If everyone made messes emptying their vacuum canisters, I don't think bagless models would be so popular. :-)

Seriously, Kel, it might be easier to improve your emptying technique than to find a good vacuum with bags. I haven't used bags in many years (and do not miss buying them!). Here's how I empty my two Sharks, and it worked for my Dyson too: In the kitchen (I don't go outside) I open up a plastic grocery bag, place the canister inside, and then release the bottom cover. The contents are transferred to the grocery bag.

Obviously, I keep the canister low so that the contents don't have a long drop. That would result in a mess. I tap the canister gently, and when it's empty I remove it and gently close up the bottom. Then I carefully gather the sides of the grocery bag and tie it up. Into the trash--voila!

Someone else might have an even better method.

I much prefer dealing with the sharks canister than with those bags, I hated those bags, hard to get on hard to get off and can make a big mess in the process.

I do similar technique, but I have a tall trash can in my kitchen. I lower the canister down into the clean trash bag in the trash can and pull the trigger, every thing is dumped out of the bottom of the canister. All dust and dirt is contained well in the trash bag. I tie up the trash bag and out it goes. I never have to touch any of the dirty stuff like you do when messing with bags.
I think if you tried it a few times you would quickly realize how much better it is. And since the canister is clear you can easily see the contents and when it needs to be emptied. Just don't let it get so full that it is crammed in there and has to be pried out. I empty it every time it is used.
I still absolutely love my Shark lift away navaigator pro. AND so does my cleaning lady, so much that she went and bought herself one just like it.
My only complaint might be that it could have a longer stretch hose.

I highly recommend the Hoover Wind Tunnel.

I've used both kinds and don't have an issue emptying either one. I emptied the bin the same way Susan and Raven described and changing the bags on my Kenmore and my Hoover are easy too - I don't get any dirt on my hands.
What I didn't like about my son's Shark was having to wash all the filters.

This post was edited by maire_cate on Wed, Jul 2, 14 at 17:53

I have an online subscription to Consumer Reports and just checked to see what they rated. Obviously they don't review every brand and model but this is what they listed.

Bagged Uprights
1. Kenmore Elite 31150
2. Miele S 7210 Twist
3. Miele S7260 Cat & Dog
4. Kenmore Progressive 31069 - a Consumer Reports Best Buy
5. Hoover Wind Tunnel Max UH30600 - also a Best Buy
6. Hoover Platinum Bagged UH30010com
7. Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870
8. Miele Jazz #7280
9. Hoover Wind Tunnel Anniversary U6485-900

Bagless Uprights
1. Hoover Wind Tunnel T Series Rewind Bagless UH70120 - Best Buy
2. Eureka Air Speed AS1000A - also a Best Buy
3. Eureka Air Speed AS 1001A Gold
4. Shark Rotator Pro Lift Away NV501
5. Shark navigator Lift Away NV 352 and NV 351

Miele is good but pricey...you can probably find a used one. I've had one for 25 years.

I have had good luck with electrolux I am on my second one and I have only had two in my 60 years of house keeping. They do have paper bags easy to change no muss or fuss.

I love the Oreck. It uses bags. It is lightweight. We have two of them plus the little handheld one that came with my original one. Just don't get close to a throw rug or it will eat it. LOL

I also recommend Hoover Wind Tunnel. They are great.

My vacuum cleaner repair shop recommends Sanitaire. It's the kind cleaning services use. I have not tried it. I use a Hoover.

I'm an Oreck user of many years too. I have two bagged vacs, one at each end of the house. I have the basic model (XL, or XLT?) many years old, and a newer Magnesium. When we bought this (larger) house, I needed a vacuum here of course but I still had the former house to clean, paint and update and needed a vacuum there though the end of real estate showings, I didn't want to take one back and forth with me every time I went even if they do weigh next to nothing.

I've got the Oreck floor steamer and one of their hand vacs too.

We have a Dyson and love it!!!!! Yes, it is pricy, but I think worth it. It is great to pick up cat hair. When you have 2 cats you need all the help you can get.

As far as emptying the canister, we just empty it into our big garbage can or use my garbage can out of my office.

I have 2 Dyson vac. One upright, one canister. I just put them over the kitchen trash can and pull the trigger. Never have a mess. I would NEVER go back to a vac with bags.

Kel, I felt the same way you do when I first got a bagless, a dyson, which I would never buy again because you have to send them out to have the belt replaced. I'm sorry, but that's just plain crazy. After doing that it came back not working as well as it did before. Since it took more than three weeks to have the belt changed I bought an inexpensive Bissell that I now love more than I ever did the dyson.
I have four long haired cats and this Bissell Lift off is amazing! I love the attachments too.
Anyway, I empty my vacuums the same way alisande does. If you're careful. there's very little dust. Having severe allergies, I can say it's not enough to bother me, and everything bothers me.

Gosh, I thought bags had completely gone. Those bags leak dust all over the house. Taking a canister outside and emptying over the trash can - no comparison to those horrible bags. I think there's a reason why most manufacturers went to bagless.