Finding a Good Vacuum

My vacuum cleaner really sucks – in both good and bad ways. Last week, the hose on my third Eureka Boss vacuum broke. I’ve owned three Eureka boss vacuum cleaners in about the past eight years.

I keep buying the Eureka because it is cheap (my Eureka Boss model sells for only $129 on Amazon.com) and it has really good suction. In fact, the suction is so good that when I first got the Boss, my sister commented on how clean my home’s carpets were, and shortly after getting the vacuum, I accidentally ripped a curtain rod (along with the curtains) off the wall when the vacuum sucked in the curtains.

Best Vacuum for Stairs
Now, I am debating what to do. The floor suction on my vacuum still works, so I don’t know whether to get a new vacuum or not. I can still use the vacuum for most of my home (which has carpet in most rooms, except the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room), but I really do need something for the stairs. That’s where the hose comes in – I usually use the hose and the Eureka power claw attachment for vacuuming the stairs because the vacuum is so heavy and can be cumbersome to carry. (I once nearly fell down the stairs while vacuuming when the handle to the vacuum came free and knocked me on the head.) I guess the hose to the Eureka isn’t made to stand up to such frequent use – perhaps it’s only intended for light housekeeping.

 

 

I do have a hand vac that I can use on the stairs, but it doesn’t quite do the job I’d like on the stairs, and the exhaust from the machine isn’t too pleasant.

So, I’ve been hoping to find a durable vacuum with a long hose that I can use on the stairs – and that can serve as a backup should my Eureka vacuum stop working. I’ve looked at the Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Rewind Upright Vacuum (it even comes in my favorite color, green) because it has good reviews, but I am not sure how well it will perform on the stairs.

Friends of mine have suggested a Dyson vacuum (like the Dyson Animal, which I’d love, but costs just over $480), but I can imagine spending about $500 on a vacuum machine — at least right now. I like that the Dyson has a five-year warranty (would love that!!), but even if I had to purchase two cheap vacuums in five years, I will most likely have spent less than $300.

I Need Your Help

So, I am not sure what to do. I would love your recommendations on what vacuums are best suited for stairs, and on machines that I can count on to last a few years!