That Shark does look lightweight, and if you have stairs, you need that! We have a Dyson and I love it. LOVE IT! (But we don't have pets and we don't have stairs.) My parents have had cats in their home every single one of the 29 years they've lived in their house. You can't get away from the cat hair. Anyway, she's been saying she needs a vacuum (and they have stairs--but her knees are bad), so I'm definitely going to recommend this to her.

So thanks for posting this--I think I've found what my dad can surprise my mom with in January (because if he bought it for her for Christmas instead of the usual jewelry he gets her, I think she might scream at him. And then at me for suggesting it!)