XL21-750ECB

I have a few ideas, I think an upright might be simpler because there is no canister to maneuver and there is no floor head to change. I think a bagged vacuum is simpler because you don't have to remember to empty it after each use and put all the filters back in. Many expensive vacuums won't close if they don't have a bag. A vacuum with no height adjustment is also one less thing to switch. I really like the Sebo Dart $649 because it's a durable vacuum has strong suction. The Sebo Felix swivels and has a suction slider so that might add complication. The Sebo Dart does not swivel and it just has an on/off switch. It looks very minimal which might reduce the visual stimulation. One downside is the brushroll switch is on the powerhead. You won't hurt the vacuum by having the brushroll on hard floors but it may fling stuff behind it. It also is top heavy and has a short hose. Simplicity S26 Allergy Upright $349, this is a new cheaper version of the Riccar R25/R27. It is an upright vacuum with less bells and whistles than the Riccar versions. It has no height adjustment knob. The one switch turns the vacuums on for carpet or hard floors (turns the brushroll off). Similarly you won't damage the vacuum if you use the carpet mode on hard floors or the hard floor mode on carpets. Oreck Elevate Command $499, this is a super lightweight upright vacuum. This version has no swivel steering and that makes it simpler to control. It has a simple 2 speed switch on the handle. The low speed is for hard floors and the high speed is for carpets. It won't hurt the vacuum if used on either speed and flooring. The biggest downside is it has no hose or tools. This makes the vacuum very simple but if you do need a hose and tools you'll need a small canister or cordless vacuum. The Oreck Hepa Upright Vacuum Cleaner $369 is the same vacuum on amazon but with a shorter warranty. The Riccar Supralite is a similar simple lightweight vacuum, it's more expensive but might be worth it if you don't have Orecks near you. Local vacuum stores sell all three of these brands, Sebo, Simplicity/Riccar, and Oreck. I highly recommend you and your wife try these in person first, they all move and feel very different. If you don't need a hose on the vacuum I think the Oreck Elevate Command will be refreshingly simple and easy to use. The Sebo Dart would be my first choice because of its higher durability and I like to have a hose and tools available. Thoughts?

For a light weight bagged vacuum to clean carpets I think of the Oreck vacuums. They're light weight around 9-10 lbs, they have large hepa bags, and they're pretty good on carpets. They don't have any hose or tools. The non-swivel models actually put less stress on your arms and back then swivel steering because the swivel you have to control and stabilize your arm to steer it. The Oreck XL is outdated, the Oreck Elevate series is improved. The Oreck Hepa $299 on amazon is the same as the Oreck Elevate Command but with a shorter warranty. The Karcher Ranger $212 is a new take on the Oreck from an established German brand. The Ranger is made by Sebo it's also a lightweight upright vacuum with no hose or tools. But the Ranger has carpet height adjsutment which Orecks never have had. The Ranger also has a liftetime belt and belt protection and the brushroll is removable without any tools like the Sebo Felix. Downsides are an odd foot power switch. There's also a much cheaper copy of Oreck the Vacmaster UB0402 Commercial Vacuum Cleaner $109. I have never used one and it looks to be better than the old Oreck XL but it's still built to a price to be affordable. The Kenmore Intuition is a small lightweight vacuum but the swivel steering might make the handling more stressful. I'd try a Karcher Ranger first and the Oreck Hepa second. There are lots of used Oreck XLs out there but it uses stretch belts and the old bag dock, I'd try to find the newer Oreck Elevate models on the used market.

For commercial use I don’t recommend a bagless vacuum. It sounds like less work but when employees don’t empty the bin and wash the filters regularly it shortens the life of the vacuum. Most bagless only last a year when used daily. Most commercial vacuums use bags. As long as you keep bags on hand changing a bag takes seconds and is much cleaner. For a lightweight vacuum I like the Oreck XL recommendation and I would also recommend the Karcher Ranger $212. The Karcher Ranger has a brushroll that is removable without needing a screwdriver or any tools. But both has no hose or tools. If you need a hose and tools I’d look at a Sanitaire Professional SL4110A $159. It’s bagged and has a long cord and a basic hose and tools. The ProTeam ProForce 1200XP $596 is a real tank if you want a real durable vacuum and don’t mind it being heavier.

Used Oreck XL upright

Oreck! Weighs 8 pounds and cleans pet hair amazingly.

I have an Oreck that I bought in 2008. Love it. Very lightweight. I have it serviced every couple of years. I just had it done again last month, including having the bristle brush thingy that spins replaced, and wow. Vacuuming is almost fun.

I'm just going to add Clarke and Sanitaire to your list for the commercial options. Windsor is also a good choice, because they are often rebranded Sebo's at half the price. Orek is a good buy if you want something lightweight. My mom's XL has been going for 28 years now without needing repair. It's very easy to do stairs with, except it has no hoses or attachments for nooks ans crannies. Shop vacs (and rigid) are also built like tanks. You can use those for nooks and crannies as well as cleaning up liquids and larger chunks that would kill typical vacuums. They are cheap too. The only thing is you have to set them up for their purpose. You can dual filter with a bag and a HEPA filter to get just as precise cleaning as you get on a house vacuum, despite what some people say, but you need to take those off for liquids and use the sponge filter instead.