Need Recommendations for a Vacuum Cleaner

I agree w/checking out consumer reports. I have tried tons of vacuums, then almost 2 years ago the Kirby people came knocking on my door wanting to give a demo. I let them and ended up buying the vaccuum. They are expensive, but so worth it. Really great for people w/allergies and asthma!!!We have 2 dogs and 4 kids and I can not say enough about how it cleans and handles. It also does everything-it is a carpet cleaner too. Anyway, you can get them on ebay also to save a few dollars. Good luck!

Hi - We have the Dyson Animal Vac and I just love it. Amazing how much it picks up each time (vac 2x week). We have a 100 lb German Shepherd & a 40 lb PBGV and plush carpet through most of the house (and hardwood in others).

I bought mine about a year ago at Kohls when they were actually on sale, AND used a 30% off coupon. I think I paid about $300 for it.

J.

I hated vacuuming. Never had a good vacuum cleaner. I've been married 37 years. Tried the orek canister and hated it, felt like I was dragging a big bag of cheese behind me. I took it back the day after I bought it. They were very nice about returning my money. Next I researched the Dyson animal. We went to Best Buy and the salesman was terrific. It's the best vacuum I've ever had. It's still not perfect but the best so far. I feel the manufacturers listen to their customers and keep trying to make their vacuum better and better.

We used Consumer Reports online to help decide which vacuum to get. The top rated is the Kenmore (Sears) Direct Drive. It comes in around $300.00 and like someone else said, the Dyson, at $400+ doesn't even make the top 10. We ended up getting the next rated Bissell Health Home. It was $60 cheaper than the Kenmore and had all of the same features. It works really well. My only complaint is that it is a bit heavy. My husband is a compulsive vacuumer and he really likes it too. Of course, the weight doesn't bother him at all.

My brother has a dog and the Dyson Animal and he hates it. A friend of mine has the Eureka Boss (under $200 from Target) and she loves it.

Good luck on your search. Once you decide what you want you could check craigslist.org

Jessica

We also have a Dyson Animal vaccuum have had it ever since it came out and it still sucks just as well as the day we took it out of the box. Its also really easy to clean which I love.
It's worth the money but I was smart about it found one and bed bath and beyond and used a 20% off coupon to make it under 500 :)

Good luck
Jules

Hi Amy-

I would definitely check consumer reports...but I can tell you I LOVE my Oreck upright. I live in a 2 story house and it is great for carrying up and down the stairs.

Hope that helps!

M.

Someone posted a while ago about vacuums and I replied by saying that I LOVE my Dyson! I have had many vacuums in the past and my Dyson wins hands down.

We have the Dyson Animal vaccuum and we love it. It really works as good as it did wsince we first had it. We have 2 cats that shed a lot, and it gets everything! They are never on sale, and they are usually the same price at all of the stores...Kohl's, Target, etc.
Good Luck!

I absolutely LOVE my Dyson (the Animal version)It is the best vacuum I have ever used. I vacuum ALOT (because of dog and cat hair)and it is awesome. I keep my old one in the basement (a windtunnel one) and when I have to use it, it is such a huge difference, plus it kicks out a dirty smell that I never noticed until I started using the Dyson. Definately worth the money. Mine is not hard to push nor that heavy. Once I turn it on, it's like it drives itself, I just need to steer. All the features are very nice.

Amy,

We have 2 German Shepherds and mostly hardwood floors, so I'm comfortable with the Kenmore I got like 5 years ago. Only 2 bedrooms have carpeting and I vacuum them every week. Well, we cleaned out one room for our baby-to-be and I vacuumed with my Kenmore. My mom brought over her Dyson and revacuumed the room for me. Oh. My. God. I could not BELIEVE what it picked up! We then did the same thing in our son's room. SAME result. It was shocking. I have since kidnapped the Dyson and it's at our house. I love it. If we had more carpeting, I would get one for sure and retire the Kenmore to the basement.

My sister also has the Dyson and loves it.

Good luck,

T.

I actually have the Oreck upright vacuum. I don't mind vacuuming because it's SO lightweight. And they last forever. When my cleaning lady came for the first time, she opened my closet and said "Oh, good. You have the good kind" when she saw the Oreck. I think that says it all! :) They have stores in a few places (Wilmette & Vernon Hills, for example). You can also ask to buy a show model for a really good discount and if they don't have one in their store, they'll call all around the country to find one and then ship it to you for free. They're tuned up and have all new parts (except the motor), they're just the demos for trade shows. And, if yours ever needs a repair, they'll give you a loaner to take home until it's fixed. I just think they're a great company with a great product.

You might consider checking Consumer Reports....they have a variety of vacuums that they have rated...I was surprised to see that my Dyson (which I think works pretty well) wasn't even in the top 10! You can probably look at the magazine at your local library.

I have an Oreck upright and I love it. I have had it for 7 years with no problems. I have two dogs and I feel the suction is great. It is also very light weight. And you can use it on hard surfaces too.

I do not recommend Dyson. We thought it would be the Godsend and I don't think it works THAT well and it's very awkward and bulky to use. Check out consumerreports.com or other rating sites online for additional customer opinions. Good luck.

When we went to buy a vaccuum it was between the Dyson and the Sears Kenmore direct drive. They were both top rated in cunsumer reports. My husband won with the Dyson and I hate it. IT does suck up alot, but it's really heavy, hard to manuever and doesn't go under furniture very well. Now I wish I had pushed harder and we had gotten the Sears brand, espceially since I'm the one using it all of the time. Does he ever vaccuum?? NO.

Amy, this question sucks! Just kidding... sucks... like a vacuum... ha ha! Anyway...

Here's a website that compares vacuums:
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/vacuum-c...

There's a link to Consumer Reports on there.

And this site allows you to compare two models side-by-side:
http://www.abcvacuumwarehouse.com/compare.asp.

Good luck with your search!

We have a Kirby. It is great because we can dry clean the carpets and it does a great job... the downside... its kinda heavy and a pain to get used to the attachments...

We also have a Dyson animal. I would say I like this one the best... its lighter and does a great job. Attachments are a little bit of a pain but I have realized all vacuums are a pain.

Between the two I would say go with the Dyson if you don't need to "steam/dry" clean your carpets.

We have both I keep one on each floor so I don't have to haul it up the stairs!! - Good Luck!

I just got an Orek, and it is the best vacuum I have had. I was considering the Dyson, but with my Orek I get 10 years of tune ups included. I did get it on QVC, but there are Orek stores all over. I would never by another vacuum again. Also it is light weight so it is easy to get up the stairs and it came with a small canister vac for stairs and things. I can't tell you how much I love this one!

Good luck choosing!