Electrolux - Epic Series 6500 SR

You should be able to get a refurbished Electrolux on eBay for $400 or less. I have an 8000 and a 6500, both purchased on eBay, about 20 years ago. The 8000 was traded in to a Vac shop because its elderly owner said it was too heavy. It was like new and a bargain at $300! The 8000 is just like the Guardian, but without the costly hepa filter. It still uses an after filter, and runs cooler and quieter than the Guardian.

Hoover Junior is the best if you have carpets (they just released it in green!) but the Electrolux 65 is hard to beat for hard floors.

Used Electrolux cannister. Will last longer than you.

My Electrolux canister has a non-powered rug attachment with no brush and it works great on the washable rug.

In some ways, not much would change! Avoid bagless (filter queen, messy to empty), cheaper models would have more reliability problems though vacuums were simpler and easier to repair then. Good quality canister vacuum such as an Electrolux if you have a mix of hard floors and rugs. Electrolux also had better than average filtration for the time and was a bit more compact and easier to pull around than many competitors. Compact/tristar similarly a good option. If you had mostly carpet or prefered to sweep hard floors, a quality upright such as a hoover convertible would be hard to beat. Back when consumer reports was truly excellent (they're hit and miss now), Electrolux usually earned the top rank for canisters and hoover at the top for uprights.

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.

I use my old Electrolux or Compact/TriStar (both are canisters & use bags) bcuz I can get under furniture easily & no mess dirt disposal (bag contains the dirt). Also both have a mini power nozzle (Electrolux Sidekick & Wessel Werk HEB160) for vacing upholstery, stairs & 🚗 interiors

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.

I think the new Electrolux canisters are worth a look. They are light and compact but will outperform a cordless. This sub prefers the sebo and Miele but they are relatively heavy. For those who struggle with a full sized vacuum, we should look at lightweight options that are not crap.