Vacuum cleaner suggestions

I just so happened to pick up that Consumer Reports mag as it had an article on HD TV's.
Their recommendations: they like easy on/off switch, suction control, brush on/off switch, full bag.bin indicator and manual pile adjustment.
They said to match the type of vacuum to the cleaning you do-hardwood floors would be a canister vacuum.
Their picks... Best upright Kenmore progressive w/Direct Drive 35922 ($400), Hoover windtunnel 2 U8311-900 ($250) and Eureka boss smart vac ultra 4870($150)
Best cannisters Kenmore progressive 25614 $350, Kenmore Progressive 25512 $300 and Hoover Windtunnel bagless S3765-040 $180 They liked the Eueka upright and Hoover cannister for pet hair pickup.

I used to use a dirt devil bagless that I got for $150 a few years ago. It was great, for the most part. But I talked DH into spending some wedding money on a Dyson and he and I fight over who gets to vacuum. I think my favorite thing is the wand as the handle. It's light (lighter than the dirt devil), and we haven't had a clogging issue.

We've had it a few months, so there's no telling what can happen, but so far, we both love it.

Btw, we have a light sage microsuede couch and both cats shed dark hair. You wouldn't think they shed with how well the pet hair attachment sucks it up.

Anyway, since it's not in your price range, others have made some really great suggestions. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Wow the Dyson weighs about 27 lbs Yuk to much for me ...I have a Bissell Pro heat carpet cleaner and it is very heavy.

I bought a Panasonic Performance Plus Platinum after I burned up a Dyson by using Arm and Hammer carpet freshner. I didn't have the money to buy another Dyson and the Panasonic was $200.00. I know a lot of people who swear by the Dyson won't believe this but it works every bit as well as the Dyson. I've never seen them in regular stores, I bought mine from a store that just sells vacumns and janitorial supplies.

i have a Eureka The Boss 4870. it's AWESOME. it's been a consumer reports best buy for at least 5 years. and it cleans pet hair just as well as a dyson per their recent vacuum rating issue that tested pet hair. it's also bagged, which i love. i will never have a bagless vacuum again. i've had it for over 2 years and it's still going strong. i got it for less that $150 on walmart.com when i bought it.

The catch with my Oreck is it has to be "dehaired" and the inside parts cleaned periodically- but I know how to do this myself- it is getting to be time for a new fan...I'm also mainly using it on hardwoods and area rugs downstairs, but I haven't had a problem with it not getting the edges, even on the carpeted upstairs... and it's only had the belt replaced twice in 7 years, almost 8, now that I think about it.

I also have a Eureka EZ Kleen, that is very lightweight and cordless, but has a spinning brush roll that you can turn off and on, plus the handle comes off for vacuuming the furniture (and the table runners, etc.)- it's great for bare floors and rugs, especially if you are just spot vacuuming or giving it the once over (I got it when my daughter started to crawl- well, I got my SECOND one then- wore out the first one . It's not for heavy duty cleaning, though- just crumbs, cat hair, etc. between the real vacuuming . It was $40 .

Originally Posted by catlover19

I can tell you one not to get. I dont know if this one is available there but it sucks. You have to take it apart to make it go from the regular vacuum to using the hose. It also doesn't pick anything up very well.

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Do you mean the Dirt devit Scorpion Upright? The members not living in Canada may not be able to access this site as they ask for your postal code.

I have a Viking non-upright from the late 70's (or early 80's) that I inherited from my parents. It's still going strong. I use the power head to do the floors and rugs, which removes fur. I use the suction tube to clean up the dust bunnies and cobwebs, etc. I don't know if they still make Viking, but a vacuum that has lasted almost 30 years is really quite amazing.

Originally Posted by halfpint

Wow the Dyson weighs about 27 lbs Yuk to much for me ...I have a Bissell Pro heat carpet cleaner and it is very heavy.

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Yes it is very heavy. I have one too. I believe it gets what my dirt devil doesn't. I thought about getting a dyson though, but Scott said no since we just got our Bissell Pro heat carpet cleaner in Sept.

Originally Posted by lunasmom

Yesterday the vacuum quit on me. Basically it was making a weird noise and not sucking well (despite putting on a brand new bag).!

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Chances are the power nozzle belt is broken and / or there is a clog someplace between the floor tool and the cannister.

A belt costs about $3.00 and is easy to replace. Clogs can be a bit more tedious to find. Most vacuums have "trap doors" that accumulate larger stuff and can be relatively easy to clean out. However, some vacuums like my Phantom Fury have a few such places and one I need to access using a straightened out coat hanger to dig out the clog.

See if you can get yours working before going out and investing in yet another vacuum.

I forgot to mention that I have an upright Eureka Sanitaire that I have had for a good 17 years. The vacuum shop where I bought it told be to replace the belt every year which I do. I also have a canister vac-a dirt devil which works well.
We also have 2 Kenmore shop vacs for the stuff we don't want to pick up with the other vacs. I haven't had any problems with any of them.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Chances are the power nozzle belt is broken and / or there is a clog someplace between the floor tool and the cannister.

A belt costs about $3.00 and is easy to replace. Clogs can be a bit more tedious to find. Most vacuums have "trap doors" that accumulate larger stuff and can be relatively easy to clean out. However, some vacuums like my Phantom Fury have a few such places and one I need to access using a straightened out coat hanger to dig out the clog.

See if you can get yours working before going out and investing in yet another vacuum.

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I found out from B that it was 12 years old. Really honestly, I didn't like the vacuum. It would really just more or less "smear" the cat hair across the area rugs.

We do have another vac (mine) but its useless on bare floors and area rugs. It's only good for carpet.