I went through this selection process during the summer. Our house flooring is tile, pavers and cork, with a few area rugs. We have two shedding dogs and a cat. I wasn't going to go for one of the spendier vacuums, but I also know that I wanted something more than the $150 entry level models. I settled on a Sears Progressive canister and I love it. It is HEPA, and has a bag, and there are cloth bags available for those with allergy issues. It has a powered head and the cord runs INSIDE the wand rather than being simply clipped to the outside of the wand like some of the cheaper units I saw. It is easy to change from the power head to the hard floor attachment, and all attachments ride on the canister.

This question comes up on a regular basis, so if you do a search on the cleaning forum, you should find lots of opinions. Also think it was just in the home decorating forum. I have much the same situation you have and after much research, bought a Meile vacuum. They are not inexpensive, but are well worth the money. People seem to keep these for years and the guarantee is very long. I have had a Kirby, Hoover Wind Tunnel and an Electrolux and they don't compare. If you are interested, there is plenty of info. about them online. For the times I don't need a vacuum, I use the Bona system. It was recommended by our flooring company and I am pleased with the way it works. It is a mop handle with different attachments for when you want to just dust mop or one for cleaning. They have a spray that you use with it. I don't use steam or water on my floors. HTH

Bobby~ Thanks for keeping me honest! I don't remember the exact model number of the Progressive I bought, but it was the orange one and had all the bells and whistles (does that help?). :) Integrated cord to the power head, 12A, quick release power head, dirt sensor, dual headlights (which I LOVED), small power head attachment, variable speed, bare floor mode etc. A partial laundry list of issues after 11 months: Intermittent connection in the handle power switch causing it to just not turn on unless it was darned good and ready or you'd flipped the switch a dozen times. The small power head had no suction, even after sending it back to the service center. The bag was folded in half in the compartment so it only ever filled halfway. The variable speed never seemed to vary much. It was either on very low or full throttle. No in between. I had to take the brushroll apart all the time to clear the dog hair and they didn't design in provisions for doing it easily (like Miele does). That said, I love my Miele. It's quieter than any vacuum has a right to be, sturdy, easy on my hardwood floors, gets under furniture I never thought possible to vacuum under, and has given me no issues in the two years I've had it. It's so quiet, I can vacuum the master bedroom and even under the bed my husband is sleeping in without waking him up. Plus as an engineer I appreciated all the quality and reliability testing Miele puts the vacuums through. ok, enough waxing poetic about a vacuum. :) Bri

Yikes, I'm just seeing this! I bought my Linx in early August and I love it. I can vacuum for about 30 minutes with it before it needs to recharge. I only have the one battery, but think Maire Cate's suggestion of a spare one is good. We have brick floors throughout the house with many Oriental rugs. I also have two dogs that shed. I love how easy it is to do quick clean ups. The only downside I can think of is that the canister fills up pretty quickly and needs to be emptied after every 30 minutes or so of vacuuming. But, emptying the Linx is very quick and easy. I also like that it stands on it's own. Oh, and it's not very loud . . . although it's not very quiet either. For Christmas I received the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser hand vac to use on my sofas and chairs. We don't allow our Dobie on the furniture, but our 12-lb Tibetan Spaniel, who sheds a lot makes this hand vac worth it's weight in gold! It got great reviews online and I'm very happy with mine. I also own the Shark Portable Steamer, which I really like. It's good for cleaning away water deposits on the guest room glass shower door and it's tracks, etc. I use it on our luggage before I bring it inside after a trip, to kill any possible bedbugs. I bought it after I did bring bedbugs home a couple of years ago from either the airlines or limousine. This Christmas it came in handy steaming the wrinkles out of my 120" tablecloth. I would LOVE to buy a steam cleaner for my brick floors, but I'm not sure that there's one out there that cleans brick floors. These floors would chew up most fabric covers on those I've seen. Lynn