Vorwerk Tiger
@eurekaprince, I'd like to chime in here, if you don't mind.
From 1973-81 the first Vorwerk canister (VK240) was sold. It was a bulky, odd looking, but very sturdy and effective machine. In 1981 Vorwerk did a complete redesign, introducing the Tiger series. Keep in mind that Vorwerk only sells one model at a time.
1981-87 Tiger 250, 700 watts, electrified hose with remote control
1987-99 - Tiger 251, 700 watts, slight redesign of the VT 250, with 360 swivel at the hose, optional hepa. Over the years slight design changes were made, mostly to the hose (external cord or integrated wire, controls)
Although these models did not provide tremendous airflow, they were quiet, sturdy and easy to use machines. Very popular, still in use in thousands of German households (as they were exclusively sold in GER)
From 1999-2004 Vorwerk came up with the idea to over a canister option for their upright. You had to assemble the main body to a kind of chassis (which contained the cord rewinder) for using it as a canister. I had one of these and they were a pain to use.
As sales went downhill, Vorwerk decided in 2004/05 to relaunch the Tiger 252, which was basically a VT 251 in a different color scheme with the motor from the upright and a new use, still using conventional paper bags.
In 2006, the Tiger 260 came out, which is basically the same design as they sell it today. The VT 260 still had a AC motor with 900 watts, but came with large fleece bags, automatic suction control (which is not working properly) and HEPA filtration as standard. Most Vorwerk afficionados and salesmen will tell you, that this is the last decent and reliable canister made, although truble with the hose connection/electrics is common. I've gone through three hoses over a period of nine years now.
Overall it is a great machine with tons of suction and amazing airflow, even with the bag filled to the top. It is very heavy and quite bulky.
In 2011, they came up with the VT 265, now in white/green design (their new corporate color scheme) and DC motor. And that's where the trouble started. The new motors are tested to last 20 years or longer, but the electronic controller does not. The quality of the electronic components Vorwerk is putting into their machines since 2010 is abysmal. So, having to toss your 1000$ vacuum after three years or having to spend 250 bucks for a new circuit board has become normal.
The VT 270 is a 265 in yet another slightly changed color scheme. In 2016 the VT 300 came out, offering new failure prone automatic fancy stuff for the power head and suction control. I was told that with these machines not only the electronics are junk, but the plastics use are of minor quality now, too.
What a pity, since suction is excellent. The main downside with all Vorwerk machines is the lack of a decent power head. The EB 360/370/300 power nozzles are very flat and easy to use and are probably the best pns ever to use on hard floors. But when it comes to carpet, they a struggling with thicker ones and not deep cleaning at all. The brushes are tiny and wrapped in hair in no time, and electronic failure is common. What a shame.
Vorwerk is offering very good tools, such as the electric hardfloor mop or the universal crevice tool. All this is helping to win new customers. But as having to face very expensive repairs or frequent breakdowns within the first three or four xears of ownership, enthusiasm within the customer base is fading away very fast.
Good suction, nice design, but bulky, heavy, unreliable and overengineered junk.