One vacuum trying to do the job of both upright and canister is the futuristic-looking $499 Hoover Z 700, a hybrid being touted as “The World’s First Utility Vacuum” by the manufacturer.

Remember when vacuum-cleaner salesmen knocked on the front door, looking to demonstrate the latest model? Those were the days before Oreck promised to lighten our load and Dyson offered up snazzy c… ...