sleepdoc
Well-known member
I picked up the Simplicity S38 canister from a local Simplicity dealer and the Simplicity Synergy Premium and Riccar 1800 canister in St. James yesterday. They're all detailed and are fantastic vacuums!
Simplicity and Riccar
- Thread starter sleepdoc
- Start date
Help Support VacuumLand:
sleepdoc
Well-known member
Simplicity/Riccar canisters vs. ___
Just based on my impressions, I'd put the Simplicity/Riccar TOL canisters in the same league as any high-end vacuum.
Miele, in particular, has a couple things going for it that no one else has been able to beat it at: its multiple high-quality attachments and its power nozzles, especially the 236. No other brand, namely Sebo, Simplicity/Riccar, Lux, Filter Queen, Tri-Star, or Rainbow, has Miele's diversity and quality of optional accessories. Not only are Miele's power nozzles excellent cleaners, they also very quiet and nimble. Simplicity/Riccar's TOL nozzle is an excellent cleaner but a lot louder and less maneuverable.
My personal ranking puts Simplicity/Riccar TOL machines on par with Filter Queen, Miele and Sebo and better than Lux. Simplicity's TOL power nozzle is better than Sebo's and much better than FQ's and Lux/Tri-Star's, which suffers badly from fit and finish deficiencies and doesn't seem to clean as well as lots of competitors' power nozzles. Lux's plastic wands and connectors just don't seem to endure the many years of life that they have with collectors; they creak and break at the joints and then can't be replaced with matching repair parts.
Overall, Miele executes the entire package a little better, but not a lot better. Simplicity/Riccar meets or exceeds, sometimes vastly, everyone else.
I think I covered everything I should have included in response to that question without going on too long.
Just based on my impressions, I'd put the Simplicity/Riccar TOL canisters in the same league as any high-end vacuum.
Miele, in particular, has a couple things going for it that no one else has been able to beat it at: its multiple high-quality attachments and its power nozzles, especially the 236. No other brand, namely Sebo, Simplicity/Riccar, Lux, Filter Queen, Tri-Star, or Rainbow, has Miele's diversity and quality of optional accessories. Not only are Miele's power nozzles excellent cleaners, they also very quiet and nimble. Simplicity/Riccar's TOL nozzle is an excellent cleaner but a lot louder and less maneuverable.
My personal ranking puts Simplicity/Riccar TOL machines on par with Filter Queen, Miele and Sebo and better than Lux. Simplicity's TOL power nozzle is better than Sebo's and much better than FQ's and Lux/Tri-Star's, which suffers badly from fit and finish deficiencies and doesn't seem to clean as well as lots of competitors' power nozzles. Lux's plastic wands and connectors just don't seem to endure the many years of life that they have with collectors; they creak and break at the joints and then can't be replaced with matching repair parts.
Overall, Miele executes the entire package a little better, but not a lot better. Simplicity/Riccar meets or exceeds, sometimes vastly, everyone else.
I think I covered everything I should have included in response to that question without going on too long.
sleepdoc
Well-known member
Synergy Premium vs. ___
That's a tougher one because the advantages of other uprights aren't as clear or they're offset by problems. I have the TOL Sebo X5 and Miele Bolero uprights, all of the recent Kirbies, and almost every Dyson that's been made, including the high-end DC17 and DC28 models. I don't have a new Lux upright except for a Commercial model that I bought NIB a couple years ago but don't use.
Upright are a little harder to judge for me because I base a lot of my assessments of vacuums on the tactile sense of how the machine contacts the carpet. Uprights are heavier than canister nozzles, so that sense is different.
Like the canister, Sebo is a really great machine. It cleans well and filters excellently with the HEPA filter and Ultra Bags. It doesn't seem to contact the carpet as well as others, and it's a single-motor clean-air system. My opinion is that it's somewhat underpowered and would benefit from a stronger suction motor and a faster-spinning brushroll.
Dyson DC17 and DC28 are both amazing carpet cleaners. I think they'd be hard to beat as carpet cleaners.
Kirby is pretty hard to beat as a carpet cleaner. It's a powerhouse.
Miele is the real question. The main issue I have with the S7 is its weight. It's really heavy. I'm 6'3" and I lift weights or cycle almost everyday and I think the Miele S7 is too heavy, so heave it's burdensome to use. It's a fabulous cleaner, it's quiet and has every other typical attribute of a Miele.
The Synergy isn't as quiet as the S7. I don't have enough experience with it yet to say that I think it's a better, comparable, or lesser carpet cleaner. I haven't used it yet, but it accepts an optional extra long suction hose that Miele doesn't offer.
In the end, I could see the Simplicity/Radiance coming out as one of, if the singular top upright. I'll have a better sense of it after I've had it long enough to use it extensively. Short version is that the Synergy is a first-rate vacuum that has the potential to outdo even TOL high-end competitors.
That's a tougher one because the advantages of other uprights aren't as clear or they're offset by problems. I have the TOL Sebo X5 and Miele Bolero uprights, all of the recent Kirbies, and almost every Dyson that's been made, including the high-end DC17 and DC28 models. I don't have a new Lux upright except for a Commercial model that I bought NIB a couple years ago but don't use.
Upright are a little harder to judge for me because I base a lot of my assessments of vacuums on the tactile sense of how the machine contacts the carpet. Uprights are heavier than canister nozzles, so that sense is different.
Like the canister, Sebo is a really great machine. It cleans well and filters excellently with the HEPA filter and Ultra Bags. It doesn't seem to contact the carpet as well as others, and it's a single-motor clean-air system. My opinion is that it's somewhat underpowered and would benefit from a stronger suction motor and a faster-spinning brushroll.
Dyson DC17 and DC28 are both amazing carpet cleaners. I think they'd be hard to beat as carpet cleaners.
Kirby is pretty hard to beat as a carpet cleaner. It's a powerhouse.
Miele is the real question. The main issue I have with the S7 is its weight. It's really heavy. I'm 6'3" and I lift weights or cycle almost everyday and I think the Miele S7 is too heavy, so heave it's burdensome to use. It's a fabulous cleaner, it's quiet and has every other typical attribute of a Miele.
The Synergy isn't as quiet as the S7. I don't have enough experience with it yet to say that I think it's a better, comparable, or lesser carpet cleaner. I haven't used it yet, but it accepts an optional extra long suction hose that Miele doesn't offer.
In the end, I could see the Simplicity/Radiance coming out as one of, if the singular top upright. I'll have a better sense of it after I've had it long enough to use it extensively. Short version is that the Synergy is a first-rate vacuum that has the potential to outdo even TOL high-end competitors.
joshdonnell
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2010
- Messages
- 401
vacuums
i have a miele capircorn and i love it . the riccar i have used before not in pressed . nice vacuums tho
i have a miele capircorn and i love it . the riccar i have used before not in pressed . nice vacuums tho
joshdonnell
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2010
- Messages
- 401
vacuums
i have a miele capircorn and i love it . the riccar i have used before not in pressed . nice vacuums tho
i have a miele capircorn and i love it . the riccar i have used before not in pressed . nice vacuums tho
vacuumalex
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2008
- Messages
- 112
I was just wondering, if the Riccar/Simplicity has stronger suction than the Miele and Sebo? My Grandmother had a white Sebo Airbelt, and I didn't think it was worth writing home about. Its suction wasn't bad, but not great either, same with the power head. I tested a Riccar Pristine canister and I was blown away by the suction. How do they compare suction wise?
I have never tested a Miele so I can't say how they perform. Which one do you think has the strongest suction?
Thanks,
Alex
I have never tested a Miele so I can't say how they perform. Which one do you think has the strongest suction?
Thanks,
Alex
eurekaprince
Well-known member
Consumer Reports Test Results
As much as I would like to support products made in the USA, it seems that Germany’s Miele and Sweden’s Electrolux still offer a better performing product than Riccar/Simplicity – at least according the the latest tests done by Consumer Reports. For $1400, Riccar/Simplicity should be delivering excellent carpet cleaning with excellent noise control, but it doesn’t.
Here are the test result for the 3 best canisters from each manufacturer:
Miele Callisto S5281 (USD900) (ranks only 2nd to the $500 Kenmore Intuition 28014)
Medium Pile Carpet Cleaning = very good
Bare floor cleaning = excellent
Airflow though the hose for tool use = excellent
Noise control = very good
Emissions control = excellent
Handling (pushing, pulling, carrying) = good
Pet hair removal = very good
Weight with power nozzle = 24 lbs
Electrolux Oxygen EL6988 (USD430) (ranks 3rd after the $500 Kenmore Intuition 28014)
Medium Pile Carpet Cleaning = excellent
Bare floor cleaning = excellent
Airflow though the hose for tool use = very good
Noise control = good
Emissions control = excellent
Handling (pushing, pulling, carrying) = good
Pet hair removal = excellent
Weight with power nozzle = 22 lbs
Simplicity Gusto or Riccar Immaculate Premier (USD1400) (ranks 10th in the list of canister vacs)
Medium Pile Carpet Cleaning = good
Bare floor cleaning = excellent
Airflow though the hose for tool use = very good
Noise control = fair
Emissions control = excellent
Handling (pushing, pulling, carrying) = good
Pet hair removal = excellent
Weight with power nozzle= 27 lbs
In the category of uprights, Miele wins hands-down: Consumer Reports testing showed the Riccar Brilliance/Simplicity Synchrony Premium to be harder to handle, noisier and weaker in hose suction for tool use than the higher ranked Miele Twist or Cat and Dog. The Riccar also costs over $200 more than the Miele Cat and Dog. The Miele Twist rated only a “very good” in bare floor cleaning, whereas the Riccar Brilliance/Simplicity Synchrony Premium rated an “excellent” in that category (But the Miele Twist also got an “excellent” in bare floor cleaning). All the Miele uprights rated “excellent” in emissions control – the Riccar Brilliance/Symplicity SP only rated “very good.”
The only area I think that the Riccar Brilliance upright really did better was in weight: all the Miele’s weigh 22 lbs, the Riccar Brilliance weighs only 20 lbs.
For a total of $540 with tax, I bought a pair of vacs that are lighter, easier to handle and perform as well, or better, than any of the above rated models: The Hoover Tempo Upright and the Electrolux UltraSilencer Green. In Canadian dollars, these cost me CAD140 for the upright, and CAD400 for the canister. Love them both!
As much as I would like to support products made in the USA, it seems that Germany’s Miele and Sweden’s Electrolux still offer a better performing product than Riccar/Simplicity – at least according the the latest tests done by Consumer Reports. For $1400, Riccar/Simplicity should be delivering excellent carpet cleaning with excellent noise control, but it doesn’t.
Here are the test result for the 3 best canisters from each manufacturer:
Miele Callisto S5281 (USD900) (ranks only 2nd to the $500 Kenmore Intuition 28014)
Medium Pile Carpet Cleaning = very good
Bare floor cleaning = excellent
Airflow though the hose for tool use = excellent
Noise control = very good
Emissions control = excellent
Handling (pushing, pulling, carrying) = good
Pet hair removal = very good
Weight with power nozzle = 24 lbs
Electrolux Oxygen EL6988 (USD430) (ranks 3rd after the $500 Kenmore Intuition 28014)
Medium Pile Carpet Cleaning = excellent
Bare floor cleaning = excellent
Airflow though the hose for tool use = very good
Noise control = good
Emissions control = excellent
Handling (pushing, pulling, carrying) = good
Pet hair removal = excellent
Weight with power nozzle = 22 lbs
Simplicity Gusto or Riccar Immaculate Premier (USD1400) (ranks 10th in the list of canister vacs)
Medium Pile Carpet Cleaning = good
Bare floor cleaning = excellent
Airflow though the hose for tool use = very good
Noise control = fair
Emissions control = excellent
Handling (pushing, pulling, carrying) = good
Pet hair removal = excellent
Weight with power nozzle= 27 lbs
In the category of uprights, Miele wins hands-down: Consumer Reports testing showed the Riccar Brilliance/Simplicity Synchrony Premium to be harder to handle, noisier and weaker in hose suction for tool use than the higher ranked Miele Twist or Cat and Dog. The Riccar also costs over $200 more than the Miele Cat and Dog. The Miele Twist rated only a “very good” in bare floor cleaning, whereas the Riccar Brilliance/Simplicity Synchrony Premium rated an “excellent” in that category (But the Miele Twist also got an “excellent” in bare floor cleaning). All the Miele uprights rated “excellent” in emissions control – the Riccar Brilliance/Symplicity SP only rated “very good.”
The only area I think that the Riccar Brilliance upright really did better was in weight: all the Miele’s weigh 22 lbs, the Riccar Brilliance weighs only 20 lbs.
For a total of $540 with tax, I bought a pair of vacs that are lighter, easier to handle and perform as well, or better, than any of the above rated models: The Hoover Tempo Upright and the Electrolux UltraSilencer Green. In Canadian dollars, these cost me CAD140 for the upright, and CAD400 for the canister. Love them both!
sleepdoc
Well-known member
Comparisons
I can't refute the outcomes of anyone else's comparisons of different vacuums because the posts that I've written above are, again, completely subjective. I don't have a lab or equipment to measure any of the performance characteristics of the machines I have discussed above. I certainly wouldn't try to publish anything I've written above (and, as a scientist, that makes me question whether I should have written it at all), but I don't mind sharing my opinions - stated as such. I think I'm reasonable at assessing the fit and finish, pn effectiveness, appearance of the floors, etc. after using a vacuum several times, but that doesn't make me infallible. Anyone who knows me can attest that I will object to anyone imposing subjectivities onto anyone else as though they were irrefutable. So, I want to emphasize that everything I wrote has no bearing beyond what I prefer to use myself or recommend if asked.
Having said that, I have a lot of difficulty trusting CR's conclusions. Their infatuation with the WindTunnel uprights escapes me. I have never seen one of those machines after use without a completely clogged bagless filter system or a bag compartment full of dust and the body of the machine covered with dust. On the other hand, I've never seen a filthy Sebo, even when using the lower tier bags.
Something that truly impressed me, even though it's entirely anecdotal, is a poster on some (probably this) site who wrote that he built a house years ago when the Kirby Legend II was the current model, used that Legend II on his carpet regularly for the entire ~18 years of living in that house, then changed the carpet and pad, whereupon he discovered that the Legend II had kept his floor clean of even fine dust all the way down to the floor boards. That's doesn't constitute proof of anything, but I never forgot it, and I built up my Kirby collection steadily after I read that.
I can't refute the outcomes of anyone else's comparisons of different vacuums because the posts that I've written above are, again, completely subjective. I don't have a lab or equipment to measure any of the performance characteristics of the machines I have discussed above. I certainly wouldn't try to publish anything I've written above (and, as a scientist, that makes me question whether I should have written it at all), but I don't mind sharing my opinions - stated as such. I think I'm reasonable at assessing the fit and finish, pn effectiveness, appearance of the floors, etc. after using a vacuum several times, but that doesn't make me infallible. Anyone who knows me can attest that I will object to anyone imposing subjectivities onto anyone else as though they were irrefutable. So, I want to emphasize that everything I wrote has no bearing beyond what I prefer to use myself or recommend if asked.
Having said that, I have a lot of difficulty trusting CR's conclusions. Their infatuation with the WindTunnel uprights escapes me. I have never seen one of those machines after use without a completely clogged bagless filter system or a bag compartment full of dust and the body of the machine covered with dust. On the other hand, I've never seen a filthy Sebo, even when using the lower tier bags.
Something that truly impressed me, even though it's entirely anecdotal, is a poster on some (probably this) site who wrote that he built a house years ago when the Kirby Legend II was the current model, used that Legend II on his carpet regularly for the entire ~18 years of living in that house, then changed the carpet and pad, whereupon he discovered that the Legend II had kept his floor clean of even fine dust all the way down to the floor boards. That's doesn't constitute proof of anything, but I never forgot it, and I built up my Kirby collection steadily after I read that.
All of the Miele S7...
uprights have the same nozzle/motor housings, motors and brush rolls. How could there be any difference in performance? C/U claims to rank actual performance without regard to price, that being addressed with the best buy designation. All the Miele S7 models should have ranked exactly the same.
I remember C/R once downgraded a Miele canister because the belt was difficult to change. HELLO? It is a geared belt. I don't recall that comment being made about Electrolux power nozzles. C/R also stated that the Hoover Windtunnel uprights filtered the air as well as the Miele. Really?
Every appliance has a generic and a brand/model specific learning curve for optimum performance, vacuum cleaners especially, almost as much as sewing machines. The variance of surfaces to be cleaned, the variety of dirt to be removed, and cleaning standards and habits of the user all affect the opinion held of the vacuum in question. And let us not forget the maintenance of the vacuum as well.
C/R is only a guide. Some people walk in and buy the C/R top rated without questioning "Does this meet my needs and preferences?" Some people just buy the cheapest thing on the shelf and pitch it every six months.
If one reads the entire history of C/R vacuum cleaner ratings, some glaring inconsistencies are apparent. C/R, in my opinion is a tool of limited usefulness
uprights have the same nozzle/motor housings, motors and brush rolls. How could there be any difference in performance? C/U claims to rank actual performance without regard to price, that being addressed with the best buy designation. All the Miele S7 models should have ranked exactly the same.
I remember C/R once downgraded a Miele canister because the belt was difficult to change. HELLO? It is a geared belt. I don't recall that comment being made about Electrolux power nozzles. C/R also stated that the Hoover Windtunnel uprights filtered the air as well as the Miele. Really?
Every appliance has a generic and a brand/model specific learning curve for optimum performance, vacuum cleaners especially, almost as much as sewing machines. The variance of surfaces to be cleaned, the variety of dirt to be removed, and cleaning standards and habits of the user all affect the opinion held of the vacuum in question. And let us not forget the maintenance of the vacuum as well.
C/R is only a guide. Some people walk in and buy the C/R top rated without questioning "Does this meet my needs and preferences?" Some people just buy the cheapest thing on the shelf and pitch it every six months.
If one reads the entire history of C/R vacuum cleaner ratings, some glaring inconsistencies are apparent. C/R, in my opinion is a tool of limited usefulness
sleepdoc
Well-known member
CR
I agree, Trebor. I don't trust CR's ranking. I read the articles only because I'm hungry for any reading material about vacuums, but I don't even bother to buy the issue. BTW, I would buy it if the articles contained more descriptive text about the experience of using the machines, but most of them these days are full of tables and very little personal experiences with the machines during the testing. One thing they did do right was strongly advise against buying that first Hoover dual cyclonic (I can't remember its name) because it exhausted so much dirt into the air it wasn't safe to use for anyone with reactive airway disease.
I agree, Trebor. I don't trust CR's ranking. I read the articles only because I'm hungry for any reading material about vacuums, but I don't even bother to buy the issue. BTW, I would buy it if the articles contained more descriptive text about the experience of using the machines, but most of them these days are full of tables and very little personal experiences with the machines during the testing. One thing they did do right was strongly advise against buying that first Hoover dual cyclonic (I can't remember its name) because it exhausted so much dirt into the air it wasn't safe to use for anyone with reactive airway disease.
I agree about CR. I subscribe to their online service and I do check it as a guideline before I purchase a product, just to make sure there is nothing they hate about that particular product. But there have been too many times that I have completely disagreed with a rating that they gave.
With regard to vacuums, take Kirby for instance. CR has had a problem saying anything good about Kirby going back to the 50s. It seems to stem from the fact that they hate the way Kirby is sold and think it is too expensive. But neither of those criteria have anything to do with how the Kirby performs and should not factor into their performance ratings. Kirby is not currently on their posted list of ratings because the Sentria is so old now, but they had given it almost perfect marks in every criteria except for noise and ease of use and yet it ranked close to middle in the ratings, behind vacs that they scored lower on several individual criteria.
With regard to vacuums, take Kirby for instance. CR has had a problem saying anything good about Kirby going back to the 50s. It seems to stem from the fact that they hate the way Kirby is sold and think it is too expensive. But neither of those criteria have anything to do with how the Kirby performs and should not factor into their performance ratings. Kirby is not currently on their posted list of ratings because the Sentria is so old now, but they had given it almost perfect marks in every criteria except for noise and ease of use and yet it ranked close to middle in the ratings, behind vacs that they scored lower on several individual criteria.
eurekaprince
Well-known member
I meant no harm in bringing Consumer Reports testing into the discussion, friends. Just thought it might be interesting to see how these vac-makers are faring in their test labs. I know many people have strong opinions about how much one can trust these CR test results when deciding on which vacuum would make a worthwhile purchase.
For me, I have had so many bad experiences in stores with sales people being less than honest about the machines they are selling. I know that many are motivated by making sure their income is healthy, but by the same token, I need to make sure that I am also keeping my bank account healthy and not wasting money. This is not to say I have not met honest sales-people who seem to have my interests in mind, but the bad guys seem to outweigh the kind-hearted ones.
This is why I really appreciate the vac testing done by Consumer Reports. They have no commercial interest in preferring one model over another. And their tests are designed to measure things that will affect the consumer. Indeed, my Hoover Tempo does accumulate fine dust in its bag compartment whenever I change the bag. But that does not mean that this dust is making its way throught the motor filters and out the exhaust vents. It may just mean that the plastic TTI uses attracts dust - but all I care about is whether this is coming out of the machine. Just because a vac has a clean bag compartment, does not mean that its final exhaust is clean.
In truth, the top-performing Simplicity/Riccar vacs are pretty good cleaners when you look at the test results. It's just that there are even better machines on the market that are cheaper and quieter and easier to use. When two vacs end up being ranked close in performance, CR will rate the cheaper one higher because there is no need for a consumer to spend more money to get the same results. The "Best Buy" award is only given to great-performing vacs that are relatively cheap compared to other high performers. You'll notice that my beloved Hoover Tempo has even lost its "Recommended" tag - perhaps due to the email I sent them about sparks coming from the cheap switch!
As for the differences in results for vacs that are essentially identical, I think what must be happening is that some production runs produce different quality vacs (I had this with my Tempo), and that it is possible that one Miele upright for some reason is not providing the same bare floor cleaning ability as the others. For some reason, the Electrolux UltraSilencer Green has better hose air-flow than the almost identical non-Green version. This could simply be due to some of the detailing in the suction seals used, or the sound suppression material around the motor. I have no idea. But it makes sense that there could be fine differences in production runs that result in different levels of performance.
Consumer Reports always recommends looking at the survey results for manufacturer's reliability and using that as part of the criteria in deciding what vacuum to buy. If you only looked at brand reliability, Consumer Reports survey results would tell you to invest in a Kirby or Dyson upright, and a Rainbow or Dyson canister. The reliability chart would recommend staying away from an Electrolux canister or a Hoover upright or a Simplicity upright. This is based on CU members answering the following question: If you bought a new vacuum in the past year, did it it have a problem that required a repair?
I guess I will have to be extra careful with my Hoover upright and my Electrolux canister!!!
Anyhow...just wanted to re-iterate that I meant no harm by my post......some people like CR, others don't.....and that's cool with me.
For me, I have had so many bad experiences in stores with sales people being less than honest about the machines they are selling. I know that many are motivated by making sure their income is healthy, but by the same token, I need to make sure that I am also keeping my bank account healthy and not wasting money. This is not to say I have not met honest sales-people who seem to have my interests in mind, but the bad guys seem to outweigh the kind-hearted ones.
This is why I really appreciate the vac testing done by Consumer Reports. They have no commercial interest in preferring one model over another. And their tests are designed to measure things that will affect the consumer. Indeed, my Hoover Tempo does accumulate fine dust in its bag compartment whenever I change the bag. But that does not mean that this dust is making its way throught the motor filters and out the exhaust vents. It may just mean that the plastic TTI uses attracts dust - but all I care about is whether this is coming out of the machine. Just because a vac has a clean bag compartment, does not mean that its final exhaust is clean.
In truth, the top-performing Simplicity/Riccar vacs are pretty good cleaners when you look at the test results. It's just that there are even better machines on the market that are cheaper and quieter and easier to use. When two vacs end up being ranked close in performance, CR will rate the cheaper one higher because there is no need for a consumer to spend more money to get the same results. The "Best Buy" award is only given to great-performing vacs that are relatively cheap compared to other high performers. You'll notice that my beloved Hoover Tempo has even lost its "Recommended" tag - perhaps due to the email I sent them about sparks coming from the cheap switch!
As for the differences in results for vacs that are essentially identical, I think what must be happening is that some production runs produce different quality vacs (I had this with my Tempo), and that it is possible that one Miele upright for some reason is not providing the same bare floor cleaning ability as the others. For some reason, the Electrolux UltraSilencer Green has better hose air-flow than the almost identical non-Green version. This could simply be due to some of the detailing in the suction seals used, or the sound suppression material around the motor. I have no idea. But it makes sense that there could be fine differences in production runs that result in different levels of performance.
Consumer Reports always recommends looking at the survey results for manufacturer's reliability and using that as part of the criteria in deciding what vacuum to buy. If you only looked at brand reliability, Consumer Reports survey results would tell you to invest in a Kirby or Dyson upright, and a Rainbow or Dyson canister. The reliability chart would recommend staying away from an Electrolux canister or a Hoover upright or a Simplicity upright. This is based on CU members answering the following question: If you bought a new vacuum in the past year, did it it have a problem that required a repair?
I guess I will have to be extra careful with my Hoover upright and my Electrolux canister!!!
Anyhow...just wanted to re-iterate that I meant no harm by my post......some people like CR, others don't.....and that's cool with me.
sleepdoc
Well-known member
If you are replying to me, I wasn't bothered at all by your mentioning CR. They have equipment and standards that certainly don't exist at my house, but sometimes I wonder if they're measuring the right things to arrive at the conclusions they do. CR is a standard in this country, and, again, I am just stating opinions. I'm glad you jumped in. Don't hesitate, that's what makes it a good discussion.
kirbyloverdan
Well-known member
Why don`t they do real world testing ?
If only they did real world testing in addition to the lab.
They should give testers vacuums to take home and use them in their homes with real dirt not wood pulp and talc powder and see how they would hold up to family members using them maybe that would produce different results.
Todays big box machines are not like yesterdays . Gone are the old Hoover Convertibles and Eureka ESP`s ect.
That is why one must purchase a quality vac shop or D2D vacuum if you want them to last more than a year or less.
If only they did real world testing in addition to the lab.
They should give testers vacuums to take home and use them in their homes with real dirt not wood pulp and talc powder and see how they would hold up to family members using them maybe that would produce different results.
Todays big box machines are not like yesterdays . Gone are the old Hoover Convertibles and Eureka ESP`s ect.
That is why one must purchase a quality vac shop or D2D vacuum if you want them to last more than a year or less.
I meant no harm either...
Just reiterating what C/R has printed. Most people do not read more than one issue of C/R vacuum cleaners ratings. They make a purchase and don't think about it until the next time they need a vacuum cleaner.
If you can find old issues of C/R from the 30's and 40's vacuum cleaners were rated more frequently in smaller groups because they were more of a novelty then. Very interesting reading, especially if one reads their entire history of vacuum cleaner ratings.
Trebor
Just reiterating what C/R has printed. Most people do not read more than one issue of C/R vacuum cleaners ratings. They make a purchase and don't think about it until the next time they need a vacuum cleaner.
If you can find old issues of C/R from the 30's and 40's vacuum cleaners were rated more frequently in smaller groups because they were more of a novelty then. Very interesting reading, especially if one reads their entire history of vacuum cleaner ratings.
Trebor
pr-21
Well-known member
Consumer Reports
Like others, I just use it as a tool to maybe help make my decision. I will say that at times like with the Rainbow, I totally ignored Consumer Reports and bought anyway. Absolutely no regrets on my purchases, regardless of how they were rated.
Bud Mattingly
Like others, I just use it as a tool to maybe help make my decision. I will say that at times like with the Rainbow, I totally ignored Consumer Reports and bought anyway. Absolutely no regrets on my purchases, regardless of how they were rated.
Bud Mattingly
I've been reading CR for approx 40 years now or more beginning back as a teen when my dad had a subscription. I've had my subscription almost non-stop since I left home in 75. I do trust their testing methods and reliability reports. What irks me are people who continue to claim most vehemently that they are "paid" or take bribes from manufacturers because how otherwise could "such and such" always be at the top of the ratings etc. Can you imagine if they were caught doing it, they'd be finished. As well, do you not think that if there was even the slightest smell of something amiss over the past 75 years that someone out of all their past and present employees (1000's) wouldn't have leaked it out somehow and an investigation taken place.. Plus there are plenty of big money corporations who's products have been given a black eye from them over the years that would be glad to take them down a notch or two with such information.
Now back to the Simplicities... How does the noise compare to the Miele.. quietness is one of my biggest deciders. Spending huge money on a vacuum demands it be quiet in my mind.
Now back to the Simplicities... How does the noise compare to the Miele.. quietness is one of my biggest deciders. Spending huge money on a vacuum demands it be quiet in my mind.
