Consumer Reports has tested the vac, and the only areas where this vac excelled was in bare floor cleaning, emissions control and pet hair removal. There are at least 20 other bagless vacs that can clean carpets better than the Nimble, including the LG Kompressor LuV400T (excellent at carpet cleaning) and even the cheap $50 Dirt Devil Featherlite Bagless M085845 (only available at Target). The top rated Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Rewind Bagless UH70120 is less than half the price of the Nimble, but cleans carpets better and and has a cord rewind and has much better airflow through the hose for above the floor cleaning. Even the older Electrolux Versatility Bagless upright cleans carpets better. Here's the summary on the Nimble by Consumer Reports:
CR's Take
Impressive bare-floor and pet-hair cleaning are high points for this otherwise-middling bagless vac. Carpet cleaning and airflow for tools were just so-so in our tests. And while its power head swivels for easier steering--hence the "nimble" in its name--it still requires elbow grease when pushing and pulling. Remember, too, that emptying a bagless vac's bin is a dusty, messy chore. You'll find better vacuums for less money.
Highs• Performs well when cleaning bare floors; ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and hardwood floors
• Does well at picking up pet hair, which is nice if you have a cat or dog
• Excels in capturing all the dust it picks up, which is good if you have allergies or respiratory illnesses
• Has suction control, which helps protects drapes when using tools
• Has a brush on/off switch, which safeguards bare floors and prevents scattered dust and debris
Lows
• Requires manually emptying the bin, which is messier and sometimes presents problems for those with allergies or respiratory issues
• Lacks a manual carpet-height adjustment, which is better than automatic systems at matching the brush to the surface
Detailed test results
CARPET CLEANING: The Electrolux Nimble EL8602[ ] does a good job of removing the embedded mixture of sand and powder from our soiled test carpets. This is a measure of how well a vacuum removes the dirt hidden deep in the carpet and not visible to the user's eye.
BARE FLOOR: The Electrolux does an excellent job of removing sand from our vinyl floor, leaving very little behind and not scattering sand across the floor.
PET HAIR: This model does an excellent job at picking up pet hair from carpets using its power head. The visual inspection of the test carpet following the pet hair test reveals no traces of pet hair left behind and very little pet hair caught in the brush roll.
USABILITY: This modern looking vacuum has a swivel head design that aids in maneuvering the vacuum around furniture. It includes an integrated telescopic wand which is more convenient when cleaning with tools.
About - Electrolux Nimble EL8602[ ]
The Electrolux Nimble EL8602 upright vacuum cleaner includes an upholstery tool, dusting brush, and crevice tool. It weighs 19 pounds and provides usability features such as a brush on and off switch, suction control, and a telescopic wand.
