Vacuum cleaner for DD..........

[CathyA]

I know there was a long thread on vacuum cleaners at the beginning of the year. But this is a little different, since I only want to spend under $200. I'd like to buy DD a vacuum cleaner for christmas. DD has 2 cats and an apartment with mostly wood floors. I've been searching online, but like everything, some people absolutely love some machines, while others hated them.
I've read that canisters are better for pet hair, but I've always owned an upright, and think that's a better choice.
She won't always live in this apartment with all the wood floors, so I want a machine that does well on carpets too.

Hoover Windtunnel and the Shark navigator upright look okay. But its really hard to know......
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

[Simplemind]

We have a Hoover wind tunnel and more pet hair than you can shake a stick at. We are 50/50 hardwood and Oriental carpet. It does well on both. I will admit although I have been teased for it, I also have a Roomba named Berta. For pet hair on hardwoods she beats the Hoover by a landslide. They do not replace a regular vacuum in my opinion but if you can afford it they will keep hair at bay during the week until you Hoover your heart out on the weekend. Plus Berta is a great dog entertainer.

[CathyA]

I don't think I can afford the Roomba (for DD, along with an upright)..........but man, that would really keep her cats busy during the day! hahaha

[Tussiemussies]

We have used Hoover too with very good results. They stopped making the one that was the best for us, but we have a Eureka now that has very good suction without the bells and whistles, which we sometimes miss the extra hose piece etc...

[Simplemind]

I honestly don't think of a Roomba as affordable. I bought one (second hand) years ago for my folks. Lots of pet hair and hard woods. They never used it, they have a vacuum for every room but they didn't use any of them. So I decided to take it to my house to see how it did and I was hooked. On hard wood many times a regular upright will shoot hair out to the side (I don't understand the dyamics) before it picks it up. I can vacuum the whole floor with a Hoover then let Berta go and she will fill the container with what the Hoover missed and I didn't see. It amazes me every time. Because of the volume of hair around here Berta I burned out after several years. We tried to go without, we really did. Finally we bit the bullet and bought Berta II one with no regrets.
It isn't for everybody. It is kinda nerdy and spendy...... but for us she is perfect.

[iris lilies]

Hold on, did someone mention cats and Roomba?

Take your pick:

sharkcat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLt5rBfNucc

driver Roomba cat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoWyqQorqOY

Oversized chick mom cat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlbAsho2JJc

There is no dearth of cat videos on youtube featuring the Roomba

[Float On]

I have a hoover wind tunnel and I do not like it on the wood floors. It always feels like it's spitting some out the back. Love it on the carpet though.

[CathyA]

Thanks everyone. I might have to spend more than I planned, in order to get something that is good for both wood floors and carpet. I wonder if I get one that isn't great on picking up all the cat hair from the wood floors, maybe one with an long extension tube and having a floor accessory on it would be good?

[iris lilies]

Thanks everyone. I might have to spend more than I planned, in order to get something that is good for both wood floors and carpet. I wonder if I get one that isn't great on picking up all the cat hair from the wood floors, maybe one with an long extension tube and having a floor accessory on it would be good?

I realize that your DD has wood floors now, not carpet.

But let me just say that wood floors are so easy to sweep with a broom! Why bother with a vacuum cleaner? I don't. I use a hand vac on furniture to attack the pet hair.

I loathe and despise carpet, but unfortunately I have it upstairs in bedrooms and so, have to have a vacuum sweeper.

[Alan]

I honestly don't think of a Roomba as affordable. I bought one (second hand) years ago for my folks. Lots of pet hair and hard woods. They never used it, they have a vacuum for every room but they didn't use any of them. So I decided to take it to my house to see how it did and I was hooked. On hard wood many times a regular upright will shoot hair out to the side (I don't understand the dyamics) before it picks it up. I can vacuum the whole floor with a Hoover then let Berta go and she will fill the container with what the Hoover missed and I didn't see. It amazes me every time. Because of the volume of hair around here Berta I burned out after several years. We tried to go without, we really did. Finally we bit the bullet and bought Berta II one with no regrets.
It isn't for everybody. It is kinda nerdy and spendy...... but for us she is perfect.
We have a Roomba, hardwood floors with a few rugs scattered around and a mutt who reminds me of Pigpen from the Charlie Brown comics, trailing a cloud of hair wherever she goes. The Roomba does a great job on the hardwood but not so great on the rugs. Our Roomba also seems to be shy, I'm always finding it hiding under the couch.

[CathyA]

We have a Roomba, hardwood floors with a few rugs scattered around and a mutt who reminds me of Pigpen from the Charlie Brown comics, trailing a cloud of hair wherever she goes. The Roomba does a great job on the hardwood but not so great on the rugs. Our Roomba also seems to be shy, I'm always finding it hiding under the couch.

LOL Alan. Does it need therapy? Maybe its been abused by your dog? :laff:

[SteveinMN]

CathyA, if the idea of buying used does not squick you out, going to an independent vacuum store might surprise you, especially if you have some time to wait before buying. We have a Simplicity (which I bought from an indie vacuum store); when we need bags, belts, etc., we go to a nearby store that also sells Miele, Nilfisk, and "real" Electrolux and some very expensive and/or commercial vacuums. Every now and then they get one that essentially is a trade in on something newer/lighter/whatever, and they're a great value.

If that doesn't work for you, at lower prices we've had good experience with Panasonic vacuums. My mom had a Pana upright that she used for about 15 years of housecleaning bare and carpeted surfaces (most of them containing spaniel/setter hair); it finally needed enough repair to prompt her to buy a new vacuum which was lighter. I'm certain she didn't pay more than $300 for it -- quite likely less than $200.

[Gardenarian]

I have had a Eureka Mighty Mite (http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-3670G-Mighty-Canister-Vacuum/dp/B00002N8CX) for over 20 years and wouldn't trade it for the world.

But, I prefer a canister vacuum. I like having the hose to get cobwebs and get into the corners of the sofa. It is easier to get under the furniture and to vacuum upholstery. I have two dogs and it works great on dog hair (though they also make a special "pet" model.)

My husband bought me an upright vacuum for Christmas one year. :doh: I found it hard to maneuver and it scratched the wood floors. (I exchanged it for an electric drill.)

[CathyA]

Gosh Gardenarian........doesn't the electric drill really mess up the floors? :~)
Actually......maybe a canister vacuum would work better for DD. She has alot of maneuvering around things to do in her apartment.
I have an upright, but also an extra very long tube, which allows me to get to certain things where the upright can't go.........but maybe I haven't given enough thought to the canister style. I will consider it!

[Tussiemussies]

I like an upright that has the paper bag that you have to use in it. We bought a bagless one once and I really disliked emptying that mess and dirt. I like just being able to take the bag of mess out and replacing with another bag. I think everyone has their own opinion on it...

[SteveinMN]

Our current vac is an upright; it's possible to disconnect the hose from the floor part and to use it separately. The wand even telescopes. But it's not as easy to wield as canister vacuums I've used in the past.

[CathyA]

Thanks everyone. Maybe I should just give DD the money and let her decide!