Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I would like to hear the experiences of owners/users of the following lightweight bagged uprights in comparison to the Orecks and each other

HOOVER PLATINUM

BISSELL, now available as Karcher, Tornado, Powerflite and MaidLight

RICCAR and SIMPLICITY

HOOVER and ROYAL clean n' light

any others I have missed/neglected to mention

with regard to deep cleaning an various carpet/floor surfaces, surface litter/pet hair pickup, bare floor cleaning, edge cleaning, cleaning under furniture (nozzle raising up or not) noise, ease of use, and cost of maintenance

There are other lightweights worth considering:
Sanitaire SC9050 DuraLite Lightweight Commercial Vacuum Cleaner at 10 pounds.

For what it's worth, Dyson does offer a lightweight vacuum as well. The performance was middling in Consumer Reports, but I mention it because they tend to have fairly positive user reviews.

Although canister vacuums tend to weigh more overall, I'm not sure that they wouldn't be a better option for someone wanting a lightweight vacuum. Certainly with some you feel like you're dragging along a dead pig. However, most of the time, you're just pushing the power nozzle with the canister parked. My mother in law who's in her 70's uses a 20+ year old Rainbow. While it would be heavy to carry everything at once full of water, in practice you don't. The canister rolls, and you only push the powerhead and the hose. Dragging along the canister might be a drag, but in general it sits while you move the power nozzle.

Severus wrote:

Hi Severus,

A lot has to do with whomever's preferred manner of cleaning. I think a well-designed canister vacuum not only handles floors well but makes tasks like stair cleaning a lot simpler and also eliminates the need and expense of two devices if you want to do more than just floors. (Hoover and Oreck lightweights provide enough oomph for carpet and bare floor cleaning but offer small portables to take up the slack above the floor.) However, a vacuum really has to fit the user's personal likes if it is to be regularly employed. For housekeepers accustomed to handling above the floor work like dusting, etc., by hand, a lightweight upright is probably a good deal.

Venson

Severus wrote:

Totally forgot about the 9050.....ive yet to run across one....and havent heard anything on how it performs. wonder if its durability is on par with its comm. red line  big brothers tho? Anybody have a chance to test or use one yet?

turtle1

Well, I have been in the vacuum business for awhile now. I have sold my share of lightweights. As far as power and cleaning capability, Riccar outperforms any Oreck. Oreck only cleans the surface, it does not do a deep cleaning as the Riccar. We sell alot more Riccars than Oreck

tomtlb66 wrote:

I hear this often as a selling point for RICCAR/SIMPLICITY lightweight uprights.  Consumer Reports rates RICCAR/SIMPLICITY lightweight models over ORECK, but not by much of a difference, in fact very close in comparative tests.  Explain please, if you will, the reasons that the RICCAR Supralite deep cleans carpets better than ORECK which you say is a surface cleaner.  What gives the RICCAR the edge as a deep cleaner vice ORECK as just a surface cleaner.  In features and performance?

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

1. Bigger motor Fan 2. Stiffer Brush Roll. Not only a deeper clean but actually vibrates the dirt up from the carpet and MUCH easier to push than an Oreck 3. Long lasting Belts (One version even has a Hall Sensor that shuts off the brushroll, virtually giving the machine a lifetime belt). Oreck belts should be replaced 6-8 months to ensure optimum efficency. 4. The Aluminum Handle Orecks almost always loosen at the screws making the handle sloppy and harder to control.

Thank you Lucky1.  I would add that the RICCAR is 5.5 amps vice the ORECK 4.0.  Does that make a big difference?  Maybe?  Maybe not.  BTW, while I replace the belts as often as you say on the ORECK Classic, I have yet to have to tighten the handle screws after exactly 3 years of usage this month.   I don't mind the softer brush tufts on the ORECK.  In fact I prefer it.  Why?  Makes for a much better vacuum cleaner on barefloors and tiles which is about 70 percent of my home.   I have always thought that the RICCAR/SIMPLICITY lightweights are a tad bit above the ORECK's in performance and quality. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine

Ive seen the orecks under other names...some with medium to agressive brushrolls....and can see where the orecks would/could benefit from this upgrade or

at least offer this as an option....Lucky1 makes some great points.....and do agree with most...as riccar is my vac of choice/fav.

But from what ive seen, the orecks in my opinion are the more solid/durable built of the two.....an option on the brushroll is all thats missing...because the time tested quality

and soild build of the oreck  has been proven in both home and commercial use.

turtle. 

I've had the Powr-Flite PF62EC for about 2 years.  At  $ 159 what are you waiting for??

Strong build, made in USA,  dual fans  160 cfm.  8 lbs. You can get all replacement parts on line.  Yes it screams, thats what ipods are for :-)

Lets not forget the humble Miele stick vacs- they're good if you can put up with the long handle.