Vacuum Cleaners - Bissell 35951 CleanView Revolution Plus Upright Bagless Vacuum

Also impressive at this price point are the little design tweaks that make the CleanView such a pleasure to use: the extra-long 30-foot power cord with quick-release cord wrap, a bright headlight for illuminating under couches, the easy-emptying dirt container, and the durable, generously proportioned wire-reinforced hose. There are three handle positions--upright for storage, angled for normal cleaning, and near-flat for low cleaning under furniture--and seven height adjustments to accommodate surfaces from bare floors to heavy pile. A clean-carpet sensor comes in handy when vacuuming hard-to-see dirt and dust, and the clean filter indicator monitors airflow, letting you know when it's time to wash the filters.

On the down side, the CleanView Revolution Plus requires a little maintenance. Besides emptying full dirt cups, users should check the upper tank and pre-motor filter every month and clean as needed, clean or replace the post-motor filter every 3-6 months, and regularly inspect and clean the rotating floor brush and drive belt. But all of these parts are designed to be readily accessible without tools, and they rinse off easily in the sink--not much of a trade-off for maintaining the unit's sterling effectiveness. The Revolution Plus comes with an extra HEPA filter; it measures 15 inches long by 12-1/2 inches wide by 44 inches high, weighs 17 pounds, and is backed by a limited one-year warranty. --Mary Park