Psychologically, I believe we as a society are co ditioned to believe that heavy equipment does a better job.  That is not the case.  I purchased this while pregnant tibe able to vacuum my house and stairs.  It gets the job done.  I find myself still pushing down and looking for those lines in the carpet but this isn't that kind of vacuum.  I'm 5'1.5 and find myself bending over aa bit when using this.  So you aren't really in an upright position when using g this like you would be normally.