To help you find the best bagged vacuum for hardwood floors, carpeting, and other flooring types, we analyzed thousands of reviews, both from experts and customers. But our work didn’t stop there. We also included an array of popular subcategories, ensuring we found the best bagged vacuum cleaner for you and your home. We were sure to favor vacuums with high-grade motors that excelled on hardwood floors, carpeting, and other surface types. We also thoroughly researched a multitude of top-rated vacs, ensuring they included hospital-grade bags that trapped potentially harmful particles while also featuring excellent filtration systems, often with the use of a genuine HEPA filter. When buying a bagged vacuum cleaner, always look for a powerful motor, suction capability, and incredible maneuverability.
The best bagged vacuum you can buy today is the Oreck Magnesium RS. This high-grade cleaner features a five-layer HEPA filter and a motor that automatically shuts down when jammed. Keep reading to learn more about other great bagged vacuums available for purchase, as well as the best vacuum cleaner options on the market.
Top 10 Best Bagged Vacuums
#1 Oreck Magnesium RS Bagged Vacuum
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Best upright vacuum cleaner with a robust feature set that includes a 5-layer HEPA filter, swivel steering, and a light form factor, as it weighs less than 8 pounds.
- Automatically shuts down if jammed
- 5-layer HEPA filter bag
- Swivel steering and light form factor
- Does not ship with any useful attachments
- Motor can be too powerful for high pile rugs
The Oreck Magnesium RS is one of the best bagged vacuums with a HEPA filter, as this model features a five-layer HEPA filter bag that eliminates 99.97 percent of potentially harmful particles and allergens, up to 0.3 microns in size. This is also a highly maneuverable vacuum cleaner, thanks to swivel steering and an incredibly light eight-pound form factor. We loved the automatic shut-down functionality on this best HEPA vacuum, which helps protect the brush roll should it become jammed while cleaning a rug or carpeting.
Related: Take a quick look at the best canister vacuums.
Though the slim form factor makes it easy to slide this vacuum underneath furniture, it does not come with any useful attachments, such as a crevice tool or a lengthy hose. Additionally, the powerful motor can offer too much suction power for high pile rugs, as these can easily get stuck in the brush roll. If you’d like an alternative with a self-cleaning brush roll, the best cordless vacuums are a good choice.
#2 Miele Complete C3 Marin Bagged Vacuum
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Best vacuum for carpet, along with other surface types, thanks to an extremely powerful 1200 watt motor and an integrated HEPA AirClean filtration system.
- Large 4.5L debris bin
- Integrated HEPA AirClean filter
- Powerful 1200w motor
- On the pricier side
- Bags can be difficult to replace
This best Miele vacuum is a fantastic choice for nearly any cleaning application, thanks to its ultra-powerful 1200 watt motor and supreme suction capabilities. The large 4.5-liter debris bin means that it will take several cleaning sessions before you have to dispose of and replace the bag, which is a nice bonus. We also loved the integrated HEPA AirClean filter, which successfully eliminates 99.97 percent of potentially harmful allergens.
This is a high-end vacuum cleaner by Miele with an incredibly powerful motor, like those typically found in the best backpack vacuum cleaners, and an advanced feature set and, as such, it is on the pricier side. Also, due to the design of the vacuum itself, it can be somewhat difficult to find replacement filter bags that will fit inside of it.
#3 Kenmore 31140 Bagless Vacuum
Award: BEST FOR ANIMAL LOVERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Great choice for multi-pet households, thanks to a motor design that maximizes RPM for easy elimination of animal dander and hair, with a triple HEPA filtration system.
- Ships with trio of useful attachments
- Triple HEPA filtration system
- 4-position height adjustment
- Nearly 20 pounds
- Non-retractable power cable
The Kenmore 31140 is the perfect bagged vacuum cleaner for those with plenty of furry friends roaming around the home, as it features a powerful dual-motor design that maximizes RPM for easy elimination of pet dander and related debris. We loved the triple HEPA filtration system, which eliminates 99.97 percent of potentially harmful particles, for excellent air quality, and the four-positions of height adjustment, making it easy to be used by consumers of nearly any height.
This is a powerful vacuum cleaner for pet owners and, as such, it is quite heavy, weighing nearly 20 pounds. The power cable here is lengthy, at thirty feet, but it is non-retractable, so you’ll have to wrap it around the vacuum by hand. Paired with the best air purifier for allergies and dust and you’ve got a winning combination.
#4 Soniclean Soft Upright Bagged Vacuum
Award: BEST FOR SOFT FLOORING
WHY WE LIKE IT: Unique design that uses sonic vibrations to gently and effectively clean carpeting and rugs, with hospital-grade HEPA filtration and an ultra-soft bristled brush roll.
- Hospital-grade HEPA filtration system
- Adjustable vent system increases push and pull efficiency
- Ultra-soft bristle brush roll
- Does not excel with carpet piles above 1”
- Not particularly effective on hardwood flooring
The Soniclean Soft is designed to effectively and gently clean carpeting and rugs, with a unique technology that uses sonic technology to dislodge dirt and debris. We loved the hospital-grade HEPA filtration system, which eliminates over 99 percent of known allergens, and the ultra-soft bristled brush roll, adding to the overall delicacy of the cleaning process. This vacuum also included an adjustable vent system, which blows air as needed to increase push and pull efficiency, making this an easy-to-move model.
Though this vacuum excels with most carpeting and rugs, it does not do quite as good of a job with carpets with piles above one-inch high. Additionally, this cleaner can function adequately on harder surface types, such as hardwood floors, but it tends to make a lot of noise as it operates. For a quieter machine for harder surfaces, the best vacuums for laminate floors might be a better option.
#5 Sanitaire SC888K Commercial Bagged Vacuum
Award: BEST CLASSIC DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: Retro and classic vacuum design with a high-efficiency 7-amp power with plenty of suction and integrated Arm & Hammer odor-reduction technology.
- Lengthy 50’ power cable
- High-efficiency 7-amp motor
- Integrated odor-reduction technology
- Loud during over, around 80dB
- Some assembly required
The Sanitaire SC888K Commercial Vacuum features a pleasing retro-inspired classic design that would not look out of place in a home in the 1950s but comes with a modern and innovative feature set. The high-efficiency 7-amp motor is fantastic and does excellent work across a wide variety of surface types and the lengthy 50’ power cable makes it easy to plug it in and clean nearly anywhere in the home.
This retro-inspired vacuum can be noisy during use, just like the vacuums of yesteryear, creating more than 80dB of noise on the higher settings. Additionally, there is some assembly required upon receipt of this vacuum, though it only requires 20 minutes or so. It’s certainly one of the most classic home appliances products with a modern twist on our list.
#6 Hoover UH30600 WindTunnel Max Bagged Vacuum
Award: BEST ADJUSTABILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Highly adjustable vacuum with a multitude of options to suit both different consumers and types of flooring, including bare floors, in addition to featuring a HEPA filtration system built into the bags themselves.
- Ships with plenty of useful attachments
- HEPA filtration system
- Powerful proprietary motor excels with both dirt and dust
- Slightly heavy, at 15 lb
- Only ships with 2 bags
The Hoover UH30600 WindTunnel Max is an extremely adjustable bagged vacuum that features multiple options to change the height, to suit different consumers, and how high it rests from the floor to different surface types. We loved the HEPA Media filtration system, which is built into the bags and works to eliminate 99.97 percent of allergens. This vacuum also ships with a multitude of useful attachments, including a lengthy hose, a crevice tool, and a dusting brush, among others. In case any of these parts get damaged, there are many instructional maintenance guides, like how to fix a vacuum hose.
This is a slightly heavier-than-average vacuum, clocking in at 15 pounds, which could decrease the mobility somewhat. Additionally, this vacuum only ships with two of the HEPA-enabled bags, so you’ll have to purchase replacements regularly. For a bagless option with similar capabilities, check out our best vacuums for tile floors buying guide.
#7 Dirt Devil Endura Reach Bagged Vacuum
Award: BEST VALUE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Value-friendly vacuum with some excellent features that include a filter designed to reduce unpleasant odors and an easy-to-empty debris canister, which only requires the push of a button to eject dust and dirt.
- Easy-empty debris canister
- Light and portable, at 9 lb
- Endura reusable odor-trapping filter
- Does not ship with bags, though not necessary for use
- Non-retractable cord
The Dirt Devil Endura Reach is a great value-friendly option for those looking for maximum cleaning power without breaking the bank, as it features a powerful motor and an easy-empty debris canister that disperses collected dirt and dust with the push of a button. We loved the light and portable form factor here, as it is easy to maneuver and weighs just nine pounds and the fact that it includes the company’s proprietary Endura reusable and washable odor-trapping filter.
This vacuum does not ship with any bags, though they are not necessary for initial use, though they can be added for another level of filtration. Also, the power cord is lengthy but it is a non-retractable design, which can be annoying for certain consumers.
#8 Bissell Zing Bagged Vacuum
Award: BEST PORTABLE DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: Light and compact handheld design by Bissell that maximizes portability, with a dual-motor that excels on both hard and soft surface types and a handy indicator light that lets you know when a bag is nearly at maximum capacity.
- Telescoping wand for reach
- Automatic cord rewind feature
- Indicator light for when bags need to be replaced
- No brush roll
- Power cable is only 12 feet long
The Bissell Zing is a highly compact and portable vacuum cleaner that can easily operate in handheld mode, with a powerful motor that offers plenty of suction and the ability to instantly switch settings to accommodate hard and soft flooring types, so it excels with carpeting cleaning and hard floor cleaning. We loved the automatic cord rewind, which quickly retracts the power cable for convenience and the handy indicator light that lets consumers know when bags are close to maximum capacity.
While the suction with this vacuum by Bissell is exceptional, there is no embedded brush roll, which could impact how deeply it can penetrate into carpet fibers and the like. Additionally, the power cable, though retractable, is only 12 feet long, which is on the shorter side. For steam cleaning options, you might also like to check out our best wet and dry vacuum cleaners guide.
#9 Eureka Mighty Mite 3670 Bagged Vacuum
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Budget-conscious bagged vacuum with a robust feature set that includes a handy blower port, for dust dispersal, and ships with a number of useful attachments, including two extension wands.
- Includes handy blower port
- 2.5-liter dust cup capacity
- Extension wands are great for cobwebs
- Only ships with 1 bag installed
- Can be noisy during operation
The Eureka Mighty Mite 3670 comes in at a budget-friendly price while offering features in line with more expensive competitors, such as a highly useful blower port, for dispersing dust and debris before suction. We loved the larger-than-average 2.5-liter dust cup, which means you can go through several cleanings without having to dispose of and replace the bag. This best vacuum also ships with plenty of nifty attachments, including a pair of extension wands that are perfect for cleaning ceilings and cobwebs, in addition to standard floor cleaning.
This vacuum does only ship with one bag pre-installed, so we’d recommend purchasing a set of bags along with the vacuum itself. Also, the motor is powerful but noisy, particularly while operating on the higher setting.
#10 Miele Dynamic U1 Bagged Vacuum
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Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: High-quality upright vacuum with plenty of fantastic features, including a swivel neck for maneuvering and an ultra-powerful 1200 watt Vortex motor.
- Neck swivels for good maneuverability
- Ships with a number of useful attachments
- Powerful 1200 watt Vortex motor
- Non-retractable power cord
- Motor is noisy during use
Similar to the Bissell 9595A Cleanview bagless vacuum, the Miele Dynamic U1 is a fantastic all-around vacuum cleaner that will keep any area of the home clean, with a powerful 1200 watt Vortex motor that excels with both hard and soft surface types. The neck boasts a swivel design that makes it highly maneuverable and easy to slide underneath large pieces of furniture. We also loved the number of useful attachments and accessories this bagless vacuum ships with, including a telescopic suction wand. Since it’s so amazing, you probably wouldn’t want to bother with comparing bagged vacuums vs bagless ones.
Though the power cord is lengthy, it is a non-retractable design so you’ll have to wrap it up the old-fashioned way. Also, the powerful Vortex motor can produce a lot of noise during use, particularly at its higher settings. Still, it’s definitely one of the best vacuums for elderly users on our list.
How We Decided
To help narrow down to the above list, we took great care to only choose high-grade bagged vacuums that featured excellent seals to trap debris, small particles, and odors inside of the bag itself. We liked vacuums with powerful motors and suction power and those that could efficiently operate on a number of different flooring types, including carpeting and hardwood floors.
We liked vacuums with multi-level filtration systems that often included genuine HEPA filters to help eliminate over 99 percent of known allergens, bacteria, and other potentially harmful particles. We also admired vacuums that allowed for easy disposal, often ejecting the debris bag with just one push of a button or flip of a switch.
On the subject of power cables, we made sure that each and every vacuum on the above list boasted a lengthy power cable that helped to clean multiple rooms in the home without having to switch power outlets. We also enjoyed vacuums with retractable cords, for efficiency, and those that shipped with multiple attachments and accessories, such as crevice tools, dust brushes, lengthy hoses, and more. Paired with the best duster and you’ll have an allergen-free home.
Best Bagged Vacuum Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Motor and Suction
Whether your dream vacuum cleaner is a bagged or bagless design, the motor and associated suction power are both of paramount importance. The bagless model has a powerful suction motor to ensure that even the toughest dirt and debris do not escape. However, the motor must be durable and reliable to reach high levels of performance while preserving power.- Look for vacuum cleaners that feature durably made and high-grade motors that can operate with gusto or delicately, for the purposes of preventing accidental damage to delicate flooring types. Moreover, an expensive model can come with specialized attachments that are tailored to a specific type of vacuum or floor type.
- Often, vacuums can switch between different modes to suit different flooring types at the push of a button, so that could be something to look for as well. For example, if you have a high-pile carpet, then it’s important to purchase a vacuum model with a floor tool attachment that is specifically designed for carpets.
- Bags and Filtration
One of the best parts about a bagged vacuum cleaner is the bag itself. It collects dirt and debris, making for easy disposal. But when it comes to convenience, some people prefer a bagless canister vacuum or a cordless model. Stick vacuums are also great for quick clean-ups, as they are lightweight and easy to maneuver around furniture.- These bags often include high-quality filtration systems with integrated true HEPA filters for the purpose of eliminating 99.97 percent of harmful particles such as allergens and bacteria.
- Look for a vacuum with a genuine HEPA filter embedded in the bag. Some vacs also allow for non-touch emptying of the bag and related debris, often just with the push of an eject button.
- However, canister models tend to be the best vacuums for stairs, since you don’t have to deal with changing pesky bags.
- Additional Attachments
Many modern vacuum cleaners ship with all manner of useful attachments and accessories. These attachments include lengthy hoses, crevice tools, dust brushes, pet brushes, and more. These attachments can typically be easily plugged into the base of the vacuum, significantly increasing the versatility of your chosen vacuum. Even if a vacuum doesn’t ship with these accessories, they can typically integrate with third-party attachments, so be sure to read the fine print before making a purchase. You might want a fur-dedicated attachment if you’re a pet owner, or a vacuum dedicated to sucking up fur. If you find your pet’s fur winds up in hard-to-reach areas, an easy-to-use model like a cordless vacuum for pet hair might be a good fit for your household.
