kirbylux77
Well-known member
Steve
I would say that for certain use cases, for some people a Sebo Felix would be a good choice. If you had a home with lots of area rugs and hard floors, or if you wanted to clean hard floors but you didn't want to use a stick vacuum or a canister, for instance. However, for most consumers, a Shark upright would be a better choice.
The Sebo does clean well, no complaints there. However, my Shark Navigator and Shark Rotator clean just as well....have just as much suction and airflow through the hose, and the powerhead grooms as nicely as the Sebo. However, I am not particularly impressed with the S Class filtration system that Sebo uses, you can definitely tell the air is cleaner, but not as clean as other vacuums. My Shark uprights filter better, and back years ago a air purifier website tested the Shark Navigator and found it released only 3,000 particles into the air during their tests. If you were looking at high end uprights, I would give the edge to Lindhaus over Sebo since they have optional HEPA Filters. As far as running costs go, one nitpick I have with the Felix is, unlike the Sebo X series, you can't find generic HEPA Cloth bags as easily.
As far as usability goes, It's a very top heavy upright....this would definitely not be a good vacuum for seniors, disabled people or who don't have much upper body strength. In my home, just living in a apartment and being used by a healthy strong male, it's ok, but I could see how someone who had a lot of carpeting to clean in a large family home would find it tiring and get annoyed after a while. The Felix also blows out a LOT of hot air through the exhaust filter, definitely takes some getting used to and some people would find annoying.
I was also not impressed that for a $700 dollar upright, the dusting brush and extension wand are optional. And the tool holder only holds the crevice and upholstery tools, you will be carrying the dusting brush in your pocket. Why they made the choice to not include a dusting brush or extension wand on a high end upright is beyond me, especially when they included a floor brush. If you want to use generic fit all tools, there are adapters available but they aren't as easy to find as adapters for other brands.
With regards to the floor brush and the rug/floor nozzle, when attached to the vacuum they will not allow the vacuum to stand up by itself without being leaned against something, that's REALLY ANNOYING they would design them like that. Also, online reviewers complain about the short hose and how tippy it is when using tools - you definitely need to hold onto the vacuum with one hand while using the tools with the other. If you use the hose a lot, I would definitely suggest getting the optional extension hose, especially if doing stairs or doing a lot of dusting.
Sure, the Sebo Felix is a great high end upright vacuum, and performs and filters well. However, I think most consumers looking for a new vacuum would be just as happy with a Shark. They clean just as well, filter better, and I think would be easier to live with on a daily basis. I also think most consumers would probably prefer a Shark with the DuoClean powerhead and soft front roller in the front to clean bare floors with, since they wouldn't have to stop and attach another attachment just to get the same results. Sure, the Shark wouldn't be the same quality as the Sebo, but when you consider that a Shark will last 7 to 8 years, costs 1/2 as much as the Sebo Felix, and you could buy 2 Shark uprights over the life of 1 Sebo, it's a dead heat. I will go as far to say that I wouldn't have bought my Sebo Felix if I hadn't gotten it for $100, if I had to pay more than $400 for it I would have passed.
Rob
I would say that for certain use cases, for some people a Sebo Felix would be a good choice. If you had a home with lots of area rugs and hard floors, or if you wanted to clean hard floors but you didn't want to use a stick vacuum or a canister, for instance. However, for most consumers, a Shark upright would be a better choice.
The Sebo does clean well, no complaints there. However, my Shark Navigator and Shark Rotator clean just as well....have just as much suction and airflow through the hose, and the powerhead grooms as nicely as the Sebo. However, I am not particularly impressed with the S Class filtration system that Sebo uses, you can definitely tell the air is cleaner, but not as clean as other vacuums. My Shark uprights filter better, and back years ago a air purifier website tested the Shark Navigator and found it released only 3,000 particles into the air during their tests. If you were looking at high end uprights, I would give the edge to Lindhaus over Sebo since they have optional HEPA Filters. As far as running costs go, one nitpick I have with the Felix is, unlike the Sebo X series, you can't find generic HEPA Cloth bags as easily.
As far as usability goes, It's a very top heavy upright....this would definitely not be a good vacuum for seniors, disabled people or who don't have much upper body strength. In my home, just living in a apartment and being used by a healthy strong male, it's ok, but I could see how someone who had a lot of carpeting to clean in a large family home would find it tiring and get annoyed after a while. The Felix also blows out a LOT of hot air through the exhaust filter, definitely takes some getting used to and some people would find annoying.
I was also not impressed that for a $700 dollar upright, the dusting brush and extension wand are optional. And the tool holder only holds the crevice and upholstery tools, you will be carrying the dusting brush in your pocket. Why they made the choice to not include a dusting brush or extension wand on a high end upright is beyond me, especially when they included a floor brush. If you want to use generic fit all tools, there are adapters available but they aren't as easy to find as adapters for other brands.
With regards to the floor brush and the rug/floor nozzle, when attached to the vacuum they will not allow the vacuum to stand up by itself without being leaned against something, that's REALLY ANNOYING they would design them like that. Also, online reviewers complain about the short hose and how tippy it is when using tools - you definitely need to hold onto the vacuum with one hand while using the tools with the other. If you use the hose a lot, I would definitely suggest getting the optional extension hose, especially if doing stairs or doing a lot of dusting.
Sure, the Sebo Felix is a great high end upright vacuum, and performs and filters well. However, I think most consumers looking for a new vacuum would be just as happy with a Shark. They clean just as well, filter better, and I think would be easier to live with on a daily basis. I also think most consumers would probably prefer a Shark with the DuoClean powerhead and soft front roller in the front to clean bare floors with, since they wouldn't have to stop and attach another attachment just to get the same results. Sure, the Shark wouldn't be the same quality as the Sebo, but when you consider that a Shark will last 7 to 8 years, costs 1/2 as much as the Sebo Felix, and you could buy 2 Shark uprights over the life of 1 Sebo, it's a dead heat. I will go as far to say that I wouldn't have bought my Sebo Felix if I hadn't gotten it for $100, if I had to pay more than $400 for it I would have passed.
Rob
