Well, I can tell what NOT to get!! Dirt Devils are AWFUL, no edge suction, flimsy attatchments, just junk. I bought it after an old eureka bravo finally bit the dust (or dog hair actually). That sweeper was great..and cheap (under $100) My next one will be a canister of some type as most of the wall to wall has been ripped out and I need something for the hardwood. But I guess alot of it depends on how much you want to spend..Dysons are several hundred..around here, the animal one is around $400..Hoover runs the price list, this stupid dirt devil was $150. Better figure out how much you can spend first, might narrow your choices considerably!!