Kirby - Upright Series

I bought a broken Kirby for $50 on cl and fixed it up for $10 in parts. That thing is hands down the best vacuum for carpet. 

DEEP frieze carpet here... Running and E3 Premium with the soft roller and love it... Also have a Miele Canister with the SEB228 nozzle as well as a Kirby Avalir... The Sebo is my preferred unit overall. The Miele is too aggressive with the STIFF roller (and yes, I am familiar with the soft carpet version - which is actually not so different). I love the Miele, but I also feel like the smaller opening of the SEBO ET1 nozzle creates a GREAT seal while still allowing good airflow perhaps due to the velocity of the air through that comparatively smaller opening (which is significant because it does make lower CFM than the Miele -- but you would never guess it with the velocity at that smaller nozzle opening of the ET1). The Kirby (aside from being big, bulky, and comparatively inconvenient, moves TONS of air, BUT the nozzle is not designed to direct the air into the fan well (shake it out after much vacuuming and you will know what I am talking about) AND while I suspect it is extremely good with the very fine particles, it seems to leave bigger things behind, which I can hear when I re-vacuum using either the Sebo or the Miele. If I use the Sebo or the Miele and do the same test with either, I do not hear "big" pieces that have been left behind. So -- trying to use a Sebo with shag/shag like carpet? Just put that soft roller on and enjoy. Disclaimer -- I'm not sure if it would resolve it for the automatic height adjusting models that struggle trying to find the right setting or setup in time on our carpet (also have an X4 that is now used at a workplace instead of at home).

As well, a Kirby is probably the best carpet cleaning Vacuum made. It’s just antiquated.

Used Kirby

Bought my Kirby in 1987....still use it today. Well, not today.

used kirby for pet hair

I feel the same way. As much as I love my Dyson v7 for going over the house quickly, it’s not fun to clean (and doesn’t hold much) compared to my Kirby g4.

They have a predatory sales model and they're nowhere near worth the price they sell new for. They're a pain in the ass to do anything with but carpet vacuuming, they need belt replacements once or twice a year, and the filtration is subpar.

Kirbys are great at cleaning carpet but thats it. Its just an overpriced upright that can be found used for 20 bucks all day long. No money to be made by vac shops when kirbys are a dime a dozen - many vac stores have dozens upon dozens of used kirbys in the basement. Money is made by selling something rare like sebo, miele. Vacs that are not resold by the thousands for pennies.

Did any royals have powerdrive? Admittedly kirbys tech drive does allow for easy, effortless vacuuming on all types of carpets.

Kenmores are a dime a dozen on marketplace. Likewise, a light use kirby can be had for 60 bucks.

I use my Kirby to vacuum my mattress

Had a roommate who owned a Dyson. And I have always had a Kirby. We tested the two against each other. The Dyson doesn’t even come close to the Kirby. Better suction, cleans much better, not even comparable tbh. The Dyson was more lightweight, and easier to break because it’s all plastic, and bagless (no purchasing bags). But the Kirby out performed the Dyson on nearly every single task. It practically indestructible, and you will never need to buy another Kirby; it is definitely a Buy it for life brand. Absolutely! 👍🏻

# Kirby, Oreck, or Rainbow. If those are out of your price range then this: [https://www.walmart.com/ip/BISSELL-Power-Force-Bagged-Upright-Vacuum-1739/104757366](https://www.walmart.com/ip/BISSELL-Power-Force-Bagged-Upright-Vacuum-1739/104757366) I agree with Mr. Oreck in that "bagless" is a dirty word. Bagless vacuums are nasty to clean out. Rainbow being the exception because of the water being the filter.

high airflow but low suction power? how would that make any sense. the kirby literally lifts the entire carpet off the pad

I see what you're saying. Although in this case "suction" power as you put it isn't really relevant for the situation described by OP, and doesn't explain why it picked up so much after the sebo. Cleaning sand off a bare floor is much different than vacuuming your carpeted living room. I agree with your last sentence about getting a kirby used for $100 and would not purchase new from a salesperson. Also to clarify I was a 3rd generation kirby vacuum salesman edit: I should say inches of water lift is completely irrelevant for cleaning carpets

I sold Kirbys for about five years. If you have a nice vacuum (not just a kirby) and use it multiple times a week I would barely get any dirt and the whole situation would get awkard quickly and I'd leave with my tail between my legs. Often times when people do demonstrations they are literally pulling up years worth of dirt because most vacuums just push it into the bottom of the carpet

I always thought of Sharks as cheap vacuums. I have a central vacuum in my house and I bought a refurbished Kirby. The Kirby needed a repair so I went ahead and bought a Shark Navigator til I could get it fixed. I never bothered to take it to the shop. This Shark is amazing with what it pulls out of the carpet. Wish I would have bought one sooner.

Kirby Avalir 2, great vaccum, well built and performance very well.

They're the top dog in cleaning performance on carpets in my opinion, but that's about as far as they go. They're a one trick pony. They also weigh a ton too. Basically they're great if you have a single story house with mostly carpet.

If you're looking solely for a carpet vacuum and nothing else, a Kirby is my preferred choice. They are the kings of carpet cleaning but come at a cost of weight and size. The newer models have transmissions in them that make them very easy to push and pull though. They haven't changed much in decades and parts are plentiful. DO NOT BUY ONE NEW! Go to a local vacuum shop and I guarantee you'll find a used one for like 80% off of what a new one would cost. If you need to use attachments or need to use it on the hard floors (which I see you already go covered) then I'd look elsewhere. Kirby's are one trick ponies. Amazing at cleaning carpet, terrible at everything else.

I have the Dyson V15 detect and totally love it but it's not a bifl vacuum by any means. It's just the best of the available cordless vacuums. Bifl is more like a kirby imo. They're overbuilt and made to be worked on. I've worked on plenty of them and always really impressed at the quality of its build.

Rip off IMO. They clean carpet well, but they are insanely heavy. They literally have a transmission because they’re so heavy. They are also more expensive than they’re worth. There are definitely some diminishing returns, and I honestly would rather have a Miele or Sebo with an electric powerhead that I can do more with for cheaper than a Kirby I can only clean carpet with.

So I have a rug similar to this and even my tuned Kirby G4 struggles on it. It’s high pile microfiber shag and air does not flow through it. The few machines I’ve found that do work on it are turbo nozzle canisters and surprisingly, Shark Navigator Lift-Away with the brush on and suction bleed valve open. My Miele H1 with an SEB-236 nozzle does not work, neither does my SEBO Felix or Oreck Classic or XL21 platform. Oreck Magnesium/Discover supposedly does work because it’s very light so the machine doesn’t burry the nozzle. I’ve found you’ll want a lightweight nozzle so it can float on top of the pile. My rug is so thick that height adjustment doesn’t really work. The best way to deep clean these rugs is to flip them over and vacuum the underside with a machine that has lots of agitation and vibration. That will cause the grit to fall onto the floor. Carefully remove the rug and clean up the grit.

The Kirby is a lot of fun - it’s like vacuuming your carpet with a jet engine. They do need tune-ups though. The silicone seal in the fan chamber eventually wears out, and the handle actuator sometimes needs adjustment. Vintage Electrolux machines are always a hit (they actually still make the same body style, just without the good smooth motor). Hoover constellation is fun: floats like a hovercraft. Zero-G uses the same technology in a modern machine. I miss mine. It was the reproduction model from the 2000s. Hoover fitted it with a beefy 1400w suction motor and it had gobs of power. I’m praying to the vacuum gods I can find a New Old Stock one. There’s of course the Hoover Convertible (decade 80 too) and eureka F&G machines. Hoover Concept I and II are excellent cleaners. There’s some really neat Kenmore cleaners too. Whirlpool was their manufacturer then they switched mainly to Panasonic.

I love my barn find Kirby G4 but it’s an OLD machine - not its age, the design of it. The Generation machines were developed in the 1980s when clean-air vacuums are starting to take hold of the market. The SEBO X1 is just about as old yet the X series is still running strong because of the design. Here is one of the most expensive vacuum cleaners that: doesn’t have an onboard hose, doesn’t really clean bare floors in upright mode, needs belt changes all the time, hard or sharp objects can damage the fan, it requires training on the height adjustment and tech drive, it’s huge and doesn’t fit under furniture, and it’s loud. Comparing, a SEBO costs less, requires less maintenance, is far easier to use, cleans bare floors well, has onboard attachments, etc. It’s not a convenient vacuum cleaner to use and convenience is worth a huge amount to average users.

I’ve owned Kirby, Dyson and Shark. I’m sold on Sharks.

I mean, let’s face it. The main difference - WEIGHT. The Kirby is a tank, other vacuums are well built (unless you’re throwing them around) and will last for decades. Period.

We had a bone pile of Kirbys in a shed. I had one as a kid but after working on them, nothing special. I did like the metal Royals better, but even they were relics decades ago.

You do NOT want a Kirby if you have stairs - trust me. Coming from a former Kirby collector/restorer.

I can vouch for this. My mom still has a Kirby from nearly 20 years ago and it runs like new still. Parts are still plentiful and there are still people who work on them.  While not a $1400 vacuum some brands can last a lifetime. 

We have a cheap used Kirby Sentria we got for $50 and it does well with hair on our carpets. Easy enough to diy maintain, last a long time (I think it's already like 15 years old). It's just somewhat heavy if you try to lift it from the wrong place: there's a handle down low on the machine where it's meant to be picked up from and it's easy enough then. It's heavier than most vacuums so it's a bit more important to lift it properly.

I think it depends on the needs of one’s home. I sold Kirby’s 20+ years ago and I will always believe they are the best. But that doesn’t mean it is the best for everyone.

I will die on the hill of my Kirby Heritage II being the best dang vacuum cleaner. What other vacuum will still work after 50 years and still have parts available? So worth it.

No Kirbys? That's the most BIFL vacuum ever, I've had mine for over 30 yrs, other than belts and bags this thing won't quit.

Exactly. For the same price as the Dyson you can get better vacuums that are more durable, better performance, and will last longer. My Grandmother bought a Kirby in 1969. I still have it and it outperforms 90% of vacuums on the market. I know people hate the weight of the Kirbys but you will be hard-pressed to beat the performance without spending over a thousand dollars. You can get a used Kirby for $150 or so.

The best vacuum is whatever vacuum is your favorite. Mine is (currently) my Kirby Ultimate G Diamond Edition. Is it a perfect vacuum? Absolutely not. It’s heavy, bulky, awkward to use, and they don’t clean as well as Kirby want you to believe. But it’s built to last a lifetime, cleans carpets very well, does above floor cleaning somewhat okay, and to me have a very pleasant sound.

KIRBY VACUUM. Get a Kirby. I just ran a google search for "used Kirby's under $200" and came up with several options for purchase. I've had my Kirby for over 20 years with kids and cats and I love it. The attachments are simple to use and allow me to easily dust ceilings, tops of cabinets, hanging lamps and fans. I use it to vacuum the car, my mattress, sofa, etc. A simple attachment switch and I'm vacuuming my hardwood floors. Very long cord, too.  Yes they're expensive brand new, but you can find used or refurbished ones all over the place. The fact that so many old Kirby's are still out there available for purchase is testament to how sturdy and  long lasting they are. Plus, nothing sucks up dirt and dust and cat dander as well as a Kirby. Good luck!

Depends on the needs. I’ve owned many premium vacs. Kirby, Rainbow, Hyla, Riccar, Sebo, Miele, and several cheaper vacs like Dyson, Shark, Kenmore, etc. This includes Riccar Tandem Air upright, Kirby Avalir, Rainbow E2 & SRX, Hyla N and EST Defender, Miele C3, Miele CX1 Blizzard, Sebo E3 and D4 Premium canisters. Canister - Miele Complete C3 Brilliant - easiest canister to use - best-filtering - most suction and airflow out of all canisters I’ve used - best-cleaning power nozzles - comes with my favorite hard floor tool - don’t have to bend over to do things with it Upright - Kirby Avalir - best-cleaning vac for carpet that I have used/ owned - highest airflow available (higher airflow = better carpet cleaning) - most aggressive power nozzle with firm brush roll - this is my heavy-hitter for maximum dirt removal from carpet - can do a ton of other things but carpet is where they shine - I do feel it does a better job cleaning than my Riccar Tandem Air did on our carpet. Water-based Filtration Vac - Rainbow E2 - when paired with the SRX PN3 v1 power nozzle, it cleans carpet very well. - like the Miele C3, it is H13-rated HEPA - parts availability is awesome - super easy to service - The Hyla is a little easier to use and pull around but it doesn’t have as much suction as the Rainbow E2.

I have “favorite” vacuums in each category of vac and for different applications. However, my absolute favorite is my Miele C3 Brilliant, and I use it in tandem with my super high capacity air purifiers to stay ahead of the dust, germs, fur, pollen, etc. Very bad allergies over here. FOR DEEP-CLEANING WALL-WALL CARPET: Kirby Avalir w/ firm brush roll, new belt and bag. It’s a beast. This is my pic for cleaning carpet before extracting. BAGGED UPRIGHT: Sebo X4 Boost BAGLESS UPRIGHT: Dyson Slim Ball Animal BAGGED CANISTER: Miele C3 Brilliant w/ SEB228 power nozzle BAGLESS CANISTER: Rainbow E2 Black w/ PN3 v1 power nozzle CORDLESS STICK: Dyson V15 Detect AREA RUGS: Miele C3 with SEB236 power nozzle HARD FLOORS: Miele C3 with premium parquet twister floor head AUTO DETAILING / ATTACHMENT USE: Miele C3; or the Rainbow E2 Black & RainbowMate EXTRACTOR: Bissell BigGreen Commercial BG10 EXTRACTOR HIGH pH SOLUTION: Hoover Professional 7X Concentrate (amazing!) SHAMPOOER - ENCAPSULATION “DRY” FOAM: Kirby with Kirby shampoo and high traffic pre-spray STAIN REMOVER: Kirby Spot Remover Plus Oxy - but the Unbelievable Stain Remover is identical and is the same solution but without the Kirby label - and without the Kirby price. I scrub stains with a drill and drill brush attachment. ENCAPSULATION POWDER: Sebo DUO-P with the Sebo DUO-P CRB machine. It really does a fabulous job on high traffic areas and for absorbing foot traffic greases and oily soils. LOW pH RINSE FOR EXTRACTION CARPET CLEANING: ProChem All-Fiber Rinse HOT WATER EXTRACTOR + STEAMER + VACUUM (all-in-one unit): Desiderio All-in-One (the big one) MOP: O-Cedar Flat Rinse Mop with 2 bucket system; Kirby mop system; Hyla mop-squeegee system; Swiffer PowerMop with washable microfiber pad. MOP SOLUTION: Odoban LVP + ZEP No-Rinse Floor Disinfectant. We have LVP flooring so we’re pretty limited with what we can use. I love to mop with Clorox, though, when able. CLEANING SPRAYS: Clorox Germicidal Bleach - Healthcare Pro Line Clorox Cleanup + Bleach SprayWay Foam Glass Cleaner Pledge Orange Furniture Polish MicroBan Cleaner & Disinfectant Trigger Spray Bottle AIR PURIFIER(S): BlueAir HealthProtect 7700 series BlueAir Pure Max MedifyAir MA-112 Pro (among the highest capacity air cleaners available)

For carpet, it’s hands down the best. It has the most of everything a vac needs to super clean carpet. Airflow, agitation, etc. 132 - 150 CFM is monstrously high, and that is measured where the carpet intake is. On other vacs, the airflow is about 1/4 - 1/3 of that at the carpet intake, and they don’t agitate as well. I keep a Kirby around for deep-cleaning carpet but daily a Miele C3. The Miele C3 with the SEB 228 nozzle is impressive on carpet, but it still isn’t like monstrously powerful.

I see the appeal of a stick. I have a V15. It’s about 3 yrs old. It’s primary role is for in-between cleans, small messes. Touch-ups. But, if I am going to vac our main living areas or the entire house, I can get the job done a lot faster with my Miele. If I am going to deep clean the carpet, I don’t pre-vac with my V15. I use my Kirby. If I am going to detail a vehicle, Miele. If I am going to use attachments for deep cleaning, Miele.

A rebuilt Kirby with TechDrive. They’re effortless to push/pull since they are self-propelled. They are known for their incredible carpet cleaning performance and durability. They are old-school, metal, heavy duty beastly uprights that will suck the color out of the carpet. They are sealed system HEPA vacuums with massive bags. I wish the attachments stored on-board, and I wish the suction was adjustable because it’s so powerful but I’d rather have too much power than not enough. They’re easy and inexpensive to maintain, but they’re very different from modern vacs. Again, they’re old school, and come with a brief learning curve. Once you get the hang of it, it’s second nature.

Kenmore canisters for carpet are very good. For hard floors, they’re awful. Obsolete. Deal breakers. Etc. Why not buy a refurbished Miele or Sebo, or if you have wall to wall carpet in most of your home and rarely use attachments, definitely go for a Kirby, or a Rainbow if you have a mix. Goodvac dot com for Kirby parts, Rainvac dot com for Rainbow parts. Miele parts and Sebo parts are easily accessible. Hyla parts are not, in contrast, but they too last a long time. I think they’re easier to use than the Rainbow but they don’t clean carpet very well at all. Kirby is about the best you can get for carpet.

Our kirby is going strong 5 years, has other applications like vibrating sander or paint gun, and a lifetime warranty.

Kirby will last forever.

I bought a used working Kirby Sintria that was used by a professional cleaning company fot about 10 years. I paid $200 for it. It looked dirty and a little beat up but seemed to work fine. It came with a ton of accessories. It I replaced all the belts and a broken drive switch. I cleaned it really well and polished the scuffed metal. I've been using it for the last 5 years and it has worked flawlessly. They're really reliable and easy to fix when they break. There are tons of repair videos online for them. They're extremely expensive new, but you can get them in good shape used for less than $400. Or if you're lucky, a little less.

Kirby has held up for my family. I think the one Grandma has been using for 40 years or more is going to be argued over when she goes

We have 2 cats (used to have 3) and have used shark for years. We've had many sharks over the years. Specifically the lift away, power lift away, navigator I think it's called and then a rocket. Rocket died in like 3 years but the lift away lasted almost a decade. the power lift away can't remember but I think it lasted a few years. Navigator I can't remember lmfao. Currently we have a dirt devil "endura reach" I think it's called and a Kirby avalir. Both are pretty good. Endura reach has a pretty short cord tho. But most sharks or some have anti hair wrap technology on their brush rolls. That's already worth every penny if you've got cats. So I'd look at a shark if you've got pets. Hope this helps.

Owned Dyson DC07 for 3 years. Small canister, constant clogs, half dozen fiddly covers and latches to remove for clearing a clog. Switching to hose was a real chore, dumb design. Shark Vertex Duoclean, 1yr 7mo so far. Good power, great design, canister lifts away so the vacuum can go under furniture, switch to hose with a button press. Single door for cleanout. Kirby G4, 30 years so far, handed down from parents. Ultimate power, ultimate weight. Suck the dimples off a golf ball, never a clog. Bulky, heavy, indestructible. Switch to hose is a bit clumsy. You can get a used G3 or G4 on marketplace or Craigslist and have no concerns about it lasting decades. TLDR: Shark Duoclean for lightweight day to day. Kirby for monthly "deep cleaning".

I'd probably grab a Kirby or a Sanitaire if those were my priorities. Both are awesome on carpets, but basically one-trick ponies (especially the Sanitaire).

Do you have a spinning brush on the Sebo? Anyway, Kirby's are overpriced, IMHO. However, they are one of the best vacuums out there. Whether they are filter bagged or just bagged, the dirt always goes through the impeller first, then to the bag. There is zero loss of suction along the way, and normally when you are using the regular head (as opposed to the hose attachment), it's a very short ride for the dirt before being flung at 100 mph towards the bag. This is why they have great suction. The Kirby's major downfall is the design - that is, dirt needing to go through the impeller first. This causes two issues: over time, the impeller gets full of gunk, which hardens and gets caked in real good. You need to take the head off, clean it (with a flat head screw driver) as well as the impeller. The other major fault is that if you suck up a hard item (like a coin) the impeller is toast. You will need to replace it. I remember as a kid, we had a Kirby salesman come by. My mom was big with her Filter Queen (another overpriced vacuum) and asked the sales person to suck some coins. Firm no, and she showed him her Filter Queen doing this with zero issues. Anyway, the design of Kirby winds up making it one of the best cleaners out there, and they will last a lifetime, even if you need to replace the $30 impeller ever so often. Very little plastic to break. They are heavy. So my opinion is that you're not doing anything wrong, the Kirby is simply getting the dirt you vacuum couldn't. However, if you don't have a powerhead for the Sebo, that makes a huge difference as well, and the Kirby wouldn't get as much dirt if that was the case.

Heavy, stupid design for the hose, loud, bad filtration. They do have a good electric motor and are repairable but a Sebo or Miele are much better especially with stairs.

Where does reddit stand on kirby? Mine has already lasted forever.

Hotels use Kirby for their durability but they are heavy. I have had mine for 35 years.

They are pricey but I LOVE my Kirby. Shampoos, vacuums, everything. It's over 30 years old and still works better than any other.

100% find a used Kirby or bagged vacuum with push-pull assist. Always test used. You're gonna save yourself a huge chunk of money buying used. Contrary too what people say on this reddit, bagged uprights that let you pull the brushroll out, for hard floors are the best thing ever. I've never been a canister vacuum fan. I love my used Kirby avalir 2. Whole kit, used with 20 extra bags for 50 US dollars. Two dogs here. A corgi and a great Dane. Their hair length, fineness, and density are polar opposites. The Kirby gets every single hair fiber in one push and pull, per path. Disclaimer I am not biased. I've been fixing, wiring and rebuilding vacuums of all kinds since I was 6 years old. Just knew how to do it all since birth I guess. Used and tested every vacuum on the market starting in 2015, when I started my appliance business and cleaning business. Too this day I can NOT find any model that compares too Kirbys. 

My hubby bought a Kirby about 16 years ago. His dad had one that he loved, so we had to have one too. Seems to work well. We have a dog that sheds a lot, and it still keeps up with him.

Kirby. You can usually find them cheap second hand. The newer models will be self propelled. Though Kirby is a hefty built vacuum. Honestly anything with a bag should be good. You will have much less maintenance with a bag.

My husband bought a v15 Dyson with all the attachments. It's nice but emptying the bin after every other use is annoying. Cleaning the after filter is messy and annoying. Blowing out the cyclone part of the filter is messy AF. And for people who live in apartments or similar would be impossible. However my Kirby is self propelled and I get about 2-3 months on a bag. Belts last forever and it has huge amounts of suction. Like it lifts the carpet up kind of suction. And I don't have to worry about running out of battery or hurting the battery.

Kirby vacuums are the best. But they are pricey and you can only get it through a local salesperson. If you can get that, get it. If not a shark is good.

We got a Kirby and it's been great. Built like a effing tank. Just keeps sucking its ass off.

No Kirby? Them Kirbys are workhorses.

The one in the picture looks just like mine! Still haven't checked exactly what model though

I bought a used Kirby G4 25 years ago and love it.

Where's my Kirby? It's about forty years old and still sucks!

Get a used Kirby off marketplace, eBay or Craigslist... Any g series will function nearly identically... It is not a wet vac, dry only... No liquid should go in the tank when using the shampooer

It's honestly sad sometimes. A woman called into my shop this week asking if we buy used Kirbys. Said her cleaning business never took off and she paid over $2k for the thing. I left out the part where these machines are available second - hand for less than $100.

You can usually find one at a thrift store or estate sale for cheap, then take it to a shop, put about $100 into it. With that, you have a kirby that runs like new and will last for years, for like 1/10th the original cost. Until they lower the cost of new units substantially, refurbished is the way to go with them.

My 1956 Kirby I got from a flea market for 25$, 15 yrs ago. Seriously, look for a used Kirby or other higher end cleaner.

I’ve got 2 G4s and a G6. I’m quite fond of them but I would never spend that money buying them new. They can be had used for a fraction of that. I think I spent ~$250 on my first G4 from a Kirby vacuum shop, freshly refurbished. The second G4 I bought for $20 on marketplace and also had it refurbished for ~$200 at that shop. The G6 I got for free at a garage sale, replaced the belt, bag, and cleaned it out and have been using it as is. They get used and abused at a movie theater and my house. I’d like it if they had a tube to do edges and corners with but it’s not that big of a deal. The G6 power drive is better than the ones on the G4s

Tenho um sentria. Resolve o problema dos pelos na roupa que é uma maravilha

I own an embarrassing amount of vacuum cleaners. My Kirby is my absolute favorite!! However, a part fell off it and I misplaced it. I didn’t want to spend a ton so I just bought a Kenmore Intuition and I’m really impressed how well in works on both my wood floors and carpeted rooms. Plus it weighs a fraction of what my Kirby does

I agree about cordless vacs. We have the Dyson they are too fragile and end up so clogged with dog hair that they become useless unless you keep stopping the machine for disassembly as we did just this morning. The best solution for us was to find a used Rainbow vacuum. They use a water bath for a filter and that traps the hair so you can empty it out with the water when you are done. I bought my last used one in good condition for $100. Found it on Craigslist. The other remarkable find was unexpected. My family had a Kirby vaccum and I was always amazed at how powerful it was. I went to a non profit's garage sale (Spectrum Farms in Cullowhee,NC.) They had a factory rebuilt Kirby for $75 that a previous owner had just received back from Kirby after 40 years of use. It looked and ran like a new machine. It has four height adjustments, the closest of which is close enough to slow your roll and you push the machine around because the strength of the suction is so strong, you have to click it up a notch to break the grip on the floor. I use this vaccum for my basement and adjacent game room. it is old tech, but it will last forever and has more suction than any other I have used.

I could not believe my luck. The machine was as clean as a new machine, had the rug shampoo devices, and all fixtures. 'Also had a brand new bag and wheels. They really took pride in craftsmanship and engineering back in the good old days. I don't think my mother's Kirby ever needed replacement. Cruise craigslist regularly and I will bet one turns up. You cannot kill this machine. Rainbow is great too, if you find one in good condition. I think they used to run around 1500. The body is ABS, so pretty tough,

Get a Kirby, buy an old tired one on marketplace for cheap, rip it apart piece by piece, and bring it back to new. YouTube is your friend. Once you understand the machine, you’ve got something that’ll last you a lifetime. I had your exact same problem, and that’s what I did.

Get a Kirby and learn to fix it, they’re built to last and to be fixed by the owner Instead of tossed after a few years. They’re heavy, and stairs can be a haste, but that’s it. Nothing else has the power of one.

We bought a Kirby in our 20s. That thing WILL last us our entire lives. If you really only want to but it once and for life I'd recommend it. Pricey but honestly that's it, one and done, forever.

Kirby GOAT

Kirbys right off facebook for 50 bucks, last vacuum you’ll buy if you maintain it properly, and as long as you don’t show him how to attach the hose he can’t use the crevice tool.

Stick vacuums are by definition “light weight”. They’re great for hardwood/tile and above the floor cleaning but they really don’t have the power to pull dirt out of a carpet. Motors that can do that are too big to mount on the top of the stick. Buy a used Kirby to get that carpet clean.

Best vacuum I’ve owned. I grew up around Kirby’s and missed bagged vacuums. This also does NOT tangle really long hair.

I enjoy refurbishing old Kirby's that I find at estate sales and stuff. They're like T34 tanks for your carpet. Solid AF with replaceable and repairable components. They are also self propelled with a clutch and transmission in them.

Kirby makes one vacuum and it's on there because it works. It will also last forever. I bought mine used off eBay 14 years ago and it hasn't missed a beat. But it for life in the mechanical flesh.

The bifl vacuum is Kirby, get a used one, definitely not from the salesman going door/door. They are both rugged and repairable. They can last 50+ years. This issue becomes qualities beyond bifl. They are also heavy as hell, large, difficult to get into many spaces, and generally difficult to use. …but it’s bifl.

Kirby - bought refurbished more than 20 years ago. Still going strong.

What is available now to purchase new, may have been made without the same quality as the brand was years ago. I'm just saying that some brands may have changed for the worst. I have not needed to buy a vacuum since 1997 when I got a Kirby. I've treated it pretty rough and it just keeps going.

They're heavy, awkward, and loud mainly. Also they still use flat belts which tend to stretch and slip which dramatically decreases their effectiveness (even shark, which this sub hates, use geared belts, lol). Also, using their attachments is a gigantic pain in the ass and ain't nobody got time for that 😆. Oh, and if you accidentally suck up a quarter or a Lego, or run over a wet spot you didn't see, you just might actually kill it (ask me how I know 🙄). When they first came about and got popular, they were innovative with all their multiple attachments and functions available in one unit, but they haven't really changed much as time has passed and people want modern features when they're dropping that kind of cash. Especially when even cheap Walmart vacuums have pull out hoses and various attachments for furniture/stairs/tight places and sometimes even the ability to turn the brush off for hard floors. That's another point too: wall to wall carpet in every room is nowhere near as popular as it once was because it's so high maintenance and prone to staining/damage. Kirby's design doesn't lend itself to easily switching between surfaces. Also most people don't install super thick plush or shag carpet anymore either, which was super great for being difficult to clean well and burning up vacuums. In all honesty, if someone wanted a good basic vacuum that was going to be for carpets-only, getting a plain-jane $150 light duty sanitaire commercial vac would get you pretty much the same tech and save you a bunch of money, and be significantly lighter and easier to use.

I used to really like the sanitaire when I did hired cleaning jobs, just because they are so lightweight and the bags are cheap so I could change them as much as I needed to without feeling some type of way. Some of those places were so bad, I would have to change it after every room and then go over it a couple more times and change it again before moving on to the next to get it adequately clean and/or prepped for the steam cleaner bro's. Cheap bags and belts and lightweight really matters when you're doing that kind of heavy vacuuming lol. Plus I liked that you could just tip it back a little and it would pull in everything from the edges and corners, and it was light enough that I could grip the back of the headshell and move it around on carpeted stairs and it would actually do a pretty adequate job on them. I have used the Kirby before, it's alright I guess but I couldn't really get the hang of it and I found it kind of annoying because I couldn't fit it in tight closets or under stuff, and the side mounted bag is forever in the way for lefties, lol. Plus it was just generally heavy and it would tire me out more quickly, and it seems like nobody knows to ever empty them or change their belts, and a lot of people run them without disposable bags because they don't know any better too. Lots of people don't do any basic maintenance on their machines for some reason and wonder why they don't work right 😆

And also loud as hell. My grandma’s cleaning lady had one. I could hear it from outside of the house with all the windows closed, 50-some feet away on a dock.

Gonna be honest. Kirby’s have more suction than any other vacuum and I’ll die on that hill. They also are completely repairable. Sure they are heavy. And a handheld floor vacuum for easy stuff is nice, but trust me. If you want a clean carpet…..Kirby.

Any Kirby you buy will survive multiple years in a commercial restaurant.

My Kirby is 20 years old

I'm a bit late here, but I think the perfect analogy for Kirby is that they are the Harley-Davidson of vacuum cleaners. They're heavy, loud, and behind the times in performance despite that, but they have lots of shiny chrome and an old-school charm that really appeals to a certain crowd. They also happen to be really good at one particular task - I don't remember what that is for Harley, but for Kirby the Tech Drive and height adjust pedals make them excellent for cleaning super-thick, super-plush wall-to-wall carpet.

I spent $1400 on a Kirby Diamond in 2004 and it’s still going strong.

Get a Kirby if you're actually not concerned about price. Kirbys are corded, but you will never have to charge or replace your vacuum. It will outlive you.

For a proper workout you could get a Kirby and switch the assist off. Then you can get rid of the weight set!

I still have the Kirby my grandma bought brand new in 1970.

Idk but I was buying vacuums it felt often. I e had the Kirby 10 years and it’s going strong

Kirby. Cordless is not the way to go Kevlar and steel plus patented cleaning power. There is a reason none of the others truly compare

Honestly. A Kirby. Buy a vacuum for life. The reason the others don’t work well is they patented the best. I paid 2500 12 years ago and when I die I’m taking my vacuum/ air pump/ floor washer/ carpet washer with me.

The Kirby would beat them all in a sand test

Thought this would be a fun discussion. My favorite is currently my Kirby Senria for a really good clean. Quick pick ups.... Shark Vertex pro Favorite mop Tineco 5 breeze Things I hated... Titan T9500 Every other shark I've owned Bissel crosswave

I absolutely love my Kirby, but I just got a Riccar and it so much smoother and easier to use. But I still love my Kirby and I feel like it cleans better.

I’m wondering if it’s high pile carpet that’s causing it. I have carpet in one room that most machines don’t do well on. I didn’t realize it was high pile, I thought that was only shag carpeting.  My Kirby is the only thing that really clean it.

Sentria. I bought one in eBay and got a second at an estate sale. Learning curve but great machine if you can get a good deal.  I’m not sure if it’s the carpet or the thick padding, but the Kirby is the only thing that works 

I have a Dyson cordless Animal and it’s perfect for me. I also have a really nice almost new Kirby ($800+ price tag) I picked up for $10 at a garage sale because the people didn’t understand you could replace the belts for a couple dollars. I use the Dyson all the time because it’s so much easier and less mental commitment for my ADHD brain to pick up and use a cordless vacuum whenever I need it. I can vacuum for three seconds and put it back before I get distracted. Easily worth the money because now I actually vacuum as opposed to getting stressed out about the whole process of plugging in, lifting, storing the giant Kirby and not vacuuming at all in the end.

So a Kirby is what I have. Yes, I know they are heavy. They are simple and bulletproof and literally last forever. do what I did. I went on offer up and find the one generation back from the newest model. I got it complete with all attachments for the price of a Dyson. And it has better hepa filtration.

Workhorses are relatively durable and the bagless design shows all the dirt which is great for videos and showing off to the customers. I would not use a Kirby commercially, they're too heavy and their fan is susceptible to damage. The Sanitaire Tradition is a similar vacuum to Kirby while being lighter and much easier to repair. But both Kirbys and Sanitaire Traditions have low water lift so they can leave a lot of heavy particles behind. Also the dump-out and dump-cup Traditions have terrible filtration. The Workhorse isn't popular here because the pre-motor filtration is poor and they don't have brushroll shutoff or on-board tool storage so they aren't well rounded vacuums. Cool vacuums, but too niche to recommend to most people.

Kirbys and Sanitiare Traditions have very similar very high cfm due to their direct air design but low water lift. The Workhorse and other clean air vacuums will have lower cfm but higher water lift. I think the Workhorse makes better videos because you can dump out all the dirt and show the viewers. Are you thinking about getting a new vacuum for yourself? I think there are a lot of other specs and features to consider if you want a vacuum for your home such as filtration, weight, built in hose and tools, etc.

Love Kirbys, I just bought another one, but they are outclassed by modern vacuums. Kirbys are still good for carpets and they are a strong value when you buy a used one under $100, but they are heavy, inconvenient to use the hose and tools. And the brand new prices are insane. It's not that Kirbys aren't as good as they once were, the problem is they're almost the same as they've been for the past 40 years and modern bagged vacuums have gotten better and they're lighter. I still recommend used Kirbys if you have lots of carpet and a budget under $100.

I don't recommend any of the vacuums listed. The bagless Bissell vacuums filter poorly and don't last very long. The Eureka 3670M does not have a powerhead for carpets and the Intercleaner vacuums are cheap and don't deep clean carpets. I do recommend the Bissell PowerForce Bagged 1739 $58. It's a good vacuum for carpets, and you can get use Style 7 Hepa bags from Clean Obsessed and other brands to make the filtration good. Downsides are a short cord and short hose but that's par for vacuums under $100. I do recommend the Vacmaster UB0302E, this is a cheaper version of the Kenmore Intuition and it sells for $99-125. So you check it's current price. It's a better all-around vacuum because it has brushroll shutoff for hard floors. I know you didn't ask for that but it makes it more flexible if your flooring changes. If you've ever wanted a Kirby vacuum you can usually find good condition used Kirbys for $50-100. They are heavy but they last forever and they're great at cleaning carpets. Thoughts?

Kirby vacuums are very durable and they last forever. Kirbys are good at cleaning carpets but not as good at cleaning hard floors. But they're very heavy and switching between tools is extra steps. If you really want a Kirby vacuum you can buy a great condition used Kirby Avalir 2 with all the tools for $200-300. And you can buy good condition older Kirby Legend II to Avalir models with all the tools for $50-100. People usually get tired of how heavy they are and the extra steps required to use the regular hose and tools. Kirby does not have a lifetime replacement or lifetime warranty that covers defects. Kirby has a 3 Year Warranty on new vacuums and Lifetime Rebuild Program which only means that no matter the age of the Kirby you can send it back and PAY Kirby to rebuild your vacuum. I think you should look for a used Kirby Avalir or Avalir 2 for $100-200 and see if you like Kirbys. If you want a modern vacuum that is lighter and quieter but very durable I would look at the Sebo Felix $799. Sebos come with 10 yr motor/10 yr parts/7 yr labor warranty from authorized dealers. If you have all or mostly hard floors a canister vacuum would be much better.

You're not doing anything wrong with your Sebo it's an old sales trick. The vacuum that goes last will always pick up some additional dirt. If the Kirby went first and you put those demonstration pads on your Sebo it would be picking up dirt left behind by the Kirby. Kirby and Rainbow and other door-to-door salesmen always use this trick. Kirbys do have high agitation and high airflow but very low suction power. Most people vacuum too fast to pick up everything. If you want to get the best clean vacuum much slower, do a couple passes, then change direction in the room and do it again. I don't like to vacuum super duper slow so I'd rather do more passes and different directions. But if I'm vacuuming before carpet shampooing I'll vacuum very slowly and thoroughly. Lastly if you want a Kirby you can buy a good condition used Kirby for $100 or less. They last forever but they're heavy and people sell them in a few years.

Kirbys have a direct fan design where the air passes through the fan before reaching the bag. This design moves a lot of air volume cfm but it doesn’t lift heavy particles because it has low suction in inches of water lift. So it’s really good at cleaning carpets but if you use the hose to pick up heavy debris like sand it isn’t as strong as a clean air fan design. Kirby’s are still very good for cleaning carpets but not as good at cleaning bare floors.

I agree with the weight issue but you can't beat the quality. Just picked up another Sentria II. I keep one on each floor of my two story house. 

A bagged eureka or sanitaire upright would be a good upright. Very easy to maintain and virtually no tools needed for most repairs. Parts of arby's available can I do a great job on Carpeting and floors ( Depending on the model). Try to find one that has a 7 Amp motor. Use Hepa type  bags. A Kirby would also be a good option.. The newer models have what's called Tech Drive which kind of compensates for the weight of the Kirby .

I love my sanitaire vacuum but I still use my Kirby as well. It mostly depends on the job i'm doing. 

Same here. Cordless for quick pickups, Kirby when the carpets need a good once over...

I have an old Kirby from the 80s and Ive never had a newer vacuum that can do better than the Kirby on dog hair.

I do, on rare occasion, I take the beater bar out and cut all the dog and human hair off of it. It's a pretty easy thing to do. It is a user-friendly vacuum. Kirby has some patent on its design. I don't remember the exact way it works but the dirt you vacuum up doesn't go through the motor like it does on other vacuums. The motor never goes out they have a life long warranty. All the stuff you have to deal with like belts and bags is easy to do. I sold Kirbys door to door decades ago. They're like 2500$ new. I bought my used for 300$. You can call a Kirby distributor and they'll come out and vacuum and shampoo your rug and you can see for yourself if it works on the hair before you buy it. If you do that don't pay 2500 you could probably talk them down pretty low if you're a good negotiator. They have an ultimate low they can go too. They are HEAVY and big and have been made the same way for over a 100 years. I've sold other expensive vacuums like Rainbow and Hyla as well. A Rainbow or some other type of water vacuum would be my next choose for you. The hair you're dealing with is going to wrap around the beater bar no matter what you do. The best solution is to get a high end vacuum and I mean higher end than a Dyson. A vacuum that is designed to last many years and is user friendly when it comes to having to disassemble or clean it. Think of it as an appliance like a refrigerator or a stove that is meant to last years if not decades.

All wrong. Get yourself a Kirby Vacuum Cleaner from a door to door salesman. That thing will last 30 years easy

My main affinity for the Kirby is that my mother was able to keep her 1980 sculptured carpet fluffy and like new for 25 years with it. Some people would see that as drawback. 😄 It outlasted probably $2000 worth of cheaper vacuums I had to throw away over the same time period.

Kirby is totally fine. It’s solid and that’s why there’s some that go for 40+ years. It’s just because Sebo exists there isn’t as much of a reason for stores to recommend them as consumers want lighter, more feature rich vacuums with better filtration. In Canada I don’t even know if you can buy them anymore. But they’re fine vacuums and last a looong time.

I’d agree with a Kirby, great machines that will last and you can find dirt cheap if you’re okay with pre owned. You can also look into a Kenmore Upright 31150 or 31140, both are excellent carpet machines that can do hard surface such as tile.

I’d recommend a Kirby. There are plenty of gently used machines out there. Main reason in recommending a Kirby is due to the height adjustment built into the machine. Simple to operate and does a fantastic job on carpet. It also won’t void your Karastan Warranty.

I like a Kirby too! They’re especially good in a house with carpet… the machine will Pickup what ever is thrown at it.

As a Kirby user, I can confirm that I've seen better vacuums than a Kirby

In another life I was a Kirby service tech and I serviced machines on a number of occasions > 40-50 years old. At the time they had parts available for all machines. They ARE expensive (and the sales process leaves a lot to be desired) but are generally built like tanks. If there's a weak point, it's the fan. Even if it is Lexan, hard/heavy enough debris (eg bolts) can shatter the blades. The nice thing about the design is that instead of putting the bag inline with the fan, the bags fill from the top so it's able to maintain airflow. We have one (though it was a gift) but generally use our Dyson cordless day to day.

Vokste opp med en Kirby støvsuger. Grei nok, men bråkte som et lite helvete.

I have two Kirby’s, one from the the mid 00’s and one from the 90’s. I also have a Dyson Ball animal from 2010-ish. All three of them are still going strong. The only drawback is the weight.

I have two Kirby’s, one from the the mid 00’s and one from the 90’s. I also have a Dyson Ball animal from 2010-ish. All three of them are still going strong. The only drawback is the weight.

I inherited a 30 year old Kirby from my mom. It still works like a dream, I just wish it wasn’t so heavy. I have a Shark for quick jobs, when it comes to heavy lifting, Kirby is the one for me.