best vacuum for this situation

[vacuumfreeeke]

I have a co-worker that I'm kind of friends with and she has broken her vacuum cleaner again and asked me to help her find a new one.  She said she was using it and it just turned off.  She realized that she stepped on the cord when she was pushing the machine away from her and probably disconnected it from the motor in the process.  She has sucked up toys and broken belts on this poor vacuum more times that I can remember.  It is a red bagless Sanitaire that looks like the Eurkea Whirlwind Litespeed.  I could try to fix it, but I don't know a lot about fixing electrical problems... changing a belt, removing a clog, and general clean up is about the extent of my abilities.  


 


Someone at work suggested that I give her one of my vacuums since I have so many.  Clearly, they don't understand that my machines are my babies and giving one of them to her would be like sending it to the execution chamber.  Still, I went over my collection in my head to see if there was anything that would be OK to give her and I decided that none of my machines deserve the death penalty.  She doesn't have a lot of money as she has 4 small kids and her husband was hit by a drunk driver while he was walking across the street on New Year's Eve, so she's the only one working...  


 


I looked at local thrift shops and on C/L to see if there was anything decent used, but there wasn't.  The thrift shops said as soon as they get vacuums, they fly out the door.  My advice to her was something that no vacuum cleaner lover EVER wants to tell anyone...  go to Wal-mart and buy the cheapest Bissell you can find.  I think Bisselll would be better quality than a TTI, Shark, or Eurkea, especially if we are talking about bottom of the line products.  It kills me to tell anyone to do such a thing, but really, after going over the facts in my head, this is the only advice I think is appropriate.  


 


What do you think?

 

[dysonman1]

Entry-level model vacuum

When money is tight, it's important to get the most bang for the buck. Eureka recently launched the Air-Speed ONE for $47 at Wal-Mart. It's the least expensive multi-cyclonic upright on the market. The $42 Bissell is single cyclone, and we all know how the dust just belches out of the exhaust. The Eureka has very good suction, is light weight, and really does clean well. I'm sure it's motor is good for about 100 hours, as are most entry level model vacs - but if she'll buy the Eureka over the Bissell, she'll have longer lasting suction, better suction, and less filter cleaning.

 

[vacuumfreak95]

I've seen the Bissell PowerForce bagged last for years. It's cheap simple and it gets the job done. Bags a cheap also.

 

[stricklybojack]

Pick her up something...

On Craigslist. There is always something good there in a city the size of yours. Also, totally true about vacs & thrift stores...they *all* sell fairly quickly in my experience.

$10 for this one in San Diego for example (see link):

"Hoover vacuum, still works great. Moving, need to get rid of. Comes with 3 brand new bags I bought and 2 replacement belts. All vacuum attachments and accessories included. Wear and tear but nothing crazy. Suction works like when it was new. If interested, make me an offer and leave a number to txt or call. Thanks : )"

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/app/3737850925.html

 

[stricklybojack]

& if you want new...

Go to big Lots, they seem to offer items with better value than the BOL Bissell at Wal-Mart. Hoover T series Rewind Bagless (Consumers top pick) for $69 i saw recently.

 

[floor-a-matic]

Top performing vacuums under $100

1. Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G; great for versatile all-around vacing where a upright can't go (under furniture, cobwebs close to ceiling) Another plus about the MM is that it uses a bag for mess-free dirt disposal.

2. Hoover Tempo U5140; another bagged vacuum for less than $100. Features WindTunnel technology & on-board tools

3. Aerus/Electrolux canister (if U can find one cheap, clean & good operating condition) Easy, mess-free bag change, power nozzle & full-sized tools; & optional SideKick mini electric PN for vacing tight places where the full-sized PN can't go (car interiors, stairs & upholstery) The Aerus/Electrolux canisters that use the older style metal wands are more reliable & can get into tight places better than the canisters that use the newer style electrified plastic wands that often short out at the electrical connections & are bulky. Bags are cheap for the Lux; a case of 100 bags can be bought for under $40.

4. Compact/TriStar (if U can find one cheap, clean & good operating condition) Easy, mess-free bag change, power nozzle & full-sized tools; & optional Wessel Werk HEB160 (CXL) or MiniStar (A101, EXL, MG & CS Series) mini electric PN for vacing tight places where the full-sized PN can't go (car interiors, stairs & upholstery) The Compact/TriStar canisters (CXL) that use the older style metal wands are more reliable & can get into tight places better than the canisters that use the newer style electrified plastic wands (EXL/A101/MG/CS) that often short out at the electrical connections & are bulky.[this post was last edited: 4/17/2013-14:21]

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Thanks for the responses guys...  Tom, nice to see you back first of all!  I didn't know that Eureka had any cyclonic machines, especially that cheap, so I will definitely recommend that one to her.


 


She wants bagless, but she's not the kind of person to clean a pleated or  foam filter, so I think cyclonic would be the way to go...  even if she was OK with having a bagged machine, if she can't see the dirt, she's not going to empty it.  She's a busy mom taking care of 4 kids and a crippled husband and working full time... she doesn't care enough about vacuums to give proper maintenance, she just needs something to get the job done.  I know she wouldn't fool with a canister either, and her place is pretty much all carpet, so I think the Eureka cyclonic is the way to go!  


 


I always see good deals on C/L for decent machines when I'm NOT looking for one, but when I need one in a hurry, there are none to be found...  

 

[dysonman1]

Eureka Air Speed One - Multi Cyclonic

This is the brand new Eureka - designed to compete with, and beat, a Bissell. At $47, I couldn't resist buying one to try. It cleaned very well, was reasonably quiet, LOVE how the machine brings the dirt to the bottom of the bin and keeps it there (that's what the swirls are for in the lower portion of the bin). For what it is, it's a good machine, with a 2 year warranty, for less than $50. Check it out at Walmart.com or Eureka.com

 

[stricklybojack]

Wow, i found 2 sweet machines

in 2 minutes on CL Orlando. I know Bagless is the thought but this Kenmore cannister, dang i'm a fan!

"Kenmore Canister vacuum cleaner (left side) - $15.00" see link

http://orlando.craigslist.org/hsh/3740256915.html

 

[stricklybojack]

Sweet Eureka Self Propelled standard upright

"Working Eureka Vacuum Cleaner - $20
Extra bags and belt included.
This older model no longer is self-propelled, but it works great."

bet it just needs a belt for the self propelled feature to work...
Btw, often people accept 1/2 if the ad is a few days old. I don't feel bad doing so as i usually spend hours cleaning these buggers.


http://orlando.craigslist.org/hsh/3737137472.html

 

[singingrainbow]

Airspeed one

I agree that the eureka airspeed one seems good for this situation. Like dysonman, when it came out I got one to play with and I am impressed with it's performance. Although, I do have a question for dysonman1, on my airsped one the swirls on the outside of the bin appear to be decorative and the inside of the bin is smooth like most other bagless uprights, is yours different?
Scott

 

[floor-a-matic]

Eureka "The Boss" 1934B bagged upright, another excellent vacuum under $100. Built to last for many years & the basic brush/beater bar roller can be upgraded to a metal Vibra Groomer roller.

 

[floor-a-matic]

@vacuumfreeke

Or U can vacuum their house with whatever vac U want

 

[ralph123]

I wonder how hard it is to fix the cord - if that's the problem? Perhaps someone could walk you through it. Perhaps there is a parts/repair diagram available?

http://www.buysanitaire.com/products/sc5845b-sanitaire-bagless-vacuum__sc5845b.aspx