Vacuum died. Any suggestions for good replacement?

[JandJ]

I had my mom's old Electrolux canister vacuum and LOVED it. It was 40 years old, had been fixed before, but sadly, yesterday while using the power nozzle attachment in our master bedroom, it died It would not be worth the money to fix it again. I don't like uprights, so I want another canister vac - any suggestions for a good one that won't break the bank? Our house is 90% hardwood, tile in the bathrooms and laundry room, and a brand new low shag in the master bedroom. TIA!

 

[Irin997]

How about another Electrolux canister?

http://smallappliances.electroluxusa.com/node138.asp?CategoryID=3093

FWIW, my boyfriend's mother gave me her old Electrolux canister and while I loathe canister vacuums, this one does an amazing job.

 

[monkey30]

I love my Dyson upright, not sure how good the canisters are though.

Might be something to look at!

 

[englishteacha]

My MIL sells vacuums at Sears. She has a Kenmore canister that she's had for years. My SIL has a Rainbow vacuum, canister (the type you add water to) that is about 30 years old and it works great. My mom loves her Electrolux, and has had it repaired twice in 20 years and it works like new.

 

[JandJ]

How about another Electrolux canister?

http://smallappliances.electroluxusa.com/node138.asp?CategoryID=3093

FWIW, my boyfriend's mother gave me her old Electrolux canister and while I loathe canister vacuums, this one does an amazing job.

I'd heard the new Electrolux are not nearly as good as the old ones. They were taken over by another company and the workmanship is not as good. I'll have to check it out though - thanks for the link.

I love my Dyson upright, not sure how good the canisters are though.

Might be something to look at!

I didn't know Dyson made a canister. I'll look into that - thanks!

My MIL sells vacuums at Sears. She has a Kenmore canister that she's had for years. My SIL has a Rainbow vacuum, canister (the type you add water to) that is about 30 years old and it works great. My mom loves her Electrolux, and has had it repaired twice in 20 years and it works like new.

My Godmother had a Kenmore canister vac that she left me in her will (seriously), but you would not believe the family drama that I would have had to go through to get it - not worth it! I'll give the Kenmore a try - thanks!

DH would prefer an upright, but I do 99% of the vacuuming so he has no say The reasons I prefer the canister vac are the attachments and the hose. The hose on any upright I've ever seen is entirely too short. I could get the hose on my Electrolux up to the vent fan above the toilet, snake it around behind the toilet, under the baker's rack in the kitchen, behind the media cabinet, etc., and I can easily change out the power nozzle for the standard large brush to do my hardwoods. It's JMHO, but find it very convenient. Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We have a Rainbow (water vac, not upright). I LOVE IT! NO dust goes back into the air because it is in the water. We do not wear shoes in the house and vacuum weekly, that water is the most discusting thing ever - EVERY WEEK!

My mom and 3 family friends also have Rainbows. I tried my MIL's Dyson and really didn't like it at all.

We bought it refurbished for $500, they are expensive. But we have had it for over 5 years and have not had any issues with it.

 

[maleficentmom]

We have a Rainbow (water vac, not upright). I LOVE IT! NO dust goes back into the air because it is in the water. We do not wear shoes in the house and vacuum weekly, that water is the most discusting thing ever - EVERY WEEK!

My mom and 3 family friends also have Rainbows. I tried my MIL's Dyson and really didn't like it at all.

We bought it refurbished for $500, they are expensive. But we have had it for over 5 years and have not had any issues with it.

I've had a rainbow 14 years,paid about 1000 for it,still runs fine,hate filling and emptying water...but i have bought several uprights and they don't come close to working as well on hard surfaces.In the demo,the girl had me vac a spot on my carpet 100 passes w/ my upright...then she ran the rainbow over it,it sold me, you should have seen the nastiness that the rainbow picked up off my"Clean" carpet!...I have seen used repaired models at vac shops.

 

[rapriebe]

We have had Rainbows for about 30 years. I replaced the first one after 20 years and they gave me a significant credit for it towards a new one. We swear by them because the amount of stuff they pickup is amazing. Just like the PPs have said, you won't believe the yuck that gets picked up in that water. I also like the fresh air smell that you have after vacuuming, no dusty vacuum bag smell.

 

[umaangel00]

I know you said you do not like uprights but look into the Bissell Healthy Home and a Dyson. Both of may different attachements and both have a long hose and a long power cord.

 

[kehouse]

riccar vacuums are great. the are made in the usa and have long warranties. www.riccar.com you are right about electrolux not being the same, the ones you see in stores like lowes are eureka vacs with the elux name. another good thing about the riccar, they have permanant belts, so no more having to stop cleaning till you can get another belt. and i love my extra 15' hose, i can leave it at the bottom of the stairs and get to the top.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Glad there are other Rainbow supporters out there!

The water thing is kind of a PITA. We dump it half way through and then again at the end. I really don't know where all the dirt comes from.

 

[cndij]

I have been a Rainbow user for over 20 years and wouldn't use anything else.
Like others already said, you would not believe what you can pull out of your carpet week after week, you wonder where it all comes from. I upgraded last year when my motor finally blew, and the new one, has special attachments for hardwoods, vinyl (squeege mop etc), AND can be used on low speed 24/7 as an air filter. I had used the old one occasionally without the hose to filter my air when I was having bad allergies, but you could only run it about an hour and it would get hot and have to turn it off. This one with the low speed is incredible for keeping dust and pollen out of your air.

Sorry to sound like an advertisement, but if you can get past the hassle of the water pan, you won't find a better cleaner.

 

[iwrbnd]

I have a Kirby for 14 yrs and I love it but when I really want my house clean I borrow my friend's Rainbow! Wow! If I had the money that is what I would get!

 

[geek]

We recently purchased a refurbished Hoover WindTunnel self-propelled upright via ebay for about $95 including shipping to replace an older Hoover. While attempting to replace the belt and roller on the old one, I cracked a piece trying to disassemble the unit. For the price of parts I decided to by the refurbished on ebay. Costsco's price for the same unit was about $250. The refurbished unit came in a new Hoover box. Everything about the unit looks new. I even had to remove protective plastic. It cleans very well and is easy to use. Comes with lots of attachments. It might not be the best, but for $95 I can afford to put one on each floor of the house.

 

[muscarello4]

I paid around $600 for an Oreck 10 years ago. Still works like new and is so lightweight. I love my Oreck. I don't regret laying out a little money. It has served me so well. (My mom had an electrolux canister vac. I guess one thing I learned from her was buy right and it will last a really long time.)

Look into an Oreck.