Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I live in a small two story house. I reckon it is around 1,000 square feet. Hardwood downstairs and carpet upstairs, with carpet on the stairs. There are two cats and a tiny dog. The shedding isn't terrible, but there are certainly some fur $#%* floating around a few days post-vacuum. The original vacuum here is an old $50 bagless upright. It is not motorized. Not surprisingly, it does not work very well. The extension hose is shorter than my arm, and it just pushes the dust around the rug downstairs! I am determined to have a vacuum that works well and doesn't fall apart. The $100-$200 things in Target, Sears, etc. are heavy and flimsy. They look like paper monsters. On the one hand I don't have a huge space to clean so the abuse will hopefully be minimal, but I also don't want to deal with some clunky thing falling apart on me. There is a local store here that sells and repairs vacuums exclusively. They have a great selection and were quite nice. I stopped by eager to buy something. The house is starting to look ratty! In my haste, I just bought the first thing that was recommended. I didn't try it (to the sales persons dismay). I came home with a Riccar Vibrance Classic "with Tools". $299. This thing is a beast, but it is a solid beast. I feel like I could run over it with my car and it would keep going. The immediate problem I noticed when I put it together in my small home is the ridiculous size. It didn't look so huge in the store. It is not easy to manoeuvre, and it is quite loud. If you turn on the carpet brush it yanks you forward. It literally pulls the rug off the floor! It is just too much! It is not a bad vacuum, but it is not right for this situation. Now I don't know what to do. I have to go back to the store with my tail between my legs and return it. Now I am leaning towards trying a canister vacuum. It seems like a much more manoeuvrable design. I end up using the hose on the upright half the time anyway. The Miele S2120 Olympus is the same price ($299), but does not have a motorized head (though, it can accept one if you replace the hose, apparently). I think I can live without a motorized head. It isn't like I have ever had one. To get one on a Miele I have to spend $500, which I just don't think I am willing to do. I am not cleaning a mansion. I am not rich. Advice is appreciated :).

Both brands and models [Riccar Vibrance with tools and MIELE S2 series Olympus] are excellent choices.  The preference is really with the buyer/user.  $299 certainly buys more value with either of these two models than $100-$200 and a big box store brand.  In fact any big box store brand costing more than $200.  Riccar and Miele are top shelf brands and the reason they are sold by independent vacuum cleaner stores nationwide.  Of importance too is the service and courtesy you received from your vacuum store owner/operator with your purchase, return and second purchase.  I probably would have recommended the upright Vibrance over the Olympus canister too as an industry professional [now retired].  But either and both are superb choices. 

The bag size/capacity of the Miele S2 Olympus is 4.76 quarts.  I suspect the Riccar Vibrance is very close in size if not larger.  But I don't know for sure the bag specs for the Vibance.

Enjoy your new Miele.

Carmine D.