A few years ago, there were only a handful of bagless vacuum options to choose from. The concept has since caught fire and the market is littered with them. So how does one navigate the detritus and suck up a bargain that's going to last, perform and, well, not suck in all the wrong ways?
Collected below are our expert picks, all of which have been run through our discerning selection criteria. That includes the ease of bin removal and disposal to reduce the chance of reintroducing allergens into your house. We also look at the main filter type to determine if it can be easily cleaned and reused or if it's a hidden expense replacement set-up.
How did we pick this list?
Our editorial team selected the products on this list based on extensive research, real customer reviews and personal experience. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the products with the highest review score within those parameters.
If you're tired of emptying and replacing vacuum cleaner bags, there's a wide range of bagless vacuum cleaners available on the market. The Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog Bagless Vacuum is one of the best.
This popular model offers a host of useful features to help you rid your home of dirt and dust and it's also earned plenty of praise from consumers around the world. With an impressive average rating of 4.7 out of 5 from over 1,00 Google reviews, it's our number 1 choice as the best bagless vacuum cleaner.
Offering 1,100W of cleaning power, the Blizzard uses Vortex technology to create airflow of more than 100km/h. It then separates the dust and debris it sucks up into 2 separate containers – one holds coarse particles and objects and another captures fine dust. A Gore CleanStream filter is used to make sure those finer particles remain in their own compartment, allowing them to be disposed of easily and without you having to breathe in a cloud of dust.
The Blizzard CX1 also uses what Miele calls the ComfortClean system. This detects when the fine dust filter needs cleaning and immediately goes to work, with the cleaning process taking 20 seconds before the unit is ready to use once again.
Control is handled by a multifunctional rotary selector. You can also take advantage of a TurboBrush designed to remove pet hair from carpets. Other features include an upholstery nozzle and crevice nozzle, 1-click emptying and a 10-metre operating radius.
Today's Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog PowerLine deals
The Eureka Blaze Stick Vacuum Cleaner has a 4.2 out of 5 star rating after over 88,000 Amazon reviews and its primary goal is to clean out your house, not your wallet. Originally a brand that started in Detroit in 1909, Eureka has since been absorbed by the Midea Group, a Chinese concern that manufactures a full line of vacuum cleaners and accessories. Eureka vacs are sold by a variety of retailers globally and have a decent reputation for build quality and reliability.
Available in blue or dark black, the Blaze Stick is a corded, 240W, 3-in-1 vacuum that is "certified frustration-free". That's most likely due to its versatile design – the Blaze can transform from a stick, stair or a hand vacuum. You're also getting manoeuvrability in a signature swivel steering that ensures your chores get done with the minimum of fuss or furniture bumping. Lastly, a generous 18ft power cable lets you reach far and wide before that annoying power outlet pop-out event.
How does it handle? According to an overwhelming number of online reviewers, rather well for the price of admission. Just as advertised, the Blaze is efficient for fast pickups on laminate, tile, lino or wood. It's also remarkably light at 1.45kg and though it only comes with 1 attachment (crevice), the basic capture nozzle is sufficient for scooping up large particles of dust or dirt.
Online reviewers haven't been unanimous in their praise for Eureka's Blaze Stick. All that being said, the good reports far outweigh the isolated instances where this budget buy hasn't exceeded expectations.
ThisWorx's Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner has 3.8 out of 5 stars after 210,000 Amazon reviews and is our pick for quick, on-the-go cleaning. Though it's reassuringly named, the ThisWorx brand isn't one of the better-known producers of car vacuums in the market space. However, the general public (including a large number of Uber drivers) has overwhelmingly spoken out in support.
What's on offer here is a portable car vac that cleans effectively for both dry dirt and wetter mishap materials. It should be noted that it is a corded product. Mind you, the 16ft of provided power cable will go a (literal) long way to solving any concerns you might have about reach. This unit is also only a smidge over 1kg so lifting it to attack higher crevices will require very little upper body strength from you.
On suction, you're getting a metal turbine design that's a popular choice for many competing car vacs, and this runs on a powerful 106W motor. ThisWorx has gone for a fairly par for the course, washable HEPA filter that can be quickly de-clogged or otherwise maintained by the included brush. Lastly, the design of this unit allows for a considerable amount of debris storage via the integrated collection drum. A feature that's sure to be appreciated: this unit won't run unless it detects a securely fastened drum.
ThisWorx has been generous with extras. The long elastic hose employed here uses a generic style connector that ensures it's compatible with a wide range of aftermarket attachments. In this pack, you'll be getting the basics anyway such as a narrow tube head for skirting boards and a brush nozzle for thicker fabric extractions.
If you're determined to suck up a considerable amount of grit and grime, you need the Rural Max Twin Motor 70L, a widely available wet and dry vac. Admittedly, Rural Max isn't one of the biggest brands in the vacuum cleaner space, but the reviews are overwhelmingly positive and this product comes with a 2-year domestic and 1-year trade warranty.
Though it would never be accused of being stylishly designed, this bulky Rural Max isn't an eyesore and comes with caster wheels to provide ease of movement. More importantly, if you're out to bust some serious dust without needing to stop and reload, the Twin Motor can hold a whopping 70L of dirt and other unpleasant unmentionables. It's ideal for cleaning out large sheds or even a warehouse-sized environment, providing you have an extension lead.
What's on offer comes with considerable suction power too. This is a 2,000W beast that comes with 2 motors that can be switched on and off individually to keep things eco-friendly. Combine that with the reasonable mobility provided by a 4-metre cable and a 1.5-metre telescopic hose and the Rural Max can clean a lot of surfaces in not a lot of time.
Some reviewers of this vacuum report that the filter mechanism works effectively. When your job is done, it's also a cinch to simply tilt this unit forward to empty a drum that's chock-full of debris. Cleaning out and drying the drum afterwards is a no-fuss operation as well.
Today's Rural Max Twin Motor 70L Wet & Dry Vacuum deals
This INSE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner boasts a 4 out of 5 star rating after 1,100 Amazon reviews and is our pick for battery-minded dust busters. Do a quick comparison of the competition and you'll find that being able to milk 80 minutes worth of operation is a fantastic result for a vac in this price range. However, facilitating marathon-length cleaning sessions is just the tip of the iceberg as this INSE sports a whole bunch of features that make it a sure-fire purchase.
First, you're getting more than decent suction here – a 250W motor whisking things up is impressive for a cordless model. The icing on top of that: you can happily suck up grit, dust and dirt at a remarkably quiet 65db. That's great news for anybody who owns a flighty pet.
INSE also kicks some goals in bin design. What's on offer is a larger-than-usual asymmetric chamber that provides effective cyclonic separation of longer-length debris like string or hair. In layman's terms, that means fewer clogs and/or tug of wars when it's time to empty the bin.
Moving on to attachments, this INSE model comes with a decent array of dust-defeating weaponry. Cracks and thin surfaces like skirting boards can be assaulted with the crevice tool while the 2-in-1 brush is better suited for scouring larger surface areas that might be more deeply dirt-encrusted.
Lastly, reviewers were quick to point out how durable this particular vacuum is. It also has our personal favourite feature of (most) modern vacuums – a powerful LED light that rests on the cleaner head and is an immeasurable help when you're out hunting elusive dust bunnies.
The Electrolux Pure C9 Animal is designed with your furry friend in mind. This mid-range vacuum boasts powerful suction and a sealed filtration system to lock away pet hairs, dead skin cells and allergens. The reviews speak for themselves with average ratings of 4.4 out of 5 or higher on Harvey Norman and The Good Guys. That's why we're naming it the best bagless vacuum for this category.
With air speeds of up to 155km/h, pet hairs and micro-allergens don't stand a chance, being picked up and sent through the 7-stage filtration system with a 3D dust and HEPA filter to leave your home feeling fresh.
The sizeable 1.6-litre bin is handy particularly if you have a pet that sheds profusely. Since it's see-through, you can check when it's near capacity and ready to be emptied. The Easy Empty system has also been well thought out, allowing you to tip the bin away, reducing mess (and stress).
There's a good number of accessories in the box, including a main floor nozzle, motorised power nozzle, hard floor nozzle and tube set and an extra long cord to get you around larger spaces. Extra large wheels have been fitted for easy manoeuvrability, but some customers complain that, coupled with the shape of the vacuum, it's difficult to turn around corners. It's a pitfall of a lot of clunky machines unfortunately, but one that you may wish to keep in mind if you live in small quarters.
All up, the Pure C9 Animal is one powerful vacuum that's well-priced and easy to use.
How do Australians rate Electrolux's vacuum cleaners?
86% of surveyed Australians recommend Electrolux
4.2
Value for money
4.4
Overall
4.3
Performance
4.6
Ease of use
4.2
Cleaning and maintenance
4.3
Product features
How Electrolux compares
In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.
For vacuum cleaners, Electrolux was ranked 4th for value for money, 5th for performance, 2nd for ease of use, 5th for cleaning and maintenance and 3rd for product features.
14 brands were rated across these decision criteria.
Enjoy up to $800 discount on vacuum cleaners from Roborock, Electrolux, Bissell, Miele, Ecovacs, Wertheim and more at Godfreys. While stocks last. T&Cs apply.
Shop and save on smart home devices such as intelligent lighting, video doorbells, smart speakers, smart displays and robot vacuums from Google, Arlo, iRobot and more. T&Cs apply.
What are the benefits of a bagless vacuum cleaner?
Whether your preference is barrel vacuum or upright, bagless vacuum cleaning really is the best way to go these days. Removing the element of a (limited use and often breakable) bag is a stellar way to cost-cut your cleaning expenses. Being able to see how full your clear plastic containment bin is – as opposed to trying to guess or use non-existent X-ray vision – saves you a ton on costly clog-related malfunctions.
Having greater visibility beats the heck out of wondering if you've just accidentally scooped up a critical piece of Lego or a dropped bit of jewellery too. Say goodbye to stopping, disassembling and sifting through crud.
Allergy sufferers are often advised towards bagged vacuum cleaners as they add an added level of filtration. This is because dust and allergens can be trapped in the bag, closed off and disposed of without releasing stray particles. Bagless cleaners on the other hand often have a release mechanism where captured dirt is emptied straight into the bin.
Bottom line: The bagless revolution is the best thing to happen to vacuums since suction power improved to the point where we could lift bowling balls.
One final tip: We should all be mindful of picking a vacuum that comes with a decent array of included attachments. There's nothing more irritating than having to fork out extra to get a tool that provides one or all of the following features: telescopic wand, adjustable head height, upholstery brush or a crevice nozzle.
Amazon prices last updated on 7 May, 2024 at 06:02 ameBay prices last updated on 7 May, 2024 at 08:02 am
Methodology
10 Brands considered
30+ Products compared
6 Best products chosen
Why you can trust our picks
We considered bagless vacuum cleaners from the following brands and eliminated any products that aren't widely available across Australia:
Miele
Bosch
tineco
INSE
Dyson
Bissell
BLACK+DECKER
PUPPYOO
EUREKA
proscenic
We then considered our own testing experience, comparing the design, technical specifications and value for money for each range of bagless vacuum cleaners. We prioritised important features such as suction power, battery life and weight or ease of use.
We carefully researched each product and read online customer reviews. We ended up with what we believe are the 6 best bagless vacuum cleaners in Australia
Frequently asked questions
As with every vacuum cleaner, there are a number of features you may wish to consider when picking the bagless vacuum for you.
Power and suction The amount of suction will determine how deep a clean you get from your vacuum. More powerful machines are generally required for tougher surfaces such as carpets while a lighter suction could be enough for hardwood floors.
Design Bagless vacuum cleaners come in a variety of designs including stick, barrel and handheld. Stick and handheld are ideal for smaller jobs while barrels can offer a large bin capacity and more power as they are corded.
Accessories Do you have any specific cleaning needs? Small corners? Deep crevices? Stairs? Pets? Accessories are designed to provide optimal cleaning for these hard-to-clean places.
Noise Noise and suction power tend to go hand-in-hand. More powerful vacuum cleaners will be noisier but get the job done better. If you share walls with your neighbours or have a tendency to vacuum in the late evening, you may consider a vacuum with a dampener or different power modes.
Cleaning and maintenance As bagless vacuum cleaners collect dust and detritus in the barrel, it's easy for dirt to build up. You may find yourself cleaning your vacuum more often than a bagged version where everything is trapped. If you're short on time, this may be an inconvenience.
Dysons are often viewed as the top-line in vacuum cleaners and with that comes a hefty price tag. For a budget-friendly alternative, we've chosen the Eureka Blaze Stick Vacuum Cleaner which comes in under $200.
For your bagless vacuum cleaner to run efficiently during each use, make sure to empty the canister and wipe its interior with a microfibre cloth. Then, clean out the filter by removing the debris build-up with a brush. If your filter is washable, clean it based on your manufacturer's user manual. Remove the brush attachment from your vacuum and insert a dryer brush to deep clean the tube.
Don't forget to empty your canister after each use and replace your filters every 6 months.
Because you won't need to buy replacement bags, a bagless vacuum cleaner is more cost-effective. Its canister can be emptied and reused repeatedly, unlike a bagged vacuum cleaner. However, you still need to buy new replacement filters every 6 months, depending on your bagless vacuum's model and manufacturer's instructions.
Bagless vacuums especially those with HEPA filters work well in capturing dust and dirt that may cause allergies. However, their canisters should be emptied after each use for better efficiency. This process may spread more allergens to your environment.
If you're suffering from allergies, use a mask and empty out your bagless vacuum in a well-ventilated area to minimise the risk of irritation.
Why you can trust Finder Shopping best guides
We're knowledgeable
Our editorial team has decades of experience testing and comparing products. We only use experienced journalists with proven track records.
We're comprehensive
We assess hundreds of products for each guide to ensure you're getting a full overview of the market. All guides are regularly reviewed and fact-checked.
We don't cut corners
Selections are based on our own research, comparisons and testing. We do not use automation software or AI. Every best guide follows a stringent methodology.
Adam Mathew is a writer for Finder, specialising in video games and TV. He's been the editor of magazines such as Ultimate Nintendo and Official PlayStation AU. His words may also be found in IGN, Gamespot, Kotaku, Red Bull, Game Informer and AusGamers.
These are the 12 best robot vacuums you can get in Australia right now.
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Dyson
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eBay Australia
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