Oreck - XL2100RHS

Get an industrial vacuum that uses a bag. We have an Oreck XL.

Check out the Oreck XL, better filtration and still in your budget. Bagless machines all leak dust and require more maintenance than bagged models.

Orecks are lightweight, have huge bags and pick up really well, but there are no attachments.

It's odd Oreck has never considered adding attachments. At one time, though, they were giving away a free little canister vac if you bought their upright.

We checked some of the hotels that we stayed at and ask housekeeping what vacuum they were given. Based on that, we got the Oreck XL Commercial. We figured that they went through a lot of vacuums and probably got ones that were reliable. It was not expensive. It looks very utilitarian but isn’t heavy. It uses replaceable filter bags instead of weird containers requiring manual cleaning. It’s worked well for us for at least 10 years with no problems.

Oreck XL Commercial. Doesn't have attachments if you require, but it handles a German Shepherd shedding like a mofo. Suction is incredible and it has lasted a bunch of years. Very, very light. While not truly a stick.

Whatever you end up buying, also consider buying a small shop vac from a brand like shop vac or rigid. * Perfect backup for if the upright fails * A small one is perfect for corners and stairs. * They are also wet/dry which will come in handy when you have a spill or a flood. * They are built like tanks. Practically BIFL. * Relatively cheap. <$50 for a 1-3 gallon model * Unlimited and universal attachments and additions * Optional bag or canister (I suggest bag for dry though) * Swappable filters for different jobs, including HEPA * For a little more you can buy a battery operated one, with good swappable tool batteries instead of built in batteries that fail. ##Besides that: **Overpriced, but worth it** * Miele (if you want top of the line consumer) * Dyson (if you want more attachments and canister style. Mixed reviews, but I have had my DC 65 Animal for 11 years now and the thing is going strong, so long as you do annual maintenance. I bought it because my ex took our DC41.) **Pro Options** * Sebo (Best) * Sanitaire * Riccar * Windsor Versimatic (Best value, it's a rebranded Sebo at half the price) **Lightweight Option** * Orek XL commercial (underrated brand, easily serviceable, very lightweight, relatively quiet, built to last, cons, no hose or attachments, but that's what the shop vac is for)

Like someone else mentioned, vacuums like Oreck XL or Riccar Supralites are pretty much the best at fluffing up the pile and leaving vacuum lines like that. The reason (I've always assumed, anyway) is because since they're lightweight and have smaller motors, they rely more on the brush agitating the carpet rather than just having boat loads of suction. The result is they actually do a pretty killer job at erasing pet hair and they make those nice carpet lines. These days I would opt for the Riccar Supralite model R10E or R10S(if you can swing it) over the Oreck. It's going to be a lot more serviceable. The Riccar will also run circles around an Oreck if the carpet isn't super low pile. Barely anyone deals with Oreck anymore but Riccar is pretty ubiquitous at vacuum stores.

Depends on your budget really. My fave was an upright Orek, when that died after 10 years of cleaning up after five cats. I then got a Miele which again lasted a long time (about 12 or 13 years). Got rid of a Dyson after six months - useless! And still are... At the moment I am using a Henry Quick Pet combined with a Roomba I7. The robot does surprisingly well on our rugs and hard floors.

We have the oreck xl commercial upright one and it is so hard to maneuver on our thick carpet. I’d def cleans well but it’s such an arm workout I rarely use that vacuum. Not sure if I’m doing something wrong like you can change the base height somehow. Just thought I’d mention it

Oreck! Weighs 8 pounds and cleans pet hair amazingly.