I guess this is not thread derailing since the title was simply "vacuum cleaners" with no specific brand mentioned.
Why I like my Dyson Animal:
1. It is bag-less.
2. I was able to purchase a nice (but over-priced) soft brush that I use to clean my electronic and computer cases, keyboards, and screens.
End of reasons I like my Dyson.
Reasons I do not like my Dyson:
1. Over-hyped and over-priced.
2. It does not pick up that good. If I can see a fuzzy on the carpet and it has been stepped on frequently the Dyson will not pick it up until I change the angle of attack.
3. I do not think it fluffs the carpet very much.
4. No cord management. It all comes off at once and gets tangled. My canister had a retractable cord.
5. Power cord gets warm indicating it is insufficient gauge. Wish it had an IEC so I could upgrade.
6.Maybe there have been some changes since I purchased my Dyson many years ago but at that time some nice attachments were reserved for models dedicated to one store. e.g. I think only the model sold at Sears had the floor brush I wanted. It was not available for sale separately. I am talking about a simple brush, not the bare-floor head they offer.
7. Major complaint is that I always seem to be taking it apart to reconfigure it. None of the attachments can be used without morphing the machine.
8. An example of Dyson hype---suction hose can be stretched 18 feet. Well maybe it can but the useable distance is more like 4 feet. After that it is hard to pull and if you do not have a line backer on each end of the hose the Dyson will come flying at you like a freight train if it is on a bare floor. You can stretch a little farther on carpet but at 5' my arms get tired fighting the hose and there is a danger of tipping the machine. The hose does a great job of collapsing back to its original length which is a plus. Unfortunately it also makes it useable only at close range.
I will not buy any more Dyson products because, based on the vacuum I have, I can't believe Dyson hype.