Looking for a new upright vacuum

[briant73]

I am looking for a new upright bagged/bagless vacuum cleaner, located in the USA. I have a Kenmore progressive with direct drive that though it still works well is rather large and bulky to move around my house. I had been previously using a Shark rotator nv501 that though the tools weren't great and it wasn't the best build, moved around much better and seemed to do a good job on carpets and bare floors. I found it very easy to maneuver and move around my house. I know the shark vacuum is still available, but wondered what else is out there that would give me as good or better performance, be just as maneuverable and built well?

Looking for some recommendations - I don't care about bags/bagless - actually I would say I slightly prefer just being able to dumping out the debrs like the shark offered.

I saw this Kenmore but not many reviews - https://kenmorefloorcare.com/allergenseal-bagless-upright-vacuum/

Also the Miele U1 looks interesting.

Thanks!

 

[dysonman1]

The Shark is well loved by consumers until they have a problem with it. The parts are almost unobtainable. Sharks were built with the idea they would be thrown away. As long as you go into it knowing it's a 3 year vacuum, then a Shark might be right for you again. People do love using them.

The cost of a new brush roll for the Miele ($120) is slightly more than a new Shark Lift Away ($98 at Wal-mart). Miele repair parts are quite pricey. So are the bags and filters. Just sayin. They might be well made, but they are heavy and large - like the Kenmore.

 

[kirboover]

SEBO

I, working for a vac shop, recommend vacs all the time. It sounds like you could use a SEBO Dart or Felix. They have swivel heads, a parquet tool, dust brush, and crevice tool. They use an ET-1 Powerhead which is the same as many central vacs and is very well made. It has features like brush on/off, full bag sensor, telescoping handle*, and easy to use hose. And they hardly ever need work done, if they do, you can do it yourself or it is very cheap or under warranty. I believe warrant is 10yrs parts 10yrs labor 7yrs motor.






*Felix Only

 

[kirboover]

For SEBO

Call your local vac shop or go to link

www.sebo.us

 

[briant73]

Thank you both I may visit my local vac shops tomorrow. I know the Sharks are known to break down and they aren't keen on parts/fixing (shame) but they are easy to use machines. I actually had the power nozzle die on my old one, bought the microswitch and was already to solder it in when Shark agreed to a free power nozzle swap.

I love that my Kenmore (Electrolux I believe) is a workhorse just not well suited for tight space and furniture layout I have.

 

[briant73]

Just watched the Zero-G review done by a fellow forum member, I usually don't even look at canister vacs (closest I used is a rainbow years ago) but this Vac intrigues me since it looks somewhat easy to follow the user.

 

[panasonicvac]

I would recommend just sticking to bags over something that is bagless, they're much more sanitary to maintain and it's actually better for the environment.

My overall recommendation is to go to some local vacuum stores nearby to try out and see which vacuum offers you the very best for not only your needs but also for yourself as well. Kind of like test driving a car out to see if it is right for you.

Now here are some uprights that you can consider looking into when you do go to a dealer:

The Miele U1 line are good uprights. Powerful, quiet, durable, and excellent filtration. However you ought to look at the weight of the machines, there's a good chance that these uprights may not be the best fit for you. Yes Miele parts are not cheap but they're definitely alot better quality and reliable than parts that you would find on cheaper vacuums.

The Riccar R25 series I also do like. Almost similar to the Miele U1s but they don't have the swivel neck on and I would trust that the Miele U1 would outlast the Riccar R25 in the long run.

The Sebo Felix and the Dart are just fantastic vacuums. Also powerful, quiet, durable, and excellent filtration. I wouldn't hesitate anyone to look at either the Felix or the Dart. Just keep in mind that the Dart is not going to have as much features as the Felix.

Now here's an upright that I would recommend looking into, the Italian made Lindhaus called the Valzer. One of the best performing, durable and reliable uprights ever made. Almost similar to the Sebo Felix but you can also use it as a dust blower and you can have headlights added onto the powerhead.

Anyways, I wish of you the best of luck on your search.

 

[oliveoiltinfoil]

I second the thoughts on a Sebo Felix/Dart. I know they are more expensive state side, but I'd pay Shark/Dyson prices for a Sebo all day every day.

They are beautifully built and incredibly serviceable, its why they have such a following, not to mention their power. The ET-1 powerhead is as close to perfect and entirely versatile as you'll find, and the parquet floor tools is brilliant. Ive take the forward strip out of mine, meaning it picks up large pieces really easily.

Just a solidly built vacuum that work and is a pleasure to use.

 

[briant73]

Before I go into my findings I wanted to thank everyone for their input so far.

I stopped at 3 vacuum shops today and looked at more than a few machines, here are my thoughts -

Initial thought I know some laud the ability to auto select height but I like the auto height adjustment feature some vacs have.

1st shop - had my try out a Sebo canister (k3?) and upright (x7 premium) - The x7 was a very nice vacuum but as others hinted at probably bulkier than I want but it moved well. The canister wasn't bad at all and in fact moved fairly well with me once the sales person gave me a tip or two.

2nd shop - Had meile, sebo and Riccar - the U1 I didn't test drive but looks like one serious machine. I test drove a Sebo dart and it was nice but the main one he pushed was Riccar r25 deluxe for around $600.00. This vacuum moved well and seemed easy enough to use though I wish it indicated it was in low brush speed mode other than by sound (at least that's the only way I could tell). The r25 seemed bulkier than I wanted but like I said seemed solid. He mentioned the warranty being longer the usual 1 year which shocked me only 1 year on a machine in that price range. Though this dealer sold lindhaus they did not have a valzer in stock from what I saw.

3rd shop - This shop had the Sebo Felix and though the Dart seemed nice this was much closer to what I was looking for with the swivel head and options. I do wish it came with the pet brush and a wand extension for the price. The one thing I noticed is on medium height carpet the machine needed suction to be turned down to move over it without a lot of effort, I think I'm just used to vacs that have more weight to them over the head. This store also had the x4 boost upright model and when I asked the person said for the price it was a very good deal compared to the x7 model.

So if I had to buy today one of the Vacs I test drove, I think my choice would probably be the Felix with some tools or the k3 canister. The other vacs though very nice were too close to my current in bulkiness (as some suggested they would be).

I am still interested in 3 other vacs - Shark Vertex (yeah I know shark the big negative is longetivity and lack repairs and parts), the kenmore I previously posted and the Zero G canister. Testing the K3 made me think I could live with a easy moving canister vac though again I found the k3 power nozzle not as easy to move without adjustments to height and more so suction.

 

[eurekaprince]

You should also consider the latest Kenmore Elite upright. It's top rated by Consumer Reports and it's much sleeker than your older Kenmore Progressive. It's also a lot less expensive than the Miele and the Felix.

 

[eurekaprince]

Here's the link to the newer Kenmore beltless upright....

https://kenmorefloorcare.com/pet-friendly-bagged-upright-vacuum/

 

[n0oxy]

Sebo

For an upright, I would also vote for the Sebo Felix, I think it's the best upright on the market right now. The Sebo canisters are also very good and in fact the K3 canister uses the same power head as the Felix.
Here is another thought, have you thought about getting a central vacuum? You don't have to install pipes to use a central vacuum, you can connect the hose directly to the unit, it's awesome.
Mike

 

[lesinutah]

Meh

Here is the newest Kenmore it is styled like a shark but is a bagged unit.
The shark vertex is a very nice vacuum I'd love to own. It's going to run $300 you could score a deal since Christmas sales are on.


https://www.getkenmore.com/?MID=115...ee8OFj2xi0y9EPIR4efCcn1jPIOQDCSxoCWx8QAvD_BwE

 

[jo]

You may consider Aerus

It’s the original Electrolux...while pricey they have some very durable quality machines. They are my favoritte.

This store has some videos on the models...rvavacuums.com...you’ll have to review the site.

They are pricey but have good warranties and service their products and will even come to your home if you wish for a sales or service call and I think they usually take trade ins for a discount.

Jon

 

[briant73]

Thanks again to everyone for the feedback and suggestions. Lots of good suggestions to review. Thankfully my old vacuum still works so though it's a major chore to use at times it does the job and gives me time to research and watch for any good deals.

 

[dysonman1]

I had a chance to use a Zero G just two months ago at the Vacuum Collectors Convention. I was very impressed. The power nozzle grabs the rug and helps propel itself. The machine had very impressive suction. It moved like a dream. Be sure to look at one, although I cannot comment on durability as I only used it and don't own it.

 

[n0oxy]

zero g

I also have a zero g canister cleaner, it's very nice, seems very well made and you get a lot for the price, I can definitely recommend it.
Mike

 

[briant73]

To those that have used the Zero G how easy does the power nozzle move over carpet?

 

[briant73]

After vacuuming yesterday and frustrated by maneuvering the big bulky vac around (tools still work good though) I decided to take the plunge and try the Zero G vac with it's 30 day return period.

Here is a short list of vacuums I have used routinely in my life
1) Kirby Classic 1970s model (brown and mustard bag) I remember this worked until contractors used it to clean up some drywall dust and then it died.
2) Rainbow (think it stopped working wasn't a big fan of water filtration)
3) Panasonic upright (would eat belts but good vacuum)
4) Green Hoover cheap upright worked well for what it did but tools/hose were very poor. I believe this was given to someone and still works.
5) Kenmore progressive direct drive bagged upright (still going)
6) Shark NV501 - good vacuum to maneuver and decent carpet cleaning, tools/hose weren't the best. Also power nozzle died but shark customer service decided to replace no charge after I debated it a bit with them.