First look: the new UK Vax range!

[vintagehoover]

Here's your first glimpse of the new Vax cleaners - these are entirely new machines, developed in the UK by the Vax design team - they're not just rebadged US-Hoovers!

First off, the Mach Air upright. I've just had a play with one of these - very lightweight and compact.

 

[vintagehoover]

And the cylinder - the Mach Zen.

350 airwatts is impressive - and the multi-cyclonic design should ensure that the suction is just as strong with the canister full as it is when empty...

 

[vintagehoover]

The specs - both the Air and the Zen are priced at £179.99. Good price!

 

[bagintheback]

They look much better than Dysons, but they look TOO similar. (Ohh Dyson, look at who copied you!)

Thanks for posting, I don't get on UK vac sites alot.

 

[ohio_tuec]

They do look very similar, especially the canister. So did the Fantom Lightning. I miss the Canadian-built Fantoms, they offered cyclonic bagless at a lot more affordable price. Wonder if these Vax models will ever be available here in the states. Dyson could sure use some affordable competition.

 

[joe22]

they look like the hoover platinum collection, i am sure they are somehow related. thanks for posting.

 

[vintagehoover]

On paper at least, Vax are beating Dyson at their own game:

Dyson DC24 - 5.4kg / Vax Mach Air - 4.99kg
Dyson DC24 - 120 airwatts / Vax Mach Air - 200 airwatts
Dyson DC24 - 0.85 litre bin / Vax Mach Air - 1.5 litre bin
Dyson DC24 - 5 year guarantee / Vax Mach Air - 6 year guarantee
Dyson DC24 - £179.99 / Vax Mach Air - £179.99

They both share similar features, too:

- Handle/wand retracts for compact storage
- Brushbar has its own motor, which can be turned off for cleaning hard floors
- Multi-cyclonic separation - no loss of suction
- Lifetime washable HEPA filtration

The Vax loses out in energy-efficiency, since it uses a 1200w motor, as opposed to the Dyson's 650w motor. But even 1200w is low in the UK, where 2200w motors are very common - Bosch did a bagless range rated at 2500w!

Whether the Mach Air can match the DC24 in terms of performance remains to be seen. I should have an evaluation sample shortly, and I'll be sure to share my impressions - and naturally, photos and videos!

 

[vintagehoover]

Karl - I'll find out ASAP if there are any plans in place to market either of these models in the US.

Joe - they're similar to the Platinum Collection bagless upright and canister in that they're multi-cyclonic, share a similar aesthetic, and that both Vax and Hoover US have TTI as a parent company. Also, the Platinum Collection bagless canister was designed and developed in England (I believe by the Vax design team - but don't quote me on that, I'll double-check!)

 

[vintagehoover]

In all the excitement about the brand new models, I missed this other new addition: Vax have added a Powerhead version of their Mach 3 cylinder to the lineup!

Powerhead cylinders are something of a rariety in the UK, with only Sebo, Dyson and Numatic offering powerhead models, now that Miele have discontinued their Revolution line in favour of the S7...

 

[joe22]

im also a big royal fan, the new lexon canister is like the hoover with a platinum style poser head. and the lines blur more

http://www.royalvacuums.com/Household/Canisters/lexon.aspx

 

[vintagehoover]

We call that one the Vax Maxima, but sadly, like most UK canisters, it doesn't come with a powerhead

http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/pro...+Vacuum+Cleaners/VAX/C91-MX-B-C+Maxima/585231

 

[joe22]

why the lack of power heads, hardwood and tile floors?

here most houses have wall to wall carpet, tile in baths and kitchen only.

 

[vintagehoover]

Like the US, UK homes are largely carpeted throughout, although laminate flooring has become extremely popular in recent years. It's quite common to see a mixture of carpeting and laminate in many homes - ours is no exception.

However, the UK market just doesn't go for powerhead cylinders. If you want a revolving brush, you buy an upright - again, as with America, uprights are the biggest sellers here. Upright sales make up 46% of the market, and were worth £241.05M in 2007-08.

Plenty of people clean their houses - whether carpeted or not - with straight-suction cylinders, and most manufacturers usually offer 'Pet' versions of their cleaners, equipped with air-driven turbos.

I loathe the idea of suction alone being used to clean fully-carpeted houses. I've cleaned quite a few of those, and it's quite an englightening experience for the home-owners to witness bin-load after bin-load of filth being removed from their floors!

 

[countryguy]

The Vax Maxima looks very similiar to the Miele S5 series.

Gary

 

[vintagehoover]

Gary, you're right - you don't have to look far to see the inspiration behind that particular model!

 

[rolls_rapide]

Oooh! The new Vax upright...

...looks very interesting!

Very good of you to keep us lesser mortals updated!

 

[vintagehoover]

Hi Calum - lesser mortals indeed! I just keep a close eye on the market - I was aware the launch was imminent, and when the UK's #1 selling brand introduce new models, it's always worth observing!

Although the new Vax models were available to purchase in stores and online early last week (I first reported on them last Tuesday), they've only officially launched today.

The Air has been added to the Vax website, and both the Air and the Zen will have their own microsites (www.vaxmachair.co.uk and www.vaxmachzen.co.uk). Only the Mach Air's microsite is up and running at the time I'm writing...

You can also find a .pdf file of the Mach Air's manual on the Support section of the Vax site.

Until now, the Samsung Silencio has sold itself as 'The UK's Quietest Cleaner', at 73dB. However, Vax are challenging this claim, and the Mach Zen, at 74dB may take that title - quite an achievement for a 1600w bagless unit! Every component has been optimised for quiet operation, and Vax have eliminated the high-frequency tones which add so much to the 'unpleasant' sound of many bagless/multi-cyclonic cleaners. This one's not a screamer! All this, and 350 airwatts of constant suction! The design team have really done a great job with both of these cleaners.

I've been assured that the Air, and possibly also the Zen, should be with me by Wednesday, so stay tuned...

 

[rolls_rapide]

I am intrigued...

...by the Vax 'Zen', and how the screaming tones have been ironed out. (I wish some other makes would follow suit).

Anyway, good luck with the evaluations.