Bagged or Bagless? We recommend bagged vacuums, and here's the reason why. Over the past several years, bagless vacuum cleaners have become more popular in the U.S. compared with the traditional vacuum cleaner. Bagless vacuum manufacturers argue that money is saved because there is no need to purchase bags. Other manufacturers argue differently. One thing is true--bagless technology is not fully understood by most consumers and further explanations are needed.

Bagless vacuum systems use a "cyclonic" technology that separates larger dirt and debris from the main air stream and drops these particles into a cup. This cup can then be removed and the dirt dumped into a waste can. The problem with "cyclonic" technology is that only the larger particles of dirt and debris are removed, and the fine dirt exhausts out of the vacuum -- back into the room.

To overcome this problem, all bagless machines require filters to capture smaller particles. While it's true you'll save money not purchasing bags, you will have to pay yearly for replacement filters. Bagless vacuum manufacturers recommend changing filters 1-2 times per year. New filters cost $20 to $60 per filter.

In addition to this expense, bagless owners complain about having to dump the dirt cup (releasing dirt particles back into the air), unclog the cyclonic filter cup, wash the inside filters on some models, and wash the dirt cup itself from time to time. Plus, bagless machines on the market are built like disposable machines.
Demonstrations on bagless machines show that they do an impressive visual job of picking up dirt, and the idea of not buying bags is appealing. That's why sales of bagless machines are rising. On the other hand, a year's supply of vacuum bags costs about $20, and are simple to remove and throw away. With traditional uprights, there's no issue of washing filters or dirt cups. Many industry experts predict that sales of bagless machines will continue to grow, but also predict that owners will soon see the realities, difficulties and costs of bagless systems and revert to using vacuum bags.

Which Vacuum Is Right For Me? The answer is not a straightforward one as your specific needs will be different than other people. There are several major manufacturers of cleaners with each bringing a little something different to their lineups in terms of features, quality rating, pricing, and even models. Come into our showroom and let us work together to find the right vacuum that will solve your problems best. Everything we carry is of great quality and we have a lot to choose from.

Where are Riccar vacuums manufactured? Operating out of California, Riccar is a manufacturer and distributor of its own line of vacuum cleaners in the United States. Five warehouses are operated coast to coast to supply retail stores with product on an immediate need. Riccar's production facility, Tacony Manufacturing, is located in St. James, Missouri where many of its vacuum cleaners are assembled. Other related products are imported from their manufacturing partner in the Orient.