Best (cheap) Vacuum?

[Mitsu3000gt]

I recently bought a condo and I need to buy my first vacuum haha. Most of it is tile/hardwood but the two bedrooms have carpet so I'll need some sort of vacuum. I've read all the threads praising Dyson on here but I don't want to spend $500+ on a vacuum. I was looking at these, but I know literally nothing about vacuums so any help would be appreciated:

http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/up...m/product.aspx

http://shopping.canoe.ca/shop/produc...d_6501373.html

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02035922000P


Also, as for bag vs bagless (canister), is one better than the other? I can see the appeal of no bags, but at the same time isn't it also convenient to just seal the top of the bag and throw it out rather than empty the canister (which I would assume sends dust everywhere)?

EDIT: I have no pets, but I have allergies (dust & similar).

Thanks in advance.

[luv2ride_bikes]

Check out the Vacuum Specialists. They are located at 3107 Centre ST NW. They have every manufacturer of vacuums available in Canada. They also have good prices, and excellent service.

[FiveFreshFish]

I have a central vac so I can't comment on the units you listed.

However, you should make sure whichever one you choose can do a good job vacuuming floors. Sweeping the tile/hardwood floor raises dust and could affect your allergies.

I've always liked the canister type. As long as you don't empty it immediately after vacuuming, it's not a messy as you may think. You can empty the canister into a garbage bag in your garage or on your deck if you want to be absolutely sure.

Also make sure it's easy to use on stairs if your condo has them.

[Kloubek]

Believe it or not, this is a decent vaccuum:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...t%2BVacuum.jsp

I know it is only $100, but it does the job better than others I've had. However, I did experience two issues:
1) The mini-brush (meant for stairs, etc) stopped rolling for me after 2 uses.
2) The bagless canister had too much of a gap between it and it's upper clear plastic housing... resulting in a lack of seal, and poor suction.

If you DO buy this, and this happens to you, PM me. I figured out a fix which seems to work beautifully.

[Weapon_R]

I bought a VERY good upright vacuum that you should look into for my apartment.

It's a Bissell Healthy Home. Check out the reviews on it. Well within your budget and a great first vacuum. You can probably find one for a couple hundred dollars.

EDIT: I noticed that it is on your list. Trust me and pick one up. You will be amazed at what it picks up on your first run, even if you vacuum with something else first. `

[sputnik]

Sears (Kenmore) has been making good vacuum cleaners for years.

I would go with them.

[ExtraSlow]

for a cheap vacuum, I'd use a bagged one. You can buy HEPA bags, which should be good for your allergies. Kenmore is a decent name in chepaer vacs.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Thanks so far guys.

Sounds like the Bissell Healthy Home is a pretty good choice. Any idea how it compares to the Dyson DC-14 or DC-17? They have them on sale for $299/$329 respectively with free shipping direct from dyson right now. They are refurbished units but come with full warranty.

Also how often do you need to change the HEPA filter in these things?

Here's all their refurb vacuums: http://www.english.dysoncanada.ca/refurb/

EDIT: Looks like Bissell has a new Healthy Home vacuum coming out and a new "Heavy Duty" model coming out. Both have two motors. This may explain why Sears & Canadian Tire don't have the original healthy home anymore from what I can tell.

Here's the new Healthy Home: http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/up...t/product.aspx

Here's the new Heavy Duty: http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/up...m/product.aspx

[Amysicle]

+1 for the Healthy Home. That would be my second choice after the Dyson. I prefer canisters over bags because it encourages you to empty out your canister more often, which helps with the suction where as if you forget to pick up bags or they're pretty pricy, that may affect how often you change your bags, which would in turn affect your suction/cleaning ability.

With the Dyson HEPA filter, you wash it with water (no soap) every 6 months or so and let it air dry completely before vacuuming. It should be good for a pretty long time. Not sure about the Healthy Home though.

[Supa Dexta]

Make sure you get one with the removable head!.. Some cheap ones won't let you just use the hose, which you need to be able to do to get most anywheres.

[blitz]

Best cheap vaccum I've ever used is the Eureka 11" upright. It's only about $80 and it's an amazing vacuum even compared to 200-300 ones.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Thanks again for the comments.

What do you guys think of the style where you drag the vacuum behind you and it has a hose (more like a central vac while your using it) verus the upright style like the Bissell Healthy Home? It seems to me like they might be a bit more convenient to use but may not have the same suction because of the long hose.

[Kloubek]

Those are called "canister" vaccuums. That style was around long before uprights. But it is like asking what is better: A 4 cylinder turbo or a large v6. Both have the power - just delivered in different ways. Ultimately, you can have great vaccuums with both styles. Ultimately though, it is going to come back to the individual model as opposed to the style. One thing about the canisters: They are easier on areas like stairs, but not as convenient for regular cleaning since you are basically dragging it behind you.

[darkkent]

another option if you want a Dyson but don't want to spend the cash for a new one is to get a refurbished one. you can buy them directly from Dyson with a full 2 year warranty for about half the price of a new one.

http://www.english.dysoncanada.ca/refurb/

[Mitsu3000gt]

The reason I was thinking of perhaps going with a canister vacuum is for cleaning inbetween furniture and under beds - how is that accomplished with an upright? I have no stairs though, so that isn't a concern. I'm mostly concerned about keeping dust/allergens out of the carpet by cleaning it really well.

Also, consumer reports rates the upright vacuums as follows:

1) Hoover Wind Tunnel Anneversiary Edition U6485-900 ($230)
2) Hoover Platinum Bagged UH30010COM ($400)
3) Kenmore Progressive 35922 ($350)
4) Hoover Tempo Widepath U5140-900 ($80)
5) Panasonic MC-UG787 ($550)

10) Dyson DC28 Animal ($600)

18) Dyson DC17 Animal ($550)

20) Bissell Healthy Home(250)

Their criteria was carpet performance, bare floor performance, tool-airflow, noise, emmissions, handling, and pet hair. Emphasis was on cleaning ability.

Anyone tried out that Hoover Wind Tunnel? It gets considerably better marks than even the Dysons and is half the price.

[Strider]

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-...89/?start=1800

^All you ever wanted to read (and probably 10x more) about "dyson knockoffs". Among the recommeded are: Hoover Whisper, Hoover Turbo Cyclonic, Bissell Total Floors Velocity, Bissell Healthy Home.

I bought a Bissell Total Floors Velocity about a year ago for about $100 or $130 from Costco based on what's in that thread, and I buy the same one again.

[Mitsu3000gt]

^^ Thanks I''ll give that a read.

[TDA]

Originally posted by Strider
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-...89/?start=1800

^All you ever wanted to read (and probably 10x more) about "dyson knockoffs". Among the recommeded are: Hoover Whisper, Hoover Turbo Cyclonic, Bissell Total Floors Velocity, Bissell Healthy Home.

I bought a Bissell Total Floors Velocity about a year ago for about $100 or $130 from Costco based on what's in that thread, and I buy the same one again.

+1 I did my crazy research a year or so ago and ended up with a Total Floors Velocity. It sucks great.

Just be sure to do the filter mod and you're good to go.

[Tomaz]

Originally posted by blitz
Best cheap vaccum I've ever used is the Eureka 11" upright. It's only about $80 and it's an amazing vacuum even compared to 200-300 ones.

IMO

complete garbage. Went through 3 of them now. Cant even handle my small-ass apartment.

[HRD2PLZ]

I have the Bissell Healthy Home and a Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal. I prefer the Dyson because its easier to maneuver and carry around, but for the difference in price, the Bissell is a great vacuum. The only thing with the upright canister vacuums is their aren't great on stairs (if you have carpeted stairs).