Air Stretch Pet Max

Probably was in direct competition with one of the higher profile vacuum manufacturers in the USA. I just only recently picked up a Vax stretch max for £63 (85$ ISH dollars) brand new. We already have a Dyson in the house. Genuinely I would take the Vax any day of the week for most jobs. The first thing I noticed is just how light it was in comparison to the Dyson, Shure the plastic on the Vax definitely isn't as thick as the Dyson and the Vax isn't as wide and doesn't have as large capacity bucket. But for pretty much anything else it's hands down great and in my opinion better than the Dyson. It's Less than half the weight, longer cable... the fact that I can go over the carpet with the Dyson and then go over it again with the Vax and get way more dirt up is really impressive, the Vax really sucks it's self to the ground... You can really feel it hugging into carpet and rugs. But my favourite feature is the huge reach that the stretch gives you. The handle comes out of the vacuum and you can attach two extra long pipes to it that turn the vacuum into a super long hand nozzle, so long infact that I can leave the machine at the bottom of the stairs and just about reach every single step on the way up my stairs without moving it.

We have the VAX Air stretch pet max. It's pretty cheap compared to a Dyson and IMO has better suction. 

I've a vax pet stretch max upright, cost 140euro here in Ireland. Just bought our second one after the previous one gave up after about 8  years. They are brilliant in my view, not many things you buy these days that seem like a bargain, but for 140euro I honestly don't know how they make money on it. It's big and heavy but I can live with that as it does a superb job. We've 3: big dogs, all shed a lot, especially our Belgian shepherd mix who's a big boy at 40kg. Id highly recommend this hoover.

Honestly dyson aftercare is worse than shark these days imo. That being said, that shark is going to need very regular filter cleaning to keep it running and even then, it won't make it more than a few years. They just aren't long lasting machines. If you are ok with that, sure. If you want a really robust though basic machine it's hard to beat a Henry. I'd go for the Xtra model as you'll want the full sized airobrush for the upstairs carpet. Using bags means essentially no filter cleaning or maintenance. Just toss the bag in the bin when full. If you are set on an upright style cleaner, go for a vax air. It's also not particularly high quality to be fair, but they are an utter bargain (basic one is only £69 right now), they perform quite well, and the filters need way less attention than the shark will. And it'll last about as long as the shark will. Look for the stretch or reach models to get an extension hose for stair cleaning. Avoid the newer vax uprights which look like sharks, stick with the Air models. Word from friends of mine is the new vax models are really poor performers.

I have a Vax pet max (discontinued unfortunately) It's lasted years and does a great job, it's been chewed through a couple times but we fixed it and still works better than most vacuums I have used. The only parts I've had to replace was the HEPA filter but only because the plastic had snapped and the small spinning carpet cleaner attachment (I don't bother using it as they're all crap)

I adore my Vax Air Pet... Copes with two labs and a cat like a dream and is very versatile

Bought a refurbished Dyson v10 from their eBay store. Have had to replace a few parts that I broke over the years, battery is still fine too. I also have a plug in vax for the longer deeper vacuum jobs!

I went for corded Vax. It's usually stronger and far more affordable. They also tend to last longer imo.

Robot vaccum and a Vax pet upright. I can go ages without having to vacuum or mop but it'll depend on how dirty your floors are. Mine is just pet hair and food bits

Unfortunately I think it depends on the carpet. I used to have a cheap pet Vax vacuum and it did an excellent job. Then I moved to a house with thick cheap carpet that was full of static and everything stuck to it. I ended up getting the pet meile but it was was still a lot of effort. The turbo head is good and sometimes I used the wood floor head instead as the brush dislodged fur from the carpet. It could be worth looking into one of those steam clean vacuums? Good luck