When I make a purchase like this, I always go to the library and consult the Consumer Reports. They do a very good job of evaluating products.

I have a Kirby but sure would not suggest it for one to carry up and down stairs since it is very heavy.

I would look at the weights of various top models and also look for one that has all the onboard attachments. I have owned both Hoover and Eureka and much prefer Hoover.

I have a dyson but mine is not very light. They have many types though so there might be one that suits your needs.

Hover & Eurika uprights are both the same machine with different labels.....

personally,I hate vacuum cleaners...in my opinion they all suck.

We are looking at a Dyson 33. Some people say its heavy but it doesn't feel any heavier than my Kenmore. The Dyson is for all floor surfaces. We bought my son and DIL one for Christmas and they love it - they have cats - we have dogs.

I still prefer a canister but they don't seem to make them with as much suction as an upright. Just bought the Kenmore 3 years ago - 1st upright with bags but the darn thing had little plastic nubs that the wand slid into and made it lock in place. The nubs are worn off cause I have to switch out from the beater bar to the hard floor brush so much. Plus the HEPA bags are very expensive and I go through 2 a month.

So I am looking at going bagless - still has a HEPA filter but I know some people say its not the same. If you go to the Home Forum there are many posts about what brand, type is best. There are Dyson lovers and Dyson Haters - who knows - just find one that you think you will like to use.

I bought an Oreck upright because I have to carry it up and down stairs, and I like it a lot. It does have a bag, which I also like. I use it on hardwood, vinyl, and carpets.

I'm with joann, I like my Oreck too. I have to carry mine up and down stairs too.

I have an Oreck, too. I got it because vacuuming just about killed my back. Besides only weighing about 9 lbs., it does a fabulous job. The carpet really "fluffs" up after I vacuum.

They have a model that's made for picking up pet fur. And I saw one advertised that works on wood or carpet. The only drawback is it uses bags and I'm used to bagless. But I don't think I'd buy anything else. I'm sure glad I bought it.

I have an Oreck, too. Went from a super-heavy bagless that I hated, and just love my Oreck. Very easy to carry up and down stairs and seems to do a really good job.

Dyson is amazing. I am almost embarrassed to see what's in the canister after I've vacuumed. The purple one, I think, is made for pet hair. They are expensive but well worth it.

I love my Dyson!

I've had very little luck with long-lasting vacs, so I can't recommend a brand. But I can't carry a vacuum cleaner up and down the stairs, so I have two - a better one for downstairs and a 'cheapie' for up.

Thanks all, I like the idea of one designed for pet fur! With Bugsy's whole ringworm issue right now, I have been cleaning and probably done 30 loads of laundry this week! Not fun when all of the king size quilts have to be washed alone. I will suffer with the current vacuum until Bugsy is out of quarantine as not to contaminate a whole new machine but then I can celebrate with a new one.

I forgot to add, anyone got one that is QUIET? i would vacuum much more often if the thing was not so blasted LOUD.

Dyson!! I love it.

Linda

I love my Dyson Animal, it does a great job. I have an Oreck upstairs that we use on the area rugs but I prefer the Dyson.

Just bought the Dyson DC28 today, LOVE it! It is the best vacuum I have ever used, and worth every penny. Dyson Animal DC28, you won't regret it.

I'm the odd one here! I had a Kirby--hated it; I have an Electrolux canister--hate it, except for stairs and vehicles; I have a Hoover WindTunnel--it's fine, but heavy. My favorite is the cheap Bissell bagless that I got at WalMart for less than $60! I bought it years ago, and liked it so much that I bought a second one for another level of the house. After having back surgery and 3 knee operations, I will not lug a heavy vacuum up and down stairs.

I have two Dysons,one for upstairs , one for downstairs. The heavy one does seem to suck up better, so much that at times it attatches to the floor and I have to change the setting to make it easier to drive. The lighter one still does an excellent job and is not a problem if I take it upstairs occasionally. Even the heavier Dyson isn't to bad to move. Son just borrowed the Dyson to vacuum his house since his room mates vac couldn't keep up. Any of the Dysons do a super job if the filters are clean and no gaps in the connections. My best friends with pets, swear by them too. Theirs are differnt #'s than mine.

Love my Dyson which is now 10+ years old. My Oreck was piece of crap - kept getting jammed and I had to take it the repair guy. When the Dyson gets jammed, I just take it apart myself and put it right back together.

I have a cheapo Hoover Mach 3 (bagless) that cost
about $90, don't remember really. I've had this one
about 5 years. I had another one before but I broke
the release mechanism and my husband glued it shut
so I had to empty it from the top, it was more hassle,
but still worked so
I gave it to my neice who still has it.
I have tile and carpet but for the tile I have a generic
swivel sweeper and a Floormate to scrub the tile floors.
I've read wonderful things about the Dyson and may get
one someday, but the test of vacuuming over an area
just vacuumed usually will pick up some more dirt with
any vacuum.(Not saying with all vacuums though)

We have the Kirby that I used to haul from the basement, to the first floor and then to the second. Pain in the you know what. I like my kirby and always thought it did a great job until we lucked out at goodwill and purchased a brand new Dyson for $100. It was priced at $199 but I had a 50% off coupon that day. Now my Dyson is my favorite. I can vacuum after using the Kirby with the Dyson and I still pick up hair. We have 10 cats. Now we keep the Kirby upstairs where the cats are only allowed in two rooms, the Dyson on the main floor and another in the basement. Life is much easier now. Also, with this many cats I use a baking soda/borax combination that I spread on my carpets two times a month, keeps my turquoise carpets fresh and bright. This Dyson gets every last bit of it up. I love it.

My Dyson sits unused because it's no longer working. It won't suck up anything anymore, have no idea how to fix it. A year or two ago I went out and bought a Eureka (The Boss), so far so good. It has great suction.

A question. Is the Dyson heavy? I thought I lifted one at Walmart when I was looking for a light one, but it may have been another brand. If it's light, I'll have to check into it if my Oreck every breaks. I just can't push a heavy vacuum.

Just bought a Dyson DC33 last night. Have been looking for sometime for one at a good price. Lowes, Target, and some other places have them normally at $399.00. Kohl's regular price is $449.00 but I had a 30% off coupon which would bring it close to what I could get it at Bed, Bath and Beyond for their regular price of $399 minus 20% coupon. However - Macy's advertised their's on sale for $319 and with a 10% off and no shipping cost (there isn't a store close by with one instore), I could get it for under $300. So DH and I went to Kohl's last night and asked if they would match prices - they did so I brought one home for less than $300.00 plus a $10 coupon to use next week at Kohl's. Macy's ad ends on the 14, I think.

So, if you are looking for a Dyson and find a better price somewhere else, make sure to see if local stores will match or beat that price. You just have to have the ad in hand with you that shows the competitors prices and that it is exactly the same model.

Have used it this morning - not any heavier than my Kenmore upright - Dyson weighs about 17 lbs. Seems easy to use, did pick up sand and dog hair from carpet that I had vacummed well yesterday so will see. One thing that I have read about it looking like there is alot being picked up is that in a Dyson the dog hair and stuff is actually fluffed up and appears to be more than in one with a bag - where its compacted together. I have noticed that when I change my bag on my Kenmore that the dirt has settled to the bottom and all the dog hair and such is matted together in a tight wad. Don't know how you can really compare the two but either way I needed a new vac and wanted to try the Dyson. Will let you know in a few weeks what I think of it.