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Bagged vacuum cleaners are a good option if you prioritize air quality and ease of maintenance. Unlike a bagless vacuum, debris is stored in a disposable container, virtually eliminating the risk of a plume of dust releasing when you empty your vacuum. Even though dirtbags tend to need frequent replacement, driving up recurring costs, they effectively act as air filters, keeping fine debris from being released as you clean. Since the onboard filters don't have to work quite as hard as those in a bagless vacuum, user maintenance is less demanding.
We've tested over 150 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best vacuum cleaners with a dirtbag. These picks were selected based on their design, feature set, and price. For more buying recommendations, look at our lists of thebest vacuums, ourbest canister vacuums, and thebest laminate floor vacuums.
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Best Bagged Vacuum
Miele Complete C3 Brilliant PowerLine 0
Bare Floor
7.9
Low-Pile Carpet
6.6
High-Pile Carpet
6.4
Pets
6.9
Stairs
7.7
Cars
7.8
Workshop
5.5
Vacuum Type
CanisterBagless
NoCordless
NoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
The Miele Complete C3 is the best bagged vacuum we've tested. The Brilliant variant sits at the top of the C3 lineup and is loaded with variant-specific convenience features, including handle-mounted power adjustment controls, a separate 'Auto' power mode that automatically adjusts its suction setting to match the surface it's on, and additional sound insulation compared to other C3 models, which are already very quiet. The C3 Brilliant also comes with three separate floorheads: the SBD 365-3 floorhead for cleaning bare floors and low-pile carpets, a lightweight parquet tool, and the SEB 236 height-adjustable powerhead, ensuring strong performance on almost any surface type. All C3 models have an allergen-sealed body, but this variant also comes bundled with an additional HEPA-rated post-motor filter, making it a great choice for those with allergies. A quick FYI: if you can't find it in stock from online retailers, it's worth checking availability directly onMiele's website.
If you can do without the C3 Brilliant's automatic power adjustment system, SBD 365-3 universal floorhead, additional sound insulation, or handle-mounted controls, the Kona variant of the C3 will deliver a similar performance for a much lower price. You could also consider the SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium if you want a similarly well-rounded alternative with a much longer operating range. The SEBOuses larger dirtbags and longer-lasting filters, lowering recurring costs. However, its bulkier body and stiff hose make it trickier to maneuver, especially in tight spaces.
See our review
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Best Bagged Upright Vacuum
Kenmore Intuition Bagged 0
Bare Floor
7.3
Low-Pile Carpet
7.1
High-Pile Carpet
7.3
Pets
7.1
Stairs
6.0
Cars
6.4
Workshop
5.1
Vacuum Type
UprightBagless
NoCordless
NoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
The Kenmore Intuition Bagged is the best bagged upright model we've tested. It isn't nearly as well-built as a premium canister vacuum like the Miele Complete C3 or as easy to maneuver. However, it's a lot cheaper and still delivers decent overall performance. It uses a HEPA-rated exhaust filter and is compatible with HEPA-rated dirtbags, which help limit the spread of allergens as you clean. You can drop its dirtbag out of its housing with the press of a latch, so you don't need to worry about dirtying your hands or kicking up a plume of dust when taking it out, either. Its 'Lift-Up' alternative configuration allows you to pick up and carry its canister body separately from its floorhead, so you can clean shelves or countertops a little more easily.
Unfortunately, while you can turn this vacuum's brushroll off to prevent it from scattering debris on bare floors or getting caught on rug tassels, there's no way of adjusting its height, so it can easily get stuck in thick carpeting. If you're comfortable shopping for a used vacuum, the discontinued Miele Dynamic U1 PowerLine is a high-end option with superb build quality, a height-adjustable head, and strong performance. However, it has a very bulky, heavy design, so it isn't the best option for smaller homes or apartments.
See our review
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Best Upper Mid-Range Bagged Vacuum
0
Bare Floor
7.8
Low-Pile Carpet
6.6
High-Pile Carpet
6.4
Pets
6.8
Stairs
7.5
Workshop
5.4
Vacuum Type
CanisterBagless
NoCordless
NoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
NoWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
Check out the Cat & Dog variant of the Miele Classic C1 if you're looking for something cheaper than a higher-end variant of the Miele Complete C3. Compared to its bigger brother, the C1 lacks an onboard tool storage compartment, doesn't feel quite as robust, and doesn't have handle-mounted controls. However, if you're only concerned about cleaning performance, there's very little difference between the two, as the C1 uses the same powerful 1200W suction motor as the C3.
The Cat & Dog variant sits near the top of the C1 lineup.It comes with aMieleSEB 228 powerbrush, which offers five levels of height adjustment, enabling you to adapt quickly to various carpet types. It also has a dedicated smooth floor tool for cleaning surfaces like hardwood or tile. Itcomes bundled with Miele's Active AirClean post-motor filter, which features an additional layer of activated charcoal to trap unpleasant odors as you clean.
Unfortunately, its power cord is fairly short, so you'll probably need to swap power outlets when cleaning faraway areas. It uses the same 2.5L dirtbags as the C3, which aresomewhat small, so ownership costs are a little on the higher end of the scale.
See our review
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Best Mid-Range Bagged Vacuum
Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine 0
Bare Floor
7.8
Low-Pile Carpet
6.6
High-Pile Carpet
6.4
Pets
6.8
Stairs
7.5
Cars
7.9
Workshop
5.4
Vacuum Type
CanisterBagless
NoCordless
NoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
NoWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
Our best mid-range pick isthe entry-level Pure Suction variant of the Miele Classic C1. While it's outwardly similar to the more expensive , there's one important difference: the Pure Suction doesn't have a power socket at the base of its hose that would allow you to use powered floorheads, so it isn't suitable for cleaning plush carpeting. This model is a great option if you don't have any shag or high-pile rugs in your home,as the included SBD 365-3 floorhead features retractable bristles for not only cleaning surfaces like tile or hardwood but also low- and medium-pile carpeting. It comes with the entry-level AirClean filter, which works well intrapping airborne particles, even thoughit isn't HEPA-rated. You canbuy and swap in a Miele HEPA AirClean or Active AirClean filter if you suffer from serious allergies and require that additional level of filtration.
If you want a similarly priced canister vacuum with lower ownership costs, the NaceCare HVR 200 Henry is a solid option. It uses higher-capacity dirtbags and has a remarkably sturdy-feeling body. However, its suction motor is less powerful than the C1's, so it lags slightly behind in debris pickup performance.
See our review
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Best Budget Bagged Vacuum
Eureka Mighty Mite 0
Bare Floor
7.3
Low-Pile Carpet
7.2
High-Pile Carpet
7.1
Pets
6.4
Stairs
7.7
Cars
8.0
Workshop
5.2
Vacuum Type
CanisterBagless
NoCordless
NoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
NoWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
If you're looking for a budget-friendly bagged vacuum, look at the Eureka Mighty Mite. Compared to the Miele Classic C1, it feels very cheaply built and lacks many convenience features, like the allergen-sealed body, a telescopic wand, or a self-winding power cord. However, it's still a good option if you're looking for a vacuum that offers solid performance on a budget. It easily clears debris on bare floors, and while it only has a straight-suction floorhead, it's still decent when dealing with debris on low- to medium-pile carpets, where you can retract the floorhead's bristles to improve surface contact. User maintenance is incredibly simple, thanks to the vacuum's basic design, and its lightweight construction lets youcarry it from room to room with minimal effort. It also has a hard bristle brush for dislodging stuck-on dirt and debris and a combination crevice/upholstery nozzle.
Unfortunately, this vacuum's power cord is very short, so you'll probably need to swap outlets when vacuuming a larger area. There are also a few noticeable weak points in its construction, most notably its wand, which is made of two hollow plastic tubes that can fall apart if you don't wedge them together tightly.
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Recent Updates
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May 30, 2024: Small text edits for clarity and conciseness. No change in recommendations.
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Mar 07, 2024: We've confirmed the price and relevance of all our recommendations. We haven't made any changes to the picks. However, we've added a link in our 'Best Bagged Vacuum' category to Miele's website, as the Miele Complete C3 Brilliant PowerLine isn't always available from major online retailers.
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Jan 12, 2024: Minor in-text adjustments to further clarify product details.
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Nov 13, 2023: Verified that all main picks still represent the best option for users.
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Sep 12, 2023: Minor in-text adjustments to further clarify product information.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best bagged vacuum cleaners. We don't just base our results on overall performance, but also factors like availability, price, and reader feedback.
If you'd like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's the list of all our bagged vacuum reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no vacuum is perfect for every use, mostare goodenough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
