Fantom Falcon FC251 Review

What the reviewers like:
The Fantom Falcon FC251 does a good job at cleaning bare floors, and it’s good at picking up pet hair.

What the reviewers don't like:
There are numerous complaints about the Fantom Falcon FC251's vacuum's long-term reliability, and noise level is an issue. Experts say the Fantom is difficult to handle and fails to outperform other canister vacuum cleaners in its price range.

Fantom Falcon FC251 review highlights

The Fantom Falcon FC251 canister vacuum is a not a favorite of either reviewers or owners. In comparative testing, the Fantom Falcon fails to outperform its competitors, and it doesn’t stand out in any performance area. Owners are even less generous, giving the Fantom Falcon FC251 low average scores for reliability; one user says it's "as noisy as a Russian bomber." We found better reviews for the Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765-040 (*est. $175).

The only expert review source to cover the Fantom Falcon FC251 canister vacuum cleaner is Consumer Reports, which includes it in its recent category roundup (comparing it to about twenty other models). The Falcon FC251 also receives a handful of comments from owners posting to Amazon.com and Epinions.

Also see full report: Canister Vacuums

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Reports
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Vacuums: Best Picks for Pet Hair
Editors of Consumer Reports
Mar. 2007

The Fantom Falcon is among the 22 canister vacuums tested by Consumer Reports, with special emphasis on performance picking up pet hair. Each vacuum is scored in several performance areas, and a ratings chart lets readers quickly see how tested canister vacuums stack up.

2. Amazon.com
Fantom FC251 Falcon Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

The handful of owners posting here don't have good things to say about the Fantom Falcon FC251; one calls it "as noisy as a Russian bomber."

3. Epinions
Fantom FC251 Canister Vacuum Reviews
Contributors to Epinions

A handful of owners post here, and they complain about the Fantom Falcon's reliability; one says he was "lucky" because his lasted 16 months.

Also see full report: Canister Vacuums