“a consumer reports for the cheap” — the new york times
Home » Home & Garden » Vacuum Cleaners » Bagless Vacuum Cleaners
Subscribe

Bagless Vacuum Cleaners, HEPA Vacuum Cleaners

Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$60
$150
$500
...+
In this review:
  1. Cheap Vacuum Cleaners, Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaner
  2. Bagless Vacuum Cleaners, HEPA Vacuum Cleaners
  3. Light Vacuums, Vacuum Accessories
  4. Vacuum Cleaner Reviews
  5. Vacuum Deals
  6. Discount Vacuum Cleaners Features Comparison Table
Sign up for our
Free Newsletter
Related Guides: Canister Vacuums, Handheld Vacuums and Robotic Vacuum Cleaners

Vacuum Cleaner Features

Upright Vacuums Bagless Design.

Bagless Vacuum Cleaners were once only manufactured by the higher-end companies, like Dyson. But now this feature has migrated down to the cheap upright vacuum segment.
Ease of use with bagless vacuum cleaners is a no-brainer -- just empty the receptacle holding the dirt into the garbage and forget about changing and buying more bags. Cleaning out the cup requires some care, however, otherwise the dust and dirt you've just trapped will quickly disperse back into the air (note that the filter requires frequent cleaning). The Bissell 3950 Velocity and Dirt Devil M088160 Breeze are the best cheap bagless vacuum cleaners that we found; the Eureka 4700 and Kenmore 3701 are also bagless models.

Even with a superior filter, bagless vacuum cleaners don't always capture all the allergens flowing through the filter, especially if the filter isn't clean. This is why manufacturers still produce low-priced upright vacuums with bags that need changing when full. Of the cheap upright vacuums, specs for the Hoover U5140-900 Tempo claim a filtration system that grabs 100% of dust mites and 99.98% of common pollens. The Eureka 4870 Boss SmartVac is the other bagged model among our top picks.

Low-Cost Upright Vacuums Filtration.

When it comes to keeping your home clean, high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration is a highly desirable feature in any cheap vacuum cleaner. HEPA filters, dating to the late 1940s, traps more than 99.97% of the dust, bacteria, pollen, and other assorted nasty particles that zip through the filter. The Bissell 3950 Velocity Bagless (starting at $130, Amazon), Eureka 4870 Boss SmartVac (starting at $120, Amazon), and Kenmore 11 Amp Upright Vacuum 3701 (starting at $100) are all HEPA vacuum cleaners . The Hoover U5140-900 Tempo WidePath Bagged Upright (starting at $79, Amazon) and the Dirt Devil M088160 Breeze Upright Bagless (starting at $48, Amazon) have different filtration systems that trap at least 99% of harmful airborne particles. Specifications we found for the Eureka Upright Vacuum Bagless 4700 (starting at $60, Amazon) simply state it traps dust, dirt, and other small particles.

Inexpensive Vacuums Cleaning Path.

The Hoover U5140-900 Tempo, Bissell 3950 Velocity, Kenmore 3701, and Eureka 4870 Boss SmartVac all feature a wide 15-inch cleaning path, which is two inches wider than the Dirt Devil M088160 Breeze and the Eureka 4700. Why does cleaning path matter? Well, a broad path design requires fewer "sweeps" across the floor and is ideal for large carpeted or bare floors. The downside, though, is that wide-path machines don't work as well in smaller rooms with tighter fits and more furniture; smaller cleaning paths are easier to maneuver around table legs, chairs, and sofas.

Review continues below

by Raechel Conover (Google+ Profile)

Back to top »

Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaners

Bissell 3950 Velocity Bagless

Read why »
Where to buy

Eureka 4870 Boss Smartvac

Read why »
Where to buy

Good Inexpensive Upright Vacuums

Hoover U5140-900 Tempo Widepath Bagged Upright

Where to buy

Dirt Devil M088160 Breeze Upright Bagless

Where to buy
 
 
Cheapism.com on Facebook
 

Don't Bother Cheap Upright Vacuums

Euro-Pro NV30 Infinity Bagless Cyclonic

Although this upright entry in the cheap market segment is described in user reviews as stylish, the consensus is that this is a poor performer with both function and design issues.

Eureka 2996AVZ Bagless

At first blush, this bagless model has all the needed features, including a HEPA filtration system, but user reviews of economical uprights complain about weak suction.

Eureka Upright Vacuum Bagless 4700

Users complain that the Eureka Upright Bagless 4700 overheats easily and needs to cool for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming again; they also report the hose tends to clog. This model has a narrow 13-inch cleaning path wide, 25-foot power cord, and weighs 17.5 pounds.

Kenmore 11 Amp Upright Vacuum 3701

Clogging and poor suction are the main gripes consumers have with the Kenmore 11 Amp Upright 3701. This bagless vacuum weighs 19.5 pounds, includes a HEPA filtration system and eight-foot hose, and cuts a 15-inch cleaning path.

 
Weekly Update: Cheap Compost Bin Recommendations, What to Buy in May and More

April showers bring May flowers, and savings are already sprouting. ...

8 Tips For Landscaping on the Cheap

Since most people will judge your home by it's landscaping, why not spruce it up with these cheap gardening ideas.

Weekly Update: Cheap Hiking Boots Recommendations, Cut Baby Costs and More

April is National Car Care Month, so protect your investment and save money down the road. ...