Vacuum Cleaners

Bagging upright vacuum cleaners

Manufacturers have responded to consumers' indoor air-quality concerns by improving vacuum filters across the board. Many bagging uprights have HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which are certified to filter 98 percent of dust particles. Others have a similar filter system. Reviews say most uprights, whether or not they contain HEPA filters or something similar, do a good job controlling dust emissions. Bagless vacuums may also have filters, but since you need to empty the dustbin, you'll be exposed to some dust anyway. If you are sensitive to dust, a bagging vacuum with a filter is probably the better choice. Bagless vacuum cleaners, however, free you from having to purchase compatible vacuum bags.

Among bagging upright vacuum cleaners, the Eureka Boss SmartVac 4870GZ (*est. $150) earns top marks in professional reviews, with an included HEPA filter working in a completely sealed system. The Eureka has a see-through hose to cut down on clogs, and it sports on-board attachments (including a brush for stairs). In recent tests, the Eureka vacuum cleaner gets better noise scores than some more expensive vacs. It performs well on carpet and rugs, and it does a good job of picking up pet hair on carpet. It also does an excellent job on bare floors, but be sure to turn off the brushroll so you don't end up spitting dirt back out.

Overall, owners say the Eureka Boss SmartVac is a good choice, especially considering the low price. However, we did read complaints about breakdowns and durability, and some say that at 20 pounds, the Eureka is too heavy to lug up and down stairs. But overall, the balance of opinion is positive. In almost 800 reviews at Amazon.com, the Eureka SmartVac maintains a high average rating of 4 stars (out of 5).

Although it's more expensive, reviews say the Kenmore Progressive 35922 (*est. $350) is a better performer than the Eureka SmartVac 4870GZ, if you also want to use your upright vacuum cleaner to tackle stairs or upholstery. This Kenmore vacuum cleaner performs just as well as the Eureka on bare floors and carpet. The rotating brushroll helps propel the vacuum cleaner across the floor, so there's less pushing and pulling than with the Eureka above (although the Kenmore isn't truly a self-propelled vacuum cleaner).The Kenmore Progressive is on the heavy side at about 22 pounds. It includes a HEPA filter and gets great scores for low emissions. The Kenmore 35922 comes with a crevice tool, a bare floor brush, a combo brush and the HandiMate Jr., a powered attachment for stairs and upholstery. The almost identical Kenmore 35923 (*est. $350) has a slightly longer cord -- 35 feet instead of 30 -- which may be helpful for vacuuming larger areas.

We found some good reviews for the Hoover WindTunnel Self Propelled Ultra U6439-900 (*est. $200) . This bagging vacuum performs well on carpet and bare floors, as well as with pet hair, all with low emissions. Hoover has had some trouble in the past with consumer complaints about durability, however, and its WindTunnel vacuums receive some low scores from owners. As a company, Hoover is seeing some shakeup. In 2006, Whirlpool (which owns Hoover) agreed to sell the brand to a Taiwanese company called Techtronic, which also owns the Dirt Devil and Royal brands. Since then, Techtronic has begun the process of consolidating production under the name of TTI Floorcare North America, but says it does intend to maintain and revitalize the Hoover brand. Reviews of the Hoover WindTunnel U6439-900 are mediocre, with as many 1-star as 5-star ratings on Amazon.com. Even some of the positive reviews say the 22-pound WindTunnel is too heavy to use on stairs or move between floors. The lowest ratings cite problems with flimsy breaking plastic attachments and overall durability.

If the idea of lugging around a 20-pound vacuum makes you pause, we did find some good reviews for a few simpler, lighter-weight vacuums. The Hoover Tempo Widepath U5140-900 (*est. $70) gets some terrific ratings from owners posting to Amazon.com, especially considering the mixed reviews we found for other Hoover vacs. Over 500 owners give the Tempo Widepath a high aggregate score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The Tempo Widepath weighs just 16 pounds, which makes it easier to push and pull, as well as easier to carry up and down stairs. It includes an allergen filter, but not a HEPA filter. Even so, reviews say it does a great job of not spitting dust back into the air. One drawback may be its short 25-foot power cord. Most power cords are 30 feet long. You also can't turn off the brushroll, so it's a better choice for carpet than bare floors.

Another lightweight, good-performing vacuum is the Riccar SupraLite RSL3 (*est. $350), although this model is much more expensive. The Riccar (also sold as the Simplicity Freedom F3500 *est. $350) weighs just nine pounds, yet does a very good job overall on carpet and bare floors. This simple vacuum doesn't have a hose and tools for cleaning upholstery or reaching into corners, but it does have a HEPA filter. In owner surveys, Riccar and Simplicity vacuums rank in the middle of the pack for reliability, but this brand has one big distinction: Riccar/Simplicity vacuums are one of the few remaining vacuum cleaners that are assembled in the United States. Although the company imports some parts, the assembly is performed in Missouri. Riccar and Simplicity vacuums are sold only through dealers; because of this, some owners say you get better customer service.

Kirby vacuum cleaners are sold only via door-to-door salespeople, who are either independent distributors themselves or work for independent dealers. (You can also find a lot of Kirby vacuums on eBay.) In checking ConsumerAffairs.com and RipoffReport.com, we found numerous complaints about the high-pressure sales tactics of some Kirby salespeople. They run the gamut from refusing to leave when asked to breaking a potential customer's current vacuum, targeting the elderly, lying about free financing, humiliating potential customers, and not honoring the company's three-day return policy.

Several former Kirby salespeople, who say they too were duped, also post warnings about sales tactics. ConsumerAffairs.com advises against letting any door-to-door salespeople into your home. All this aside, the Kirby Sentria (*est. $1,350) does pretty well in tests, about on par with some $200 to $400 Dyson and Kenmore vacuum cleaners. Kirby says that one advantage of its vacuum cleaners is the plethora of tools for upholstery and curtain vacuuming. Kirby vacuums are heavier than others. The Sentria weighs about 25 pounds, making it heavy to lug up and down stairs. It's hard to nail down the cost of a Kirby vacuum (which comes in several incarnations), because distributors are free to modify prices.

Oreck vacuums are popular on home-shopping channels and are the subject of late-night infomercials. However, reviews say Oreck models may not be worth their above-average price tags. The Oreck XL21 (*est. $750) claims to be the lightest full-size vacuum, and at 9 pounds, it is lighter than most. However, user reviews of the Oreck are mixed. Its fans say it has excellent suction, and its light weight makes it easy to use. However, detractors say it's constantly in need of repairs, clogs easily and loses suction over time.

Reviews say the SEBO Automatic X-Series vacuum cleaners are some of the best vacuums on the market for people with allergies or asthma. SEBO's S-Class filter (the European equivalent of a HEPA filter) retains 99.97 percent of particulate allergens, such as pollen and dust mites. The triple-layer disposable paper bag seals upon removal for extra protection. The SEBO X4 (*est. $760) has dual fans for extra suction, and it uses less power than most other vacuums, making it less costly to run. The SEBO has on-board attachments, a 40-foot cord, an automatic brushroll height adjustment and a low 5.5-inch profile. The X4 uses a computer sensor that feels resistance on the rotating brush and automatically adjusts to ensure the proper amount of agitation. The Allergy Buyers Club, an excellent source for allergy and air-quality related information, endorses the SEBO brand, as do editors at The Green Guide and David Ristenbatt of Ristenbatt Vacuum Cleaner Service.

Consumers at Amazon.com and Epinions give it near-perfect scores for strong suction, ease of use and great durability. While the SEBO vacuums appear to be a good choice for those with severe allergies, everyone else can probably get by with something much less expensive.

Bagless upright vacuums

If you'd prefer to avoid the hassle of finding replacement bags for your vacuum and also save a bit of extra waste from going to the landfill, you might consider a bagless vacuum. These have a removable dustbin in lieu of a bag, but since you'll be exposed to some dust while emptying the bin, bagless vacuums aren't the best choice for those with allergies.

Dyson is the big player among bagless vacuums, and its designs are now being imitated by more mainstream companies. Although Dyson vacuums are pricey, they routinely get high ratings in reviews and from owners. Many question whether they are worth the price premium over other brands, but a number of owners say they are.

The highest rated Dyson upright vacuum cleaner overall is the Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal (*est. $550) . This model has received some early reviews, all of which say it is better designed and more powerful than the older Dyson DC14 (*est. $550) . The big extra here is an included hand tool with a revolving brushhead designed to remove pet hair from upholstery. Many owners say the tool works great, though other reviews note that the vacuum as a whole isn't much better or worse than others at picking up pet hair on carpeting. The Dyson DC17, like most Dyson uprights, weighs 21 pounds, and some owners say it's very heavy.

Because of the bagless design, you'll need to empty the dustbin when it's full. Most owners say this is easy to do, but takes some practice, and most say you'll end up releasing at least some dust back into the air. A few owners say that pet hair tends to stick to the inside of the collection container, so you may have to wipe it out. Otherwise, the Dyson DC17 comes with a HEPA filter and a low-reach floor attachment. This model carries Dyson's new five-year warranty. Although the vacuum is not technically self-propelled, many reviewers comment that the powerful brushroll pulls the machine across the floor on its own and all you have to do is steer. In tests at The Wall Street Journal, the Dyson DC17 was much easier to push and maneuver than the Shark Infinity or Hoover WindTunnel vacuums tested.

The Dyson DC07 has been around the longest, and it's still on the market. This model comes in two versions: All Floors and Animal. DC07 All Floors (*est. $400) is the basic model, with few extras aside from a brushroll on/off control. The DC07 Animal (*est. $500) adds a powered hand tool in addition to the low-reach tool. All models now carry Dyson's new five-year warranty. We found conflicting reports regarding Dyson's performance on bare floors -- while testers at The Wall Street Journal say the Dyson DC07 did a good job on bare floors, editors at Which? Online say its performance on laminate is just average.

The Dyson DC14 has a telescoping wand rather than a hose. The wand's hose folds back into the machine neatly. There are two versions of the DC14: the basic DC14 All Floors (*est. $430) and the DC14 Animal (*est. $550) , which includes a powered mini head and a low reach floor tool. Dyson is also selling this vacuum cleaner in several other versions as an exclusive to particular stores such as Costco or Best Buy. In the most recent reviews, the Dyson DC17 Animal is said to be more powerful and easier to use than the DC14.

Dyson's DC15 The Ball Animal (*est. $600) includes a telescoping wand, a mini turbine head and a low-reach floor tool. In one test, Dyson's The Ball didn't lose suction while vacuuming -- but the review said it had mediocre suction to begin with. "The Ball" vacuum is so named because it uses a rolling ball as a pivot between the main unit and the brushroll housing. Users with special needs or limited mobility seem to really like this feature. One review cites the DC15's subpar performance in picking up pet hair on carpet.

The DC 24 Dyson Ball (*est. $400) and DC 25 Dyson Ball (*est. $500), scheduled for release in March 2008, are lighter uprights based on Dyson's Ball technology. We haven't seen any performance tests on these newest Dyson vacuums yet, but the few early reviews are generally positive. It will be interesting to see how much the DC 24's reduced suction power and motor wattage, trade-offs for its low 12-pound weight, will reduce its performance. The Dyson DC 25, at 16 pounds, has features and specs similar to those of the DC 15. Suction power is identical, and there's only a small reduction in motor wattage, but it has a smaller dustbin and a shorter cord. The added feature is a telescoping wand that can extend reach up to 16 feet from the vacuum.

The Dyson DC18 Slim All Floors (*est. $470) weighs 16 pounds, but it doesn't use the Ball technology. Like other Dyson vacuums, it uses a lifetime HEPA washable filter and a telescopic wand for stairs and high-reach cleaning, plus it includes a five-year warranty. Which? Online includes the DC18 in their "Best Buys" listing, saying it does an excellent job on hard floors and a good job on carpets. On the other hand, editors say it's noisy and unwieldy on stairs and, despite the new five-year warranty, it's not the most reliable choice.

Dyson bagless vacuums get the most attention, but some other bagless models also do well in testing. The Hoover EmPower U5262-910 (*est. $100) comes out of the box fully assembled and has features you wouldn't expect for the price, such as a fold-down handle for easier storage, five height settings and allergen filtration. Performance-wise, the EmPower does an excellent job on both carpet and bare floors, but the cord isn't retractable, and you can't turn the brushroll off.

Among the owner reviews we found for the Hoover EmPower are some complaints of excess noise even in ‘hush' mode, as well as a cumbersome and messy emptying process. Several users also say that when used on hard surfaces such as wood, tile or concrete, the EmPower kicks back debris rather than sucking it in. If you don't have a lot of vacuuming and want a simple, inexpensive upright vacuum primarily for carpets, the Hoover EmPower seems to be a good choice for the money. In this price range, however, we found better reviews for the bagging Hoover Tempo Widepath.

An earlier version of the bagless Bissell Lift-Off 3760 (*est. $190) was the top-rated upright vacuum in tests at Choice magazine, but the newest round of tests rate the Bissell vacuum much lower. Another large comparative review ranks it in the middle of the pack, and About.com's Guide to Housekeeping gives it a mediocre rating. Both reviews mention the Bissell's instability and tendency to tip when used with tools, and About.com's Sarah Aguirre notes that its suction and edge cleaning could be improved. One unique feature is that the main vacuum can be separated from the handle and floor head, making it an instant canister vacuum. This allows you to more easily clean stairs and other areas an upright can't reach. Reviews are mixed on consumer feedback websites, however.

If you want a bagless vacuum but don't want to spend upwards of $400 on a Dyson, the bagless version of the Kenmore Progressive performs well in tests. The Kenmore Progressive 36932 (*est. $350) and 32933 (*est. $350) have the same features and performance as their bagging counterparts. Sears is now letting owners post reviews of their vacuum cleaners on its site. Overall, owners are happy with these bagless Kenmore vacs, giving them an excellent average rating of 4.5 out of 5, but a few do complain about poor suction, premature breakdown, and plastic attachments that break too easily

Robotic vacuum cleaners

If you hate to vacuum, Roomba might be the right model for you. The iRobot Roomba is a robot vacuum that navigates by itself to clean carpets and floors. Several models are available, and prices vary depending on the base unit and the included accessories. All Roomba vacuums, even the most basic versions, share a few common features. They propel themselves around a room, sucking dirt and debris into a bagless bin that needs to be emptied periodically. They also transition automatically between bare floor and carpet. Roombas avoid falling down stairs by turning around when they sense drop-offs. Some Roomba vacs come with virtual walls that can be set up to prevent Roomba vacs from getting into -- or leaving -- a certain area.

The iRobot Roomba 400 Vacuum Cleaning Robot (*est. $120) is limited to the set of basic features and includes a standard battery and charger combination that takes seven hours to recharge completely. The Roomba 410 (*est. $150) has the standard charger but adds one virtual wall and a dirt sensor designed to improve vacuuming efficiency. The Roomba 416 (*est. $200) adds a second virtual wall and a more efficient 3-hour charging system. All Roomba vacuums in the 400 series can clean about two rooms before needing to be recharged.

The iRobot Roomba 500 series addresses several common user complaints, including inefficient room coverage, lackluster edge and corner cleaning, as well as tangling with blind pulls and power cords. All robotic vacuums in the 500 series, including the Roomba 510 (*est. $250) and the Roomba 530 (*est. $300) , have dirt sensors, a spot cleaning mode, anti-tangle technology and a 3-hour fast charger. The 530 is the least expensive Roomba that returns itself to a self-charging base when it's finished cleaning or when battery power gets low. The 560 (*est. $350) adds on-board scheduling, meaning it can be programmed to clean automatically at a pre-set time. The Roomba 570 (*est. $400) includes a remote control called the Wireless Command Center that's also available separately (*est. $50) and works with any 500-series Roomba. The Roomba 580 (*est. $ 500) includes a bonus pack with an extra faceplate, a virtual wall and some replacement brushes and filters.

The Roomba does fairly well in expert and user reviews, but ratings aren't generally higher for the more expensive versions than for basic models. Most experts say the Roomba tends to miss edges and corners and doesn't take the place of a decent upright or canister vacuum. Overall user ratings are very good -- an average of 4 out of 5 on Amazon.com and 4.5 out of 5 on iRobot's own online store site -- but owners tend to either love the Roomba or hate it, depending in part on how long they've had it and how they feel about the maintenance required. While most users say they don't mind the chore of emptying the bin when it gets full, a few say that by the time they clean the Roomba's brushes and untangle any threads or pet hairs, they might as well have vacuumed themselves. Another issue is longevity. New users posting to Amazon.com are often enthusiastic about the Roomba's novelty, while those who have owned it longer are more likely to have experienced problems with broken side brushes, low battery capacity or ineffective dirt sensors.

Important Features: Upright vacuum cleaners

The following is what reviews say to look for in an upright vacuum. To see how the upright vacuum cleaners in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers stack up to the criteria below, click the "Comparison Chart" link after the chart.

• Look for a filter. A number of vacuums have HEPA filters, which have excellent filtration properties, but many vacuums have similarly effective filters. Reviews say that vacuums in general are doing a better job with emissions, so unless you have severe allergies, most filters will be adequate.

• Uprights generally have a tougher time cleaning bare floors because the revolving brush, which digs dirt out of carpets, often spits dirt from hard surfaces back out of the machine before it can be sucked up. If you plan to vacuum bare floors with your upright, look for a model with a revolving brushroll that you can turn off. Most have this feature, but some less expensive vacuums do not.

• Dirt sensors are more about marketing than performance. Sometimes you'll see vacuum manufacturers advertising this feature, which supposedly senses when dirt pickup slows, presumably meaning that the area is clean. However, reviews say dirt sensors have nothing to do with performance and often add unnecessarily to total cost.

• Longer cords (30 feet or more) and longer hoses (seven feet) are desirable. A longer cord allows you to clean a bigger area without having to plug the machine into a different outlet. A longer hose makes it easier to clean high places with an attachment, and it's less likely that the unit will tip over when doing so.

Many reviews say it's hard to clean under beds and other furniture with uprights, because the machines are too tall. If this is a problem, experts advise looking for a vacuum with a low profile or using a stick vacuum for cleaning under furniture.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal (*est. $550)	details
3	Eureka Boss SmartVac 4870GZ (*est. $150)	details
3	Dyson DC18 Slim All Floors (*est. $470)	details
3	Dyson DC15 The Ball (*est. $600)	details
3	SEBO X4 (*est. $760)	details
2	Hoover Tempo Widepath U5140-900 (*est. $70)	details
2	Kenmore 35922/3 (*est. $300)	-
2	Electrolux Intensity EL5020 (*est. $300)	details
1 each	iRobot Roomba 560 , Dyson DC14 , Hoover WindTunnel Supreme , Hoover EmPower , SEBO X5 , Phillips Bagless, Kenmore 35922, Bissell Healthy Home , Halo UVX, Electrolux Trilobite, Sebo Felix 1 Premium , Morphy Richards PerformAir Pets, LG Allergy Care Cleaner, Vax V-091, Miele S5260

Dyson vacuum cleaners get the most buzz in reviews, and experts say overall durability and ease of use looks to be improving with the latest models, the Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal and the Dyson DC18 Slim. If $550 is more than you want to spend on a vacuum, the Kenmore Progressive 35922 and Eureka SmartVac 4870GZ get good reviews overall, and both are less expensive than a Dyson. We found excellent reviews for the simple and inexpensive Hoover Tempo Widepath, despite the mixed reviews for some other Hoover vacuum cleaners. The SEBO X4 is recommended for allergy and asthma sufferers because of its superior filtration, but reviews say many other vacuums also do a good job with emissions.

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