My old vacuum finally croaked after 23 years they had even stopped making replacement bags so I would cut them open and empty them and tape them back together and reuse but alas it died. So I found this Bissell canister vacuum on line and purchased it I have 3 cats who make a lot of messes and this helps keep up on their litter and fur-balls they like to deposit around the house. I just think the bags are rather small and will probably need replacement quite often in my home. It is light weight and I needed that, it was very easy to assemble, so far I love it.