Rainbow Vacuum Opinions Needed

I've never owned a Dyson but I do have a Rainbow that is over 20 years old and still works like it's brand new. The only thing I have replaced is the bare floor brush attachment b/c the brush part finally fell apart. I don't deal with filters or dust when I vacuum, b/c it all goes into water. To empty the water tank, you pour out the water into the toilet through the spout where the hose attaches (after removing the hose of course) which leaves solid matter that is easily dumped onto the garbage. We have a cat, and have owned cats for 5 years and have no problem getting the cat hair out of the rugs (we have area rugs over hardwood floors).

The one thing you have to account for with a Rainbow is that you HAVE TO empty the tank EVERY TIME or it will start to smell and get moldy. You can't leave it for the next day.

My Rainbow is almost 18 years old. Except for having to buy new clips that were actually pretty cheap online and very easy to replace, no problems at all. We had a different vac for a while and you could really tell the difference. I would just make sure you check it out completely before buying a used one. Check out the strength of the motor. If you get the carpet attachment, put some small things on the floor and make sure it is strong enough to pick up. I also love not having to buy any bags whatsoever.

Where I clean they have both the RAINBOW is my new love. It does an amazing job!

The husband deals with the yucky water so that's a bonus but I easily could take care of dumping it out myself.

The Dyson does a gret job on carpet but on bare floors not so much. That's when I use the Rainbow. :)

I had a rainbow, it was awesome. But if you get sidetracked and leave your bowl of dirt water rather than dumping right away, eww it stinks. I have never spent that much for a vacuum ever again tho. I just buy the 80 dollar ones now, and replace them every couple of years. It's too fun to try new ones now and then. When you buy a vac that costs as much as a car you get stuck with it forever.

We have a Rainbow AND pets...2 dogs and 3 cats :) I have to say that the vacuum is pricey, but SO WORTH every penny!! It cleans up after the pets and kids like no other vacuum we ever had. My husband has bad allergies and this vacuum has helped ALOT. We actually got a really nice compliment the other day from someone who came over saying that you couldn't even tell we had pets in our house. To me that says alot about the odors the Rainbow sucks out :) hope that helps!!