Best Decade for Vacuums

[bagintheback]

What do you think was the best decade for vacuum cleaners so far? I've always thought the 80s had the best machines. Hoover and Eureka had powerful enough motors to clean all types of carpet with top-fill bags. They were not annoyingly heavy but still very durable. I know many people think 80s Kirbys, such as the Heritage series, were one of their best cleaners. What do you think?

 

[thevacuumman]

I can agree with the 80s being the best decade for vacuums

 

[thevacuumguy96]

I agree. The 80's had some great vacuums! The 90's had some okay vacuums too!

 

[suckolux]

I think it depends on what one looks for in a machine. Power, looks, durability? 80s and 90s did bring some whoop ass machines.Some of us older folks may still be hooked on the dream ones of our youth or parents models.

 

[vac_whisperer]

I would say the 50's, maybe 60's. Looks, durability, and power! I just love the tacky late-'60's look and the '50s space-age look.

VW

 

[vacman117]

I'd definitely say the 1980's. Especially for Hoover. Some of their best machines came out back then, at least that's my opinion..
Chase

 

[oreck_xl]

Well, that depends. Do you mean in terms of performance, or design aesthetics? If so, I would have to argue the 1930's were the best decade. Some of the most beautiful machines of all time came out of that era - like the Kenmore Imperial, Eureka Model M, Hoover 150, AirWay DirtMasteR, and the Lux XXX to name a few.

- Hershel

 

[suckolux]

And there you are! Or the neat colors of the 50s and 60s, so much to take into account

 

[beerad]

I would say

sities and 70's

 

[beerad]

umm

sixties

 

[kirbykid63]

70's and 80's

I like the construction of the machines built in the 70's and 80's.Most of those machines are fixable and the parts are still available.I believe a movement is forming in this country that people are trying to hang on to their older more reliable vacuums.I get many comments from customers all the time that they are sick of spending money on vacuums that are constantly breaking and if I could get and rebuild an older kirby or electrolux for them.

 

[pinkge]

the best...

were from the 40's thru the 70's.The color schemes and the design's were all well designed.Some good and some not so good.

 

[kenkart]

50s

Or 60s, Still metal and still unique!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Here's how I look at this:

Rainbow - 1974 to 1st quarter 1981
Kirby - 1934 to 1990
Hoover and Eureka - F. D. Roosevelt presidency (1933-45) to Reagan presidency (1981-89)
Royal - 1946 to 1st or 2nd quarter 1995

So, in summary, I'd start as far back as the Franklin D. Roosevelt presidency of 1933-45 and end at the Reagan presidency of 1981-89. That's how I describe good vacuum cleaners.

~Ben

 

[Real1]

Jetsons

I always defect back to the G in turquoise..... I'm a sucker for other models with LOTS of chrome....but something about Jetson turquoise and things made during the 'race for space'. I'm stunned by the 1205 too, mainly because of its transition status but still metal. Seems like all other LUX's stayed with that basic canister design for many yrs...except they went to plastic. Except for color, the differences were minor.

Kevin

 

[luxg]

My  vote goes for the 50-60's as well, such style, durability and color!!

 

[Sablekid]

Kirbys from the 40's to the late 60's.

Light
No-nonsense
Durable
Powerful

 

[Automatic-Shift]

The '60's

I for the most part only collect Hoover, and I feel that Hoover has achieved an advancement in every decade. For me, the 1960's is my favorite decade of Hoover, but my favorites span the '50's-'90's. Model 69 is my favorite Convertible. But, I love most of them. Innovation was/is the Hoover namesake. However, I am not a fan of anything not made in North Canton. So, I stop with 2008. Ron

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Ron!

We're on the same page.  I have 3 69s.  The 70's were prob the best for HOOVER.  If I had to "group", I'd say 60s to 80s.Clearly HOOVER's finest hour.

 

[suckolux]

This was a great question to pose!

 

[ralph]

I think Sablekid said it best, 40’s to 60’s Kirbys! They work great and look awesome.

 

[pr-21]

I like the 50's and 60's and 70's the best for Hoover and Eureka and I like the 90's through now for Kirby and Rainbow.


 


 


Bud Mattingly

 

[kirbylover]

80's were great indeed for Kirby,

but they were really just an improvement from the same design of the 70s (when I compare my Classic Omega and Tradition to Heritage and HII). I have no experience with pre-Classic Kirby so I can't make an opinion on that. I do like having paper bags, so once I get my H84 running with the new fill tube I think that I will like using it much more than the Classic Omega. The G5 is great as any Kirby, it's just different (the quality isn't there when you consider the age difference- wish it had more solid aluminum like the oldies!)

 

[sireluxomatic]

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino; font-size: medium;">I'm strictly an Electrolux man, so I can only comment on those. Since the basic design of "Electroli" has never changed that much, its hard to pin down a "best decade". My personal favorite period is that of the 80 series and the various Model Gs (say, 1957-1973), but there are many machines after that that I like, and many innovations such as the Sidekick, the flexible vinyl hose and L-shaped power nozzles that came in the 80s and 90s. When you put the newer innovations together with the earlier machines, its an unbeatable combination.</span>

 

[collector2]

I would have to vote for the 50s and 60s as well. Good solid, easily repaired machines that worked well yet also were very aesthetically pleasing. There was a real flair to some of the designs.

 

[Real1]

Hmmmm

I certainly agree sireluxomatic....that's why I dispense with the original hoses on the earlier models and just use new hoses. I like how the original hoses match their colored machines, but they all leak eventually with lots of use. The new hoses are tanks. True the Sidekick is pretty cool. I bought a Diamond Jubilee new around '84 with The Sidekick and the L shaped PN. However, that machine bit the dirt, while the G's and the 1205's are still going.

I think a lot of older LUX's were traded for newer, just over the leaking/frayed hose issue alone.

Kevin

 

[floor-a-matic]

Best decade

My fav:

1. Kirby before 1980
2. Hoover from 1908-1980 (though I prefer before 1970)
3. Electrolux until 1994
4. Filter Queen (even the Majestic 360)
5. Rainbow from 1936-1980
6. Royal from 1930s-1960s
7. Sears Craftsman shop vacs (early-mid 1980s)

 

[whirlsonicmore]

A person into Sears stuff like myself would probably tell you the Whirlpool-made/ designed machines were the best, and were still decent even during the early Panasonic days. By the late 90's though, Kenmore stuff just wasn't as rugged anymore.

As for the Panasonic's, I refer the mid 90's as the end of the good uprights, when they discontinued the 6300's. After that, only a a few commercial models kept the older designs, like the 6602. Around this time they also did away with the handheld handheld cleaners. The canisters kinda followed suit along with the Kenmore models. We saw the end of the Whirlpool-designed cans in the early 2000's, when the 9644 and 9647 were laid to rest.

 

[hamiltonbeachbo]

I agree with Beerad (plus I love his sauna pic)


No, but really, I think the quality was still good in the 60s.


The 70's and early 80s saw some changes in technology, design and power but I think the quality of components began to suffer.


The late 50s on through the 60's are by far my favorite machines.


Just my preference and thought.


psf