Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

We just had wool berber wall-to-wall carpeting installed in several rooms of our home. The manufacturer recommends a suction only vacuum, without a beater bar to "avoid excessive fuzzing."
First, is a beater bar and a brush roll the same thing on a vacuum?
And second what's my best bet for a vacuum? We have 700-square-feet of wool berber carpets, 600-square-feet of laminate and 200-square-feet of tile (including stairs) to vacuum. We own two boxers (dogs) that shed short hair and live in a dusty (agricultural) area.
At the recommendation of a local shop we tried out a Miele Titan (with 217 head) with the brush roll on (they're some of the softest brushes according to sales person). We used it for a while on a remnant of our carpet and I noticed what I think is some fuzzing so I worry that with extended use we will really wear into the carpet. Is there anything with some kind of brush roll or option other than straight suction to really get the dog hair up? Or something with enough suction not to worry about it?
The Miele seemed to do a very nice job but we're struggling for an accurate comparison point.

THANK YOU!!!

So, MBZimm, let us know what you have bought!!

vacmanuk wrote:

Now let's not say about Vax (Vax USA)  Vax USA is NOT TTI; they're WORSE than anything TTI makes.  I'd rather have a Regina Housekeeper or a XXX Tandem Air anyday over Vax X5.

Eh News flash Hooverman - Vax U.S is owned by TTi. See the main profile page: http://www.vaxusa.com/

I have been in the cleaning industry for a while and not even from my own experience, I would recommend you considering a Dyson Ball vacuum since its brush roll can be turned off to protect carpets or any other sensitive surface.

Don't know firsthand from personal experience but I suspect the dyson ball models would be noisey on hard floors and ceramic tiles, especially on uneven surfaces.  I opine that constant use on these uneven ceramic floors would wear out the plastic ball surface in short order. 

Carmine D.

Ive worked in commercial cleaning places for a number of years (15+) and in all that time I've always used either SEBO bagged uprights (those BS 360s and the newer versions) or bagged cylinder vacuums like the British Numatic Henry. In both applications,you need a vacuum that can get under low furniture as well as bagging the dirt for cleanliness. When timing is against you and dirt pick up is essential brush roll on/off functions are notorious for breaking under undue pressure. PLUS, the ball doesn't go under low furniture because of its size. Dyson did have a commercial bagless upright model but it was based on the DC04 called Constant Max but had lower suction and a replaceable cord. Quite a rare model and under the "constant max" name.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX10UoFo7j4

For those interested here are a few snippets from Which's latest vacuum cleaner tests (UK):

Dyson DC33 (new, basic upright - DC14 w/clutch, with improved DC27/28 cyclone pack and tools, and new lightweight ABS extension wand): 'This Best Buy upright vacuum cleaner from Dyson gives outstanding results on all types of flooring, and excels at removing stubborn pet hair. The filtration system is so effective that it locks virtually all of the dust and allergens away safely, so it's a great choice for those with allergies.'

Oreck XL3: '...it's mediocre on carpet, good on laminate, and poor on floorboards - where it fails to extract the dirt from the cracks.

It leaves a large rim or dust around the edge of the room as the suction only works underneath the head. This cleaner has a headlight at the front - perhaps so that you can see what you're missing.'

Vax Mach Zen: '...removes impressive amounts of dirt from floorboards, reaching deep into the crevices. It's also good on laminates and carpets, and the head gets close to the skirting to clean right up to the edges.
(TTi)

vacmanuk wrote:

Thanks VacmanUK on the Which? latest, especially DC33.  Consumer Reports has not tested yet, but appears that this "budget" model may finally make the CR hall of fame, rather than hall of shame.  Interestingly, most retailers in the USA are selling this latest and greatest dyson, which has an MSRP of $399, for 20-25 percent off MSRP at $289-$299.  For the first time in awhile perhaps a dyson worth the price.   

Carmine D. 

CarmineD wrote:

Also reinforces what I have said about Oreck for years.  $400 for a vac that will not remove dirt.  

HARDSELL wrote:
Doesnt really reinforce anything, HS. I'm already in dispute with Which having found quite a few errors in their test reviews where they are prepared to let mass produced European named products win "Best Buy," award seals where the Oreck's performance is poor. It isn't exactly black and white with this company!