Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I am thinking of getting either the Kenmore 29715 or the new 28014 to replace my dying 30-year-old Electrolux.  The reviews online of the 29715 say, mostly, that's it's durable.  Does anybody have experience with the 28014?  Does anyone know if the manual tools from the old Electrolux will fit on the Sears models?  And, for the money, are their better choices? Sears has them on sale this week at $100 off.  (One concern I have is that I'm used to a separate manual floor brush and motorized rug attachment.)

.   Hi Elioto,

Sorry that it's taken a while for you to get someone to reply.  Personally, in past I have always liked Kenmore brand vacuums and still like them now, even though they as so many other brands seem to be skimping on material where sturdiness applies.  However, with reasonable care upper-line models should serve you well.  My only problem with Kenmorre is that the standard locking mechanism on canisters is easy to break.  This is not all that big a deal if you're handy but if not, just like most other brands, Kenmore electrified hoses sell near a third or half the cost of the cleaner.

The 28014's advantage is that it's internal design has been somewhat altered to allow an open bag surround, "cage" if you will, that promotes better airflow through the disposable bag.  As well, the new power nozzle has a bare floor tool as an integral part that can be released for doing bare floors and snapped on again to get you right back to carpet cleaning.  (I'm in your camp. I much prefer a for real bare floor tool for going over tile and wood flooring) My only problem is that, being the cheap-o that I am, I would definitely like it better if the 28014's price was lowered just a bit --- say $450.00. 

The combination upholstery and dusting tool primarily in mind, your Electrolux above the floor tool might not fit well as the handgrip of Kenmore canisters has a shorter connection piece I believe.  I think once you try them, that you'll like the Kenmore tools.  Matter of fact, the 28014 may have the new dual puprose piece.  It looks like a dusting tool but the top piece separates from the brush to allow you to clean your upholstered furniture.  The piece for upholstery has no brush or Velcro brush strip of its own but neither does the one for your Electrolux.  Kenmore usually supplies a hard floor tool with most of its canister.  If not, it only costs a few dollars to order or buy one at Sears.

I presently own and use a Miele 5980 and have also owned Kenmore's best Progressive bagged canister the 29715 I believe.  In comparison, though the Miiele (twice the price of the Kenmore) lends more to my sense of endurance and, yes, even quality it is matched by the Kenmore canister when you get down to basic cleaning.  For those who have to think of budget -- you, me and just about everybody else -- the better Kenmore canisters are not a bad deal.

Anyway go into Sears and kick the tires on one.  Also learn if the store has a return policy that's satisfying to you. 

Best,

Venson

PS -- I do have one question.  As you have had your Lux for thirty years, would you think it worth your time to have it rebuilt or to buy a rebuilt model?

Venson wrote:

Venson:

My thinking too.  I'd think long and hard about repairing the old Lux/buying a rebuilt of the same vintage/venue.  There is no equal today to the the Luxes of old.  They are the best of the best.  The creme de la creme.

Question Mr. V:  What are the warranties on the Miele and Sears Progressive cann vacuums? 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

There are many good e-bay sellers that have rebuilt electroluxes,with excellent service to back up their products.The nice thing about electrolux that it wont become obsolete after 2 years and have to buy a new one [like whats going on in the industry now]

SERVICE AND PARTS [WHATS THAT?] THEY NEVER SAID ANYTHING TO US ABOUT SERVICE]

Call our 1800****** service line in Guam and feel free to talk to one of our EXPERT service techs. HA.HA. HA. BWHAWWWAAAA...........

MOLE

CarmineD wrote:

I think it's all a game I think Carmine but I can't quite draw a bead on how it's played.  You buy a high-priced Miele and they guarantee you forever.  You buy an upper-line non-niche brand vacuum and they make you pay forever. 

The Miele cans with Vortex motors are warrantied for seven years but the regular price for the S5980 runs at about $1,195.00.  A top-of-the-line Kenmore can sells for about half that and only carries a one year warranty BUT Sears makes it quite clear that you can always buy a "Protection Agreement" at $30.00 for two years or $50.00 for three thus for all inent and purpose increasng the cost of the vacuum.

If  it is a game, then basically its the LAST machine in need of a trip to the repair shop that wins,

Best,

Venson

My only input here is a strong suggestion to watch this video before buying the Kenmore.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqJhGqZg7uI

But if you are dead set on either the Kenmore or keeping your current machine, keep the Lux.  It may be old, but if serviced completely and you get a new hose for it (if you still have the braided saran hose I guarantee it leaks like a sieve by now) it will have just a bit more power than the Kenmore, and be much better built and last quite a few more good years in it.

Hi Vacuuman,

Most respectfully --  I've been told that the "magic" in a magic act happens while the magician gotten his audience to focus on the hand that's not involved in executing the trick.

This guy understands amgic and schmaltz  but that's about all.  What was obvious is that  the Miele bag was empty ornear empty when he opened the machine.  This was neither  indicated nor clearly shown as regarded the Kenmore.  You've have to state and show that hard to capture material has already been collected in the machine to make these particle counter tests really mean something. I would not expect a vacuum that has only picked up a bit of kapok to have much of anything carried in its exhaust air.   And I lost all faith in this guy's pitch when he went running for the crevice tool to pick up the missed rice when merely a pass with the end of the hose would have done the job. That had to be done to make the things appear more of a chore than they actually  had to be with alleged "Brand B".  Actually, if his usual approach to cleaning requires a special little thing for this and that, this man is the kind of person who "cleans" all day and accomplishes little. To me his show displays that things were being staged to look more difficult than they were were.  Miele, Kenmore or Hoover you still make several passes on your carpeting even when there's nothing to be seen on top.  Where's the tragedy?

Having had both in my in my home, I do acknowledge that Miele has fantastic dust capture qualities but why not considering the price.  Nonetheless, Kenmore -- properly maintained and not allowed to over-fill -- is still satisfying for purposes.

As for filtration, emissions remain and will remain a moot point.  If having perfect air quality prices at $900 or more there are lots of folks who have learned to live without.  I keep repeating this ad nauseum, it's a big world and not all of us feel we'll falter and die because our vacuum didn't didn't capture the last iota of dust in the house.

As for the good old Electrolux involved, there's no harm in going for what you know if it can be had.  My point was that if someone has had a vacuum for thirty years we might reasonably assume he or she likes it and has been reasonably satisfied with it.  We also know that repair may still restore its efficiency and usefulness.  Why not suggest the lest costly choice first if its actually of worth?

Best,

Venson

Venson wrote:

Hi Venson:

If the 30 year old Lux is counted in with the Miele and Sears, it wins hands down.  Remember when the warranty was the grace period for finding defects in parts and workmanship.  Now it's a selling feature!

Carmine D.

Vacuuman and Venson:

Interesting You Tube demo of the Sears and Miele.  Thanks for sharing and posting.  Impressive but the devil is in the details.  Several observations:  First, a question:   Did the demo-er block the flexible tube on the particle counter by pressing it up against the Miele filter screen wire and not the exhaust openings for the Miele test?  [Which I believe is your point Venson that the SEARS may have had a full bag and the Miele a brand new one].  A zero partcle count reading?  Very unlikely and suspect.  Why not test the air particle counts after the demoes?

The demo-er passed more slowly over the carpet with the Miele power head demonstration than the Sears.  Both for the kapoc test and the edge cleaning using rice.  BTW, the SEARS power head has a rug height adjustment and the Miele does not.  I did not see/hear the demo-er adjust the SEARS height adjustment on the carpet demo and mention the fact that it has one and Miele does not.

Granted, Miele is quieter and probably better too for filter exhaust and hose construction.  But like you say Venson, the buyer pays for it. 

The 30 year old Lux, once restored to new, would fare as well as the Miele in the same demoes IF the demoes are performed objectively IMHO.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Hi Carmine,

I've watched the video before, and I don't really put much stock in the particle counter hype.  My main focus is on cleaning performance, and the Miele wins hands down, both in the video and from my own personal experience.  The 217 powerhead used on the Miele doesn't do it any justice either, it's the entry level version that to me is basically a motorized turbo brush.  If I were doing this I would have used it with the 236 which is much more aggressive.  Even so, the Miele is the clear winner.

It would be worth it to pay the extra $200 or so for the Miele (compared to the Kenmore), depending on the model that is.  I may have mentioned this before, but new Kenmore canisters aren't what they were 30, 20, or even 10 years ago, and DEFINITELY not worth the $300+ that Sears is asking for them.  The motors are non-serviceable single-fan (read: noisy and prone to overheating due to high speed), the general construction and lack of quality is downright appalling, and they have been plagued with electrical problems in the hose and wands.  The only advantage Sears has now with Kenmore *anything*, is the fact that they are in cahoots with CR to give their products consistently high ratings.  Which, likewise, should be taken with a grain of salt. 

In the March 1998 CR vacuum test, the Miele White Pearl comes in first (as it had the previous two years), and rated dead last is...surprise surprise, a Kenmore canister.  They claimed it was bulky and difficult to use.  Ironically, that was when Kenmore canisters were still very good vacuum cleaners, the design at the time hadn't changed since the late-1980's when Panasonic began producing them.  I saw that exact same machine at Sears the time of the report and had no idea what they thought was wrong with it.  That was before I tried a Miele.  A 90's Kenmore canister is by no means difficult to use, it's not a vacuum where you feel like the handle or power nozzle neck is going to snap off in your hand, but it is still not as nimble as a Miele.  Now, 10 years later, the horrendously flimsy Kenmores (more like Crapmores) come in first place, and the Mieles rank in the middle.  All I can say about that is, "you've come a long way baby." 

-MH

According to Consumer Reports SEARS/Kenmore captures 25 percent plus of the new cann vacuum sales in the USA every year and has done so consistently for many years.  CR reports on the reliability of the SEARS/Kenmore uprights and canns along with the other makes/models based on the vacuum consumers' completed surveys.  The reliability data is respectable for a big box store vacuum product.  CR can't finesse and finagle these findings since the consumers complete and submit them.  It is what it is.

Carmine D.