Bagless vacuums let you skip the cost and hassle of replacing your vacuum's dirtbag. Unlike bagged models, these vacuums have plastic dirt compartments and use filters to prevent dust from drifting back into the air as you clean. The downside? Allergy sufferers should be aware that bagless vacuums produce a cloud of dust when you empty them; see our investigative article on the topic to learn more. With this in mind, the best bagless vacuums have excellent filtration systems, a good blend of performance and maneuverability, and come with a wide array of attachments.
We've tested over 110 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best bagless vacuums. We selected these picks based on their performance, design, build quality, and price. Here's a quick rundown of what to look for using our lab testing and scoring:
- Debris Pickup: A score of 7.5+ indicates good all-around pickup across surface types, though lower-scoring models can still work well for light cleaning or smaller messes.
- Air Quality: Look for a Particle Filtration score of 8.0+ to reduce the amount of fine dust and allergens that escape while cleaning.
- Floorhead Design: Turbo brushes are ideal for homes with low to medium-pile carpeting, motorized powerheads are best for thicker carpets, and straight suction works for bare flooring.
If you're interested in a more detailed breakdown, see our buyer's guide below. For more options, see our lists of the best vacuums and the best cordless vacuums, or compare these recommendations to the best bagged vacuums.
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Best Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
House7.4Small Apartment8.7Stairs8.5Air Quality8.1Hard Floor Pickup8.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup8.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup7.5Build Quality6.5See all our test resultsBattery7.3The best bagless vacuum we've tested is the Dyson V15 Detect. This cordless stick vacuum easily cleans everything from pet hair to small and large debris on nearly any surface. Allergy sufferers and pet owners will appreciate this vacuum's excellent filtration system, which helps maintain good air quality in your home or apartment by keeping dust and pet dander out of the air as you vacuum. Run time may be an issue depending on your needs. It tops out at a respectable 70 minutes, but it won't be sufficient if you have to clean a larger house and use the high-power 'Boost' mode, as this drops the run time well below 10 minutes. Additionally, the dirt compartment is fairly small, so you'll need to empty it frequently.
Its surface-detection system also automatically adjusts suction power based on what you're cleaning; just know that its strong suction can make it drag around some lighter rugs. The fluffy roller head wipes bare floors clean, while the separate bristled brushroll works well on carpets and is especially effective on pet hair. A nice perk of this vacuum is the included wall bracket, which has slots for many of the accessories, making storage a breeze, especially if you live in an apartment and are tight on space. Unfortunately, its build quality is just alright, which is disappointing for a vacuum at this premium price point.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Bagless Vacuum
House7.7Small Apartment8.5Stairs8.1Air Quality8.6Hard Floor Pickup7.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup6.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup6.5Build Quality8.0See all our test resultsBattery7.1If you're looking for something a little less expensive and don't mind sacrificing some performance for a more solidly built vacuum, consider the Miele Duoflex HX1. This stick vacuum lags a little behind the Dyson V15 Detect when it comes to single-pass performance due to its weaker motor, so when dealing with bigger messes, you'll likely have to go over the same spot more than once to get every last bit of debris. This vacuum also has a very effective filtration system, despite the exhaust filter not being HEPA-rated. Emptying its dustbin is also slightly more hygienic than with the Dyson, thanks to a quick-release door that minimizes the spread of fine grit and debris when it's opened. Since the Miele's dustbin has a usable capacity of just 0.25L, you'll have to empty it often.
Battery performance is similar to the Dyson's, letting you vacuum for over an hour in it's lowest-power setting but dropping to under 15 minutes if you need higher suction. Its standard powerhead features a surface sensor that automatically adjusts the speed of the multi-surface roller brush for bare floors or carpeting. This unit's high-grade plastic chassis feels considerably more premium than the Dyson's. Its less powerful motor also has an upside while cleaning thicker area rugs. Unlike the Dyson, it isn't liable to get stuck or drag lighter rugs around.
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Best Mid-Range Bagless Vacuum
House7.5Small Apartment8.2Stairs8.0Air Quality8.1Hard Floor Pickup8.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup7.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup7.0Build Quality7.5See all our test resultsBattery7.3If you want solid performance at a mid-range price, consider the Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H. While this model has seen a lot of price fluctuation recently, it's regularly available for under $300 USD; we recommend waiting until you can find it at that price. It doesn't feel quite as robust as the Miele Duoflex HX1, and it weighs a little more, so it isn't as easy to maneuver in cluttered areas. That said, it's a strong performer, with impressive debris pickup on bare surfaces. and decent performance on carpets. At over 0.6 L, the Shark's dustbin has more than twice the usable capacity of the Miele, so you won't have to empty it nearly as often. Battery performance is very similar to the Miele, topping out at just over an hour and dropping to a little over 10 minutes on its most powerful suction setting; expect around 40 minutes of mixed use with a full charge.
Much like the Dyson V15 Detect and Miele, the Shark has an integrated dirt sensor, which allows it to adjust its suction power automatically depending on the surface it's cleaning and the amount of debris it sucks up. However, it doesn't always respond consistently to changes in floor type. While its twin-brushroll head makes it a little trickier to maneuver in cramped quarters compared to the Miele's single-roller head, some of that added bulk is offset by the hinged wand, which allows you to clean under most tables and chairs without having to bend too deeply. The main brushroll also isn't removable, making it a challenge to clean. There's a replaceable cartridge in its floorhead that produces a detergent-like scent, which can be a tad overwhelming if you vacuum frequently.
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Best Budget Bagless Vacuum
House6.9Small Apartment6.6Stairs7.6Air Quality2.5Hard Floor Pickup8.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup6.5Low-Pile Carpet Pickup7.0Build Quality6.5See all our test resultsBattery6.5If you're on a budget but still want strong overall debris pickup performance, consider the Shark Cordless Pet IX141. Hard floor pickup is great, matching the pricier Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H and even edging out the higher-end Miele Duoflex HX1. Pet hair performance on carpet is outstanding, agitating fibers thoroughly enough to lift nearly every strand at once. The main downside is that filtration is terrible. Within seconds of use, it blows dust and allergens right back out the exhaust, which makes this a poor choice for allergy sufferers. It also has a shorter battery life than any of our other picks.
Build quality is on par with the Dyson but a step down from the sturdier Stratos and Miele, and like every other pick here, emptying the dustbin kicks up a cloud of dust, so plan to do it outdoors or somewhere well ventilated. Tangled hair is also a hassle since the brushroll isn't removable, and there's no folding wand, docking station, or automatic power adjustment beyond a manual slider for switching floor types.
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Best Cheap Bagless Vacuum
House6.7Small Apartment7.6Stairs7.8Air Quality7.6Hard Floor Pickup5.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup6.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup7.0Build Quality6.5See all our test resultsBattery7.3It's hard to go wrong with the Wyze Cordless Vacuum S if you're looking for a cheap bagless vacuum. Like the pricier Shark Cordless Pet IX141, it has an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, an unprecedented feature among cheap vacuums. The vacuum is quite lightweight, making it a cinch to maneuver in tight spots and carry up and down long flights of stairs. Performance-wise, it's not bad for a cheap vacuum, offering decent performance with pet hair and other debris on low-pile carpets, but struggling on other floor surfaces. Battery life is also better than most cheap vacuums, outperforming the Shark Cordless Pet IX141 with a max runtime of over 40 minutes. While this is suitable for cleaning apartments and smaller homes, you'll run out of battery if you want to clean a larger house or have larger messes.
Unfortunately, it doesn't feel particularly well-built, with the plastic used throughout its construction feeling rather thin and cheap. To save cost, Wyze has stripped the included accessories down to just a crevice tool; it doesn't even include an upholstery tool.
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Best Bagless Upright Vacuum
House8.7Small Apartment8.4Stairs7.0Air Quality8.1Hard Floor Pickup8.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup7.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup7.0Build Quality6.5See all our test resultsBattery0.0If you'd prefer an upright bagless vacuum, take a look at the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra. Lined up against a comparably-priced cordless unit like the Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H, its corded design makes it far less maneuverable and less suited to quick clean-ups around your home due to its bulk and weight. In its fully loaded configuration, it's more than twice as heavy as the Shark, which is already quite robust for a cordless unit. That said, its 1.2 L dustbin is far larger than that of most stick vacuums, so you can go a lot longer between emptying, and you never have to worry about running out of battery. This powerful vacuum easily clears debris from various surfaces and comes with a generous number of attachments, including a dedicated pet-grooming tool. It also offers outstanding pet hair pickup. Its onboard HEPA filtration system delivers remarkable particle filtration, making it a great choice for allergy sufferers.
Despite its weight and size, this vacuum has a mostly plastic chassis, which creaks and flexes slightly while in use. It's also louder than the less powerful cordless vacuums on this list and can be overly bothersome. While its power cord is long, you have to wind it back up manually.
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Best Bagless Canister Vacuum
House8.4Small Apartment8.0Stairs6.4Air Quality8.1Hard Floor Pickup5.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup6.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup6.5Build Quality8.0See all our test resultsBattery0.0If you're looking for a corded option but don't want the bulk of a big upright like the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, check out the Miele Boost CX1. Its dirt compartment can hold 0.26 gal (1 L) of debris, so you can go much longer between emptying than with a cordless stick vacuum like the Dyson V15 Detect. Despite its enormous dirt capacity, it's lighter than the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, making it easier to use on stairs. On the downside, it can't quite match the Ball Animal 3's performance on bare floors and carpets. Unfortunately, on bare floors, it struggles to pick up medium and large debris, and on carpets, its turbo brush floorhead leaves more debris behind than the Ball Animal 3's powered brushroll. It also has an expensive filter you have to replace regularly, unlike any of the Dyson models, which have zero recurring cost.
Pet owners will appreciate its upholstery tool, which does a fantastic job cleaning pet hair from furniture, and its turbo brush floorhead, which offers good performance cleaning pet hair from carpets. Typical of Miele, this vacuum has great build quality; it's better than any Dyson we've tested.
Notable Mentions
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Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra:
The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra is a flagship cordless stick vacuum that has something the Dyson V15 Detect (or any other bagless vacuum) can't offer for allergy sufferers: a self-emptying docking station that contains allergens nearly perfectly during emptying. Unfortunately, it performs worse than the Dyson V15 Detect on floor surfaces, despite being considerably more expensive.
See our review -
Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine:
The Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine is Dyson's 2025 flagship cordless stick vacuum. Its twin conical roll anti-tangle floorhead is a radical departure from previous Dyson models. However, it performs much worse than the Dyson V15 Detect on carpets.
See our review -
Dyson V8:
The Dyson V8 is a great mid-range alternative to the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra if you'd prefer a cordless stick vacuum over a bulky upright. However, it has a much smaller dirt compartment, so it'll need more frequent emptying, and it performs worse than the Ball Animal 3 on most floor surfaces.
See our review
Recent Updates
Aug 12, 2026:
We removed the Tineco Pure One S11 as it's no longer available, and replaced it with the Shark Cordless Pet IX141. We removed the Dyson Gen5detect from the Notable Mentions list because it has been discontinued.
May 15, 2026:
Due to current product pricing, we've recategorized the Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H as the 'Best Mid-Range Bagless Vacuum' pick and the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra as the 'Best Bagless Upright Vacuum' pick. We've added the Miele Duoflex HX1 as the new 'Best Upper Mid-Range Bagless Vacuum' pick. We've also added a new Buyer's Guide section to the bottom of this article to facilitate the buying decision process for a new vacuum.
Feb 12, 2026:
We edited the article for readability and reorganized it, changing the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra to the 'Best Mid-Range Vacuum,' adding the Tineco PURE ONE S11 as the 'Best Budget,' and moving the Wyze Cordless S to the 'Best Cheap Vacuum.' We removed the unavailable Samsung Jet 60 and added the Miele Boost CX1 as the 'Best Bagless Canister Vacuum.' We removed the Notable Mentions Miele Duoflex HX1 and Eureka FloorRover, adding the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra and Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine.
Nov 11, 2025:
We checked to ensure our picks are in stock and made small edits to the test for clarity.
Jul 10, 2025:
Replaced the discontinued Wyze Cordless Vacuum with the Wyze Cordless Vacuum S. Replaced the unavailable Notable Mention, the Samsung Jet 90 Complete, with the Dyson Gen5detect as an alternative to the Dyson V15 Detect.
What To Consider When Choosing A Bagless Vacuum
Debris Pickup Performance
Cleaning performance matters most when choosing a vacuum, and you can gauge how well one performs by checking its debris pickup scores on hard floors, carpet, and pet hair:
- 7.5 to 8.0: Clears most debris in a single back-and-forth pass, though you'll need to do a second pass to pick up the remaining visible debris.
- 8.0 to 9.0: Leaves barely any visible debris or hair after a single pass, and what's left is hard to spot.
- 9.0 to 9.5: Leaves effectively no debris or pet hair after a single pass.
Filtration
Filtration determines how much fine dust and allergens are trapped inside the vacuum, preventing them from recirculating back into your home. We assess it with two tests:
- Particle Filtration: How effectively the vacuum traps fine particles while cleaning. HEPA filtration isn't a guarantee of top performance here, since several bagless models with non-HEPA, multi-stage filtration systems still lock in fine allergens just as well.
- Air Quality During Emptying: How much fine dust escapes when you clear the dustbin. This is the main weakness of bagless models, and it's rare for them to score well here. Some newer models pair with self-empty docking stations, similar to what many robot vacuums use, which help reduce the dust cloud.
Floorhead
If you have carpet and pets, a floorhead with an air-driven or motorized roller brush is a must-have for lifting embedded hair and debris.
- Air-driven (often marketed as "Turbo" brushes): Simpler, lighter, and cheaper, but can jam on thicker carpets. Best suited to pet hair on low- to medium-pile rugs and carpets.
- Motorized powerheads: Heavier and more complex, but handle thicker carpets better with less risk of the roller stalling. Pricier models often add height adjustment for surfaces like shag-pile rugs, plus an automatic brushroll cutoff that prevents overheating or damage if hair or fibers jam the roller.
- Straight-suction: Relies on suction alone, with no roller brush. Offers some agitation on very low-pile rugs but works best on bare flooring. The simple design is easy to clean, and there's no roller for pet hair to jam.
Brushroll Type
The brushroll on your floorhead also dictates how well it performs across different surfaces:
- Bristled brushroll: Stiff bristles lift pet hair and fine debris from carpet, but can fling larger debris around on hard surfaces and leave micro-scratches on delicate floors.
- Soft roller: Better suited to bare floors, but doesn't lift debris from carpet fibers as effectively.
- Dual roller: Combines soft and stiff bristles on one floorhead for better pickup across surfaces.
Removable brushrolls make it considerably easier to clear away tangled hair and stuck-on debris. Some vacuums also include self-cleaning systems, typically vanes or fins that press against the roller to strip away hair before it can jam the rotation.
Attachments
A broad attachment suite makes it easier to deal with messes in awkward spots around your home:
- Turbo brush tools: Best for fine debris or pet hair on fabric surfaces.
- Upholstery nozzles: Handle similar jobs with less bulk, though they provide less surface agitation than a turbo brush.
- Crevice tools: Reach debris in tight spots, like between couch cushions or corners between furniture.
- Soft bristle brushes: Dust delicate surfaces, baseboards, shelves, and tabletops without scratching.
- Hard bristle brushes: Scrub away stuck-on dirt.
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, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.