Replacing A Dead Bissell

[tylerawells]

So, I'm new here, and I can tell a lot of you guys seem to have more knowledge than I do about modern vacuum cleaners. I was always fascinated by them as a kid. Anyway, my Bissell canister died, and I'm looking to replace it. I don't have any sort of budget - nor is that much of a concern, but I was wanting to know the opinions on how good each of the following, which I've narrowed my choices down to, are - or if you have suggestions for other vacuums. It'll be used mostly on medium and low pile carpeting once a week.

1. Riccar Vibrance
2. Kirby
3. Oreck

Thank you.

 

[TheBillbot]

Kirby is a Bit Too Big and Bulky for my Taste, Vibrance looks Decent, and the Oreck, well I Don't know.

I would Recommend a Eureka 1934 B Upright, It's Lightweight, about 12 Pounds, and It Cleans Great. And It's Extremely Easy to Maintain and Change the Bags.

 

[durango159]

Hi Tyler, welcome aboard!!
Was your Bissell canister the red Bissell Digipro with power nozzle by chance? I was always curious about how those did. They've been on the market for many years and Bissell hasn't really made any changes to it that I know of in that time.

If you're replacing a canister, wouldn't you want to stay with a canister. After all they do great with car interiors, steps, carpet, bare floors, versatile to go under beds, easy to manuever, tend to be quieter and so easy and fun to use. Having little budget you may want to look to the lime green or orange Kenmore canister. Lately they have been going on sale for as low as $99. If you want the Kenmore original style tool set, better plastic and a few other upgrades then you could look at the red Panasonic MCCG902. There's a few on eBay right now starting at $115. Good suction, great power nozzle, universal fit hose end will fit many other manufacturer tools.

Going from a Bissell to a Kirby I think you'd find the Kirby very hard to use and definitely MUCH heavier. I personally am not a Kirby fan cause I'm switching back and forth from attachments to carpet, I'm not wild about the self propel, they're quite heavy and personally I don't find they groom a carpet as well as many other vacs I've used. This is strictly my opinion from using vacuums for over 20 years and cleaning houses for over 18 years, I am 30 years old. You'll hear many other members on here completely disagree with that.

Orecks are ok for low to medium pile carpet. Even at medium I'd look to something else. David Orecks ads claim over 100MPH and high RPMs for agitator but CFMs and small fan are where it suffers. Air can go through a drinking straw at 100MPH but the volume of air coming through the straw is still minimal. That's where CFMs come in. In addition I've had allergic reactions to all 4 Oreck uprights I've ever used, to include XL2000 Commercial, Dual Stack commercial and 2 Oreck Ultra XLs. I did try one Oreck XL 21 briefly after fixing it for a friend and was unimpressed with performance I also think they're loud. On the other hand I like Oreck's power head canister's the former Dutch Tech line with Wessel Werk EBK340 power nozzle and the new red Quest Pro isn't bad.

Riccar/ Simplicity are essentially the same and are great brands. I have a Riccar 1700 canister that I'm happy with. A neighbor of mine has a Simplicity that theirr happy with. They are USA made, they tend to have metal brush rolls, metal bottom plates, rubber coated wheels, tremendous airflow, easy tool conversion. They are pricey but I think they're worth it at $800 or below. Some vac shops have refurbs and eBay can bring some up. I like their uprights and canisters.

I would also recommend the Royal SR30020 canister. Also check ebay. You may be able to find yourself a Miele or model listed above at low price. I would definitely go with bagged over bagless. I personally would do canister as well regardless if you're doing wall to wall carpet or a mix.

A lower priced but still good cleaning upright if you want that route would be the Hoover bagged WindtunnelMax or T Series bagged. I've heard good things about those.

Keep us posted.

 

[blackheart]

.

I've never used the vibrance series so i cannot comment

Kirby is one of my favorite brands. They may be have a carrying weight but when you have a g series it takes only a few pounds to move it with the tech drive. Their deep cleaning would probably be better than the vibrance because the vibrance is a bypass machine, and definitely stronger than any oreck i've used.

As for Oreck if you're going to get one it's best to go with a Gold or Platinum as they have a larger fan, stiffer brushroll and a larger filltube than the cheaper models. I've not used the magnesium but i personally wouldn't go for it as it's not a US made Oreck.
Really unless you're set on Oreck for a lightweight Riccar/Simplicity offers a better option called the supralite/freedom which outcleans the oreck

 

[kirbykid]

Id suggest a sanitaire upright or a sanitaire canister with a air driven power head. Kirby would probably be to big and bulky. The sanitaire will last forever.

 

[mieles7]

Riccar makes great vacuums. I use an 8900 as my main vacuum, and it has never let me down.

 

[director12]

How about a Miele, they could outclean a Bissell anyday.

 

[starryblues4u]

Hmmmmmm

I would say it all comes down to personal preference. I have a few vacuums I switch between. There is a Riccar 8900, Miele S2 Delphi, Kirby Ultimate G, Electrolux Classic Canister, Electrolux Nimble Upright, Hoover Windtunnel Light Weight Platinum and a Simplicity Synchrony. The three I use the most are the miele, elelctrolux nimble, and the electrolux classic. All the vacuums work awesome but I am truly amazed with the Nimble and the Miele. They both pick up so much and groom the carpet like theres no tomorrow. I would say look into either of those. The miele was $499.99 at bed bath and beyond. I bought my nimble of ebay for $31.00. I know big lots had refurbs on sale for $99 and i'm not sure what other stores still carry them.

 

[kirbykid]

yes a meile would do great

 

[vacuumfreak95]

Riccar Vibrance!

I use a Riccar Vibrance at my Aunts church all the time. They have had it for five years without any problem I'ts even still on the same belt and works fine! I Love the way its simple yet works better then any upright I've used. If you have alot of carpet the riccar is the way to go.

 

[Ipreferkirby]

Electrolux Nimble is a very good vacuum. I own one, it is my "daily driver".

 

[hoover78]

just bought a Riccar Vibrance Deluxe today-black

Im happy with my purchase.. can't wait to use it.. ive heard many good things about this vac.. not too loud.. seems very simple and basic.. i love the markings it leaves its reminisant of my hoover convertible.

 

[tylerawells]

1. Yes, the Bissel was a DigiPro, and it was okay, but instead of allowing the user to control speed etc... the "Dirt Finder Sensor" did it for you...which is more of a joke because of the dark carpet I have, it never really caught much of anything.

2. I paid a visit today to the local Riccar dealer, who also, in a somewhat ironic twist, also sells Kirby vacs. I tried out a Riccar 8955 series, and liked it, and I also tried out a Kirby Sentria II and a refurb'd Ultimate G Model. I liked the way that the Kirby moved across the floor and its manuverability much more than the Sentria II. I wasn't much of a fan of the TechDrive, I couldn't tell much of a difference with it on or off.

3. My grandmother had a Dual Sanatronic 50 for several years, and replaced it with an Oreck a couple of years ago, and it seems to do a good job, but it is a very loud machine.

 

[durango159]

If you want a vacuum with variable electronic speed control you would need to look at Miele, and Riccar mid to upper echelon machines with that feature. Hoover Windtunnel Anniversary S3670, Oreck Quest Pro FC1000, Royal Lexon SR30017, ****Royal Lexon SR30020 (pictured below, its what I would love to have), Panasonic Platinum MC-CG983. Some of the higher up Kenmores allow it but I'd recommend the Panasonic first rather than paying that much towards the Kenmore.

Many Oreck uprights are 2 speed, but I personally can not recommend those from a performance, noise, filtration and durability stand point. The Riccar/ Simplicity Supralites would be MUCH better!! I believe many Miele and Riccar uprights are multi speed, can't give specific models. Kirbys would not be multispeed.

I partially agree with you on the Kirby self propelled. I find there is a fair difference when using the self propel feature. Myself I do find it too jumpy though. It's not good around delicate furniture, and be careful reversing as it's pushed my elbow into several corners and filing cabinets-- not fun. Most vac shops have refurbished/ traded in Kirbys they are trying to sell. A store that has Kirby Sentria II's already--- are they brand new??? They are door to door only so I'd question that as a source for warranty stand point. They have to be trade ins.


http://www.riccar.com/products/canisters/?prod=Pristine

 

[tylerawells]

The Royal looks just like the Hoover WindTunnel Anniv. Ed. canister, just a different head & such. It may have been the first Generation Sentria. I do not want the 'electronically controled dirt-speed' system at all - I found it to be more trouble than it was worth on that Bissell. The Kennmore and Panasonic look the same, and from what I understand, are the same systems with a different badge slapped on the front.

 

[floor-a-matic]

How about a TriStar? They'll outclean any other canister vac; & made of durable die-cast aluminum.

Better filtration
Cyclonic action
100+ no loss of suction lift
Easy to service
2-stage motor (pre-MG1) (CS also have 2-fan motor, now brushless)

 

[kirbykid]

a tristar would also be great. but they are expensive

 

[durango159]

Don't let your Bissell experience hold you back from ano

I have no idea what you experienced on the cheaper made Bissell DigiPro. Yes, the Bissell DigiPro is high priced for the package you recieve!! There are far better canisters on the market and do not be turned away due to any problems you experienced with that machine. They're not a bad machine but there is much better available.

Kenmore and Panasonic motors are mostly the same, the package is different. Better grade of plastic on the Panasonic-- the doors seem to work better on the Panasonic. Panasonics have a universal hose end grip across their entire line. The only machines on Kenmore with a universal grip are the 2 BOL models and the TOL Intuition. The problem with the 2 Kenmore BOL models is the bag compartment is much smaller and doesn't allow the bag to fill up all the way, the attachment door is a very cheap plastic that feels like it could break easily. Dusting brush bristles are very stiff and not good for dusting. DO NOT GET THE BLUE KENMORE INTUITION CANISTER!!!!! Very overpriced. Innovative power head has detachable bare floor brush and its very problematic with broken connections between the 2. This power nozzle is like any other combo tool on the market. It does a mediocre job at both carpet cleaning and bare floors. But if you want good cleaning on both ends then get a machine with a well designed power nozzle and completely separate bare floor brush.

If you get the red Panasonic MCCG902 above you have a trusted design used many years as the original Kenmore Progressive but now only available under the name Panasonic. It is one of the only vacuums on the market to house all 4 regular attachments on board. Panasonic canisters use the CenTec CT18DX power head and Kenmores use the CenTec CT20DX power nozzles. Going up in the line in Panasonics you get Panasonics OptiFlo technology-- Quieter performance supposed to help maintain suction longer.

The variable speed control found on Hoover, Royal, Riccar, Kenmore and other manufacturers is actually a nice feature. The machine defaults at start up to Full Power. If you want lesser suction for vacuuming area rugs, curtains, upholstery or maybe just quieter vacuuming even, then you can push the plus or minus buttons and decrease the motor suction. It is 100% user controlled, otherwise you turn on the machine and can vacuum at full power if you want and not change the speed, but the option is there if you want it.

Yes, the Hoover Windtunnel Anniversary is very SIMILAR to the Royal Lexon SR30020 but NOT the same. Both have same attachment set, similar styling on suction unit. However the hose and power nozzle are MAJOR upgrades on the Royal. The hose on the Hoover is AWFUL-- very hard to maneuver, not a comfortable grip. In contrast the hose on the Royal is AWESOME!!! So comfortable in your hand, the powerhead self propels itself along easily and really cleans well. The design of that newer style power nozzle other than not having a headlight is amazing. Everything from the handle release button, motor protection reset, 4 height adjustment, rubber coated large wheels for front and back, metal axles for front wheels, wheels on rear reach out the back for easy maneuvering. These units are very nice. Many consider the suction unit to be designed like a Miele. Vac shops recommend them. 4 swivel caster rubber coated wheel design on suction unit, long cord, air turbine Windtunnel mini attachment included.

Don't overlook Riccar/ Simplicity. Quality builds, metal baseplates, metal agitators, 6 height adjustment, headlight, several styles to choose from, large attachment variety, parts are less expensive to get than Miele if needed. Sealed systems with S-class Hepa filtration.

I've never seen or used one in real life but Miracle Mate machines look interesting along with the Lindhaus Aria canisters.

Many recommend Sebo, I can not. I've had terrible experience with their cleaning performance and find their machines to have underpowered power nozzles and overall the most inconvenient, non-user-friendly designs. I'd much rather see you with a Miele, Riccar, Simplicity, Lindhaus, Miracle Mate, Thermax, Sanitaire, Rainbow, Hoover, Panasonic, Oreck Quest Pro or numerous vintage lines.

The machines I've listed are all current market brand new models. Of course if you checked eBay and local Craigslist you may be able to land yourself a nice used older machine whether it be an Electrolux Jubilee, Hoover Dimension 1000, Eureka RotoMatic, Tri-Star or many other others.

 

[durango159]

Here's a Hyla in White County, AR for $200

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/hsh/3371161168.html