New AEG vac with power nozzle

[spiraclean]

Was browsing the AEG website a moment ago and noticed they have just added a new UltraOne model with a power nozzle. While AEG have offered a smaller, trimmed-down PN in the past, it seems now they have gone to a full sized version. Looks quite beefy from the outside, but would be interesting to see what the undercarriage and brushroll are like.

Since the EU wattage limits have come into play, I did have a hunch that we would be seeing more PN-equipped cylinders as a result. Besides the redesigned combo heads that are now becoming commonplace, it's yet another way to wring maximum cleaning ability out of a vacuum that draws less power. Sebo have always offered one, Miele recently brought theirs back and even Vax have added one to their lineup. And now AEG have followed suit. Makes you wonder if the likes of Dyson and Numatic will be doing likewise again any time soon?

Although power nozzles have never been especially popular in the UK, that could possibly change now consumers can compare energy/performance ratings side by side while shopping around. If two similar cleaners from the same brand are on display, one with a PN rated "A" for carpet and one without rated "C" (for example), the former may garner a little more interest than it would have done previously when there was no direct means for comparison. Either way, it's always nice to have a little more choice for those who want it.

Pic below, model UOQUATTRO

 

[eurekaprince]

It's interesting that Electrolux/AEG decided to go with a different power nozzle than the one they have been selling for so many years in North America. After the company re-acquired the rights to use their name here again in 2007, AB Electrolux introduced a very effective power nozzle with an orange version of the Oxygen. It always rated an "excellent" in deep carpet cleaning by Consumer Reports. There must have been something wrong with the design's reliability or something, because it was changed for a less effective design several years later. The current Electrolux power nozzle offered in the North American line-up produces only a "good" rating in Consumer Reports.

Maybe this new AEG power nozzle is a better carpet cleaner? Maybe we'll see them here in North America too?

 

[spiraclean]

Indeed, it looks nothing like the PNs offered by AB Lux in the US. My first thoughts were that it probably used an existing chassis, re-skinned with a different hood, but there appear to be too many differences for this to be the case. From what I can see, it's an entirely new design.

A quick search has revealed that John Lewis are selling this cleaner now, at a whopping £449.99. Regardless of how it performs, it's never going to sell in huge numbers at that price so I'm not confident it's going to stick around for very long, more's the pity.