New vacuum cleaner: Top of the range or not?

As with many savvy shoppers these days, greasysprout over at the Fool.co.uk message boards did a spot of online research before deciding on a new vacuum.

Following recommendations from other owners he decided to go for a Miele and after a Saturday going round the shops ended up more confused than before over which model to buy. It seems the shop assistants he spoke to couldn’t tell him what he was getting for his money and wants to know whether it’s “…worth paying more for a top of the range model or not?”

Omegamale advises that “One of the features that puts the price up the higher end models is an allergen filter. If you have an Asthmatic in the household then this is worth the expense. If not, then a lower end model should suffice.” while Alyourpal suggests the more basic Cat & Dog describing it as “…ace”. Cleo 2002 suggests the S5211 she purchased about three years ago and while calling it “…basic in comparison with some other models it is good for our requirements” it more than “…coped with cleaning up after a bathroom installation.”

What would you suggest to greasysprout? Is it a case of horses for courses? Why not drop by the Fool boards and have your say.

A good vacuum for allergy sufferers?

Happy_Chappy has decided that the time has come for a new vacuum cleaner and he’s asking for recommendations over at Digital Spy. He prefers a cylinder model to an upright and he’d like it to have “a good allergen filter”.

After several suggestions StressMonkey strongly recommends the Miele Hepa 5280 – “without a doubt the best vacuum I’ve ever had by a very long way”. He’s also had experience of using his mother’s Dyson and when comparing the two states: “Miele wins hands down”. He praises the Hepa for being “Powerful, light, [and] compact” as well as tidying away easily, having useful attachments, an adjustable hose plus making “short work of pet hair”. He likes it so much that he (almost) vacuums for fun!

Happy_Chappy is also considering the Miele S4281 as it “came top for Which? best buy” and has many good reviews after which msjj also chips in, mentioning: “I have a Miele I swear by, rather than at”. Head over to read the full thread, and let Happy_Chappy know what you think.

New vacuum cleaner – bag or bagless?

Apart from the criticism of Dyson for its lack of suction, another bugbear with owners is the bag issue – or rather the lack of them.

Lorne at the Money Saving Expert forum is another community member in search of a new vacuum cleaner and since there’s an asthmatic in their household she’d prefer something which will make lightwork of the dust.

Former Dyson user alijolly whole-heartedly recommends the Cat & Dog as apart from the superior suction, it’s the fact that since the Miele uses bags she finds emptying much less messier, while emilyt comments that her mother-in-law has a Miele and she finds it “…brilliant”

As vacuums with bags are often said to be better for asthmatics and people with allergies as more dust is trapped this way which do you prefer? Have you found your symptoms less severe after using bagged cleaners? Have your say in the forum.