Talk to Me About Vacuum Cleaners!

I wanted a dyson to but consumer reports gave bissil health home vac the same rating and its just a bit over half of the price! It is a bit heavy but works great and is fairly easy to empty. If you fill it too full sometimes the stuff "sticks" in the canister but you just have to shake it a bit and it falls right into the garbage. My favorite part is the "tubing" is clear so if something ever gets stuck you can see right where it is.

Although bagless may seem to be the easier way to go - I wouldn't recommend it. I work for a restoration company and am very knowledgeable on keeping good indoor air quality. A vacuum with a HEPA filter is the best way to go. And, the only way to really have a HEPA filter is to use a HEPA bag. Some bagless systems advertise that they have HEPA filters - be aware that yes, they do have the HEPA filter, but not in the right place. Kirby and Oreck are both good choices, but like I said, you have to buy the HEPA Filtered bags.

We got this great "quick job" vacuum leaner at Target...It's made by Shark and was around $60. It is cordless, with a tall, swiveling, reclining handle, goes on both carpet and hard floors, and has a little collection cup that just clicks out to empty. This was one of the best purchases for us...I hate lugging out our heavy vacuum on a daily basis, but this is so light and easy and quick, that I find myself using it every day at least once (especially on this dark rug that shows every speck and crumb. I love it because it's so easy, light and flexible, and you use it standing up (not bending over like a hand-held). It even turns on by pressing a button with your toe. We love this little thing - and that's from a mom who really dislikes cleaning!

I bought a Bissel pet vacuum that works great for cleaning up pet hair. I have 2 dogs, one who sheds alot. It works really well and I haven't had any problems with it. I think I have had it about a year. Bought it at target for $169, I think. The center part detaches like a canister vacuum and works great for stairs or cleaning out the car. Also it goes from hard floors to carpet with a turn of a knob. I used it on hardwood floors and carpet. It's worked very well for me.

I've worked in building maintenance a short time but I have taken a carpet class. Things I did learn that the "hepa" filters really don't do much its more a gimmick then anything but I did learn that bagless is the worst kind of vacs you can get. Just thought I would pass that info on to you.

We have a Dyson "animal" and love it. With a dog, a cat, and two long haired girls it cleans the floors well.

You can't go wrong with the Purple Dyson. I am not sure what the number of the model is, but we have 2 large dogs....and the hair for 2 large dogs. The purple Dyson is made for pet hair and dander. IT'S GREAT!!!!!!

As for it being bagless, it holds all of the dirt in the canister until you open the canister. I open it into an empty garbage bag and then tie the bag up and put it in the trash....No dust gets back into the room that way. This vacuum is easy to use and clean. It is not too heavy. It is very effective!

And....as an extra added bonus, the editor of Real Simple magazine recommended it in an issue last winter.

Just so you know I have the pet Dyson and it is so worth the money. My uncle owns a vacuum store and has been in the business for over 30 yrs. He gave it to me as my wedding gift. And his wife has, I believe the ball Dyson. So he must think they are the best. I have hardwood floors thoughout my entire house with a few area rugs aswell. I have a black cocker spaniel and white micro fiber furniture. The pet Dyson has lots of different attachments and cleans my chase and sofa so well. So had to share with you how much I love my Dyson. I would defently recomend spending the money I bet that you won't regret it.

You should check goodhousekeeping.com. I don't think the dyson got very good reviews. The last time I was on there, the Hoover Windtunnel was the best one. I am not too sure anymore. I hope this helps!

I just recently got a Bissell Healthy Home vacuum and love it! Its bagless, has a hepa filter, and it has attachments that work great on furniture. I have hardwood floors and area rugs as well, and you can turn off the spin brush so that you can vacuum on the tile or wood without hurting the floor. I've been really impressed with my vacuum. My rugs look brand new everytime I vacuum. I have a dog and a cat and it works wonders on picking up the pet hair. It was about $250 and worth every penny.

I have a brother that works for Oreck so I'll have to recommend one of theirs. There is a little blue one that works GREAT on hard floors, carpets, rugs, and it has a hand-held part that detaches and you can use it on the couch, etc. I have 2 kiddos, 4 weeks and 3 years old, and it is great for cleaning up after dinner or just on the backdoor rug!

They also have larger ones that are good on both floor and carpet. When my brother gets home from work (we're visiting him now) I'll ask which he would recommend. Good luck!

Okay, I spoke with my brother. He said that Dyson's are good, they just do not last long. I tried to ask WHICH Oreck to recommend-- he said that if you went into the store, they would ask a few questions and figure out which would be best for you. That is my suggestion... there are tons of Oreck's that are great!

Good luck!

I LOVE my Dyson! I have had one for 4 years and nothing has ever messed up, I have 0 complaints!

I love my Dyson...I waited until target gave $100 gift card when you bought one. That way I got the Vacuum cleaner I wanted and then bought Christmas presents with my gift card. But it is SO WORTH the money.

DYONS, DYSON, DYSON! I have had my Dyson (the ball) for 3 years and I love it. It is so light, easy to use, easy to clean. I wouldn't trade it for anything. We purchased ours from Bed Bath and Beyond for $100 off the regular price. You can find them on sale, you'll just have to do some research.

Two of my friends bought Dysons and say they are the best vacuum ever purchased. I borrowed one and loved the ease at which I could use the attachments. I want one!
M
ps: I read all the responses and realize that the vacuum I want to replace is also excellent. I have two Riccar vacuums. These are commercial models that I bought used from my housekeeper who gets a new one every year. They are fantastic but still...after trying my neighbors purple Dyson, I could see how much easier it would be to keep my house clean. I think the thing to consider is: does the ease of using the vacuum and especially the attachments help you keep the place cleaner? My attachments are cumbersome so I tend not to vacuum things up high as often as I need to like, ceiling fans, shelves, top of fridge...you get the picture.

Are you sure you want bagless? When you open the caniser to empty it, everything has a chance to go back onto the floor unless you do it outside?

Just a thought.... I do have a vacuum with HEPA filters but since I have no more done "testing" to see if it really does pull out allergens it may be a selling gimmick.

I've heard good things abut the Dyson but have never used it. I have a Eureka after a Singer after a Kirby .... My favorite was the Singer but after .... well, let's just say I'll never take my vacuum back to the store that said it was fixed three times after they gave it the yearly preventative maintenance!

Good luck. I have two dogs and a cat and red dirt!

I've had my Dyson for 4 years and love it. I didn't realize what my old vacuum was missing till I got it and saw what was still coming out of my carpets. To keep the dust down when emptying I empty into a plastic wal-mart sack and then tie it shut and then throw that away so if someone puts something in the trashcan the dust doesn't come back out in a poof.

We have always seemed to be hard on vacuum's. Now I have the Bissel Lift off and it is great. We have a 90 pound lab in the house and 2 kids. I usually vacuum about every other day and it has worked very good so far. The attachments are easy to use and store and if you have stairs you can detach the canister from the handle and take it up stairs. It also has a bare floor setting and you can turn off the brushes, this works great for the kitchen or hardwood. The filters in it are washable and last for a very long time before having to be replaced. I even take it out side and do the cars with it and I use the brush attachment to vacuum our dog...she loves it! Best of all it's under $200 bucks!

http://www.amazon.com/Bissell-3750-Lift-Off-Bagless-Vacuu...

Melanie,
I bought a new vacuum about a year ago now and I love it! I originally was in the market for a Dyson also, but decided to go with the Infinity when I compared the two and the cost. We have two dogs and two children, so as you can imagine I vacuum everyday and this one is great. It's also great for vacuuming furniture and cars. It's bagless and the canister easily disconnects to be dumped out. I bought mine at target, and if I remember correctly we paid about 200 for it. Here is the website if you want to do some comparing to the Dyson. http://www.infinityvac.com/promotions.htm... happy vacuum hunting!

Hi Melanie,
We go through Vaccums ever 1-1.5 yrs so we get one less than $100 every time (don't know why we are so rough on them, I don't vaccum Every day even).
I have a Bissell 3-in-1 Broom Vac and that is Fantastic for getting up "big Stuff" that you can see, it's small/lightweight and you can use it like a hand vac Or broom vac (great for stairs)plus it has a crevice tool and it was about $20 dollars-like I said it's the best thing I've found for spot pick-ups and that way you can just get out the big vaccum when you want to clean bigger areas. Only downside is that it's corded, but the cord is long enough you can do a small room easy(I keep an extension cord in the pantry to use it in the Family Room as it's 650 sq ft ;-). I Reccommend this little big guy as a perfect every day picker-upper :-).

As for a "big" vaccum purchase, my oldest Neice has a Dyson and LOVES it (she is a neat freak and vaccums at least every other day-maybe every day :-). It's the small version(don't remember what they are called) she is not a big girl- 5"3'and about 100 lbs so the smaller one is perfect size wize.
The only thing we hate is the chambers you empty-we prefer bags, they put much less dust in the air when emptied, plus they are cheaper than filters, and most get up as many allergens as the ones with the Heppa filters on them-our cheap Hoover bags get up 98% of all dust/allergens. My Neice empties hers in the kitchen, But she doesn't have kids, so that part is a toss up.
I used a friend's rainbow a few times and they are Great, but as you said kind of a pain to use.
My Last bit of advice is check Consumer Reports-they have an online "subscription" and you don't have to wait till the magazine gets to you. My In-Laws get us C.R. every Christmas and it has been a Great Tool in helping to buy appliances. Also, our Vaccum broke and was under warranty, we took it to the repair place in our area and the owner told me Panasonic was a Great Vaccum as far as Suction and not needing maintenance (he is also a Dyson Certified service provider).
Hope this helps,
C.

I have a Hoover Elite Rewind.It is great. It is bagless like you want & easy to use. I have Ceramic & wood through most of the house with carpet only in the bedrooms. I find that this vacuum picks up great. We also have a Jack Russell Terrier & I was amazed at the amount of hair that this vacuum picks up. It has a hose and attachments that you could use to vaccum you couch as well. It was under $100.00 and well worth it. It is a red vacuum. Also the cord is stored in the vacuum with the press of a button.

I run a cleaning service, have tried many vacuums...2 brands that I will NEVER recommend to anyone are Shark and Dyson. Bissells are good and affordable, Kirbys are good but expensive Dysons are expensive and they stink...for what it's worth, it's my two cents.

I've used Eureka for years and love their vacs, including bagless. I've heard good things about Dyson from friends who have one. Don't you have a certain amount of time to return a purchase if you don't like it? You could give them a try and return the one you don't like.