Too bad one review brought the average rating down. I've had this vacuum around a year. My primary need was to find a lightweight vacuum to carry up and down stairs with ease. Does an excellent job on my hardwood floors and I also use for light clean ups on scatter rugs. It isn't intended for heavy duty carpet cleaning ! Also, to keep it lightweight, the trade off of emptying the container and having a shorter cord is worth it (although I don't consider the cord short, as has been mentioned.