Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

My needs - I have a house with laminate flooring and large and small rugs, wool and synthetic, carpeted stairs, and upstairs is entirely carpet. (I haven't tried cleaning the car yet, no doubt that's going to be a success.) First off, this machine has outstanding suction. I've had it one week and there's a lever on the top you can push to allow air flow for vacuuming back and forth or just single flow for straight suction and it get the job done. There is so much suction created around it that it's even coated in wool rug fibers or dog hair that didn't make it inside. I don't even need to go back twice, the suction is so good. Be prepared, it feels incredibly lightweight, maybe even cheap. I thought, how can this thing be well made? But it does everything I need it to do. The lightweight factor is wonderful when vacuuming each carpeted stair and dragging it up and down the stairs. So, this is actually a huge plus. There are 2 pipes that you connect for length when vacuuming the floor. On the stairs I take one pipe out and the length is perfect. The head is wide enough that it's effective for vacuuming (again, one stroke works for my short length rugs), but it's flat enough that it fits under everything - low chairs, couches, etc. If I push the lever on the head down flat, I can't draw it back and forth easily (the suction is too strong), but it's flat, so I can push it waaay back under the couches and get that dust that is so hard to reach without moving the couches. This is a big plus for me. The pipes all connect by friction, just pushing them together. Sometimes they pop off if you catch something and pull too hard, but my last ($450) vacuum (which was heavier but I loved) broke beyond repair when the connector to the head snapped where there was a locking mechanism, and that part is now discontinued. So frustrating!! So, this little vacuum seems like it will be less likely to "snap" anywhere because the parts will disconnect under pressure. I hope that turns out to be the case. My son assembled the unit and I used it right away. Forgot to add a bag and I was very upset - but the bag is inside already! Well done, Eureka!! The cons to this machine, as far as I can tell after multiple uses in the first week, are that there is no automatic cord winding mechanism. But, the cord is longer than my last machine - if I plug it in the middle of the house, it reaches the ends of both sides of the house. Obviously this depends on your home, but my other vacuum was just a few feet short. I can then also vaccum the entire stairs and then move the cord 1 time to get the entire house. I don't like winding the cord, so in a pile it goes if I'm lazy. Worth it for not having to move that cord!! This is not a self propelled machine. You must push the vacuum, it does not "propel" itself with a turning brush. There is a brush, but it's not motorized. I am a reasonably strong 40+ woman and I am happy to push it, but if you have medical issues and can't push it, this could be a more physical job. I expect vacuuming to be work, so I'm fine with this and feel the low cost is worth it. I believe it also is related to the reduced weight of the machine and its tools. I hope this review is thorough and helpful for those making a decision. I never purchase warranties, but given the lightweight nature of this machine, I think I would have considered it. I paid $81 for this machine after taxes. I would definitely be described as frugal and cost conscious. Considering the varied reviews and high cost of other well rated machines, I am very happy with my purchase! I don't write reviews very often, but I want other consumers to know the pros and cons so they can make an educated decision.