Help! Shopping for New Vacuum and Overwhelmed

VacuumLand – Vintage & Modern Vacuum Enthusiasts

Help Support VacuumLand:

go too a local janitor supply store and check out there vacs. I have one vac made by advance in my collection and it's very quiet...all your hear is the air sucking...then shop online and you will get a commerical duty vac for cheap. you can get bags and belts in bulk.
 
NYCWriter

I am amazed by the number of comments regarding your original post. I hooked up with this site completely by accident while browsing for something. I posted a comment regarding your original post and cannot believe the website hits coming from vacuumland! I want to thank all the readers and acknowledge their visits. I am entertained by your personal comments and interest.

I have run my own performance comparison tests using most of the vacuums discussed in this string. No vacuum cleaner will perform the best on all floor coverings, soft and hard. Before you buy another vacuum, sorting out the applications is paramount. Some of the best uprights are impossible to push on deep plush pile carpeting or rugs. Softer textures are more difficult. For hard surfaces, canisters are probably best and provide convenient tool applications, but not completely necessary. In general, my tests have confirmed the Miele S7 upright is the most effective upright I've seen. It performs the best on most carpets, is excellent on hard floor coverings and has convenient tool application. The new Miele S8 canister cleans effectively on all surfaces. Equipped with adjustable powerbrush, SEB228 or SEB236, the Miele canister conforms to most carpets and will provide quality, performance and durability that will justify the price. The S8 Kona is a basic upscale model that meets these criteria. The S8 Homecare can be customized with a powerbrush that suits your needs. These offer quiet performing quality unrivaled by others. This "quiet" performance feature is indicative of Miele's attention to production design and performance detail. Amortizing the cost over Miele's lifetime will produce a very economical purchase. Performance tests and customer's satisfaction have made us believers. The S8 Uniq does have "bells and whistles" but also comes with a 7 year part and labor warranty. We offer a 30 day money back guarantee and free trials. We want what works for you. Try your local Miele dealer and perhaps he will provide a free home trial!

http://www.napasewandvac.com
themieleman++1-4-2013-15-28-44.jpg
 
Hey Matt! :-)

If one of your criteria is a power nozzle that can clean carpet underneath beds and other furniture, you should test to see that the canister vac's wand can be put flat to the floor without causing the front of the nozzle to lift up and lose contact with the carpet. This, and the ability to rotate the handle sideways ninety degrees will determine how far the canister vac's nozzle can get under a bed. Some set-ups don't allow you to go very far before the front end tilts up.

It's also important to remember that carpets hiding under furniture do not get stepped on, and therefore most dirt in these places is not ground into the fibres - it's sitting on the surface. This kind of dirt and dust does not really require a power nozzle and you can easily remove it with an attachment on the end of a Miele upright's hose. Even a basic suction only carpet nozzle that can lie flat on the carpet will do.

The head of many uprights is "thin" enough to get about 10 inches under a piece of furniture which is enough to reach any ground-in dirt. Just something to think about... :-)
 
NYCWriter and CTSooner,
If you really want a Royal All Metal upright, Look for one with the 6-7 amp motor and 9 blade fan and 4 row brushroll with stiffeners.
If you really want a Royal PN canister, Look for one that is all metal. Preferably the daschund dog shaped model.
I hope this helps.
 
Why do you think you came off the wrong way? I'm feeling that way by hijacking and I didn't mean to. I just saw a thread that was the same I came here to start. I've learned a ton by reading all of Matt's stuff too. Thanks to all.

The Royal dealer is trying to talk me out of even looking at it. I bet he doesn't have one in stock, lol.

Thanks for the prices to look for. I think I can negotiate pretty good. Hope I can, lol.

I too have a full house of Stickey or similar that I've built myself and most are not getting moved by me, lol. That's why this purchase is so important. I have two more days left on the ebay bid and I'm still winning, but I'm not going more than 225 plus the 50 shipping for the demo Moxie. That won't have warrantee will it? I just realized that. Rutro. I bet I won't get out bid either, lol. Hmmm My riccar dealer doesn't' seem to have the canisters or at least he wouldn't show them to me. The owner was gone and the kid wanted to only push me to the Sebo which didn't impress me too much other than getting into the walls adn the easily removable brush head.

Played with Lux today. Seems great, but heavy. The guy was not good and a jerk. Only talked and tried to tell me what I wanted (what he wanted me to have). I literally walked out on him when he got pompous. It was in West Hartford, CT if anyone wants to stop going there, lol.
 
CTSooner, The seller lists himself as a vacuum shop owner. It's a floor demo, I would email and ask eBay seller about it coming with warranty and what all attachments he is throwing in. At minimum it should have a warranty through his store, but don't mention that. Inquire of manufacturer warranty since the machine is essentially brand new!!

NYCWriter Matt, Riccar and Simplicity are the same thing, different hood styles, different color. Any Simplicity dealers in your area? The Royal canister is a great unit with lots of power. You'll probably appreciate the stronger build of a Riccar/ Simplicity though, is my opinion. But definitely give it a try, you'll like it!!

Matt, I would also highly recommend for you the TOL model of Riccar or Simplicity canisters. This would be Riccar 1800, Riccar Immaculate or Simplicity S38, Simplicity Gusto. These 3 models have a three row, auger style agitator, it will out clean the 2 brush agitator of the other Simplicity and Riccar canisters!!! It will outclean most other if not all vacs on market. I just thought of this now. Should've posted this sooner. Just because a power nozzle hood cover looks the same, doesn't mean the guts are the same, and in this case the agitator wins!!!

http://www.simplicityvacuum.com/products/canisters/premier-power-team/gusto/
durango159++1-5-2013-06-32-35.jpg
 
Funny as I just sent an email to him about the warranty JUST before reading your post and it's a good one. If it's a manuf warranty then I guess I could bid higher than 225 or so (plus the 50 shipping), but I think I can still get the local demo with everything thrown in for around 500 or so.

Let's say I go for the local Moxie demo, how much should I offer him (he's throwing in the kitchen sink, which costs him very little)

How about a NEW Moxie if I need to go that route?

Now, what about a new Gusto? or a demo Gusto? If it's that much better, how much extra will it cost me? I may or may not be worth it in the end.

It's funny but as I read, speak with some of you etc....the common theme is that you all love Simplicity/Riccar and not JUST for cost. Most really like things about the Miele an it's a sexy unit that drives regular customers their way, but if I get one, I won't be sorry either. Since I'm not a pro by any means, I won't worry about extra's on any of the machines too much, so if it's universal, it will be handy, but it may never matter either.

Bags are very expensive for the German units and they seem to be almost cheap for the Simplicity. I will probably throw the bag away before the unit tells me to anyways. That's just how I'm wired for some reason. That extra cost does add up and maybe that's why they want to push the Miele. That and they can charge Miele back on the costly repairs since their warranty is pretty long on the higher end units. I realize you pay for each extra year regardless of who's unit you purchase.

I'm simply amazed at this thread. Matt, I hope that you get what you want and love it. I think that some get upset over the length of this thing, but it must be fascinating to anyone who's posting on it or they wouldn't be reading. :)
 
IL-Kirby-Fan,

Maybe I could do a demo.

But again, I really need the ability to immediately switch to hose attachments, and then back. I can't turn it into a production.
 
CTsooner,

CTsooner:

The Sebo Felix is great machine, You said you didn't like it though. Its a very unique upright vacuum and durable. Otherwise, the Lux dealers tend to be very pushy, they too are very long lasting machines, I have the upright Guardian one. However, they are not as fancy as Simplicity or Miele in design and features, and they also command a high price. I think the prices on a Lux need to come down to compete better with the other brands, something that these Lux dealers and the parent company do not understand! I think that's why they get pushy, there is no justification for a $1,000 on a canister vacuum without variable suction.

I guess going with the Simplicity and Miele will be your best bet, especially in the canisters.
 
From Durango159: "Any Simplicity dealers in your area?"

Ugh.

Three choices: New Jersey, Long Island, or the Bronx. For a Manhattanite, that means "no".
 
Hi Peter! Welcome to Vacuumland!

The only reason I would buy the Riccar Immaculate/Simplicity Gusto over a Miele Callisto is because the money would be supporting an American company. This is not an insignificant reason in our economy these days.

But, in truth, the Miele Callisto is a better vacuum cleaner. It's 228 power nozzle cleans carpets better and is quieter than those on the Taconys. The airflow through the hose for above the floor cleaning is better on the Miele. These factors are really central to the overall performance of a vacuum.

As far as cost of bags, for the money you will save on buying the less costly Callisto, you can buy several years' worth of Miele bags.

Unfortunately, in the category of uprights, Riccar and Simplicity have one of the worst Frequency of Repair reputations. Not sure about the canisters. I have the funny feeling you are not getting a more dependable canister by choosing a Simplicity/Riccar over a Miele.

That being said, the Immaculate/Gusto have some features that help make them a little easier to use than the Miele Callisto: longer cord, bigger dusting brush, on-board bare floor brush, upholstery nozzle with adjustable wings.

So if you don't mind the poorer cleaning performance and noisier power nozzle of the Taconys, and want to help an American company, then the Immaculate/Gusto is the one to bring home. :-)
 
I'm all for supporting the U.S. economy, and buying American whenever possible.

But I'm not willing to pay a premium to sacrifice quality and performance.
 
FYI, a word on "repair" track records ...

I own one of the most repair-prone vacuums (Fantom Thunder) and after 16 years of regular use, it's needed repairing only ONCE.

I've had talks with vacuum repair guys and they tell me that MOST vacuums on the market today in the $300+ range are "realiable". It's the USERS who aren't.

Treat your vacuum with care, and it will treat YOU well.
 
I'm a retired Naval officer and the Miele dealer I like is a retired Army officer. He's the one pushing Miele, lol. I want the best for the buck. The US companies need to understand that most Americans will guy US made or a product that has mostly US parts IF it's the best or tied. I have a feeling I will end up with the Moxie, sans warranty for 225 plus shipping. I've been emailing this morning with the seller. seems nice, but it's also the net. He has a ton of companies he sells, but isn't authorized, so it's on me if it breaks. I hope I lose the auction as the warranty means a lot to me, but we will see.

I need to see the prices of the Moxie, Gusto, Callisto and Capricorn. I like the Miele PN units above the 228. I need to really try the Moxie again to see what I think. They all push the units they want to move, so I may look for another vendor locally for the Simplicity. The Riccar dealer doesn't stock their canisters for some reason so I would't be able to go that route locally I don't think as I have to try before using. Sounds like I can't go wrong with any choices.

Are the Miele's really that much stronger than the Moxie? One poster above seemed to think they aren't as strong. I've spoken to someone who has recently had both units and he said that both are good.
 
Let the Sebo bashing continue

Mm not quite.

Windsor is still churning out the old SEBO X1 Automatic models and there's nothing wrong with them since they don't use the the power nozzle head that is also equipped with their canisters.

Simply put the 5.5/6 litre dust bags on the Sebo X series are pretty big on the basis that they can take upto 3 to 5 months to fill with each one. Of course, this is from my experience of cleaning up a large 5 bedroomed house and around 1 long haired cat, a short hair dog and a couple of budgies. The Felix bag is a lot smaller (at 3.5 litres) but it swivels just like the Miele S7 and has a brush roll on/off function.

The dust bags of the Miele S7 are bigger than the ones in all of Miele's different model canisters - and I've never come across anyone who requires to empty or change a Miele S7 bag ONCE A MONTH. With either larger upright, you have the bigger dust capacities, but due to the age, the SEBO X series does not have a brush roll stop function or variable suction.

I have been cleaning marble floors with my X series for more than 15 years now. Not one tile has been damaged, cut, broken off or anything with the brush roll on the SEBO.

Miele's S7 is a lot more modern though but not as well built AND unless you really want the headlight/LED function, best stick with lower models that use the same suction motor and replace touch controls with a suction dial.

With both products from these German companies, you either sacrifice having a far flusher design with swivel neck and headlight with variable suction on Miele's S7 uprights or the older SEBO or even Windsor Sensor uprights that do without. In the SEBO's defence, they are a lot easier to use than the S7 and easier to maintain/fix.

I had an S7 but I didn't like the swivel function very much and found the S7 to be far heavier to use as well as pushing compared to my old Windsor/Sebo X1 and current X uprights. The Felix is a smaller vacuum and isnt' designed for a large home determinded by its smaller bag capacity.
 
You guys want strong: My Riccar 1700 canister could pull dry paint off a wall!! The suction on this unit is phenomenal. Generally I run it at half power, it's really rare to need the full blast of suction power that this machine produces. Even with power nozzle, many times I run it half or the next level up but rarely on full power. I've had some vacuums in the past where the suction is so strong it slows down agitation, you don't want that. Agitator needs to runs full throttle, so you need a comfortable suction level that allows power nozzle to do its job, while still making a good seal with carpet.

I have many friends in the vacuum repair business. They like Miele but they all swear by the Tacony Riccar and Simplicity lines as well. Regardless what vacuum you get, replace your bags at about 3/4 full, keep filters clean, wipe out bag housing every few bag changes and if you're using HEPA bags, the housing stays clean. Don't slam them down, Don't crash them into furniture or other stupid things and they should be fine. Many people with expensive vacuums also have housekeepers that don't care about the vacs and never change bags.

Mieles are more expensive for parts, belts, bags and overall machine. The Tacony's also use universal fit hose handles to fit attachments from Kirby, Kenmore, Panasonic, most Hoover uprights and many other lines. I don't know about the Miele hose.

Here's a thing on reliability of what many predict in giving sales speech compared to actuality. My family has owned several Hoover PowerMax/ Windtunnel canisters. Most were about $200 brand new, one may have been about $300. Online reviews from some vac experts and customers has said that bag doors crack around the hose, plastic is very cheap, fair suction, and overall machine would last 5-10 years closer to the 7 year mark. Well from personal experience all of these reviews are FULL OF GARBAGE. Here's why and all of our machines have been used and abused by several house keepers that clean for my parents every week in addition to using the units ourselves. My family keeps a record of everything all appliances and other important purchases they buy in a spreadsheet, so I know purchase dates. The first one I remember very well because it was the day before my 15th birthday. Unplanned that way for the timing of a vacuum purchase as our previous vacuum died but it happened.

Hoover PowerMax S3603-040 purch. Sept. 1997- now 15 years old still runs flawlessly. Have replaced cord due to house keepers running it over. Replaced hose--(original material was not good, Hoover upgraded around 1999 to better material.) Replaced rear power nozzle wheels. Cleaning lady dropped this machine down the steps and broke handle and rear wheel, so we replaced the base. Rest of machine is original. Motors are originally. I love this machine, my sister has it though.

Hoover TurboPower 5000 S3577 purch. May 1998-- this one was a lesser model and not as powerful. Cord reel broke around 2004 and we put this unit in attic as a back up. It has since been parted out to fix other machines. Both motors run excellent!! Power nozzle is completely intact.

Hoover PowerMax Runabout S3614 purch. December 2001-- replaced cord reel. All else is original. Machine works fine.

Hoover PowerMax Deluxe S3607 purch. Feb. 2003. as factor refurb. This machine was used semi-commercially cleaning about 3 houses a week for a few years in addition to my own home. Headlight socket replaced was replaced. Sister's XFiance killed this machine cleaning under a dishwasher that had been leaking, prior to arrival of new dishwasher. I guess you can't fix stupid, I think he's lucky to be alive. I found lots of evidence of water pickup. One of the commutator contacts on motor broke off. We took the motor from the Turbo Power above and put into this unit. Power nozzle still runs excellent and I own it.

Hoover PowerMax Deluxe S3608 Purch. May 2004. My parents now most used machine. Replaced motor carbon brushes November 2012. I did the repair myself it cost about $12. Rest of machine is original and works phenomenal.

Hoover Windtunnel Plus S3639 purch. August 2008. This machine was in their vacation house where I lived full time for 3 years. Up until recently when this vacation house was emptied and its now with my parents as they moved and condensed 3 houses together.

So my point of this is that listening to stores you hear one thing, owning is another. Of these 6 "questionable quality" machines from repair shops the oldest is over 15 years old and newest is almost 5. One was killed by a drunk thinking it was a wet/dry vacuum. All of the others have original motors that have never needed service.

I'd be willing to bet you get 20 years from a Tacony vacuum!! If anyone has any questions, please let me know!
 
KirbyUltimateG ...

Not to shoot down your suggestions (and correct me if I'm wrong), but:

-- Kirby's set-up requires just short of a Broadway production to use attachments;

-- Rainbow's painstakingly high-maintenance 12-step process with the water turns a 5-minute quick sweep into an afternoon project;

-- Filter Queen's bagless system is extremely messy to empty.
 
Hahaha

NYCWriter. I couldn't agree more!! Not to mention all 3 of those would take up lots of storage space which in a Manhattan apartment wouldn't do well. The Kirby's are big, bulky and heavy. The attachments and hose all store separate from the unit and could fill an entire closet. Definitely not the machine for a user like you that wants to stop and switch to attachments in a split second. Not to mention I tried to use my Kirby with attachments on bare floor. I didn't think Kirby had a good bare floor tool so I borrowed another vacs. Well Kirby hose broke due to wand angle so you have to have a separate adapter on there to angle the hose for wands. Just too many steps to make it worth while and its obnoxiously loud with attachments. Reminded me of using a Dirt Devil upright.


The Filter Queens are very messy to empty. Depending on how OCD one gets, you may feel the urge to check and empty the unit after each cleaning like a bagless vacuum. The cones clog with dust and lose suction fast. Power nozzles are under powered and the 2 units I've tried weren't the most powerful suction either. My Hoover PowerMax outcleaned this unit at a cost that was probably 1/6 the price.

The Rainbow will need water changed and then all parts rinsed and dried so you don't get mildew growing. It's a heavy bulky system. Cleans well but again lots of attachments and very bulky. Would definitely eat up your closet space. Although one thing about a Rainbow you can have it plugged in round the clock and used as an air cleaner on low speed. It runs quiet and they have scents to put in the water to make the area smell good. But again in an apartment do you want that plugged in all of the time???

Thoughtful suggestion but units aren't practical. Get a Simplicity/ Riccar the power nozzle stores on the unit on a resting post with suction unit standing on its end. You'll love the suction. On medium power you get tons of suction and it's SOOOO QUIETTT!!!
 
NYCWriter

Have you considered the Kenmore intuition Uprights the silver model is rated the best but one of the main reasons it loses points is because its it kinda heavy. It seems to have everything you are looking for. It has good tools, good filtration with hepa bags.It can be used on all surfaces and it has easy to use hose like on your fantom. i would buy it but i dont have money for one know. If you get it and you like the features of it but you dont like using bags you can return it to get the bagless model with good reviews

http://www.sears.com/kenmore-intuit...2031810000P?prdNo=12&blockNo=12&blockType=G12

eurekapowerline++1-5-2013-14-52-59.jpg
 
KirbyUltimateG ...

I give you major snaps for your persistence.

I assure you -- I happen to love Kirbys. And maybe one day when I actually have a home with stairways ... and perhaps even a car with an interior to clean -- I will revisit the notion of getting one.

But until then ... in my comparatively small-ish Manhattan apartment ... none of those three are practical.
 
One brand I haven't seen suggested here is Lindhaus. While I don't have one, I've heard great things about them. They can quickly convert to a bare floor vacuum, have great filtration, and can be used for deep cleaning.

 
Kirbyloverdan ...

I never said my apartment was "tiny". Compared to other homes across the United States, however, it's certainly not a 4,000 square foot McMansion; five decent-sized rooms, two hallways and an entry foyer. Probably around 1000 square feet.

A beefed-up electric broom is really not enough.
 
Those Riccar Supralites are said to work very well. If you search "riccar supralite" or "simplicity freedom" in the forum search bar, you will find a lot praise for the vacuum.
 

Similar threads

niclonnic
When all you own are bagless vacuums
Replies
15
Views
1K
cheesewonton
C
Z
Wanting to Test Vacuums
Replies
9
Views
148
Vacuum Facts
Vacuum Facts
A
Vacuum plugs getting so hot they’re warping/melting! **HELP**
Replies
20
Views
754
royalfan103
royalfan103
amtraksebo1997
I kind of want to get a car wash vacuum for my collection.
Replies
25
Views
1K
amtraksebo1997
amtraksebo1997
amtraksebo1997
Thinking About Selling by Windsor Sensor S12
Replies
6
Views
402
amtraksebo1997
amtraksebo1997

Latest posts

Back
Top