# Rainbow vacuum cleaner **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 26, 2011, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738 "2011-04-26T03:44:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/21 "2011-04-26T14:50:18Z")
Haha! Wow. Yeah I’ve owned cars I paid less for. Crazy. Never used a Rainbow. At one point in my life, my vacuum (a Dyson, the base model, not the Animal) was the most expensive thing I owned. I had 6 cats at the time, so it was an important investment. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/22 "2011-04-26T17:03:43Z")
My mother had one, which lasted for decades, then got another one, which also lasted for decades. They’re versatile (lots of attachments and stuff) and they do a pretty good job, although I never thought they were way better than a Hoover or Eureka. But $2,400? No way. I would definitely consider one for $400, if I thought I needed the “clean up after the kids, do the dishes and the laundry as well, plus send flowers on your birthday” attachments. I might consider $600, because they seem to last forever. But I can get a hell of a cleaner - and its replacement, and the one that replaces that one, AND the one to replace that one, and still spend a lot less than $2,400. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/23 "2011-04-26T19:15:54Z")
> [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](#): > > it costs close to $2,400 for a new one. I’ve had a demonstration, and it seems worth it, What makes it worth $2,400? Do you get a lot of subjective value out of your vacuum cleaner? Because that’s about the only way, I can conceivably see how anyone would say that $2,400 vacuum cleaner was _ **worth it** _. In comparison to the costs of other ways of vacuuming your carpets, no where near $2,400. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/24 "2011-04-26T20:49:49Z")
Couldn’t you pay a maid to clean your whole house for about 2 years for that price? What could possibly make spending $2400 on a vacuum cleaner worth it? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/25 "2011-04-26T21:08:59Z")
My paternal grandmother used them first, and when they got a new one, they gave us the old one. Then we wound up getting a new one ten years later because we were finally having problems. But, when the new one started having problems (15 years later), we replaced it with a $50 vacuum from Walmart that is much more compact. It may have been worth it back in the day, but it’s really not now. They really ought to both lower the price and work on a more compact model. It should not be two separate units anymore. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/26 "2011-04-26T22:37:10Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > What makes it worth $2,400? > > Do you get a lot of subjective value out of your vacuum cleaner? Because that’s about the only way, I can conceivably see how anyone would say that $2,400 vacuum cleaner was _ **worth it** _. In comparison to the costs of other ways of vacuuming your carpets, no where near $2,400. Well, of course the salesman (er, excuse me, I mean ‘presenter’) doesn’t _sell_ them as ‘vacuums’; they are ‘home-cleaning systems’. They will go on and on about how The Rainbow purifies the air, traps air-borne particles, if you don’t buy the Rainbow, this crap is floating around your home all the time and you are (brace yourself) _breathing it every single day_. Not only that, but _your babies_ are breathing it every single day! Don’t you care enough about your babies to spend $2,400.00 on their long-term health and well-being? No?? What the hell is _wrong_ with you?!?!? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/27 "2011-04-26T23:17:27Z")
Surprising that we’re this far into the thread and nobody’s mentioned Kirby. If you really want to overspend on a vacuum, buy a Kirby. They’re built like tanks and don’t involving dumping out icky filth slurry. I only know a couple people who have them, and I they actually _like_ them. My mother-in-law loves hers, has had it twenty some years with no problems, and actually uses the attachments. That said, though, I’d recommend just buying a Dyson or Dyson-style knockoff. I have a top-of-the-line Dirt Devil from five years ago, and I like it just fine. ---
**Author:** ![D-bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@D-bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D-bear)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/28 "2011-04-27T03:11:35Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > Surprising that we’re this far into the thread and nobody’s mentioned Kirby. If you really want to overspend on a vacuum, buy a Kirby. They’re built like tanks and don’t involving dumping out icky filth slurry. I only know a couple people who have them, and I they actually _like_ them. My mother-in-law loves hers, has had it twenty some years with no problems, and actually uses the attachments. > > That said, though, I’d recommend just buying a Dyson or Dyson-style knockoff. I have a top-of-the-line Dirt Devil from five years ago, and I like it just fine. I was thinking the same thing. They run about 20 bucks at the local good will. They are a few years old, but there’s not a **single** thing inside them made of plastic. Solid metal construction makes a good strong machine. I have bought 3 for like 60 bucks, one for the basement, one for the main floor and one for upstairs. Hepa filter bags and a tune up at the local shop ran probably like another 80 bucks. For the price of a plastic Dirt Devil at Wally’s I have one for each floor and let me tell you, these have lasted me going on 6 years now and they have way more suction that I ever thought possible. Check the thrifts or Craigslist. Worth the investment. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/29 "2011-04-27T03:51:50Z")
The Rainbow sounds great and all, but I’m really looking for a vacuum that’s more expensive and harder to use. Any suggestions? ::d&r:: ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/30 "2011-04-27T04:17:14Z")
If you’re willing to spend $2,400 on a vacuum, why not just get a central vac installed? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/31 "2011-04-27T10:57:15Z")
Since we are on the subject of vaccuums, anyone have any thoughts/experience with the roomba’s. They come in from time to time at work (thrift shop) and are one of the more pricier items we get in ($75ish price tag) . I would love to have one, but have no input from real people. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/32 "2011-04-27T14:11:37Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > Since we are on the subject of vaccuums, anyone have any thoughts/experience with the roomba’s. They come in from time to time at work (thrift shop) and are one of the more pricier items we get in ($75ish price tag) . I would love to have one, but have no input from real people. If you’re the kind of person who keeps a tidy house, they’re great. If you’re not the kind with a tidy house, don’t get the programmable kind (or at least don’t program it, just turn it on when you want to use it) or it will get lost in the tangle of cords and kids’ toys all over the floor. OTOH, they’re a great motivator for little kids to clean up their toys so they get to watch the little guy zoom around the floor. As far as the quality of the vacuuming, they’re pretty great on hardwood and low area rugs; I haven’t had wall to wall thick carpeting to test mine on myself. They’re also great for chasing the cats and providing endless hours of enjoyment tormenting small yappy dogs. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/33 "2011-04-27T14:30:33Z")
> [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](#): > > My wife and I are looking into buying a Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner, however, it costs close to $2,400 for a new one. I’ve had a demonstration, and it seems worth it, but before I spend that type of money I was wondering if any dopers have any experience with them. > > So, does anyone have any experience with Rainbow? Is it worth $2,400? Will it last? What can anyone tell me about them? You haven’t posted in here since your OP. No questions or comments about what’s been posted in response? I have a question for you Hirka… Why? What is it about the Rainbow vacuum that you are so sold on that $2400 seems reasonable by any stretch of the imagination? You’re not just posting your question to get a rise out of people are you? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/34 "2011-04-27T15:58:51Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > The Rainbow sounds great and all, but I’m really looking for a vacuum that’s more expensive and harder to use. Any suggestions? Try vacuuming with the Hope Diamond. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/35 "2011-04-27T16:12:14Z")
I think the big draw with them is the notion that more airborne particles seem to be trapped in the water so you will have cleaner air in your home. Don’t new vacuums have super HEPA filters nowadays? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/36 "2011-04-27T16:20:41Z")
My wife bought one long ago. it is just a vacuum cleaner and not an especially good one. She is a sucker for sales demonstrations though. If you insist on buying it. tell them it is way too damn expensive and they will drop the price a long way. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/37 "2011-04-27T16:50:44Z")
And it’s damned LOUD! ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/38 "2011-04-27T17:09:07Z")
If I’m spending $2400 on an appliance, it had better know how to perform fellatio. Wait a minute… mmm ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/39 "2011-04-27T17:12:50Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > If I’m spending $2400 on an appliance, it had better know how to perform fellatio. > > Wait a minute… Dude! Nooooooo! OK, I’m not emptying the water thing. ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738/40 "2011-04-27T17:13:05Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > You haven’t posted in here since your OP. No questions or comments about what’s been posted in response? > > I have a question for you Hirka… > > Why? > > What is it about the Rainbow vacuum that you are so sold on that $2400 seems reasonable by any stretch of the imagination? You’re not just posting your question to get a rise out of people are you? Sorry, I have been reading, just haven’t been responding. There is a lot to think about here. I like the water filter on it, specially since it will mean my wife will ACTUALLY clean the filters. On our current vaccuum, she never cleans the filters, so it doesn’t work as well as it should. Part of my posting the OP was to find out what y’all thought of it. My wife was interested in it, but said “why don’t you ask on that message board of yours”, so that is what I did. If we buy one, it will not be for a few months, when I would actually be able to afford it. One thing I will do though, is look for a second hand one if we buy it. I see a couple on Ebay that are going for a BIN price that is 1/2 of what they wanted for one, or we would negotiate down on it… But either way, it will still be a few months till we buy anything, even if we look at Kirby, or one of the other high end vacuums. Thank you all for your replies! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-vacuum-cleaner/579738.md?page=3)