If you don't want to deal with the hassle of replacing a dirtbag in your vacuum, there's no shortage of bagless options on the market. Unlike bagged models, these vacuums have plastic dirt compartments and use filters to prevent dust from drifting back into the air. The downside? Allergy sufferers should be aware that bagless vacuums produce a cloud of dust when you empty them; see our investigative article on the topic to learn more. With this in mind, the best bagless vacuums have excellent filtration systems, a good blend of performance and maneuverability, and come with a wide array of attachments.
We've tested over 110 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best bagless vacuums. We selected these picks based on their performance, design, build quality, and price. If you want to make a choice yourself, here's a quick rundown of what to look for using our lab testing and scoring:
- Debris Pickup: A score of 7.5+ indicates good all-around pickup across surface types, though lower-scoring models can still work well for light-duty cleaning or smaller messes.
- Air Quality: Look for an 8.0+ score in Particle Filtration to reduce how much fine dust and allergens escape while cleaning.
- Floorhead Design: Turbo brushes for homes with low to medium-pile carpeting, motorized powerheads for thicker carpets, straight suction for bare flooring.
If you're interested in a more detailed breakdown, see our buyer's guide below. For more, see our lists of the best vacuums and the best cordless vacuums, or compare these recommendations to the best bagged vacuums.
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Best Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
House7.4Small Apartment8.7Stairs8.5Air Quality8.1Hard Floor Pickup8.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup8.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup7.5See all our test resultsBuild Quality6.5The best bagless vacuum we've tested is the Dyson V15 Detect. This cordless stick vacuum easily cleans everything from pet hair to small and large debris on nearly any surface. Its surface-detection system also automatically adjusts suction power based on what you're cleaning; just know that its strong suction can make it drag around some lighter rugs. Allergy sufferers and pet owners will appreciate this vacuum's excellent filtration system, which helps maintain good air quality in your home or apartment by keeping dust and pet dander out of the air as you vacuum. In terms of performance, the fluffy roller head wipes bare floors clean, while the separate bristled brushroll works well on carpets and is especially effective on pet hair.
A nice perk of this vacuum is the included wall bracket, which has slots for many of the accessories, making storage a breeze, especially if you live in an apartment and are tight on space. Run time may be an issue depending on your needs. It tops out at a respectable 70 minutes, but it won't be sufficient if you have to clean a larger house and use the high-power 'Boost' mode, as this drops the run time well below 10 minutes. There are a few other issues, too. Unfortunately, its build quality is just alright, which is disappointing for a vacuum at this premium price point. Additionally, the dirt compartment is fairly small, so you'll need to empty it frequently.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Bagless Vacuum
House7.7Small Apartment8.5Stairs8.1Air Quality8.6Hard Floor Pickup7.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup6.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup6.5See all our test resultsBuild Quality8.0If you're looking for something a little less expensive and don't mind sacrificing some performance for a more solidly built vacuum, consider the Miele Duoflex HX1. This stick vacuum lags a little behind the Dyson V15 Detect when it comes to single-pass performance due to its weaker motor, so when dealing with bigger messes, you'll likely have to go over the same spot more than once to get every last bit of debris. That said, this unit's high-grade plastic chassis feels considerably more premium than the Dyson's. Its less powerful motor also pays dividends while cleaning thicker area rugs. Unlike the Dyson, it isn't liable to getting stuck and dragging lighter rugs around. Its standard powerhead features a surface sensor that automatically adjusts the speed of the multi-surface roller brush for bare floors or carpeting. Battery performance is decent; while you can run the battery empty in just under 15 minutes in its most powerful suction setting, it'll run for more than an hour if used conservatively.
This vacuum also has a very effective filtration system, despite the standard exhaust filter not being HEPA-rated, and fine allergens like dust or even pet dander won't bypass its exhaust filter. Emptying its dustbin is also slightly more hygienic than with the Dyson, thanks to a quick-release door that minimizes the spread of fine grit and debris when it's opened. That's a good thing, as the Miele's dustbin has a usable capacity of just 0.25L, so you'll be doing that very often.
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Best Mid-Range Bagless Vacuum
House7.5Small Apartment8.2Stairs8.0Air Quality8.1Hard Floor Pickup8.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup7.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup7.0See all our test resultsBuild Quality7.5If you want solid performance without having to pay quite as much, consider the Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H. While this model has seen a lot of price fluctuation recently, it's regularly available for under $300 USD; we recommend waiting until you can find it at that price. It doesn't feel quite as robust as the Miele Duoflex HX1, and it weighs a little more, so it isn't as easy to maneuver in cluttered areas. That said, it's a strong performer, with impressive debris pickup on bare surfaces. and decent performance on carpets. Much like the Dyson V15 Detect and Miele, the Shark has an integrated dirt sensor, which allows it to adjust its suction power automatically depending on the surface it's cleaning and the amount of debris it sucks up. However, it doesn't always respond consistently to changes in floor type. The main brushroll also isn't removable, making it a challenge to clean. There's a replaceable cartridge in its floorhead that produces a detergent-like scent, which can be a tad overwhelming if you vacuum frequently.
At over 0.6 L, the Shark's dustbin has more than twice the usable capacity of the Miele, so you won't have to empty it nearly as often. Battery performance is very similar to the Miele, topping out at just over an hour and dropping to a little over 10 minutes on its most powerful suction setting; expect around 40 minutes of mixed use with a full charge. While its twin-brushroll head makes it a little trickier to maneuver in cramped quarters compared to the Miele's single-roller head, some of that added bulk is offset by the hinged wand, which allows you to clean under most tables and chairs without having to bend too deeply.
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Best Budget Bagless Vacuum
House6.8Small Apartment7.5Stairs8.0Air Quality6.2Hard Floor Pickup7.5High-Pile Carpet Pickup6.5Low-Pile Carpet Pickup6.5See all our test resultsBuild Quality6.5The Tineco PURE ONE S11 is the best budget bagless vacuum we've tested. This lightweight cordless stick vacuum is lighter and easier to maneuver than the heavier Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H. While it also isn't as powerful, it still delivers good debris pickup on bare floors and performs adequately on carpets as well. Surprisingly for a budget vacuum, it has a dirt sensor that automatically adjusts suction power, much like the Shark and Dyson V15 Detect. It comes with a range of accessories, including a mini turbo brush that does a great job removing pet hair from upholstery.
As is to be expected for a budget device, there are some compromises that come with the territory. Its battery life falls short of more premium offerings like the Shark, maxing out at just under 45 minutes, so you'll have to work quickly when cleaning a whole home, even on the lowest suction setting. This budget vacuum doesn't feel especially well-made, with some fragile parts and a thin plastic body. Also, pet owners will find that this isn't the best choice for cleaning pet hair from carpet.
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Best Cheap Bagless Vacuum
House6.7Small Apartment7.6Stairs7.8Air Quality7.6Hard Floor Pickup5.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup6.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup7.0See all our test resultsBuild Quality6.5It's hard to go wrong with the Wyze Cordless Vacuum S if you're looking for a cheap bagless vacuum. While this vacuum's retail price stretches the definition of cheap, you can routinely find it on sale for less than $90 USD at Walmart. At that price, this vacuum offers exceptional value. Like the pricier Tineco PURE ONE S11, it has an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, an unprecedented feature among cheap vacuums. The vacuum is quite lightweight, making it a cinch to maneuver in tight spots and carry up and down long flights of stairs. Performance-wise, it's not bad for a cheap vacuum, offering decent performance with pet hair and other debris on low-pile carpets, but struggling on other floor surfaces.
Battery life is also better than most cheap vacuums, coming in close to the Tineco with a max runtime of over 40 minutes. While this is suitable for cleaning apartments and smaller homes, you'll run out of battery if you want to clean a larger house or have larger messes. Unfortunately, it doesn't feel particularly well-built, with the plastic used throughout its construction feeling rather thin and cheap. To save cost, Wyze has stripped the included accessories down to just a crevice tool; it doesn't even include an upholstery tool.
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Best Bagless Upright Vacuum
House8.7Small Apartment8.4Stairs7.0Air Quality8.1Hard Floor Pickup8.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup7.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup7.0See all our test resultsBuild Quality6.5If you're open to something different in the mid-range price bracket and would prefer an upright bagless vacuum, take a look at the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra. Lined up against a comparably-priced cordless unit like the Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H, its corded design makes it far less maneuverable and less suited to quick clean-ups around your home due to its bulk and weight: at a hair under 18 lbs in its fully loaded configuration, it's more than twice as heavy as the Shark, which is already quite robust for a cordless unit. That said, its 1.2 L dustbin is far larger than that of most stick vacuums, so you can go a lot longer between emptying, and you never have to worry about running out of battery. This powerful vacuum easily clears debris from various surfaces and comes with a generous number of attachments, including a dedicated pet-grooming tool. It also offers outstanding pet hair pickup. Its onboard HEPA filtration system delivers remarkable particle filtration, making it a great choice for allergy sufferers.
Despite its weight and size, this vacuum has a mostly plastic chassis, which creaks and flexes slightly while in use. It's also louder than the less powerful cordless vacuums on this list and can be overly bothersome. While its power cord is long, you have to wind it back up manually.
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Best Bagless Canister Vacuum
House8.4Small Apartment8.0Stairs6.4Air Quality8.1Hard Floor Pickup5.0High-Pile Carpet Pickup6.0Low-Pile Carpet Pickup6.5See all our test resultsBuild Quality8.0If you're looking for a vacuum with a larger dirt compartment than a cordless stick vacuum but don't want the bulk of a big upright like the Dyson Ball Animal 3, check out the Miele Boost CX1. Its dirt compartment can hold 0.26 gal (1 L) of debris, so you can go much longer between emptying than with a cordless stick vacuum like the Dyson V15 Detect. Despite its enormous dirt capacity, it's lighter than the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, making it easier to use on stairs. Pet owners will appreciate its upholstery tool, which does a fantastic job cleaning pet hair from furniture, and its turbo brush floorhead, which offers good performance cleaning pet hair from carpets. Typical of Miele, this vacuum has great build quality; it's better than any Dyson we've tested.
On the downside, it can't quite match the Ball Animal 3's performance on bare floors and carpets. Unfortunately, on bare floors, it struggles to pick up medium and large debris, and on carpets, its turbo brush floorhead leaves more debris behind than the Ball Animal 3's powered brushroll. It also has an expensive filter you have to replace regularly, unlike any of the Dyson models, which have zero recurring cost.
Notable Mentions
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Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra:
The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra is a flagship cordless stick vacuum that has something the Dyson V15 Detect (or any other bagless vacuum) can't offer for allergy sufferers: a self-emptying docking station that contains allergens nearly perfectly during emptying. Unfortunately, it performs worse than the Dyson V15 Detect on floor surfaces, despite being considerably more expensive.
See our review -
Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine:
The Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine is Dyson's 2025 flagship cordless stick vacuum. Its twin conical roll anti-tangle floorhead is a radical departure from previous Dyson models. However, it performs much worse than the Dyson V15 Detect on carpets.
See our review -
Dyson Gen5detect:
The Dyson Gen5detect is a newer Dyson flagship than the Dyson V15 Detect. It performs slightly better, but the incremental increase in performance doesn't justify the enormous price premium.
See our review -
Dyson V8:
The Dyson V8 is a great mid-range alternative to the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra if you'd prefer a cordless stick vacuum over a bulky upright. However, it has a much smaller dirt compartment, so it'll need more frequent emptying, and it performs worse than the Ball Animal 3 on most floor surfaces.
See our review
Recent Updates
May 15, 2026:
Due to current product pricing, we've recategorized the Shark Stratos Cordless IZ862H as the 'Best Mid-Range Bagless Vacuum' pick and the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra as the 'Best Bagless Upright Vacuum' pick. We've added the Miele Duoflex HX1 as the new 'Best Upper Mid-Range Bagless Vacuum' pick. We've also added a new Buyer's Guide section to the bottom of this article to facilitate the buying decision process for a new vacuum.
Feb 12, 2026:
We edited the article for readability and reorganized it, changing the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra to the 'Best Mid-Range Vacuum,' adding the Tineco PURE ONE S11 as the 'Best Budget,' and moving the Wyze Cordless S to the 'Best Cheap Vacuum.' We removed the unavailable Samsung Jet 60 and added the Miele Boost CX1 as the 'Best Bagless Canister Vacuum.' We removed the Notable Mentions Miele Duoflex HX1 and Eureka FloorRover, adding the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra and Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine.
Nov 11, 2025:
We checked to ensure our picks are in stock and made small edits to the test for clarity.
Jul 10, 2025:
Replaced the discontinued Wyze Cordless Vacuum with the Wyze Cordless Vacuum S. Replaced the unavailable Notable Mention, the Samsung Jet 90 Complete, with the Dyson Gen5detect as an alternative to the Dyson V15 Detect.
Apr 16, 2025:
We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock, but our recommendations haven't changed.
What To Consider When Choosing A Bagless Vacuum
Debris Pickup Performance
Actual cleaning performance is paramount when it comes to choosing a vacuum. When looking over the results of the Hard Floor Pickup, High-Pile Carpet Pickup, Low-Pile Carpet Pickup , and Pet Hair Pickup tests our own reviews, you can interpret the gradient across positive scores accordingly:
- 7.5-8.0: The vacuum has cleared away the majority of debris or pet hair within a single back-and-forth pass, though visible debris remains, and a second pass is needed to clear away everything
- 8.0-9.0: Barely any visible debris or hairs remain after a single back and forth sweep, with any remaining debris being quite hard to see.
- 9.0-9.5: Effectively no debris or pet hair remains after a single-back and forth sweep.
Filtration
We assess filtration performance with two tests. the Particle Filtration test evaluates how effectively a vacuum traps fine particles during cleaning, while the Air Quality During Emptying test measures the spread of fine dust and debris when clearing debris from a vacuum's dustbin. The second test is a bugbear for bagless models, and barring a few exceptions, it's rare for these sorts of vacuums to score well in this regard.
- HEPA filtration isn't necessarily a guarantee of class-leading particle filtration for bagless units
- Several bagless models with filtration systems that aren't HEPA-rated are still highly effective in sealing in fine allergens, with multi-stage filtration systems making it feasible for bagless units to lock in fine debris.
- The main weakness for bagless models in this regard comes down to the debris disposal process, as emptying out a dustbin releases a cloud of fine grit and dust.
- Some newer models are bundled with self-empty docking stations, like many modern robot vacuums, which minimizes the spread of dust and debris.
Dustbin Capacity
Dustbin capacity effectively dictates how long you can go before emptying a vacuum's dustbin. Ideally, you should empty your vacuum's dustbin at the end of every cleaning session. This ensures debris doesn't build up to a high enough level to generate a huge cloud of dust when emptying out the dustbin.
Floorhead, Brushroll and Attachments
If you have carpeted floors and pets, a floorhead with an air-driven or motorized roller brush is a must-have.
- Air-driven (often marketed as 'Turbo' brushes) are generally simpler, lighter, and cheaper, but can also jam on thicker carpets, and are mainly-suited for dealing with pet hair on low to medium-pile rugs and carpets
- Motorized powerheads are heavier and more complex, but generally provide superior performance on thicker carpets, with less of a chance for thicker rugs to stop the roller's rotation
- Pricier motorized heads also tend to offer a greater array of features, including height adjustment, making it easier to maneuver on surfaces like shag-pile rugs, as well as automatic brushroll cutoff functions, which prevent overheating or damage in the event that pet hair, carpet fibers, or some other obstruction completely jams the roller mechanism.
If you do spring for a vacuum with a motorized or air-driven powerhead, you'll also need to consider the type of brushroll these floorheads are equipped with.
- Bristled brushroll: Have stiff bristles to lift away pet hair and fine debris on carpet, but can fling larger debris around on hard surfaces, and can generate micro-scratches on delicate surfaces.
- Soft roller: Better-suited for dealing with debris on bare floors, but don't do much to lift away debris from carpet fibers.
- Dual roller: Combine both soft and stiff bristles on a single floorhead, theoretically allowing for better debris pickup across multiple floor types, without having to swap attachments. That said, they aren't found on many vacuums.
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Removable brushrolls make the process of clearing away tangled hair and stuck-on debris considerably easier.
- Several vacuums on the market also feature self-cleaning systems, which typically consist of vanes or fins that press up against the roller to trap pet hair before it can completely jam the roller's rotation.
Straight-suction floorheads can provide some level of surface agitation on very low-pile rugs, but are mainly suited for bare flooring.
- Their simple design makes them fairly easy to clean, and you won't have to worry about pet hair getting stuck inside and jamming a roller brush's rotation.
A broad attachment suite can also make it easier to deal with messes in awkward areas.
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Turbo brush tools are especially useful for dealing with fine debris or pet hair on fabric surfaces.
- Upholstery nozzles are also good for the same sort of situations; they're less bulky than turbo brush tools, but also provide less surface agitation.
- Crevice tools can be used to clear away debris in hard-to-reach corners like in between couch cushions or in tight nooks between furniture.
- Soft bristle brushes are suitable for dusting delicate, easily-scratched surfaces, as well as cleaning baseboards, shelves, and tabletops.
- Hard bristle brushes can be used to scrub away at stuck-on dirt.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best bagless vacuums we've tested. We don't just base our results on overall performance but also on factors like availability, price, and reader feedback.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our bagless vacuum reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no vacuum is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.