I bought a canaster kind of Bissell years ago and it worked great so when I saw the upright Bissell, I decided to buy one for the daughter in Winona. She liked it and so I bought one for me.....and also one for the other daughter. Gotta make sure you get the heavier (12 amps, I think) one (I bought them at WalMart and NOT Kohls). It's really easy to operate even tho it's kinda heavy to drag upstairs. The Kohls one was different. The box didn't say how many amps so I stood right there in the store and called the 800# on the outside of the box and they said it was NOT the 12 amps one. No wonder it was soooooooo much cheaper. lol
Didn't look at any other cleaners. I like Bissell. It really does a come to your house. Do it on your own time. I find that it dries mucho faster too than having it done professionally.
I kept the canaster cleaner to suck up water in the basement when we have a HUGE rain. heh!
AnnE Good luck. If ya need the model number, let me know and I'll get it for you