Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I am interested in buying an upright vacuum, bagged, and I am willing to spend up to, say, $350.  It will be used, not heavily, by an older woman who has a shedding cat and is not mechanically apt.  A longish cord and an attachment for a linoleum floor would be a plus.  I'll take any suggestion, but in the absence of any I am looking at a Hoover UH30010COM Platinum Lightweight Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner with Canister, which is sold on Amazon.  My concern with Hoovers in general is that according to CR they are highly repair prone.  Anybody have experience with this model in particular, recent experience with Hoovers in general, or any other suggestions?

Venson wrote:

Hi Venson:

CR has not changed.  CR, owned by the nonprofit Cinsumers Union, forbids companies from citing its respected awards in their ads.   CR's annual auto issue [April 2010] recommended slightly more than one out of every four GM models the magazine evaluated.  David Champion, CR's director of auto testing, says it buys the vehicles it tests from dealers.  "We do not want to be beholden to the manufacturers in any way," he said.  " We don't want to be seen as selling our names to manufacturers."

Contrast this with Consumers Digest which sells its awards usage to makers to advertize.  Consumers Digest chose 15 GM cars and trucks for its 2010 "Best Buy" awards.  Then GM paid the magazine fees for the right to mention those awards in its ads.   CD says its typically asks $35,000 for the first award and $25,000 for each subsequent award.  CD has a different business model than CR.  Fees for its awards are one of its main sources of revenue.  Its magazine has no subscribers, runs no ads and is only available in certain bookstores and retail shops.   

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Thanks for the verification Carmine,

Say what you want about it, that's why I like Consumer Reports.  Were it a publication funded by the manufacturers of product it reviews I'd be highly skeptical about making use of it.  As CR strives to keep itself set apart from that kind of nonsense, I never need to always agree with its recommendations but have still found it a good tool for shopping as I find most of its advice relatively sound.

Best,

Venson

Venson wrote:
CR  is far from perfect, but it has the most comprehensive data available.   Certainly it doesn't pick up on issues like some vacuums not functioning properly on wool carpeting.    However, that is why user and professional reviews are also helpful. 

Severus wrote:

Hi Severus,

If wool carpeting was in very high demand I believe CR would probably give the matter deeper thought if brought to their attention or of bigger issue.  However, how many people are buying wool especially now?  It's an extremely pricey material that most people look at, and positively adore but then ask the sales guy, "Um, can you show me something that runs a little bit less?".  From what I've seen, wool's just great but nylon with a good, dense weave is the next best choice.

I have never known any decent vacuum that had problems on wool carpet.  If Berber or looped pile is the issue, my first thought is to either go for an upright with brushes as soft as possible or to consider very frequent vacuuming with a straight suction machine to help preserve the distinctive look it was bought for.

No, CR is not perfect but it helps everyday people who are not overly informed as to what's available and how it should work in the process of doing its job.  CR has done wonderfull things for me.  It explained basic things that go beyond brand or make.  Did you know that half the battle with dishes is won if you have the water temperature to your dishwasher at the proper temperature.  (If that's difficult to achieve the next best thing is a machine that can boost its wash temerature.) Dishwashers depend upon high alkalyne detergent and water teperatures hotter than our hands are meant to endure to work well.  That in mind, to the benefit of many CR helped dispel notions that a humble $300 dishwasher couldn't hold its own against te bells and whistles on a 1,000 buck model.

Another example -- Forget wattage draw, merely the way a blender jar is designed can make all the difference in performance in a low wattage blender and one that can pull a truck..

That said, over the years I've seen CR as very helpful in helping regarding vacuum choices along with many other items especially where one might have been led to spend more thinking there was automatic advantage by way of higher price.  Whether they're walking around on silk or olefin, CR's users are generally people who haven't the time to ponder long over the purchase of just a vacuum. That's why it's still popular both as a hard copy periodical and online Where else should they go?

Venson

One brand and model is consistently cited by both Consumer Reports and Consumers Digest as a Best Buy is the EUREKA Boss Smart Vac bagged upright which retails between $120-$140 depending on retailer.  Hard to beat for the price but a tad on the heavy side.  A model that has been around for quite awhile.  At least 10 years by my memory and perhaps a few more than that.

Carmine D.

eliot3 wrote:

My grandparents had an Oreck that they loved. It was lightweight and for their needs (no pets), did a great job. I have no experience with Oreck so maybe someone else can chime in on this. The Oreck XL Silver Power Team is $349.00 on their web site. The Oreck XL Classic Power Team is $289.95. Melanie

catlady wrote:

COSTCO is offering the ORECK power team now thru June 13 [?] for $240.  ORECK is the iconic lightweight brand.  Good quality, excellent service and parts support from its own stores nationwide.  I own and use the XL Classic upright for the last 3 years and bought 3 more and gifted away to others who use and praise them.  Considering the COSTCO purchase as an upgrade with thoughts of donating mine away.

Carmine D.

PS:  You'll appreciate this Melanie.  ORECK and the US Humane Society offered a special in April 2007 for buying the ORECK XL Classic upright only at $150 with free shipping.  I bought and liked it.  Then bought 3 more for the same price and gifted.  My wife/I use our ORECK every day/every other day for both bare floors and rugs.  Still as good as new and works perfectly.   Belts and bags are the only expense.  Belts are $2 and take a minute to install.  Bags are $12 for 8, year supply and takes 2 months before I replace [using another upright/vacuum in addition to the ORECK].

"You'll appreciate this Melanie.  ORECK and the US Humane Society offered a special in April 2007 for buying the ORECK XL Classic upright only at $150 with free shipping." 

Very cool!

For general carpet dust pick the Oreck XL is good; for pet hair though forget it ; the thin spine at the back often clogs with pet hair and the Oreck's motor isn't strong enough to put the clog into the bag!

vacmanuk wrote:

I have never had this problem or any other clog with my XL Classic.  Never in 3 years plus of constant usage.  Tho my yellow English lab died recently, she shed year round and hair was a constant issue for house cleaning.  Her hair was comparable to that of a golden retriever.  Oftentimes she was confused for a retriever.  Dog hair was never ever a problem for the ORECK on floors or rugs.  In fact, never even hair wrap on the brush roller.  All dog hair, save some that stuck to the brush end caps, always made their way to the bag.

My daughter uses an ORECK too.  Like us, she has a yellow lab, but American breed.  Shorter hair than the English lab breed.  No problem for the ORECK on floors and rugs.

Carmine D.

PS:  Recall ORECK and the US Humane Society typically sponsor promotions for ORECK vacuums.  I can't believe that the two would partner on these offers if there was even a iota of truth that pet hair would cause clogging.