Dustin Chaffin Great-Vacs Manager I so appreciate all the time you took to share the differences between the Kirby and the Dyson Animal. Your test was thoughtfully taken in and executed. There was enough infomation for me to know that I am not going to by a Dyson 14-15-or 17 Animal Vacuum. Honestly that is what I wanted when my husband ordered the Oreck. Because I had complained of the vacuuming for a few years because, I was in pain for 3 days after vacuuming. I had 3 surgeries on my right arm, (shoulder, elbow and wrist).  So, I just stopped vacuuming. He took it on, and in only about 3 months bought the Oreck. I suffered for 5 years, pushing that heavy Kirby around, go figure, he only lasted 3 months. I should mention here we are DIY'ers with lots of projects. Messy ones. Have 2 pug doggies, 3 Macaws. (one recently passed away He lived in the kitchen on his perch) So I do know about vacuuming birdseed, crackers, etc. OH and kids.

My husband decided to finally weight the Kirby Legend 2 vacuum, and at 21.5 lbs (the bag has dirt and dog hair in it and no telling how much this weighs) with the advertised weight of the Oreck being only 11 lbs he went on and ordered it.  It was a surprise gift for me. Well it came and I was so shocked. Surprise it was. Within a week, we were off to the closest Oreck dealer exchanging it for the Commercial one.  The Oreck is now about 2 years old. We purchased the Scrubbing Machine and the dry carpet cleaner on the initial exchange of the mailed unit. We really really like the Scrub Machine and the Dry Carpet Cleaner.  It does a great job. I do prefer the Oreck on our Italian tile floors, as it does pretty good at picking up and not throwing it back at my feet from the beater bars. I don't take the time to change the Kirby from the rug attachment to the hose and flat floor attachment when I am vacumming. Takes too much time and this is a big house.  If Kirby would put a rubber piece along the bottom of the rug attachment that could be lowered with the flip of a switch, this would stop the bird seed and/or sand from hitting my feet and flying all over the place to be re-vacummed form behind me.  One thing is for sure, the Kirby Rug attachment makes crumbs from crackers and spreads it all over if you miss picking it up before you vacuum.None of us Mothers are perfect. And it is faster to let the vacuum pick it up...or spread it around so to speak....LOL....

Well we returned the Oreck that comes in the trial offer, and upgraded to the 21 model because it is supposed to be the best model they sell.  I did use the Free Iron for a while until it stopped getting hot, and the mini vac, well I find it useless in the sucking department. My Husband uses the Flowbee faithfully and for only 3 or 4 times used he mini canister vac freebie with the Flowbee....and then he decided it is useless as well. Back to the Kirby for the Flowbee use, as the Oreck does not have the ability to use a hose attachment.

My Electrolux 1984 or 85 Model Canister. The thing still runs, and after I buy a new hose that attaches to the Powerhead properly(minus the duct tape and black electrical tape all the way up the hose)  I will use it again too.  Of all three of these vacuums...and we do use them all at various times My Electrolux is still my favorite. The hose on the Electrolux was repaired once...however, with a used part and thus doesn't make the connection to the powerhead electrical thing to make it run. Also, from having to hold it together to get the powerhead to operate I have cracked the plastic part where the two connect on the powerhead itself. The Powerhead handle hitting the hard tile floor a few hundred times didn't help either over the years.

All in all, I use the Oreck for the fast and quick vacuuming, the Kirby for heavy duty, and I just pat the Electrolux and promise to fix her someday.

Costs:   ELECTROLUX Silverado Deluxe  Electrolux  in 1984-85....$800.00 (this came with a Free Kitchen Broom so called but actually a slim   vacuum, Kirby Salesman had to take it in a trade in as I refused to part with my Big Electrolux)

              KIRBY LEGEND 2  Door to Door Salesman.....1989-90.... $1300.00 (the whole enchilada came with it)

              ORECK.........Internet  $700.00 (approximate) But, at the Oreck dealer with the Scrubbing Machine plus all the rug and floor cleaning stuff etc, etc, etc.....$1300.00)

I do hope this helps someone out there decide on vacuums.  It is a confusing world in that department. I think that the Big Brand Names that have survived through the years should have the first choice, and looksee.  They often stand by the reputaion they have earned. Then try the newbies.