore Elite 31150 Bagged Upright Vacuum
This upright bagged vacuum cleaner from Kenmore has plenty of features that make it a highly effective and practical option for keeping your home clean, even if you live with pets.
One of the first things you notice about it is the high levels of suction it delivers. It incorporates a 3D inductor motor that gives you up to 20% more power than comparable vacuums on the market, allowing you to take care of even the most stubborn dirt and grime.
It is suitable for use on most surfaces and has five different height settings, allowing you to adjust it to whatever floor type you need to work on.
It has a couple of features that pet owners will appreciate. For example, it comes with a Pet Handimate accessory that is highly effective at picking up stubborn pet hair from furniture or other surfaces.
It also boasts a triple HEPA filter system that traps 99.97% of dust and allergens inside, especially welcome if you suffer from allergies caused by your furry friends.
It includes several other accessories, too. There’s a hose and a 10ft aluminum wand to give you plenty of extra reach, and the dusting brush and crevice tool also add to this vacuum’s versatility.
The LED headlights allow you to see what you are cleaning, and another neat addition is the dirt sensor that alerts you to dirt, even when you can’t see it.
There are a couple of drawbacks with this model that are worth mentioning. The hose is stiff and is also on the short side. This reduces the vacuum’s overall mobility somewhat.
At almost 22lbs, it is also one of the heavier options in our review – however, it is not excessively heavy for this style of vacuum, and many people won’t consider it a huge problem.
All in all, a solid option for anyone who wants a high-performance upright bagged vacuum cleaner with better than average suction power. If you are on the lookout for something along those lines, this is a model that should be on your radar.
What We Like
- 3D inductor motor for power – gives up to 20% more suction than comparable units
- Suitable for most surfaces – has 5 different height settings
- Pet Handimate attachments – effective at picking up animal hair
- LED headlights – helps you see where you are cleaning, even under furniture
- Dirt sensor – alerts you to dirt, even when you can’t see it
What We Don’t Like
- Short, stiff hose – gives you less mobility
- Heavy unit – weighs in at around 22lbs
6. Best With Accessories: Hoover UH30600 Bagged Vacuum
Hoover is one of the oldest and best-known brands in the world of vacuum cleaners, and this upright bagged model is another excellent addition to their range.
It features the company’s WindTunnel 3 tech that works to dislodge encrusted dust and dirt and funnel it all into the powerful suction channel. It also boasts an extremely wide 15” suction path that means you have to make fewer passes to vacuum a room.
It incorporates a HEPA filter system that picks up 99.97% of dust, microparticles, and allergens and traps them inside, helping to improve the quality of the air.
One outstanding feature is that this vacuum offers you an impressive 17ft of reach above the floor with an extra-long hose – this is ideal if you need to clean high ceilings, fans and so on.
We also like the range of accessories that it comes with. There’s a 12” crevice tool, upholstery and dusting brush, and an air-powered hand tool, all of which give you plenty of scope for cleaning in a variety of situations.
It’s also suitable for pretty much all surfaces – it has seven different height settings, allowing you to adapt it to whichever floor types you need to clean.
There are a couple of negatives, too. One of the biggest is the sound it makes. When in use, it produces a loud, annoying whine that many people won’t enjoy. If you are sensitive to noise, this is probably a vacuum to avoid unless you are willing to wear ear protection.
Also, the headlights that are supposed to illuminate the areas you are cleaning are not particularly useful. They are aimed too far ahead and don’t light up the area directly in front of the vacuum.
Overall, if you don’t mind the noise and are not particularly bothered about the headlights, this is a solid vacuum from a well-respected brand. This is another recommended product on the market, especially if you need the extra reach for cleaning ceilings or similar.
What We Like
- Hoover’s WindTunnel 3 tech – removes dirt and channels suction
- Extreme reach – can clean up to 17ft above the floor
- HEPA filter – to trap almost all dust, microparticles and allergens inside
- Includes a range of accessories – crevice tool, air-powered hand tool and more
- Works on practically any floor type – with 7 height settings
What We Don’t Like
- Unpleasant noise – makes a loud, annoying whine
- Headlights badly positioned – don’t illuminate where you are vacuuming
7. Best Quiet: Panasonic MC-UG471 Bagged Vacuum
image: Panasonic
This corded, bagged vacuum from Panasonic boasts an extra-wide cleaning path of 15”. This is among the widest we’ve seen, and it helps reduce the number of passes you need to make, ensuring your vacuuming takes the least amount of time possible.
It offers impressive power for a vacuum at this price point – yet it still runs more quietly than some comparable models, making it a good pick for anyone who doesn’t like noisy appliances.
It incorporates HEPA filters to trap allergens and microparticles inside – for this reason, this could be a good option for pet owners or anyone else who suffers from dust-related allergies.
One feature we appreciate here is the onboard tool storage. This means your attachments are always close at hand, you have somewhere to keep them and you won’t end up losing them in between uses.
The tools include a stretch hose, two wands, a dusting brush, and a crevice device, giving you plenty of cleaning options. There’s also a pet tool, making this a good pick for pet owners too.
One of the drawbacks is that there is no way to stop the brush roller – this means you need to be careful about leaving it standing on delicate surfaces while you use the hose attachment.
Speaking of the hose, it is on the short side, so if you need extra reach, there could be better options to consider.
This is the kind of vacuum that will appeal to anyone who wants a reliable and powerful unit that doesn’t make too much noise. It is versatile and suitable for homes with pets, and if you want a bagged upright vac from the market, this is another one to take into consideration.
What We Like
- Powerful unit – plenty of suction for most jobs
- Quiet operation – not as loud as some comparable models
- HEPA filter – traps almost all dust, microparticles and allergens inside
- 15” cleaning path – among the widest available
- Onboard tool storage – convenient for keeping accessories at hand
What We Don’t Like
- Can’t stop brush roller – can damage surfaces if you’re not careful
- Short hose – limits reach
Best Bagged Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide
Before we look at our top picks for the best bagged vacuums on the market, let’s think about some of the features you should consider when choosing.
Suction power
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a vacuum cleaner is power. While you shouldn’t decide by looking at power alone, it is still a key consideration, and you should make sure a vacuum is powerful enough for the kind of cleaning work you need it for.
Easy to empty
The main advantage of choosing a bagged vacuum over a bagless model is that they should be quick and easy to empty. You remove the bag, discard it, put in a new one and you’re ready to go.
There’s no need to poke around and clean the inside like you have to do with some bagless models.
However, you should check how easy it is to do in practice. Is it easy to open the vacuum? How quickly can you remove the bag and fit another one? Pay attention to points like these for extra convenience.
Is it easy to buy new bags?
Scour the market for a vacuum cleaner, different vacuums use different types of bag. This means you should check how easy it is to buy the bags for the model you are planning to buy since some are more readily available than others.
Some vacuum bags are more expensive than others, too – for example, HEPA bags will cost more than regular bags. This means the price of the bags is something to consider if you want to save yourself some cash in the long run.
Accessories
Check to see what accessories a vacuum comes with. Most include a crevice tool for cleaning in gaps while many also include special accessories for picking up pet hair or cleaning upholstery.
Think about the kind of jobs you will need it for and make sure it comes with the necessary accessories.
HEPA filters
HEPA filters are special filters that are designed to trap over 99.95% of microparticles, dust, and allergens. If you suffer from dust-related allergies or have pets in your home that can trigger allergic reactions, choosing a vacuum with HEPA filters would be a good option.
Mobility and reach
Another important factor to consider is how mobile a vacuum is. Is it easy to move and steer? Will it be easy to navigate furniture and other obstacles? How much does it weigh?
Many vacuums also include hoses or extension wands that allow you to reach more inaccessible spots and even ceilings if necessary. If you think this is important for you, make sure the vacuum you are interested in gives you this capability.
Plenty of solid options
As you can see, despite the profusion of modern bagless vacuums, there are still many solid picks for traditional bagged versions on the market.
If you want a bagged vacuum but are still having trouble deciding which is the right one for you, any of the top picks in our review would be a great place to start looking.
