I thought I was vacuuming before. I was not. The canister picked up so much dust! I used it on bare hardwood floor was well as carpeted stairs and low pile rugs. What a game changed. Vacuuming stairs has been a nightmare. I'd lug my corded cleaner up each step and attempt to clean. Or, I'd try to use a hand vac. This was 10 times easier. The power lifter is so light that now I don't mind doing the steps and clean them every few days instead of my dreaded weekly appointment. The way it can be used as a multi tool hand vac is just icing on the cake!