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Release date 02/04/2008
YONKERS, NY — Consumer Reports' latest tests of more than 60 upright and canister vacuums reveal that several brands have included innovative features in new models—including germ-killing claims—but several fell short in their overall purpose – plain old cleaning.
The new Panasonic AeroBlast [MC-UL975], $700, includes a unique feature that promises to stretch filter life, among other things. But CR test results showed these claims were overstated. Halo Technologies says its uprights, including the $400 UVX, kill dust mites, flea eggs, and germs using UV light. CR didn’t test those claims because the UVX was only so-so at the more primary tasks of cleaning carpets and picking up pet hair. What’s more, it has no hose or tools.
For homes with pet hair, the Electrolux’s $300 Harmony [EL6985B] canister is the latest to flub CR's grueling pet-hair test, which gauges how well vacuums remove Maine Coon cat fur from carpet. As with the brand’s TwinClean model, cat hair wound itself around the brush and stopped it—partly because the brush is driven by airflow, rather than a motor.
“We tell shoppers to look at performance first and to choose a vacuum that meets their cleaning needs,” said Bob Markovich, home & yard editor at Consumer Reports. “With so many vacuums on the market and every manufacturer trying to stand out, it’s especially important for consumers to choose function over hype.”
The Best Vacs for Every Need
The best uprights for most were the CR Best Buy Kenmore (Sears) Progressive with Direct Drive [35922], $300 and [36932], $350. The lower-priced Hoover WindTunnel Bagless [U5753-900], $160, may also be worth considering for consumers willing to accept less airflow, more noise, lower brand reliability for uprights, and emptying a bin.
If less weight is worth some trade-offs, the 9-pound Riccar SupraLite [RSL3], $330, is the lightest. Its cousin, the SupraLite [RSL4], $450, is more expensive, but provides superb carpet cleaning. Three models from Hoover, including the Tempo Widepath [U5140-900], $60, the WindTunnel Supreme [U5458-900], $130, and the EmPower [U5262-910], $100, all offer the most value and performance. The Hoover EmPower even folds, however, there are more reliable upright brands that consumers should consider.
The best canister vacuum with superb carpet cleaning is the Electrolux Oxygen [EL6988D], $400. This vacuum sets its self apart from the rest of the canister vacs. The less expensive CR Best Buy Kenmore (Sears) Progressive [27514], $300, performs nearly as well overall. However, if picking up pet hair isn’t a top priority, Consumer Reports suggests the slightly lower-priced Hoover WindTunnel Bagless [S3765-040], $250.
How to Choose the Best Vacuum for Your Needs
CR offers quick tips in choosing the best vacuum that cleans the most effectively based on consumers’ needs.
CR's full report on vacuums is part of the March 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, which is available wherever magazines are sold. The full story is also available online at www.ConsumerReports.org.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2008 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2008 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.