I bought a Sebo canister this year and I've been pleased with it. Price was quite reasonable too. I got this model from this provider, but they gave me a better price; I think it was maybe $350., because I originally wanted a low-end Miele that was not in stock and having supply chain issues.
https://www.vacuumstore.com/products/sebo-airbelt-k2-turbo-black-cherry-canister-vacuum?_pos=2&_sid=a513e9766&_ss=r
The Sebo and Miele vacuums are both bagged vaccums, which still perform better than the baggless Shark and Dyson tech. The Dyson spinny separation tech looks cool, but old fashioned bags are more robust, easier to design with higher filtration, quieter, easier to empty, etc.
Miele seem a bit better constructed, but that Sebo power brush head is amazing. I would rather have a bagged canister vacuum of any brand than the Shark/Dyson/etc variants, although in an apartment or somewhere with primarily carpet I would be happy to use them.
Having done bagged, then bagless for at least a decade, then bagged again, I am firmly in the bagged camp. I agree, the filtration is higher, and having a bagged vacuum is especially nice at the time of emptying -- there no dust and dirt flying back into the air. Filtration was a big deal for me, and the Sebo not only has the 4 layer thick bags, but also has a pre motor filter and the exhaust filter. Also with the Sebo bag I can go longer without having to empty the vacuum. I do know that there can be less odor when the bagless vacuum is emptied
and cleaned after each use, but I sprinkle air freshener beads into each new bag and my vacuum only starts to smell when the pre and post filters need replacing. The plastic of the bag chamber stays pristine and doesn't need cleaning. My bagless vacuums always smelled, probably because of the build up of oils on the plastic from animal fur and dander.
And that's really a deciding factor, pets or no pets, and how many. Currently we have two German
Shedder Shepherd Dogs and vacuuming needs to happen pretty much daily. We only have one room with carpeting (and the dogs spend very little time in there), so the vacuum is getting all of the dirt, dust, and dander rather than some of it settling into a carpet. If I didn't have animals, and was able to have a no shoes in the house policy, we could get by with a bagless vacuum and not be so worried about longevity. Longevity is my main factor, however, and bagged vacuums in my experience last long than bagless vacuums. Yes, there is the ongoing cost of bags, but I consider that worth it to not be buying a new vacuum every 2-3 years. I pull the Sebo out to vacuum thoroughly several times per week and use the bagless Bissell Air Ram cordless stick vacuum on the other days when I am in a hurry.
