Heavy duty - yet lightweight upright vacuum cleaner?

[C.Ann]

DD's upright vacuum cleaner is about to die and we're thrilled to death! LOL..

The darn thing was like trying to push, pull, lug a Mack truck around.. I don't remember the name brand - all I can tell you is that this particular model came out around 6 years ago, a dark burgundy color, and is bagless.. (You just take this doo-dad off the front and empty it..) It was fairly pricey and definitely did a good job, but between her disabilities and me only weighing in the 80 lb.+ range, it was murder for us to try to use it.. Nine times out of 10, DGD had to use it or DD's DH would take care of it..

So - what is available now? They have a dog and a cat - so it has to do a good job on fur and such - it will be used daily - both carpeting and hard wood floors in the house - and would require all the various attachments..

They don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but aren't looking for "cheap" either..

Any suggestions? The most important thing is that it's lightweight - in terms of pushing, pulling, etc..

Thanks!

 

[auntmeme7577]

We have 2 dogs, 4 cats and I quilt so there is lots to pick up
I bought an Oreck and LOVE it. I can't believe how lightweight and powerful it is. It has the extra bonus of a really long cord

 

[sookie]

Oreck! hands down best vac!

 

[C.Ann]

Alrighty then.. Will check the Oreck out.. Thanks!

 

[java]

Yep Oreck!
I tried the Dyson and hated it. Too heavy and did not do the animal fur that it said it would. Went back to Oreck. (got it on QVC as a TSV and easy pay so it didn't seem as pricey)

 

[ktlm]

They can be pricey, but our Dyson is the best vacuum cleaner we have ever had. We tested it out by vacuuming our house with a different vacuum and then re-vacumming with the Dyson and it was amazing how much stuff the Dyson pulled up even though the room was freshly vacuumed. I love the fact that we just pop off the dirt holder and open it and dump the gunk into the trash with no bags and no mess.

 

[RMAMom]

I have to add my vote for the Oreck! I bought a Dyson and it was great (although very heavy') for about a year and then it wouldn't pick up anything. I bought my Oreck 4 years ago on QVC and it works just a good as the day I bought it and it is lightand easy to carry up and down the stairs.

 

[MineMail]

Our wedding-gift Oreck upright lasted 22 years before the suction tube cracked and we couldn't get a replacement part. Worked perfectly right up until the end. We bought a new Oreck upright to replace it for $199. The new one is lighter and the bags are easier to change.

Watch the papers for a sale - we got ours for $100 off and no tax. Sometimes the website/online offers are good, but they usually bundle the upright wiht something else.
If you don't need those things, save your money. We still have the little canister that came with our original upright, which works fine.


This morning, I saw a $20 off coupon on our local newspaper's "Today's Deals" online page, but the sale we lucked into was better. ($100 off)
Still, if you're in a pinch, it's better than nothing.

 

[disneymarie]

We have 2 dogs, 4 cats and I quilt so there is lots to pick up
I bought an Oreck and LOVE it. I can't believe how lightweight and powerful it is. It has the extra bonus of a really long cord

I agree, hands down the Oreck. The only downfall is the attachments. But, I had bought with the money I saved a Shark Navigator to do the stairs, downstairs areas, and cars. Oh and it had a lot of attachments to clean everything in the house.

But the Oreck, even on my older carpets left great vacuum line. So light, easy to use. I bought the paper type bags instead of the cloth pricey bag.

 

[miralys]

Another vote for Oreck. Got mine used in 2005 and it's still going strong. It's lightweight enough that I can use it even if my carpal tunnel is acting up.

 

[furb & dez]

You'll pry my Dyson from my cold, dead hands! With 3 cats, you'd be surprised how much fur actually gets picked up.

 

[MissUndastood]

I have both the Dyson Anima land the Oreck. Love them both, but would suggest the Oreck to the OP based on her needs. The Oreck is just so light and easy to manuever.

 

[jrmasm]

Dyson Slim is very light weight.

 

[shoney]

Oreck!

 

[LoriKutchey]

Oreck, Oreck, Oreck!