If you want a conventional model, you cannot go wrong with a Miele.

If you want a bagless model, get a Dyson.

If you want a shopvac with a HEPA filter, get a Festool or Fein.

I must be overcompensating for the fact that my first vacuum was a rebuilt Electrolux that eventually ejected pieces of solder at high speed (nobody got injured), because I have a Miele, a Dyson, and a Festool CT33 Dust Extractor.

Here is a link that might be useful: Festool CT33 Dust Extractor

I was recently involved in some vacuum cleaner discussions over in the cleaning forum. Have you seen those threads? The only thing I would add for your consideration are the backpack type vacuum cleaners, which I'm presently looking into. Some on this forum have referenced the ProTeam models, which also receive high marks on Amazon. As for CR, I gave up on them years ago. I question their methods/motives, as I've bought a couple of items that they've highly recommended, only to find out that they were absolute junk that did not live up to CR's descriptions/recommendations whatsoever.

Nilfisk makes backpack vacuum cleaners:

Here is a link that might be useful: Nilfisk-Advance backpack vacuum cleaners

Love our miele. It is small, but so powerful! The bags are a bit small and seem to fill up rather quickly with pet hair, but they never get stuck, and they do an excellent job of filtering the air.

Could not live without my Miele's and I have gone through SOOO many vacuums. What a waste of money they all were, I should have just coughed up for Miele in the first place. They are pricey, but, IMHO, once bought you soon forget that. You can keep the price down by avoiding the fancy electronic controls on the handle and the like. Also, I think their newer smaller canister models are quite nifty - I bought one for work recently and wished I had one at home. They supposedly have the same motor as the regular sized canisters but they are smaller and more compact. Good luck!

Hmm... never considered (or knew about) a backpack style vac. Nah, I don't think they interest me.

Nope. Absolutely zero interest in bagless either. That Festool dust extractor looks... industrial or something. Large too.

I have not seen the cleaning forum discussions. I'll have to check them out.

Thanks for the thoughts thus far. It's looking like my wallet is gonna take a hit. But I'm in no hurry... so can afford to wait if there's reason to do so.

Here's an interesting youtube promo for the Miele.

Out of curiosity, those of you with the Miele... what features have you found to be useful and what are just fluff to you... between the Capricorn and say, the Callisto?

Here is a link that might be useful: Miele comparison to Kenmore

I have a Capricorn. I appreciate the adjustable speed in the handle.

Note: the on/off switch was non-functional at the start. Local dealer fixed, no problem.

I wish it had a longer hose/handle for reaching high places. The Dyson spoiled me for that, but I didn't like the bagless thing at all.

I love my Miele, it's a midsized Platinum model. I bought it about 13 years ago, and it still runs beautifully, with all the hoses and such in good shape as well. I stand it on end for reaching high places and never wished for any more height, but then again, my ceilings are of normal height. I'd highly recommend this brand of vac. and would not hesitate to buy another when this one dies. (And there's no sign of that happening anytime soon!)

Cj

I just bought a Simplicity cannister. My sister has had a Riccar cannister and upright for quite awhile. They bought them because her husband is sensitive to noise and it was the noise he could tolerate the best. They are both made by Tacony manufacturing. She loves it and I love mine too. Here is a recent thread more about uprights but it has an article from Business Week.

Here is a link that might be useful: discussion from last week

Thanks all. I'm meditating on my choices for now.