Need a New Vaccum

Miele - the best vacuum I've ever used. We had an electrolux canister for years, and I've used my mom's oreck (which is lightweight, and pretty effective), as well as a hoover. But we recently bought this miele for the hepa-filter (my son was diagnosed with dust and dust mite allergies) and I love it. No exhaust with dust into the house, and it sucks up everything!!

I have a Dirt Devil Swivel Glide.. this is the 2nd I bought. I had a dog chew the cord on the 1st one. I really like it. It is not bagless so if your really want that route don't recommend this but, if you don't care then its a good vaccum. It is super light (my 4 year old loves to vaccum with it) in fact I remember both girls using it when they were about 2. It has nice suction and is easy to change the bag, belt, etc. I am "mechanically challenged" my husband says but I can change the belt on it so it must to simple to do. LOL It also has slots for the attachments and you can easily switch from sweeping the floor to sucking cheerios out of the couch. I'm not sure if I would want to deal with using my husbands shop vac but maybe your MIL has a much smaller one. I have a tiny one for the car I love it! But couldn't imagine using the big one in every room of the house.
Good luck :) Hope this helps

I love my new Dyson (with the ball). I have had them all (4 vacuums in 7 years time!) I had a Kirby - and though it did a great job, it was soooo heavy and I hated buying the bags for it. my last vacuum was the Bissell Healthy Home - I really liked that - it did a good job but again it was pretty heavy and you need to buy new HEPA filters every year or so and they run about $20.
Though the Dyson is a bit $$$, it has a 5 yr warranty and you never have to buy bags or replace the filters.
There are alot of great vacuums out there - just go with what works best for you!

I have a 22 year old canister style Hoover. I had considered replacing it recently, but after stopping by a vacuum shop I decided to just have it professionally serviced and cleaned(which is far cheaper than a new vacuum). According to the owner, the motor in my old machine is more powerful than comparable models on the market today. They just don't make things like they used to!
This type takes a bag, but with my dust allergies I prefer that type. Vacuum shops often sell refurbished old machines. I would go that route if I was in a position to replace mine.

Kirby.
They work like no other machine, have tons of options (like carpet and upholstery shampooers) and last practically forever. You can probably find a good used model for the price of a cheapy department store vacuum.

I've used Electrolux, Oreck, Hoover, Kenmore and others over the years and Kirby is by far the best.

Carpet, hardwood, tile, laminate, furniture, car upholstery, etc. Heck I used to vacuum my Rottie and Maine Coon on a weekly basis. A very versatile machine that does an incredible job.

I have to say I love my Oreck and it picks up loads of dog hair and other items no problem

I have the Shark Navigator. It's about $200 depending on where you get it. I bought mine at Bed Bath and Beyond because I had a coupon. You can also get one at Target or Kohls. I really like it. Its supposed to "never lose suction like the Dyson and it's fairly lightweight.

If you want the power of a shop vac, but not the inconvenience of that big clunker rolling around behind you, I would recommend a Bissell Healthy Home. I love this machine. I have pets and my previous vacuums have never been very efficient at cleaning up the hair. The downside is that it's bagless and it is relatively heavy, but the upside is wonderfully clean carpets. I used it on my friends house right after she had vacuumed with hers to show her how great it was. It picked up so much crud!
Good luck and happy vacuuming!
S.