Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

In testing and reviewing vacuums recently, in my ongoing quest to find the perfect machine, I have found two key pieces of information that are vital for anyone looking for a vacuum. First, pretty much any full-size upright, from the major brands, will do the job and do it very well, because they have all basically copied the Dyson technology. Second, the only real difference in vacuums today, owing to cyclonic technology hitting the market, is the weight of your vacuum. With that in mind.... The Hoover Windtunnel series has greatly improved since I first tried one, years ago, when it was, in a word, lackluster. The cyclonic technology is on par with my Shark, with excellent suction that is consistent during use. I have used this for a month, prior to reviewing, just to be sure it is as good as the Shark and, truly, it is just about the same. The attachments allow for easy dusting of sturdier curtains and upholstered furniture and are intuitive, as to their use. The unit is actually one of the best vacuums I have used, across all needed areas of cleaning, most particularly ground in dirt, from irresponsible shoe-wearing inside the house, and pet hair, which has always been a real issue in our home, but, in truth, so are my Shark, a Dyson I borrowed, other Shark and Hoover models I tested and a couple for which I can't remember the manufacturer. As to other features of note, the unit is corded, for real power, which means real suction power, but the cord is also long enough to allow me to do all but one room without changing outlets, a room where we knocked down a wall and combined two rooms, so it is going to work for most homes. The emptying of the waste bin is easy but does make for a little escaping dust. The handle is comfortable enough to hold while pushing around the house. And, as to the problems, if you can call them that, we all know every vacuum has its issues. This one really only has one: the weight. It weighs several pounds more than my trusty Shark. So, on the one hand, it offers very similar suction power and a wonderful deep clean for dust, dirt and debris. On the other hand, it weighs several pounds more, when fully emptied of any accessories and all debris, than my Shark. My Shark is easy to lift, easy to take around the house, easy to push. So is the Hoover Windtunnel, only the Hoover is slightly less easy, because it is slightly heavier. I find myself using the Shark, preferentially, as I am generally tired by the time I get to vacuuming. I want the easiest, lightest-weight option. The Hoover is great, when I get going on chores early and I am raring to go. I have been using the Hoover every time I have a nice high energy level. But, again, on tired days, I go with the Shark. What does this mean for you? Honestly, I think that, in your shopping for the right vacuum for you and your family, you should be looking at that quoted weight and asking yourself what would be best for you to carry up and down the stairs. In our home, we have two-steps in multiple location. We have a large staircase. We have ramps. We have sensitive medical equipment, that you can't just bash a vacuum against, when you're pushing it through to get to the next room, so I am carrying this thing around, out in front of my body, whenever I us it to vacuum. Will you be doing that? Will whoever uses this most often? Will it be stored in a cupboard and, if so, will it sit up on a shelf or down on the floor? Will it be lugged from house to house, as part of a business, or to your business for you to clean up the office? Will you be lending it out? If this vacuum is for heavy duty use in a single story home or if you are strong and healthy and feel that you could handle lifting 20 pounds, again and again, carrying it around, pushing it around, getting it out and putting it away, however often you vacuum, then this will work beautifully. If you are like me and getting a little older, still lifting those free-weights but awfully tired by the time you get around to vacuuming, check the weight against the others you are evaluating. My Shark weighs 16 pounds. They have an 18 pound, a 20 pound, and so on. The weight matters if you tend to vacuum a whole house at once. It doesn't matter if you tend to do one room or you live in a small apartment. This vacuum is a workhorse, but so is the Shark. Ask yourself about weight and then evaluate all the best reviewed vacuums and compare those quoted weights to help you make your choice. This really is a great vacuum cleaner, but I would like to see them shave a few more pounds off of the weight of the unit, and that is from someone who remembers using a 30 pound Hoover very well and not fondly, someone who knows how much they have already streamlined this vacuum to make it lighter. Good luck finding the vacuum for you and for your family. If you have teenagers who help with chores, this is a good way for them to burn off that soda they drank at school, when you couldn't stop them.