Anyone use a canister vacuum?

[firsttimemommy]

I got my Dyson (yay!) but now want a 2nd vac (2 story house and I'm lazy LOL) and was considering a canister vacuum for versatility (stairs, upholstery). Does anyone have one - if so how do you like it compared to an upright and are there any specific brand recommendations?

Thanks!!!!!

Ronda
Proud Mommy to 2 adorable munchkins - 1/03 and 4/04

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes........that way you are a mile away and you have their shoes."

[ellies mom]

I have a Kenmore cannister. I really like it. I bought it to be my "downstairs" vacuum. Obviously, I'm a bit lazy too. ;) At anyrate, the reason I chose the cannister vacuum was because our downstairs had mostly hard flooring with just a touch of carpeting. I hated the upright on the hard flooring because it mostly just puffed the animal hair along in front of it. The canister vac doesn't do that. I also think the attachments are easier to use on the canister as well as being easier for stairs. One thing on that note, make sure it is designed to hold itself up on the stairs.

[ellies mom]

I have a Kenmore cannister. I really like it. I bought it to be my "downstairs" vacuum. Obviously, I'm a bit lazy too. ;) At anyrate, the reason I chose the cannister vacuum was because our downstairs had mostly hard flooring with just a touch of carpeting. I hated the upright on the hard flooring because it mostly just puffed the animal hair along in front of it. The canister vac doesn't do that. I also think the attachments are easier to use on the canister as well as being easier for stairs. One thing on that note, make sure it is designed to hold itself up on the stairs.

[mudder17]

We have a Kenmore vac too (progressive) and we got it over the Dyson, mostly because of $$. But it does a great job on our carpets (the few that we have) and the wooden floors and picks up the cat hair (and my hair, which is actually more problematic) quite well. We only have one level, so only one vacuum. If we ever get a second level, we'll probably still stick to the Kenmore. Oh, actually, I sort of lied. We have two other vacuums--the Black and Decker Dustbuster (how did I ever live without it before!) and a Shark small upright for small messes.


Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 28 months...
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_-6_Kaya+is.png
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[mudder17]

We have a Kenmore vac too (progressive) and we got it over the Dyson, mostly because of $$. But it does a great job on our carpets (the few that we have) and the wooden floors and picks up the cat hair (and my hair, which is actually more problematic) quite well. We only have one level, so only one vacuum. If we ever get a second level, we'll probably still stick to the Kenmore. Oh, actually, I sort of lied. We have two other vacuums--the Black and Decker Dustbuster (how did I ever live without it before!) and a Shark small upright for small messes.


Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 28 months...
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_-6_Kaya+is.png
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[lizajane]

i cannot say enough about my sanitaire commercial cansiter vac. it sucks like CRAZY. my mom got it for my for christmas because she says that all the other kinds she has tried just don't measure up.

[lizajane]

i cannot say enough about my sanitaire commercial cansiter vac. it sucks like CRAZY. my mom got it for my for christmas because she says that all the other kinds she has tried just don't measure up.

[firsttimemommy]

Thanks for the recs ladies ;) I got the dyson for the upstairs b/c it is ALL carpet. So I definitely want something tile/wood floor friendly for downstairs since it will be a combination of the two (sans one room).

I did a little more research last night. On another post another BBB'er rec'd the Eureka Optima. It's an upright but a small one. It has the ability to turn off the brushroller so that theoretically you can vacc hardwood/tile floors without all the stuff being pushed about instead of sucked up. So it's in the running now along with the cannisters. Although I am tempted a bit more by the cannister at this point b/c of the stair issue. IT just seems like it will be so much easier to use on stairs.

Thanks again!
Ronda
Proud Mommy to 2 adorable munchkins - 1/03 and 4/04

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes........that way you are a mile away and you have their shoes."

[firsttimemommy]

Thanks for the recs ladies ;) I got the dyson for the upstairs b/c it is ALL carpet. So I definitely want something tile/wood floor friendly for downstairs since it will be a combination of the two (sans one room).

I did a little more research last night. On another post another BBB'er rec'd the Eureka Optima. It's an upright but a small one. It has the ability to turn off the brushroller so that theoretically you can vacc hardwood/tile floors without all the stuff being pushed about instead of sucked up. So it's in the running now along with the cannisters. Although I am tempted a bit more by the cannister at this point b/c of the stair issue. IT just seems like it will be so much easier to use on stairs.

Thanks again!
Ronda
Proud Mommy to 2 adorable munchkins - 1/03 and 4/04

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes........that way you are a mile away and you have their shoes."

[bostonsmama]

I just convinced my aunt to buy a Kenmore Progressive canister vacuum cleaner. She got the top rated model by Consumer Reports, the 25914 (although they've updated it for this year by putting on an extra 2ft on the cord). She just bought it yesterday and used it and so far loves it. She has gorgeous brazillian cherry hardwood floors all throughout the house and her upright was scratching them even w/ the brush roll turned off. She got a demo at Sears, but she says it rolls so smoothly, has a light on the hose & head to see stuff, it switches from carpet to barefloor w/ the push of a button (instead of manual lever), and it cleans like the dickens. She didn't want a bagless that got her dirty and coughing every time she empties it, so she's happy w/ the bags, which if you buy generically are pretty cheap (6/$3). Anyhow, there's a model 25614 which is a step down in fru-fru features with just as good performance and it's almost half the price ($350 vs $500).

good luck deciding
Larissa

To quote my fellow Marines: Pain is the weakness leaving your body.
Baseline July 25th.

Proud Aunt to Jack Dorian, born to my bro & SIL 3/06
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32719.jpg

[mudder17]

Yeah, we got the $350 version, I'm pretty sure, and I actually prefer having a bag (and a HEPA filter). I also like how the vacuum part can go nearly flat so you can easily get it under our chairs and futon and yes, being able to switch from floor to carpet (a must at our house) with the touch of a button is excellent. The powered attachment is EXCELLENT for removing the cat hair from our 7ft cat tree.


Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 28 months...
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_-6_Kaya+is.png
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[rfeibelm]

I've got the Electrolux Oxygen 3. I just got it a month ago as we've moved and now have ALL hardwoods (not even a throw rug in sight yet). It is awesome and I would dhighly recommend it!