Why didn't somebody tell me there was a vacuum cleaner topic here? My heart is pounding as I write. As far as I'm concerned the answer to your question is unequivocally an ELECTROLUX . I have two of them. One an upright and the other a canister. I prefer the canister. You can use it for hard wood floors, furniture, and carpeting. I have had the upright for 14 years and the canister for 10 or so. I can't remember that it has ever needed repair. Once I thought it had a problem, and I called my representative and he came out and when he got here it was working again. Guess it must have healed itself. Yes, it does cost big $$$ but like you, I had gone through my share of Hoovers over the years and that was big $$$ and aggravation and a lot of dust spewing forth.

Oh, that felt good. I love talking vacuums!