<update>Hard floor vac-got one!

Update below

What are you using?  I have a shark floor sweeper.  I was using the better model for years ($70), even though it wasn't super reliable & had to be replaced after about 1.5yrs.  I accidentally bought the simpler model this go-round, and am kicking myself.  Truth is, they are both decent for quick clean-ups, but don't take the place of a good sweeping that needs to be done about twice a week.  At least the better model had a side grabber thing.  The one I have now doesn't even get stuff on the edges under the cabinets.

We have a huge amt. of tiled floor, and I need to retire the broom because of dust allergies, and get something new that is super reliable.  Our upright vac. is decent but not great on edges and very heavy. 

I'd love a stick vac, but most of them get poor reviews, and I don't think a cordless will hold charge long enough to do more than one room.

I think a canister might have the easy stick part I want, but I'd like a canister that isn't a beast to roll around behind the stick.  There are a couple of Dyson ones that look good, but spendy.  Do you really have to spend $300 or more for something reliable that has super suction?

What about the ones you can wear as a backpack?  Anybody know about those?  Any quieter options out there? 


Edited by musicmama - 14 Jan 2012 at 7:55pm

I LOVE my dyson canister.  I have the DC23 http://www.amazon.com/Dyson-DC23-TurbineHead-Canister-Vacuum/dp/B002NVRPM0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325453555&sr=8-2

I really love my Magic Blue canister vac. It is going on 4 years of hard use. I have mostly wood floors and a little tile. It is fairly light and easily follows you around. I also used to clean homes with my mom and this is what we used, too.

However, I hate the tile attachment it comes with. I buy the horsehair attachments or the plastic ones with bristles at the vaccuum store and they work wonderfully.

we have a very old central vac system that seems to work well. i just hate our floor.

Christine, so sorry you had a terrible CS experience. It is enough for anyone to boycott a company. That stinks, but I don't blame you! Oddly enough, my mom just had a great CS experience with Sears. She got a defective Magic Blue and they replaced it with an upgraded model.

I got a Miele 768.  Big change from where I thought I was headed initially, but I think it's going to be a purchase that I continue to like.  My Mom & SIL both have had them for years and use them for serious cleaning, and both of them haven't had any real issues.  My test drive went well this afternoon.  The boys were both wanting to try it, too .  They'll get their turns soon enough!

A friend recommended a local vacuum shop, and he was great to work with!  He came up w/ lots of options for me to consider, including cheaper ways to go that would work almost as well, if that's what I wanted.  In the end, I chose to get a canister that would do not only my tile, but also my carpets.  It has a power brush head for carpet, plus one for hardwood & one for tile I got that separately.  One of the biggest factors for me aside from performance was noise.  I need to be able to use it while S. naps or after the DSs go to bed at night.

I traded in my old vacuum that I didn't like much anyway, and I think I got a pretty sweet deal (hard to say exactly by how much, because this model must be recently discontinued).  His prices were very good on vac's I could price match--competitive w/ the internet.  I bargained a little too because all he had was the display model (thanks, Dave Ramsey).  It was so nice to have a real person talk me through the different factors to consider, and the different types of vacuums that could do the job.  Honestly, I think of dept. stores & internet sites, and never think about the tiny local businesses and the personal, knowledgeable service you can get.  Plus, I didn't have to wait for shipping .