Q for the vacuum experts

[Charles Kozierok]

For some reason this forum seems to have a lot of people who know a great deal about vacuums, so I'm hoping for a bit of advice.

I've got a Kenmore vacuum, not sure what the right name is for the style, but it's this one:

We've had it for several years now, at least four or five, maybe even seven or eight. It's worked fine, generally, though never struck me as being particularly great. We've managed to lose or break most of the attachments, except for the main head which still works. Sort of.

It started making a lot of noise so I opened it up and when I removed the roller brush, some ball bearings fell out and scattered on the floor. I'm assuming this is the mechanical device equivalent of smoke coming out of an electronic component. It looks like at least $30 to replace it. The vacuum head is also missing a wheel, though that's not essential. And this unit uses bags, which I hate, and we just ran out.

So, obvious question -- repair or replace? It won't cost a lot to fix this thing up, but I keep thinking I'm going to have the motor burn out two weeks later or something.

If I did want to replace this unit, what am I looking at for a good, solid full-featured, decent-quality vacuum these days? What would you recommend?

Thanks.

 

[Mixolydian]

I have an Oreck and it's awesome, but it's a bagged vacuum - which IMO is far superior to anything bag-less out there. The thing I like most about it is that it is so lightweight. I can literally pick it up with one finger. I typically only have to change the bag once a year, as opposed to emptying the canister each time with a bag-less vacuum.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Spend $100-150 for a vacuum.

If you want to support your local small business, go see a shop and get something good from them.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Thanks for the replies.

I can live with the bags if necessary to get a good unit. I just don't want to buy more for this one if we're going to replace it.

Which Oreck do you have?

The funny thing is that I just went to Consumer Reports, and their #2 rated canister vacuum looks like an updated version of the one we already have.

Even more odd is that it has very mediocre reviews on the Kenmore site itself, with a lot of people saying the quality has gone way downhill from the one I already own. This is making me feel like I might be better off just repairing the one I have.

Plus, I don't like waste and dislike the idea that I'm contributing to our "disposable society", if it's not necessary.

 

[MayorOfAmerica]

A bit off topic OP since I'm not a vacuum expert, but this forum really does seem to have a lot of vacuum experts, which is hilarious to me for some reason.

 

[Mixolydian]

Which Oreck do you have?

I'm pretty sure it's called the "XL Pro" or "XL Plus" or something like that. I can't remember exactly. I've had it for several years and it works great.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Thanks. I looked it up and the first model I found was the "XL Pro Plus". It's discontinued, though.

The pricier Orecks seem to have good reviews; the less expensive ones, not so much.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Everyone I know who has a Dyson is happy with it including me, but they do cost $300+ on sale (Amazon - DC25 - $370 at 25% off).

If you search here on "Dyson" you'll find the last couple of threads on it, and those will include what people recommend as cheaper alternatives.

 

[minendo]

Everyone I know who has a Dyson is happy with it including me, but they do cost $300+ on sale (Amazon - DC25 - $370 at 25% off).

If you search here on "Dyson" you'll find the last couple of threads on it, and those will include what people recommend as cheaper alternatives.

I've got the Dyson DC28 and it has been great. Handles all surfaces well and is great in removing pet hair from the carpet.

 

[MonKENy]

dyson, kirby, or oreck

oreck magnesium I think is supposed to be really good. Kirby is very expensive but should last 20years, dyson is good but out of warranty is very expensive to fix

 

[BUTCH1]

I have an Oreck and it's awesome, but it's a bagged vacuum - which IMO is far superior to anything bag-less out there. The thing I like most about it is that it is so lightweight. I can literally pick it up with one finger. I typically only have to change the bag once a year, as opposed to emptying the canister each time with a bag-less vacuum.

If your only changing out your bag once a year you cant be vacuuming much, I have an Eureka and get 3-4 times of usage and the bag is full. Just bought my mom a Bissell bagless for around $80 and it took so much cat hair out of her rugs it had to be emptied 3 times (she's 83 and thought her 15yr old dirt devil was a good vac, ugh). I always thought the bagged vacs were better until I saw what the Bissell could do, only problem was a small amount of leakage that let some fine dust on top of the machine, it cleaned up with a damp rag just fine, probably because my Mom's rugs were in such bad shape..

 

[Anonemous]

Shark Rotator Pro lift away is pretty good comparable to Dyson DC41. $250 MSRP with 20% coupons floating around makes it $200 from BB&B. 5year warranty with Costco like returns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro4bandr6vE

 

[Pardus]

hoover tempo widepath upright. Had this for 4 years, love it.

 

[brianmanahan]

expected this to be about Q from star trek

leaving disappointed

 

[Mixolydian]

If your only changing out your bag once a year you cant be vacuuming much,

At least once a week, sometimes two.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Once you go Dyson you never go back. We bought one 7 years or so ago and we aren't ready on it with having dogs and kids. Works like new.

 

[gorb]

I have a dyson dc18 total access, a kirby ultimate, and a shark nv355. The dyson is my favorite, but it needs to be serviced or cleaned because it hasn't been working well recently. I've been using the shark instead. The kirby is nice too but it's not very convenient to use.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Thanks for all the advice.

A couple of years ago I made a decision that I was done with buying cheap equipment that lasts a couple of years and then needs to be replaced. So when I buy a new vacuum, I will get a Dyson or one of the other good brands, and hope I can get a decade out of it.

The current machine is still mostly functional, though. So I may just get a new roller brush and see if we can get a couple of more years out of it, then buy a new vacuum.

 

[K1052]

I also would have to recommend Dyson. If you're patient you can find them for substantial discounts (30-50% off sometimes) when they're changing models, at those prices none of the comparable units can touch them.

 

[Jaskalas]

Got about 8 years out of the last Dyson. They're good, but you pay the premium.

Older one, IMO, was better than the newer ones. Make sure you get the sort you need. Ex: Adjusting head for rugs, can handle hair, has a long cord - etc. There are models without those "features".

 

[Harrod]

Heres a review I found comparing 3 models. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NyaRS1Sk0g

 

[smullet]

If your only changing out your bag once a year you cant be vacuuming much, I have an Eureka and get 3-4 times of usage and the bag is full. Just bought my mom a Bissell bagless for around $80 and it took so much cat hair out of her rugs it had to be emptied 3 times (she's 83 and thought her 15yr old dirt devil was a good vac, ugh). I always thought the bagged vacs were better until I saw what the Bissell could do, only problem was a small amount of leakage that let some fine dust on top of the machine, it cleaned up with a damp rag just fine, probably because my Mom's rugs were in such bad shape..

I change the bags on my Panasonic bagged canister vacuum maybe once every 2-3 months. Each bag is around $1.50. I have 2 cats and vacuum 3-4 times a week, around 1400 sqf. I can't imagine having to change bags every 3-4 times vacuuming.

I also have a bagless Hoover, I needed to empty that every time I vacuum. The bagless fluffs up the cat hair in the dust bin. It just looks like the bagless is picking up a ton more stuff. However, the bagged vacuum "compresses" the cat hair in the bag and is actually much more powerfull. I much prefer my bagged vacuum.

 

[Baked]

I like to dual wield my pair of Dyson DC33s when I vacuum. Got them both from Costco. This model can adjust for flat surface and carpet. I like it a lot. After using the bagless Dynson for a year, I will never go back to bag vacuum.

 

[darrontrask]

Woot has the Dyson DC25 for 229.99. refurbed. Not sure if thats a good price or not just throwing it out there.

 

[MonKENy]

look for sales and buy new, you can get a dyson for 350-375 new if you shop around and look for specials