Which UK Tells All Via AEG in What Consumers Want

[sebo_fan]

Released from Which just a couple of days ago (our "independent" testing organisation in the UK).



http://www.which.co.uk/news/2013/09...-a-vacuum-cleaner-332822/?cmp=RSS-NEWS_332822

 

[jmurray01]

That whole article demonstrates why bagless vacuums are not practical:

Poor dust pick up
Price
Low Suction
Noise
Blocked Filters

It is very interesting to read what people see as important these days, and very sad (but not surprising) that only 13% mentioned durability.

Although poor suction has always existed with vacuum cleaners, it was a lot simpler with bagged machines. Why? Well, if a bagged vacuum loses suction one simply has to replace the bag and in 99% of cases the problem is solved in less than 5 minutes. With a bagless you have to empty the bin, take all the filters apart, clean in warm water and dry for 24 hours. Now tell me which option is quicker, easier, and more hygienic?

That all begs the question, if dust pick up is more important than price, why do so few people buy bagged cleaners?

 

[sebo_fan]

Because of Dyson...

Actually the whole article shows that consumers are being led by suction power - a major factor that Dyson preached on and on about since the DC01 ever arrived. Oh I know that other brands do too, but Dyson launched a two-speared attack "educating" the general public about suction. After all, the more common buyer these days might not know what a carbon filter is but I bet they will know the common over used Dyson phrase "air watts."

The loudest uprights I have ever had and used come down to two bagged vacuums:

1) The Oreck XL
2) The Hoover Purepower fixed suction models.

It is almost natural to find that buyers are pushing for price as a stronger leader than durability - we've been offered so many cheap brands at cheap prices that it is kind of expected. When the cheap £40 or so budget vac breaks, consumers will just go out and buy a new one - same with budget TVs and other cheap audio equipment.

No one outside my realm of vacuum cleaners feels that a machine should be priced at £100 or more - even spending £100 on a Numatic Henry seems to annoy future buyers. Of course it all changes when they get one and realise that its a great model to own.

 

[tolivac]

I second it on loud vacuums-Oreck XL Commercial Red upright-the janitors use one here at work-the user wears earplugs-the thing sounds like a strangled banshee!You can hear the janitor fire the thing up at about 6:00A in the morning at this site!If he is vacuuming infront of one of the transmitters I bring up- I ask him to turn it off for a moment while I turn on and tune up my transmitter-like to be able to listen for ABNORMAL transmitter noises!That Oreck covers up the sounds.

 

[tolivac]

And of course what good is "suction power" if its hampered by filters that clog up in the first few minutes you are using the vacuum-after that the machine's roller brush is just grinding the dirt deeper into your carpet or rug.