Good Questions: Best Vacuum Cleaner for Small Spaces?

Jaime asks:
I've been looking for a new vacuum cleaner ever since my Eureka died after 10 years of good use. I live in a 500 square foot apartment, so something that works for a small space would be great. Any recommendations, Unplggd?

Hey Jaime,

It's been a while since we've covered the topic of vacuum cleaners, so we greatly appreciate this question. Plus, it'd be interesting to see what kind of recommendations we can get from our fellow readers on this one for a more diverse answer for you.

While Dyson vacuum cleaners have a tendency to receive polarized acceptance from the consumer market thus far, we've personally our Dyson DC12 Stowaway unit to be one of the user-friendliest and well-designed products we've ever purchased. We got it a while back for about $500, but we think the Dyson DC23 would probably be better bang for the buck at this point. If you're lucky, you can find it for about the same price - $500 - when it's on sale.

Have a good recommendation? Let us know in the comments!

(Image: kazamatsuri licensed for use under CC)

Comments (11)

Dyson FTW! They are light, compact, do an amazing job and are easy to fix and clean.

posted by meowsk on July 21st 2009 at 11:36am
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I love Dysons as much as the next person, but...

but...

The price tag is just too hefty for a lot of people living in apartments. I purchased a Eureka Optima (lightweight, compact upright), and I love it. In fact, I loved it so much that when I moved across the country and had to give mine up because it didn't fit in the van with another one... exactly the same model I'd purchased before.

It's bagless and the handle telescopes for compact storage. I have two cats, and it does a bang-up job of keeping the apartment spotless, despite fur and dander.

posted by bfootnovellista on July 21st 2009 at 11:49am
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I'm personally not a big fan of the canister vacuums, so I picked up a DC24 a couple months ago for it's compact size, and it works great.

I was able to get it for $325 out the door (no tax and free shipping) from Bank's Vacuum Superstores. - http://www.banksvac.com/browse.cfm/4,944.html

posted by Joseph Rosario on July 21st 2009 at 12:04pm
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Why would I want to Fix the Dyson? Does it break often? I'd rather buy something that does not break, my Hoover wind tunnel is finally showing signs of age after 12 years.

Personally I would rather forgo rugs if I could and use a swiffer. Then get one of those hand size vacuum cleaners, plugins suck better, for couches and other small things

posted by funstraw on July 21st 2009 at 12:45pm
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I have hardwoods through my 1300 sq ft house, and use a electrolux ergorapido. It usually starts to die at the end, and I wouldn't use it if we had carpet, but it works just fine for our needs.

http://www.amazon.com/Electrolux-Ergorapido-Cordless-Vacuum/dp/B001PA7KDO

posted by baltimorerowhouse on July 21st 2009 at 1:15pm
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How about one of the short on the U.S. market Miele vacs. Mine is "hot chocolate." They didn't turn out to be too popular in the U.S.....back when bigger was better....but they are still really popular in the EU.....and still available in the states. I love mine!!

http://www.a2zvacuums.com/miarthotchup.html

posted by 37Rubydog on July 21st 2009 at 1:26pm
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For me, paying over $100 for a vacuum is a waste of money! Especially for living in a tiny place. I paid around $50-60 for my green Eureka vacuum & its still working 3 years later...

posted by poweredbytofu on July 21st 2009 at 1:31pm
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The one thing cheaper models do not do well handling is containing allergens. So we've got a two vac system, with an Electrolux Ergorapido for quick hard floor clean ups (especially pet hair and wayward litter) and then a Hoover Constellation with a decent HEPA system. That being said, if given the chance, a Miele would be in the house if budget allowed.

posted by gregory on July 21st 2009 at 2:54pm
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I bought this Eureka at Bed Bath and Beyond a couple years ago and love it. They were selling it for $100 and I used a 20% off coupon. I'm not sure what model has replaced it but it's great for hardwood floors. And personally with allergies, I prefer vacuums with bags.

http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-3684D-TheBOSS-Mighty-Mite/dp/B0000UJH5E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1248215169&sr=8-3

posted by tometa on July 21st 2009 at 5:35pm
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I bought this $60 Kenmore at Sears for my 500 sq ft place. Sure it's not the best, but it was cheap and I paid an extra $10 or so for a 5 year warranty. If it breaks (which it probably will), they'll give me a new one.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02026082000P?vName=Appliances&cName=Vacuums %26 Floor Care&sName=Canisters

posted by Greyhound on July 21st 2009 at 8:22pm
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I used to have the same attitude as "Powered by Tofu"...why spend THAT much money on a vacuum?!

Then I got my Dyson. I think DYSON rocks and if I could afford the top of the line model, I would buy it. I have the DC-18 (The Dyson Slim) and it works very well for a 4 br 1800 sq. ft. house. My mother has the Dyson DC-24, with the telescoping handle. It's compact, and very lightweight which she loves because she has arthritis and can manuever this one very easily. (easier than my Slim.)

No bags to use, the filters are washable. Easy to reset the beater bar (a button on the side ya push!)...no belts to deal with. It doesn't kick back dust when vacuuming on ceramic tile or wooden floors like other upright vacuums. I've used it out in the garage to clean that floor, I've used it out in the vehicles to clean the floormats and carpeting. I've used it to clean out my AC filter in the house.

Never had a problem w/ my Dyson, but if I do, Dyson has a 5 year warranty on it.

posted by Jann on July 23rd 2009 at 12:19pm
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