The carpet tumbleweeds are taking over!
June 14, 2010 3:12 PM Subscribe
Upright vacuum recs? Our Oreck is well and truly DEAD.
We've had the thing for about 12 years. It's done, trust me on that.
Here's what we need in its place:
An upright with a beater bar (very important) and a stretchy wand thing. Don't need much else. Hoping not to spend more than $200 smackers.
We don't care about:
1. weight
2. whether it's bagged or bagless
2. whether it's corded or cordless
Bonus if it's not a hideous bulk of plastic, like most Bissells seem to be.
Help a housekeeper out?
We've had the thing for about 12 years. It's done, trust me on that.
Here's what we need in its place:
An upright with a beater bar (very important) and a stretchy wand thing. Don't need much else. Hoping not to spend more than $200 smackers.
We don't care about:
1. weight
2. whether it's bagged or bagless
2. whether it's corded or cordless
Bonus if it's not a hideous bulk of plastic, like most Bissells seem to be.
Help a housekeeper out?
I can't say enough positive things about Dyson vacuums.
However, they are more expensive than $200.
posted by dfriedman at 3:32 PM on June 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
However, they are more expensive than $200.
posted by dfriedman at 3:32 PM on June 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
Agreed with dfriedman about the Dysons. I have one and it picks up everything. Also, while you'll pay more than $200, the warrenty is worth it. My sister called them to get a replacement part when her husband used theirs in a somewhat unorthodox fashion to vacuum out the heating vents, fully expecting to pay for the part, and the customer service rep just said, "Aw, well, they should be tougher than that!", and she got the part for free within a week.
posted by Kurichina at 3:46 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by Kurichina at 3:46 PM on June 14, 2010
My husband was a vacuum repairman for several years, and he highly recommends you increase your budget to the $400 range if you want something that will last more than a few years, especially if you get a bagless (as the dirt has a tendency to break down parts in plastic bagless vacuums). He's fairly negative about Dysons, too--he feels they're overpriced considering their lifespan (though he admitted that he doesn't know details about their warranties). He had to replace the motor on his mother's Dyson after two years.
He worked at an Aerus Electrolux franchise (though he serviced all sorts of vacuums), and so might be biased when he recommends them, but found that they were easier to service and generally lasted longer. Even their entry-level vacuums come with five-year warranties. Any model will come with a beater bar. As for the stretchy wand thing, he says they don't make them anymore: "A stretchy wand thing is a recipe for a horrible clog. We made them for awhile but don't anymore. But you can put a hose on any electrolux upright."
(Keep in mind that there are two separate companies operating under the Electrolux name--one sells products in stores such as sears, the other under independent franchises; what you're looking for if you follow his advice is an independent franchise.)
I know this all sounds like a huge ad, but it's straight form the vacuum repairman's mouth. He says that Oreck is more okay than other brands in terms of lifespan/repairs, but only marginally. He says that you should either get a sub-$100 piece of plastic, knowing it will probably fall apart within a year, or get an Aerus Electrolux if you're going to consider higher end machines.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:04 PM on June 14, 2010
He worked at an Aerus Electrolux franchise (though he serviced all sorts of vacuums), and so might be biased when he recommends them, but found that they were easier to service and generally lasted longer. Even their entry-level vacuums come with five-year warranties. Any model will come with a beater bar. As for the stretchy wand thing, he says they don't make them anymore: "A stretchy wand thing is a recipe for a horrible clog. We made them for awhile but don't anymore. But you can put a hose on any electrolux upright."
(Keep in mind that there are two separate companies operating under the Electrolux name--one sells products in stores such as sears, the other under independent franchises; what you're looking for if you follow his advice is an independent franchise.)
I know this all sounds like a huge ad, but it's straight form the vacuum repairman's mouth. He says that Oreck is more okay than other brands in terms of lifespan/repairs, but only marginally. He says that you should either get a sub-$100 piece of plastic, knowing it will probably fall apart within a year, or get an Aerus Electrolux if you're going to consider higher end machines.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:04 PM on June 14, 2010
We picked up a Shark at Tarzhay and like it a lot so far, but we've only had it a few months and so can't speak to its reliability.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 4:05 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 4:05 PM on June 14, 2010
(Oh, and something to consider: sometimes franchises will resell ancient vacuums that have been repaired and refurbed, or you can find them cheap on craigslist. As good as the new electroluxes are, almost nothing can beat the ones that were made 30 years ago. In fact, the mister and I are using one that's easily that old, and it still works like a . . . really good vacuum.)
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:16 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:16 PM on June 14, 2010
FYI on the Dyson--if you have a Bed Bath & Beyond near you, they put out coupons a few times a year that can knock the price down to like $350. Still a bit over budget, but if you end up considering one, do look out for the coupon. That's how we managed to afford ours, which I love and polish and whisper sweet nothings to. (We've had it three years and no troubles, and I vacuum allllllll the time. And it's fallen down the stairs. Twice.)
posted by Fui Non Sum at 4:20 PM on June 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Fui Non Sum at 4:20 PM on June 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
Nthing the Dyson's. We've tried just about every major brand, and they've all lasted about 6 months and it's not like we're abusing them. Refurb Dyson's holding up over 2 years without any problems. Deals can frequently be found on Woot for refurbs or new (like today for the Dyson canister).
posted by Runes at 4:32 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by Runes at 4:32 PM on June 14, 2010
My Dyson refurb was either $200 or $250 at Big Lots.
posted by buggzzee23 at 4:47 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by buggzzee23 at 4:47 PM on June 14, 2010
Woot has the Dyson for $399 today if you decide to go with the recommendations. I have the Tempo too. It's lasted me over three years, costs around $75, and has done a good job of taking care of business.
posted by tenaciousd at 5:28 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by tenaciousd at 5:28 PM on June 14, 2010
I got a great deal on a refurbed dyson on woot ($130!) and I love that thing so much, I hate to put it in the closet ;) It replaced a perfectly good hoover tempo, which I've passed on to a friend, so I'd definitely recommend that as an alternative.
posted by lemniskate at 5:36 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by lemniskate at 5:36 PM on June 14, 2010
I agree with previous posts on Dyson. Great machines with great warranties. The Dyson ball is very functional and worth the cash. We have had ours for a year and my wife won't go back to a normal vacuum. Good luck!
posted by dbbaily at 6:18 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by dbbaily at 6:18 PM on June 14, 2010
I've got a subscription to Consumer Reports.org, and I did a quick check for you. They score vacuum cleaners on their ability to clean carpet, clean wood floors, total airflow, noise, emissions, handling, pet hair.
According to their website, the best upright vacuum cleaner is the Hoover WindTunnel Anniversary Edition (U6485-900) which they say costs $230. They said it was best working on carpet and wood floors, but was a little on the noisy side.
A little less expensive was the Eureka Boss Smart Vac (4870) which they claim costs about $160. It works best for hardwood floors and picking up pet hair, but it's apparently a little hard to handle.
According to their tests in regards to repairs, of the 12 upright brands they mentioned in the article, the Kirby line was the most reliable brand. Dyson was #2. Oreck was #7. Electrolux was #9, and Hoover was at the bottom of the list, at #12.
posted by crunchland at 6:28 PM on June 14, 2010
According to their website, the best upright vacuum cleaner is the Hoover WindTunnel Anniversary Edition (U6485-900) which they say costs $230. They said it was best working on carpet and wood floors, but was a little on the noisy side.
A little less expensive was the Eureka Boss Smart Vac (4870) which they claim costs about $160. It works best for hardwood floors and picking up pet hair, but it's apparently a little hard to handle.
According to their tests in regards to repairs, of the 12 upright brands they mentioned in the article, the Kirby line was the most reliable brand. Dyson was #2. Oreck was #7. Electrolux was #9, and Hoover was at the bottom of the list, at #12.
posted by crunchland at 6:28 PM on June 14, 2010
We have a Bissell Pet Hair Eraser bagless and recommend it.
posted by kindall at 8:05 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by kindall at 8:05 PM on June 14, 2010
Response by poster: ^ and that's the thing. We're saving up for this but that's going to be awhile and we need something in the interim. On second thought, I'm not crazy about buying a cheap Made in China crappy vacuum destined for the landfill in a few years. Maybe I'll just use our good carpet sweeper until we can pile up the dough for the Miele.
posted by BostonTerrier at 7:43 AM on June 15, 2010
posted by BostonTerrier at 7:43 AM on June 15, 2010
My 15 year old Miele still works. I'm not a good housekeeper though so it doesn't get as much of a workout as it should.
posted by chairface at 1:44 PM on June 15, 2010
posted by chairface at 1:44 PM on June 15, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by elsietheeel at 3:24 PM on June 14, 2010