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If you don't want to deal with the hassle of replacing a dirtbag in your vacuum, there's no shortage of bagless options on the market. Unlike bagged models, these vacuums have plastic dirt compartments and use filters to prevent dusty air from drifting back into the environment as you clean. They usually have low or virtually no recurring costs, depending on whether or not they use disposable filters. That said, they can vary significantly in shape and size, all to be better suited for different kinds of cleaning tasks.
We've tested over 150 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best vacuums that don't use a dirtbag. We selected these picks based on their performance and their design, ease of maintenance, and price. For more, see our lists of thebest vacuumsand thebest cordless vacuums. If you're looking for a robot vacuum, which is usually bagless by design, you can see our picks for thebest robot vacuums.
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Best Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson V15 Detect 4
Bare Floor
7.8
Low-Pile Carpet
7.8
High-Pile Carpet
8.0
Pets
7.9
Stairs
8.7
Cars
8.3
Workshop
5.8
Vacuum Type
Stick/HandheldBagless
YesCordless
YesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
The best bagless vacuum cleaner we've tested is the Dyson V15 Detect. This cordless stick vacuum delivers superb performance on various surfaces, easily cleaning pet hair and small and large debris on everything from linoleum to high-pile carpets. Its surface detection system also lets it change its suction power automatically depending on what you're vacuuming. However, its strong suction can cause it to drag around some lighter rugs. It also has a built-in particle sensor that counts and measures the debris you're sucking up. It's a gimmick for most, but it can be helpful if you suffer from allergies and want a rough estimate of particulate counts in your home. This vacuum can run for up to 70 minutes, but you need to work fast when vacuuming stubborn messes, as it only lasts for about 10 minutes when using it in its high-power 'Boost' mode.
Unfortunately, its build quality is only passable overall, which is disappointing for a vacuum at this high a price point. The Samsung Bespoke Jet is a good option if you want something more sturdily built. However, its twin-roller floorhead makes it less maneuverable, and this model doesn't have the Dyson vacuum's automatic power adjustment feature.
See our review
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Best Bagless Upright Vacuum
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra/Complete 1
Bare Floor
7.9
Low-Pile Carpet
7.6
High-Pile Carpet
7.9
Pets
8.3
Stairs
6.4
Cars
6.9
Workshop
5.9
Vacuum Type
UprightBagless
YesCordless
NoAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
Mopping OnlySee all our test results
If you prefer using a corded vacuum with a greater debris capacity, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra/Complete is the best bagless upright vacuum we've tested. While its bulky form makes it less suitable for quick cleanups than a stick vacuum like the Dyson V15 Detect, it's a better option for heavy-duty cleanups, as its powerful suction motor helps clear away debris across various surfaces. Its floorhead also features three levels of surface adjustment and built-in plastic fins to capture long hair before it can get tangled in its brushroll.
You can clean hard-to-reach areas by decoupling its hose from its body and using any of its attachments, including a miniature turbo brush, a telescopic wand, and even a dedicated pet grooming tool. Its five-stage filtration system helps trap allergens, too. Unfortunately, it's a heavy, bulky vacuum that's a hassle to set up. It's loud by the standards of less powerful cordless vacuums, and while its power cord is long, you have to wind it back up manually.
If you're looking for an upright vacuum that's easier to deploy, look at the Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away. It uses a simpler floorhead than the Dyson, with no height adjustment, and has a maximum battery life of about 40 minutes when used as an upright. However, its lighter and more compact construction and cordless design make it a better option for short cleaning sessions on hard surfaces or in areas far from a power outlet.
See our review
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Best Upper Mid-Range Bagless Vacuum
Shark Stratos Cordless 3
Bare Floor
7.7
Low-Pile Carpet
7.6
High-Pile Carpet
7.3
Pets
6.9
Cars
7.8
Workshop
5.8
Vacuum Type
Stick/HandheldBagless
YesCordless
YesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
The best bagless vacuum in the upper mid-range price bracket we've tested is the Shark Stratos Cordless. This cordless stick vacuum is noticeably heavier than the Dyson V15 Detect and not quite as powerful, but it's got its share of strengths. Its chassisfeels sturdier, as it's built from thicker plastic. At 0.65L in capacity, its dustbin is also roughly 30% more spacious than the Dyson's, so you won't have to empty it as often.
While its twin-brushroll head makes it a little trickier to maneuver in cramped quarters compared to the Dyson vacuum's smaller and lighter single-roller head, some of that added bulk is offset by the inclusion of a hinged wand, allowing you to clean under most tables and chairs without having to bend too deeply. A replaceable cartridge in its floorhead emanates a detergent-like scent as you clean to mask any unpleasant odors.
The Shark's Clean Sense IQ system also allows it to ramp up its suction power depending on the amount of debris it sucks up. However, unlike the Dyson vacuum's system, it doesn't always respond to changes in surface type. Performance on bare floors is superb, and it does a great job cleaning carpets. That said, while it has two surface settings, they only change the speed of its brushroll, not its height, so it's still liable to get bogged down in thick carpeting. Its main brushroll isn't removable, making it a challenge to clean.
See our review
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Best Mid-Range Bagless Vacuum
Samsung Jet 60 Pet 0
Bare Floor
7.3
Low-Pile Carpet
7.1
High-Pile Carpet
7.0
Pets
7.0
Stairs
8.6
Cars
8.1
Workshop
5.4
Vacuum Type
Stick/HandheldBagless
YesCordless
YesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
Consider the Samsung Jet 60 if you're looking for something a little cheaper. It's less sturdily built than the Shark Stratos Cordless and doesn't have an automatic power adjustment feature, but there are a few advantages aside from its lower price. Its 150 AW suction motor is fairly potent for a vacuum at this price point and results in good overall performance on bare floors and carpets.However, admittedly, its relatively rudimentary single-roller head can push around larger debris instead of gliding over them and helping the vacuum suck them up.
Battery performance isn't especially impressive at up to 40 minutes on a charge. However, thankfully, the Samsung charges much faster than the Shark, leading to much less downtime between charging sessions. This mid-range Jet 60 Pet variant is a good option for pet owners, as it comes with a miniature turbo brush tool that's effective in collecting pet hair, though it's also unwieldy. Regardless of your variant, all Jet 60 models have a five-stage filtration system to trap allergens like pet dander.
See our review
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Best Budget Bagless Vacuum
Wyze Cordless Vacuum 2
Bare Floor
7.3
Low-Pile Carpet
7.5
High-Pile Carpet
7.0
Pets
6.5
Stairs
8.4
Cars
7.9
Workshop
5.5
Vacuum Type
Stick/HandheldBagless
YesCordless
YesAnti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
YesWet Compatible
NoSee all our test results
If you're on a budget and searching for a bagless vacuum, it's hard to go wrong with the Wyze Cordless Vacuum. This budget-friendly cordless stick vacuum delivers good overall performance on various surfaces, all at a more affordable price than alternatives like the Samsung Jet 60. While it might not offer the same level of fit and finish, it has an impressive feature set for a vacuum at this price point. It has an allergen-trapping HEPA filter and a battery that supplies enough power for almost an hour of uninterrupted runtime, at least if you run the vacuum in its most energy-efficient setting. Using the 'TURBO' setting drops the runtime to a little over 10 minutes, though that isn't unusual for a vacuum of this type.
The vacuum is also quite lightweight, making it a cinch to maneuver in tight spots and to carry up and down long flights of stairs. Unfortunately, as mentioned before, it doesn't feel especially well-built, with the plastic used throughout its construction being rather thin and cheap-feeling.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Jun 19, 2024: Replaced the Miele Triflex HX1 with the Miele Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog in the Notable Mentions because the HX2 has a much longer battery life and stronger suction.
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Feb 26, 2024: Ensured all main picks are still available and represent the best fit for user needs.
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Jan 04, 2024: Replaced the Samsung Jet 75 with Samsung Jet 60 Pet as the 'Best Mid-Range Bagless Vacuum' pick and replaced the Shark Pet Cordless (IX141) with the Wyze Cordless Vacuum as the 'Best Budget Bagless Vacuum' pick due to current product pricing.
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Sep 18, 2023: Replaced JASHEN V16 with Shark Pet Cordless (IX141) as 'Best Budget Bagless Vacuum' due to current availability.
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Jul 20, 2023: Minor in-text adjustments to better convey product information.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best bagless vacuums we've tested. We don't just base our results on overall performance but also on factors like availability, price, and reader feedback.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our bagless 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.
