# Recommend a quality vacuum cleaner **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 31, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016 "2010-10-31T21:50:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/1 "2010-10-31T21:50:28Z")
My friends are using a metal VC from something like 1965 because they say the newer ones break way too soon. This means they don’t have ability to easily sweep the kitchen tile or clean out the car. Is there a brand that has a really solid reputation you can recommend, so that I can look for one used? Thanks in advance, all. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/2 "2010-10-31T22:15:04Z")
Dyson Ball. King of the road. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/3 "2010-10-31T23:51:32Z")
I was going to say a Dyson as well. They are expensive, however, even if used. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/4 "2010-10-31T23:59:12Z")
Hoover Wind Tunnel: mine was still running good after 11 years (needed a new drive belt), and I donated it to my niece’s kid when we moved. Won’t bust your budget, either. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/5 "2010-10-31T23:59:19Z")
Yeah. Is there something under Dyson, with a reputation for lasting 10 years? Ah, I see the post about Hoover. Thanks. Others? ---
**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:** [November 1, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/6 "2010-11-01T02:58:31Z")
Vintage Kirby. I found one at the goodwill for $25.00 3 years ago, had it tuned up by a liscenced Kirby dealer and the thing has run like nothing else I’ve ever owned. The tune up cost like $50 so for the price of a cheap all plastic Dirt Devil, I have an all metal '90’s model Kirby that’ll pull the dirt out of any carpet I have. Check Craigslist. They’re to be had fairly cheap and built to last forever. I got rid of the Dyson and bought another for the second floor… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/7 "2010-11-01T03:34:42Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > Yeah. Is there something under Dyson, with a reputation for lasting 10 years? > > Ah, I see the post about Hoover. Thanks. Others? Check online for ‘consumer reviews upright vacuums’. You should get many hits. Including this comment: “Based on vacuum cleaner ratings and reviews, the Hoover Wind Tunnel Self-Propelled Ultra is one of the best upright vacuums.” ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/8 "2010-11-01T03:40:17Z")
I’ll highly recommend the Oreck XL. Mine came with a 21 year warranty (with free yearly tune-ups). Lightweight and sucks harder than a $20 crack whore looking at a $50 bill. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/9 "2010-11-01T03:43:46Z")
> [@campp](#): > > Dyson Ball. King of the road. They’re OK but grossly overpriced and the ball makes it too tall to go under a lot of furniture. Any low profile vacuum cleaner with a good external wand and hepa filter will work fine. My only complaint with my Panasonic is that it’s so powerful the hose pulls itself to the shortest distance. A cheap plastic hose would have actually been more useful than the high grade rubber hose it came with. If I’m vacuuming curtains I use a cheap extension so I get some distance. I’d add that having owned bagless and bag style vacuums I greatly prefer one with a bag. Dumping the dirt is much nicer with a bag. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/10 "2010-11-01T03:50:58Z")
Meile. I had a Dyson - it didn’t suck - which isn’t a good thing in a vaccuum. After several trips to the shop, they gave me another Dyson, that one didn’t suck either. So I gave it away and got a Meile. The Dyson is on my “top ten things I shouldn’t have bought” list. (I have an Oreck XL as well - and its been a great vaccuum. Its the upstairs vac and the Meile is the downstairs vac). ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/11 "2010-11-01T14:58:47Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > I was going to say a Dyson as well. They are expensive, however, even if used. Has Consumer Reports changed their opinion on the Dyson line? They always seem to do poorly there, _especially_ given the price. ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/12 "2010-11-01T15:01:31Z")
I had a Sharp model that I liked, until I went to all tile floors. Now I use a wet/dry vac and a mop. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/13 "2010-11-01T15:44:26Z")
> [@YamatoTwinkie](#): > > Has Consumer Reports changed their opinion on the Dyson line? They always seem to do poorly there, _especially_ given the price. Dysons are routinely given poor performance reviews, but it depends on the model. This topic may start a shouting match here. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/14 "2010-11-01T16:18:11Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Dysons are routinely given poor performance reviews, but it depends on the model. This topic may start a shouting match here. Someone had their vacuum cleaner declawed? ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/15 "2010-11-01T16:48:28Z")
I have a Eureka Boss, costs just over $100 and I really like it. [http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-4870MZ-Smart-Vac-Upright-Cleaner/dp/B0015ASJIY/ref=sr\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288629827&sr=8-1](http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-4870MZ-Smart-Vac-Upright-Cleaner/dp/B0015ASJIY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288629827&sr=8-1) I have a shedding dog too and it does well with the hair. It switches easily between carpet and hard floor and between floor and hose, which were my main requirements. It has great suction, I have had it about a year now. I have to replace the bags very frequently (about once a month) but I take that as a sign of how well it picks up - my previous model I only had to replace a bag like twice a year, I tried another brand bagless version and it lasted 2 days. I really think the switch to bagless and tons of accessories are what is breaking on a lot of the newer models. Get a basic, bagged, name brand (Hoover or Eureka) model and it will probably last a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/16 "2010-11-01T21:47:58Z")
We have a Miele Cat and Dog, which has great suction and a rotary head which is better than anything we’ve ever had for removing cat hair from furniture and carpets. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/17 "2010-11-01T22:42:45Z")
I’ve worked in hotels, and the ones that use Kirby vacuums are the best. They’re not cheap though, but they do work very well and stand up to abuse. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/18 "2010-11-02T01:36:21Z")
My grandma had an old Kirby model for at least 30 years (until the day she died). She swore by the brand and it seemed to hold up quite well over the years. I don’t own a vacuum, so personally I don’t have any recommendations. I’m not allergic to dust and I am typically in one place for a year or less. If I spill something that isn’t easily picked up, I run an adhesive lint remover over it. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2010, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/19 "2010-11-02T03:05:18Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > I had a Dyson - it didn’t suck - which isn’t a good thing in a vaccuum. Ditto. It was okay on regular carpet (but not great) and terrible on area rugs, of which we have several large ones. We briefly had an Oreck, which didn’t work on new carpet. As we had recarpeted the whole house (apart from the hardwood/rugs), this was no good at all, so back it went. We now have a [Hoover](http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=16923664) - much better. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-quality-vacuum-cleaner/559016/20 "2010-11-03T12:47:59Z")
**Top three Upright Vacs from Consumer Reports:** 1. Hoover WindTunnel Anniversary Edition U6485-900 = $230 2. Miele S 7210 Twist = $550 3. Kenmore Intuition 31100 = $260 **Top three Canister Vacs from Consumer Reports:** 1. Kenmore Intuition 28014 = $500 2. Kenmore Progressive 27514 = $300 3. Hoover WindTunnel S3670 = $300 The two Dysons tested were rated in the bottom half of the ratings.