Just like with battery-operated toys, I used to see expensive vacuums returned all the time because "they just stopped picking up dirt."
90% of the time, the motor was fine. The vacuum was just suffocating.
Most people empty the dust bin, but they forget the HEPA filter. Over time, this filter gets clogged with fine dust that blocks airflow. When that happens, even a $400 Dyson or Shark vacuum will feel weak and useless.
The Fix: Before you spend hundreds on a new vacuum, check your filter. Many are washable (let them dry for 24 hours!), but if it's been more than a year, you should just swap it out.
A fresh set of filters usually costs less than $15 and makes the machine run like it just came out of the box.
