My upstairs is all carpt and I could not get a vacuum that would push thru the carpet. Kirby has a extra lift on back that powers it thru and I love it and all the attachments. Idid have a light weight Panasonic that I bought about 1990 that lasted for 15 years the new ones are not the same. It was wonderful too. I have tried the Oreck but it is too heavy too. So even tho Kirby is heavy, it is the only one that works on my carpet.