I know that this may not be what you are looking for, but we have owned several vaccuumes in our ten year marriage, and I know a little about buying a new one. When our hoover windtunnel broke, we decided to buy a Dyson. They can be expensive, but it is worth the extra money. We have two dogs, one with long black hair that gets on every thing and so we went for the Dyson animal (about $450) but it picks up the pet hair and my kids messes every time, can switch from carpet to hard wood or tile floors in an instant and the hose attachment is awsome.
My mom bought the bissel pet for her downstairs, and I absolutely hate it. I clean her house every week and I hate both of her vaccuumes so much that I bring my Dyson with me! The bissel clogs all the time and i have to empty it (which is really a hassel and not user friendly at all) all the time, which I dont have to do with my Dyson. If you can spare the extra money, you really do get what you are paying for with the Dyson. Good luck!