Recomendations on a VAC

I have to go out and buy a new vacuum cleaner. My Dirt Devil is dying, not that it was any good to begin with, and I've need to replace it. Hopefully with something better that won't break my budget. I'd really rather not pay $500 for a vac - I'd rather put that down and towards getting hard wood floors in my condo. Has anybody had any luck with anything. (I tried online recommendations for rug shampooers on other consumer sites and got stung twice. I trust the input from you guys more.)

I have not bought a vacuum cleaner in quite a while but Consumer Reports had some tests in the October 2007 issue. You should still be able to find a copy at the local library.

Some free general advice and videos (Ratings and recommendations require a subscription.)

Buying advice
LINK

Cleaning vs. allergy claims
LINK

Hey Carla, I've had a Dyson (1st Generation Yellow) now for 4years. It has been the best Vac I have ever owned, beating my old electrolux canister hands down. It never clogs, is bagless and has the HEPA filter built in that is easy to clean. One of the few household products I would recommend to anyone.

I bought a Dyson. It damn near sucks the finish off the floor. You'll be amazed how much dirt you were missing with your old vacuum. I don't use all the features, as many require breaking out the manual. It's not intuitively designed from user-friendly standpoint, but it rocks at sucking dust and dirt.

I third the recommendation of a Dyson!!!!! we have the purple animal hair specialty Dyson and it was sent from the heavens. Our dear husky mix has broken 4 vacuum cleaners during her 11 year "Reign of Hair", the Dyson simply scoffs at her...

Seriously though, best vacuum we have ever owned. We even gave one as a wedding gift a few years back.

Glad to hear some input on the purple Dyson. We have 3 Goldens, and keeping up with all the hair can be quite a chore.

That kind of decides it I guess. Thanks for the input.

Get a Dyson! We have the purple one for "pet" hair. We have a chocolate Lab and it works great! I'm almost embarrassed to tell this, but I will...when I first used our Dyson, I filled the cylinder within about 5 swipes on the carpet. Keep in mind I vacuumed with my normal Dirt Devil first to see just how much dirt I was really missing. I was appalled when I seen how much dirt there was. It is worth every penny you will pay for one. In this case, you get what you pay for is exactly right.

I did it. I bit the bullet and bought a purple Dyson for pet hair (I've got 2 cats and I think they take turns shaving each other in the living room.)
You guys were right. The Dyson is fantastic. Worth every penny. It picked up a ton of hair and a bunch of that carpet deodorizing sprinkle stuff that I used 4 or 5 vacuumings ago that my old vac missed.
Thank you thank you for the recommendation.
So do any of you know the meaning of life?

I did it. I bit the bullet and bought a purple Dyson...

I've never seen such a unanimous recco for a product. Where did you get the Dyson, Carla?

I'm a shopper so I looked at all the home stores and on line and settled on Target.
Original price $545.00 on sale for $499 with a $50 gift card which the clerk allowed me to just take another $50 off the cost instead of taking a card so the whole schamool came to around $475.

It was the DC-17 model.

Glad to hear that you got one. By the way, we've had ours for 4 years now and still going strong! Haven't had a bit of trouble out of it.

Just got Consumer Reports on Vacuums yesterday. Top choices for uprights: Kenmore. Canisters: Electrolux and Kenmore. They have the Dyson upright down to the best Kenmore 75-65 (with the Kenmore $250 cheaper).

Does anyone have an Oreck and how does it do? Trying to get a comparison with a Dyson since my old Hoover may need replacing.
Thanks.