[2015] Best all around vacuum cleaner

[clifffaith]

I've had a Neato Botvac Pet Model for about a year. The best thing about it is it cleans so I don't have to. Just turn it on and when finished finds its way back to the charger. We have carpet, tile and wood floors and it does a better job than I ever did! We have pets and cleaning up pet hair was becoming a full time job. I was skeptical about the size of the dirt bin, but it is surprisingly adequate, although for us it needs to be emptied weekly. There is an auto feature where you can set it to start automatically to clean when not home or overnight, but I've not used it so can't comment on that. Shockingly, battery life is still like new. I compared reviews with the Roomba and am very happy with the Neato.

I just spent 45 min reading reviews, first talking myself into buying one, then getting stuck on some of the negative reviews (75% were positive 4 & 5 star reviews). I fear 3 carpets with fringe and numerous cat toys on the floor would be problematic. But I think it might be something to keep in mind down the road when my housekeeper retires. She's 66 now and although I have been encouraging her to keep her hospital supervisory cleaning job as long as she is comfortably able so that her social security check grows, she seems set on retiring this spring so we wonder when she will give up "her houses" too. After 30 years I know I will try cleaning myself first rather than try to deal with a stranger in my house. And I don't mind cleaning anything where I'm standing up right at counter level -- bending, kneeling, reaching however are an issue for me. A botvac sounds like it will be worth a try at that point.

 

[1st Class]

I'm surprised no one else has mentioned a Botvac. Really, it cleans like a dream! I tired of replacing cheap Chinese uprights every few years, and the only upright I considered was Dyson. A few years back, I had a brand new, just out of the box, Panasonic upright that picked up a sock and immediately broke the belt. So far, no issues at all with the Neato.

I thought it was time to try something new and have been pleased with my choice. Not sure what reviews you're referring to that give you pause. We have just one carpet with fringe and Neato cleans it but the fringe does need to be straightened out. I pick up any items (shoes and boots go in the closet, toys go in toy box) before Neato begins. The only drawback I see, is inability to do stairs, but DH uses the shop vac on those. We've never had a housekeeper, so I guess this is the next best thing. I still need to swiffer under some of the furniture due to Neato's height, but 2x weekly keeps the house looking presentable.

By way of comparison, Neato has a very gentle gliding action when going around furniture compared to the Roomba. By the time you need one, there likely will be others to choose from.

 

[BellaWyn]

Gave up on having one vacumn that does it all. They can be expensive appliances to own but then, so can the medical bills that have to paid when you ruin yourself trying to haul one all over a large 2-story home. Dysons are at the top of our list but we now own 3 plus a bot that manages itself. (DH's job to empty). One up, one down and one cordless. No more hunting or hauling and when cleaning people come (occasionally) we never get complaints about non-funtioning or low functioning equipment. Gets the job done.

 

[rhonda]

I really fought with my stupid Dyson vacuum today: won't stand upright when using an attachment; attachment wand is too long; etc. I resorted to kicking the d@mn thing to keep it upright. In all that angst, I was reminded of this thread. I *still* hate my Dyson. When will it just die??

 

[jfbookers]

Roomba

 

[Passepartout]

The ol' Hoover Windtunnel still works after these nearly 20 years. I found it wasn't sucking too good last time I used it. Yes, it DID need a good cleaning of it's filters. The housekeeper (and me) don't always do more than open the hopper and dump out the big chunks. Occasionally the thing needs it's filters brushed and rinsed. I haven't replaced them (cheapskate here) but I guess they are replaceable. Maybe someday I'll spring for one of the refurb Dysons I see all the time on Woot. It's a low priority item.

Jim

 

[billymach4]

Any basic vacuum with decent suction works for me. After all what is the point here.

"ALL VACUUMS SUCK"

I mean seriously. Yes they have a beater for carpet and suction. Also the hose disconnect for non carpet uses like cat fuzz and dirt balls.

As far as bare floors. I sweep into a corner. Get the hose and SUCK it with the vacuum.

Dyson, hoover, schmoover, Electrolux, miele, schmiele, shark, Bissel, Schmisshel they all do the same thing. Suction into a bag or canister.

OK some are more powerful. But all you need is suction.

Dyson is a marketing ploy. Just like timeshares from developers. You are paying for the marketing with Dyson.

Just go to Walmart get the cheapest one made in China and call it a day.

Back in the Electrolux days they would sell them door to door with a nice commish for the salesman. Yes they were well made but I thought they were bulky and overpriced.

What did the Electrolux do? SUCK. Quite literally. Same thing as today. Good beater, with a hose.

Also a shop vac for the heavy stuff is good to keep around.

 

[MuranoJo]

I really fought with my stupid Dyson vacuum today: won't stand upright when using an attachment; attachment wand is too long; etc. I resorted to kicking the d@mn thing to keep it upright. In all that angst, I was reminded of this thread. I *still* hate my Dyson. When will it just die??

Huh? Not my experience at all. If the attachment wand is too long, you can disconnect the wand and add an attachment directly to the hose so you can maneuver it closely. Works great for close-up work. I don't know what you mean about keeping it upright--yes, you do need to position it at a right angle and click it into position.

If you really hate the thing, get rid of it and get the cheapest replacement as billymach suggests. Would love to hear what you think a few years down the road.

 

[PStreet1]

I love my Roomba. It's nice to know I don't have to wonder what's under the bed/couch/table or struggle with trying to push something under there to get whatever I can. I don't use it like my kids do (programed); I confine it to an area (like master bedroom/bath/closet) and just leave it working. Since it's random in where it goes, I assume that the longer it's in an area, the more likely it is to go everywhere. I'm amazed at what it collects when I absolutely know what it got in the same area "the day before yesterday." We don't have pets, but my kids do, and with their use of the Roomba, pet hair has ceased to be a cause for concern for them.

 

[easyrider]

I really fought with my stupid Dyson vacuum today: won't stand upright when using an attachment; attachment wand is too long; etc. I resorted to kicking the d@mn thing to keep it upright. In all that angst, I was reminded of this thread. I *still* hate my Dyson. When will it just die??

They never die, lol. Sell it and get a Dyson V8. I think some places take the old Dysons in for trade.

Bill

 

[Talent312]

I *still* hate my Dyson. When will it just die??

You can kill it, take a hacksaw to it, cut it into pieces and bury it in the backyard.
No one will know.

DW is wedded to her Kenmore cannister. When the old one died, she replaced it with the same.
Personally, I don't see the attraction.

.

 

[billymach4]

Why pay hundreds of $$$ for a Vacuum. Here is a good suction vacuum for under $45.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bissell-Bi-Powerforce-Bagged/104757366#about-item

 

[clifffaith]

http://www.scarymommy.com/roomba-meets-pile-of-poop-jesse-newton/

For those of you contemplating a Roomba who also happen to have dogs.

 

[spirits]

36 years ago we read about Filter Queen being a great vacuum. I think it was in Consumer's Report. We got a salesman to come to the house and just wanted the vacuum....didn't want to sit through the spiel. But he insisted (; I still remember him vacuuming in our 1 month old baby's room and the baby did not wake up. Easiest sale he ever made (; We still have the vacuum....had to replace the hose but it really has been a good workhorse for us. Don't know what we will do when it finally dies....got so used to it. I think we will probably get a new one. We paid 350 dollars 37 years ago. Hate to see what price it is today but more importantly, what parts that used to be metal are now cheap plastic?

 

[billymach4]

http://www.scarymommy.com/roomba-meets-pile-of-poop-jesse-newton/

For those of you contemplating a Roomba who also happen to have dogs.

Hmm. Glad I never got the Roomba. No dogs in the house. But I do have cats.

 

[bobby]

My "Big Vac" sold by The Clean Team, now called Speed Cleaning, just died after 21 years. It is a canister that doesn't tip over easily and has a brush that changes from hard floors to carpet with a foot switch. You can also by a rotary brush cleaner if you need one. They are just getting a reintroduction Big Vac, not yet on the website, so call and discuss it. It is a friendly small USA company. Pricey though at $500 plus. Being a senior, I switched to a similar replacement just over $300 and it worked well on first try - suction almost too much! Try https://www.thecleanteam.com/Vacuums_c_23.html If that doesn't work, google "Big Vac replacement bags".


Since they stopped making the old Electrolux models, I have not been able to find the perfect vacuum cleaner. The old machines used to have an attachment for bare floors with a soft brush, and an attachment for rugs

It's making me nuts! Is there a vacuum cleaner out there that works for everything?[/QUOTE]

 

[zeeshanmoroo]

As you can see there are many things to consider when doing a search for good vacuum cleaner information that will help you in your decision making processes. Prior to making your search you should take the time set up a simple comparison chart on a piece of paper will make your comparisons a great deal easier and clearer. Remember the better job you do in gathering your vacuum cleaner information the better chance you will be purchase the best vacuum cleaner for your home or office.

 

[cissy]

I'm astonished at all the favorable comments about Dyson. I bought one for a small fortune and absolutely hate it. It's extremely loud, very heavy and difficult to push around on rugs ( feels like a tank), does not have any edge cleaning capabilities and doesn't pick up any better than my inexpensive Shark.

 

[bogey21]

I bought a used Oreck XL some 6 or 7 years ago for $75. It is still doing the job for me.

George

Addendum to comment. My only issue with it is changing bags is somewhat difficult...

 

[MULTIZ321]

Revival of a three-year old thread.


Richard

 

[rhonda]

I'm astonished at all the favorable comments about Dyson. I bought one for a small fortune and absolutely hate it. It's extremely loud, very heavy and difficult to push around on rugs ( feels like a tank), does not have any edge cleaning capabilities and doesn't pick up any better than my inexpensive Shark.

I noticed you "liked" my similar report, above. That darn Dyson. I still hate it ... and it hasn't died yet. So I guess it has one good thing going for it: Longevity.
From my own posts in this thread I've been hating my Dyson for 5 years + 3 months. Arg.

 

[stmartinfan]

Who's taking bets on which vac company
zeeshanmoroo is a shill for? And how long before he/she returns to enlighten us to the winner of their comparison chart?

 

[easyrider]

One of the best Christmas gift I ever gave my wife is her Dyson v-8.

Bill

 

[chellej]

I bought a shark duo clean several months ago because I have thick wool area rugs, hardwood floors, and 2 dogs that shed. This thing is amazing. The roller has a guard so that hair does not get wrapped around it and it has a microfiber pad that is used for the bare floor mode.

Upright Vacuum | Shark® APEX® DuoClean® with Zero-M™ Vacuum

This powerful upright vacuum features DuoClean® for deep cleaning on floors & carpets and Zero-M™ to actively remove hair wrap from the vacuum brushroll.

direct.sharkclean.com

 

[isisdave]

Who's taking bets on which vac company
zeeshanmoroo is a shill for? And how long before he/she returns to enlighten us to the winner of their comparison chart?

He's been joining a lot of sites in the past few days, and is opining on gas grills in campgroundreviews.com, and also Android apps.