I SO EXCITED EVERYONE HAS DYSON. DYSON DYSON DYSON for me ALL the way. ull want the animal or higher since it will have the hose & head thats flexable. i use the carpet setting everywhere in my house & its mostly hardfloor with a few wool rugs scattered about. I have had MANY expensive machines dyson is the 1, no bags, ANY clog can be gotten to (as THIS is my personal fav part =0)) NO belts, virtually cost free after purchase. I had the oreck it was fine but was NEVER happy with the bag changes EXPENSIVE & FILTHY & mostly because there was no hose attachment. Oh yes every detacable part can be washed by hand. its europen design & they r & have been way more eco minded then in the us. I will never choose another vaccum again DYSON ROCKS!