I researched vacuums online and decided to try the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser. It really did a great job grooming the carpet, but the flip-down piece was more of a hinderance for us. We couldn't get under furniture when it was up and couldn't get close to walls and furniture with it down. DH and DD refused to use the Pet Hair Eraser, so I finally gave in and returned it within the 60 day limit I had.
-The cord wrap is in a tight space, like 12" span between hoses on the back of the handle.
-The brushes do not have a switch to turn them off and are on even when the hand is upright. I also didn't like the way the brushes acted when I pushed the cleaner back and forth - like they couldn't decide which direction to roll. I don't know if that was normal or not. It would "walk" across my kitchen floor (indoor-outdoor type carpet) and it wasn't self-propelled. It also did not seem to pick anything up in that room.
-When I would pull the dust cup to empty it, dirt would always fall on top of the cleaner and floor I had just cleaned. More hair and dirt would clog in the upper part of the that remains attached to the vacuum.
The other, much cheaper, Bissell cleaner I have is designed a little bit differently, and I never had an issue with dust and dirt dropping all over where I just cleaned.
I recently purchased the Hoover Mach 6. It's the same as the Mach 5, but has
-an extension hose
-floor attachment.
It features
-cord rewind
-an on/off switch that turns the brushes off for hard surfaces (they also stop when the handle is upright)
-an adjustable-height handle
-a bottom-empty dirt cup
The only ilk thus far - the light bulb burned out in less than three weeks (minor problem, besides it was to high to shine on the floor anyway). So far it has seems to do a pretty decent job of cleaning up after a yellow lab and 3 cats who drop hair like crazy on cranberry colored carpet (very noticeable). It even works on my kitchen carpet.
