Bagless Vacuums

Nothing in life comes free.  There are two advantages claimed by bag-less vacuums which are lower operating costs and better performance.  As far as cost is concerned, all vacuums must filter the exhausting air they use to carry the dirt into the collection tank.  If this wasn't the case the unit would simply pick dirt up off the floor and spit it back out behind it.

Whether the unit has a bag-less HEPA filter, a pre-filter, or disposable bags, all will need to be replaced at some point.  Expect to spend the same on either collection system for filters in the average life of a vacuum.  However if you have a bag-less system you will spend a great deal more time on the unit.

To keep a bag-less unit operating well the dirt container will need to be emptied when it is full and regular maintenance will need to be performed on the filter.  The type of filter the unit has will determine how much service will be required, although most use a pleated HEPA filter.

Cleaning

While the claim of better airflow with bag-less vacuums is somewhat true, over the life of the unit the same or possibly better performance will be seen with a bagged vacuum cleaner.

The performance of a bagged unit will start at 100% each time the bag is changed and then drop slowly as the bag starts to fill.  How quickly the performance drops will depend on how well the bag is constructed.  With the average vacuum and the average bag when bag will need to be replaced approximately every 3 - 4 weeks with 90% of performance the first week, 70% in weeks 2 and 3, then 50% or less in the fourth week.

The short cycle will insure that 100% peak cleaning is achieved ever 3 or 4 weeks from the unit.  The filtered cyclonic units have filters designed to last 6, 12, or 18 months, before they require replacement.

Pets

Those that own indoor animals should know that nearly all domestic animals shed their fur on a regular basis whether or not it can be seen.  Pet owners wonder what type of vacuum is the best for pet hair removal.

Pet hair will stick to a bag-less vacuum's pleated filter cartridge.  This hair will in turn reduce the performance of airflow, and is also difficult to remove from the filter.

The filter can also retain odor from pets, even if it is cleaned regularly and well.  If the filter requires replacement only once a year it could end up making the house smell every time the unit is used.

Bagged up

Bag vacuums provide neat disposal of a full bag.  There are brands such as BOSCH that engineer bag disposal into the system.  With BOSCH canister units, the bag replacement is a single dust free step.  The new mega filter bags have built in closure systems that will shut and trap the dirt and debris inside the bag when removed.

Many people still prefer the bag-less units.  They will continue to gain market share and people will continue to purchase them.  For many people a bag-less unit is the best vacuum to have.

Bags are considered a technology of the past, and bag-less is the technology of the future.  There are a number of reasons to go bag-less.  For the vacuums of the future, cylinder and bag-less is the key.