Please help me choose a vacuum!

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Wow, thanks everyone for the advice so far!

As far as my back problems- I would say that while I would prefer a lighter weight vacuum, I will not rule out a heavier vacuum if it works better for my situation. The Miele I have is the S 514 (Solaris?). I don't know if I can explain exactly why, but vacuuming all of the carpet with it is exhausting. It is just not easy to push on carpet, and it seems like the vacuum isn't helping you at all as you are working, if that makes sense. So I realize that sometimes a heavier vacuum is actually easier to use while you are actually vacuuming- the weight is only a problem when carrying it. And the cord length of the Miele is a significant problem too- I think it is 21 feet. In a house this large, it is too short to even clean one room, very inconvenient.

I cleaned the whole house last night with the Riccar Vibrance I have on loan. It is heavier than I would prefer I guess, but it isn't so heavy I wouldn't buy it. I was tired afterwards, but I think that I might need to accept that no matter the vacuum I am going to get worn out from cleaning here (or in good shape, I guess?). It seems to clean my carpets really well. We do worry about the lighter weight vacs as far as sucking up a coin or a marble. I am sorry to say that we are the people who do that sort of thing, especially with our 4 and 3 year olds dropping their little parts and pieces all over.

I had considered the Miele Cat and Dog on paper, but I wonder if it is too heavy. I think it is even heavier than the Riccar I have on loan right now. Is there any reason why this Miele would be better than the RIccar? I am guessing quieter?

I had considered the Sebo Felix, but I am leaning against that because it seems like I can do better as far as cleaning power.

After years of having hardwood floors, I am finding that I missed vacuuming, and I kind of enjoy it! So I am wanting to get a machine that I will enjoy using.

As far as Kirby, I have some reasons that I don't think I could purchase one, and the biggest one is the method they use to sell the machines. I am a former social worker and had many mentally ill clients and some recently released from corrections who sold Kirby vacuums, and worked on a commission model where they would work for months and get paid nothing if they didn't sell anything. Just have a very bad taste in my mouth as far as Kirby, probably couldn't buy one.

I will look at the Hoovers a few people mentioned. We hadn't considered Hoover at all, or really any of the vacuums that you can get at major retailers except for the Dyson and Sharks.

I just have to say again I really appreciate all of your help and responses! Any other thoughts that you have I would be so happy to hear.
 
Oh also-

The carpet is all the same kind of carpet. It is a short plush carpet. And the house is one story with a daylight basement, all of the bedrooms and more of the carpet is downstairs.

And as far as bagged vs. bagless, I don't really care about that at all. EIther is fine with me, and I don't care about the cost of bags really.

I don't feel like I want to spend more than $700.
 
The Miele Cat and Dog upright weighs 22 lbs and it's carry handle is placed in a very balanced position so that it is easy to carry. I don't know about the Vibrance, but in the latest Consumer Reports tests, the Cat and Dog outperformed the Riccar Brilliance in many aspects - it is indeed quieter and offers better handling. And if you do decide to once in a while use the on-board tools to clean a sofa or to dust a baseboard, the Miele has better airflow thru the hose for tool use. But it would be wrong to assume that the Brilliance and the Vibrance would get the same results in their tests. The Vibrance was not tested.

Another benefit to buying the Miele upright is that you'll be able to share any non-electric attachments between the two vacs.

If you don't mind a really noisy machine, you might try the Hoover Anniversary Self Propelled WindTunnel. It's a beast to carry up a flight of stairs, but its self-propulsion really makes it a breeze to use on lots of carpeting. It's been the top-rated bagged upright in Consumer Reports testing for almost 10 years now. And it is a Bag-First upright unlike the Kirby which is a Fan-First upright.
 
Back in March 2004, My grandparents bought a Kirby Diamond Edition for $1500. The Kirby salespeople came knocking on their door and they let them in. My late grandparents both had Alzheimer's Disease and they were both in poor health. I was the one using the Kirby for cleaning their house once a week. They couldn't use it because it was way too heavy/way too complicated. They gave the Kirby to me in March 2005. I still have it and it still looks and runs great.
 
And one more thing while I am thinking of it- I wish the RIccar would do better at picking up around the edges. The sales person told me that almost no vac would do a good job at that, but I am wondering if that is true.
 
Oh ... one other thing Misty... If you did not already buy one for the Miele canister you own, the white Cat and Dog upright comes with a mini air-driven turbo nozzle to help clean pet hair off of stairs and furniture. You can use it on either vac... Good luck in your search!!! :-)
 
Misty

If you think the Riccar is heavy and gives you a work out stay away from the Miele it is super heavy and very bulky . Some thing consumer reports won't tell you .
You'll get better info from this site and from people like myself than CR . I own
Over 400 high end machines and a former vacuum shop manager and vacuum shop owner .

You might also want to try the Aerus Guardian upright vacuum long lasting easy bag change and does a great job cleaning . They last forever and are your grandmothers Electrolux .

Dan
 
I am looking and can't seem to figure out where I can buy an Aerus?

And can anyone say more about Lindhaus?
 
How about a Riccar Supralite and Supraquik canister? Both of those are powerful yet lightweight vacuums. You could also check out the Royal Everlast series of uprights. They are completely metal, less that 16 lb, and designed for large areas of carpet.
 
If heavier vacuums are not ruled out then

A kirby would be a great choice for that much carpeting, You could seek out a reconditioned unit from a vacuum shop (usually from about 200-600 around here. Yhe G series has a heavy lifting weight but with the tech drive engages it takes about two lbs of effort in order to move it. It would be best to check one out at a shop to see if it would be suitable for you.
 
Lindhaus

Sorry for posting twice in a row i just saw the request for more info on Lindhaus

I have been pleased with the Lindhaus brand i have heard of some past issues with the Activas but i've never had any of those problems with my own.

The Activa is a single motor system that uses two geared belts with a gear reducer, Most of it's cleaning ability comes from the spiral brushroll i've been rather impressed by what it picks up . It has tools onboard with a stretch hose, a telescopic wand, a combo upholstry tool/dusting brush (i would reccomend a seperate 35mm brush) and a crevice tool. Their standard electrostatic filters work just fine if you don't have allergies but you can upgrade to either a carbon filter to reduce odors or a hepa filter. It comes in the 30 (12" path) and 38 (15 inch path) They are supposed to weigh in at around 14 lbs. Their cost at area shops are about 450

There is also the Diamante which is like the activa but it is a dual motor system where you can shut off the brushroll.

The healthcare pro is somewhat heavier but are said to hold up better than the activa, it is a dual motor system as well. It has onboard tools but you must keep the vac close to you when using tools due to the high hose mounting point. Like the Sebo Felix you can put a hard floor tool where the power nozzle connects. The filtration is the same as the activa.

As usual i will recommend trying one out in a local shop.
 
I do think the RIccar Supralight would be perfect, if I was not afraid of sucking something up and destroying it.

I just did some research and found out there is a Lindhaus dealer about an hour away. I think I might make a trip there to try them out.

There is also a Miele dealer here I have not visited. I may try to see if they have a Cat and Dog vac in stock to see if I can deal with the weight.

I really wish I was just a normal person who could go to the store and buy a Dyson or whatever vacuum without agonizing over the decision.
 
Ok, yeah, I did overlook that. I would go with the Simplicity, or an Oreck. The only problem I see here is if you have a high pile carpet. The Sebo Felix, though, is a tremendous machine, as is the Miele Quickstep, something no one has mentioned yet that I recall. A QuickStep with a good power nozzle can be every bit as effective as most uprights. Yeah, that would be the decision for me. Simplicity Freedom, Oreck XL Gold, Sebo Felix, or Miele Quickstep with a $100 PN.
 
I will add my 2¢ here...

Why not a Panasonic upright? They are fairly lightweight, durable, most are quiet, and powerful. They use a Clean air design (large or hard objects wont damage the fan), and are a mid priced cleaner.
 

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