DC32

I bought a Dyson DC32 "animal pro" corded model back in 2011 that had to cope with masses of Husky mix floof and did so without a hiccup for more than a decade. No complaints about at least the older Dyson models here.

Well, it depends on build quality. The DC32 was still in the era of Dyson where they made things with really thick plastics and quite strong motors. I don't know which Thomas you bought, but cheap vacuums are cheap vacuums regardless of age, and the Dyson was a premium cleaner in its day. I wouldn't call Dyson "built to last", but you can do much worse than a DC32.

Find the vacuum that you like best (Miele, Shark, etc) and search Marketplace. I found an old Dyson in the trash, cleaned off the rollers and it worked for years - I gave it away last year so it’s probably still working. LOL Then found a Dyson canister (pull-along type) on marketplace for $100 and it’s worked fine for the year that I’ve had it.

Maybe a battery powered canister style vacuum. I still have a Dyson canister vacuum that is great but I never use it because I hate having to plug and unplug it.

I actually think I used the wrong term. I just meant the regular style vacuum. But I think after a quick Google that's called an upright style. The canister seems to be like the old rainbow my grandmother had. I agree I wouldn't want that. But like a regular old standing vacuum that worked on an ego battery so you didn't need to plug and unplug it to move around the house would be great.

Nothing wrong with using a shop vac as a regular vaccuum cleaner. it gets the job done. I think they are just designed to work in dirty messy shops, so they are bigger, and maybe don't have as good dust filters on them. When indoors, you want to avoid blowing dust and allergens all over the place by using a vaccuum with a hepatitis filter. You can use a regular vaccuum with hos attachments to suck up cobwebs and clean fan blades and stuff. Yes, we have two vaccuums. actually 3, but who's counting? A Dyson cordless handheld. and a Dyson canister vaccuum. We like having one on each level. I HATE dragging that thing up the stairs.