Are bagless vacuums better?

2011-04-25T12:36:00.000-04:00

The number 1 question I am asked is "what do you think of bagless vacuums"?
Well the answer is I don't, and neither do most independent dealers and alot of consumer reviews are agreeing.
People may say "thats because you don't sell the bags" not true I sell the filters that are supposed to be replaced on most units every 3 or 6 months. 1 year of bags $15 1 year avg filters $60. Unfortunatley banging them out or blowing them out doesn't make them like new.
Second the leading bagless vacuum leaks 21x* more fine dust back into the air that never makes it to the filters.
Those fine particles settle into your lungs and can lead to heart and lung disease*. Now I'm not saying bagged vacuums don't leak dust they do. Only a very few vacuums retain all the dust,more on that another time.
Third bagless vacuums lose air flow as the filters get clogged (just like air handlers or car air filters) and as they get filled less air passes through so the vacuums ability to pick up dirt decreases. So you have to change or wash the filter, when you wash the filter (if you have one thats washable) you have to wait 24 hours for it to dry. They still have to be replaced eventually and they are even more expensive, up to $70 each. With bagged vacuums you have a larger surface area and when its full you just change the bag. No dumping the dust cup, no washing it out no cleaning filters just change and go.
Servicing bagless is also more expensive because they require it more often and are much more labor intensive.
In a nutshell if you live alone have no pets and a really clean house with no heavy traffic then a bagless may be right for you. The rest of us need a vacuum with a bag.
*http://www.mieleusa.com/products/benefits/filtration.asp?cat=1&subcat=1&benefit=116&nav=30&snav=24&tnav=26&oT=272

Bagless Vacuums or Not

Are bagless vacuums better?