


Downside is 8 bags might cost $20, and depending on animals you might go through 8 bags a year. With a bagged vacuum, you can change the bag out indoors, but never need to worry about the HEPA filter cleaning. With a traditional canister, you can dump it in your indoor trash can, depending on how dusty the canister is. I've owned bagged and bagless/canister vacuum of various sorts in the past. It's probably the best vacuum I've ever owned in terms of raw cleaning power, but it's probably the most troublesome to empty. I'm completely unbiased because I literally got a Rainbow SE for free. I personally think water filter tech should be designed for the construction field, as I find shop vacs without filters all the time, and there is always water onsite, but that is a different discussion for another time. I am going to google third party lab results on this because I'm curious to see how effective they really are. As a child I could use the rainbow both on carpet and hard floors just as quickly and as effectively as an adult (I also loved using the rainbow because I was a weird child that thought it was so cool). It's worth mentioning that rainbows (or any canister style vacuum) are much easier to use than a heavier upright (granted I don't know how light modern ones are), so older folks or kids can use them. Owning a regular bagged uprights or Swiffer (or both, depending on your flooring type) in addition to a rainbow is better. Personally, you can't own just a rainbow. Is the water nasty after use? Very, and finding and then using a suitable dumping spot is sometimes a chore. For those with bags, you can't deny the old bag smell when the bag is almost full. Speaking of filters, I get a fresh one every use (after the vacuuming is done, the water must be dumped and the unit cannot be stored with water in it. So long as I have water, I have a filter. Personally I like the fact i will never have to buy certain filters ever. There are pros and cons to water, but the pros are starting to get smaller thanks to better filter construction. In my experience, the suction quality doesn't degrade as the unit ages compared to the standard bagged uprights I've seen. Definitely buy refurbished, not new, a Gen 4 or Gen 5 is still quite effective. As a rainbow fan, I have some things to add.
