Vacuum died!

[java]

Our Dyson just bit the dust. I need a new vacuum FAST (2 dogs 4 kids)
So what's the best vacuum- a good price is a necessity!

 

[mafibisha]

Love the Dirt Devil Line.
They're super easy to use, lightweight but sturdy, ie they last a long time and the price is always right. WalMart usually has the best price.

 

[bnhasak]

I thought Dyson's never die? LOL!

We are in the same boat and all I hear is Dyson Dyson Dyson.

I need a real recommendation too.

We have 2 dogs and 2 kids and it is messy stuff.

 

[I Believe n Fairies]

We just bought a vacuum that we LOVE. I heard so much about the Dyson but could not see spending $600. We researched and looked and reviewed and finally bought the Kenmore Progressive Upright Bagged Vacuum . It was rated a Best Buy from Consumer Reports. I do not have a Dyson to compare it to, but we have never felt our carpets so clean. We are the pet owners of a 13 yo lab who sheds like crazy and the vacuum gets all the hair up.

We felt that a bagged model would be better for our allergies in the long run and so far, we have loved it.

 

[lonegirl]

second the kenmore progressive upright
cleans better than anything I've ever owned

 

[mrs.sammich]

Kenmore canister has held up to our lab, chessie and two cats- not to mention the boys and us dirty gardeners. We use it on carpet and hardwood- going strong still at 6 years old.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Java, if you don't mind me asking, what Dyson model did you have? I ask because we have a 2 year old DC-17 (refurbished model) that's been giving us trouble for the last while. I finally pulled it apart and washed out the cyclone unit with water (which you're not supposed to do under any circumstances, but it was either that or throw it out) this week, and after letting it dry for 4-5 days, it's now working like new. Still, I'm very frustrated that my expensive Dyson can't work properly without "taboo" maintenance needing to be performed.

 

[java]

Yep ours was a DC17 animal model. And honestly it never really lived up to the huge hype for me. The "never getting clogged" ad is a joke. I was constantly de-doghairing the inside thing and taking tubes out to clean it. It was more of a hassel. And we had just done the wash and dry too- about 2 weeks ago- so I hope you don't have our bad luck with that!

Well I ended up getting an Oreck- from QVC on easy pay. It was the TSV today(I thought it was a sign) And it's only $50 a month for 4 months- that I can handle.
I'll let you know how that goes. We used to have an Oreck and we loved it. But got sucked into the Dyson stuff- the animal hair ect... but it didn't really do great on my hard wood floors- and we have a lot of those too.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Ahhh, I thought it might have been the DC17. Apparently there is a defect in the cannister seal that leads to the cyclone unit pulling in hair and dirt, which it's not supposed to do. Of course, it's one of those things that only becomes a noticeable problem once it's out of warranty.

Do you think washing the cyclone unit killed your vacuum? I was really nervous about doing it, but I just couldn't vacuum with it any longer before doing SOMETHING. I figure I would have had to replace it anyway, the way it was going, so it was worth trying something to get it working, even if it killed it.

Good luck with your Oreck! Sounds like a great deal, and I hope it works well for you!

 

[PinkRhombus]

I bought a Hoover Anniversary Windtunnel...self-propelled ...from Sam's Club for $160-ish. Was over $200 at Home Depot and other places.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this vacuum. Cleans very well. Bought an extension hose for $20 via Amazon that can reach all the way up or down the stairs

 

[Binnie]

I bought a Hoover Anniversary Windtunnel...self-propelled ...from Sam's Club for $160-ish. Was over $200 at Home Depot and other places.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this vacuum. Cleans very well. Bought an extension hose for $20 via Amazon that can reach all the way up or down the stairs

I bought the same one (except from Amazon). Works great!

 

[disneyorvegas]

I am very interested in this thread too! I have a split level, so that means I'm carrying the vaccuum up and down the stairs. And I have a golden retriever, so I'm doing it 3 times a week - minimum! And of course my own personal peeve is I would prefer one that won't blast my ear drums. (Oh heck, how about someone to come and vaccuum too at this rate)

Anyone have any suggestions for me?

 

[disneybound31]

We just returned the Dyson Animal D25 purple ball model...boy, that's a mouthful. Right out of the box it just felt rickety. All plastic parts and I found two rubber gasket seals that did not appear to match up. I tried it out and that 'turn on a dime' thing just isn't enough of a selling point IMO. And it IS a ton lighter than my Bissell Healthy Home...but it did NOT suck up the dirt better than my Bissell (that still works, I just have always wanted the 'awesome' Dyson and had some extra $ saved).

Bissell works great, has wide path, costs half as much as Dyson - I paid $275 1.5 years ago, and is easy to clean/maintenance. DS11 has allergy issues and we have a small, long haired dog.

 

[mafibisha]

I am very interested in this thread too! I have a split level, so that means I'm carrying the vaccuum up and down the stairs. And I have a golden retriever, so I'm doing it 3 times a week - minimum! And of course my own personal peeve is I would prefer one that won't blast my ear drums. (Oh heck, how about someone to come and vaccuum too at this rate)

Anyone have any suggestions for me?

As I said earlier in the thread, we've loved our two Dirt Devils. They are sturdy but LIGHT which is important to me, too. I'd give one a try

 

[Melrosgirl]

We just bought a vacuum that we LOVE. I heard so much about the Dyson but could not see spending $600. We researched and looked and reviewed and finally bought the Kenmore Progressive Upright Bagged Vacuum . It was rated a Best Buy from Consumer Reports. I do not have a Dyson to compare it to, but we have never felt our carpets so clean. We are the pet owners of a 13 yo lab who sheds like crazy and the vacuum gets all the hair up.

We felt that a bagged model would be better for our allergies in the long run and so far, we have loved it.

I have both that Kenmore and the Dyson. (Dyson was an impulse buy.) They are both great. Honestly, I think the Kenmore does just as good of job as the Dyson. It does have bags though. My Kenmore progressive is 7 years old.

 

[java]

As I said earlier in the thread, we've loved our two Dirt Devils. They are sturdy but LIGHT which is important to me, too. I'd give one a try

I wanted to try the dirt devil but DH nixed the idea! I felt that price was fantastic but he was afraid for that price it wouldn't work in our high traffic areas.

 

[mafibisha]

I wanted to try the dirt devil but DH nixed the idea! I felt that price was fantastic but he was afraid for that price it wouldn't work in our high traffic areas.

4 kids in
3k ft house with
2 pets -

It does

 

[dis-happy]

I am very interested in this thread too! I have a split level, so that means I'm carrying the vaccuum up and down the stairs. And I have a golden retriever, so I'm doing it 3 times a week - minimum! And of course my own personal peeve is I would prefer one that won't blast my ear drums. (Oh heck, how about someone to come and vaccuum too at this rate)

Anyone have any suggestions for me?

I too have the Kenmore Progressive Cannister that PP have mentioned. I love it!!! It's very quiet, which is huge for me. It also has a feature that lets you go up the staircase with it as you vacuum, and the wheels lock into place so it stays on the stair as you are going up. It has a small beater brush attachment also perfect for stairs, plus all the other attachements are located inside. My downstairs is all hardwoods, upstairs is carpet and this vacuum easily cleans both surfaces. Plus, with the base in one hand and the rest of it in the other hand, it's lightweight and easy to carry around. The cord is automatically retractable. The on/off switch is right next to where you hold the handle when vacuuming---such an intelligent design there. I got the second best one they have, on sale for around $300. (maybe a little less even). The color is white. LOVE IT!!!!

 

[Planogirl]

We have a Bissell that wasn't ever great and now won't do much of anything so this thread interests me. I was wondering about the Dyson but the high price stopped me and now it looks like a lot of the reputation might be hype. Dirt Devil? Hmmmm....

 

[RPrincess]

Go to GOvaccums.com they have some interesting youtube demos that they do including a Kenmoore progressive VS. Miele.

My vacuum broke in January. While I was changing the belt fighting to put on the belt I broke a plastic piece off that holds the roller in place. Needless to say that was the end of my Panasonic Vac. So I went out and bought a electralux canister it had great suction power but gave me a sore arm and back because it pulled always to the left (it was auto driven) so I returned it.

Everyone told me about dyson and how they loved their dyson. So I had 30% off at Kohls and I bought the top of the line dc28 their most powerful vac to date. Suction is great, however the wand and attachments are very awkward to use. I hated it so much that I took it back as well. I have also read many reviews that dyson have not lasted as long as people expected them too.
So on to a real vacuum store, I was looking at the Riccar which is made in the US believe it or not. It seemed to be a good vacuum but still felt a little to plastic for me. So I then looked at a Miele S7, first Miele is German made and they put their machines through hours of testing. They have been around for a long time mostly selling canisters. They came out with their first upright called a powerhouse but no longer sell this model. Now they are selling the S7 and its a dream. Great suction and durability in a well made and designed vac. The vacuum is built to last 20 years like the vacuums our parents used to own. Has a long hose, swival base BUT THE BEST THING IS THAT IT HAS A LIFE TIME BELT THAT I NEVER HAVE TO CHANGE!. So instead of buying a new vacuum every 5 years I am going for the 20 year plan with buying a Miele. Hope this helps