<p>For years, we had someone clean our home on a biweekly basis. Late last year, our cleaner died and I haven’t been able to replace him. This period of time has made me realize the vacuum we have is so inadequate. What brand/type of vacuum do folks recommend? Anyone here tried the robotic kind - the Rhoomba?</p>
<p>Dyson all the way----</p>
<p>Just don’t get the ball model! I could not stand it when I tried it. We ended up with a Miele. So far, so good. </p>
<p>I have two Mieles. The first one is still in perfect condition after 13 years. There is no better vacuum, especially for people with dust allergies/asthma.</p>
<p>Go with a central vac</p>
<p>We have a Miele. I like it, but we have hardwood floors with oriental rugs not pile carpeting.</p>
<p>I have a Roomba and a Mint and a Dyson. The Roomba is good for defined, confined spaces that have hard surfaces and not a lot of corners. Great if you have a cat and hardwood, for example. The Mint does the bathrooms. The Dyson actually gets all the floors clean–the other two are for times when I’m just trying to give things a once-over–what my mother called “redding the place up.” (I never know if it’s slang for “readying the place” or a version of “paint the town red.”)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.sears.com/kenmore-progressive-upright-vacuum-red-pepper/p-02031069000P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7”>http://www.sears.com/kenmore-progressive-upright-vacuum-red-pepper/p-02031069000P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7</a></p>
<p>I have had a Sears progressive for 15 years. I have replaced belts a few times and brush once. Both able to do on my own. I think it was $200 bucks at the most. See consumer reports on their model now.rated best buy, 71 out of 100. Best score was 74.</p>
<p>And it’s on sale for $150.</p>
<p>We have hardwood downstairs and carpet upstairs. Would like to get a cleaner that handles both well. I’ll look at Dyson/Miele. What type would you recommend - canister or upright? I assume all these take bags, right? We have a bag-less Dirt Devil right now and it doesn’t work well at all.</p>
<p>^^^ so funny that you just asked this, because I ‘liked’ bunsenburner’s recommendation of a Miele, then later though, I should go back and add that I highly prefer the canister. I’ve had high-end uprights and will always prefer a canister… not so much for performance, but just ease of use.</p>
<p>I love my Dyson, and it’s bagless. I’d never touch a bagged vacuum</p>
<p>Are Rainbow vacs still made? We had one when ods was little to cut down on allergens for him and I loved it. I now have a grown up son not livinghere, a Dyson and a housekeeper so I’m not as invested. LOL.</p>
<p>Beam central vac.</p>
<p>I have a Dyson and I love it. Actually my husband really loves it. :D</p>
<p>Two miele family here also!
Thought I was weird…one upstairs one down. Cannister. They are fantastic.</p>
<p>Our first miele was 26 years old when I put it to pasture, suction no longer up to par.
I bought a 7 year old refurbished cannister on eBay for 200dollars and can still use the hoses and floor brushes from the old! They 're really almost indestructible.</p>
<p>Great suction, hepa filters, durable. Won’t ever have anything else.</p>
<p>Central vacs can be nice but a retrofit could be too expensive. Had to buy a vac 2 years ago when we moved from our central vac house. Got a Dyson- excellent suction (could be too much for certain carpets, good for our Stainmaster pile and Indian wool rug). It is heavy, however (as are others similar to it). Currently some other brands are getting good reviews- check online. </p>
<p>Type- definitely go bagless with a top quality washable filter style- hepa. Emptying the container is easy. No dust going into the room from a paper bag. </p>
<p>Unfortunately you can’t go by decades ago quality unless you are certain there have not been changes. Also consider how much you want to spend. Under $200, $400-500, $600 or more? Reliability for current technologies as well.</p>
<p>I had an Oreck that lasted almost 20 years until the motor started smoking one day last year! In a pinch, I bought the $150 Shark bagless and I’ve been quite happy with it. It’s ALOT heavier than the old Oreck but I’ve gotten used to it.</p>
<p>Having borrowed a Dyson, and been impressed, I then went shopping and ended up with a Eureka with similar features for 1/3 the price. It cleans well, is bagless, but I do find that emptying the canister makes me want a shower afterwards, as it seems there is too much contact with dust. A tool, usually a chopstick, is needed to extract the matted cat hair. That thing really picks up! However, the belt break if I inadvertently go over a piece of rug fringe. </p>
<p>Allergic D is moving into her own place soon, carpeted unfortunately. She has 10 year old bagged model available to her, but am thinking of getting her one with a HEPA filter, something light. Ideas? </p>
<p>Is a $600 vacuum necessarily better than a $200 vacuum?</p>
<p>Can’t imagine paying 600$ for a vacuum. Will have to look around for cheaper options.</p>