Kenmore - BC4030

I had this same model for close to 10 years until the motor decided to just blow out. I did so much research on them and tried to find the same model, but what I found was a big drop in quality. I went with a nice Kenmore Elite bagged upright and won't ever look back . (The Kenmore was for my mother and is easier to maneuver than a canister and stick)

Since you move frequently, a cordless stick vacuum might be sufficient if your homes typically have hard floors. However, it will struggle with carpets. A good option for you would be to have two vacuums. A powerful, corded, bagged vacuum for deep cleaning and "do it all" versatility. Then a simple cordless vacuum for quick cleanups and light maintenance between deeper cleans. This combination will give you the best of both worlds. Deep cleaning power with proper filtration and grab-and-go convenience for everyday light duty cleaning. It will give you more longevity from both machines and future proof you no matter your flooring and cleaning needs. If it were my money and I had $500-$600 I would get a Kenmore 600 Series and a LG A9 to supplement it.

The 600 is a great machine, a very good value. It's a canister which will be a bit of a learning curve from your old Shark, but will offer more versatility and power. The powered hand tool (Kenmore calls it the Pet Powermate) is amazing with furniture/stairs.

Agreed with the Kenmore 600 series. Does everything you need and you’ll never need to wash filters with it. Just replace an inexpensive bag every couple months (maybe slightly more often with 5 animals). The bag is a HEPA filter so you’d have a new filter with every bag change. It’s a very versatile, powerful machine. One of the best values around at the moment.

The Miele C1 Turbo Team meets your needs, but the cord length at 18 feet might not work for the reach you need for your stairs. The SEBO K2 Turbo has a 25ft cord and with the hose about 35ish feet of total reach from an outlet. The Kenmore 600 series has a slightly longer cord at 28ft, but I think the hose is a tad shorter than the SEBO so you get about the same total reach. All clean very well, light years better than any cordless vacuum. Of these 3 I would say SEBO K2 Turbo is the best pick if quality and longevity are priority. It comes with a DECADE of warranty when purchased through a dealer. 15-20+ years of life is common. Miele offers similar quality, but only a year of warranty and more difficult to source parts should you ever need them. The Kenmore is a fantastic value. With care 5-7+ years is totally possible.

Look at the Kenmore Intuition models (BU4050, BU4030). Pretty versatile, inexpensive and clean well.

They are all basically variations of the same machine with small differences like included accessories. All will work with dog hair, but the BU4050 specifically has a better brush roll for dealing with hair wrap. Any of them will work for your needs. I've had good luck in the past buying used - like new on Amazon. It's easy enough to return it if the "used" one isn't up to snuff.

If you want to deep clean, cordless ain’t it. Bagged is going to be better for allergies since the bag acts as a very effective filter. Also, doesn’t require you to empty it constantly or have clean the machine itself like you do with cordless, which just stirs all those allergens back up. Bagged is just more hygienic. A canister style machine will give you the most versatility and ability to get into tighter spots. Within your budget? Look at the Kenmore 600 or 400 series.

R/vacuumcleaners Realistically it depends on budget. A good one that won't destroy the bank is the Kenmore BC4030 especially if you can get it on sale for <$200 but you can usually find it for ~279. Next best one would probably be a Miele cat&dog or Sebo but those are very pricey.

That’s a great price and an excellent cleaner.

Canister vacuums suck their cords in with the push a button! For the lower end, I’d probably rec a Kenmore 600. They’re on sale today at [Amazon for $247](https://www.amazon.com/Kenmore-Lightweight-PowerMate-Telescoping-Retractable/dp/B08JTVDQ2G). It’s maybe not a buy it for life, but it’s a dang good cleaner and I love the PetPowermate, a mini electric brush that’s fab for pet hair and couches and rugs. Not even the expensive canisters have that. For more expensive, I also love my Miele C1 Cat and Dog. I’ve seen them hover around $650 right now. This model comes with an electro brush floor, which some might say is overkill for your floors, but if there’s cat hair on your rugs, I say it’s worth it. This model does have a pretty short cord, so it’s good for smaller spaces. There are also Sebo models (I’m not a Sebo expert) like the E3 that are fab. I like how sebo is easier to clean, like you can quickly pop the brush out if you need to get hair off it. This model runs around $1k, but will last 10-20 years.

The Kenmore has a notch on the bottom of the vacuum base where the end of the wand slides in. Slide that in, you can leave the powerhead on. Then unclip the hose handle, wrap it once around the wand pole, and then click it back into the wand. Boom. A tight package ready for storage.  Is the broken main head just a worn belt? That’s the most common issue, it’s wear and tear item. Amazon an $8 belt + use a screw driver and that will fix it for you. Glad the Powermate is warrantied, but that’s also often a belt. 

I have an older Miele (2001 iirc) and a new Kenmore, they honestly trade blows. The Miele is much quieter, the attachments, hose, bags, and filters seem nicer, and I'm betting it does actually filter better too (or did when it was newer). But the Kenmore has the badass mini electric brush head, the handle controls for on/off as well as suction is pretty dang nifty, the bags are much larger (but for some asinine reason don't fit well inside the vaccuum), the bags and filters are all *significantly* cheaper to buy, it feels like it has similar suction, and it costs a fraction as much as a new Miele. Essentially, the Kenmore feels like a *good* knockoff Miele, and for the price they ask I think that's pretty dang good for most people.

I've got a Kenmore canister vac that has the small electric brushroll that more or less does what this does, issue being you do then still have the big canister to worry about. Still though, works excellent on stairs, couches, and tight spaces.

I love my Kenmore canister for this as it has the powered stair attachment and the canister also has a little stair catch so it sits fairly securely (and is quite stable) on a stair as I vacuum plus the hose is long enough that I really only ever need to sit it on one step above the landing usually and then one step from the bottom of the stairs and I can reach every step.

We have one and it’s awesome

I also found a "near-new, used only a couple of times", Kenmore 600 series on Facebook, as our other Kenmore finally bit the dust after about 15 years. I also can tell the build quality of this 600 isn't the same from previous models, but knowing that we are in the age of planned obsolescence on pretty much everything, I realize this canister won't last 15 years. But, it will do the job as we will be looking to downsize and the future is uncertain of what kind of flooring we will have. Still looking for a light, day-to-day quick to pick up vacuum mainly for fur of 2 Golden's and 4 cats, especially for carpeted stairs. Since the Golden's are in the "get rid of the summer coat" season, I try to brush daily to keep down clumps of fur everywhere, but still need to vacuum and or carpet rake nearly every day in high shedding season.

I just got the Kenmore 600 series with power pet mate It's a bit heavy and my apartment isn't amazing for a cannister BUT it's great, powerful, picks up hair and has the handheld brushroll attachment for the couch. I'm extremely happy. Bought at $299.99

Love seeing this as I just bought my first bagged vacuum in years I just got a Kenmore because I have a small budget and shitty apartment but MY GOD the difference!!!!

600 series w pet power mate I love it!

Look at Kenmore then. 600 series or BU4050

If you can bump your budget - a Sebo dart would be fantastic. Otherwise. Kenmore 600 series or Kenmore intuition BU4050. You want something corded **and bagged**

If you prefer an upright - Sebo dart. If you like a canister style - Kenmore 600 series or if you can stretch your budget a Sebo K3 or Miele C1 cat and dog.

Kenmore is your best bet. I’m not a fan of the 200 series (although it cleans well) it’s very compromised (short cord and hose). Look at the 400 series or 600 series if you can catch it on a sale. Or a Kenmore Intuition BU4050 if you like uprights.