By Bryan Wall
Product Test Journalist | Kaipūrongo Whakamātautau Hautaonga
If you have a vacuum cleaner with a bag, you probably baulk at the cost of the manufacturer’s branded replacement bags.
Third-party bags are much cheaper and more convenient, as you can usually pick them up at the supermarket.
But could choosing this thrifty option end up as a costly mistake?
What are third-party bags?
Third-party vacuum cleaner bags aren’t made by the manufacturer of your vacuum cleaner.
You can find third-party bags that are compatible with most major vacuum brands at hardware and appliance stores as well as supermarkets. While they may look similar to branded bags, they won’t necessarily be identical and are often made from different materials.
Some common third-party bag brands
Filta available at Mitre 10, Bunnings, Woolworths and New World.
Menalux available at Harvey Norman.
Ultra Clean (by Filta) available at The Warehouse and Mitre 10
Vac-pac available at Noel Leeming and Briscoes.
How much can I save?
How much you’ll save by using third-party bags will vary depending on the brand.
For example, a pack of four Miele-brand bags for a Complete C3 vacuum, purchased direct from Miele, currently costs $34.90 – so $8.73 each. Yet, a set of five bags made by Filta compatible with the Complete C3 currently only cost $13.69 at Woolworths – so, $2.74 each, a third of the price of the branded versions.
It’s a significant saving, but are you getting the same quality?
What about quality and fit?
Third-party manufacturers are still bound by the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA), which says products must be fit for purpose. But we often hear from our members about third-party bags bursting and not fitting properly.
One member recently contacted us about their Miele vacuum that had stopped working and was diagnosed as having a blown motor, which would cost over $300 to repair. The member had been told that the Filta vacuum bag they’d been using didn’t fit properly, and dust had escaped and got sucked into the motor, eventually causing the failure.
When our member contacted Miele about a repair, they were pointed to the warranty clause in their vacuum’s manual, which stated that faults and damage caused using accessories that didn’t have the Miele logo on their packaging weren’t covered by the warranty.
Miele suggested our member contact Filta and, when she did, Filta immediately agreed to pay for the cost of the repair, as well as the associated shipping costs.
Filta’s general manager, Lee James, told us, “When an issue is brought to our attention – whether directly by a customer, through a retailer, or via a manufacturer – we undertake a review to understand the cause and determine the appropriate resolution … Standing behind our products is an important part of our commitment under the Consumer Guarantees Act, and we aim to ensure customers are not left without support.”
Great to hear Filta is doing the right thing!
James also advised Filta has since modified its Miele-compatible bags, changing the collar design and placement to ensure a better fit.
“We monitor all aftermarket versions, VacPac and Menalux to name a couple of local versions, but we look to Australia for any updates as well, so as to ensure we have the best possible solution for all brands,” said James.
Should you buy third-party vacuum cleaner bags?
We think it’s worth giving third-party bags a go.
Make sure the bag fits properly before you use it. If possible, compare the third-party bag to the original branded one that came with your vacuum.
Check for excess dust in the compartment after the first use, as this is a sign the bag doesn’t fit properly. If the bag’s packaging claims it’ll fit your vacuum and it doesn’t, you’re covered by the CGA.
And stick to brands you can buy in store in New Zealand; don’t be tempted by even cheaper bags from Temu or AliExpress.
Don’t reuse vacuum cleaner bags
Don’t be tempted to empty and reuse a vacuum cleaner bag.
Vacuum bags often act as a filter. The material of a used bag will be full of dust, so reusing a bag is like vacuuming with a clogged filter. This puts excess strain on the motor and can create poor suction. It can also push more dust into the air and is unhygienic.
Sick of buying bags?
Check out our vacuum reviews to find the best bagless vacuum for you.
