After years of reliable service sucking up glass, soot and household dust, KB3’s vacuum has finally given up. She’s been looking at the offers around at the moment and is impressed by an £80 saving on a Dyson DC07, however since she has “…hardwood floors downstairs and carpet upstairs”, isn’t sure if the Dyson’s up to the job.

Fellow members of the Hitched Forum have ridden to her rescue with Alison76 suggesting the Miele S5211. Not only does she own one, but points out “I’ve just looked at the Which best buy table and the top 4 were all Miele and there were another 3 or 4 Miele also in the top 20″. She also suggests the S4211 as it”…came out better than the black one I listed, and it’s slightly cheaper too.” Gryfon too also has a Miele which she describes as “fab”.

Worried that cylinder cleaners will give her a bad back and prove troublesome storing, Alison76 once again reassures her: “…It takes less room than our old upright one took. I have a lower back problem and don’t get any aches and pains using it.”

If you’ve got any advice for KB3 jump across to the forum and have your say.

KALIB’R from Overclockers UK is another who’s bucked the housing market downturn and is about to move into a new house. As a cat owner he wants a vacuum for “sucking up them darn cat hairs” and has asked for recommendations for the best machine for the job.

While Electrolux, Panasonic and Henry’s all have their fair share of fans, fellow cat owner footman suggests Miele as “…anything that picks up our cats hair must be good!”, Westyfield2 recommends the S4581 he bought, while collisster gives the Cat & Dog the thumbs-up. KALIB’R tempted by the “fetching shade of red” says he’ll “look into a Miele Cat & Dog” to which footman replies “you wont regret it, its the best we’ve had”.

To read the rest of discussion and leave your own suggestions for KALIB’R jump over to the forum.

Over at the hifi and sound system forum Talk Audio, John Dorian is interested in buying a new vacuum and wants to know whether Dyson are really the last word in bagless cleaners.

While several Dyson owners are happy with their machines, the concensus from Talk Audio members is that Dyson are “very flimsy and plasticy” and “the build quality doesn’t seem up to much” especially since moving their manufacturing to the Far East. The Rug Doctor who describes himself as “…in the dust business sort of” uses both a Henry and Karcher in his business, but has a Miele at home describes Dysons as “…crap for rugs/carpets so I have never owned one”.

Even Dyson owner R-P admits that the noise levels of a Miele are “about 20dB less loud than a Dyson” and “the emptying of the cylinder is messy”, but “…we (unconsiously) leave it in the room when we get visitors, something you won’t do with a Miele…”

If you’ve got any suggestions for John on the best bagless cleaner or have a Dyson story to share hop over to the forum and have your say.

After his old vacuum drew its final breath and sucked up its last strand of pet hair, Jon Frost at Overclockers UK is looking to buy a new cleaner. Although he’s got his eye on a Dyson he’s also asked for suggestions for something that is “robust” and “liable not to break”.

While Bissells, Electroluxs and Panasonics all receive their share of recommendations, along with vehement support for Henry’s, Miele vacuums are suggested immediately as the one to go for with Wiggins and [FnG]magnolia both recommending them ahead of Jon’s preferred choice even though they’re bagged cleaners.

The bagged vs bagless debate - a topic we also cover frequently on Forever Better - then continues as Overclockers members share their thoughts on the subject. If you’ve got a preference for one over the other and can help Jon out, hop over to the forum and have your say.