Need vacuum cleaner recommendations

[ElectricBarbarella]

I need something with major suckage. I don't care if it is bagged or bagless to be honest, though we would prefer hepa bagless.

But 12 amps ain't cutting it. I need major suckage. 3 dogs, 2 birds, a guinea, 2 turtles, hermit crabs, and fish--yeah, major suckage.

And preferable under $300. Or right at that. Something that just has the sucking power of a Hoover or Kirby but isn't going to break my bank or require me to do an "in home demonstration" before purchase (kirby).

Hyperbole, but I almost want it to be so powerful its ripping my carpet up.

[Mama Duck]

There are days when I love my Dyson Upright Animal more than I love my kids. Only vacuum I've ever seen that you can actually tell cleans the carpets, not justs picks up dirt. Apparently, Hoover's take on Dyson is comparable. I love the bagless feature. And I'm pretty sure I could vacuum my yard with my Dyson.

[ElectricBarbarella]

Originally Posted by Mama Duck

There are days when I love my Dyson Upright Animal more than I love my kids. Only vacuum I've ever seen that you can actually tell cleans the carpets, not justs picks up dirt.

model number? price? I'll look it up.. is this the one that has the roller ball on it?

[Lainie]

Check Consumer Reports. The vacuum I bought recently (can't recall make/model) was a CR Best Buy and cost less than $100, but in CR's tests it outperformed the Dyson Animal in picking up animal hair. It is very heavy, but I can put up with that.

[glass papaya]

I totally love my Dyson DC14. I would rescue it if my house caught fire.

Side story: One of my older son's friends is a Kirby salesman. He came over to practice recently before starting the real sales job. He got really frustrated because my house was too clean and he couldn't do the regular Kirby "look at how filthy your carpet/bed/couch is omgeleventyseven!!!" pitch. That Kirby didn't find much to pick up.

[ElectricBarbarella]

I never thought about CR.. I'm there now. Thanks

[Mama Duck]

Originally Posted by ElectricBarbarella

model number? price? I'll look it up.. is this the one that has the roller ball on it?

DC15, no roller ball. It can retail is $550 but you can get them around $300 if you hunt for it. See Lainie's post below. I know CR has some good takes on Dyson knock-offs.

[FrogFeathers]

Originally Posted by Mama Duck

There are days when I love my Dyson Upright Animal more than I love my kids. Only vacuum I've ever seen that you can actually tell cleans the carpets, not justs picks up dirt. Apparently, Hoover's take on Dyson is comparable. I love the bagless feature. And I'm pretty sure I could vacuum my yard with my Dyson.

I concur!

I love our Dyson Animal.

[ElectricBarbarella]

Okay, you have to pay CR to see anything. That kind of defeats the purpose for me. I'm still browsing.

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by ElectricBarbarella

Okay, you have to pay CR to see anything. That kind of defeats the purpose for me. I'm still browsing.

CR charges for its ratings because it doesn't accept advertising. When I'm looking to buy something, I just buy a month-to-month subscription for $4.95 and remember to cancel it.

[ElectricBarbarella]

I'll see if he'll let me do that. I don't know if he wants a CR that badly though. DH just told me he wasn't spending $500 on a vacuum, so unless I can find a knock-off, the dyson is out.

[Lainie]

You can look at CR ratings for free at most libraries.

[ElectricBarbarella]

Originally Posted by Lainie

You can look at CR ratings for free at most libraries.

In book form, right? I did not realize libraries would pay for something like that on the internet. He just called me and told me to call him again once he gets to his second job (appliances) and he'll see if he can access their CR site.

If that doesn't work, I'll take a trip to the library I guess.

[CSGirl]

We have a Hoover upright bagless wind tunnel something-or-other, that comes with a pet hair tool.

It was $200-something, I think. It works great- we have 3 cats and it actually picks up hair, and the attachment is great for furniture.

ETA: not sure if this is exactly it, but similar.

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by ElectricBarbarella

In book form, right? I did not realize libraries would pay for something like that on the internet. He just called me and told me to call him again once he gets to his second job (appliances) and he'll see if he can access their CR site.

If that doesn't work, I'll take a trip to the library I guess.

Libararies usually have the annual rating books, but for the most current recommendations, you'd probably be looking at an issue of the magazine. They might have them online; libraries pay for all kinds of online information sources. Some libraries subscribe to Rosetta Stone.

[ElectricBarbarella]

Originally Posted by Lainie

Libararies usually have the annual rating books, but for the most current recommendations, you'd probably be looking at an issue of the magazine. They might have them online; libraries pay for all kinds of online information sources. Some libraries subscribe to Rosetta Stone.

This may be local only (though I've heard from other homeschoolers around the country on it), but I think Rosetta Stone actually stopped that. I know none of the libraries within any kind of decent distance of me, have it any more and the major one used to.

I will go get the book form or check their online stuff if he cannot access it at work.

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by ElectricBarbarella

I will go get the book form or check their online stuff if he cannot access it at work.

Again, the magazine will probably offer more recent recommendations than the annual ratings books.

[DawnStorm]

Has anyone had any experience with Bissels?

[ElectricBarbarella]

Originally Posted by DawnStorm

Has anyone had any experience with Bissels?

Yes, and that's why I am looking for another one. My bissell powerforce (bagged) is dead after only 2 years of use. And, even though I should be, I am not a power user. It's a good vacuum for everyday, small amount usage, but it looses suckage too quickly.

But then again, I need a power vacuum for my home, so maybe that's why it's dead...

[Mama Duck]

Originally Posted by DawnStorm

Has anyone had any experience with Bissels?

I had a series of el cheapo Bissels when I first got married. Then my extremely kind in-laws bought me my Dyson. There is no comparison. Next to the Dyson, or like vacuum, Bissels appear to actually put down dirt and pet hair.