Vacuum cleaners... consumer?

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#1465429 7-Jan-2016 21:19

I recently purchased this Electrolux from Farmers for a similar deal to what it's currently on (http://www.farmers.co.nz/electrical/home-appliances/vacuum-cleaners/electrolux-ultraflex-animal-allergy-vacuum-zuf4203pet-5966895) after it rated well in Consumer's 'Best In Test' report. It's the best vacuum cleaner I have ever owned. I cleaned the week previous, but the first time I used the Electrolux I filled the dust cannister up halfway. It's easy to empty and comes with a special pet hair head as well as the normal one. The advertising for it claims that it is 33% more effective than the equivalent Dyson model. I've never used a Dyson so I can't comment on the comparison, but it certainly does a good job.

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JayADee

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#1465433 7-Jan-2016 21:32

Dunnersfella: We bought a Miele Cat & Dog to replace our Dyson after it failed.
The biggest issue I had with the Dyson was emptying it. In our first house, we had a rubbish bin by the back door - so it was fine.
The next home the bins were located inside and try as I might, everytime I emptied it, the dust in the bag would billow out of the unit, into the house.

The Miele has gone strong for 6 years now, with 3 cats and a LOT of black furniture (white fluffy cat that likes to shed) - it handles it all.
Don't worry about Hepa filters as you can buy different filter versions in stores.

Re: Godfrey's.
Once I learned how they worked, I ran a mile.
They have cheap Hoovers that they bring to market, then they whack a massive margin on them and sell them for a fortune.
There are all sorts of tricks employed - they push hard to sell attachment heads, the guy I knew who worked there was on a scheme that relied incredibly heavily on his attachment of expensive (for you, the consumer) add ones.

No one here has mentioned Sebo. All the commercial cleaners in my last few jobs have used them, they're absolutely brilliant, very light to vacuum with and do a great job, but they cost a bundle.
The quietest bagless model I ever tried was a Bosch - very nice machine. I don't know the model number though?

We have a Bosch, bought to replace our 12 or so year old much-abused through-the-renovation wars Dyson as I didn't like the newer models of Dyson. I like it very much. We have hard wood floors and two large dogs. Does their mats really well too. I like the adjustable speed ( you can use your foot to turn it on/off and adjust speed) and it's a lot quieter than our Dyson. Sucks like mad. I turn it right down to do the dog mats or else I can't get it to detach... Harvey Norman sells two models of it.

Edit: ours is the less expensive relaxx one...
I'd recommend test driving the floor model in the store whichever ones you are interested in.

alasta

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#1465438 7-Jan-2016 21:40

I'm quite interested in the feedback around Dyson because I have been considering buying one, but it sounds like experiences here are mixed.

In the past I've always had Nilfisks, and they have been extremely effective and hard wearing despite being the cheaper models. Maybe I should just stick with them.

richms

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#1465443 7-Jan-2016 21:43

The old one I used in the past was ok, the new one has many tiny cyclones ontop of the big one, and these clump up with greasy dust something massive, banging thing against the side of the bin will dislodge it but also make giant clouds of grossness,

also the gap at the bottom of the big cyclone is smaller on the ones now, so when the cat and people hair has made a giant ball on one side of it, it will not fall out when opened, you have to reach in with a wire coathanger or something to hook it out, all the while the other dust is falling out all over the place.

Dyson doesnt need a bag. Big deal they are a few bucks and save _so_ much effort and I have had more problems with the dyson hose or nozzle clogging than any bag causing "loss of suction" ever.

Richard rich.ms

alasta

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#1465447 7-Jan-2016 21:49

richms: The old one I used in the past was ok, the new one has many tiny cyclones ontop of the big one, and these clump up with greasy dust something massive, banging thing against the side of the bin will dislodge it but also make giant clouds of grossness,

also the gap at the bottom of the big cyclone is smaller on the ones now, so when the cat and people hair has made a giant ball on one side of it, it will not fall out when opened, you have to reach in with a wire coathanger or something to hook it out, all the while the other dust is falling out all over the place.

Dyson doesnt need a bag. Big deal they are a few bucks and save _so_ much effort and I have had more problems with the dyson hose or nozzle clogging than any bag causing "loss of suction" ever.

Thanks for that. On the face of it bagless seems like a great idea, but my current Nilfisk takes at least 18 months to fill up a bag if I vacuum my little one bedroom place weekly. The five bags that came with it have lasted years!

Kiwifruta

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#1465520 8-Jan-2016 00:42

We have a Miele with HEPA filter. Excellent product, best consumer vacuum cleaner I've used.

The salesman who sold it to us said he uses his Miele commercially to vacuum newly built homes before they go on the market sale. I.e. to clean up after the tradies.

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jonathan18

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#1465594 8-Jan-2016 08:55

Another vote for Miele - we have owned two of the model that topped the Consumer recommendations a few years ago, and would immediately purchase again.

I think this is a brand that seems to have the same level of support from both Consumer and consumers, so to speak, and it's a good sign that these are in alignment - similar to brands like Weber bbqs which not only took the top five places in the Consumer test but also get generally highly positive feedback from owners.

I'm not the biggest fan of Consumer, and wouldn't trust their 'reviews' of many products (in particular electronics), but for appliances like vacuum cleaners they're generally on the money, and in line with users' experiences.

JayADee

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#1465598 8-Jan-2016 08:57

I loved my old bagless Dyson. It was insanely abused through all our renovations (plaster, dirt, cleaning nogs, all sorts) and never missed a beat until it died a sudden and dramatic death. I had intended to buy another but I don't like the new designs, they feel awkward and don't look robust.

My new Bosch is bagless too- I'll never go back to bags. I prefer to just dump the container out every two days (in the yard under a tree) and occasionally hose it out. I vacuum every day, dog hair and sand...

The Bosch is really quiet- the Dyson used to scare one of my dogs, she doesn't mind this one, lol.

Take your time testing them out, whichever one you decide and always ask for a discount after finding the lowest price everywhere. :)

askelon

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#1465620 8-Jan-2016 09:16

We have a Sauber SI-200. Its a great machine. Damned pricey though. We just got the bagless attachment which attaches to the tubes. I found it better without it but its easier to empty now rather than dealing with bags.

Prior to that we had a dyson for a loooong time. And it was good as well but a little tired but definitely didnt do as good a job as the current one.

RUKI

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#1465764 8-Jan-2016 11:51

Tried, dismantled and fixed hips of different Vacuum cleaners. My personal take is as follows:

- The worst from the usability perspective are bagless - (but nice marketing tool - perhaps easy to sell those) - they are disasterous when cleaning the filter (I use one now only in the garage to collect metal / plastic cuttings - as those are easy to empty. If emptying the dust from the carpet - you would need a face mask to protect yourself :-(
- Vacuums priced in between $100 and $1000 are made the same inside - all you pay for is for the brand, shape and color, really.
- For carpet - my 2KW $100 "no brand vacuum" with Hepa filter and "any brand bag fits it when you cut that cardboard flank" works as a charm and no different to Electrolux I had before (priced at $1000)

Motors inside are pretty much the same 1.5 / 1.8 / 2 KW with the same dimentions - i.e. any of those are interexchangable and similar wattage provide comparable suction (practical experience).
Internal design in some fancy brands could be terrible - dust leaks and stays inside the device forever.

Somebody gave me an attachement - the transparent tube which is inserted between the hose and the handle, stays in parallel to the handle and works like a centrifugal particle and hair collector /separator - letting the dust through the plastic filter which does not attract anything to it at. So easy to empty and you do not breath the dust when emtying it. If something valuable accidently being sucked in - easy to see and remove.

rphenix

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#1465873 8-Jan-2016 13:04

RUKI: Tried, dismantled and fixed hips of different Vacuum cleaners. My personal take is as follows:
<snip>
- Vacuums priced in between $100 and $1000 are made the same inside - all you pay for is for the brand, shape and color, really.

Did you ever dismantle a Dyson? My parents in-law have a regular Dyson DC54 while it works just fine I wouldnt rave about it. We have a similar Dyson but we opted for the Animal version and its fantastic before that I would have agreed that brand name vacuums are no better than any other vacuum but in comparison to any of our older vacuums be it bag-less or bagged they were junk and I wouldn't go back. We've never had to clean the filter either so far and had it awhile our pets shed enough hair each week as well to give the vacuum a bit of work.

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Oriphix

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#1465907 8-Jan-2016 13:44

This is the one we bought at boxing day sales.
http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/home-appliances/vacuums-and-floor-care/vacuum-cleaners/bosch-zooo-pro-animal-bagless-vacuum-cleaner.html
We don't have pets but our carpet is wool and its shredding like crazy and the Electrolux we had wasn't doing a good job.
I must say really impressed with the suction. The container to empty is massive and sensors to tell you its full. Not to mention easy to clean.

JayADee

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#1465921 8-Jan-2016 14:16

Our old Dyson was a DC05 circa 2002. Great little tank it was. Just died last year. RIP.

JoshWright

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#1465997 8-Jan-2016 16:01

Miele vacuums are just amazing. Have one at home which is old but still works brilliantly, much better than the 2 year old Nilfisk we also have.

I work in a commercial kitchen environment, and we use a consumer grade Miele there to vacuum a dirty kitchen and cafe 2+ times a day and it works brilliantly and has done for years with no issues.

turnin

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#1466122 8-Jan-2016 18:00

There is an outfit flogging Excalibur brand vacuum cleaners and similar air filtration units (door to door). Consumer rated these as $100.00 , they sell for 2,500.00
So...you know what to do.

Funnily enough this was what prompted me to grab one of the new dysons, great at vacuuming, ni e design etc but have to agree with previous comments, they are a dog to empty.

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