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Vacuums Demystified Part 2 |
A little over a month ago we wrote about our favorite vacuums and why. To recap, our absolute favorite style of vacuum is the hip style vacuum, followed by the back pack style, then an upright, and last a canister style vacuum. At our last vacuum discussion we promised to elaborate a little more on the other styles available and what we think. So without further ado, here we go...
The upright has been an ever popular style of vacuum for years. At one point replacing the canister style to almost the point of extinction. A upright can have it's place and more recent models have been made to handle the more challenging everyday tasks like pet hair. Even the newer models which can be found loaded with power have their downside like weight, lack of or hard to use attachments, capacity, etc. Still there are a few that we have test that we have to say are above the rest. We based our testing off of cost, attachment use, power, and weight; This is what we found:
1) Windsor Flexmatic (aka Sebo, Felix) at $599 this vacuum outperforms the competition with DUAL motors, Lightweight 15 lb. design, Innovative articulating head for superior maneuverability, Ergonomic carrying handle for easy transport, Patented HEPA filtration system with high efficiency down to .3 microns, and is available in 12 and 15 inch cleaning widths for super efficiency. It also has an on-board wand for attachments, however the reach is only about 10ft. Still it is extremely powerful for its size and weight and very maneuverable.
2) Windsor Sensor S at $449 is another excellent machine (can also be found under the Century name as the 400 U-Vac for $369). This patented vacuum offers a great deal of power with a 1.6 HP motor and a unique system that sense when the carpet is clean by monitoring the particles lifted in the air flow. It has on-board attachments and is very easy to use. It's only downfall is it's weight, weighing in at 18 pounds it is what we would consider too heavy for regular use. Still a great machine.
3) Infinity Deluxe Upright Vacuum with Pet Care System at $249 (can be found on Overstock currently for $119 in a refurbished form with warranty). This would be an excellent contender at $120 but at $249 it is just a good value. This actually comes in two models, one with the pet care system and one without. We chose the one with the system because the quality of the attachments was better. It employees similar cyclone top feeding technology that Dyson has made popular but does it for 1/2 the price. Not to mention it is much easier to use than the Dyson models. Weight is about the same as the Dyson at 20 lbs which is way too heavy for an upright but at $249 or $119 it is easy to over look. It also has stand HEPA which is a plus.
4) Last but not least, the Oreck XL 21 Titanium Series. This vacuum is way over priced, at least at first glance. At $749 it would fall way short of the models listed above. However, with a little digging it is apparent that, at this price, the vacuum comes with a 21 year warranty and 21 free tune-ups. That makes for a much better deal. Add in the fact that it has an excellent HEPA system and weighs only 9 lbs and you have a very good machine. Oreck also offers a monthly payment plan you won't find on other models. The XL 21 can be had for about $55 a month. Still it has it's downfalls. Even though Oreck claims that it is SUPER POWERFUL, it isn't. Not close. It is fair at best with pet hair. Also, attachment use is difficult at compared to the other models listed. All in all it is worth considering given the weight and the warranty. Just don't expect it to be a miracle machine as it is not.
For those of you who will be sticking to uprights, we hope this list will give you some direction as to what model may be best for you. In the next segment we will talk a little about canister vacs and backpack vacs. Stay tuned or for more information call Maid Right at 1-866-663-1977...
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