Best Vacuum for under $500?

[M.D. Holloway]

Ok - I finally had it with the piece of ***** Hoover we had so I dropped 4 bills for a Dyson DC07 after a bunch of friends raved about it. So far the thing is pretty darn good. Being a student of failure I tried to id any particular failure points prior to the purchase - I couldn't find that many compared to other vacuums of the same price range. I'm not about to drop one large for a Kirby so hopefully this is it for 5+ years. Anybody have good/bad experiences with these beasts?

[tabs]

Yep...it does have wonderfull suction....wouldn't believe how much fking dust it picks up.....I generally have to empty the canister at least twice....

It has a bit of a problem picking up large items like the dogs though....

[M.D. Holloway]

My 2yr old gest a kick out of the "nortado" that gets created. She watches that think spin around and laughs...

[nostatic]

all i know is my dirt devil blows. Literally. The exhaust vent is low and out the front. The brush just grinds kitty litter into the linoleum. It was less than $100, but even at that it was a waste of money. I need another one. It needs to pick up cat hair (upholstery attachment) and do bare floors (hardwood and linoleum). Do I have to spring for a Dyson? My old Hoover canister seemed to work better than what I've got now, but I didn't take it.

[M.D. Holloway]

On sale at Target - $399 plus a 10% discount if you use the Target card. They have 5 models - go with the DC07 (basic model), there are others that have attachments and upgrades and even one with a large ball instead of wheels - rather cool but for the extra $150, we passed.

Go with the Dyson, you won't regrete it...at least I don't think so.

[nostatic]

does the brush shut off? Looks like the DC14 does...i need to be able to turn the brush off to get the damn litter withough scattering it.

And what attachments come with it? Hard to tell from their site. Looks like it has a hose that extends and maybe a crevice tool, but no upholstery brush?

[M.D. Holloway]

The brush doesn't shut off on the DC07 but it is not a problem. I had a Royal (Dirt Devil) and a Hoover and the brush just shot crap all over whenrolled over hard floors. That does not happen with the Dyson.

You can get a pretty cool attachements like the Animal turbo tool and the mini turbine head - 'the air powered brushbar ensures effective removal of pet hair and fibers..."

Dumping the cannister is a breeze. The wand attachment is a little cumbersome but no more so than other vacs.

Appliance companies should really market to men instead of woman - seems like all the guys I know do the real cleaning, make the decisions on the purchasing of said items and have a pretty decent understanding of the technical prowess of such a device.

[K. Roman]

http://www.mielevacuums.com/

Like a porsche, there is no substitute.

Maybe there is one under 500?

[Fishcop]

I'll second the Miele... I've just dropped $600 on the "Cat & Dog" model that specializes in picking up cat hair (read: the wifes's hair!)

My wife found herself a doctor who diagnosed her with the appropriate allergies to prevent her from doing the vacuuming. Subsequently, I am the vacuum b!tch in our house I saw the opportunity to indulge myself with another "power tool"

[Ronbo]

We've got a DC14 Animal and so far it's been great. Clearly picks up more than our old Hoover Wind Tunnel. Todd, it (at least the DC14) comes with an upholstery brush, along with the other typical tools you would expect. The brush does shut off for bare floors. Also the extension wand is built in and telescopes when needed. It's a nice package.

[DeutschMark]

A vacuum is only as good as agitation by quality brushes with suction being secondary. Surely a Dyson has high suction, but not much better than any other vacuum. Loss of suction is negligible on other vacuums with filters. Look at the brushes on a Dyson, they are really not any different than other vacuums. Dyson is marketed towards men with disposable income that like gadgets.

Nostatic, we have the Bissell liftoff. With two German Shepherds, it receives heavy use. It is less than half the cost of the Dyson. It comes with an upholstery attachment and a "Turbo" brush. You can shut off the brushes for hard floors. The detachable canister is great for cleaning the car.

[Halm]

Dyson Animal is terrific. We dumped the Electrolux and can't believe how good the Dyson really is. For me the proof is in the results. We would vacuum with the old Electrolux and then the Dyson. The cannister has to be emptied twice doing the 14x20 area rug in the family room.

Buy refurb units here:
http://www.best-vacuum.com/hbx/lp-dyson-vacuum.html?s=goog&kw=[Dyson]

[asphaltgambler]

I'm seriously considering the Dyson as well. We need a good replacement. Has anyone looked into Consumer reports to see if they have done testing /comparison on the Dyson Vs other makers??

[island911]

Hmmm. I'm kinda partial to a cenral vac system. Tho' intrigued but the centrifugal filtration scheme . .. in a Rube Goldberg sort of way. How's the exhaust air on those? (does it do a good job filtering/containing stinky stuff?)

[asphaltgambler]

Originally posted by K. Roman
http://www.mielevacuums.com/

Like a porsche, there is no substitute.

Maybe there is one under 500?

Anyone have one of these? Their website has no pricing info (no suprise)

[Westy]

When the Hoover quits (and ours works well on the hardwood floors) we're getting a Dyson. I talked to the salesman at Sears for about a half hour, and I guarentee that's the next one for me. It's good to hear positive things about the Dyson, that really solidifies my decision.

[Shuie]

Im glad I have all tile floors. All I need to clean my house is a mini shop vac and a mop

Seriously, how are Oreck vaccums? I get a discount on those through my employer and I do need a new vaccum for the rugs, etc.

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally posted by island911
Hmmm. I'm kinda partial to a cenral vac system. Tho' intrigued but the centrifugal filtration scheme . .. in a Rube Goldberg sort of way. How's the exhaust air on those? (does it do a good job filtering/containing stinky stuff?)

the export air smeels clean enough - they say they use some HEPA technology. Might be hype but I vacuumed with the Hoover then hit the same spot with the Dyson - stuff come up with the Dyson.

My broher has a Kirby and they swear by it but I just don't feel right about dropping a large for a vacuum - then again, he is loaded so he has no problem spending it!

[Halm]

Mike, I'll bet you can go in after your brother's Kirby and still pick up more.

[M.D. Holloway]

That would kill my Sister-in-law!

The best line was when my Brother said "I could even use this thing as a paint sprayer!"

what

"Ya, thats what the salesman said"

Paint sprayer, you pay people to change your freakin light bulbs!