Another vote for Miele from me. My mum has had hers for years, and mine (which I've had for two years) gets a real hammering with four kids and four cats to clean up after.

It's a fab machine and has stood up to the bashing really well, and I only have the lower end one, as when I bought it I thought I would be moving back to the UK, so would only be able to have it for a short while. I really wish I had known so I could get the more pricey one. They are lovely little machines, so versatile.

I had a Miele Hepa in the UK. Bought it in John Lewis (ahhh... I miss that store!!) It was a brilliant little hoover.... and built like a brick shhhh house.

Got a Sebo in the UK which I'd intend to take to Canada if it can be used with an adaptor. The upright models sell for £200-250 in the UK at places like John Lewis. What would a Sebo upright cost in Canada?

The central vacuum units in houses in North America - do they have a moving brush to beat the carpet with.

Yes. That's part of the problem. The powered head is about the same size and weight as an ordinary vacuum cleaner and then there's the hose and power cable to deal with.

Central vacs are not the be all and end all of all vacum cleaners, it you have it in the house, then great, but don't buy a house because of it.

I have heard that Costcos sell dyson's.

I am just waiting for my central vac to die and then I will probably get one.

They do - we bought our Dyson in Costco

Why? why would you want a Dyson? Noisy, expensive, dirty, unreliable, ugly, cumbersome.

Perhaps they should call it "Husband" not "Dyson".

Ex husband even.....