Any advice? I have a two story home, and a stairway, no pets, and the vacuum I have now is a Hoover bagless, and it's such a drag trying to empty it. Also, as it fills up, the suction really goes down.
Get a Nutone central vac. Just be sure to get a hose for the upstairs so you don't have to lug a single hose up and down. That will solve all your problems...
For a new vacuum, I actually liked the Hoover Platinum bagged upright, very light weight, powerful, not terribly loud, and the hepa bag was massive. I believe they retail for $299
Does it have to be "new" when there are so many wonderful vintage vacs out there to be had for next to nothing often times. New vacs imho are pretty much a waste of money Go vintage I say !!!
Listen to PeteK, 2 vintage uprights for up/down stairs, and a good vintage lux for above the floor. Check craigslist, seems to be a lot of Kirbys lateley, probably because of the trend to hardwood and ceramic floors. alr2903
I'd go for one of the lower end Miele's. They are built to last. The canisters are actually quite light weight. I think maybe the S300 series might be right for you.