Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Some observations -

• Oreck is conspicuously missing from the upright ratings.
• Panasonic has a new AeroBlast for $700 is a apparently a poor copy of a Dyson that burps loudly when it reverses the air flow to clean the filter.   Why would anyone pay so much for a Dyson copy, particularly when the filter clogs with fine dust?
  
• Hoover's fall from grace is noted, presumably due to their ill conceived bagless vacuums.  Hoover now has the worst reliability of the uprights.  Dyson is second only to Kirby in the reliability rankings.   
  
• For uprights, Kenmore takes the top 2 spots (bagged and bagless), followed by the Riccar SupraLite RSL3, the Electrolux Oxygen EL5035A, and the Kirby Sentria.  
  
• The Halo is #33 on the list for uprights. 
  
• The $60 Hoover Tempo Widepath has a better tool airflow score than the Dyson DC17 as well as better carpet cleaning scores. 
  

Thanks Severus.  I'll be on the lookout for the magazine.  I also did a quick check for pricing online and actually getting $700 for the AeroBlast (Model MC-UL975) is probably more a sweet notion on the maker's part as opposed to possible.  One shopper's club already has it for about $480. 

I searched but was not able to find a manual for it at the Panasonic website.  Thanks again.

Venson

Thanks also, Severus.  I've been looking for the March 2008 CR on the news stands, since I don't subscribe. It hasn't made it there yet.  Still February's for sale as late as today in most stores.

I've always liked the HOOVER Tempo and CR has too.  I mentioned this fact before but it's worth repeating.  RC Willey, the largest retailer of furniture, appliances, electronics, and floor coverings here in the West, stocks and sells several brands of vacuums: Bissell, HOOVER, and dyson.  With models in all the prices ranges.  Several times a year, it has huge rug and carpet sales and offers a free vacuum with all purchases over $1000.  The vacuum gifted with the purchases:  HOOVER Tempo.

Some may say that's because they are cheap so the cost for the giveaway is minimal.  Maybe there is some merit for this.  However, considering carpets are a huge cost and come with a substantial manufacturer's guarantee, which may span several years, RC Willey has to provide a vacuum that will ensure the rugs' guarantee is met.  It chooses the HOOVER Tempo.  One of my all time favorites.

WRT reliability: CR generally offers the following caveat for percentages:  Differences of less than 4 points aren't meaningful.  Based on the March 2007 CR, HOOVER ranked 8 out of 11 with a percentage of 12 for repairs.  While the 9th [RICCAR] and 10th [Simplicity]  rankings for reliability were 13, and 14 percent.  Based on the CR caveat, these would all be considered comparable for reliability. 

CR also provides footnotes further qualifying the reliability data such as "Kirby has been among the most reliable upright brands" and "Fantom has been among the more repair-prone upright brands."  In an effort to gauge the historical trend for reliability data for more meaningful results.  Why?  In part, to eliminate differences linked solely to age and usage of the product.  Intuitively, it makes sense that newer brands and models are less likely to need repairs.  Which skews the reliability data in favor of newer makes and models at the expense of older and more in use models.  My sense is adjusting the ratings for the latter [age and usage] is hard to do.  CR does not specifically say how it does. 

Carmine D. 

Severus wrote:

I'm not saying this is THE reason, just a possible one.  Oreck recently introed a XL Deluxe which is less expensive than the XL 21 Ultra and more price competitive with its peers [read dysons].  The XL 21 has been consistently reviewed by CR.  Oreck may want to submit its newest model for CR testing rather than the old.  It may take time for CR to run the new Oreck upright through the testing rigors and report on the results. 

Carmine D.

Hi Guy's. If the reports are accurate,which makes me want to believe that consumers reports are more than likely clueless.Are they in bed with sears and L.G.,How are their reliability rating formed?.Why do they always rate expensive uprights as not worth the money?.You guy's know that the upright market is going down the chute.As for 700.00 for the bagless panasonic [dyson looking clone],I would say that panasonic is doing this on purpose to make dysons price look like a bargain.Are panasonic and dyson in a business venture together?[MAYBE]..

MOLE

CR buys some of it's test vacs from my old employers' stores and one was the Aero-blast. They really didn't like it either.

I believe the Callisto was to be rated, I personally love this vac and was wondering how it did? Was the Sebo Felix rated.

Hi Mole,

Just speaking about Kenmore, the brand's top of the line canisters and uprights usually have deservingly meritted good ratings by way of performace and price.  They are not be all end all machinery but in consideration of higher priced niche vacuums and other cleaning inventions certainly hold their own.  If I am correct, performance and price are of high importance to CR.  My best example is Kirby, or at least the first that comes to mind.  CR does not deny its excellent rug cleaning ability or air filtration but has in past recommended that there are other vacuums that can deliver the same results for much, much less money.  It's not a great way to put it but like the Chevy, Kenmore vacs are the poor man's Cadillac -- of vacuums that is.

As for LG, I think they are trying hard but possibly failing in the American vacuum market.  I think the Progessive Bagless (the Iridium) is just great and as satisfactory as any of the Dyson canisters but don't get the feeling that my opinion is shared my many.  The new Premalite is nice on the eye and should clean well enough but I still hear talk about the wand/handle lock not being so hot.  A reduction in price closer to the $300 mark might make the public a little more hot to trot in regard to it.

Nonetheless, it is anticipated that Sears,known for providing just about everything, will always provide vacuums under its long-trusted Kenmore name. Sears in past had alliances with Whirlpool and Matsu$#%*a (both of which simultaneously produced vacuums under their own brand) which for such a commonplace venue produced some stellar product.  Product from each of those lines was totally different but obviously someone buying for Sears had enough on the ball either way to see to the the integrity of product that kept customers coming back for years and years.  This century I guess its simply LG's turn at bat even though I wonder if it can muster popularity for product it outsources.  It produces all sorts of appliances under its own name -- love my LG refrigerator and air conditioner too -- but I don't quitre get why it didn't do the same with vacuums for our market.

Best,

Venson

mole wrote:

Mole:

My sense is that it is not just uprights but all expensive [read substantially higher prices than average].  Why?  In part, Consumer Reports feels its mission in part is to "save people money" while assisting them to make smart buying decisions.  How?  By comparing a $500 dyson to a $60 HOOVER and saying don't waste your money on the dyson, when a $60 HOOVER is better.  I'm not making this example up.  CR uses this example in writing to promote subscriptions and readers.  That example is straight from its advertising.

Carmine D.

Hi Venson,I respect your opinion, you know something about this business,I and other industry pro's feel that L.G.will put an end to sears big share of the canister and upright market.

No one can argue that the panasonic made KENMORE products were a good bang for the buck machine.

For your information,The other electrolux,[THE ONES LIVING ON THE LUX USA] COATAILS.

The backlash is starting to really catch up to them.And you and i both know this machine was rated very high in c.r.

FORGET ABOUT ALL THE HYPE AND DYNAMIC ADVERTISING, IT'S ABOUT TIME TO START MAKING PRODUCTS THAT GIVE THE CUSTOMER THEIR MONEYS WORTH,AGAIN......

I AM PERSONALLY GETTING REAL TIRED OF THIS JUNK BEING MADE TODAY.........

i'll take an old lux,kirby,f.q.even a royal anyday...................

MOLE

CR also lacks in informing the public of the repair rate of some machines. This stat would take the control out of their hands and rely on the repair shops input so I understand WHY they don't do it but even still it's a disservice. Those Eureka/Electrolux are burning up Hose and Wand contacts like crazy and those replacement hoses on the Oxygen aren't cheap, especially when compared to the purchase price. Customers are quite shocked when the bill comes in. Plus who can or wants to try breaking into one of these things.

Quite true LUCKY1........