Which Vacuums Feb 2014 UK

[tylerawells]

Here in the US, Consumer Reports doesn't accept donations from the manufactures of items they test. Instead, they go out and buy everything on their own.

 

[beko1987]

I'm sure that's how it's supposed to work over here... Somewhere there must be a brown envelope or free machine in the offering... Hence why the cheaper vacs always get slated!

 

[madabouthoovers]

Beko- believe me, I went through all Sebo's online brochures in detail to see what each model had to offer, as I wanted another Sebo to compliment my X4 extra. I looked really hard at the Felix, and was literally on the fill your card details in screen for the purchase of the Sebo Felix Rosso, when I pulled out at the last minute - I just knew I wanted to try an Airbelt canister and went through all the models, watched Roger's videos on his Sebo's, and liked his unboxing of the K1 Pet - its a really cute vac, with the back of it looking like an old 50's car! Its a really understated vac and has some nice features. I like the undercarriage bag door, and the proper bag light instead of a piston. I also like the idea of a lightweight wand, and I gather that its half metal and half plastic to keep it light. Unlike Dysons, the wand is not flexible all plastic. I also liked the Vulcano's deluxe combi head and handle operated control for the motor. apparently the bag light glows green when vac is turned on, and changes to orange if the vac detects a clog. At less than £200 I had to buy the Vulcano, its a great colour in browny//red and orange, and has a turbine head in addition. It will be my first Sebo canister, and I am surprised at Sebo Fan's response, seeing as he sold one of these to a friend last year, who loves it apparently!


 


I will do a proper thread on both the Miele S8730 and the Sebo K3 Vulcano when I get them and put them through their paces.


 


Also, I intend to stop buying cheap brands such as Vax, and Hoover now and may even consider selling some of my bagless vacs in due course, as I am now over 50 vacs, and whilst I like many of them, I cannot keep increasing the number of vacs I own indefinitely before I have a "Roger moment" and start selling some of them off.


I would never sell my Mieles though, they are my favourite brand, by far. They are just, as Which found out, in a league of their own. They are like the Mercedes Benz of the vac world.

 

[sebo_fan]

Why should you be surprised? My friend loves it - I don't however, which is why I sold it!!

The best one in the range for all floors is the dark blue K1 Komfort or the K1 Pet if you have pets.

And, I have always maintained that the K3 isn't as good as all the other non-electrical cord embedded models. Look at my review of the Premium model, dated 2010.

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/vacuum-cleaner/sebo-k3-premium/1403145/

 

[madabouthoovers]

I was surprised because you, being a sebo_fan, don't like a sebo. I take it the only reason you don't like the Vulcano is because of the hose?


Might it have been better if Sebo had used a radio controlled transmitter on the handle, like Miele do, rather than a wire through the hose?


 


If I ever do get a Felix in the future, would the heads be interchangeable, with the vulcano, or would I have to buy a different electrified wand?

 

[sebo_fan]

Well I am allowed to dislike some things...?

My review shows the weaknesses of the K3 Premium. It was the biggest disappointment of my life where SEBO vacs are concerned. As a result, even when trying out a D4, I still don't like cylinder vacs with power nozzles. I believe the U.S have better ones from other brands that aren't so darn heavy.

The K3 Vulcano is better because it lacks the heavy old ET-H but you'll know what I mean when you test the hose. It isn't as flexible as the standard hoses and yes, it is probably because of the fixed, stitched embedded cord through the hose. I don't know what the solution is but then possibly because of the way I have always viewed uprights and cylinders, I have never been that keen on remote control handles on cylinder vacs because of the heavier weight associated.

The transmitter ideas on Miele and Electrolux are far more flexible but at the detriment of batteries obviously failing through time.

At the time of that review was written, the K3 Vulcano also came with the heavier suction tubes that had the electrical runner down the back of it and they are an awful weight to put up with. I see SEBO have stopped that now and have just added the simpler non-electric fitted tubes. Still, if it was me I'd go for the lightest option and just stick to the K1 Komfort or Pet.

I had a K1 Pet as well (shown on my video on You Tube) and have recently sold that to a friend in need.

Personally, I'm happier with my D2 Total. It gives me the travel I need to get around the large home I'm in and its the "one-stop-shop" for cleaning. I also love my new Miele S8340. It's like the go-between vac that I use on occasion and its a far better design than the S6 Ecoline that this new S8 replaces.

 

[madabouthoovers]

I love the Miele S8, which is why I wanted the one with the remote control handle, the S8730 and Miele are selling off the last few they have for £200 odd - I got if for £170 on 31 Jan, and the next day the price went up to over £200! The only thing is that if the remote handle breaks, the vac cannot be adjusted for power on the unit like other S8's as it lacks the buttons for this.


 


I wanted the Vulcano specially for its remote handle. I will use it with the air driven head, and really, Sebo could modify the volcano to do away with the electric hose like Miele have, and use a radio controlled handle. I think handle controls are just so much more convenient than the simple suction release valves, and it amazes me that the Uk version S8 Uniq does not have remote control, as it does in the USA.


 


It looks to me like the Vulcano handle is the same size as that on  the X4? I agree that it is smaller than the K1 though, but unless you have massive hands, will it be a problem, really?

 

[sebo_fan]

Miele are planning quite a few new accessories this year -their Spotlight handle that was previously featured on the TOL model and now appearing under several "Brilliant Light" models, may appear as a single option part to buy.

Ry-Ry sold me a Miele RCU cylinder vac some time ago. I eventually passed it onto a relative who loves it but I did find it unreliable to change the setting at times, almost every time having to lower the handle nearer the infra red panel to change the setting. Now, as far as I'm aware that vacuum cleaner uses the same hose, thus if the handle breaks, you just reorder the handle, not the entire hose assembly. If there is no cord embedded or attached to that Miele hose, all you'll have to do is order the handle, like that old S4.

Also, I'm waiting with baited breath on the XXL handle. Miele made this standard with the S6 models in Germany and other countries but not the UK. Basically, it's a standard handle with a notch on the back that allows the handle to store on one side of the parking slot of the vacuum with the hose curved around the body "nano space" style as shown by Hoover and with the floor head and suction tube parked on the other side. I have pestered Miele about this for almost 2 years, so it is a possibility that the handle will eventually be available.

 

[sebo_fan]

No, the handle is even smaller on the embedded cord K3s. Smaller than Felix and X4. I have small hands but even my whole hand fails to fit inside the handle. It is comfortable-ish to use though - the slider is intuitive - I seldom use the full power. But I prefer the bigger handles on the other models.

One thing I do like about the SEBO full size turbo brush is that it is similar to the Miele one but not as heavy and extremely light to push around. Sadly though, it lacks the coin-locks that would make cleaning easier. You have to undo screws on the SEBO floor head to clean it, but I just manually unwrap threads if they wrap around the brush roll (clogs seldom happen BTW with me with either Miele or SEBO turbo brush).

 

[madabouthoovers]

I think they may have had an abundance of handles for the S8 Uniq that hasn't probably sold in the numbers they predicted it would (I wonder why?) and decided to use them to make a limited edition "bright light" range for the S6 model, which, sells on the Miele website for less than I thought.


The XXL handle would be a nice touch for storing the vac away, and would lessen the need to extend the telescopic pole to full stretch where I find its a bit more flexible in the middle in use, especially with the standard floorhead on carpet, where the clicking bit of play in the tube centre joint at full extension is annoying when pushing and pulling the pole.


 


I don't like the new format Miele.co.uk  site, as many features don't work well and pics come out distorted. Also the specs for the vacs are very lacking in detail, especially for the limited stock range. I had to look up the specs for the S8730 elsewhere (Miele.ie) to find out what it had on it.

 

[madabouthoovers]

The turbo brush on the K3 is an older wessel werk head that Dyson used as far back as the DC05 and early DC08's. Its a good floorhead, but like you say, you have to dismantle it with a screwdriver to clean it, as I found out with a Dyson version. It does move across carpet well though.


The mini turbo brush on the Sebo range is also an old version of the Miele mini turbo brush, but uses a 37.5mm fitting so only Sebo heads will fit.

 

[hi-loswitch98]

Steve let me know what Vacuums your selling please. I may be interested. But like you I'm am not choosing to buy a Vacuum from Vax/Hoover - well most of them anyway, because after the Jazz incident I have been put off. Plus it was a right palaver to return it because of the 'Do Not Take Back to The Shop' sticker.

 

[sebo_fan]

Actually Dyson used it on the DC02 and both Hoover and Electrolux used to sell it alongside some of their vacs. Argos also sold them (unbranded) in the 1990s with additional mini turbo brushes, all from Wessel Werks (i have one of them).

SEBO's mini turbo brush is alright. I also have the Miele version. Very few differences - I also have the smaller mini-mini Miele turbo brush - its a bit more nimble and has added lint pickers on the underside/soleplate but it is trickier to unclog and doesn't store/mount on any of the Miele tool holders.

Review link if you're interested.



http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/vacuum-cleaner-accessories/miele-stb20/1670096/

 

[madabouthoovers]

I have that many mini turbo brushes knocking round my house now, its ridiculous lol, but still don't have a Sebo one, they do come up on ebay but are in hot demand, and prices go high as there are no generic aftermarket ones to fit Sebo hoses.


 


The old wesselwerk main turbine head was a better head than the Dyson own manufactured ones from the DC08 onwards, much quieter running and reliable.


 


Hilo - If I sell any they are likely to be Vax's and Hoovers  lol, and local collection only as I cant be arsed messing about with boxes and couriers. The ones I will get shot of will likely be the cheaper ones like the Hoover Whirlwind and the Vax mach Air's, plus the Power 6 pet, Zoom pink, and maybe the Vax Zen which has never been used. They will go on Gumtree eventually, as I wont pay EBay's fees and I aint in any rush to sell them. I may sell a couple of Kirbys like one of my H1's and possibly the G4.


I may also sell the Dysons as they are all now in the loft. I have gone RIGHT off Dyson.


I am going to refine my collection to quality bagged vacs and good, working vintage models

 

[sebo_fan]

HiLo - you should buy that new Miele S4 "Young Style." Seems like it might have been designed just for you!

 

[madabouthoovers]

NO, HiLO likes his garey colours like his Hoover Jazz - perhaps he might like my Vax Zoom Pink? lol


The "young style" S4 wont appeal to many young people due to its austere battleship grey colour! Talk about a boring colour!

[this post was last edited: 2/3/2014-19:00]

 

[sebo_fan]

True, but HiLo was going to buy a Miele at the end of the month, anyway. He can buy your budget vacuums at some other point.

 

[hi-loswitch98]

Oh no Sebo_fan - too boring for me! I have a much better vacuum in mind.

Steve - I don't blame you for not putting stuff on eBay, it is a pain! Shame, but good you are reducing your collection to bagged vacs & vintage models.

I am VERY interested in the Zoom, showed it to my dad & he said how much he liked the colour!

Oh, BTW, it's Hoover not Hooover lol

 

[hi-loswitch98]

Not sure about the Miele anymore.

 

[madabouthoovers]

If he wants them he'll have to come to Stoke on Trent to get them lol


The prices they will sell for wouldn't justify sending them across the country by courier. Local folk in Stoke love cheapo vacs anyway lol