Rec for a basic vacuum

[MontrealMum]

We bought this vacuum: http://www.sears.ca/product/kenmore-md-12-amp-upright-bagged-vacuum/200330801 kenmore vac[/URL] from Sears a few years ago when our Hoover finally died. Previous vac had also been a refurbished Hoover. When I tried out the Kenmore (which was highly rated) once DH brought it home, I thought that it must be the heaviest vacuum on the planet! DH refused to return it because it "works well". So, a few years later and I just can't take it anymore. I'm in fairly good shape, but vacuuming our super-small house does a huge number on my back and I still have a toddler that I need to be able to cart around.

Does anyone have a rec for a vac, under $300 (since this is a want, not a need), with a hose attachment, that works well and doesn't weigh a ton? Must have a bag due to allergies - so we can't do a Dyson.

Or if you have a link to a site that lists vacuums' weights, that'd be good too :)

[wendibird22]

We have this Hoover http://www.amazon.com/Hoover-U5140-900-Widepath-Bagged-Upright/dp/B0009ONZ8G

Was rated a Consumer Reports best buy a few years back. We think it works really well even after 4 yrs of heavy use (toddler and a hairy dog). I think we got ours at BJs for under $80.

[WatchingThemGrow]

And we can't talk you into a Miele?

[MontrealMum]

The one on the Sears site is $599 - I don't think DH is going to go for that! I'm hoping that this might be something I can get with his massive Airmiles points, but I haven't explained that to him yet ;)

[Happy 2B mommy]

I second the rec for the cheap Hoover. I purchased it 2 years ago for my dad -who is in his 80's. I think it does a great job and it's quite light. Noisy, but cleans really well.

[katydid1971]

The Eureka Boss always gets pretty good reviews. It costs around $150 and is sold everywhere. Plus the bags and filters aren't too expensive either.

[Andi98989]

We have a BISSELL Velocity and love it

http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/UprightVacuum/p/velocity/product.aspx?MSCSProfile=2EB09F17E7A640E9CB747DEC0 4C54923CFE69B0A22CFCACA089C5F36DEA3BAAB538FD83E8B8 344B1880EA0AE3C70F9EDC30BBFDE0794AEFEBE62C85FEDE76 A49E1A2E89010F19E7E1C0AD4722DC42BF96248139419575D6 E54DF3910664D8A6FA0C8B3D9794048B945E0494EAFABB7413 9DF74F1040D63A85DD4A4908394112D71C487529590CCF0

[MontrealMum]

Thanks for the recs, guys! Those all look good, and I especially like that they're less than $150! Will go check them out later this well.

[hellokitty]

We have a BISSELL Velocity and love it

http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/UprightVacuum/p/velocity/product.aspx?MSCSProfile=2EB09F17E7A640E9CB747DEC0 4C54923CFE69B0A22CFCACA089C5F36DEA3BAAB538FD83E8B8 344B1880EA0AE3C70F9EDC30BBFDE0794AEFEBE62C85FEDE76 A49E1A2E89010F19E7E1C0AD4722DC42BF96248139419575D6 E54DF3910664D8A6FA0C8B3D9794048B945E0494EAFABB7413 9DF74F1040D63A85DD4A4908394112D71C487529590CCF0

Not to steal this thread, but may I ask how long you've had it? I'm so fed up with vacuum cleaner shopping that now I keep putting it off. I had a bissell I bought like 15+ yrs ago in college. It is very basic and it still works, but it is LOUD and gets REALLY hot. Plus, I've discovered that I can no longer find bags for it. Well, five yrs ago, I decided to get a Hoover Savvy, it got top ratings from Good Housekeeping. HUGE mistake, that thing is horrible, sometimes the brush works, sometimes it doesn't, we have already changed the handle out with the power switch, b/c it broke. I am ready to throw that thing away, plus it's very heavy. Our Bissell still works, so I have been using that, but it is very basic (cord is too short, on board accessories aren't the greatest). I'm impressed that it still works though and b/c of that, considering another Bissell.

Oh and OP, the heaviest vacuum cleaner is the darn KIRBY! My mom had one and I hated using that thing. It felt like you were pushing a military tank around. I don't understand why ppl like kirbys so much, their performance is mediocre, they'r over-priced and they are freakishly heavy.

[Happy 2B mommy]

The Eureka Boss always gets pretty good reviews. It costs around $150 and is sold everywhere. Plus the bags and filters aren't too expensive either.

I have this at my house. I like it, but it is pretty heavy. If you want a lighter vacuum, I think the hoover is you best bet.

[ThreeofUs]

Check out

http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?search=vacuum&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&ViewAll=17&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=4000001&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=vacuum&Ntt=vacuum&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&s=1&topnav=&Nty=1

They have the Boss for $139.

But here's another idea, given to us by our local vacuum repair shop: buy what the professionals buy, don't buy consumer goods. Consumer goods break, the ones the professionals buy have to be more sturdy *and* they have to work well all the time. We bought a eureka upright (professional model) for about $90, with hose attachment, about 12 years ago and it's still going. Now, it doesn't work with our floors, but we have no intention of getting rid of it. And you can buy hepa bags for it.

Check around. You'll be surprised at how much less expensive the "made for professionals" models are.

[traciann]

I have a basic Oreck vacuum for the past 4 years and I have been super happy. Its very lightweight and I have not had a single problem with it. Its 9 pounds and so light to push. It does not come with the attachments, but you get a seperate handheld vac with the attachments with it. I guess that is to keep it lighter. I have 2 children and 2 cats, so it gets used alot. They have models that are a little nicer, but honestly the basic model is working so well I don't see why I should spend the extra money.
http://www.oreck.com/upright-vacuum-cleaners/power_team_xl_classic.cfm

[katydid1971]

I have a basic Oreck vacuum for the past 4 years and I have been super happy. Its very lightweight and I have not had a single problem with it. Its 9 pounds and so light to push. It does not come with the attachments, but you get a seperate handheld vac with the attachments with it. I guess that is to keep it lighter. I have 2 children and 2 cats, so it gets used alot. They have models that are a little nicer, but honestly the basic model is working so well I don't see why I should spend the extra money.
http://www.oreck.com/upright-vacuum-cleaners/power_team_xl_classic.cfm
Oreck is nice because they are made in the USA and when the factory was damaged by Katrina the company kept paying the employees until it was running again.

[Piglet]

Check the ones at Costco - at the very least if it breaks, you can take it back!

I used to only buy uprights but my cleaning lady suggested a canister vac and we have been really happy with it - much better than the upright and you really don't feel any weight when you vacuum. We have a pretty basic Kenmore.

[octmom]

I have a basic Oreck vacuum for the past 4 years and I have been super happy. Its very lightweight and I have not had a single problem with it. Its 9 pounds and so light to push. It does not come with the attachments, but you get a seperate handheld vac with the attachments with it. I guess that is to keep it lighter. I have 2 children and 2 cats, so it gets used alot. They have models that are a little nicer, but honestly the basic model is working so well I don't see why I should spend the extra money.
http://www.oreck.com/upright-vacuum-cleaners/power_team_xl_classic.cfm

:yeahthat: Target just started carrying Orecks too. They have a $199 model and a $299 model that comes with the handheld. I went with the $199 model since I didn't need the handheld. As far as I can tell, the only difference (other than color, I think) is that the $299 model has a light on it. It is super lightweight and works very well. :)