I say don't choose one at all: Go with a Roomba. Seriously, I used to want a central vac, but since I got my Roomba, I've crossed central vac off my list. The Roomba does all your work for you!

Admittedly, you still need a "real vac" for big clean ups -- like taking away the Christmas tree -- and you need the tools for vacuuming the curtains, etc. But you don't need a big, expensive one since you won't use it on a regular basis.

And do pick a spot for it to "live" -- perhaps in the bottom of a closet -- and install an outlet so it can stay plugged in all the time.

Hide a hose

i like my vacuflo. Its not hide a hose, wish it was.

This is my third house with a central vac and very happy to have it and use it. Roomba is not a solution for a large 2-story house. My parents are building a house and will be adding a hide-a-hose ... my mother can't wait not to have to lug around a canister or upright vac.

I have had a Vacuflo central vac for over twenty years. Love it and have never had a problem with it! Will start building new home soon and intend to get another---only this time I'm going for the Hide-A-Hose option. I think it will be nice not to have to find a home for the hose and not to have to coil it up to put it away, but if the Hide-A-Hose was not an option I would get another just like what I have now.

I am truly excited to get hideahose....

Roomba is not a solution for a large 2-story house.

Of course it is! Size isn't a problem, though I usually do put a stool in the hallway so it either stays on the living room end of the house OR goes down the hall to the bedrooms -- just so I can keep an ear out and make sure it hasn't become "stuck" in a bedroom.

You just need one on each level. Even with two, it's less expensive and less work than a central vac.
my mother can't
wait not to have to lug around a canister or upright vac.

Again, the Roomba's the deal. Just punch a button, and ignore it. Easier than hoses.

Absolutely LOVE our central vac with hide-a-hose! We have had Roombas and Neatos and they don't seem to last longer than two years without needing replacement. Of the two robotic vacs - Neato Botvacs are definitely "smarter" and more powerful than any Roomba I've used. In regards to the central vac system - definitely go with a model that is powerful enough to work with the Hide a Hose system. I grew up with the regular central vac and after awhile, it can be an annoyance to have to wind up the hose after each use. In fact my parents still have a Dyson for when they just want to clean one room at a time. We vacuum much more frequently now that we have the hide a hose since it's not an ordeal to take the hose out and put it away again.

Mrspete, how does a roomba deal with 1) area rugs and 2) cat fur from five cats? I'm definitely interested...

mrspete, glad a roomba works for you, but it would not be equivalent to, or a replacement for a central vac system for my home needs. Based on the replies here, it seems 99% of us with central vacs are very happy with them and would choose to use them again, with hide-a-hose being the best option.

I have a roomba in our guest house and we weren't impressed with it. I really regret not adding a central vac to that building.

I wouldn't use a Roomba as I doubt it has proper suction/beaters to lift allergens out of carpet/crevices and into a filtered canister.

I have both a room a and a Beam central vac.. Also, I have 2 dogs and a garden. The Roomba is great for in between cleaning but is not up to the complete cleaning from the Beam. Roomba has limited capacity which is rapidly filled up with pet har - even with regular use.

I agree with the previous comments regarding the limitations of robotic vacuums. We use our Neato Botvac during the week to keep up with all the hair our dog leaves on our wood floors. It's good for that but it cannot hold a candle to the central vacuum in terms of versatility, filtration and power. I consider robotic vacuums nice to have but most definitely NOT a necessity. After living with hide a hose, this system is most definitely a non-negotiable in any of our future homes. If you're set on a robotic vacuum do your research. We chose the Neato after owning two Roombas....much more powerful pick up, a wider cleaner head, better corner cleaning, and actually maps out a room rather than the random pattern Roomba takes.

We have had Roombas and Neatos and they don't seem to last longer than two years without needing replacement.

Mine's about two years old and is still in perfect condition. Perhaps I'll be disappointed soon -- only time will tell.

Mrspete, how does a roomba deal with 1) area rugs and 2) cat fur from five cats? I'm definitely interested...

I only have one area rug, but the Roomba has no problems with it. I don't have a cat, but it picks up dog hair without trouble.

it seems 99% of us with central vacs are very happy with them and would
choose to use them again, with hide-a-hose being the best option.

My belief is that central vac is a great choice, but it's the "old school" option. Very few of my friends have Roombas or even consider them, thinking them too expensive -- that's why I'm suggesting them as the option that isn't usually considered.

Roomba has limited capacity which is rapidly filled up with pet har - even with regular use.

Now that's true -- the small capacity container does fill up fast.

I'm curious, what happens when Roomba meets Lego, socks, etc.? I'm thinking our household probably is not a good fit for Roomba.

We're very happy with the hide-a-hose.

I love my Roomba and Braava but they can't compete with my CV with Hide A Hose for corners, dusting everything above floor level, for the dryer vent and refrigerator vents, for the car interiors, the garage and pool deck etc. and for only a twice yearly emptying of the canister!

I see there's a lot of CV love here. Would anyone care to share the make/model of their vac unit itself?

Ours says MD Silent Master.

Ours came with the house and is made by NuTone.

Ours is a Dirt Devil Pro Series 990 (a rebadged Vacuflo our builder installed) and my parents have a MD Silentmaster which has been trouble-free for 15 years. Both are very powerful!