Bagged vacuums have a ton of hidden benefits — and Halo's new release is a masterclass in how to do them right

• The Halo Capsule XR is a cordless, bagged vacuum
• Uses compostable, sustainably-sourced, large-capacity bags
• Also boasts HEPA-14 filtration and an anti-tangle floorhead

These days, bagged vacuums can seem a little bit old-fashioned. Certainly, most manufacturers seem to be focusing on bagless designs that put the grimy contents of your carpets proudly on display.

As a vacuum tester, I'm a little sad to see this — mainly because bagged vacuums have a ton of hidden benefits. Keeping everything neatly contained in a bag means you won't be enveloped in a plume of escaped dust, dirt, and allergens every time you need to empty the bin. The filters need far less frequent cleaning than they would on a bagless vacuum, and they're generally hardier and more reliable, too.

One of the few brands to continue to produce bagged vacuums is Halo — it's the brand behind the Capsule X vacuum that earned a perfect five stars in our review. So when news reached my ears that there was a new model coming out, I was excited.

The new Halo Capsule XR looks even better than its predecessor, with more powerful suction, increased airflow, and an upgraded filter. Because it's bagged, you're getting all those benefits I mentioned earlier. Allergy-sufferers are particularly well catered for: as well as the efficient dust containment offered by the bag, Halo has added HEPA 14 filtration. This is a specialized, medical-grade filter that can capture even smaller particles than your standard HEPA.

Halo has gone some way to negating the downsides of bagged vacuums, too. The bags can hold up to 2 liters of dirt, which means they can handle plenty of cleaning before you'll need to swap a new one in. They're also made from FSC-certified sustainable sources and are compostable at the end of their life, to minimize their environmental impact.

The design is slightly unusual and boasts some useful touches. It can stand upright on its own, for one, and there's a flexible tube provided for getting right into nooks and crannies where hair and dust can lurk.

The other specs are up there with the best cordless vacuums I've tested, too. Thanks to an innovative carbon fiber build, the Capsule XR clocks in at 2.8kg, which is impressively light. It can manage up to 70 minutes of cleaning per charge, and recharge is speedy at two-and-a-half hours. Halo has also added anti-wrap features to the brushroll, so pet/human hair shouldn't get tangled.

At list price, the Halo Capsule XR is really rather expensive: £672 for the standard bundle or £757 for the two-battery option. However, based on the price history of the previous model, I'd expect regular discounts. Right now, there's an 'introductory offer' that takes the price down to a far more reasonable £299.99 for one battery, or £339.99 for two.

The best vacuums

➡️ Read our full guide to the best vacuums
1. Best overall:
Dreame R20 Cordless
2. Best upright:
Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum
3. Best premium:
Dyson Gen5detect
4. Best for pet hair:
Shark PowerDetect Cordless

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