I originally went with the Oreck because it was so lightweight. I had a Hoover Wind Tunnel before that, and not only didn't it do a good job, but it weighed a ton, and I couldn't handle it after my back surgery. I never had a Kenmore that lasted more than a couple of years, and normally Kenmore products are great. I even talked my "cheapy" brother in to an Oreck - after he said they weren't worth the money.