Kim, I use my regular vacuum, which is very lightweight, on carpet and on my laminate floors. The biggest job in our house is the mess that the birds make when they eat. It works great. Plus it came with a little lightweight canister vacuum as well, and it does great on the laminate and hardwood floors, too.

Mine is a Riccar that I purchased probably 6 years ago. Other than replacing the beater brush, twice (wore the bearings out), it has never given me a minute's problem.

Logan