32 Best Bagged Upright Vacuums of March 2021

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The Powerful Traditional Vacuum Cleaner

The bagged upright vacuum cleaner is by many people considered one of the best and most traditional types on the market. It is a great choice for those in need of a handy vacuum that is easy to use, as the handle is able to stand in an upright position, with the cord wrapped around its cord hook. Bagged upright vacuums usually come with a disposable dust bag, making it easy to remove and throw in the garbage can, without making any mess. Some models have a built-in bag though, and this type of bag needs to be emptied and reused. But in most cases the bagged upright vacuum comes with a disposable bag, and it is either made of paper or some sort of microfiber, making it a great choice for those suffering from dust allergy. In order to make a proper choice, it is recommended to read up on some of the main features of most bagged upright vacuums. There are many different models to choose from, so make sure to read this guide carefully, so you’re prepared to make the proper choice.

How Does a Bagged Upright Vacuum work?

In general, a bagged vacuum consists of three parts, presented from top to bottom: A handle, sometimes equipped with the on/off button, an upright canister containing the dust bag and motor, and the floor piece consisting of brushes and wheels. The upright canister is in most cases connected to the floor piece by a hose, which is detachable. The detachable hose can then be used with different attachments, e.g. a crevice tool, upholstery tool, and similar. That makes the bagged upright vacuum surprisingly versatile, despite its old fashioned design, which at first look seems as the opposite.

Bagged Upright Vacuum Reviews - Loved for Its Ability to Stand Upright

What most users love about the bagless upright vacuums - or any upright vacuum for that matter, is its ability to remain standing in an upright position without support. Most bagged upright vacuums have a floor piece, which is designed to keep the vacuum standing in an upright position with no support. Only a few models are made with a different design, usually a more space saving design, which makes it unable to stand. The best bagged upright vacuums are usually able to stand upright though, since this is one of its key features.

Push It Rather Than Drag It

What really makes this type of vacuum stand out, is the way it’s handled. Where canister vacuums are made to be dragged after you, the upright models are made to be pushed in front of you. That way you always have a great overview of everything, and you don’t have to keep an eye out for the canister, to avoid it bumping into your furniture.

How to Handle Your Bagged Upright Vacuum

Bagged upright vacuums are usually quite simple to handle, and don’t have a lot of different features. This is also one of the reasons why it’s considered one of the best types of vacuum cleaners for private homes, because it has fewer exposed parts, and therefore is less likely to break down. There’s usually just an on/off switch, and some models have the ability to adjust the level of suction too. They are easily pushed forward and backwards, and underneath the floor piece a rotating brush makes sure to get all the way down your carpet fibres. When it’s time to replace the dust bag, your vacuum will usually alarm you of the bag being full. Most models have a small indicator, which lights up when it’s full. And then you simply open the canister, and you can carefully remove the dust bag. Afterwards it’s as simple as putting in a new dust bag, and you can continue vacuuming.

Things to Consider Before Choosing

Bagged upright vacuums are available at different prices, ranging from under $100 and up. It goes without saying that the more you pay, the more you get. Some of the best bagged upright vacuums are within the $200 and up segment, but some cheaper models are great as well. However, it is worth considering what you actually need, before making your choice. Here are some of the most important features to consider:

• Best attachments – The best accessories to look for is a crevice tool, extension wand and an upholstery brush. The crevice tool is a long narrow tool that will allow you to detach the hose from the vacuum and be able to reach those narrow corners and crevices in your home. The extension wand is to help you reach up higher, when using the hose for something other than your floors. And finally, the upholstery brush is the attachment to use for vacuuming your furniture and other fabrics, great for people with pets. Some upright vacuums don’t come with any attachments, and are therefore solely made for vacuuming floors. Some models don’t have a hose, but sucks the dust and debris directly from the floor attachment to the dust bag - making it both more efficient, but also limits its functionality.
• Bag capacity – Bagged upright vacuums come with dust bags in many different sizes. The bigger your house is, the bigger capacity you should choose. For small homes a bag capacity of 0,5 gallons might be sufficient, but in a bigger house, or houses with pets, you should consider a bagged upright vacuum with a bigger dust bag of 1 gallon or mere.
• Cord length – Because most upright vacuums come with power cords, it’s important to look for one with a longer one. That way you won’t have to switch outlets more than necessary. 30-foot cords and above will allow you to vacuum multiple rooms without having to unplug, making the vacuuming much easier and quicker. Some bagged upright vacuums even come with 50 feet of power cord or more, but you should also keep in mind that you have to wrap it up after each use - and the longer the power cord is, the longer it takes to wrap it up.
• Accessory storage (internal/external) – Because it’s quite large in size you want to look for one with the accessories attached to it. That way it won’t take up much space and you won’t misplace them. Also they will be on hand whenever you are vacuuming and you may need it on the spot! If the vacuum you choose does not have the accessories attached, make sure you keep them all together maybe in a box next to where you store your vacuum, or in your designated “cleaning tools” closet. The most practical solution is to have your accessories properly stored in a designated internal room of your vacuum, but otherwise it might work great if kept on the outside of the vacuum.
• Weight and dimensions – The upright vacuum is a bit on the heavier side as they average at around 20 lbs. The motor on it is much larger, making it bulkier but also more powerful. The size of it also makes it a bit harder to maneuver and probably won’t be easy to use when needing to vacuum underneath furniture. Some bagged upright vacuums are much lighter though, with some weighing as little as 8 pounds or even less! You just have to bare in mind that those lightweight models often come with a smaller dust bag and less power. The height is often adjustable, making it a great vacuum for tall people and/or those with back problems. The cleaning path is much wider and on average is about 13″. Keep in mind that some cheaper versions will have a much smaller cleaning path and you will therefore have more work to do.
• Price range – The price is quite reasonable for a decent bagged upright vacuum. Expect around $100-$200, but know that there are many more expensive options on the market as well, which will most likely have more features or attachments. Depending on your needs, it is worth considering a realistic budget. For small homes a $100 model might be sufficient, but as soon as you need to pick up pet hair or vacuum larger areas, you should go for a more expensive model with more features.

Bagged Upright Vacuums - Pros and Cons

For those in need of a quick overview, here are the most important pros and cons of bagged upright vacuums:

Pros:

• Great on most surfaces (carpets, hardwood floors and tile)
• Wide cleaning path
• No bending down to lift the canister, as it is always in an upright position
• Good for deep cleaning carpets
• More powerful cleaning

Cons:

• Heavier and bulkier than other models
• Noise level can be quite high
• Harder to maneuver in narrow spaces and around corners
• Power cord is usually not automatically retractable
• Requires a bit of adjustment, to be used on other areas besides floors

Facts About Bagged Upright Vacuums

Down below are some of the questions about bagged upright vacuums, we’ve came across. Feel free to contact us directly, if you have any questions that aren’t answered below.

Why should I choose a bagged upright vacuum?

Bagged upright vacuums are great for those who want a simple and traditional vacuum cleaner, that gets the job done without too much fuzz. Most models work great on both hard floors and low- to medium-pile carpets, and area rugs. You might even be able to find models that haven’t changed their design in decades, simply because they work well enough to not even need a new design.

Upright vacuum vs. canister vacuum - which is best?

There are as many different opinions about this, as there are people. However, the preferred vacuum cleaner type is the upright vacuum, and most people seem to prefer this type over the canister vacuum. This is not necessarily indicating that canister vacuums are bad, but usually people just find the upright vacuum more convenient due to its design. The bagged upright vacuum is always at the ready and has a simple design, which is great for those non-tech-savvy persons, who just want a proper vacuum that gets the job done.

Do more amps mean more powerful suction?

No. This is a common misunderstanding. More amps don’t mean more suction, it’s just an indication of how much energy the vacuum consumes. The most correct way to measure a vacuums suction power, is by measuring the flow of air by the amount of cubic feet per minute. Some manufacturers specify the CFM on their vacuum cleaners, but this isn’t always measured the way it should be, and it is usually highlighted as an “up to”-value, meaning the value might be inflated or measured directly from the intake of the motor, resulting in an inaccurate measurement.

There’s an issue with my upright vacuum - should I fix it or buy a new one?

Some bagged upright vacuums have spare parts available from authorized dealers, and you might even be able to find an authorized repair shop nearby, where you can have your vacuum cleaner fixed at a reasonable price. It is always worth researching and checking up on this before buying a whole new vacuum cleaner.

Should I choose a model with a permanent dust bag, or a disposable dust bag?

Most bagged upright vacuums come with a canister for disposable dust bags, but some models have a permanent dust bag, that detaches from the vacuum cleaner and is emptied directly in a garbage can. While disposable dust bags are a more hygienic choice, the permanent dust bag is definitely the most economical choice. The permanent dust bag is best emptied in a garbage can outside though, as it might cause a bit of a mess if you try emptying it in a small garbage can inside.

Why are disposable dust bags so expensive? After all, they are just paper, right?

Disposable dust bags are usually made from either paper or microfiber, with both models being able to circulate air through them. Due to the nature of the vacuum, the material needs to allow a decent airflow, otherwise the vacuum cleaner won’t work. It needs to retain the dust as well, which is why they usually are a bit expensive. You might be lucky to find a great deal on vacuum bags online or from a local store, which will save you money in the long run.

Are bagged upright vacuums suitable for the elderly?

Yes, they definitely are. Bagged upright vacuums are available in both lightweight and heavy duty versions, and for the elderly a lightweight version is highly recommended. Due to its upright position, they never have to pick up the vacuum from the floor, and it doesn’t need to be carried either. Just push it along the floor, and let the vacuum do the work. As easy as that!

Do all bagged upright vacuums get under furniture?

Most bagged upright vacuums are able to lie completely flat, but some models aren’t. The upright vacuum cleaner isn’t made to get underneath tight spaces, but most models are definitely able to go under most sofas, beds and similar.

Are bagged upright vacuums recommended for pet owners?

While upright vacuums are a great choice for pet owners, you might want to consider a bagless model over a bagged one. As you may know, bags fill up, and you’ll have to buy new ones all the time - and make sure you always stock new bags. So, while the vacuum itself is probably very efficient against pet hair, you should rather opt for a bagless model, due to its cost efficiency over time.