Well after a couple more expensive models (vacuums)

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8. we bought a 8 year old Rainbow when we got married for $600

had it rebuilt last year (22 years later) for $300 (new on/off switch and gaskets, motor lube)

cleans like crazy, has tons of attachments including a powered stair/car head

we live in the dusty desert, our spring wind storms are notorious. when i pick up the rug, there's no dust/dirt under it so the vac is sucking it all up, all the way through the thick rugs.

there is no dust released in the air as it's all captured in the water, which is gross but doesn't get all over me, i dump it down the toilet or out in a corner of the yard.

even though it's an investment, you can find rebuilds at your local rainbow store or all over ebay.

i do have a dirt devil for quick pickups, but dang, those filters add up and i know it doesn't clean all the way. and emptying that bin is nasty.

I've used that Rainbow to suck up floods when there have been 'plumbing issues', the duster cleans lamp shades to brand new, the upholstery attachment sucks the dust out of drapes and curtains like a champ, and would defur any furniture the furbabies had claimed for their own.

I was skeptical, but hubby ran a Rainbow store in his youth and he claimed his allergies would thank him for it. when we had 3 dogs and a cat, no furballs survived. i'm not much of a housekeeper, but once or twice a month that Rainbow does a through job.

they're not for everyone, but i'll never give mine up.