I really need to get a new vacuum. Please share your vacuum stories..good and bad.

TIA

By Vicki on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 06:25 pm:

Have had experience with Kirby, Hoover Wind tunnel and Oreck and around Chrtistmas bought the purple animal by Dyson and hands down the Dyson is the best I have ever owned. My last vacuum was the Oreck and I swept the family room with it and then went over it with the Dyson and I couldn't believe the amount of pet hair and what ever else it was that the Dyson got out that the Oreck missed. If this Dyson ever dies, you can be sure that I would get another in a minute!!

By Paulas on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 06:27 pm:

Can you get or order in a Dyson in Canada?

By Vicki on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 06:34 pm:

I have no idea. We got ours at Sears. I wanted to buy it in a store instead of online in case I wasn't impressed with it. It isn't cheap and I had no intentions of keeping it if it wasn't better than the Oreck.

By Paulas on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 06:51 pm:

How does this one sound?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4398419870&fromMakeTrack=true

By Annie2 on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 06:53 pm:

I had a Hoover Wind Tunnel. I wasn't impressed with it. It didn't pick up pet hair very well and scattered all the dirt when vacuuming on hard wood or tile.

I now have a Simplicity 700 Series. It is great on pet hair, hard floors. It's an upright with attachments on the back. I've had it for about 4 years now. I'ts a great vacuum.

When I need another vacuum, hopefully no time soon, I want to check out the purple Dyson. Pet hair is my main issue.

By Bea on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 06:56 pm:

We have all hardwood floors with antique hooked and oriental rugs. I use a Sears canister vacuum with a power head. It's more versatile for the type of cleaning I need to do.

By Vicki on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 09:25 pm:

It sounds good, but I can't day much about that model. I have the Dyson Animal DC14 model. I am not sure what all the differences are, but I can say that I love the model that I have.

By Boxzgrl on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 09:48 pm:

Good to know Vicki. I want that Dyson. I currently have a kirby.

By Paulas on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 10:46 pm:

I just tried to go through the consumer report but you have to have a subscription to access their online reports. I did, however, manage to read a report put out by good housekeeping that said that the Oreck and Dyson, although good vacuums, really weren't worth their high cost. It recommended the Hoover Upright Savvy U8145 as the top performer.

By Crystal915 on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 11:47 pm:

I saw the Hoover Fusion at Walmart tonight, it has the same cyclonic system Dyson has. Of course, I don't know if it works as well, but it's $129, and Walmart has a good return policy, if you want to give it a shot.

By Pamt on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 12:03 am:

I have a Kirby and wouldn't buy one again. I'm coveting people with a Dyson though--LOL

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 08:23 am:

I have a Dirt Devil and love it.

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 08:57 am:

I have a Kirby, and like Pamt, would never buy one again. I used a Hoover Wind Tunnel and hated it - it DIDN'T suck! ROFL. Now I have a Bissell bagless one and it's pretty good. Although, I'll probably just be buying a Swiffer vac thing soon, since we are getting rid of all our carpets in 2 weeks! LOL

By Colette on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 09:05 am:

Do you want a cannister or upright? Here is what Consumer reports recomends..

Best for most; all-around performance and value:
1 Hoover, $240
2 Eureka, $135, CR Best Buy

The self-propelled Hoover WindTunnel Self Propelled Ultra U6439-900 (1) offers superb overall performance and lots of features. Consider the Eureka Eureka Boss Smart Vac Ultra 4870 (2) if you're willing to trade self-propulsion and some airflow performance for a bit less noise and a much lower price. Also consider the capable, low-priced Hoover Tempo U5146-900 (9) if you're willing to wear ear protection.


and for cannisters...



Nearly any canister vacuum can handle bare floors. The best we test typically offer impressive carpet cleaning and maintain airflow through the hose for use with tools.

Previous CR Quick Picks from Sears' Kenmore brand and others have also blended high performance and convenience with relatively low prices; $300 to $350 is typical for our highest-value canister selections.

While our Ratings still include many fine canister vacs, most of our previous Quick Picks have been discontinued and replaced with successor models. We're currently testing these and other canisters, and will have updated Ratings and Quick Picks this fall.

Can't wait? The $150 GE (Wal-Mart) 106766 (3) is an attractive choice for its low price and fine performance, though you may have to change its bag relatively often, based on our airflow tests. Also consider the Sanyo SC-X1000P (9) if you're willing to live with more noise or the high-priced Dyson DC11 Full Gear (1) if much of your cleaning involves tools.


Let me know if you want more info..

By Paulas on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 02:23 pm:

Thanks Colette for the CR report information. I have always used a canister b/c that is what my mom always used. She was a big Electrolux fan. I started to consider the upright when I began reading some of the reports from Good Housekeeping on the Hoover Savvy.

My Kenmore that we had for 10 years died, leaving me to use the Hoover Central Vac that came with the house. I just don't like the Central Vac. I love the ability to use the sweeper thing in the kitchen but hate dragging that hose around. Also, our Central Vac is very loud. Although the power nozzle is able to be used on bare floors, I like using the floor tool on the bare floor.

The Dyson that you all seem to love is only available in the US so if I go that route I will have to buy it online and pay for shipping in addition to the higher vacuum cost.

So much to consider. I want one that will suck well.

By Truestori on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 12:50 pm:

Paula,
They have the dyson on Amazon.com and alot of times they are on sale. Goodluck with your choice.

By Kaye on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 07:05 pm:

Interesting reading. My sis in law has the hoover, I used it the other day and although it worked well, it was SOO heavy, my arm hurt using it. Who knew I needed a light vac? I have a sharp and love it.

By Paulas on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 10:14 pm:

Kaye, what model of Hoover did she have? I've been leaning toward the Hoover Savvy (thought I might like to try an upright) but if it's super heavy then maybe I don't want to be lugging it up and down the stairs.

By Kaye on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 08:33 am:

It is a wind tunnerl, has the clean light on it It wasn't the carrying it upstairs, just the actual vacuuming from pulling it back and forth, it did havok on my shoulder!