Best Bagless Vacuum Cleaner

In this comparison, we’ll be looking at some of the best bagless vacuums available.

When you think of bagless, the first thing that comes to mind is a Dyson vacuum.

But other options clean as well as a Dyson, and I’ll lay out the options in tiers since comparing everything in an even field won’t be fair.

Here’s an overview of the best bagless vacuums.

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Best High-End Options

Best Mid-Priced Options

 

Budget Options

How to choose a bagless vacuum?

To help you with the selection process, I’ve outline some must-have features bagless vacuums should have.

1. Price

The first consideration before purchasing any bagless vacuum is your budget. How much are you willing to spend?

Setting a cutoff point, or at least a range, will eliminate options that are out of it. This will save you time and effort researching the other aspects to consider.

2. Enough Airflow

There’s a correlation between airflow and cleaning performance.

The higher the airflow, the better a vacuum will likely clean the floors. This feature is more critical on carpets than on hard surfaces because the vacuum needs enough suction to pick up embedded dirt.

On hard floors, airflow isn’t as crucial with newer technology that utilizes a soft roller.

3. Brush roll design

Another aspect to look at in a bagless vacuum is the brush roll design.

Choosing one will depend on the type of floors you have. For hard surfaces, I would suggest going for an option with a soft roller attachment like the Dyson V8 or V10.

A better alternative, in my opinion, is the Duo Clean brush roll of Shark.

Inside homes with carpet, looking for a brush roll with stiff bristles. The thicker the extractor, the better it is at agitating dirt on carpet.

Chunkier beater bars are also more resistant to hair tangles. That’s what I noticed in cleaning tests with long strands of hair over seven inches.

4. Steering

One underrated feature to consider is how the vacuum steers. Poor steering makes it harder to go around furniture and compromises the user experience.

Dyson products are among the best when it comes to steering, thanks to the Ball system. I’m not saying this because they sponsor me, but I’ve tried numerous products, and Dyson is the best so far.

Their products steer with sharpness and responsiveness I don’t see in other brands. Even their upright vacuums steer well despite the bulk.

5. Filtration

I’ll cut through the fluff. Cheap bagless vacuums don’t filter well. Most brands utilize inferior components to bring costs down.

There are exceptions to the rule like the Shark Navigator upright with its sealed system.

If filtration is a consideration, go with a mid-priced vacuum with a HEPA filter.

6. Availability of Parts

I’ve seen an influx of stick vacuums flooding the market in the lower price bracket. I wouldn’t rush to buy these products because you don’t know if the company will still be around five, ten years from now.

And with that is the availability of parts. These include consumables like filters and brushes to harder to find components like motor and battery.

One reason why I recommend popular brands is the availability of parts. You can easily find Dyson or Shark components on sites like Amazon and Walmart. Harder to find parts are available on eBay.

7. Warranty

Also, look at the length of coverage. Most premium brands like Dyson offer a 5-year warranty. Even mid-priced options like Shark overdeliver in this area, also with a 5-year warranty.

High-end options

The options here range between $400 and up. All offer high airflow, lengthy run times, and excellent performance on carpet.

You’ll notice I did not put any Dyson uprights in this category because I think their cordless products offer more versatility and flexibility in terms of the type of surface it can clean.

Best Overall: Dyson V11 Outsize

Pros

• Outstanding suction: The Outsize of officially the most powerful cordless stick vacuum available right now.
• Large dust bin: It can hold up to 0.5 gallons of dry dirt or 1.89 liters!
• Long run time: Despite the high airflow, Dyson extended the run time further in the Outsize – up to 120 minutes from the two batteries.
• Wide brush: It’s 25% wider than the Torque Drive at 12.5 inches.
• Deep cleans carpet: The Outsize and the V11 Torque Drive are the two cordless vacuums I’d recommend cleaning embedded dirt on carpet.
• Detachable battery: Removing the battery is simple – push the lever and out it slides.

Cons

• Very expensive: One of the most costly options available.
• Heavy: The Outsize weighs 7.85 pounds, with most of it at the top. It can be tiring to use for an extended period.

The V11 Outsize is Dyson’s best and most powerful cordless stick vacuum to date. It has monstrous airflow with up to 58 CFM at the cleaning nozzle – the highest of all cordless and bagless stick vacuums so far.

Everything in the Outsize is upsized, hence the name. It has a larger dust bin – 120% more than the already spacious V11 Torque Drive. The main nozzle is 25% wider, with two adjustable gates so that it can clean small and large debris on different surfaces.

The high airflow and suction make the Outsize one of the best cordless vacuums in cleaning debris hiding under carpet strands. It picked up 100% in deep cleaning tests, the same as the V11 Torque Drive.

But the difference is the Outsize has a longer running battery with a run time of up to 120 minutes (from the two batteries combined) in the lowest setting.

Please note you’ll have to get the option with the red tube that comes with the two batteries.

Also, the battery is detachable with a push of a button, so it’s easier to replace it.

This battery upgrade makes the Outsize a true cord-free upright option capable of whole-house cleaning in one charge.

Bottom line

The V11 Outsize is the best cord-free bagless vacuum when you factor in everything in the buyer’s guide section. It checks all the boxes except for the price. This option is one of a select few cord-free products capable of cleaning embedded dirt. If you’re looking for an upright minus the cord – the V11 Outsize is a strong consideration.

Best Corded Stick Option: Shark APEX Uplight

Pros

• Picks up anything: Shark’s Duo Clean technology is outstanding at picking up debris on hard floor and carpet.
• Resists tangles: Behind the brush roll are combs that help this vacuum resist hair tangles up to 14 inches.
• High airflow: The streamlined design minimizes bends, increasing efficiency, and airflow of up to 54 CFM at the cleaning head.
• Self-Standing: You can store this stick vacuum upright thanks to the wheels that pop out.
• Fully sealed: It has Shark’s anti-allergen complete seal, and allergens won’t leak during operation.
• Extendable hose: There’s an extendable hose in its handheld configuration, making it easier to maneuver around upholstery inside your home or vehicle.
• LED headlights: Helps with visibility.

Cons

• Corded: The APEX series has a cord, so you’ll have to find an outlet to use it.
• Top-heavy: Most of the weight is on top with the motor and dust bin situated in this area. It weighs a little over ten pounds, making it a bit heavy to move around.

One of the more unique options in this list is the Shark APEX uplight. It looks like a traditional stick vacuum, but Shark put in a tweak enabling it to stand independently without the need for a dock.

Behind the main cleaning head are wheels that come out when you push the handle upright.

It’s only a small tweak but provides a lot of convenience to the end-user.

Please note that the APEX Uplight is different from the APEX Upright. The latter is Shark’s latest upright vacuum line that has the Duo Clean and Zero-M nozzle. In contrast, this model is a stick vacuum with the same type of cleaning head.

It provides the same excellent debris pick up as with other Shark vacuums with Duo Clean, but since this model has a cord, it isn’t hampered by the battery.

The APEX Uplight has great suction and airflow, with up to 54 CFM at the nozzle and 66 CFM at the hose. High numbers for a stick vacuum and better than most cordless stick vacuums.

This high airflow enables this product to pick up embedded dirt better than any Shark cordless like the ION P50 with a 98% score in the deep cleaning test.

Usability is also another plus point thanks to the extendable hose where you can plug in the different attachments – powered and non-powered.

Bottom line

The Shark APEX Upright is an excellent option for consumers who want a versatile stick vacuum with the versatility to clean floors and zones above it. If you don’t mind not having the cord, you can easily save a few hundred dollars with this option.

Lightweight Option: Dyson V8 Absolute

Pros

• Lightweight: The V8 is one of the lightest options and the best in handheld usability.
• Excellent steering: Another benefit of the lightweight frame is the light and responsive steering.
• Great on various surfaces: The Absolute comes with the soft roller and direct drive attachments making it a great option inside smaller homes with these types of surfaces.
• Decent at deep cleaning carpet: It has enough suction to deep clean carpet. Not as good as the V11 Torque Drive or Outsize, but decent for daily cleaning tasks.
• Cheaper than the V11 Outsize: The V8 is much less expensive than the Outsize.
• Hygienic bin: Disposing of dirt is easy with the hygienic mechanism.

Cons

• Small dirt capacity: It can only hold up to 0.54 liters of dirt.
• Average run-time: With the main nozzle, it runs for up to 33 minutes in the lowest setting.

Even if the V8 Absolute is an older model, there’s still a lot to like about it.

First, the small frame and lightweight design enable it to be highly maneuverable. It may not be as compact as the V7, but it runs longer, so it’s a good compromise.

Second, it’s the option I’d choose if you want to use it as a handheld.

Lastly is the price. The V8 Absolute is a few hundred dollars cheaper than the V11 Outsize. It won’t clean as well as the Outsize, but it’s much better to use as a handheld.

Bottom line

The Dyson V8 Absolute’s compact size makes it an ideal option inside small homes where space is a premium. It’s one of Dyson’s lightest options with attachments for cleaning hard floor and carpet well.

Mid-Priced Options

The next tier we’ll be looking at are the mid-priced alternatives. These vacuums range between $200 and $400. Build quality is still good as well as cleaning performance. But the cordless vacuum here won’t match their premium counterparts with power.

Best for Hard Floors: Shark APEX Upright with Zero-M

Pros

• High suction: The APEX Upright has lots of suction and airflow with over 101 inches of water lift, higher than more premium brands like the Miele U1 and Dyson Ball Animal 2.
• Excellent debris pick up: Duo Clean and the high suction enable this product to clean surface and embedded dirt very well.
• Large dust bin: The dust receptacle is generous with a 1.5-quart capacity.
• Bright LED lights: This model comes with LED lights on the nozzle and wand.
• Zero-M: Protruding fangs behind the brush roll that untangle hair wrapping on it.
• Sealed filtration: It has a fully sealed filtration and one of the least expensive options with such.

Cons

• Heavy: The APEX upright tips the scales at 17 pounds, but compared to other brands (Miele and Dyson), it’s at the lower end of the spectrum.

Topping the mid-priced option is the Shark APEX Upright. It’s not Shark’s latest, but the price drop is a big reason I put it here.

This product is one of the better performing upright. The beauty of the Duo Clean nozzle is its ability to pick up any sized debris in its path.

Regardless of size, as long as it fits the intake, it gobbles stuff up. Only Shark has this technology because it has a patent on it.

There are variations with the Duo Clean head, but all are excellent at surface debris pick up on hard floor and carpet.

The Zero-M technology will resist hair tangles up to 14 inches, so it’s an ideal option if you live with someone who has long hair.

It can also pick up debris under carpet strands with a 96% score in the deep cleaning test. It won’t do as well as a V11 Outsize, but it’s much cheaper.

Bottom line

Consider the Shark APEX Upright if you live in a home with a mix of hard floors and carpets thanks to the Duo Clean nozzle with Zero-M. It can pick up even large quantities of debris without clogging and does so with efficiency. The Lift-Away feature enables using the main nozzle without the bulky container, so it’ll go deep under furniture, better than any upright.

Lightweight option: Dyson V7 Motorhead

Pros

• Lightest Dyson stick vacuum: The V7 Motorhead is the lightest Dyson cord-free product at just 5.45 pounds.
• Excellent as a handheld: It’s the best option if you want to use it extensively as a handheld.
• Maneuvers well: Easily avoid furniture thanks to the compact size and responsive steering.
• Easy to empty: The hygienic system makes the disposing of dirt straightforward.
• Great on carpet: It has excellent cleaning performance on carpet making clean passes.

Cons

• Small dust container: It can only hold 0.53 liters of dirt.
• Short run time: The V7 will run for up to 32 minutes with the crevice tool and 27 minutes with the cleaning head.

Next in the list is a lightweight stick vacuum – the Dyson V7 Motorhead.

What it lacks in run time, it makes up for by being the most compact option. I’ve tested the V7 extensively, and I found it to be exceptional at avoiding furniture.

I like Dyson vacuums because of the responsive steering, and the V7’s compact size amplifies this strength.

It doesn’t matter what surface you’re vacuuming; it will turn on a dime with the slightest twist of your wrist.

One downside, though, is the short run time. This stick vacuum will only run for 27 minutes with the main nozzle in the lowest setting.

Not an issue inside small homes, but it’s something to take into consideration.

The Motorhead model I’m recommending here is great for cleaning carpets and decent at cleaning embedded sand (94.93%).

For homes with hard surfaces, the V7 Fluffy would be the better alternative as it comes with the soft roller attachment.

Bottom line

Owners of small homes will benefit most from the compact size of the V7 Motorhead. The lightweight feature and responsive steering will avoid tight spaces better than any vacuum on this list. Make sure to choose the right model based on surface type.

Versatile Option: Tineco A11 Master

Pros

• Lots of tools: Tineco over-delivers in this category with more than ten tools out of the box.
• 2X Detachable battery: The Master+ comes with two detachable Li-ion batteries.
• LED headlights: Both cleaning heads have a row of LED lights for added visibility.
• Great on any surface: The soft roller and standard brush roll can clean debris on surfaces like tile, hardwood, and carpet.
• Excellent above floor reach: The A11 comes with several attachments that extend the reach to more than 10 feet above the ground. So it’s something to consider if you need to clean high ceiling homes.

Cons

• Sub-par steering: It lacks responsiveness and not as sharp as a Dyson.
• Run time could be longer: The run time per battery is average (only 25 minutes with the cleaning nozzle).
• Filter soils quickly: You’ll need to clean the pre-motor filter often –twice or thrice per month.

Tineco is unique as it provides users with a bunch of attachments and then some – a total of 13.

None of the other brands come close to it with their tool offering.

Shark comes close, but you’ll have to pay extra to get more.

As with performance, the A11 did not disappoint. It scored one of the highest marks in the cleaning tests and had slightly better results than the more expensive V8 Absolute. But it shouldn’t be the deciding factor between the two. Choosing one will depend on your preference.

The V8 Absolute has better steering, while the A11 Master is cheaper, has more tools, and a detachable battery.

Bottom line

Tineco offers consumers a more cost-effective alternative to Dyson products, and the A11 Master is an excellent example. It provides comparable cleaning performance to the V8, with more tools but inferior steering and filtration. If you don’t mind these drawbacks, it’s an excellent alternative to consider.

Budget Options

The last tier in this comparison is the budget bagless alternatives below $200. I’m hesitant to recommend anything below $100, as most products in that range have inadequate filtration and will leak allergens.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away

Pros

• Least expensive with a sealed system: Shark’s NV350 series is the cheapest upright with a sealed filtration system.
• High airflow: It has up to 61 CFM at the nozzle, more than some commercial vacuums like the Oreck XL.
• Open dust bin design: The dust container opens at both sides, making it easy to empty and maintain.
• Cleans dirt deep down on carpet: Thanks to the high airflow and excellent brush design, it picked up 100% of sand in the deep cleaning test.
• Brush on/off: One of a few uprights in this budget range with an on/off brush switch. This feature makes this usable even on hard floors.
• Easy to use wand: Pulling out the wand is quick and easy just in case you need to reach clean hard to reach zones.
• Lightweight: The 13-pound weight is on the lighter side of the spectrum versus other uprights.

Cons

• Plastic construction: Most of the components in this vacuum are plastic that may wear out. But parts are abundant, and the use of it contributes to its light frame.
• It struggles to go under furniture: The bulky frame limits its reach cleaning underneath furniture.

Despite being a ten-year-old model, the Shark Navigator NV350 series is still a popular option in stores like Amazon.

There’s a good reason why.

It’s the unique combination of high-end cleaning performance, filtration, and usability lacking in other brands two or three times more expensive.

This model is the least expensive option in this list with a fully sealed system, meaning it won’t leak dust and allergens you’re trying to clean.

Cleaning ability is another strong point thanks to the option to turn off the brush roll – something not present in other brands.

This addition makes the Navigator NV-300 series usable on carpet where it can pick up to Cheerios-sized debris.

The design is highly intuitive and user friendly. For example, detaching the hose is a straightforward two-step process. There’s no need to detach or reattach anything other than the wand.

You can easily clean upholstery or tight zones in-between furniture with minimal effort.

Bottom line

It’s hard to beat what the Shark Navigator NV-300 series brings. Not many other uprights have their combination of filtration, cleaning performance, steering, and user-friendliness in the budget category.

Jashen V16

Pros

• Decent run time: Lasted for up to 44 minutes using non-powered tools in the lowest setting
• Detachable battery: The battery is easily removed.
• Adjustable gate: The whole front end of the cleaning head is adjustable, so debris large and small fits through.
• Cheaper than a Dyson: It costs a third of a Dyson V8.
• Dual charging dock: Charges both batteries simultaneously.

Cons

• Subpar steering: It doesn’t steer as well as a Dyson vacuum since it uses the same steering component as Tineco products.
• Loud: I tested it with a sound meter and it reached up to 76 decibels.

Another option you should consider in this category is the Jashen V16 cordless. It’s a relatively new brand, but I’ve gotten pretty decent results with it in all the tests.

Unlike the Dyson V10 and V11 where only a tiny portion of the nozzle has gates, Jashen’s whole front is adjustable.

You can use this on small to large bits of debris. However, the narrow pathway makes it prone to clogging.

The finish isn’t as polished as a Dyson, but don’t expect much because this is a budget product.

It was decent in deep cleaning tests, picking up 87%.

Run time is decent – up to 44 minutes with the combination tool and 38 minutes with the main nozzle.

Behind the battery is a large LED screen that shows the power mode and battery status. The white text on the black background provides excellent contrast.

Steering is a bit disappointing, in my opinion, as it lacks responsiveness and feel. It uses the same steering mechanism as Tineco, so expect the same results.

Bottom line

Jashen is a good budget alternative to a Dyson if you need something with similar versatility. It won’t clean as well as a Dyson, but the results aren’t that far off. Dyson does have better steering and build quality, but Jashen is much cheaper. It’s a trade-off that you should consider.

MOOSOO K17

Pros

• Cheap: The K17 is the most affordable option of the bagless options here.
• Decent at deep cleaning carpet: It scored a respectable 88% in picking up embedded sand.
• Lightweight: Weighs less than 5 pounds.
• Detachable battery: The battery is removable, so replacing it is easy.
• Resists tangles: This model is the best of all MOOSOO cordless vacuums at resisting hair tangles.

Cons

• Not sealed: Fog tests reveal that the K17 will leak. It doesn’t have a fully sealed filtration.

The MOOSOO K17 is another popular budget option in Amazon and for a good reason.

It has decent suction and airflow, making it one of the better budget cord-free options.

This model is the best of all the MOOSOO stick vacuums, resisting tangles thanks to the chunkier brush.

The K17 is lighter and more compact than the Dyson V7, but it also doesn’t steer. Its compact frame makes it ideal for handheld use if it is a high priority for you.

Filtration also isn’t up to par as it leaked in the fog tests.

Bottom line

The MOOSOO K17 is another decent cheap alternative with decent cleaning performance for consumers looking for a cordless vacuum at the $100 to $150 range.

Where can I buy these bagless vacuums?

You can buy these products from online stores like Amazon and Walmart. Check the links below for the latest prices.

Premium options

• Dyson V11 Outsize on Amazon
• Shark APEX Uplight on Amazon
• Dyson V8 Absolute on Amazon

Mid-priced options

• Shark APEX Upright (w/Zero-M) on Amazon and Walmart.
• Dyson V7 Motorhead on Amazon and Walmart.
• Tineco A11 Master on Amazon.

Budget options

• Shark Navigator NV352 on Amazon
• Jashen V16 on Amazon.
• Moosoo K17 on Amazon.

Disclaimer: I’ll earn a commission if you purchase through any of the links above, but at no extra cost to you, so it’s a win-win for both of us!

What is the best bagless vacuum in the market?

Choosing the right bagless vacuum will depend on several aspects I highlighted in the buyer’s guide section.

First, you’ll have to determine the budget then move on to the other features I mentioned.

The Dyson V11 Outsize is the best option for folks looking for a cord-free vacuum capable of deep cleaning carpet. It’s the best when you factor in the run time, cleaning performance, bin capacity, and steering.

It’s not very useful as a handheld because of its enormous frame, but as a stick vacuum, it’s as good as it gets.

The Shark APEX Uplight is another option to consider if you don’t mind vacuuming with a cord. This product will work best on hard floors thanks to the Duo Clean nozzle. It’s also great for cleaning long strands of hair with the Zero-M feature.

For those on a budget, it’s hard to beat the Shark Navigator NV352. It’s the only vacuum I’ve seen with a sealed system at its price bracket. You can use this on hard floors and carpets thanks to the brush on/off switch, and quite good at both surfaces.