Linda, Elery's son used to work in a vacuum repair shop and when Elery bought me a new bacuum, he got a Panasonic, based on his son's recommendations. I've had it two years now, and Elery has one of this own that is at least 10 years old with no problems at all. There are a bunch of attachments which I never use, and it does take a bag, but that's fine with me, I had one of those with the filter and the canister and found that the filters were even more expensive than the bags.

Elery says the good thing bout the Panasonic is that items do not get sucked up through the impeller, what ever that means, but it sure works fine and it was cheaper than a Dyson by far.

Annie

I have a Meile canister vacuum, and I love it. It wasn't too expensive, around $250 if I remember right. I got it at a small vacuum shop near where I live. It's not fancy, but it's quiet and works well.

Sally

Linda, I have an ancient Sears canister vac. It is kind of a teal green color, which may have been the rage when I bought it. The thing is a thousand years old, but works like a champ. My only complaint is that it is very heavy and tough to lug up the stairs.

No advice for a new purchase, just sharing Sears Kenmore stories and that sad refrain -- they don't make 'em like they used to.

Where is Bobby/vacuumfreak?

We bought a Miele, one of the least expensive models, and it is great. Quiet with mucho suck.

Actually a vacuum machine is a very simple machine with one moving part.

A carpet vacuum is a little more complicated with a motorized rotary brush.

What typically goes wrong is the switch or the two carbon brushes got worn. They both can be easily repaired.

The rotating brush is typically belt driven and the belt can be torn. That too is easy to replace.

A vacuum made of plastic is good that it is much lighter.

Keeping in mind that a vacuum which has a 1,000 horse power motor cannot generate more vacuum than a 1 horse power motor vacuum.

dcarch

My advice is that, whatever you do, don't buy an upright model! I used to have one, and I became a "regular" at the repair shop. There was nothing to screen the uptake hose, so small objects would fly up into the motor and cause damage. Also, instead of pushing the canister's wand back and forth, you have to push the entire VC (much heavier) back and forth. Never again! But I can't recommend any specific canister model, because mine is a Kenmore. I've had it for quite a few years now, and I've had no problems with it.

Sue

Do you want to stick with a canister or do you want an upright instead? Do you have mostly bare floors or mostly carpets?

Hoover is now owned by a company called TTI... the parent company of Dirt Devil. Shark products are made by a company called Euro-pro. They are both companies that care more about marketing and advertising than producing a quality product.

My vote would be for Miele or Simplicity/Riccar. Miele is a German brand, and Simplicity/Riccar is an American brand (their machines are made in St. James Missouri). They both offer uprights and canisters and produce quality products... Mieles are quiet, powerful, well built, and offer excellent filtration. Simplicity/Riccar machines are powerful and well built as well... of course most of these machines cost more than Dysons, and have to be purchased at independent vacuum shops (Miele does have a couple of models at Bed Bath and Beyond now), but you really do get what you pay for.

If you get nothing else from my response, please know that I strongly recommend to avoid bagless machines at all costs. They are a mess to empty and leak dust when being used and don't filter well at all... and are very repair prone. I know several vacuum shop owners who state that repairs on bagless machines like Dysons are what keep their rent paid and lights on every month.

If you get a quality machine, it will come with better attachments and sometimes even a better warranty, it will just feel solid and quality and will stand the test of time.

I used to recommend Kenmore canister (made my Panasonic) when people wanted something decent for a fairly low price, but their quality has gone downhill so much recently that I cannot recommend them anymore... power nozzles and wheels break off, the electric hoses and connections develop shorts, simply not good.

If you don't want to spend the money that a new quality machine demands, you can always look for a used one... Miele and Simplicity/Riccar are such good machines that buying a used one is not much of a risk at all... just get one that didn't come from a home with smokers or pets because you'll never get the smell out. Of course everyone is different, but I'd much rather have a used Lexus than a new Yugo and the difference between those two brands is very much like the difference between the brands you'll find a big box stores and the brands that you will find at real vacuum shops.

Linda,
your timing is perfect (for me!). We recently moved from our home in SE CT to an apartment in NYC, and the estate sale supervisor mistakenly sold our vacuum cleaner. (ACK!)

We've been in the apartment for a few months now, and I am desperate to get a vacuum. I do have a little dirt devil I need to get on my hands and knees to use... and that's really NOT working for me.

So, I have more questions that just what has been answered... The apartment is hardwood and we have rugs covering about 75% of the flooring. NYC collects lots of dust, and storage is at quite a premium!!

So I want something small, that I don't have to bend over to use, that will work in my 900 rug and hardwood abode. (and yes, price is a concern, LOL!)

I've always had an upright model, so Sue's rec to go canister only surprised me. What's the advantages of one vs. the other (besides what Sue mentioned? for me the uprights have always been "self propelled" so easy to maneuver... but with the small space a canister and hose might be better...

I'm still confused!!

thanks all!!

I own both Miele canister for hard floors & later bought a Riccar upright for the rugs - love both vacuums. A friend owns a vac n sew - every time I am in her shop, there is a line of people with their expensive bagless uprights bringing their vacs in for repair.
The canister Meile can be stored upright on it's end to save space and you can buy a model that allows for a motorized beater bar attachment. Mine does not, as I bought it just for hard floors. The bags on both last a long time. I change them before they are full, because I have a dog that sheds like crazy!