Bagless Uprights

Dyson rules among bagless vacuums, but others perform well for less

If you'd prefer to avoid the hassle of finding replacement bags for your vacuum and want to reduce waste, you might consider a bagless vacuum. These vacuums have a removable dustbin in lieu of a bag. As sources such as ConsumerReports.org point out, you'll be exposed to some dirt and dust while emptying the bin, so bagless vacuums may not be the best choice for those with dust allergies.

Dyson is the big player among bagless vacuums. Although Dyson vacuums are pricey, many owners say they are well worth their cost. To explain the pros of a specific Dyson model, one user says simply, "It's a Dyson," as if that were the highest possible praise. All Dyson's upright and canister vacuums feature the company's patented Root Cyclone technology, which keeps the vacuum from losing power as its dust container fills. They also include washable filters and are backed by a five-year warranty that covers parts and labor.

The highest-rated Dyson upright in professional tests and user reviews is the Dyson DC28 Animal (*Est. $530) . This model automatically adjusts the height of the cleaner head and brush bar to conform to different surfaces. Other features include a lifetime washable HEPA filter, a telescopic wand for stairs and high-reach cleaning and a powered mini turbine head attachment for upholstery and stairs. In professional tests the DC28 achieves excellent results on bare floors and gets embedded dirt out of carpet, but it's a bit slow at picking up pet hair. The editors of ConsumerReports.org also note on their Home and Garden blog that the 21-pound Dyson DC28 Animal, although powerful, is awkward to push and pull.

Despite these drawbacks, most owners love the Dyson DC28 Animal. More than a thousand comments from users at Walmart.com, Viewpoints.com and BestBuy.com give this vacuum an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of a possible 5, and roughly nine out of 10 users say they would recommend it. Owners report the Animal's suction power is phenomenal; many note that their new Dyson vacuums picked up a huge volume of dirt their old vacuums had left behind. Users also love the specially designed dirt cup, which empties from the bottom to minimize the user's exposure to dust. However, some users do complain about the DC28's weight and high price tag. We also saw several complaints about its reliability and how long it takes to get repairs done under warranty.

We also found strong reviews for the Dyson DC25 Animal (*Est. $540) . This model is mounted on a rolling ball for better maneuverability (it used to be called The Ball). It includes the same washable filter, telescopic wand, mini turbine head and easy-to-empty dirt cup as the DC28. In professional testing, it gets excellent results on both carpet and hard floors and does a great job with pet hair. The DC25 Animal has over 1,500 reviews at Walmart.com and hundreds more at Target.com and Viewpoints.com, with average scores around 4.6 stars out of 5. Most users say the DC25 Animal has great suction and maneuverability, and they like the ease of emptying. Their most common complaint is about the high price, but some users also complain that the Dyson doesn't really get the dirt up. We also saw some complaints about reliability, often involving the same part breaking down repeatedly.

Another variation is the Dyson DC25 Multi Floor (*Est. $470) , without the powered hand-tool accessory. The Multi Floor version (note that this model used to be called the DC25 All Floors) scores almost as well as the Animal in one professional test, though it doesn't do quite as well at cleaning walls and corners. On the contrary, another professional source says that this vacuum's performance on carpet is only so-so, although its bare-floor performance is excellent. We found fewer reviews for the DC25 Multi Floor than for the Animal version, but they are equally positive. In more than 400 reviews at Amazon.com and nearly 500 at Viewpoints.com, this model earns average scores between 4 and 5 stars. Users love the DC25's maneuverability and its relatively low weight (16 pounds). The most commonly cited drawback of the DC25 is its cost, although many users say they think it's worth it. Some owners also find the dust cup too small and the attachment hose and tools awkward to use.

Spending $400 or more for a Dyson vacuum isn't your only option if you want a bagless vacuum with good all-around performance. The Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Rewind Plus Bagless UH70120 (*Est. $120) gets good reviews from both professionals and owners. This bagless model weighs about the same as the Dyson DC25 models (16.5 pounds), and it includes both a washable main filter and an exhaust HEPA filter. Other features include fingertip controls, a clean-filter indicator and a 27-foot retracting cord. One feature it lacks, however, is an on/off switch for the brushroll, which means that it can scatter dirt when used on bare floors. Despite this drawback, however, the Hoover UH70120 performs very well on bare floors, as well as carpet, in professional tests. It also does a great job picking up pet hair, and reviewers at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute note that it is very stable and does not tip over easily.

We found about 500 reviews for the Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Rewind Plus Bagless UH70120 at Amazon.com and another 80-plus at BestBuy.com. Overall, it earns ratings of around 4 stars out of 5. Users say the Hoover UH70120 has great suction, and they love the retracting cord. Most also say that the dust cup is easy to empty, though some complain that it tends to make a mess. More seriously, we saw several reports of durability problems with this vacuum. At BestBuy.com, we read multiple reports of belts that slip off repeatedly or breaks, and reviewers on Amazon.com complain that the vacuum tends to become clogged and lose suction power after a few months (even with regular maintenance). The Hoover UH70120 was one of several Hoover models recalled in May 2010 for a problem with the power cord that created a risk of fire or shock; however, this problem applies only to vacuums sold between August 2009 and May 2010.

Another inexpensive upright that gets good reviews overall is the Eureka AirSpeed AS1000A (*Est. $120) , sold exclusively at Walmart. This vacuum features wide tubes for improved suction and a flip-bottom dust cup that empties from underneath. It also has a HEPA filter, a height adjustment for different surfaces and a switch that diverts suction between the hose and the floor attachment. However, like the Hoover UH70120, it lacks an on/off switch for the brushroll.

In professional tests, the Eureka AirSpeed AS1000A gets very good scores for its cleaning power on both carpet and bare floors, though its handling and noise level are merely acceptable. More than 400 owners at Walmart.com give the Eureka AirSpeed an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of a possible 5, and nine out of 10 owners say they would recommend it. Users praise the Eureka AirSpeed's suction, maneuverability and easy-to-use attachments. However, we saw many complaints that it requires too much maintenance, from emptying the dust cup to cleaning and replacing the filters. Several users point out that filters must be replaced every few months at a cost of nearly $40 each, so the maintenance costs soon exceed the cost of the vacuum itself. Several users are also frustrated by the fact that the brushroll can't be turned off. Some merely complain that the vacuum does not work well on hard floors, but others say that it will scratch wood floors and shred carpets if allowed to sit too long in one place.