I need a vacuum cleaner that sucks

citizen059

I need to buy a vacuum cleaner, hopefully one that sucks. As in it picks up dirt and things.

The one we have right now doesn't suck, in fact you could almost say it blows because it seems to fling around more than it picks up (this after a thorough and invasive maintenance and cleaning).

I need either personal commendations on a good everyday household vacuum cleaner, or to be directed to a reputable website that reviews household appliances and doesn't charge you to read them.

Right now I'm getting by with spot cleaning via a dirt devil hand vac. This is not going to suffice!

useless4

How much do you want to spend?

We have five vacuums for reasons that escape me.

The best are Hoover pet vac thing in far distant second (think they run 140 or so) and then our Dyson's pet hair (which is awesome but pricy)

MushroomStick

Whatever you get, get a bagless vacuum. We've got at least 2 vacuums here that would be in perfect working order, except that the bags are either no longer made or at least a pain in the ass to find.

Casually Hardcore

You want a good vacuum?

Cry once and by a Dyson.

These things are freaking Gods of vacuums.

MushroomStick

Its not uncommon for a Dyson to show up on woot.com.

Entriech

We've got a DC-23 Dyson vacuum, the one without the motorized head. It's a god. I didn't know what it was to vacuum until I bought this one.

Just bite the bullet once, and then be happy forever.

Hevach

If your budget allows, try to get your hands on a Filter Queen Majestic. I've got one and it's pretty much the god of vacuum cleaners. You know those ones they show on TV sucking up ridiculous objects and not stopping? Filter Queens can do that in the real world. I managed to suck up almost an entire hot dog bun and all by being careless with the hose once. Made an awful mess inside, but it kept sucking.

Alternately, save money and buy a new house when it gets too dirty. I wouldn't own a Majestic by a long shot if I hadn't gotten it when my grandmother died. If the hose on it breaks it would be cheaper to go out and get a good Dyson than fix it. I think the retail price on a new one these days is upward of a thousand bucks, but looking on ebay I see a couple new ones buy it now as low as $450.

Six

Hevach wrote: »

Alternately, save money and buy a new house when it gets too dirty.

I second this advice.

Creepy

We've had pretty good luck with the lower end Orecks.

Akilae729

Amazon!

I've been using one of these for a few years now and it's pretty awesome for an apartment size space. Its also cheap.

schuss

Also - remember to check your vacuum for clogs. I have to clean out our crappy one every month or so.

useless4

Hevach wrote: »

If your budget allows, try to get your hands on a Filter Queen Majestic. I've got one and it's pretty much the god of vacuum cleaners. You know those ones they show on TV sucking up ridiculous objects and not stopping? Filter Queens can do that in the real world. I managed to suck up almost an entire hot dog bun and all by being careless with the hose once. Made an awful mess inside, but it kept sucking.

Alternately, save money and buy a new house when it gets too dirty. I wouldn't own a Majestic by a long shot if I hadn't gotten it when my grandmother died. If the hose on it breaks it would be cheaper to go out and get a good Dyson than fix it. I think the retail price on a new one these days is upward of a thousand bucks, but looking on ebay I see a couple new ones buy it now as low as $450.

Holy crap they don't even call that thing a vacuum. It's a surface cleaning device.

That brings up an interesting - if somewhat dying - aspect of vacuum ownership.
"Special" Vacuums.

Vacuums that cost over $1000 that come from specialized sources such as the internet or door to door salesmen. I had a cousin sucked into selling Rainbow vacuums once and almost beat the living shit out of him when he managed to sell one to my grandmother (his only sale).

Kirby was another one. As a kid I could never figure out why EVERYONE in the neighbor hood had the same vacuum but us. I have since learned it's because my mother is both highly specific and economical about vacuum purchases.

If you spend $300+ on a vacuum I still recommend a Dysons. We finally bought her one ten years ago and she hasn't swapped it yet - and she vacuums so much that normal vacuums crumble under her OCD.

citizen059

Thanks for the tips. I have a feeling we might have to shell out a chunk of change for something quality when tax refund time rolls around.

Might pick up a cheap alternative in the meantime. I have a dirt devil hand vac that has been a total workhorse for years; if their standard size vacs are even half as good then it'll do for the time being.

Aurin

Another vote for Dyson here. We've messed around with some of the other brands, ended up swapping out vacuum cleaners at least once a year because we kept burning them up on cat hair and cat litter.

We got a lovely Dyson at Home Depot, and haven't looked back since.

Also, shameless plug for Home Depot's credit card. If you're good at paying things off, it's great for 'Buy it now, pay it off in two months before the interest smacks you around at 6 months.'

Creepy

When I first moved out I kept buying a shitty ($100-$200) vacuum about every 12-18 months. Eventually moved up to the more expensive ($300-400-ish) models and those tend to last for years.

Sometimes I am not too swift.

Goofball

Whatever you get make sure that the wear parts like filters and belts are easily replaceable.

I have a Dyson DC-14 that you can replace the belts on if needed through an extended disassembly process but it's easier to replace the entire clutch/belts portion as one unit at $35 each time. I'm not complaining too much since it was 4 years before I had to do the first replacement.

The Dyson cleans very well, especially when the brush bar is turning correctly and it is pretty quiet compared to some of the old Wal-Mart cheap specials we had previously.

Rderdall

My wife and I just bought a Dyson DC-28 Animal with the AirMuscle head that uses a pneumatic actuator to push the brush down into the carpet. We have a hairy mofo of a dog, and have to vacuum the house at least twice a week, and this Dyson is just amazing. We bought it on Boxing Day for $100 off the normal price and it came with an accessory kit (worth $180) for free. Yes, this is a lot of money for a vacuum, but it's one of the only times I've bought something and not got the dreaded 'buyer's remorse' the next day.

One thing to note that's important if you're Canadian like me, DO NOT BUY A VACUUM MADE FOR THE USA. Yes, they're like $100 cheaper and our dollar is on par right now, but Dyson will NOT honor their 5 year warranty if you buy an out of country vacuum. And they can tell from the serial number.

Donovan Puppyfucker

A Dyson with a motorised head will serve you well, and should do so for many years.