I could not spend the money they wanted for a Dyson...I just could not do it. I have had 2 Dirt Devils in almost 20 years and was in desperate need of a new machine. I had the money to spend, but am far too practical to buckle under consumer pressure to get the name brand, so did research. I read reviews..alot of them.
I decided to go out and look and handle them. I really liked the Dyson ball. It was lightweight (on my list for hauling up and down the steps in our multi level house)...moved great...had alot of pluses. I almost walked out of the store several times with one. But the pushing $500 price tag (with coupons??) was too hard to swallow.
My other top runner was the Shark Navigator, which was closer to $200. Small and light with its own "never loose suction" guarantee. In the end thats what I got and I LOVE it. I am very pleased with my purchase. I have had it over a year now and it works fantastic.
By the way, I do home childcare, vacuum 1-3 times a day, have 2 cats who track litter all over plus the hair, plus my own family. I am very hard on anything home related, but manage to get many years out of any of my purchases.
If you can't or won't (like me, do the high Dyson price tag)..seriously look at the Shark Navigator.