Question:
Dear Gabrielle, I am shopping for a new vacuum. Is it worth splurging on an expensive one? Or are they just a lot of hype? I’d love your opinion or recommendation. Thanks! — Sara
Answer:
Great question, Sara. I made do with a $40 vacuum I picked up at Costco for like 6 years or something. It wasn’t great, but it was fine. I only had a couple of area rugs that needed vacuuming. So the short answer is, if you’re not doing much vacuuming, a budget option is probably fine.
But my real answer is: I adore Dyson vacuums. (This is not a shocking statement, I’m sure. Design-centric people have long loved the Dyson.) We finally splurged on one when we moved here to Denver because we have mucho wall-to-wall carpeting. My sister advised me to buy it at Bed Bath & Beyond with one of their 20% coupons to help take the edge off the high price. It helped, but it’s still a big purchase. Like you’re buying a major appliance.
But man oh man, it’s such a great vacuum! It picks up so much more than any other vacuum I’ve tried. It’s built well and it’s easy to empty and maneuver. We chose the DC24, because it’s a manageable size for both the kids and the grownups to handle. If you’re in an apartment or other small space, my assistant Melanie swears by the new Dyson City. It’s super compact and made for all floor types.
What about you, Dear Readers? Any favorite vacuums you want to recommend to Sara?
We have a central vacuum and I LOVE it! If you have an unfinished basement it’s a lot easier because you have access to everything.
http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2010/07/02/this-thing-sucks-vacuums/
I too, am a big fan of the Dyson vacuum. I’ve had mine for five years and, as corny as this sounds, get excited each time I use it. With a dog that sheds enough for ten dogs, I use the Dyson every single day. No other vacuum could get my floors so clean. It is definitely worth the expense.
I HAVE a Dyson 24 to sell to Sara if she wants it. It is brand new, in-a-box, and if you would believe it, we WON it. We use the Dyson Animal and adore it, but would love to make Sara (or anyone else) a deal on this one sitting in a box in my living room! And I so agree with the Dyson recommendation. I have recommended it to friends, and they can’t believe they ever did without! :)
Seriously, contact me for details!
Dyson Animal changed my life. It’s scary how much it picks up.
I paid $600 cash for my Miele over five years ago. Worth every single cent.
My Dyson has been a huge disappointment. It worked for about nine months and then stopped – we took it to be repaired and it worked for about 3 weeks and hasn’t worked well since.
I would never buy a dyson again. Totally not worth the designer price.
I have a daughter with allergies to dust mites so a good vacuum is very important. I decided to research online at consumer reports before buying ( a friend has an online membership). I was considering buying a Dyson, but the Hoover Windtunnel (I think it’s the anniversary addition) was tested and found to have a higher rating in may areas than the Dyson. It was also cheaper. I have friends who have Dysons who love them, but I wouldn’t trade my Windtunnel for anything. It has incredible suction power compared to other vacuums I’ve owned and being that it’s bagged (with Hepa filtration, I might add) it doesn’t release dust back into the home when I empty it- a necessity for my daughters allergies. Anyhoo- that’s my two cents. I’ve never been disappointed when I’ve researched on CR before buying.
Well worth the investment. We have 4 dogs, two cats, and a three year old…
the warranty is spectacular, although, you won’t need it if you take care of it properly!
I love my Dyson, had it for 3 years and have zero complaints. With two kids and a cat and wall-to-wall carpet it truly does an amazing job (bought it actually because of the kids). The best thing is you don’t smell the dust, while you are vacuuming, as it does not expel any back. So all the dirt goes in and none comes out. Worth every dollar!!! i did buy it with 20% off coupon from bed bath and beyond.
Dyson is the way to go, sometimes it is my best friend. With a toddler and a large dog I would lose my sanity without it!
Just got back from having my Dyson repaired for the second time in three years, and the guy there said they do more Dyson repair than any other vacuum. I have five kids, so maybe we’re just hard on our vacuum, but I have not been happy. The repair guy recommended the Miele and said they are a 20-year vacuum.
WOULD. NOT. BUY. A. DYSON. AGAIN. EVER.
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away is the low-cost competitor to the Dyson. If you buy it online it also comes with a steam mop, which are just perfect for eco/healthy sanitizing. I keep my mop next to the kitty litter to help keep it clean and safe. http://www.sharkclean.com/navigatorliftaway/ppc.shtml
I’m thrilled you decided to mention who you hired as your assistant. Are you going to introduce us to her, other than a link to her website? Or are you just going to let us poke around her blog and let you slowly build your design empire? :D
I’m a house cleaner so I’ve tried many high-end clients’ vacuums. I tell them I’ll try any vacuum but always end up bringing my own. My opinion is the best filtrated, most versatile, most dependable vacuums tend to be Sears or Panasonic canisters. Miele canisters are ok, Simplicity canisters are ok if you want to spend more and like them. The Dysons I’ve tried don’t impress me at all. Forget central vac–useless.
I read and write a lot of vacuum reviews. I also spend quite a bit of time scanning consumer reviews and ratings for the different vacuum brands. I’d have to say that the most satisfied vacuum cleaner owners are those that purchased a Miele canister vacuum. Sebo also tend to be very well liked but they are not so popular (they are also quite expensive).
Hoover, Dyson, Eureka, Panasonic, etc. all have good models and some not so great models. One really has to do their due diligence before making a purchase in these cases.
I have TWO Dyson DC24. They are the best Dyson model. The only model better is the new dc41 animal.
Totally, wholeheartedly agree with the Miele peeps. I bought the upright at my housekeeper’s reco b/c she is NOT a fan of the Dyson and it is the single best purchase I’ve ever made in home appliances.
I absolutely love the Miele vacuums. They are expensive but well worth it. I absolutely enjoy vacuuming now. I live in New York and when I moved to the suburbs my girlfriends all recommended this phenomenal machine. I have a a canister one but they come in upright and they all have different features. Check them out. I love your blog and I am ordering your lollipops for me and my kids because we are lollipop addicts. Take care, Beth
I have a Shark that is far cheaper and it is amazing. AMAZING. I’ve never used a Dyson, but I can’t imagine they are much better. I actually look forward to vacuuming now!
I love my vacuum from Sweden. I buy it thru the TEAMCLEAN.com website. It is called the Big Vac. It is a canister style , light, and has lots of ‘Lift’ – which means it will suck up all the debris !
I have a cleaning lady at home and a different office cleaner at our dog kennel office and both of these ladies are in love with this machine just like me !
So I let my housekeeper buy one of my older Big Vac’s and got to buy a new one for me last month ……
With 80 dogs at our kennel and some that get training here at our home on the property, we really need a very good vacuum. (ps: I grew up with an electrolux)
I have a Dyson 41 and a Kirby Sentria. The kirby cleans so cleans way better hands down! Unfortunately for a mom like me with 5 little ones to clean up after the dyson is so much quicker, lighter and easier to use. So I use both! If you don’t have kids I would just have the kirby. If you are a busy mommy like me the dyson gets the job done but when I run the kirby after it picks up so much that the dyson missed deep down in the carpet. The dyson makes it look like the carpet is clean which for me is as good as it gets some busy days but the kirby actually gets it deep down clean.