Don't get a Hoover Windtunnel. Mine had very poor suction, even though I had it completely repaired/overhauled twice. I currently have a Bissell which I'm not really fond of . It is quite heavy and I hate lugging it up and down stairs. I have a three story home.

I second the Windtunnel. Mine broke twice, once under warranty and then a few months later. When I went to buy a new vacuum there were quite a few of them there waiting for repair.
I would suggest checking the March '07 issue of Consumer Reports which you should be able to get at your local library. They did a review of the best vacuums and their pros & cons. I was considering the Dyson Animal but CR rated a Kenmore as better at picking up pet hair!

I third the Hoover, my mother has had several Hoover's (b/c of price) and none of them lasted. Most of hers would get clogged very quickly and then just blow dirt back out of the vacuum.

I have personally had an Oreck for 2 yrs. & absolutely love it! The only thing is that, yes, it is very light, *until* the bag starts filling up. You'd be amazed @ how much dirt weighs... LOL. Also, mine came w/ an 8 yr. warranty, maybe they've changed that. And, I'm not sure what filters you're talking about, maybe a newer version than mine, but I believe that mine are permanent, but could be wrong.

Anyway, good luck w/ your decision!

It sounds like you have two levels to clean and two sets of carpeted stairs - is that correct?

I am a huge Dyson fan, but don't have any experience with the slim model, and of course the regular ones would require some effort to push, and are heavy to lift.

In place of the Oreck, consider the 8-pound Simplicity Freedom. It is supposed to be a better lightweight vac than the Oreck. It is about $300.

We just bought a Hoover Windtunnel self-propelled for my elderly MIL. It was about $220 at Costco, and came with some great attachments for stair cleaning, including an extra 20 foot hose. You could get two of these for the price of one Dyson slimline. The self-propelled Windtunnel would be easy for you to use, and with one on each level, your husband would never have to lug a vacuum up the stairs.

Had the hoover wind tunnel and hated it , Messy to clean
and the filter needs cleaning every time you use it or
it looses suction. Dyson is ok but not that good. Seebo
is fantastic and I will never use another vacume again.
Well worth the money Wish I had never botherd with the
dyson and hoover.

I have a Numatic Canister vac, called "Henry". It is the best vacuum in the world!

I was sold on the canister because it has no moving parts, that means nothing to break. The suction is GREAT, the hose is 10 feet long so stairs are a breeze. The vacuum follows you around on carpet or hardwood ... plus it comes with a tool that does carpet and hardwood.

It's really a great vacuum.

It also has a 2 year warranty.

Here is a link that might be useful: Henry

has any one tried the new Electrolux sold at Lowes, I had the Oreck it was a pure joy on carpet and very light weight,but now I have wood floors,2shedding dogs and the Oreck for some reason will not work on area rugs. I cannot figure it out , when I took it to be repaired they told me that and I thought they were crazy but when I took it up stairs with the wall to wall it was good as new it realy breaks my heart to have to get another one for down stairs. Gail

Hi, I have the Eureka BOSS, and although it is not the top of the line, it's suction is very good. As far as weight goes, I think it is about 16 lbs. It is also reasonably priced, around $150.00-$160.00. I like mine.

I had a Hoover Windtunnel bagless and a Eureka Boss, both of which broke when they were practically new. Maybe I gave up too early on the Eureka, as Consumer Reports labelled it a Best Buy two years in a row. The Hoover was an absolute dog. I had it repaired at least three times. The repairman said, "Look around. See all the Hoovers I get here to repair." I went to an appliance store determined to buy a Dyson, but the salesman talked me into a Bissel Grab and Go with a removable dirt cup. It does occasionally lose suction, but it comes apart easily so I can clean it myself.

I had a Hoover Windtunnel and hated it - it broke after just a couple of years. My sister has had to have hers repaired twice and they told her that there is a problem with the basic design.

I now have a Dyson and it has much better suction. The only thing I'm not totally happy with is the hose - it's stiff and difficult to keep extracted to a length that's convenient to use. I'm considering trying to find an extension hose that is more flexible and might be more friendly.

I second the idea of having a separate vacuum on each floor - You don't need as much suction for the hardwoods as for the carpeting so you may find you'd do better with different machines for each level.

My mother in law kept an immaculate house. Part of her cleaning system is that she had three vacuums-one on each floor. She kept them in closets when she wasn't actually vacuumimg, which I suspect she did every day.