I've read the previous threads with most people saying Dysons are rubbish and recommending either a Miele Cat & Dog or a Henry.

Our 11 yo cylinder Dyson just isn't picking up properly anymore and I've decided to get a new cleaner - we have a dog who seems to be moulting more than ever.

But... I hate the thought of going back to the hassle of bags, buying them, checking they're full/empty etc.

Can anyone persuade me otherwise - is there any going back from bagless?

If you want to be discourage to use bagless, I can do! I had one because people in the UK swear by it, and gave it to my MIL after 6 months and happily bought a bagged hoover again... . I didn't like the clogging, the constant cleaning of the filter (takes a long time) and render the hoover useless while it is drying (unless you got 2 filters, but that's expensive). You can't hoover shard of glass, because you won't be able to clean the filter without cutting yourself... (plus you might damage it)
and you have to have outside space to empty the reservoir, it is flying everywhere when you empty it, it is like you just hoover for nothing and spreading the dust all over again, especially on you.. not good with animal hairs.
With a bag, you take it out carefully and hop in the bin. If you find it a bother to find the right one, you can always purchase a lot a the same time may be 10 packs, it doesn't expire and you should be sorted for almost a year. Plus I like to put a ball of cotton with some lavender oil in the bag so it smells nice and relax me (as much as you can while hoovering ) which you can't do with a bagless. (it will clogged the filter)
Seeing the amount of water and time I spent cleaning the filter of the bagless, I don't think it was more ecologically freindly or cheaper than a bag one.

I have a Miele and love it. It tells you when the bag is full, the bag has a wee tab that you pull to seal it - no mess, no hassle, you can just put it in the kitchen bin. I do wish the bag was bio-degradable though, but I'm just conning myself that I'd put it in the compost. The kind of crap I hoover up wouldn't compost....plaster, sawdust, lego, hair clips. The Hepa filters for the Miele are mega-bucks, but I confess I haven't replaced mine in erm....4yrs .

I used to use a Dyson at work, having to traipse outside to empty it in the dumper bins, if it was windy the dust would fly in your face. When they had new carpets all the fluff kept bunging up the filter....bleurgh and bits kept breaking.You have to wind the cord up by hand (lazy smiley) Can't see the attraction.

Thanks - have dispatched DH to Makro to buy a Miele Cat&Dog - and lots of spare bags.

To update - readers, we bought the Miele Cat & Dog and are delighted with it - it virtually sucks up the floorboards (but has various power settings so you can choose a more gentle one).

I was feeling a bit guilty about not buying British but dh informs me Dyson has moved production to China, only the design is done in Britain now, so don't feel so bad now,

And our carpets are dog-hair free with a lot less effort.