Thought I'd never have to buy another vacuum cleaner, but I do. Recommendation?

I like the Dyson commercials, but I don’t have much carpet I don’t know how it works in the real life.

Dysons are great but you have to go look for a canister. They make them but I haven’t seen one at a retail/department store. We own two cordless (one upstairs and one down) and an upright. They “clean”.

I had convinced myself for years that when it comes to appliances “you get what you pay for”. But see if you know anyone with a simple Sears Kenmore cannister vacuum & ask them about it. Better yet, borrow it if possible. It meets all your specs and I swears by mine.

@stanleybmanly. my husband and I both hate to shop, and we both remember things that use to have a long and reliable service life. We have bought way too many overpriced pieces of junk, and I’m talking on the stove-refrigerator-washer scale. You may have to pay a lot for something good, but it doesn’t work the other way: paying a lot doesn’t mean you’re getting something good. I’ve reached the point where I’d simply rather pay less if what I’m getting is worthless junk anyway.

(Do you detect an attitude of phooey here? If so, let me assure you that it isn’t directed at you.)

@Tropical_Willie, I see the virtues of an upright, but we can’t manage the weight.

@RedDeerGuy1, thanks for the suggestion. Right now what I’m after is personal experience.

No you misunderstand me. I hadn’t finished my diatribe. We had 2 expensive machines previously and they lasted about 10 years apiece. I too was bummed about the supposed quality machines bumming out, so thI time I asked a guy who repaired
vacuums for a living as well as my locksmith “the lock goddess” they both gave me the same recommendation, and the little sucker just chugs along. I’ve replaced a light bulb and a belt, and we had a housekeeper who beats our vacuums to death! She was with us for 30 years and I think she was so frustrated by the indestructible nature of the Kenmore that last year she retired in disgust.

This is the one (an earlier model, obviously) that I’ve been using for 15 years, very happily. (At least I think it’s this one, this is the closest I can see, definitely Panasonic)

Just a personal recommendation, based on my usage.

@stanleybmanly, when I replied, your post said only this:

I had convinced myself for years that when it comes to appliances “you get what you pay for”.

You must have added the rest later. Now it sounds like a recommendation I can use. Thanks.

@canidmajor, that’s very helpful too. Thank you.

Like this?

Kenmore Bagged Canister Vacuum 21614 – Sears

I swear by Miele; the vacuum cleaners are very powerful yet quiet. When my last one stopped working after many years – animal hair is tough on vacuum cleaners, and I have a cat and dog – I went to my local Miele store and replaced it.

I believe that some, but not all, of the models have on/off switches on the handle. But, you can certainly buy one for <50% of $800, and it’ll satisfy every other item on your wish list.

Have you considered Oreck? I haven’t tried it, but I think they are supposed to be light weight and good quality. They are a little pricey.

My grandmother had an Electrolux forever. I wonder if the quality of that brand is still the same?

You might try a much cheaper one though. A trip to Lowe’s or Best Buy. One with a Hepa filter. Especially if you don’t have pets. I think my vacuum was less than $200. It’s an upright that converts to a canister. It’s very heavy (too heavy) and the canister is not on wheels, but it vacuums well.

One thing that might promote the longevity of your future vacuum cleaner, is the permanent absence of anybody with impulse control issues.

@Jeruba yes that looks very much like our machine. But so does that photo of the Panasonic. And I frequently do wind up adding on to posts because my clumsy fingers do not fare well on this phone and I often smack that answer icon mid sentence or when meaning to strike return.

I’ve had a dyson canister (DC21) for about 8 years and it’s still in pretty good shape. The only maintenance needed is washing its filter every 6 months or so. The power shut off is on the canister not the handle but the switch is big enough you can operate it with your foot. Cost me £150 in the January sale but no idea what they go for in the US.

@Jeruba: the Kenmore used to be a Panasonic, maybe it still is! I have found it to be a solid worker for my needs.

You are welcome to test drive any vacuums in my home, if you like. :-)

Let me see if I’ve got this straight. It broke because it was thrown across the room and you refuse to buy another because it was the fault of the vacuum cleaner that it broke?

I honestly don’t know of any brand of vacuum cleaner designed to continue operating after someone throws it across the room. So, unless you hold the thrower financially responsible, you’re quite likely to end up in the same predicament another few years down the road when he again thinks that this is an appropriate way to vent his anger.

Have you checked into how much it would cost to repair the Miele? Since you were apparently happy with it up until the throwing incident, perhaps this might be the least expensive alternative.

And, you might want to stop off at the local boxing gym and ask them how much a heavybag costs and where one can be purchased. Setting up one of those might be a prudent form of insurance against another similar incident in the future.

@Buttonstc: My interpretation of the details is a bit different. It broke because it was thrown across a room. No mention of blame of the vacuum was mentioned.
@Jeruba wants a new vacuum, and for whatever reason (that is none of our business) can’t, or does not want, to spend as much on a new vacuum.

You’re right to go with canister ones. I used to work in a hotel and whenever we’d get new vacuums (lighter, more ergonomic, yadda yadda yadda) they’d never work well. We always just stuck to our short supply of old canister ones. The brand of ours were Miele. The hotel I worked at was regarded as one of the cleanest hotels in the area. (It was due to a combination of the cleaning stuff we used and strict old Italian maids.)

Buy or find a new/used COMPACT vacuum, or a RAINBOW. The RAINBOW has a water filter and must be cleaned after each use or it will start to stink, but they do an EXCELLENT job!

I found a site with the Miele canister at 329.00. Here

I have a Shark and it is truly phenomenal. A real pleasure to use. I love it.

I found my COMPACT at a yard sale and paid $10 for it. GREAT buy! GREAT vacuum!

We have one of these, and it works great!: http://www.sears.com/kenmore-bagless-canister-vacuum/p-02022614000P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8

@jeruba What did you end up getting?

Still open, @chyna. My husband wants to visit the shop where the repairman (who told him the old unit wasn’t fixable) said we could get a new Miele that was just as good for half what we paid before. This is a busy time of year, and so we haven’t made the trip back yet.

Meanwhile I’m making do with a couple of smaller devices that are really not up to any serious cleaning.

I’m grateful for all constructive suggestions and have been checking out all of them.

The COMPACT was first designed and built for the Hughes Aircraft Corp., back in the 30’s, to clean their planes. The unit worked so well that the employees started taking them home to use. I call mine the “SUPERSUCKER.”

This just passed across my sightline… @Jeruba: Did you get a vacuum?