I need a new vacuum, any suggestions?

[tc]

I've had my Kirby since 1985, a long time. It finally gave up the ghost, electrical problem. I loved that vacuum, although it was heavy.

My dilemma is that I will have carpet only in my bedrooms by this time next year, so I don't really need a fancy vacuum. Should I take it in and get it fixed, or buy a new vacuum? What features do I need to use it on wood or carpet? Should I just sweep the wood and vacuum the carpet.

Any advice, suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MinnieMe2]

I had a Kirby for twelve years, and it's still alive and running -- in the garage or for construction projects only. We have primarily wood floors and area rugs, four kids, two dogs and two cats. I found the Kirby to be cumbersome, heavy, and a royal pain to go from floors to carpets. So, two years ago, I bought a Kenmore. Consumer Reports gave it the highest rating at the time, and I've been extremely happy with it. Floors to carpets with a flick of a switch, very adequate suction, works well on stairs and furniture. I paid $300 for it on sale and I've never had a problem with it.

 

[cynsaun]

Whatever you buy, DON'T get a Hoover! We bought one and the extended warranty. I am SO thankful we got the warranty as we are now on our 5th vacuum in years!

 

[cabmom]

Dyson is supposed to be good. I just bought a Kenmore though. If I had the extra money I would buy a Dyson.

 

[tc]

I just saw Dyson advertised the other day. Never heard of it before, then saw it at Target. I've always like Kenmore appliances. Maybe I'll research consumer reports more.

Any more suggestions?

 

[lilpritch04]

We got a dyson for our wedding and love it!! We have a dog who sheds like crazy and this vacuum is the best thing ever! We use it on all of our floors--carpet, Pergo, tile, concrete--it is excellent! It is worth the extra money in my book--and it's really not all that more. My parents bought a Kenmore last year for $322 and ours was $400 and works much better!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Dyson is all the rage right now, but we couldn't afford one.

We got a Hoover Windtunnel selfpropelled off Overstock.com for $150 about a month ago. It's WONDERFUL - I love it. We researched the model alot on consumer reports and such, and it seemed to be a great model, at a GREAT price ($300+ in the stores)

We also looked at Kenmores =)

 

[jrydberg]

Miele is the best vacuum cleaner I've had (by a good margin)

 

[jfulcer]

Just buy any one you want. They all suck, really.

 

[spewey]

Ahhh, but some suck better than others.

The wife and I purchased a Miele last year, for a house with some area rugs, but mostly hardwood. It is fantastic on both, probably the best vacuum out there. The downside - they are not cheap.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Cute, Jeff! Ha ha!

I'm looking for one myself. I like canisters rather than uprights. Those things are way too heavy and cumbersome. Not having any luck finding one yet. Target just has uprights here.

 

[tc]

I've always had an upright, but thought a canister may be easier to use. I don't think I want to spend a lot, since I have so little carpet. Now I am more confused than ever!!!!

 

[nativetxn]

I have a Dyson. It isn't pretty but I really love it. No bags to mess with and the filter never clogs up.

 

[Kae]

Canisters work better on hard floors, if you get one with a floor attachment.

Kae

 

[gr8tpanther]

I have a bagless wind tunnel, I love it!!!! It sucks too

 

[KrnB]

We really like our Dyson. It works well on everything and cleans better than our old vac. We got the mid-range one that came with the under-the-furniture attachment

It's expensive, but we've saved so much money already by not having to buy the replacement HEPA filters for the bagless Hoover upright we had before - at $30-40 a piece, they add up fast. DH and I both have dust allergies, and DH has a severe case of asthma on top of it, so good filteration is really important to us.

The Dyson has a washable filter and a bagless system that empties the container from below, really reducing the amount of dust that flies out. Now DH can empty it himself (he's usually the one that does the vacuuming), rather than asking me to do it for him.

I also like the fact that it is really lightweight - you can easily pick it up with one hand.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by tc
I've always had an upright, but thought a canister may be easier to use. I don't think I want to spend a lot, since I have so little carpet. Now I am more confused than ever!!!!

I've owned one upright. A gift from my bridesmaids. HATED IT! It was too much. Love pulling the little canister around behind me, don't have to pick it up, a lot easier on the steps also. And it reaches way under the furniture easily. I'm a very happy camper with one.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm... There is one thing that would make me happier...central vacuuming!! But I'm not paying that price. My parents put it in their house when I still lived there. It was the best!

 

[Feralpeg]

I love my Dyson. I have a lot of pet fur in my house and this is the only vacuum I've found that can handle it. It's very easy to use.

 

[tc]

Central vac, now that would be great. If I knew I'd be in this house longer, I'd look into this. Definately in my "retirement" home. That is, the one I plan to live out my days in.

That Dyson is sounding better and better. No bags or filters to buy can really add up. I think I'll look into this one a little more.

 

[Pin Wizard]

You're not old enough to think about your retirement home, Kelli!

I've been reading these and will be looking at Dyson also. The one I'm replacing is a Phantom...also bagless. But I wasn't all that impressed with it. The bagless part, yes, but not the machine itself.