best cleaning machines

[centralsweeper63]

I was using my Hoover 262 and thought I would compare it to a stick vac for the fun of it. I found that the hoover cleaned a lot better as expected, but this sent me wondering, what do you think the best cleaning vacuum is? for me it would have to be out of the following: Hoover 1346a, Hoover 262, Kirby g6, hoover duet deluxe ( New Zealand version of the turbopower total system autoflex), wertheim 7 series and sebo felix. Some of these are New Zealand machines so I apologise for that. All of these machines have either beater bars, stiff bristles or both for agitation. For a straight suction machine an Electrolux d338 with 900 watt motor and metal runner floor tool. Do any of you have experience with the airway-eureka combo, if so I would love to hear about it. I look forward to your replies.

 

[cheesewonton]

For my money the best vacuum ever made at any price is a Lux 1R D820 with the Ze3 power brush. It is a true buy it for life vacuum, well supported by replacement parts, bags and filters and is among the most powerful vacuums in my collection. I have one I bought in Japan I use with 100 volt transformers. It is exceptionally powerful and silent. Quieter than any Miele and the Ze3 power brush is likewise silent in use. Since New Zealand is a 240 volt country there is an abundance of replacement parts available for a Lux you would buy compared to my Japan market model.

A tip; the last run of D820s were made in Hungary and came with an especially powerful motor from Domel instead of the usual two stage Swedish motor. This is the version to buy if you can find one because the power is truly exceptional. The two stage Swedish motor cannot be serviced. The fan is pressed on and non-removable. Bummer. There is a kit that allows you to replace the original two stage motor with this Domel motor which is the hot upgrade, but expensive. Finding a Hungarian made one out of the gate is preferable. The Domel motor can be rebuilt when the brushes or bearings wear. The other great upgrade is to replace the hose they came with that has the power brush cord clipped to the outside with the K35 hose. This hose has a short pig tail to the canister, the wires inside the hose, an off-on switch on the handle for the power brush and a socket for the power brush cord to plug into. Much cleaner to use this way. It's how mine is set up. A Lux D820 would be the last vacuum you would ever need to buy.

 

[panasonicvac]

From your list, definitely the SEBO FELIX. One of if not the best upright designs I've ever seen.

 

[cheesewonton]

From your list, definitely the SEBO FELIX. One of if not the best upright designs I've ever seen.

Oh no no no no no no ! It's all wrong. The motor is mounted too high, way up above the nozzle and neck in the upper body where a G4, G5 or Mechanical 300/350 puts the suction motor right on the base plate so the center of mass is as low as possible. The Felix is top heavy ( literally double the handle weight of a G4 or G5 ), managing the combination of high handle weight and the swivel "feature" is hard on the back and wrist, they are prone to falling over using the hose, no spotting wand, no on board attachment storage, cheesy outer cloth "filter" and it is blowing hot air on you all the time. It is just all wrong. A G series or the Mechanical series are much easier to use. Their upper bodies are just empty cavities for a dust bag and filter with a handle on the outside. All the mass is in the base. No swivel, so no wrist or back agony. No falling over when using the hose. Just easier to use. For the extra hundred bucks over a Felix buying a G4 is an easy choice.

 

[panasonicvac]

I never noticed the weight issue being a big deal, yes there is a difference I will say that but it's not that alarming to me. I don't think you've watched the video but it does in fact have a mounting clip to store two attachments on. As for falling over, well both the G and MECHANICAL models have hoses mount around the same height and I seem to recall I did had the XP15 (X5) tip over I'm sure more than once when I was a janitor. As much as I love the other SEBO uprights like the G1 I have, I personally don't think it's worth extra buying the G1 or any MECHANICAL model over the FELIX. Neither model would shut the brushroll off, in fact they both would scatter dirt across the feet since they don't have a squeegee like the X models. The FELIX would fit on the Parquet brush which does a better job on barefloor. The handle telescopes which not only makes it easier for storage but also more compact for using it as a canister, in fact carrying either upright for tall to reach areas like windows would not only be heavier but also awkward to use. Bags are easier to change and you can't put the bag in wrong on the FELIX, people can incorrectly put the bag in on other models and it'd be a huge mess. A design flaw I've noticed on the G models is the exhaust filter cover can get warped over time from the heat, my G1 has that problem. And I don't like where the switch is at on the MECHANICAL models, not to mention you can't easily take the brushroll out like the other two. I'd only buy the other two if it was just strictly used for carpets.