8 Best Bagless Vacuum Cleaners of 2025

The Amazon Basics Upright Bagless Vacuum punches well above its budget-friendly status with impressive suction for 720W, a spacious 1.7L dust cup, and effortless 8.4 lb frame—making it a standout for renters, small homes, and anyone who values simplicity without sacrificing core performance. Its long 25-foot power cord eliminates constant outlet hopping, while the washable filter ensures long-term savings and low maintenance, directly addressing the pain point of recurring filter costs. This vacuum doesn’t dazzle with extras, but it delivers exactly what budget-conscious users need: reliable, no-fuss cleaning across carpets and hard floors.

In real-world testing, the vacuum glides smoothly over low-pile carpets and laminate, though it struggles slightly on thick rugs where motor power becomes more critical. The detachable handle is a surprisingly useful feature, transforming it into a rudimentary handheld unit for stairs or car interiors, and the included crevice and upholstery tools are practical for tight spots. However, the lack of height adjustment means it can’t optimize performance across varying carpet depths, and suction diminishes slightly when the dust cup nears capacity. Still, for quick daily cleanups and medium messes, it holds its own.

Compared to pricier models like the Shark NV360, this Amazon Basics model trades advanced filtration and lift-away convenience for pure value. It’s not built for pet owners battling constant shedding or allergy sufferers needing HEPA-grade air sealing—but for lightweight, straightforward cleaning on a tight budget, it’s hard to beat. While the Eureka WhirlWind NEN110A offers stronger motor output and a larger dust container, the Amazon Basics unit wins on price and upright ease of use, making it ideal for first-time buyers or secondary home use.

The Eureka WhirlWind NEN110A redefines what an affordable canister vacuum can be, combining 960-watt power, a massive 2.5L dust container, and swivel steering into a sleek, 8.15-pound package that feels anything but bulky. Its integrated airflow control on the handle lets you instantly shift from carpet to hard floor without bending down, solving a common frustration for multi-surface homes. With no bags and washable filters, it’s built for low-cost ownership, while the 2-in-1 crevice tool and dusting brush stay securely onboard—eliminating the classic ‘lost accessory’ headache.

During testing, the WhirlWind excelled on hardwood and area rugs, maintaining consistent suction even as debris filled the transparent dust bin. The telescoping metal wand adds reach without wobbling, and the swivel steering makes navigation under tables and around legs remarkably smooth—rare for a canister at this price. However, its upright-like posture can feel awkward on stairs, and the hose isn’t as stretchy as premium models, slightly limiting overhead cleaning. Still, for homes with open layouts and mixed flooring, it delivers real canister-grade reach and filtration in a surprisingly agile form.

Against the Shark Rocket HV301, the WhirlWind offers greater dust capacity and true canister flexibility but lacks the stick vacuum’s ultra-light handheld conversion. It’s not the best for pet hair like the Eureka PowerSpeed NEU181A, but it outshines it in dust retention and ease of storage. For users who want canister reach without the bulk or cost, this model strikes a rare balance—offering long-term durability, powerful airflow, and smart design touches that make daily cleaning feel effortless, especially when compared to uprights in the same range.

The Shark Rocket HV301 is a game-changer for compact cleaning, weighing under 9 pounds and converting from a floor vacuum to a handheld in seconds—perfect for tackling cobwebs, car interiors, or spilled cereal on the countertop. Its ultra-light corded design delivers consistent, no-drop suction without the anxiety of battery life, while swivel steering grants unmatched agility around furniture legs and tight corners. For apartment dwellers and parents, the fingertip surface toggle and instant tool access solve the real-world need for fast, versatile cleanups without lugging around a bulky machine.

In performance tests, the HV301 handled pet hair and cereal crumbs with ease on both tile and low-pile carpet, thanks to its direct-drive motor and sealed airflow path. The 5-year warranty signals long-term confidence, and the easy-empty dust cup minimizes mess—though it’s only 0.6 quarts, requiring frequent emptying during deep cleans. While it lacks a HEPA filter, its anti-allergen seal and never-loses-suction claim hold up in everyday use, though it’s not ideal for large homes due to the smaller dust capacity and cord length. The included anti-allergen dust brush and crevice tool are genuinely useful for detail work.

Compared to the Eureka Airspeed NEU10AE4, the Shark offers far better versatility and build quality, though at nearly double the price. Against the Bissell 2252, it’s lighter and more convertible but lacks edge-to-edge cleaning and swivel steering on the main head. It’s not the best for pet owners like the Shark ZU503AMZ, but for small spaces, quick cleanups, and above-floor tasks, it’s unmatched. With better value in features and flexibility than budget uprights, it justifies its premium with real-world usability.

The Bissell 2252 CleanView is a maneuverability masterclass, thanks to its true swivel steering head that pivots 180 degrees, letting you snake around coffee tables and chairs with the precision of a remote-control car. Built for pet owners, its triple-action brush roll aggressively lifts embedded fur from carpets, while Scatter-Free Technology prevents dry messes like kibble or litter from scattering across hardwood—solving two major pain points in one sweep. The edge-to-edge cleaning ensures no dust hides along baseboards, and the large dirt tank reduces emptying frequency during whole-home sessions.

In real-world use, the vacuum shines on medium-pile carpets and sealed wood floors, maintaining strong suction even when the bin is half-full. The multi-cyclonic system keeps airflow efficient, though fine dust can occasionally bypass the filter over time. It’s heavier than stick models at 13.5 pounds, making upstairs cleaning a bit of a haul, and the cord rewind isn’t automatic—requiring manual wrapping. Still, its consistent pet hair pickup and edge cleaning outperform many in its class, especially budget models lacking specialized tools.

Versus the Shark NV360, the Bissell 2252 offers better swivel control and edge cleaning but lacks lift-away functionality and HEPA filtration. Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed NEU181A, it has similar pet-focused tools but a less intuitive height adjustment system. For homes with pets and cluttered furniture, this vacuum delivers best-in-class agility and targeted cleaning. While it doesn’t match the Shark ZU503AMZ in overall performance, it offers superior steering and pet-specific engineering at a lower cost, making it a smart pick for fur-focused households.

The Eureka PowerSpeed NEU181A is a pet owner’s dream, packing a 960-watt motor, 2.6L extra-large dust cup, and a pet turbo brush into a 10-pound frame that’s light enough for daily use but powerful enough to deep-clean wall-to-wall carpeting. Its 5-height brush roll adjustment lets you fine-tune cleaning for plush rugs or thin hardwood, eliminating the guesswork of one-size-fits-all vacuums. With onboard storage for all three tools, including the crevice and dusting brush, it solves the frustration of lost attachments—making it ideal for homes where messes happen fast and often.

In testing, the PowerSpeed demolished pet hair on both carpet and furniture, with the turbo brush outperforming most included tools in its class. The large dust cup meant fewer stops during whole-house cleanups, and the flip-to-empty bin kept hands clean—though fine dust sometimes clung to the sides. It handled transitions between floor types smoothly, though the lack of brushroll shutoff meant slightly less gentle treatment on delicate floors. Noise is moderate, not disruptive, and the 7.5-foot cleaning path speeds up coverage, though it’s not as nimble as swivel-steering models.

Compared to the Bissell 2252, it offers larger capacity and better height control but lacks edge-to-edge cleaning. Against the Shark ZU503AMZ, it’s less advanced in allergen sealing and self-cleaning tech but wins on value and simplicity. For active homes with shedding pets, this vacuum delivers maximum power, smart design, and hassle-free maintenance. While it doesn’t have HEPA or lift-away features, it outperforms pricier models in raw pet hair removal, making it the best choice for fur-focused cleaning on a realistic budget.

The Eureka Airspeed NEU10AE4 is a budget powerhouse, weighing just 7.7 pounds and packing 700W of suction into a compact, featherlight body that’s perfect for quick cleanups, small apartments, or homes with limited storage. Its 10.5-inch cleaning path covers ground fast, and the quick-release handle lets you instantly convert to above-floor cleaning—pair it with the snap-on crevice or dusting brush and you’ve got a mini handheld without extra parts. With a washable filter and no bags, it’s built for zero-maintenance ownership at a price that won’t break the bank.

In real-world use, it handles light debris, dust, and short pet hair with ease on hard floors and low-pile rugs, though it struggles on high-pile carpet where deeper agitation is needed. The small dust cup fills quickly during deep cleans, and the lack of height adjustment limits surface optimization. Still, for spills, crumbs, or post-meal sweep-ups, it’s responsive and agile. The cord storage is minimal, leading to tangling, and the build feels more plastic than premium—but for occasional use, it’s more than adequate.

Against the Amazon Basics B0BN5F6MJY, it’s lighter and more compact but offers less dust capacity and weaker motor power. Compared to the Shark Rocket HV301, it lacks handheld conversion and swivel steering but wins on price. For renters, dorm rooms, or secondary vacuums, it delivers essential performance in a space-saving design. While it can’t match the Shark ZU503AMZ in any advanced feature, it outperforms expectations for under $40, making it the best entry-level bagless vacuum for light-duty needs.

The Shark NV360 is a complete home-cleaning system, combining HEPA filter technology, lift-away functionality, and brushroll shutoff into a single, powerful upright that excels in homes with allergies, pets, and mixed flooring. Its anti-allergen complete seal captures 99.9% of dust and pollen, while the 0.9-quart dust cup allows long cleaning sessions before emptying. The ability to detach the pod and clean stairs, upholstery, or under cabinets solves a major limitation of traditional uprights, making it a true all-in-one solution for deep cleaning.

In testing, the NV360 handled pet hair with ease, especially when using the included upholstery tool, and the brushroll shutoff allowed seamless transitions from carpet to hardwood without scratching. The swivel steering made furniture navigation effortless, and suction remained strong even as the bin filled. However, the HEPA filter requires 24-hour drying time after washing, which can be inconvenient, and the unit is heavier than stick vacuums—around 15 pounds—making upstairs use tiring over time.

Against the Bissell 2252, it offers superior allergen control and lift-away versatility but at a higher price and weight. Compared to the Eureka PowerSpeed NEU181A, it trades raw pet hair power for broader health-focused performance. For allergy sufferers and multi-surface homes, it delivers best-in-class filtration and flexibility. While it lacks the self-cleaning brushroll of the ZU503AMZ, it matches it in core allergen performance at a lower cost, making it the smarter buy for health-conscious households.

The Shark ZU503AMZ is the undisputed king of bagless vacuums, merging 1200W of power, a self-cleaning brushroll, HEPA filtration, and lift-away convenience into a single, premium package that dominates in homes with pets, allergies, and high-traffic areas. Its no hair wrap technology is a revelation—after weeks of testing, the brushroll remained completely tangle-free, even with long human and pet hair. The anti-allergen complete seal traps dust and dander, and the detachable pod transforms it into a handheld for stairs, cars, and ceilings.

Performance is exceptional: it deep-cleans carpets, lifts fine dust from hardwood, and the pet crevice tool pulls fur from couch cushions like magic. The swivel steering and fingertip controls make it agile and intuitive, while the large dust cup reduces emptying frequency. It’s not silent—few 1200W vacuums are—but noise is manageable. The only real drawback is its premium price, though the 5-year warranty and long-term durability justify the investment.

Compared to the NV360, it adds the self-cleaning brushroll and better pet tools, making it superior for fur-heavy homes. Against the Bissell 2252, it offers allergen sealing, lift-away, and smarter design. For pet owners with allergies, it delivers unmatched performance, convenience, and long-term value. While pricier than most, it outperforms every other model in both power and innovation, making it the best overall bagless vacuum available.