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 100 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 the best vacuums and the best cordless vacuums. If you're looking for a robot vacuum, which is usually bagless by design, you can see our picks for the best robot vacuums.
The best bagless vacuum we've tested is the Dyson V15 Detect. This cordless stick vacuum delivers superb performance, easily cleaning everything from pet hair to small and large debris on nearly any surface. Its surface detection system also lets it change its suction power automatically depending on what you're vacuuming; just know 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. While most people may consider this a gimmick, it can be helpful if you suffer from allergies and want a rough estimate of particulate counts in your home. Run time tops out at 70 minutes, but using its high-power 'Boost' mode for tougher messes drops run time to around 10 minutes.
Unfortunately, its build quality is only passable overall, which is disappointing for a vacuum at this premium price point. The Samsung Bespoke Jet is a good option if you want something more sturdily built. It also comes with a cleaning station that sucks debris out of the vacuum's dustbin, so you don't need to worry about releasing large plumes of dust whenever you empty the dustbin, like with most other bagless vacuums. That said, its twin-roller floorhead makes it less maneuverable, it lacks Dyson's automatic power adjustment feature, and it's more expensive.
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 decouple its hose from its body to clean hard-to-reach areas, and it has a number of useful attachments, including a miniature turbo brush, a telescopic wand, and 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. You should consider the Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away if you need a more nimble upright option. It uses a simpler floorhead, lacks height adjustment, and has a maximum battery life of about 40 minutes when used as an upright. However, its lighter, compact, cordless design makes it a better option for short cleaning sessions on hard surfaces or in areas far from a power outlet.
If you're looking for solid performance but aren't interested in paying premium prices, then you should get the Shark Stratos Cordless. The Shark's Clean Sense IQ system adjusts its suction power up depending on the amount of debris it sucks up. However, it's not quite as sophisticated as the Dyson vacuum's system, as it doesn't always respond to changes in surface type, and its suction isn't as powerful. Nevertheless, its performance is great; it's superb for cleaning bare floors, and it also 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 can get bogged down on thick carpeting. Its main brushroll also isn't removable, making it a challenge to clean. On the bright side, there's a replaceable cartridge in its floorhead, releasing a detergent-like scent as you clean. It can be a tad overwhelming if you use it frequently, but it's nice to have.
Build-wise, this cordless stick vacuum is noticeably heavier than the Dyson V15 Detect, but its chassis feels sturdier, thanks to the use of thicker plastic. Also, at 0.65L in capacity, its dustbin is 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. All in all, these are minor issues, and the overall package makes this vacuum one of the best bagless vacuum cleaners we've tested.
Consider the Samsung Jet 60 if you're looking for something powerful but less expensive. 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 150AW suction motor is fairly potent for a vacuum at this price point and results in good overall performance on bare floors and carpets. Also, the mid-range Pet variant comes with a motorized miniature turbo brush that can help clean pet hair from upholstery furniture that sees a lot of wear, like couches; know it's a bit unwieldy to use, though. Regardless of the variant, all Jet 60 models have a five-stage filtration system to trap allergens like pet dander.
Unfortunately, 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, which is on the lower end for cordless vacuums. Thankfully, the Samsung charges much faster than the Shark, leading to less downtime between cleaning sessions.
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. Finally, although this vacuum is discontinued, you can still sometimes find it online at retailers like Walmart. You can also consider the newer Wyze Cordless Vacuum S. While we haven't tested it, the Vacuum S is a more barebones version of the original. According to the manufacturer's website, the Vacuum S has a smaller battery that doesn't quite last as long and takes longer to recharge. It also has a less powerful motor and no longer includes certain accessories like the wall mount and 2-in-1 brush. If you can still find the original model, it offers the best value.
The Miele Duoflex HX1 is a solid, premium-feeling yet less expensive alternative to the Dyson V15 Detect. It uses high-quality plastic and includes a metal wand, resulting in a rigid and durable construction. While it performs very well overall, particularly for pet hair pick-up, it can't quite match the Dyson's overall performance.
See our reviewThe Samsung Jet 90 Complete is a great alternative to the Dyson V15 Detect if you're willing to sacrifice the latter's automatic power adjustment system, dirt sensor, and higher capacity dustbin for comparable performance and a slightly lower purchase price.
See our reviewThe Dyson V8 is a cordless stick vacuum that represents a good, albeit more expensive, alternative to the Shark Stratos Cordless if you want something easier to maneuver. However, it has a shorter battery life and doesn't do quite as well on carpets.
See our reviewWe've replaced the Miele Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog with the Miele Duoflex HX1 in the Notable Mentions since it's better built and offers better performance, and also made small edits throughout for clarity and concision.
Sep 27, 2024: We've verified that our recommendations are all in stock and represent the best choices available. We've also made edits for clarity.
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.
Feb 26, 2024: Ensured all main picks are still available and represent the best fit for user needs.
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.
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.