My sister finally got a place of her own and she asked to borrow my vacuuum. I gave it to her, since it was a piece of crap anyway. So now I need to buy a new one. I haven’t had very good luck in the past buying these things. They always look nice, and I always get the one with the most amps, etc… But they never clean to my satisfaction. Keep in mind that I live in a two story condo, so light is good. I’m too lazy to find a consumer reports article so…
What’s the best value on vacuums?
I’m really happy with a Hoover Futura, upright, but I have no stairs to vacuum, and weight isn’t a consideration. Also, I’m not a clean freak. (Not implying that you are, of course.)
Just for the heck of it, I checked Consumer Reports. Too many variables, nothing clearcut, too many choices.
The Electrolux and Dirt Devil models had some neat futures for your situation, as opposed to Hoover and Oreck, etc., and CR says “good” or “very good” for these vacs, but then qualifies it by saying reliability isn’t tops. Not bad, just not great.
I use a Eureka Whirlwind 12-amp bagless upright. I prefer the bagless designs, because, being male, I could never remember that I need to buy vacuum cleaner bags until the last remaining one in the house is in the machine, packed full-to-bursting
Then I can never remember what kind of bag I need when I finally remember to go to the store. Or I wrote what kind I need down on a scrap of paper that’s still on the coffee table at home. Or I forgot I needed some until I get home and see the vacuum sitting in the middle of the living room (a relatively good reminder to buy more bags, but generally not good enough).
It’s a lot easier for me to just dump the cannister into a wastebasket, reattach it to the machine, and keep vacuuming. I’m much happier now (at least, with regard to vacuuming), although I wish I’d gotten a stronger vacuum. One that could just suck the nap out of the carpet would be very useful, I think (though I’d have to be careful using it around the dog).
–Baloo
I’m with Baloo. I just bought mine at Walmart for around $100;. It REALLY sucks. I spent aover an hour on my little dining room, before I stopped sucking up gobs of cat hair. Try one out!!
Just watch your total picture.
I bought a great Tornado sweeper, but I can’t get it up the stairs easily.
And the “tool kit” cost extra, and I didn’t realize and had to go back for it.
I have an Oreck. It rocks. The little vac that comes with it is very useful too.
I had this same question once, http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=17115
Democritus, get one with the right attachments that can give you a blow job. Seriously, those Orecks are expensive! $250.00! But I bought one in a thrift shop for $5.00…
As for paper bags, just open the bottom out, take out the dust & seal the bag with some staples.
For my money, one of the best on the market is manufactured by the Amway Corporation; called the Cleartrak, with light weight, no bags, excellent filtration, and after sales service second to none.
At $500+ it’s not the cheapest on the market, but you’ll never have to buy another one.
Thanks everyone. B_Line, what did you end up going with? I’m pretty sure I’ll get something bagless. The Kirby and Amway are a bit out of the range of what I’ll pay for a vacuum. I’m considering:
Phantom
Oreck
Hoover
Leaning towards Phantom.
That dosen’t make much sense. I have used a bagless vac, when you open up the chamber to empty it, dust swirls up and into the room you just cleaned. I suppose if you let it sit for a while before emptying it might settle down, but who had the patience for that? Whatever you decide, a good used vac might be the best balance of price/quality. I see Kirbys and Rainbows at yard sales all the time for under $50.
“but who had the patience for that?”
…yeah…those 30 seconds are just too valuable…
Empty it right before you vacuum.
OK, I just ordered a Fantom Lightning online. I usually prefer uprights, but this is my first time living in a townhome and I like how it’s set up to do steps. Also, I have vaulted ceilings, so I like the long tube handle for sucking cobwebs out of corners. Thanks again everyone!
Well your choice of a Phantom was a good one. They are great vaccums. I used one when refinishing a basement, and that thing was truly handy, with no dust blowing back at me.
Good Morning America just did a consumer test, and the Hoover Windtunnel did the best, but that Phantom would be my second choice.
Get a cannister if you have stairs, if no stairs one that is self-propelled with lots of attachments is very handy.
Belts. You’ll need to put them in now and then, be sure the machine is easy to do. They usually cost about $3.00 for tow of them. If your thing doesnt seem to suck stuff up so much it probably needs a new belt. Which you can put in yourself if you bought the right machine.
I have a Windtunnel. I love it. It will vacuum tile without spitting stuff back at you. It’s also one of the easier ones to take apart when you have to retrieve something that shouldn’t have been sucked up in the first place. Bags are a bit pricey though.
i dont know what model, but i would recommend getting one that doesnt use bags to carry the dirt
well… I did a LOT of searching and compairing. Finally I ended up a Sears trying to pick between a Hoover windtunnel and a Kenmore brand (damn I cant remember the model, when I get home from work I will try and get it). Hoover was very good, great power and sucking ability. The kenmore brand had the same rated power and figures, but I could honestly feel and SEE it pick up more dirt. Plus it was loaded with features and attatchments, one hose that came with it will practicly extend from one end of my house to the other, and the attachements are easy to use unlike the dirtdevil I used to have. It also has a light with an adjustable sensitity on it that will tell you when the area you are cleaning is clean (theres optical sensors inside). The main feature that sold me was that the beater bar was BELTLESS, I hate dickin with belts. It was a little more expensive then the Hoover (listed for $399.99, on sale for $360.00 I think).
BTW I originally had my mind set on a Fantom also, but after compairing it to other vacuums I found it didnt compair.
The kenmore is honestly the best vaccum I have ever used, I do not regret my choice.
Democritus, spiders are your friends.