I know we have discussed this before but I can't remember the results. I am thinking about getting a new vacuum. I'm not sure about an upright as I've never owned one but the one here at the rental is HEAVY and doesn't do stairs well.

What would you all recommend?

By Amecmom on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 10:46 pm:

I have always liked a canister with a power brush for carpets. They just seem more versatile to me. My new house though will have central vac woo hoo! Can't wait sorry ... just couldn't help it ...

By Paulas on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 11:02 pm:

I have had central vac and don't really like them so wanted to try something different while we are renting. Even with a sock, I find CV make a mess of molding

By Cybermommyx4 on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 11:32 pm:

I MUCH prefer a canister vac! In fact, I just bought a new (refurbished)one it is a Hoover Duros...I LOVE it. I had an upright Hoover Windtunnel, and I hated it because it was always tipping over and the handle would hit me in the back (grrrrr...) If money were no object (ha ha) I would have bought an Electrolux canister. We inherited an older Electrolux that my parents had when they first got married, and used it for years. We repaired and repaired it until it couldn't be fixed anymore, but at that point it was over 30 years old! They don't make 'em like they used to!

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 02:04 pm:

I also much prefer a canister, because I can move it up the stairs (standing on end), and I find it is easier to use the various tools for other things than those that came with my son's upright. Because we've had dogs and cats since my parents and I started living together, I find the power-brush attachment very helpful. Mine is a Kenmore that Mom brought with her, that is at least 18 years old, and I've only had to have it repaired once, other than occasionally replacing the belts myself.

By Bellajoe on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 04:20 pm:

I love my Dyson! No bags! Easy to empty and does stairs well too.Sucks up the dirt, paper, christmas tree needles, etc. well. We have the original yellow one.

It is a tad more expensive than your typical Hoover, but it, IMO, works much better and is easier to use and add attachments.

good luck

By Joyel on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 05:35 pm:

A huge emphatic second to the Dyson! I love mine! They are a little more expensive, but my mom got one recently on Woot.com. You have to take the time to look at it each night at 12 AM eastern, but hers was only $250. They sell pretty fast, but it is the best vacuum. I grew up using a canister and hated it. We called it the ball and chain. It's all personal preference, but the Dyson doesn't feel heavy and picks up great. Bed Bath and Beyond sells them and you can use the 20% off coupon.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 08:29 pm:

I wish I could get a Dyson! LOL! However, I want a wide-screen monitor, more! I have my resolution at 800 by 600, because 1024 by 786 makes the text too small for my middle-aged eyes. With a wide screen, I could see webpages, without needing a bottom scrollbar.

By Crystal915 on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 11:19 pm:

I love my Dyson, although I think if I had stairs I would prefer a canister. I hated using the upright on stairs. So far the only issue I have with the Dyson is the wand, it's cumbersome, IMO, so I haven't used any attachments, because you have to pull the wand all the way out, like to pick up something in the corner, you have to pull the wand all the way out to be able to bend it down to the floor. Maybe I'm not doing something right...

By Paulas on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 10:04 am:

Thanks for the information ladies. Does anyone have the Dyson canister?

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 10:26 am:

Another Dyson fan. I have the Animal HEPA Upright, in purple, clearanced at Sears because it was an older model. Very impressed with the job it does and I have had it for two years, no loss of suction.

By Vicki on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 10:41 am:

I don't have the Dyson canister, I have the Dyson Animal DC14 and I won't own a different machine. If this broke today I would go get another!!