Are you torn between a bagged and a bagless vacuum cleaner? If that’s the case, then read on.
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When buying a vacuum cleaner, you will see a plethora of options–from cordless to corded, down to robots and traditional vacs. But these are not the only points of dilemma that you will have to deal with.
You will also have to check whether you want a bagless or bagged vacuum cleaner. So, in a nutshell, understanding the benefits and disadvantages of the two would enable you to pick which one is the most desirable and practical vacuum cleaner for you.
BAGGED VACUUM CLEANER | |
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PROS | CONS |
It can be emptied without generating too much mess You can directly take out the bag from the vacuum and throw it in your bin Bags are not always recyclable; but at the same time, they are biodegradable Changing the bag means that you will also change the filtration system of the vacuum Bagged models offer more capacity than the dirt container of bagless models | You can’t vacuum if you run out of bags The recurring cost of purchasing bags is quite taxing |
BAGLESS VACUUM CLEANER | |
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PROS | CONS |
Bagless vacuum cleaners will let you retrieve stuff that has been sucked accidentally. Small items, such as jewelry, can be sucked by strong vacuums. So this ergonomic function is quite important. You can empty the waste in your garden or compost pit, especially if it is only dust and non-synthetic debris. There are no recurring costs since you don’t have to buy bags from time to time | You need to carefully dispose the collected dirt so that allergens and dust won’t be released back in the air You need to regularly clean its filter, or in some cases, replace it |
Bagged Vacuum Cleaners: An Overview
As their name suggests, bagged vacuum cleaners are equipped with bags to collect dust and debris. These vacuum cleaners are typically more powerful than their bagless counterparts and can be used on different floor types, including carpets and hard floors.
Bagged vacuums are considered traditional vacuum cleaners. This design is always incorporated into upright and canister vacuums–our favorite corded vacuum cleaners.
Most of these bagged vacuum cleaners have a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air filter) on them. With these filters, bagged vacuums can prevent tiny air particles and allergens from escaping and circulating in your indoor air.
One notable drawback of these bagged vacuum cleaners is their weight. One could say that they are quite heavy and bulky. Some of these bagged vacuums can peak at 15 pounds or more. Fortunately, some models removed their cords and became cordless models. They have lighter construction, but the size of their bags is relatively reduced.
Meanwhile, here are some of the specific nuances of bagged vacuums that you need to know about.
Bagged Vacuum Cleaners: Advantages And Disadvantages
Pro 1: They Are Relatively Mess Free
If you’ve ever vacuumed your home with a bagged vacuum, you know how easy it is to empty the bag when it’s full. All you have to do is take out the bag from the vacuum, take it to the trash can, and open it up. The dirt and debris will fall right into the can. Then, you can get a new bag and install it into the vacuum. It’s that simple!
This is a benefit that many people want from their vacuums. For them, it is quite cumbersome to deal with messy emptying. Bagless models are known for this inconvenience. With a bagged vacuum, you don’t need to contact yourself with dirt. So that’s another way of saying that you don’t have to deal with allergic symptoms due to inhaling dirt.
Pro 2: They Have a Larger Dirt Capacity
Bagged vacuums offer many benefits over their bagless counterparts. One advantage is that they have a larger dirt capacity. This means that you can vacuum for longer periods of time before having to empty the canister.
Of course, this is an essential feature for bagged vacuum cleaners. The oversized bags means that you can continuously clean without having to empty the bin. And that also indicates that you don’t have to buy bags frequently. That should help you cope with the recurring cost of buying vacuum bags.
Pro 3: They Have Great Filters
Bagged vacuums have been around for quite some time, and they are often thought to be the better option when it comes to filters. Specifically, bagged vacuums have filters that are designed to trap harmful particles and prevent them from circulating back into the air.
Coupled with air purifiers, these bagged vacuum cleaners are the most suitable cleaning tool for people who suffer from allergies or asthma. Most of the time, the filters included in these bagged vacuums are HEPA filters. These HEPA filters are also used in traditional filter-based air purifiers.
Bagged vacuums tend to produce a lot of waste, as each bag can only be used a few times before it needs to be replaced. As a result, it could generate a lot of unnecessary waste and ultimately end up in landfills.
Con 1: Using Them Gets Costly Over Time
Bagged vacuums are a great option for many people. However, one downside is that you have to buy new bags for them on a regular basis. This can be a hassle, and it can also be expensive. If you’re considering a bagged vacuum, be sure to factor in the cost of replacement bags.
While the benefits of a mess-free means of dirt emptying are undeniably good, you can’t also ignore the fact buying bags from time to time is a hassle. Furthermore, if you happen to run out of bags, you will not be able to use the vacuum. Hence, you need to be responsible enough not to forget to purchase replacement bags. Otherwise, your vacuum will not operate.
Con 2: Environmental Concerns
In addition, bagged vacuums can also release harmful chemicals and pollutants into the air if they are not disposed of properly. These chemicals can be harmful to both humans and the environment.
So, when it comes to vacuuming, be sure to keep these environmental concerns in mind. This is the point where you may decide to switch to a bagless vacuum or one that uses environmentally-friendly bags.
Recommendations For The Best Bagged Vacuum Cleaners
If you are interested in acquiring these bagged vacuum cleaners, we have some great recommendations that you might want to check out. Just make sure that you have weighed all the pros and cons of these bagged vacuums before shopping.
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Bagless Vacuum Cleaners: An Overview
One could say that bagless vacuums are the modern versions of traditional vacs that use bags. While there are certain benefits that bagged vacuums provide, there are certain downsides that make some people dislike them. For example, many are not a fan of changing the bags frequently because of the added cost and hassle it generates.
The introduction of bagless vacuum cleaners to the market is an innovation that many waited for. For them, this particular option enables them to clean their homes without having to deal with recurring costs.
At the very least, the suction power of these bagless vacuums is considered second to bagged vacuum cleaners. But changes in motor technologies enable these bagless cleaners to provide more convincing suction strength.
Bagless Vacuum Cleaners: Advantages And Disadvantages
Pro 1: Cost Is Only Upfront
There are two instances that you are going to spend for these bagged vacuums. First is when you are going to purchase them. Second is when you are going to purchase replacement filters and components, which you should only do rarely.
Eventually, you will realize that maintaining a bagless vacuum is economical and environmentally friendly. After all, container bags are no longer a part of the equation. So you should be able to operate them without having to worry that you have to buy replacement bags. Once their dirt cups are empty, you simply have to empty them.
Pro 2: You Will Know When To Empty Them
One interesting feature that many bagless vacuums share is their clear dirt containers. Specifically, they are transparent, so you should be able to see their contents. This lets you know whether or not you have to empty them. It removes the guessing game, which should be an added convenience on your part.
Furthermore, it is quite relieving to see visual proof that your vacuum cleaner is actually picking up dirt and debris on your floors. Every time the dirt container gets full, you will be reminded that your vacuum is actually working.
Pro 3: You Can Pick Stuff That Has Been Accidentally Sucked
This is a relatively simple point, but it is beneficial nonetheless. There are instances where the vacuum could suck valuables on the floor. Small items, such as rings and earbuds, can be sucked by a vacuum, especially if it has a robust suction power.
If you are using a bagged vacuum cleaner, retrieving these items could be troublesome. But that’s not the case if you have a bagless vacuum. All you need to do is to open the cup and take out the treasure. It may require you to have contact with the dirt. In this case, you must simply wear gloves.
Con 1: Inevitable Exposure To Allergens
Every time you empty their dirt container, there’s always a possibility that you will inhale allergens and fine debris. The moment you open them, these harmful particulates could shoot up in your direction.
The primary reason for this is that these containers are just air-tight chambers, not air-tight bags. Hence, the emptying mechanism will require you to open the containers; there’s no other way around it.
Con 2: Regular Filter Replacement or Cleaning
It is true that these bagless vacuums will not require you to buy replacement bags. But at the same time, you need to ensure that you can maintain their built-in filters. These filters come in the form of mechanical, foam, or HEPA filters. They are there to ensure that no dirt will escape while they are still in the dirt bin.
Now, these filters will eventually get clogged or degraded. That’s a natural outcome the more you use your vacuum cleaner. Hence, you are still required to do hands-on maintenance. You can either replace the filter or clean it. Both routes can still cause some inconvenience.
Recommendations For The Best Bagless Vacuum Cleaners
Many are convinced that bagless vacuum cleaners are the more convenient and practical choice for a floor-cleaning too. If you are among those people who are interested in these bagless vac models, you may want to check the following recommendations:
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Bagged vs. Bagless Vacuum: Final Thoughts
It’s pretty clear that both of these vacuum cleaners have their respective advantages and disadvantages. Hence, it is somewhat inappropriate to pick one of them as the victor. All we want to emphasize is that you have to weigh these considerations so that you can decide which one of them is the most convenient type of vacuum cleaner for your setup and preferences.