Corded vacuum cleaner buying guide.

If you're in the market for a new vacuum, you may be wondering how bagless vs bagged vacuum cleaners compare and what their main differences are. In this buying guide, we weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners and offer tips on how to choose.

1. What’s the difference?

2. Which is more hygienic?

3. Which performs better?

4. What's best for pet hair, suction power, peace and quiet?

5. Which holds more?

6. Which is easier to use?

7. Which is best for cleaning my car or mattress?

As the name suggests, a bagged vacuum locks dust away in a vacuum bag. When it’s full, you dispose of it and fit a new one. That means ensuring you always have replacement bags on hand.

In contrast, bagless models are fitted with a reusable dust cup that gets emptied into the rubbish bin. This is a popular choice because it’s eco-friendly and there are no follow-up costs. If you prefer to use bags, our canister models will serve you well.

With Bosch, indoor air needn’t cause allergy sufferers’ symptoms to flare. Both our bagged and bagless ProHygienic models feature our UltraAllergy filter, which traps 99.99% of airborne irritants¹. As a result of this triple filtration system and the vacuum body’s air-tight seals, you can rest assured that the air expelled is cleaner than what you usually breathe. In this way, you reduce the allergen load in your home. For those who prefer, there’s also the option of HEPA filters, which eliminate irritants with particle sizes of 0.3 microns or more.

No matter how good your vacuum cleaner filter, emptying the debris into the dust bin can expose you to an allergen cloud. That’s why we recommend the bagged models in our ProHygienic range for those with allergies. Thanks to the AirFresh bags, dust stays sealed away when you discard them.

^{1. Tested according to EN 60312-1:2017.}

Luckily, this isn’t something you need to worry about when deciding whether a dust box is your bag or not. Both our bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners feature our precision engineered Bosch motor technology that is made in Germany and carries a 10-year guarantee². When paired with motor management to optimise airflow, you can be sure of impressive pick-up whether you go for a bagged or bagless vacuum.

^{2. Valid for all canister vacuum cleaner models.}

To bag or not to bag isn’t the only vacuum question. The Bosch range also allows you to match your purchase to a specific purpose. Perhaps hygiene and an allergen-trapping HEPA filter is high on your wish list. Or you want a vacuum cleaner with the suction to tackle high-pile carpet and pet hair. Perhaps all other advantages pale next to loud motor noise. Whatever your cleaning challenge, we have bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners to solve it. Those looking for the ultimate in vacuuming flexibility should also explore our cordless models.

Both our bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners come in XXL models that hold a large volume of debris. As a general rule of thumb, opt for a Series 8 vacuum if you want to swap out bags or empty the dust box less frequently.

Changing bags is cleaner and more convenient than emptying a box. If you react badly to any type of airborne allergen or hate the thought of touching dirt, a bagged vacuum is for you. But when weighing up the choice between a bagged vs a bagless vacuum, also consider that you may need to replace HEPA filters on bagless vacuums more often than bagged vacuum cleaners. In contrast, retrieving small toys, jewellery or other tiny treasures from your vacuum. If Lego blocks frequently find their way inside your vacuum cleaner, being able to spot them through a transparent dust cup instead of sifting through debris can be a deciding factor.

Aside from how satisfying it is to see the dust accumulate in the canister, there’s no mistaking when your bagless vacuum needs to be emptied.

For easy bag changes: choose bagged.
For easy retrieval: go bagless.

In this case, it's less about bagless vs bagged vacuum cleaners and more about the right attachment. A special crevice nozzle, for example, slides in between the car seat and centre console. No guesses as to where a mattress brush works best. Another option to consider is a cordless vacuum cleaner. With nothing to tie you down, you can flexibly vacuum many different surfaces, from garage and shed to the attic and bed. 

It ultimately comes down to your personal preferences, your lifestyle and your priorities since each type has its advantages and disadvantages. If you don't have a clear favourite, why not browse an overview of our bagged vacuums and bagless vacuums to get a better idea of their benefits.