I found a "Buyer's Guide" in the Good Housekeeping magazine. The "best warranty" was the Dirt Devil Cruiser 091700 ($199.99). "Top Value" went to the Eureka Boxx 5855 ($129.99). Next in line was the Kenmore Progressive Direct Drive 33923 (279.88)

BEST OVERALL was the Hoover Savvy U8145-900 ($279.99).

The WORST vacuums were the Oreck and Dyson. They rated Dyson with the best pull although it didn't suck up debris nearly as well as the winners.

The Oreck they said didn't finish well even though it's a featherweight.

The "robot vacs" were terrible.

Hope this helps.