Which vacuum brand is the most reliable/reputable?

[venson]

The one you take care of . . .

I presently have a Miele Capricorn that serves quite well. However, I have never had a machine I bought new -- cheap or pricey -- die on me in inordinate time. I think a vacuum's track record depends a lot on reasonable care AND use by it's owner and also being in tune with the machine. That said, I have noticed a drop in regard to quality -- and standards -- by a lot of vac makers that we once depended upon for affordable cleaning equipment.

It should always also be considered that as many manufacturers outsource re components comparisons can be dubious. Does my Bosch really "out clean" your AEG when they both use the same Wessel Werks tools and Amtek motors?

As well, I've seen the most touted brands end up on the trash heap because users assumed the bigger the name, the higher the price, the less they had to concern themselves with. So very wrong.

It's my strong belief that if bags aren't used until jam-packed and filters are regularly cleaned or replaced before they just downright clog up you get longer life and reliability out of your machine. This also applies to bagless machine for which I'd add you should always keep an eye open as to debris mucking up the cyclonics process. If the air in that area isn't flowing properly you definitely will find dust gathering more quickly than usual on filters.

 

[sebo_fan]

Nice to see you on here Venson!

 

[jmurray01]

For vintage - Hoover.

For modern - Electrolux.

 

[countryguy]

Venson,

What kind of vac is your avatar?

Gary

 

[henriquesousa7]

I Would Have To Say Sanitaire!

 

[trebor]

I would have to say....

Lindhaus. They are used in the healthcare industry. The Healthcare Hepa Pro has:

1) ease of use: flat under a bed with brush contatcting floor/carpet, handle on body for stairs, mattresses

2) lightweight: 14lb w/ 12" nozzle

3) Verastility: OBT, removeable nozzle and handle, can carry as a 9lb portable, can use with a bare floor nozzle that will still stand upright.

4) Durability: motors rated for in excess of 1400 hours of use. Auto shut of for both motors.

5) high filtration: almost HEPA, can be upgraded to true HEPA

Inexpensive to maintain, 10 biodegradeable bags for $17.00

 

[GM1982]

What do you think of the Aerus Guardian Upright?

 

[venson]

@Gary . . .

Hi Gary,

My avatar is the Lux "Intelligence". It's manufacturer is Lux International, part of a European conglomerate I believe. I have been trying to get hold of one employing 120-volt A/C current level since I first saw it's predecessor, the Lux Chrome.

I actually tracked down a salesman -- in the Bahamas no less -- but it was a no go as he would have had to order several from the company to sell me the one machine I wanted. Also, they are not under the radar as far as Aerus goes. There's some sort of territorial agreement between them I'm told. It's web page is below and I've attached an additional YouTube URL.

http://www.luxinternational.com/products/bright_home_line/lux_intelligence/

Venson

 

[powermate1970]

just my 2 cents worth

alot of the older machines are pretty reliable with care, but, just because they are still running as good as new, doesn't mean they were good carpet cleaners when they were new. For a good carpet cleaning upright, eureka/sanitaire, kirby, and royal are "tops" in my book.

 

[countryguy]

Thanks Venson,

It is a nice looking machine. I like the fact that it has a regular handle instead of the pistol grip type and I also like the look of the woven hose. From the video link attached, it appears to have been built with good filtration too.

Gary

 

[trebor]

The Guardian upright...

is respectable on all counts, however, I believe it to be more expensive than the Lindhaus, and it lacks a height adjustment. Overall, I much prefer the Lindhaus.

 

[GM1982]

Lux & Lindhaus

I don't think I've ever seen that Lux in an Aerus store in the U.S., it must be available in Europe or something, nice machine though. I visited Linhaus site, looks durable, however, I haven't come across any local vacuum retailer selling them, at least in Long Island, NY

 

[ralph123]

Certainly there are vacuums with serious design flaws (e.g. Hoover dual brush roll with plastic gears). However, I suspect most vacuum failures are due to bad behavior on the part of the user rather than manufacturing defects.

 

[kirbyds80]

Kirby and Royal

are pretty reliable machines. Dyson i'm a liitle skeptical about as we get them in the shop alot with broken parts, burned up motors etc, and I've read a ton of complaints on them. I've never personally used one, but from what I've read I'd stay away from them if all possible. Your best bet would be a Kirby or a Royal if you can find one in good shape which would probably outclean a Dyson.
And that's my 2 cents worth,
-Jayson

 

[bimmer740]

I think that Miele, Sebo, and even the new machines from Aerus/Electrolux are very reliable. My Renaissance is from 1994 and it still runs and looks like new, as does my Epic 6000. For canisters Lux tanks are fairly easy to service and they have a long history of being able to take a beating and keep on going.

In my opinion probably the most reliable machine you can purchase new today is a Kirby. I've never had a problem with any Kirby I have ever owned and they can easily be repaired or rebuilt. And just how many vacuum manufacturers today will rebuild your vacuum so its almost new? I certainly can’t think of any other company that does that.

 

[ultimatevacman]

Has nobody mentioned Numatic?

 

[sebo_fan]

Here's a long answer - be warned!

<span style="font-size: medium;">No - and simply because Numatic isn't yet an international brand. As a fan of Numatic, I think Numatic are Britain's best kept secret but you have to bear in mind that they only arrived in the U.S not so long ago and aren't available in other countries as much. One could plainly argue and say the same about the U.S only brands like Riccar or others, so collecting data on Numatic as a worldwide brand would be more difficult. </span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium;">Also I see Sebo and Numatic as commercial brands as opposed to wholly domestic - that and a lot of the other commercial brands that are seldom mentioned unless they offer a domestic market range as well like Sebo and Numatic.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium;">Numatic did make it to the number 3 or 4 top spot below Miele for reliability as far as I can remember when I was a member of Which, though a lot of members moaned on the forum regarding Which's last test results for the Henry when the marked it down on performance. I was also one of those moaners as Which had clearly not tested the Henry properly yet were typical of marking it down because of their lack of clarity and intelligence. They did the same with the Sebo D2, not being able to find a bag fill indicator when the window is clearly viewable behind the hose on top of the machine - and Which rarely change their findings!</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium;">That's the trouble with asking a question like "what is the best" as there are so many variables to take into account, not just what the "official" testing organisations say. Whenever I've gone into a leading franchise and say that I want a cylinder vacuum, most sales people point me towards a Henry if I want to go the bagged route or Dyson for bagless. Again its a sales strategy but its also one based on real life sales per company and what people readily recognise. </span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium;">The main issue I've found in the past when recommending Sebo's K series to UK buyers is that they don't want to go with the brand because they don't recognise the brand and automatically fear spares aren't going to be as widespread available. </span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium;">
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[alexhoovers94]

well we all know what the Number 1 upright was up until the late 90's


 


HOOVER


 


Gives me great pleasure to say that.