Ladies I need help! Vacuum help

fastnoc

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So things finally picked up, and I've secured a home that will let me move now that my sister passed, and my mom is stable. I caught up her bills and now it's time to get my own place again.

I am going to buy a vacuum for my mother. it's kind of a surprise (not that a vacuum is a gift) but i want to get her a good one.

I know NOTHING about these, but want to get her something that will last a few years, at least.

Personally I think the hype around the dyson ball is just that. but I don't know. They have a new one called the animal that's not a ball. That's what I was figuring was probably the best bet.

I found a Dyson DC28 Airmuscle for 475 including shipping. I think that's a fair price. but before I buy it I was wondering what the general consensus was about vacuums, and the best way to go. I'm not looking for discounts, just the best bang for the buck.

Thoughts?
 
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fastnoc

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Well i DID go to consumer reports, but I have a hard time paying to see a comparison guide when forums exist.
 

dusty's mom

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I have a Shark Navigator and I love it! (Less than $200) Now Shark has come out with a new model - Lift Away that turns the upright into a canister.

IMHO Shark works as good as a Dyson for a lot less money.
 

ducman69

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Although I agree with the title addressing just the ladies since vacuuming is women's work and all (also, get me a beer while you're up *dodges the thrown bottle*), but us guys do like neat vacuums since they are complex machines now!


Personally, from my experience w/ other models and reviews, Dyson appears to be more marketing muscle than vacuuming. They are by no means BAD vacuums, but you can often get the same (or superior) results with vacuums costing half as much.

The DC28 was posted on gizmodo a while back for its neat pneumatic mechanism allowing it to create a tighter seal over a carpeted surface, but if you're not really anal about noise production you can get the same by 'traditional' means much cheaper and lighter weight (forward is easy, but heavier pull and takes muscle to maneuver). If going Dyson, most people like the DC25 better as well.

Personally, I'm lazy and have almost all tile in the house so am sticking with my impractical but fun Roomba 530 robot squadron.


Be sure to check slickdeals.net for pricing, as I have seen the Dyson's pop up very discounted quite often.
 

sharky

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How large is your home ? If under 2000 sq ft try this one... works as well as my dyson ..http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hoover-Nan...mpact/10174466

It is very light wt and a work horse
.. Oh and you can buy 2 a year for the 5 yr dyson warrenty for the same price
... I have had mine for a couple years and LOVE it ... they HEAVY dyson rarely gets used...
 

jcat

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Ducman and Jen make a really good point - the Dyson is very heavy. My mother had trouble maneuvering hers as she got older, so weight might be a consideration. Some people also don't like emptying bagless vacuums since it can be a dusty job. An upright is better if she has mainly carpeting, and a canister more convenient for bare flooring.
 

gailc

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I looked through consumer reports and bought their top rated Kenmore upright.
It's awesome. Its fairly lightweight, easy to manuever and much more resonable than a Dyson. My carpets are noticeably cleaner!
 

Winchester

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We have the Dyson animal and we love it. That being said, however, it is a heavy appliance, that's for sure. But with six cats in the house, we needed something that would truly work. And the Dyson does work.
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom

I have a Shark Navigator and I love it! (Less than $200) Now Shark has come out with a new model - Lift Away that turns the upright into a canister.

IMHO Shark works as good as a Dyson for a lot less money.
AMAZING!!! That thing is awesome! Powerful, light, cleans like crazy. very easy to empty and clean in including cleaning the cyclonic chambers, lifetime free filters, but I don't think I will need them- you can just wash them and let them dry (it comes with an extra pair). The pethair tool it also really powerful. I couldn't be happier! If I buy another one when this goes down, it will definitely be an updated model.
 

darlili

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I also got the Consumer Reports top rated Kenmore upright and love it - I change the filters twice a year, and that's about it for maintenance. But I agree - you might want to check the weight of the vacuum - if something is too heavy to use easily, doesn't make a difference if it's best in class or not. My Kenmore isn't all that heavy, to me, anyway, but I'm in my 50's.
 
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