My Kenmore Progressive with direct drive and intelliclean was actually awarded a top spot by consumer reports for picking things up, not loosing suction, noise, weight (although I think its kinda heavy! lol), etc. awhile back. I got it at Sears on sale for only about $250! You can choose bagless or bags and I think they're the same price. Its an upright HEPA as I mentioned above. I really like it and especially like the Intelliclean feature. You turn it on and it lets you know when it is sensing dust, so you can continue going over that spot obsessively until it give the green light (meaning no dust, etc.)... Its really super cool... Boy, you really have to go over some spots a lot to pick up all the pet hair and dust. Yuck!
Oh, and it also has a gentle sweeper that I used on my laminate flooring instead of a broom. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Here's the link: <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?bidsite=KENM&cat=Vacuum+Cleaners+%26+Floor+Care&pid=02035923000&vertical=KENM&subcat=Upright+Vacuums&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes">http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...ums&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes</a>