This is about the most helpful group of folks anywhere so, I need a new vacuum cleaner. Don't care about the cost, but don't really want to waste money on a name, look, fad, etc. If it works then O.K.
What's everyone using now??? Any suggestions???? Pro's/cons???? I have been shuffling thru a lot of reviews and am learning not to trust many of them for various reasons. Thanks in advance for any info.

Have had a Dyson Ball for about five years and would buy the same again. Friends tried ours, bought one and are liking theirs.
Both were bought online from a place in Chicago, sorry don't remember the name but they had the best price at the time.

Get a shark. Half the price of a dyson. I love it. I have a monster black lab who sheds like crazy. I took it and vacuumed his bed not an issue. It made us realize how bad our old one was.

One possibility you may not have considered: Due to the availability of powerful rechargeable lithium batteries, cordless cleaners have recently become practical instead of being a gimmick. Hoover is a conservative company that now offers one. Not having to mess with the power cord is a big convenience.

About a year ago I purchased a Shark.

You can't ride, shoot, or anything else fun with it, but it's some of the best money I've spent on something that I hate to spend money on.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

We got a Dyson cordless model a few months back. Expensive, but we love it:

I like my Oreck single speed vacuum. It does no tricks, but it is light and cleans the carpet. I've got an old Craftsman shop vac for trick stuff.

Thanks for the replies so far. I just found out that there is a neat little shop not too far from where I live that sells several different brands of vacs. I think I will pay him a visit tomorrow.
I don't have very much carpet in my house, been doing away with it since I built the place. I was thinking about a canister type with a bag. I don't too much care for the dust exposure when emptying the bagless ones and having to clean or replace the Hepa or foam secondary filter. Uprights don't get under the bed too well.

We have a Dyson and I like it the wife thinks its too heavy, but it sure picks up the fur from out three Schipperkes. I like the no bags to replace and emptying the dirt canister it easy.
I`d say we`d buy another Dyson .

The Dyson cordless rocks.

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50 Years of DSOTM

What is this vacuum cleaner device in which you speak?

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- Change it back -

The Shark-more 5 star ratings than anything on the net-best I have ever had.

Kirby. Our first one lasted 26 years. It was still working when we gave it to one of our daughters 12 years ago and she is still using it. We replaced our first one with another. It is 12 years old and will suck the tiles off the floor. They are expensive but worth it.

Where is that on the Enhanced Fujita Scale?

My fine, fine EX wife had me look at one. It was $1,000 in 1988. Prolly $2,000 now.

We've used Kirby's for about 20 years. We found a $1600 package on Ebay for $375 shipped. It is self propelled. A little old lady had bought it new and never used it. Careful examination showed it was truly brand new. Good deals are out there!

My Oreck is so light, it doesn't need to be self propelled.

You know, that's the same way my wife says it!!!!!!

Why do you think I am the one looking for a new one???

Bought a refurbished Dyson from Woot a few years ago after my wife bought two Panasonics that worked really well for awhile, but didn't last long. The refurb looked new, and it's still going strong. It has already outlasted the two Panasonics.

I'd prefer something that uses bags, but my wife's one requirement for a vacuum is that it be bagless. I told her the bag keeps all the crud inside, and it doesn't "poof" out all over when you empty it, but she continues to insist on something without bags.

Anyway . . . Dyson - even refurbished ones - seem to be pretty reliable machines. Maybe not Kirby level, but it cost me about a tenth of what a new Kirby would.

My Dad and his wife found one of those Rainbow water vacuums at a garage sale for $75. They say it performs well, but it takes forever to set it up and to take it apart and clean it up afterward. That's probably why the original owners sold it, too.

I have a DC39 Animal canister model by Dyson. I love it. The brush head broke, gears inside stripped. I am fairly sure it was due to dogfood wedging in there and jamming the brush several times. No questions asked, they shipped a replacement brush head to me. The second time I washed the filter, it did not dry quickly enough and became soured. I contacted them to ask was there anything I could use to wash it other than the "water only" instruction. They said no, but mailed me a replacement. I now make sure I let it dry in front of a fan. Their customer service has been excellent.

A built in is what I like to recommend to friends. Noise is in the garage/basement or outdoors. and the fine dust that is missed in a vacuum is vented outside. They usually have a lot more power also.

We replaced our Dyson Animal with an Oreck Platinum a couple of years ago. The Dyson worked well, but was way too heavy. Very happy with the Oreck.
Just bought a new Shark from QVC for the cabin. Have used it a couple of times. Great suction, well built, good value IMO.

we just use a Eurka small and light and it sucks hard 50 bucks we got one upstairs ,downstairs and one for the garage and carport uses bags and light we got 5 cats . my wife could have any one she wants but says this works the best mostly tile and concrete a few throw rugs small and rugged . i guess it depends on personal preference and the rough jobs you have to tackle

We have had a Dyson Ball for 6-7 years now and the wife loves it, but we have had to replace the beater head once, replace the switch twice. It's all plastic, so I imagine something else will wear out and break also. It's a great unit, but I don't think it's built that well for what it costs.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Bought this Hoover on my wife's birthday several years ago.
We have a dog that sheds a LOT. It gets used 3-4 times per week or more.
Wife uses the hepa bags.
Wife likes it... hasn't had any problems.

That's the ultimate test. If you have hairy pets and carpet, make dang sure you get one that can handle this. They are making a lot of inexpensive vacuums that are a great value IF (IF) you don't have hairy pets and carpet.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

"Cordless" means "battery", which have about a two year life span, then need about $50 to replace.

We bought a Riccar about 20 years ago, when we had 3 dogs and 3 cats, all in the house. Had it tuned up once, replaced the cord twice, put a new suction hose on it once. Still works well. I like to buy a good tool once. YMMV.

My Poor old Mom has a kirby that she paid way too much for, the self propelled gismo went out and I compare it to having a handle protruding from a sherman tank, and having to push it around.

We have tile and carpet so we went with the Dyson all terrain several years ago. Still going strong. With two dogs it gets a good workout.

Thanks again for all the replies and info...here is what I did: I went to a vacuum store nearby and looked at what they had to offer. They had Riccar uprights and Miele canisters. I had done some research on the Miele and my main question was, "why do they make 40 different models priced from $250.00 to $1300.00 if every one of them have the same motor, power and suction????"
The answer boiled down to "how many bells and whistles do ya' need???"
We previously had a Dyson {it was the "pre-ball" model} and it worked O.K. but I didn't care for the dust exposure every time I emptied it. The wife went and got a Shark which wasn't bad but seemed to be losing its suction way too soon.
One of the things I do with a vacuum that is a good measure is clean those big door mat type rugs with the ribs. They are made to knock the dirt off your shoes on the way in and they work...but it gets down in the valleys of those ribs and is very hard ot get out.
Well I am happy to say that this Miele did the best job of that I have yet to see. It is very quiet and you actually hear more noise from the suction at the end of the hose than you do from the canister. Bags are not expensive, $19.00 for 4 of them and they include the other two elements too. I have been systematically doing away with carpet in my house since I built it in 2000...Miele has a neat little attachment for hardwood and ceramic tile that works way better than I expected. Bottom line, I am happy. Thanks again for all the replies and info.

We have a 30+ year old Electrolux that is the best I've seen, but I don't know if they have a corner on the 'best vac around' any more. It was a big expenditure when we paid $700 plus back then.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

We've got two full sized dogs that stay indoors, so a vacuum purchase was a point of contention from Mrs. Eagle. We have a Dyson ball vac, and then later on purchased a Roomba 650. One does not replace the other. The Roomba has cut out stand up vacuuming to once a week since it runs every day on a timer. Depends what you want and what your situation. The Dyson alone would be and was our pick if you could only have one.

20 years ago I bit the bullet and had a Central Vac system installed. Yes - it's not he cheapest way to go, but I could never own another regular vacuum!

We have two levels and a basement and each level has a power head, a 50 foot hose and attachments. They last a very long time, they are super super powerful and they do a fantastic job. The 12 gallon Hepa bag holds a ton of stuff and never breaks or tears. In 20 years I have had zero problems with the exception of having to replace two wall outlets for the system. Total cost = $20 bucks and 10 minutes of time. Because we have three complete kits (power head, hoses and tools) my wife never has to drag a heavy vacuum up or down the stair. We even us it to vacuum Cody (our Golden Retriever) and had outlets installed in the Garage, Work Shop and in the Utility Room. LOVE IT!

If you are planning to stay in your home for a long time, I would suggest at least considering one of these units.

Hoover WindTunnel Air. Bought it off QVC a couple years ago. Best vacuum we've ever owned and we've been through a few.

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I'm Proud To Be An American!

If u wana buy a good one, use this website GE Cafe Refrigerators, Ranges - Gerhard's Appliances
Best quality I found so far as they sell proper brands out.
It is easier if u don't care about the price too.

We have a Dyson DC41 and it's a winner. We're going to buy another one to replace the Hoover we keep downstairs.

No replaceable filters is a plus. Just dump the canister.

Let me ask my wife.