Hi there,
I’m Jason Roberts and this is my brief story. I was born in ’63, during a cold winter in Little Rock (if one could call 23 F cold). I always wanted to leave Arkansas, even since I was a little boy. I thought I would love a big city like New York or at least Houston, which was closer to my folks. Little Rock seemed too little for me. I had a great time at Central High school and at the uni, where I’ve studies applied electronics. For a few years, I did a bunch of everything, from selling stuff, guiding travelers around Cedar Falls, fishing in Buffalo River and even coaching tennis. I got my first (and only) serious job at Walmart, and things were going nicely for me. I have been an active salesman for more than 15 years, and based on my technical background, I got pretty good at this job. Anyway, time flew and before I knew, I got married and had 2 small sun-shines: Dora and Elisa.
The Internet has been one of the main industry pillars in our state since 2000. I started to think about using my skills to participate in this phenomenon. I’ve been struggling to put together this project for months: to make a website that reviews products I also sell in my real life – vacuum cleaners. At the beginning, it was a disaster. It’s pretty hard to get up to speed with everything that is going on. I’ve only recently found a friend (Bodo) that is helping me with everything I don’t know.
But, let’s get back to our things. If you are reading this, then you have to know that I am fully committed to helping you find the best vacuum cleaner that will suit all your needs (or at least, the most of them). Besides that, I’ve been struggling and I’ll continue to struggle to add to this site elementary guides that will help you to clean your home better, faster and easier. Starting with accessories and ending with detergents and cleaning solutions, all the details behind having an impeccable home will be explained here. Moreover, I occasionally like to hold roundup sessions and interviews with established experts that will surely contribute to the utility of VacuumsGuide.com.
The amount of information one can find online is incredible. However, I’ve found a lot of so-called experts that were recommending products that in my opinion are not worth it. My advice to you is to read and listen to a guy that knows what he is doing. My promise to you is that I will provide only honest opinions. Please remember, I’ve been testing, reviewing and selling vacuums for a lot of years (and thanks to my wife – which is not messy but doesn’t do any vacuuming herself, I’ve also been using them a lot). My comparison charts are helping every visitor of this site (and they assist me too) in making the absolute best choice, given certain constraints such as your budget, the type of vacuum your are interested in, your cleaning requirements and so on.
To sum things:
- I have 15+ years of real life experience in selling vacuum cleaners at Walmart.
- I have been working at my personal appliance store from Little Rock for more than 10 years. I’ve been selling vacuum cleaners like no other in my town.
- I love to review key brands and top products. Usually, I don’t review products that I don’t like from the start. That is why I’ll always have something positive to say about a product I review here.
- I enjoy recognition from various clients and industry experts.
- I’m still writing my book called the “The King of Appliances” (which I’ve started mote than 5 years ago).
- I enjoy participating in various fairs and conferences in technology.
- I easily connect with people, I’m a very social person and I love to talk about everything.
Many people I’ve helped over the years send me thank you notes and like to share their appreciation. Check out these tweets:
Kudos to http://t.co/2gr7IP27yw for helping me get the best deal on my vacuum cleaner!! http://t.co/vQJVA4I2fK #cheapvacuumcleaner
— Alice (@aalicesayss) September 28, 2014
The king of vacuum cleaners helped me choose:http://t.co/voVnZPv7dG #vacuumsguide
— Rabbi Shai (@RabbiShaiSpecht) September 26, 2014
I want to buy this guy a beer : http://t.co/XsynlsC2vo #Jason #bestvacuumcleaner
— New York City Guide (@Guide2NYC) September 26, 2014
Thank God there are people like Jay. That's how I've chosen my next vac:http://t.co/THKIfJEAcr #bestvacuumcleaner
— Alex S. (@sterndrone) September 28, 2014
Got my vacuum cleaner with 30% less thanks to Mr. Roberts: http://t.co/GPtGxm3Xak #cheapvac
— Pegasus Directory (@PegasusDirector) September 27, 2014
Jason helped me choose my vacuum. Thank you:http://t.co/kAwlTCOV2R #vacuumsguide
— Abigail Van Nuys (@Abi_Blabby) September 30, 2014
If you would like to talk more with me, if you want to do an interview with me, or if you have any type of question, you could contact me, drop a comment bellow or use the social media channels to get in touch with me.
I hope you enjoy my site.
Best wishes,
J. Roberts
Jason Roberts
Latest posts by Jason Roberts (see all)
- Dyson v8 vs Dyson v7: Which One Is Best? - January 7, 2021
- Roomba 890 vs 960: Which One Is Best? - January 7, 2021
- Roborock S5 vs S6 – Which One is Best? - January 7, 2021
Roberta Connelly says
My husband bought the bissell symphony after seeing it on an infomercial. I have engineered wood and a large area rug… does the steam ruin the engineered wood? cause it to swell? it’s a floating floor.
thanks
Roberta
Jason Roberts says
It should work with no problem. Test the appliance in a corner, just to be sure. Floating floors usually have those thin protection layers that are built to handle water, even if it comes as steam. If you bought the flooring recently, you could also ask at the store.
Roberta Connelly says
thanks for your help
Jim says
I am just about to buy a shop vac. It is a shop-vac with a 1 & 1/4 hose. Amazingly, it is very difficult to find a stiff bristle accessory brush for almost all shop vacs. I want to abrasively remove semi-hardened particles from concrete, wood, etc. Dyson makes a “stiff bristle” brush, but they say it will only fit on Dysons. If it is 1 1/4 inch, shouldn’t I be able to make it fit on my Shop-Vac tubing? Thank you very much.
Jason Roberts says
You should, however, connecting shop-vac’s hose with Dyson’s stiff brush is a bit problematic. This specific brush has the connecting points on both sides. The hose connector must be able to fit these points.
Jim says
Thanks Jason. So if the Dyson is likely to be problematic, then do you have a suggestion for a stiff bristle brush that I can use. I of course can use an adapter to deal with two different tube sizes. Thanks again.
Jason Roberts says
No problem! It’s hard to find an universal stiff brush. You could take a look at this one, or at this one, although their bristles are rather firm than stiff. If you can’t find any, you could also use a Black&Decker Power Scrubber, but this tool requires more manual work.
Jim says
Thanks Jason for the suggestions. I will check then out. Much appreciated.
Collier Coach says
Hi Jason we love your site. Question, What would recommend for the best unit to do car interiors? We have been looking a bunch of options. What are your thoughts on the Metro units? Your advice would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance. -Your fans at Collier Coach – Naples Florida
Jason Roberts says
Check my top picks for cleaning cars.
Maya says
Hi Sir, please advice me to repair my Vacuum cleaner .
My old vacuum cleaner stops running for 2 days,I opened the case and cleaned the parts , but still it is not working, so I believe the problem is electrical. when i opened it, I found a small surface mount circuit board, inside a motor, retractable chord which also stops working for a long time. Also I wish to learn how to fix the electrical issue, I tried to check the continuity using a multimeter. Can you please help me to fix it. I have the pictures of it.
Jason Roberts says
Maya, although I have some electrical circuits knowledge (thanks to my college education), I am not proficient. On this blog I mainly focus on reviewing new vacuum cleaners, as this is my main area of expertise. Although I have an absolutely full schedule, you can try to send me the pics to my email address though, maybe I can take a look.
Karen says
Dear Jason,
Thank you for your very informative website. I was hoping you could recommend a bag vacuum for a house that is mostly hardwood floors and minimal carpeting. I’ve had bag less vacuums and hate the emptying process so I really prefer a bag model. I have a non shedding poodle. Thank you for considering recommending a vacuum to me.
With gratitude,
Karen
Jason Roberts says
Dear Karen, if you’re into a high-end canister model, take a look at my latest review. If you need something cheaper, you could always go for a Miele C1 (i.e. Olympus), or a Kenmore Elite.
Nada Rabie says
Hi Jason,
Thank you for this great website. I am really lost and cant decide which vacuum to chose, can you please give me a hand with this.
I have an apartment mostly wood, I am looking for a bagels canister with a wide brush. I am not planning to spend more than 300$ for this.
Regards
Jason Roberts says
Get the Dyson Ball Multifloor (DC39). It fits you budget, and works great on hardwood. Also consider the Panasonic MC-CL935 or the Shark NR96 canister.
Nada Rabie says
Thank you Jason for your help
Josephine says
Hey Jason, I just bought a house so I’m looking for a good vac that isn’t too expensive. The house is mostly beautiful hard wood floors so I definitely need something that won’t ruin it. There are a few rooms with carpets so I need a vac that can also clean carpets well. I have pets that shed alot so something that is good for pet hair is a must. I need something that isn’t heavy to carry up and down stairs. Let me know your thoughts
Jason Roberts says
I would recommend you a canister, such as the Miele Classic C1 Olympus. It works great on both hardwood and low pile carpets. An improved version, with better filters, suction power, better head nozzles and which is especially designed to handle pet hair is the Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog, but the price is almost 3 times as high as the Olympus. Otherwise, also take a look at the newest Shark Rotator Truepet, it has a special attachment for hardwood floors and works very well with pet hair.
Clara says
Thank you, for all these reviews, Jason!
I am a housecleaner- 3 years ago, really liked a Govt. building’s Tornado vaccs (made in USA). What have been your experiences with this and (any?) other US-made vaccs?
I am due to buy something here soon- $400ish. Must have wand. And preferably do both hardwood and all piles of carpet well.
Big regards~
Jason Roberts says
Well, if you like Tornado, one of their CV models (the CV30) is within your budget. I personally haven’t used a unit made by this manufacturer in ages, they are not so popular. I like their low moisture scrubber, maybe I’ll do a review on it in the near future.
Clara says
Many thanks for your prompt reply!
I just may buy that CV-30. It’s exactly what I was looking at…
Also, after I asked you about other US made vaccs, I found your SU-WEET listing of just that very thing. Beginning with some rational for buying state-side.
Didn’t know of half those brands!
Mille grazie-
Amy says
Hi Jason,
I have very expensive hardwood floors that I do not want to scratch. What is the best cordless vacuum to use?
Jason Roberts says
Probably the Dyson V6 Fluffy. The roller is soft and plushy.
Lee Grey says
I’ve talked to a few robotic vacuum manufacturers and they say that shiny floors such as the polished marble (highly polished as in a mirror finish but not dark or of uniform coloring) ones I have may confuse their machines. Are there any models that will work on shiny surfaces?
Jason Roberts says
Neato Botvac D series should work just fine, and so would the newer iRobot Roomba 980.
Diana says
I have been recently diagnosised with asthma and alot of other allergies and respiratory problems. Also have two Golden Retrievers mostly inside and must vacum every few days. I have 90% carpet. Would like easy to push due to stamina. Hepa filter definately. Suggestions would be of great help. Currently have a Kirby and forget it, just doesn’t pick up the hair and edge areas. thank you…
Jason Roberts says
You need a lightweight or a canister with good filtration and powerful suction. Unfortunately, most lightweights aren’t really built for high pile carpets. So if you have deep rugs and carpets in your home, you should focus on a canister, such as the Miele C3 Cat & Dog, Brilliant or Marin, which are easy to push around and have a hospital grade filtration. If you have low pile carpets, a Miele Classic C1 Titan or HomeCare should do the trick (or you could buy cheaper C1 models and upgrade their filters to HEPA). Low pile carpets also allow you to use Shark Rocket Truepet of a cordless Dyson V6 HEPA.
Sean Doran says
I’d also suggest a vacuum with a complete seal so the allergens are locked inside and not spit out of the exhaust. Dyson and Shark uprights have completely sealed systems (as does Miele but might be cost prohibitive.) Dyson uprights tend to be pretty heavy, but the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away has the complete seal, and since the canister can be separated from the pole and put on a rolling caddy, it can transform into a very lightweight vacuum with all the power and air-cleaning ability of a full-size upright. I have one and it does an amazing job on pet hair and dander.
mary says
I have tile in 2/3 of my house. I need a machine that has the capacity to scrub the grout and then suck up the soapy water/cleaner. The grout is wide and lower than the level of the tile. I have a steamer that cleans the tile fine but not the grout. So the tile looks great and the grout looks horrible. Any suggestions?
Thank You,
Mary
Jason Roberts says
You may consider the Hoover Floormate Deluxe or the Hoover Floormate Edge. They both scrub bare floors very well, including grout.
Kathy C says
Hi Jason,
I just purchased the Neato D-85 Botvac. Neato’s directions for charging for the first time
say that the LED light will “Blinking Amber” if the battery needs to be charged; “Blinking Green” if the battery is charging, but not fully charged, and “Solid Green” if the battery is fully charged and ready to clean. As soon as I plugged in the charging base, and turned on the vacuum battery, the LED light became “Solid Green” (indicating the battery was fully
charged, however, I had just taken it out of the box. I pressed the Start (House) button bu
nothing happens. I charged it overnight but the light still remains on and the machine does not move. Help! What am I doing wrong? I purchased the Neato because I was impressed with your knowledge of the Neato and it seemed like it would be best for me.
Please help.
Jason Roberts says
Have you followed all the steps from the quick start guide? Have you removed the protective films, set up the home base, and so on? After you press the home button once, you have to wait for a few seconds before the unit starts. You then have to press it again to make it start cleaning. If this doesn’t work, most likely your unit has a problem.
gloria boop says
my husband got a bad shock off of new cordless dyson, will this be a problem? I love the machine and have not had a problem but my husband gets shocked.
Jason Roberts says
How do you mean shocked? Electrically? From the cordless unit? That’s new for me. It happened once, or is it frequent? If it happened more than once, take the unit back to warranty.
April says
Hi Jason!
I found your website super helpful! I have recently heard a sales pitch on a product I won’t name, but it’s an air purifier and cleaning system. The idea behind it was that it isn’t suction but airflow that cleans. And I saw with my own eyes, how a filter can really just stop working like by getting clogged. Of course it was ridiculously priced but I can’t help really wanting a system that cleans my air and vacuums my house and traps the dust and dead skin in water to prevent it from going back in the air. Am I just a fool? Any products that you can suggest that are similar and don’t cost my first born?
Thanks! 🙂
Jason Roberts says
I guess you’re talking about the Rainbow system. All HEPA vacuums are in fact purifying air. Of course, you can buy an air purifier which would be much more efficient, since it’s specifically designed for this job.
April says
Thank you! 🙂 Yea that does make more sense! It seemed like such a great idea last night but now not so much! 🙂
Thanks again!!
Fred Fox says
Hello Jason
I am looking to buy a Shark Rotator Lift-Away I have looked at model #NV681 Best Buy$269.00,NV680 Walmart$230.00,NV760 Sam’s Club$260.00, Shark has none of these model #’s on there web site do you know what the difference are?The model #s on Sharks web site are NV 751,750,752 NV 651,652,650.Also the sam’s club model comes with a bonus steam pocket mop.I have a combination of hardwood floors and carpet no pets.while price is important I want to make sure I don’t sacrifice Quality or a good feature for a few dollars. Thanks for your help.
Fred
Jason Roberts says
Fred, all the Rotators in series 600/700 are the same, in the sense they use the same materials, the same design and the same key components (motor, brushroll, filters). The difference is in accessories and color.
Amanda says
Hi Jason, looking for a new vacuum, currently own the shark navigator. Love how lightweight it is, however it’s broken down 3 times in the last 4 years. Under warranty but takes 2 weeks for the parts to come in. We have mostly hardwood, and ceramic tile with some area rugs. 2 course hair dogs, 2 short hair cats. I must vacuum the high traffic areas daily. I have a roomba which I love, but it didn’t catch any hair where the area carpets and hardwood meet. I also vacuum a loft which I use a spiral staircase to go up, which I also vacuum. And I vacuum my carpeted basement, so being lightweight is really important to me. The reviews I read about the newest dyson make it seem like the product for me. Someone recommended a Riccar to me however, and this has led me to you, and your reviews of expensive vacuums with bags.. I was looking forward to a bagless vac as usual… should I consider something different? I am willing to pay for something worth it, but I want durability, lightweight, ease around and under furniture, the not cleaning of filters on the dyson was a huge plus for me.. Your thoughts?
Jason Roberts says
Shark Rocket Truepet or Shark Rotator Truepet are also light, and IMO more durable than older versions of the Navigator. If you think you can finish vacuuming in under 20 minutes, you can of course opt for the Dyson V6, which is a wonderful cordless. Riccar vacuums are a bit too bulky for your needs, not to mention the price.
Shazad Mohammed says
Bought the Shark Rocket Powerhead mainly on your review and the supported comments.
Thinking about getting a steam mop but was wondering when will you begin to do reviews o those? Keep up the great work, its different from most of the other review sites, you allow other users to provide their input without it becoming some “battle of indifferent opinions”.
Lori says
Have you ever reviewed the Haan Floor Steamer Multi-Force? I’ve heard it cleans grout lines effortlessly.
Jason Roberts says
Unfortunately no, but I will, hopefully.
Rob Eddy says
Hi, Jason — I only read the first paragraph of your bio above and it contains several errors. I’m not being a nag, I just thought pointing out a few things might be helpful.
to live Arkansas– obviously you meant to type ‘leave’ Arkansas.
though — should be ‘thought’ right?
You also use unneeded commas in several spots such as “cold winter, in Arkansas.”
I’d be happy to go through the entire bio and point out other issues.
Rob
Jason Roberts says
Hi Rob, I have sent you an email, thanks!
Kristin Edstrom, 2020Brands says
Jason, would like to connect, can you share your email? Thank you, Kristin Edstrom
Jason Roberts says
Check out my contact page, you have all the info there.
Melissa says
What would you recommend for wool Persian or silk Chinese rugs with fringe edges? I have several rugs, hardwood, and tile floors. I vacuum the floors when I do the rugs. I would like attachments to clean furniture and baseboards. I also have two 50 lb. slick haired dogs. They shed, but make more dust than bunnies. They also track in dirt and dust. I have allergies, and am looking for good filtration. I prefer to buy American. Thank you for a great website.
Jason Roberts says
I would recommend a Miele C3 canister (Marin or Brilliant, to tackle your high-pile). If you prefer US-made units, check out the Rainbow System or the Riccar Premium Radiance.
Martin says
Hi Jason!
Thanks for such an interesting and helpful site!
My appartment is like a maze…Do you think that Ilife A4 will clean all rooms or do I have to go for Roomba 7´s or new xiaomi?
Thankyou
Martin
Jason Roberts says
If you have a cluttered environment, robot vacuums won’t perform at their best. However, as Xiaomi Mi has a better navigation system, I would go with this one. It depends how mazzy your home really is. If you have enough space between rooms, the random movement of iLife A4 will also cover all the floor, eventually. The good part about the A4 is that you have a remote control, so if you see a dirty spot, you can remotely command your robot, like a little toy.