Brit designer James Dyson started the trend of redesigning the common vacuum cleaner with his show-stopping uprights. Now a class of new, high-performance machines packs punch-making a clean sweep of your floors and, in some cases, your funds.
1. Eureka’s Optima sports the features of a full-power, full-sized upright but weighs a diminutive 11 pounds.
2. Sebo’s Felix converts to hand-held and has attachments to do it all-like a proper British butler, an image conjured up by its trim build.
3. Miele’s ART Red Roses is lean on girth, long on looks and loaded with features, like its telescoping handle that hides a 5-foot hose.
4. Dyson’s DC15 is called “The Ball” for the giant plastic joint that rules its flick-of-the-wrist moves.
5. Hoover’s EmPower is geared toward young families with its folding handle, hush mode and juicy-fruit hues.
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Resources: 1. Eureka Optima, $55, at Costco. 2. Sebo Felix, $639-$679, at Best Vacuum, Chicago. 3. Miele ART Red Roses, $399, at Best Vacuum and Best Vac, St. Charles. 4. Dyson DC15 “The Ball,” $599, at Best Vacuum. 5. Hoover EmPower, $89, at Best Buy.
