Best Vacuum for Under $400?

[M.D. Holloway]

My Dyson is not performing the way it did when I bought it 7 years ago - OK, no biggie. I am going to buy a new vacuum but i don't want to spend over $400. Any ideas or experience?

[Palum6o]

We got a Kenmore, not sure on the model, but it has several hepa filters on it, it's quiet and powerful

[asphaltgambler]

We have a dyson - pretty much does what they say, and bullet proof. I would suggest a quick disassembly of unit and look for blocked (dirt in) passages. Clean thoroughly with hot water and let all parts dry completely. Good as new. I've done this more than once.

I think dyson is a great value. My $.02

[island911]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

We have a dyson - pretty much does what they say, and bullet proof. I would suggest a quick disassembly of unit and look for blocked (dirt in) passages. ..

But Dyson says it never loses suction. NEVER!

Seriously tho' +1 ...it likely needs a cleaning.

[MysticLlama]

Yep, ours is the same way, as far as needing a cleaning now and then, it eats a lot of dog hair.

We tear it apart every 3-6 months and clean it really well. One place where all plastic comes in handy.

[rouxroux]

Check out "Simplicity"...The Government and many hotel chains use them. Lightweight, but built like a tank. Sold by indy shops, usually the repair shops. Over-engineered, they will show you the highlights of the construction. Not many bells & whistles, but damn, does it work great!

[lane912]

Originally Posted by MysticLlama

Yep, ours is the same way, as far as needing a cleaning now and then, it eats a lot of dog hair.

We tear it apart every 3-6 months and clean it really well. One place where all plastic comes in handy.

dyson is the best i have used.
I clean ours once a year, like new every time-

[mjohnson]

We really like this Panasonic vacuum. HEPA, powered floor brush, long cord with a good (so far) re-tractor.

Amazon.com: Panasonic OptiFlow Lightweight Canister Vacuum Cleaner, Bagged, MC-CG885: Home & Garden

Strong and quiet. Bags are kind of small and you're not going to find them at walmart.

[VincentVega]

I just picked up a Shark from Costco, works great. I think the warranty was 5 yrs.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

We have a dyson - pretty much does what they say, and bullet proof. I would suggest a quick disassembly of unit and look for blocked (dirt in) passages. Clean thoroughly with hot water and let all parts dry completely. Good as new. I've done this more than once.

I think dyson is a great value. My $.02

Yep. We had problems with ours. Usually a combination of hair around the brush, clogged hepa filter or crap clogging the tubes somewhere. Cleaning always fixed it. The only reason that I replaced it is because some of the plastic parts were broken by folks that weren't careful or smart.

[t951]

had dyson for years...just changed to miele....

far better.

the shop described it well......dyson is the bose of the vacuum world.

[mattdavis11]

They're building houses around vacuum systems these days. Vacuum port in every room and collection in the garage. My brother said it's really nice.

I have a $20 bagless dirt devil I bought at a garage sale.

[masraum]

We bought a new Dyson canister version from Sears. I think it was a discontinued model $600 top of the line canister. We got it for $300.

It's not unusual to see factor refurbished Dysons for under $300. Do a google search.

[Hard-Deck]

I 1000+ it.
Dyson, 'nuff said...
Clean yours.

[red-beard]

Refurbished Dysons are around $200.

[nostatic]

Miele

Miele Vacuum Cleaners HEPA Canister Vacuums at Best Vacuum

[Gordo2]

I found this Hoover looking at reviews on Consumer Reports: UH30010COM

I wanted a lightweight model (to maneuver and carry up and down stairs). Before buying, I thought I would miss the normal upright attachments. After owning, I figured out how much nicer it is to have a small, dedicated attachment vacuum (without carrying the stuff around when I don't need it). The little canister is surprisingly powerful - I used to break out my shop vac to clean my vehicles, this thing does the job.

I bought it for ~ $250 about a year ago and couldn't be happier.

Gordo

[MysticLlama]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

They're building houses around vacuum systems these days. Vacuum port in every room and collection in the garage. My brother said it's really nice.

I have a $20 bagless dirt devil I bought at a garage sale.

I would love to have a central vac built-in, but with an added compressed air nozzle to knock dust off of stuff while vacuuming.

[john70t]

Some tips on vaccuuming:
1). There is a natural "lay" of the carpet (all fibers point one direction). Vaccuming against that is the most aggressive on the crapet fibers and the vac can bounce.
2). Set height for different carpets. Too low and the motor/belt can burn up. Start higher and reduce until the brush just touches.
3). Go slow and let the air do it's work. A higher pitch means the filter is clogged.
4). Perform maintinence. Use a compressor to clean the paper filter outside(don't forget the exhaust hepa), and remove hair from the brush bearings so they don't burn up.

We use a bagless hepa for most, and a cloth filter canister for stairs/fans/shelves. Even ones with the charcoal microfiltration bags work pretty good.

Also think about a UV air system in the furnace which destroys bacteria.

[skunked]

Oreck