The dyson is a 20 pound monster. If you sweep on a regular basis and you choose a dyson vacuum, you'd better have a strong back. Also, when you're emptying that nasty cup, you'd better pray that no wind current (and that includes a fan or open garage door) comes your way, or you'll get a nice lungfull of floor debris, pet hair or whatever else you've managed to pick up, which you will also have to re-sweep up. After growing very weary with the back-breaking labor of the dyson, I decided to try an Oreck, since i've heard such great things about them from several of my friends.
I got an XL21 model and I LOVE it. It's so light that anyone can use it. It also has great suction and it does a great job every time. The thing that I like most about it is that it's simple. It's not designed take dictation, do windows or strengthen your back. It's a quiet, efficient VACUUM CLEANER that doesn't require me to keep track of a bunch of silly hoses and attachments that I wouldn't use (or know what to use them for)anyway. It also lays down flat and it's low enough to get under cabinets, beds and such.
When I bought mine, I got a free (and powerful) canister vacuum that's small -it also comes with a shoulder strap, so I can easily take care of my steps, drapes and things like that. There's also optional wheels for it, if you wouldn't want to carry it around -even though it's very light. One of my friends got the wheels and likes it cause her daughter uses it like a play vacuum and cleans up.. lol
When you take off a bag with the XL, the hole in the bag self-seals, so you don't have to inhale your own garbage. Not to mention the fact that the outer bag (the one with the zipper) is an actual HEPA filter. The replaceable bags are treated with an agent that kills viruses and bacteria. In other words, it cleans the floors AND the air I breath. Another nice feature is a little compartment for frangrance tabs (vanilla, mulberry and jasmine) -they smell wonderful and they're only about a dollar each.
The thing that I like most about it is that it has two speeds. I didn't really consider that a great thing, but the saleman explained that it was for those smooth, non-carpet surfaces. He flipped the vacuum over and there was a little squeezie there. In other words, when I use it on my kitchen floor, I turn the speed down and the squeezie keeps the stuff from flinging back on my feet -and the suction/brush power does the rest. Plus the bristles are soft (which is good for the carpet and flat surfaces). Evidently the rotation speed is what gets the brisles down in deep to clean and harder ones just rag things up.
So, the bottom line: It's light, simple to use, great on all kinds of floors and it picks up pet hair like a champ and if anyone tells you different, they're an idiot (i.e., a dyson saleman). They retail for 699, but I found out from another friend that people who trade-in their old vacuum can get it for 499, if they don't take the portable vacuum. And with a 21-year warranty and a free $30 tune up every year (FOR 21 YEARS), the thing will end up paying for itself. $30 x 21 = $630. Oreck has been around 21 years already and I'm sure they'll still be around when I'm gone. When the dyson fad dies down, I pity their customers (who only get a crappy 2 year warranty anyway).
Oreck's products are really good and I'm glad they're advertising more now. You couldn't pay me to get rid of mine.
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