Dear suvuc,
 
I only reply to this question once a year because anything that you buy -- and want to keep -- requires some looking after.  Do you own a car?  Well, just like regular oil changes plus brake and tire checks, regular cleaning of filters and emptying of bagless machines and disposable bag replacement for bagged machines are a must.
 
If you want to lower the maintenance potential, get a bagged machine -- type is your choice -- with large dust capacity or better yet try a central vacuum system.  Depending on the size of your home, a vacuum with a four-quart or larger bag may suffice and reduce your having to mess around with maintenance issue to once a month.
 
An unbagged central vacuum system may need a dump only a few times a year or even less.  Keep in mind this all depends upon the household in which it is used.  
 
Try either suggestion but be advised that brand to brand vacuum bags can be totally affordable or a real hit in the pocket.  Central vacuums require a certain outlay up front for installation and may or may not draw on funds yearly in regard to filtering media in need of change year to year.  Educate yoursellf as well as you can so that you can come out on top.
 
I would add -- sometimes irritation with vacuum maintenance, machine to machine, has a lot to do with whether or not the machine you're using is one you prefer.  Did you buy your Bissell because you liked it or was it a purchase made merely because it fit your budget at the time you needed a vacuum?
 
Venson

I cannot  really complain about vaccum cleaner maintenance..
Maybe our $50 Dirt Devil needs too much, but it is a cheapie..The now gone POS  Hoover needed maintenance/repair every time it was used..
But equipment must be maintained, there is simply no way around this...
 
Repair is what a man must do when the maintenance has been skipped..

Quote from suvuc on 01/29/07 at 2:45pm:

 
A broom.  Works only as good as the person using it until one and/or the other wear out.
 
Carmine D.