New Vacuum Cleaner?

[SweetErika]

It looks like we need a new vacuum. We have a Roomba that works great on the floors upstairs, but our multitasking machine isn't picking stuff up well anymore, and I never really loved it in the first place (it's a Bissell upright bagless that's 6-7 years old).

I'm looking for something that is fairly lightweight, at least has a hose/wand and a few attachments, easy to clean out (I do like the fact that I can clean gunk from various places on our current one), and is an excellent value for the money (maybe $120 maximum?). A retractable cord would be awesome, too! I've looked at the Shark vacuum at Costco, but don't like the fact that the attachments are in a separate bag - when I vacuum, I like to have everything right there so I can get baseboards, cobwebs, into tight spaces, etc.

Any recommendations or ideas?

 

[Scotsman69]

My Dyson changed my attitude to housekeeping. Highly commended. They tend to be a bit pricier than the competition, but have three-year guarantees. And mine (bottom of the range: I have a wee flat) vacuums better than anything I've ever had.

 

[Eilan]

Ours is a Eureka. We bought it shortly after xmas, and I don't think we spent more than what you're looking to spend. I haven't used it, though, so I don't know how user-friendly it is. It seems to do what maddbradd wants it to do, though, and it has a long (30 ft+) cord, which is a plus for our large living room.

Honestly, we have yet to find a vacuum that we're in love with. Because our household has five long-haired females (four of whom still leave a path of destruction wherever they go), two indoor-outdoor cats, and one full-time indoor cat, our vacuums--both the cheaper ones and the pricier ones we've had--take a beating, even with regular maintenance.

Our upstairs vacuum is one my ex and I bought at Walmart in the late 90s. It was the cheapest model they sold at the time, and it has outlasted the four or five other vacuums we've had since then.

 

[culloden]

Another vote for Dyson. It lacks a retractable cord, but the upright has an integral hose in the handle and frankly, the thing sucks. In a good way.

 

[hipclan]

Orek

We have used the same Orek pair, both upright and hand-held units, for over ten years now. Our kids go away to college, and they all request a new set for them. Nothing cleans like an Orek, and they last. (No, I have no financial interest in the stock or company.) Plus they are simple to install new belts on if you ever burn one up by clog. I've changed the belt once on the upright. Good luck.

 

[nakdsub]

Erica, I know several people with Dyson's...

And they all love it. I just can't see spending $500 for a vacuum cleaner. I inherited an old Kirby when my mom past away last year. It's almost as old as me and still does a great job.
Maybe an old, used Kirby would be just what you're looking for.

 

[bailadora]

My memory may be faulty, but weren't you asking for recommendations just a few years back? I was also replacing my machine every few years to the tune of about 100-150 bucks a pop and I got tired of it. I finally bit the bullet and invested in an Orek. Eleven years later, it's still going strong. While it does fit the criteria of multiple attachments and being lightweight (it's only 8 lbs), it doesn't have an attached hose nor a retractable cord. So, it'd likely not be a good fit for you.

That said, if you can hold out a bit longer and invest in a high quality machine like a Dyson, that's the route I'd go. It's really difficult to shell out that kind of cash in the short run, I know. But...I've been extremely happy with my decison in the long run.

(Edit: I guess it wasn't you, 'cause I went back and checked. But I know someone's asked this question here before, darn it! )

 

[Sir Victor]

Hoover T-Series WindTunnel Rewind Bagless Upright Vacuum, UH70120
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hoover-T-Series-WindTunnel-Rewind-Bagless-Upright-Vacuum-UH70120/14237599

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/top-...s-puts-vacuum-cleaners-test/story?id=12985601

 

[SweetErika]

Hoover T-Series WindTunnel Rewind Bagless Upright Vacuum, UH70120
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hoover-T-Series-WindTunnel-Rewind-Bagless-Upright-Vacuum-UH70120/14237599

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/top-...s-puts-vacuum-cleaners-test/story?id=12985601

Thanks for finding those links! It's a little heavy, but looks really good overall (especially the washable HEPA filter).

I know Dysons and Orecks are very good, but I really don't feel they're worth spending the extra money on for what we do with this particular vacuum. If we had a big house or pet hair issue, I'd consider upping my budget significantly, but we don't, so I won't. Our current upright has drawbacks, but it was fine for what we did with it until recently.

 

[TheOne007]

Save yourself the time. Most likely your old vacuum needs a simple tune up. Change the belt if it has one. If you (or a neighbor, or someone you know) has an air compressor, sometimes a good cleanout works wonders, and brings new life to an old machine. I have a Hoover Premium Bagless that's about 2-3 years old, and I clean it with an air compressor every 3 months. It picks up like it's brand new everytime. Just remember to clean it outside!

 

[NippleMuncher]

Dyson is my #1 pick, although there are several other worthy considerations. Also, there are many factors to look at when purchasing a vacuum beyond the initial price tag.

Performance should be paramount in your decision. You need to purchase a vacuum that is going to not only suit your needs, but do the job it is intended to do.

Capture and Filtration. A vacuum does you no good if it cannot contain and control the dust and dirt it sucks up.

Bag or bagless? All vacuums are NOT created equal, regardless of their means of capture.

Upright or canister? This line is fairly well blurred as to which is better. A canister generally is better at sweeping bare surfaces and an upright is better at carpet duties.

I am of the opinion that you should look at a vacuum purchase as an investment for your home. A good quality vacuum, while being more expensive, is going to last you longer and perform better over it's entire life span than vacuums that are marketed to the masses for the lowest possible price.

Brands I'd highly recommend:
Miele
Dyson
LG
and a few specific Oreck machines

Shark is worthy of consideration, but it is no where near what it claims to be. Oreck's in general are a decent vacuum, but they definitely have their +/- points.

On a personal note, with your critter showing allergies to many things, this is indicative that he'll be sensitive to airborne pollutants too. Cheap vacuums can exacerbate respiratory issues.

 

[SweetErika]

Save yourself the time. Most likely your old vacuum needs a simple tune up. Change the belt if it has one. If you (or a neighbor, or someone you know) has an air compressor, sometimes a good cleanout works wonders, and brings new life to an old machine. I have a Hoover Premium Bagless that's about 2-3 years old, and I clean it with an air compressor every 3 months. It picks up like it's brand new everytime. Just remember to clean it outside!

I would, but I don't think it's worth it. I've cleaned it out the best I can, and it's still not picking up stuff well. Plus, there's a suspicious burning/overheating smell sometimes that I forgot to mention in my OP. I'm guessing it's a combination of worn brushes, dirt build-up and the belt or motor.

IIRC, it was only like $60 in the first place, and like I said, it has some features that make it inefficient, so I'm sure we're better off buying something that will work better for us. Once we get a new one, we'll either make the old one a secondary for small tasks or Freecycle it.

 

[NippleMuncher]

Plus, there's a suspicious burning/overheating smell sometimes that I forgot to mention in my OP. I'm guessing it's a combination of worn brushes, dirt build-up and the belt or motor.

Once you start smelling burnt electrical, the motor is toast (no pun intended ). The fact that you're also experiencing diminished suction is another sign that it's time for a new vacuum.

 

[mo_gal70]

Shark

I bought the Shark Navigator Lift-Away a few months ago, and I love it! It's by far more expensive than any other vacuum I've bought, but well worth it IMO.

 

[culloden]

Here's a link to our vac: http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=KKhDT5XvPMuM0QH5vsGkBw&ved=0CNsBEOUNMAM

No need to pay $500 for it - Online, it's $340, in some stores, about $270. You all know about using froogle.com to shop, don't you? It's run by Google, but organizes the search based on lowest price.

 

[Marci_M]

Consumer Reports

Does anyone have access to Consumer Reports online or the magazine? When I need to check on a product, I go to the library and read Consumer Reports review. I've never been disappointed.

 

[SweetErika]

Thanks for your thoughts and the PM, Nipster!

Does anyone have access to Consumer Reports online or the magazine? When I need to check on a product, I go to the library and read Consumer Reports review. I've never been disappointed.

Yes, we actually have free access to the CR site via our library system, which is awesome. I'll navigate my way over there and put in my library card number so I can read CR's latest detailed report before I actually buy, but I wanted to ask here first because I never fail to get really good info and unbiased advice from my fellow Litsters.

 

[Marci_M]

Thanks for your thoughts and the PM, Nipster!

Yes, we actually have free access to the CR site via our library system, which is awesome. I'll navigate my way over there and put in my library card number so I can read CR's latest detailed report before I actually buy, but I wanted to ask here first because I never fail to get really good info and unbiased advice from my fellow Litsters.

Please let us know what CR says, maybe even paste the article here.
Thanks and hugs

 

[subwannabe]

I've come to the conclusion that there are no good vacuums or toasters. I've bought all kinds of both, including pricier ones, and I think they are all just a bunch of crap. Never tried a Dyson yet though. Good luck but it my opinion don't overspend and don't over expect. I have learned to accept the fact that both vacuums and toasters haven't made it into the 21st century yet.

 

[Scotsman69]

You really need

to try a Dyson.

I've come to the conclusion that there are no good vacuums or toasters. I've bought all kinds of both, including pricier ones, and I think they are all just a bunch of crap. Never tried a Dyson yet though. Good luck but it my opinion don't overspend and don't over expect. I have learned to accept the fact that both vacuums and toasters haven't made it into the 21st century yet.

 

[unregistered]

 

[NippleMuncher]

I was reluctant to post this considering you've already responded that this isn't what you want, but we love our Dyson. We've had it for about 5 years and it's still great, having needed minimal maintenance over these years. We do have a shedding dog, kids who make some serious messes, and, honestly, I seem to shed as much as the dog (there are long red hairs everywhere...). My youngest is very sensitive to dust and our Dyson vaccuum has proven very effective in keeping her breathing clearly.

We've had our DC07 for about 7 years now and it's been completely hassle free. I do think that Dyson vacuums are a bit over priced, however, if you want a bagless vacuum, Dyson sets the bar that no other bagless vacuum can match, and there are more than a few bag type vacuums it spanks pretty darned good as well.

This is going to sound a bit like a commercial, but here's the thing. Dyson originated the bagless vacuum and their dirt separation and filtration are unparalleled by any other bagless vacuum. My 7 year old Dyson was pitted against a brand new LG 300B and a Shark Lift Away. All three vacuums physically picked up about the same amount of dirt over the same carpet area, where the real difference kicks in is dirt separation. Dyson filters just don't get dirty as quickly because their separation is so good. The LG and the Shark both rely heavily on their filters to stop dust and dirt from being released from the vacuum. I think that the Dyson is a far easier vacuum to use and service as well.

The biggest plus for the LG is that it truly is an excellent floor vacuum, and the dirt compactor system is phenomenal! I find the hose and implements very cumbersome, however, which is it's major downfall. The biggest plus for Shark vacuums is that they're relatively small and lightweight. The Navigator is better than the Lift away due to canister design. The LG is about half the price of a Dyson, a Shark is about 1/3 as much. I personally don't think you're sacrificing too much if you settle on an LG, the Shark is a decent vacuum as long as you never have a warranty claim. Many Shark owners initially love their vacuum, but find that it's life span is considerably shorter than advertised.

These three really are your only choices when it comes to bagless vacuums that do what they are advertised to do. If you prefer a bag type vacuum, there are quite a few to choose from.

SweetE, how do you use your vacuum and on what types of surfaces? Do you only clean floors or do you also use the hose/wand for above floor cleaning? Do you have bare floors and carpets to contend with? Do you have a preference of bag or bagless? What about upright or canister, or a twin vacuum system such as the Oreck uprights, which are strictly floor sweepers and come with a companion canister for above floor work?

 

[SweetErika]

SweetE, how do you use your vacuum and on what types of surfaces? Do you only clean floors or do you also use the hose/wand for above floor cleaning? Do you have bare floors and carpets to contend with? Do you have a preference of bag or bagless? What about upright or canister, or a twin vacuum system such as the Oreck uprights, which are strictly floor sweepers and come with a companion canister for above floor work?

I vacuum the downstairs and stairs at least once a week. I know I should, and probably will, vacuum more when I have a better machine. We don't wear shoes inside so it's not a massive amount of dirt, though. It's about 80% on a crappy carpet (the previous owners put in really cheap stuff that sheds loops and stains easily) and large indoor/outdoor area rug, 20% on hard floors. As time and money permits, we'll replace the carpeting in the high traffic areas with wood laminate. However, that's a big job since almost everywhere is currently carpet, so I have no idea when it'll actually be (definitely within 5 years, though).

I use the wand and tools a fair amount around the edges, baseboards and above-floor surfaces (we also have crappy miniblinds and oddball surfaces that attract dust and dirt). That's why I want the tools on board, rather than stored separately, even though they add significant weight to most machines. Apparently, I'm the only one who ever bothers to do the detailed stuff, and if I don't have them ready to go when I see something that needs to be cleaned, I very well might just skip the task.

I prefer bagless, for sure. I empty the canister outside, so putting stuff back into the environment isn't a big deal. I suck up stuff by accident sometimes, so I like to have it right there, ready to be retrieved and washed. I don't want to deal with buying bags or needing a bag when I don't have one, either!

 

[wicked woman]

Like some others here as well as a couple of my family members, I swear by my Dyson but check out the Consumers Reports as I know I was surprised that Dyson didn't score that high with CR and they recommended much less expensive ones so you'll probably find what you're looking for.

 

[NippleMuncher]

Then I will stick with my three recommendations of a Dyson, LG, or Shark. This is a long post, but please stick with it, there is a lot of information covered here.

The Dyson truly is the best of the three. Dyson comes basically in two configurations, All Floor (yellow ) and Animal (purple ). The only difference between the two is their price (about $100 ), color, and attachments. The AF comes with the basic tool set of crevice/duster 2-in-1 tool, and an upholstery tool. The Animal has those tools, a turbo brush and a few other things. Since you do not have pets, you probably don’t need to spend the extra money on the Animal. You can always purchase specialized tools later if you find you need them.

Because you are planning on installing wood floors, it is important that you choose a vacuum that has the ability to turn off the brush roll. For bare floor work, you do not want a spinning brush that will scratch and damage your investment. I would also recommend a vacuum that comes with a bare floor tool. This is a non-powered brush attachment for the wand. The brush will loosen surface dirt and help capture hair and dust bunnies without damaging your floor. Dyson uses a fairly standard diameter wand which will allow you to use other brands of attachments. They’ve even got an adapter so that newer models can use older model tools.

Ease of use. It is very easy to deploy the wand and tools on the Dyson whenever you need them. The basic tool set is stored right on the vacuum. When it’s time to empty, the canister comes off with a push of a button and empties just as easily. A characteristic of cyclonic separation is that it fluffs up the debris in the container, which leads to the biggest complaint - dust clouds when emptying it. The thing is, if you give the canister a couple of firm taps on a carpeted surface, you break the debris free from the inside walls of the canister and compact it a little bit, reducing the dust that gets stirred up when emptying the canister. Second, if you empty the canister into your general use garbage can, you’ll continue to stir up dust with whatever else you toss into the can. Use a separate garbage can or empty the canister into a plastic grocery bag and tying the top shut will contain the dust.

Now the question is which model do you choose? On the least expensive end of the scale is the DC33. Not a lot of bells and whistles, just a good vacuum. Going up the scale you have the DC28 which has more features, but is also heavier. Both of these are standard style upright vacuums, which IMHO are better/easier to use. I find the ball style vacuums to be less stable when parked and using the hose/wand and are more cumbersome and fatiguing to use for floor work.

Because the tools and wand are a significant part of your cleaning regimen, the next vacuum I would suggest is the Shark. Again, the tools are stored onboard and separating the wand is quick and easy. The downside to a Shark is that it has a fairly small capacity and a small cleaning radius. Overall the Shark is very user friendly. You’ll find several different models, the Navigator is the most common and has the best design. The Lift Away is a good vacuum too, but it has a triangular dust bin that has a tendency to trap debris, requiring you to either open both ends or put your hand inside the bin to clear it. The Lift Away’s party trick is that the canister separates from the chassis and becomes a portable handheld canister. To me this is more gimmick than useful, but there are those that really like this sort of feature. Additionally it has swivel steering which is kind of nice. These vacuums come with a crevice tool, duster brush, upholstery tool and a turbo brush.

The biggest drawbacks to Shark vacuums are that the company is only concerned about selling vacuums, this means that after-sale customer service is very lacking. Consumers have been reporting life spans of around 2 years, which is far shorter than the 5 year warranty (10 if purchased directly from Shark ). The overall build quality doesn’t instill confidence, however I’ve had my Lift Away for over a year now and not had any troubles with it. The dust bin uses two quick clips to hold it in place. This isn’t a big deal, but it does require more time and effort than either the Dyson or the LG.

The last bagless that I can really recommend is the LG LUV300B Kompressor. LG did a really nice job with both styling and designing their own version of a cyclonic vacuum. The party trick of the Kompressor is that there is a paddle inside the dust bin that compacts the contents into two “cakes”. This feature triples it’s capacity over all other bagless vacuums. As a floor vacuum it is great. It is powerful and has an exceptionally large cleaning radius. The brush roll can be turned on and off via finger tip controls, as well as vary motor speed/suction depending on what you are cleaning.

Drawbacks to the 300B is that it’s a fairly heavy vacuum and deploying the wand is a bit of a pain. For some reason, LG opted to stack all the accessory components onto the wand. At first glance this seems handy, but when you have to disassemble everything to use the part you need it is cumbersome. You then have to reassemble the wand and all the accessories before you can go back to floor cleaning. In time this is something you can get used to, though it is not an optimal layout.

Maintenance is pretty good on the 300B. The canister releases with the touch of a button, empties just as easily, and clicks back into place. The canister empties almost dust free and the compacted cakes do not stir as other things added to the garbage can.

There are four vacuums in the LG Kompressor upright vacuum series, the LuV200R, LuV250C, LuV300B, and LuV400T.

The filters on the Dyson, LG, and Shark are washable, saving you time and money when it comes to servicing them. Internal baffles and such need to be periodically cleaned with a soft brush or compressed air, just make sure you do this outside.

The last thing I can think of is that before you purchase any vacuum, I highly recommend finding it at a local retail outlet and testing it out. Sears, for instance, carries all three of these vacuums, which will allow you to see them side by side and evaluate their ease of use and abilities. Also, Amazon has consumer reviews on most of their products, making them a great resource to find possible problem areas before you purchase. Once you know what you want, online purchasing can usually save you some of your hard earned money.