I am looking at Eureka, Bissell, and Hoover. I've heard bad things about Dirt Devil, at least for bagless uprights. I am looking in the <$120 range. I don't necessarily need HEPA. Also, I'd like to know if those powerbrush hose attachments really work, since I'd like to use one to clean the floor of my car. I'm just cleaning a small 4 bedroom apartment, about 1200 sq ft., no stairs or pets. I'd like one with a washable filter as well, since that's easier than one you have to knock dirt loose from.

When I said wash it, I meant rinse it. I'd most likely do that after every use, as well as emptying the dust cup.
 
And as for price, I work at Best Buy, so I get a pretty good discount, usually around 20-30$ off things, which is why I said 120$. My actual price ceiling is closer to 100$ or less, but I'd be willing to buy it at another store if I would pay the same amount for better quality. However, I'm mainly looking at BB's selection.
 
Being as I'm just in college, this isn't a major decision and not something I'd be using for the next ten years. If it were, I'd get the near-best there is, whatever the brand may be. But, for right now, it's just for a few years.

RAT hit the nail on the head.  Look for a used machine that uses bags or even a machine with a cloth bag which might be slightly messy to empy but nonetheless not as annoying to fool with as a pleated filter.  
 
As for rinsing filters, drying time may be anything from a few hours to a whole day.  This leaves the vacuum unassembled for all intent and purpose and out of commission as the machine should not be used without a thoroughly dry and clean filter in place. And again -- most manufacturers do not recommend rinsing filters after each use.  That should only be done periodically.  You can purchase extra filter or filters to avoid downtime but that can be a pricey deal.
 
Good luck,
 
Venson

Hello egloskerry:
 
I would add one more choice to the mix:
 
http://www.hoover.com/db/xq/asp.hvrProductMain/CatID.1/qx/Upright.htm
 
The HOOVER Tempo Widepath bagged upright.  Unfortunately BEST BUY does not carry and sell it (Ask me why and I'll be happy to tell you).  It also comes in a bagless mode.  But I recommend the bagged.  Why?  It takes a style Y bag which HOOVER uses it its top of the line Windtunnels.  The Y bag comes in a 3M Filtrette paper cloth disposable, which is ideal for a non-HEPA rated vacuum.  It gives the same protection as HEPA.  This HOOVER is rated number 8 (TOP 10) in the March 2007 Consumer Reports in a field of 65 vacuums which range in price from $50 to $1900.  THe MSRP on the Tempo is $60.  It is loaded with features that are typically found in more expensive vacuums.  And some that are not:  i.e., a head light and manual rug height adjustment.
 
It's lightweight at 16 pounds and is made with the same materials and components that the $500 plus imports use.  It has a full one year unconditional warranty on the entire product from HOOVER.  The only category that CR dinged it on is noise.  It got a "Fair" which is the lowest rating the HOOVER got in all the categories tested by CR.  In rug cleaning performance and emissions, it received "Excellent."  In bare floor, tool flow, and pet hair (a new testing category), it received "Very Good" in performance.   IN handling, it received "Good."  Also has the Good Housekeeping seal of approval.  The UL approval.  And the Carpet and Rug Institute of Approval (CRI).  And it exceeds and outperforms all the more expensive imports in tests approved by the Amercan Society of Testing Materials.  The ASTM is the only entity sanctioned world wide by the vacuum cleaner industry for establishing test standards for vacuums.  (CR and CRI use many of the very same ASTM tests and standards).
 
You can purchase a HOOVER turbo tool for about $25 that will fit.  But it won't be "on board" for quick use.  I like the HOOVER turbo better than the rest.  Why?  Excellent brush roll and it comes apart easily for cleaning.  No tools needed.  Compare with the BISSELL and DIRT DEVIL.  HOOVER turbo wins hands down and thumbs up.
 
The HOOVER Tempo is not a temporary vacuum.  In a few years when you decide to buy a more expensive vacuum for your home, the HOOVER Tempo will still be performing like a 10.  And it will have many more years of useful life.
 
Good luck in your search and find.
 
Carmine D.

I ended up buying the Bissell Momentum 3910-2. It came to 120$ with the 4 year PSP warranty. I know some people hate them, but I have had them work for me in the past, and at only 16$, I believe it was worth it. I've already used it and it seems to work just fine. I tend to make decisions quickly. Also, I was able to split the cost with my roommate, so it was not really that much money.
 
To answer why I wanted a bagless, it's because my mom has a Eureka bagged and I have noticed that it tends to lose suction pretty quickly. My dad bought a Bissell Cleanview II, and I cleaned my carpet with the Eureka, then with the Bissell, which pretty much sold me on bagless vacuums.