Cannister or Upright?

[AmyBoz]

Which type of vacuum do you own, and what has your experience been with that model?

I have the Hoover WindTunnel. Not thrilled. I've had it for 5 years and will keep it until it sweeps no more, but I'm really not all that impressed. It often smells like something is burning and I sometimes have to go over and over dirt to get it up. It does have the HEPA filter, but I don't really notice a difference...of course, we've always had it, so I don't know what it would be like without it.

[guest2]

I use a Kenmore cannister vacuum. I used to have both a dirt Devil and a Kirby and neither one impressed me. If I could, I'd love to get a Rainbow vacuum. I've had the best luck with them when I've borrowed from a friend.

[Missy]

We have a Tri_Star. I don't like it. I mean it'll suck the color out of the carpet. LOL( Yes I am exaggerating, but suction is certainly not a problem) . But it was way too expensive for what it is worth. WE had a Hoover that cought fire when i was using it. Won't get one of those again.I miss having an upright because this canister vac sure takes up alot of space.

[duckduckgoose007]

Self-propelled Hoover Wind-Tunnel also.

It is ok...I think it is heavy [for me] & also has a mind of it's own!

I think I would like to try an "Oreck"

[lucy979]

We have cheap one (not sure of the name) and it works ok. I'd love to get a more high tech one someday.

[AmyMCGS]

We use a 20-year old Kenmore canister vac and it works fine, but I hate it! It's so heavy and it tends to come unplugged two or three times while I'm using it. We inherited it from DH's dad, and my upright happened to not be working too well at the time, so I guess I'm stuck with it until it stops working. Our next vac will be a bagless upright model.

[Julia Kimber]

I've got a Miele canister type, I'm really happy with it! I've had some cheaper ones but even though this one was a little more expensive it was well worth it!
Julia

[PrairieRose]

We presently have a Dirt Devil and it's one of the best ones I've ever had. I've had a rainbow (only lasted 4 years), a kirby or 2 and I'll never pay that much for a vac again! My little dirt devil needs some new attachements but otherwise it will suck the hair off a dog.

[Heather]

I have a Dirt Devil Scorpion and I LOVE it!! It sucks everything right out of the carpet. The other one I had didn't do the trick at all. The saleslady told me that I would be shocked when I used the Dirt Devil to see how much dirt came out of the area rugs....I WAS!!

[CatherineID]

I have 5 vacuum cleaners - 2 uprights (one upstairs, one downstairs), a handheld dirt devil, a Eureka canister vac, and a shop vac (we do a lot of wood working). Only the shop vac and one upright (a Dirt Devil) I bought new. All the others I bought secondhand at garage sales. My other upright is a Hoover Wind Tunnel and I agree, it's awful. It's always getting clogged.

I think vacuums are hideously expensive. There's no reason for a decent one to cost as much as they do. It's not like this is new technology. As much as I hate buying and changing bags, I won't ever own a bagless again because emptying the collection bin is too messy!

As a general rule, canisters have a more powerful suction. Many people like the attachments, too. An upright is nice for the manuveurability but the suction isn't as great. My dream is to have a whole house vacuum. They have the power of a canister with the ease of an upright. Plus the collection bin is HUGE and out in the garage so dust doesn't re-enter the house (and I can make my husband empty the collection bin instead of me.) For in between times I'd have one of those little robot vacuums running around. And I'll always have a hand-vac (probably a Shark next time) for those little jobs.

[captclearance]

I have a Eureka WhirlWind and I like it.... The attachments are ready to go when you lift the wand and it's baggless....
We have a handheld black and decker but I hardly ever use it. I usually vac daily... We have a shop vac too. great for messy jobs and wet messes...