I purchased this vacuum for home use to replace an Oreck that just didn't hold up. For a next vacuum I wanted something that would last. After considering Dyson, Kirby, Miele, and other (expensive!) home vacuums, I hit upon the idea of buying a commercial machine.This thing is stout, with nearly all-metal construction. The suction is more than adequate, and the beater bar does a better job grooming the nap on our carpets than the Oreck did. The dual speeds come in handy for small rugs. The noise level is good - it's much quieter than our Oreck, probably owing in part to a larger fan turning at lower RPM. My favorite thing about this vacuum is that pretty much all the parts are cheap (replacement fans are $4!) and user-replaceable (janitorial departments don't take vacuums to the shop, I'm thinking). The crazy long cord means we only have to plug it in once per floor, which in my book more than outweighs the minor hassle of coiling it. And no pointless accessories to store. About the only downside compared to our Oreck is the weight, and it's still manageable, even on stairs.Long story short, if you just want a simple vacuum that gets your carpets clean and will probably last forever with the occasional part replacement I think this is a great way to go. The retro 1980s good-looks are just a bonus! Will update if I experience any issues in the near future.