Electrolux - E2000 (with PN2000 power nozzle)

For me it would be the 1980's Electrolux E2000 with the PN2000 power nozzle. My parents bought it new in '83 and I remember my dad would use it and the put it back into the box it shipped in as a storage box and each week as a tiny kid at just 5-6 years old I would yank that shiny beige vacuum out and vacuum the house and remember getting the satisfaction of it picking up the huge amounts of gravel and dirt at the front door area b/c of what got tracked into the house from our long winters (it was always dry). I remember as I got older that vacuum was dragged on the concrete driveway to clean cars and when it started having issues like overheating motor and jammed cord winder that I watch my dad hack that unit apart and kinda ruining the trim pieces on it. While it wasn't the best for air filtration that it certainly had hella lot of suction power and it looked rather modern and was admittedly a pleasure to use. If I could turn the clock back and not abuse that vacuum that maybe, just maybe it would be immaculate still.

Yeah they truly were well built and nice looking. Fortunately we still have the old e-2000 sitting in the dark corners of his basement and it still works but has seen better days. I want to say I want to restore the old unit but it’s actually far more cost effective to buy a gently used one and go from there. No real reason to own one though as the modern vacuums are much better for filtration so I focus my life energy on taking care of our modern vacuum - sebo Felix and sebo d4 (in the sexy red no less). But if I could trim back the clock I’d want to give the e-2000 a little more respect than it got.

I failed to mention earlier in my first response that I was ACTIVELY seeking out for a model 2100 b/c starting with its predecessor the E2000 (my parents owned a new one back in the early 1980's) that I grew up using the very well designed E2000 that was subsequently succeeded by the 2100 and the System 90 (all really the same exact vacuum). I honestly wouldn't worry about filtration. Buy some HEPA bags from areus and be happy. This vac will literally run forever.

Back in the early 80s, my roommate brought his mom's old Electrolux canister vac to use at our apartment. It was an older metal turquoise model and it was fantastic

Having used both, 80s electroluxs are any more manueverable than these. I was surprised by your gripes with the maneuverability, as both of my Mieles have been a pita to move due to the fixed in place hose, and how stiff it is. Any 100-200 Miele is probably gonna be neglected as well (at least here they are), or be something that has probably had a long life. Like with new cars, some people really like the piece of mind of knowing what's been in it, and having a warranty of some sort.

Well,I did it. I walked into a vacuum cleaner store and repair shop just to see this Sebo upright people refer to. I had already ordered a Kenmore BU4050 based on reviews although I have never seen one. I've been through every vacuum type imaginable in the last - ahem - 40 years. Starting with Electrolux canister on glider rails, a family hand-me-down. Dirt Devil tiny little canister. Hoover upright, Sanitaire commercial upright, Miele stick vac with removable handheld dustbuster thing, Miele canister. Had a Dyson V5 for when the canister was too heavy to pull out. Shark Navigator Pet upright - nimble, easy to use, went under bed - I liked it for a long time but slider for floor type change got stuck and it all those plastic parts got a little rickety. I learned: While cordless is quick and easy, it's also weak suction. Sanitair upright cleaned well on carpet but no accessories. Dysons are pretty colored plastic but all marketing, hurts my wrist, went through 2 batteries, just top heavy, and poor suction. Miele corded stick vacuum had very strong suction but was too heavy and center of mass is midway up so awkward unless you are very strong and was not self standing. Miele canister is great but all those accessories take up a lot of space and I'm over moving canisters around and banging the wall. Bagless was good as a novelty but so messy - the vacuum itself attracted dust and emptying always led to some dust on me. So I wanted a bagged, corded, self-standing, upright that had a low center of gravity, was nimble, no too heavy, and could go under the bed. Even though the sales guy was enthusiastic and informative but not pushy, the Sebo Felix sold itself. I bought the Sebo Felix even though I wasn't going there to buy, just see it. It does every thing I want and is much quieter. 10 year warranty, locally serviced by "Onyx" dealer \[that's what they call official dealers\], give loaner vacs if it takes more than 3 days. The store has been there 26 years, first the father and now the son owns it. They repair every brand of vacuum but only sell Sebo, Miele, and some in-the-wall systems. When I think of all the money I've spend on vacuums .... The good ones were Electrolux, Miele, Sanitaire, and for a while the Shark impressed me. Now I hope the Sebo will be my last vacuum. $700 US, price goes up $200 on September 25 due to tariffs. Dealer said he's sold 17 of them this month from special orders I will return the Kenmore BU4050 unopened when it arrives.

I would really recommend an old Kenmore.  It’s a canister vacuum, you can still buy them new.  However, they show up at goodwill for like 20 bucks.  Replace the bag and filters, clean the roller and you have a really solid machine.  All the attachments are inside the body and it can be stored in a closet or under a bed.  Plus if something happens to it you don’t have to feel bad because it wasn’t super expensive.  Also a Electrolux canister is a great option too.  I will also say a Kirby, but they do take up more space and the hose situation is kinda bizarre.  They are like $1,000 new, but you can get them at the thrift store for like $50 bucks.  Also change the bag and belt on that if you get it.  They are built like a tank so you don’t really need to worry about it getting a little abuse. If you really want something new I think this would work for your situation: https://www.homedepot.com/p/KENMORE-200-Series-Bagged-Canister-Vacuum-Cleaner-BC4002/308593772?MERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-308593689-_-1-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a Once you get a house/ apartment you can look into a Kirby/Miele/Electrolux.  Just order it on line. Dorms can be a lot on appliances.

I have an Electrolux canister vac for nearly 15yrs. My mom’s had the older model of it for as long as I can remember, probably close to 30 at this point.

Least favorite: Bissell uprights. Every one I've ever used, the end caps for the brush roll has melted. I also find the suction power really lackluster and feel like they scatter more dirt and dust than they actually collect. Rainbow - gigantic pain to use, too high maintenance, and the water is gross AF and messy to deal with Cordless sticks - not powerful enough for my liking, multiple passes to pick everything up and they die too fast. Favorite: Windsor Versamatic, Old school style Electrolux and Kenmore canisters, old school style Hoover uprights, Windsor XP-12. Just good, sturdy, effective machines.