Vacuum Cleaner Opinions

[iiipopes]

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/vacuum-cleaners.htm" target="_blank

[DonShirer]

Check this out:

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/top-pick ... d=12985601" target="_blank

More details in Consumer Reports magazine (likely available at your local library).

[Tubaryan12]

If it's "bagless," then it has filter(s). As the filters fill up, sucking starts to "suck."

Cleaning the filter(s) helps. Replacing is what they want you to do---if you can find them... Sometimes the price of the filters is as much as a new vacuum...

+1

a new belt and clean filters will bring most bagless vacuums back to life.

[MaryAnn]

bloke,
I admit I do not clean filters. However I do replace them. Last time I looked I was a woman.

I vote with Rick on the whole-house vacuum that exhausts outside. If I am ever lucky enough to be able to live inside again, I will have the whole-house. I at one point bought a HEPA-vacuum but it made no difference; I have since read that the HEPA must be incredibly well sealed in order to mean anything, and that a well-sealed one is nigh on impossible to find.

MA

[Eflatdoubler]

I have a Miele canister vacuum for my tile floor, and a Kirby G6 for my carpets. I love the Kirby, it is easy to use and does a great job. It even comes with shampooing attachments. I got it off of Craigslist for about $350.00 and it continues to go strong 4 years later.
The Miele is also awesome. It has many different suction levels which come in handy when trying to do drapes or other things. Canisters are great for getting under furniture too. The Miele is very quiet if that means anything to you. My wife can use it while my kid is asleep.
Both are top notch. I also have a Dirt Devil which I can't stand as it just shoots things out the back (it will soon be in the trash). The Kirby is heavy, but it does have a transmission. Both can be found on Craigslist and are the best I have seen.

[TubaTodd]

The more I use my new Hoover Windtunnel the more I realize I made the best choice. It does a great job of dirt and dog hair collection. The rugs are left clean and fluffy. Awesome!

[David Richoux]

I had a small Miele for quite a while, but when we got two dogs and 3 cats it was time to get a Dyson Animal. As a typical early adaptor (industrial designer) I did pay a premium for it when they first arrived in the USA. I had read about the Dyson saga in several design magazines and had also seen them while travelling in Europe.

It is still working fine after 10 years. I like the washable HEPA filter and the no bag canister. It did have a problem with drywall dust (during a remodel project) and I had to take everything apart to clean some of the many little air holes. If that happens again I would probably use a water jet or something like that to clean everything out. It would have been nice to have a retractable cord, but that won't be a Dyson feature at any time soon.

Some of the hand held Dysons are not great, but there aren't many good ones from other makers either!