Vacuum cleaner recommendation?
- black jack
- Posts: 806
- Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:13 pm
Vacuum cleaner recommendation?
Wife has decided she'd like to replace our mediocre vacuum cleaner.
Does anyone have a vacuum cleaner they would recommend?
Does anyone have a vacuum cleaner they would recommend?
We cannot absolutely prove [that they are wrong who say] that we have seen our best days. But so said all who came before us, and with just as much apparent reason. |
-T. B. Macaulay (1800-1859)
Re: Vacuum cleaner recommendation?
Nobody can reply unless you specify the type - cannister, portable, upright, wet/dry, etc.black jack wrote:Wife has decided she'd like to replace our mediocre vacuum cleaner.
Does anyone have a vacuum cleaner they would recommend?
I have an early 1980s Eureka canister and was pleased by the outstanding service when I need a new part (power switch) last year. I called the 800 number on a weekend(!), and the rep found the exact part I needed in no time, and I had it a few days later.
We have had a Bissell upgright now for 4 years. It was $50 at Walmart. It's bagless and has filters. As long as you keep the filters clean it works very well. You need a second vacuum (the cannister in our case), or an air compressor, to clean the filters.
Paul
Last edited by tibbitts on Sun May 03, 2009 3:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Electrolux is my favorite. Been using it for 2 yrs and it is the best we have ever used. We have no carpet so the oxz3 canister is perfect for us.
With carpet some don't like canisters.
http://smallappliances.electroluxusa.co ... oryID=3093
With carpet some don't like canisters.
http://smallappliances.electroluxusa.co ... oryID=3093
Desiderata
My wife loves her Dyson Animal. It is quite expensive, but she swears it is the best one she ever owned.
Check out this site http://products.howstuffworks.com/uprig ... /award-all for some reviews and best buys.
Mike
Check out this site http://products.howstuffworks.com/uprig ... /award-all for some reviews and best buys.
Mike
See link below
http://www.consumersearch.com/vacuum-cleaners
http://www.consumersearch.com/vacuum-cleaners
My wife and I like the Dyson.mhalley wrote:My wife loves her Dyson Animal. It is quite expensive, but she swears it is the best one she ever owned.
Check out this site http://products.howstuffworks.com/uprig ... /award-all for some reviews and best buys.
Mike
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- Location: San Jose, CA
There is nothing like a Rainbow.
And nothing costs as much as a Rainbow either. However, it actually cleans. Really cleans.
I bought one last fall and have had no remorse whatsoever. And my allergies are better this year. It is actually too soon to say if the Rainbow had anything to do with that or not. But it seems so.
http://www.rainbowsystem.com/rainbowsys ... awodIwcN8A
If I were doing it again, I would buy a demo model off the internet and save some money. Or if you have friends and family, you can sign them up for demos and get some of your money back.
And nothing costs as much as a Rainbow either. However, it actually cleans. Really cleans.
I bought one last fall and have had no remorse whatsoever. And my allergies are better this year. It is actually too soon to say if the Rainbow had anything to do with that or not. But it seems so.
http://www.rainbowsystem.com/rainbowsys ... awodIwcN8A
If I were doing it again, I would buy a demo model off the internet and save some money. Or if you have friends and family, you can sign them up for demos and get some of your money back.
Hoover Runabout Vacuum Cleaner - 12 Amp Motor.
works great. had it for years.
don't believe the hype that you have to spend a lot.
i don't think they make it anymore but it was only like $69 at Kmart.
if i had to buy now, i'd buy the cheapest Hoover upright bag cleaner once again. maybe this one -
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... d=10339973
good luck.
works great. had it for years.
don't believe the hype that you have to spend a lot.
i don't think they make it anymore but it was only like $69 at Kmart.
if i had to buy now, i'd buy the cheapest Hoover upright bag cleaner once again. maybe this one -
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... d=10339973
good luck.
Last edited by Gekko on Sun May 03, 2009 4:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Location: Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area
Agree. We've had one for about three years (and yes, I do the vacuuming, so I can give it my personal approval 8) ).mhalley wrote:My wife loves her Dyson Animal. It is quite expensive, but she swears it is the best one she ever owned.
Check out this site http://products.howstuffworks.com/uprig ... /award-all for some reviews and best buys.
Mike
We always have two dogs in the house (we do rescue work) and the breed, although small and generally easy to groom (shetland sheepdogs - mini-Collies) they do go through their seasons where their undercoats do come out in clumps (made a sweater, one year ).
- Ron
I had an Electrolux (a graduation gift) during college which lasted for almost 30 years. I loved it but didn't want to spend the $$ on a new one when it finally bit the dust. (I was a bit shocked by the prices and the ratings on them at the time weren't as good as I might have exptected.)
So, I tried the Hoovers which had best buy ratings in Consumer Reports..yuk. I got one for upstairs and one for down b/c they were too darn heavy to carry anywhere. They were a pain; the belts constantly popped; and too heavy even room-to-room. So, I donated them to a boyscout charity auction and was happy to do so.
Then I bought an Oreck, and to hear me talk you would think that I sell them or own stock in the company. They clean well but most importantly they are light weight which is important for this ole'lady. Very easy to use and all maintenance is free--they even give me free bags when I go in...well worth the $$.
In fact, I liked mine so much that I bought my Momma one. Her cleaning lady likes it so much that she told her clients that if they got Orecks for her to use that she would be very, very happy!javascript:emoticon(':lol:')
Ya gotta keep your Momma and everyone who helps your Momma happy!
I also described them to a couple of friends with back problems; they purchased them after hearing my description and they are still friends...so the Orecks must be pretty darn good.
So, I tried the Hoovers which had best buy ratings in Consumer Reports..yuk. I got one for upstairs and one for down b/c they were too darn heavy to carry anywhere. They were a pain; the belts constantly popped; and too heavy even room-to-room. So, I donated them to a boyscout charity auction and was happy to do so.
Then I bought an Oreck, and to hear me talk you would think that I sell them or own stock in the company. They clean well but most importantly they are light weight which is important for this ole'lady. Very easy to use and all maintenance is free--they even give me free bags when I go in...well worth the $$.
In fact, I liked mine so much that I bought my Momma one. Her cleaning lady likes it so much that she told her clients that if they got Orecks for her to use that she would be very, very happy!javascript:emoticon(':lol:')
Ya gotta keep your Momma and everyone who helps your Momma happy!
I also described them to a couple of friends with back problems; they purchased them after hearing my description and they are still friends...so the Orecks must be pretty darn good.
-
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The brand originates from the "land of Volvo". Lasts just as long (and costs as much).FrankM wrote:I have a 26 year old Electrolux that is in perfect condition. It's a quality product. My Mom had 2 over a 50 year period. She didn't really need to replace the 1st one at the time, but decided to because it was a little lighter than the 1958 model....
- Ron
Agree- we have a Dyson too and love it. We got it at Costco.Ron wrote:Agree. We've had one for about three years (and yes, I do the vacuuming, so I can give it my personal approval 8) ).mhalley wrote:My wife loves her Dyson Animal. It is quite expensive, but she swears it is the best one she ever owned.
Check out this site http://products.howstuffworks.com/uprig ... /award-all for some reviews and best buys.
Mike
We always have two dogs in the house (we do rescue work) and the breed, although small and generally easy to groom (shetland sheepdogs - mini-Collies) they do go through their seasons where their undercoats do come out in clumps (made a sweater, one year ).
- Ron
http://reviews.costco.com/2070/11283585 ... geNumber=2
cheers,
RIP Mr. Bogle.
ditto on the dyson. good vacuum, worth the money.grok87 wrote:Agree- we have a Dyson too and love it. We got it at Costco.
we had a hoover "self propelled" model prior to dyson. we replaced the self propelled mechanism once (thing is a monster w/out some help) but when it failed a second time at about 4 yrs old, we tossed it. did some research, got a dyson, and never looked back. 5 yrs old, it still sucks (but in a good way).
only complaint is that on humid days, it's tough to push over the carpet pile, as it makes too good of suction. not a bad complaint to have. bagless, w/ cyclone action (not quite venturi, but venturi-like).
- black jack
- Posts: 806
- Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:13 pm
Re: Vacuum cleaner recommendation?
Sorry; I didn't specify, because I wanted to hear what people thought about different types. Context: 1300 square foot house, two stories, lots of carpet, no bare wood. Inclined toward upright bag model.tibbitts wrote:Nobody can reply unless you specify the type - cannister, portable, upright, wet/dry, etc.black jack wrote:Wife has decided she'd like to replace our mediocre vacuum cleaner.
Does anyone have a vacuum cleaner they would recommend?
Paul
Wife has seen bagless vacuums brought in at her pre-school and stop working because nobody maintained them. A vacuum cleaner that you need a second vacuum cleaner in order to maintain strikes me as comical.
[On maintenance: we recently replaced a kaput fridge. I was wryly amused to read the manufacturer's guide to maintenance, which recommended cleaning the interior weekly. The only person I can imagine doing that was one of my great-aunts, who my mom says cleaned her house so thoroughly she even dusted the top of the door and window trim.]
Thanks very much to everyone for your input. I'm not sure I'm up for dropping $400 or more for a vacuum cleaner unless it's going to do the vacuuming itself (no one recommended a Roomba?). But I'll look into your favorites.
We cannot absolutely prove [that they are wrong who say] that we have seen our best days. But so said all who came before us, and with just as much apparent reason. |
-T. B. Macaulay (1800-1859)
If you have high pile (thick) carpet, a Kirby is hard to beat. They get a bad rap b/o the tactics used by their door-to-door salesmen, and clearly are not worth the new price ($1200-1500), But...
You can buy a reconditioned one on eBay for ~$300, and they are truly a "tank". Heavy to take up and down stairs, but really does the job. We bought a used one about 6 years ago, and it's still going strong. We also have or have owned an Oreck, Hoover, Kenmore, Dyson. The Kirby is by far the best for carpet.
Wayne
You can buy a reconditioned one on eBay for ~$300, and they are truly a "tank". Heavy to take up and down stairs, but really does the job. We bought a used one about 6 years ago, and it's still going strong. We also have or have owned an Oreck, Hoover, Kenmore, Dyson. The Kirby is by far the best for carpet.
Wayne
" Successful investing involves doing just a few things right, and avoiding serious mistakes." - J. Bogle
My extended family and I have had good luck with Kenmore canister vaccums over the years. I recently replaced my 25 year old hand-me-down with a 10 year old hand-me-down. The 25 year old one still ran but the suction wasn't what it used to be. We've probably had 5 or 6 Kenmores between us and none have ever broken down or had problems.
We've had a miele vacuum for several years and it works great and has held up quite well. Like some of the other suggestions, they are a bit pricey, but IMO, you do get something for the extra money.
Jim
Jim
bags vs. not
The Eureka cannister has a bag, and doesn't require a 2nd vacuum to maintain. Same with our previous upright. But, you have to buy the bags, and there was probably less effective filtering. So, it's really just a tradeoff.A vacuum cleaner that you need a second vacuum cleaner in order to maintain strikes me as comical.
You could maintain the bagless with an air compressor to blow out the dirt, but you'd want a breathing mask. But it's almost the same problem with dumping a bagless. You probably should wear a mask.
Paul
Re: Vacuum cleaner recommendation?
Paul[/quote](no one recommended a Roomba?)quote]
I have a Roomba and a Dyson. I would not recommend the Roomba as the only vacuum in the household. Great product, love sending it after dog hair, love that it vacuums under furniture, but it can't vacuum the furniture, stairs, drapes, etc. I use it mid-week, quick, easy and no hassle on my part, but.............it can't deep clean.
I have always owned Sears cannisters vacs, but found I was tired of buying bags, and they only lasted about 5 years before repairs cost almost as much as a new vacuum. Switched to Dyson Animal after reading testimonials on the web.
The Dyson really sucks, in a good way. I love seeing what I am removing, keeps me motivated, and it is the only vacuum that I have ever seen that men are interested in. My husband uses it as much as I do, and that is new after 28 years of marriage. I love it for that fact alone. Not sure why it seems to attract guys to vacuuming, but my two son-in-laws also seem to be willing to vacuum with the Dyson as well. In fact one bought a Dyson for my daughter after borrowing ours. Not sure what Dyson did to entice guys, but hey, it's great! Excellent vacuum, plus you may get some help using it, that is a combination that can't be beat.
I have a Roomba and a Dyson. I would not recommend the Roomba as the only vacuum in the household. Great product, love sending it after dog hair, love that it vacuums under furniture, but it can't vacuum the furniture, stairs, drapes, etc. I use it mid-week, quick, easy and no hassle on my part, but.............it can't deep clean.
I have always owned Sears cannisters vacs, but found I was tired of buying bags, and they only lasted about 5 years before repairs cost almost as much as a new vacuum. Switched to Dyson Animal after reading testimonials on the web.
The Dyson really sucks, in a good way. I love seeing what I am removing, keeps me motivated, and it is the only vacuum that I have ever seen that men are interested in. My husband uses it as much as I do, and that is new after 28 years of marriage. I love it for that fact alone. Not sure why it seems to attract guys to vacuuming, but my two son-in-laws also seem to be willing to vacuum with the Dyson as well. In fact one bought a Dyson for my daughter after borrowing ours. Not sure what Dyson did to entice guys, but hey, it's great! Excellent vacuum, plus you may get some help using it, that is a combination that can't be beat.
Just to add a little humor:
Roseanne Barr Domestic Goddess said she would vacuum when they started making one she could ride.
I guess like the guys all have to cut the grass :lol:
Steve
Roseanne Barr Domestic Goddess said she would vacuum when they started making one she could ride.
I guess like the guys all have to cut the grass :lol:
Steve
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- Tall Grass
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We have a "menagerie" of pets in the house -- one lab mutt and three tabby cats, plus an infant and my wife has allergies, so we need to keep a clean house.
We inherited an old style Electrolux vacuum from 1972. It's heavy, so we use it downstairs. But it is still going. In addition, we purchased another one about 7 years ago -- the modern Electrolux canister (now the company is called Aerus) and it is still going strong.
The Aerus Electrolux canister vacs are expensive, and they are a bit bulky because of the canister configuration, but in terms of cleaning power, there is very little that can match them other than a Rainbow vac or one of the good Miele units. They aren't cheap either, btw.
Finally, while I am generally a fan of CR, their report on vacuums was flawed in my humble opinion. The most knowledgeable people I know w/r/t vacuums are cleaning people, and the ones that we've had over the years use, in no particular order, Aerus Electrolux, Miele, and Oreck (very light and powerful units for their size, but they give away some power w/r/t the better canister vacs). My philosophy with these things is if you want to know what the best tools are, ask those who use those tools every day. They'll know far better than we will or a group of testers at a magazine.
Hth.
We inherited an old style Electrolux vacuum from 1972. It's heavy, so we use it downstairs. But it is still going. In addition, we purchased another one about 7 years ago -- the modern Electrolux canister (now the company is called Aerus) and it is still going strong.
The Aerus Electrolux canister vacs are expensive, and they are a bit bulky because of the canister configuration, but in terms of cleaning power, there is very little that can match them other than a Rainbow vac or one of the good Miele units. They aren't cheap either, btw.
Finally, while I am generally a fan of CR, their report on vacuums was flawed in my humble opinion. The most knowledgeable people I know w/r/t vacuums are cleaning people, and the ones that we've had over the years use, in no particular order, Aerus Electrolux, Miele, and Oreck (very light and powerful units for their size, but they give away some power w/r/t the better canister vacs). My philosophy with these things is if you want to know what the best tools are, ask those who use those tools every day. They'll know far better than we will or a group of testers at a magazine.
Hth.
- nisiprius
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We had a Whirlpool (!) canister-with-powered-brush vacuum cleaner. Bought it ages ago, cost about $200 back when a dollar was a dollar. Never liked it because it made an infernal racket, it couldn't really clean by suction alone, and I gradually realized that it was the cause of a very fine white dust that tended to appear on everything whenever I used it.
Two years ago I bought a Miele canister vacuum, closer to the low end than to the high end, cost about $650. I chose the model based on CU reviews saying it was quiet. It is, let's see, a model 5280 "Pisces." HEPA filter. Our house is mostly hard flooring; this model is cheaper because it has a beater brush that is "powered" just from suction instead of a separate motor, which we rarely use; it seems to work OK.
The Miele was amazing to me, a revelation. It is quiet, it is able to clean effectively by suction alone, and (undoubtedly because of the HEPA filter) it does not deposit white dust on things.
So the main lessons I learned are that yeah,
a) a good vacuum cleaner is well worth the extra money, and $600-$800 is by no means too much to spend.
b) The Miele 5280 seems like a good one;
c) There's no substitute for a vacuum that not only has strong suction but can also move lots of air.
d) I have no idea how to tell which ones are good, other than reading Consumer Reports and/or trying them out.
Two years ago I bought a Miele canister vacuum, closer to the low end than to the high end, cost about $650. I chose the model based on CU reviews saying it was quiet. It is, let's see, a model 5280 "Pisces." HEPA filter. Our house is mostly hard flooring; this model is cheaper because it has a beater brush that is "powered" just from suction instead of a separate motor, which we rarely use; it seems to work OK.
The Miele was amazing to me, a revelation. It is quiet, it is able to clean effectively by suction alone, and (undoubtedly because of the HEPA filter) it does not deposit white dust on things.
So the main lessons I learned are that yeah,
a) a good vacuum cleaner is well worth the extra money, and $600-$800 is by no means too much to spend.
b) The Miele 5280 seems like a good one;
c) There's no substitute for a vacuum that not only has strong suction but can also move lots of air.
d) I have no idea how to tell which ones are good, other than reading Consumer Reports and/or trying them out.
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness; Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.
I've had a Rainbow for years and find it quite good. My brother has an acquaintance who used to work for a cleaning service. They used shop vacs. Claimed they were very effective and generally cheaper than regular vacs. Never known anyone to try that, and I've never used a shop vac for anything. Is there any reason why those wouldn't work as well as the Rainbow or any other vac that uses water?
Georgia
Georgia
Well finally. A fellow Rainbow user! I would expect them (shop vac) to be about the same for hardwood. But the beating roller brush for carpet would surely beat the shop vac for carpets. Or so it seems to me.Georgia wrote:I've had a Rainbow for years and find it quite good. My brother has an acquaintance who used to work for a cleaning service. They used shop vacs. Claimed they were very effective and generally cheaper than regular vacs. Never known anyone to try that, and I've never used a shop vac for anything. Is there any reason why those wouldn't work as well as the Rainbow or any other vac that uses water?
Georgia
Nisiprius is right about the difference in having strong suction (the old bowling ball commercial) and moving a lot of air. They are not the same and the Rainbow excels at moving air. I suspect that is why it cleans so well.
My wife is a Norwegian who at times drive me nuts sometimes with her cleanest house in the U.S. Her choice use to be Electrolux, but as she says the vacuum for last 20 years aren't the same vacuum as the previous 3 in the previous 50 years she used. She prefers a tank with excellent flexible motorized head for use on tile floors and 50% carpeted areas. A year ago her electrolux which had had several repairs lost its power. One month of research and shopping and trials an upper-graded Amiele compact was her choice. And she is happy on that choice. Better than any electrolux, period.
In our summer mountain home we have the Consumer Report's top rated Sear tank($400). It's fine but heavier and not as movable or flexiable as the $1000 Amiele. Her choice is the Amiele. And if she is happy it's worth every dollar; it's always being used.
Murfield
In our summer mountain home we have the Consumer Report's top rated Sear tank($400). It's fine but heavier and not as movable or flexiable as the $1000 Amiele. Her choice is the Amiele. And if she is happy it's worth every dollar; it's always being used.
Murfield
"Nobody wants to have in his cash holdings a definite number of pieces of money; he wants to keep a cash holdings of a definite amount of purchasing power"
1st step is to decide on bagless or bags. There's pros and cons of each. I decided on bags cause less mess, etc. But I'm not saying the bagless fans are wrong. Once you decide to go for bags (or bagless), read reviews here, in CR and on amazon and just buy one. Don't second guess yourself. Believe in your choice with religious fervor. Good luck!
ORECK..............hands down. It's so light weight. I own the upright and the hand held, which I use in the car. I also use the hand held in the house. It works great. But, I have no smelly carpet, only hardwood floors, so I can't speak as to what the ORECK would be like on carpet.
The best way to teach your children about money is to not have any.............
I had a Kirby and liked it.
Next two vacs were Rainbows.
My 30 year old carpets are a testimony to good use of the Rainbows for the last 30 years.
My first Rainbow lasted 25 years. I bought the second one slightly used for $700 a couple of years ago.
A vac salesman told me that men seem to like the Rainbows better than women do.
The lady that sold me the 2nd Rainbow said she preferred using her upright and so did her housekeeper.
I gave away a like new upright that I had bought and only used a few times. ($200).
Next two vacs were Rainbows.
My 30 year old carpets are a testimony to good use of the Rainbows for the last 30 years.
My first Rainbow lasted 25 years. I bought the second one slightly used for $700 a couple of years ago.
A vac salesman told me that men seem to like the Rainbows better than women do.
The lady that sold me the 2nd Rainbow said she preferred using her upright and so did her housekeeper.
I gave away a like new upright that I had bought and only used a few times. ($200).
- risharinga
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- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:42 am
- Location: Puget Sound, WA.
+1 on Miele. Definately money well spent.nisiprius wrote: The Miele was amazing to me, a revelation. It is quiet, it is able to clean effectively by suction alone, and (undoubtedly because of the HEPA filter) it does not deposit white dust on things.
I can also recommend the website that I bought it from. http://www.witbeckvacuums.com/. The owner patiently answered my questions over three days before I decided to buy.
Pick up any consumer reports over the last 5 years and the top rated vac is a kenmore model from sears.
Walk into sears and it will be at the end of the isle.
We;ve owned for a few years - heppa filters - and it's aces. Highly recomended.
Other than investment advice I've never seen CR be wrong - a lot like my father's advice - but took me years to realize.
Walk into sears and it will be at the end of the isle.
We;ve owned for a few years - heppa filters - and it's aces. Highly recomended.
Other than investment advice I've never seen CR be wrong - a lot like my father's advice - but took me years to realize.
My wife suggests a Bissell pet. We have one on each floor of the lower priced machines (around $120-160 depending on sales) and each just keeps going and going and going. Just check all the filters often since they will suck up a lot of stuff. Neighbor just replace hers with one.
If an idea did not arrive in a person's mind via logic, it cannot be changed by logic.
I have not had a great experience with my Miele. In the six years I've owned it I've had to have it repaired twice (electronics on the hand wand). The hinge on the door to the appliance storage area also broke so the door now falls off a lot but I haven't bothered repairing that. Totalling the cost of repairs and the expense of the bags and hepa filters, over the last six years I've paid another two-thirds of the original cost of the vacuum. I'll probably shop for some other brand when mine gives out completely.
- MekongTrader
- Posts: 357
- Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2008 2:33 am
- Location: On the banks of the Mekong
Re: Vacuum cleaner recommendation?
I always thought that HOOVER was as American as Coke or Ford. How come you guys use Electrolux (Sweden) or Miele (German, I guess)? Aren't Hoovers around anymore?black jack wrote:Wife has decided she'd like to replace our mediocre vacuum cleaner.
Does anyone have a vacuum cleaner they would recommend?
MT
- black jack
- Posts: 806
- Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:13 pm
I'm inclined to trust Consumer Reports too, but tadamsmar noted an unhappy experience with one of their recommendations. I haven't checked CR's latest vacuum report yet, but will. But I also think highly of the anecdotal evaluations of Bogleheads, which are endearingly all over the map. Recommendations ranging from $69 models to unspecified, but possibly four digit, beasties (is it Bogleheadish to spend more than a couple of hundred bucks for a dust-bagger?). Even the Kenmores range (in a quick peek at the Sears site) from $100 to $500. So, as the analysts always say, more research (and weighing of costs) is indicated. Thanks to all for taking the time to share your observations.GG wrote:Pick up any consumer reports over the last 5 years and the top rated vac is a kenmore model from sears.
Walk into sears and it will be at the end of the isle.
We;ve owned for a few years - heppa filters - and it's aces. Highly recomended.
Other than investment advice I've never seen CR be wrong - a lot like my father's advice - but took me years to realize.
GG, it's nice that you so value your dad's advice (finally ). Mine was not infallible, but not bad. Your comment reminds me of something I saw in an article about people posting anonymous confessions; it mentioned a church that had set up a wall for such postings. One person wrote that their father really was always right, but that they wouldn't admit it to him.
We cannot absolutely prove [that they are wrong who say] that we have seen our best days. But so said all who came before us, and with just as much apparent reason. |
-T. B. Macaulay (1800-1859)
I sold vacuum cleaners part time for a couple years, and have had experience with just about every brand mentioned in this thread.
Just about any vacuum above about $300 will do the job. My favorites as far as value go are the Kenmore vacs (made by Panasonic, by the way), in the 300-450 range. No need, in my opinion, to spend more.
Just about any vacuum above about $300 will do the job. My favorites as far as value go are the Kenmore vacs (made by Panasonic, by the way), in the 300-450 range. No need, in my opinion, to spend more.
- StoneReader
- Posts: 394
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 6:42 pm
Put in a Central Vacuum System
When our last vacuum cleaner failed, we put in a central vacuuming system. At the time, it only cost $150 dollars more than an expensive portable vacuum and probably adds more than that to the value of your house to prospective buyers. It took a fellow one evening to install in our two story colonial (I did the electrical wiring because he did not have an electrician license). If you have a ranch house with a basement, it is even easier to install.
Because the motor of a central vacuum is stationary and in your basement, it can be and is much more powerful than any portable vacuum.
An added bonus is that all of the air sucked into the central vacuum is ejected outside so that you don't recirculate fine particles.
Because the motor of a central vacuum is stationary and in your basement, it can be and is much more powerful than any portable vacuum.
An added bonus is that all of the air sucked into the central vacuum is ejected outside so that you don't recirculate fine particles.
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I'm in charge of keeping the basement office, rec and laundry room clean so the vacuuming there falls to me. It got old lugging the vacuum downstairs every Saturday so I rigged an adapter for the hose, wand and vacuum head from the old Filter Queen that didn't work anymore with duct tape and two hose clamps to a 14 gallon Craftsman Shop-Vac.
That thing will suck up a small cat and with a 14 gallon capacity I only have to dump it every couple of years. You can make one of these for under $100. The only drawback I see is you have to wear ear protection because it sounds like a 747 on takeoff.
That thing will suck up a small cat and with a 14 gallon capacity I only have to dump it every couple of years. You can make one of these for under $100. The only drawback I see is you have to wear ear protection because it sounds like a 747 on takeoff.
Does anyone know why bagless vacuum cleaners are slowly replacing the original design that used a bag? I'm wondering if it is only to eliminate the bag and associated cost or if there are other reasons.
I have a lower cost Bissell Bagless Vacuum Cleaner and would definitely not recommend it to anyone. It does clean well with great suction but there are two filters and another part that need to be cleaned very often depending on the type of dust involved. A lot of fine dust can clog up the foam filter in as little as 15 minutes. The vacuum would be terrific cleaning rice krispies but fine dirt is another story.
Emptying the container and cleaning the parts also exposes one to a lot of dust and dirt. I may go back to a bagged cleaner. I do realize that the bagless designs have improved with better cyclones and designs that divert most of the dirt to the container.
KW
I have a lower cost Bissell Bagless Vacuum Cleaner and would definitely not recommend it to anyone. It does clean well with great suction but there are two filters and another part that need to be cleaned very often depending on the type of dust involved. A lot of fine dust can clog up the foam filter in as little as 15 minutes. The vacuum would be terrific cleaning rice krispies but fine dirt is another story.
Emptying the container and cleaning the parts also exposes one to a lot of dust and dirt. I may go back to a bagged cleaner. I do realize that the bagless designs have improved with better cyclones and designs that divert most of the dirt to the container.
KW
Last edited by Electron on Sun Oct 03, 2010 11:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Vacuum cleaner recommendation?
It was sold to a Chinese company a few years back. Still a pretty good sweeper for the money, apparently.MekongTrader wrote: I always thought that HOOVER was as American as Coke or Ford. How come you guys use Electrolux (Sweden) or Miele (German, I guess)? Aren't Hoovers around anymore?
MT
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I've had a Kenmore canister for almost 20 years that has been my workhorse -- most of that time we have shared our home with long haired cats.
BUT, my very very favorite is our Roomba -- we started with one of the professional series, now have two, one for each floor. They are programmed to run daily, do an amazing job, and perhaps even saved the marriage of this domestically challenged goddess. They are named Rosie (upper half) and Rosie (lower half) and the whole family has welcomed them with open arms.
BUT, my very very favorite is our Roomba -- we started with one of the professional series, now have two, one for each floor. They are programmed to run daily, do an amazing job, and perhaps even saved the marriage of this domestically challenged goddess. They are named Rosie (upper half) and Rosie (lower half) and the whole family has welcomed them with open arms.
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If you see a vacuum demonstration live or on tv, where they first vacuum a carpeted floor with a competitor's vacuum and then vacuum a second time with the one they are trying to sell, they want you to think the second one is so much better. It picked up all the dirt the first one missed. But the fact is, the same thing would happen if the order were reversed. In other words, if they first vacuumed with the one they are selling and then vacuum a second time with the competitorks, the competitor's would pick up all the dirt the first one missed. So if you are at a live demo in a store, throw the salesperson a curveball. And ask them to reverse the order.