If you are looking to upgrade or just buy a new vacuum cleaner and you want to get 2014 features at good price the Kenmore Elite Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner – Silver is the product you are looking for. The guys at Kenmore really had outdone themselves with this awesome release. Keep reading this review to find out in less than 2 minutes:
- Why you’d want to upgrade to a newer model
- Why you don’t need to pay a fortune for a good vacuum
- Where to find the Kenmore Elite bagged and get the best deals
You can tell that a lot of effort in the developing of this great vacuum. Kenmore wants a place on the market and they have made a new motor for this. It’s called the 3-D and on paper it has 20% more suction power that the previous models. But the power is not the only thing you want in a good vacuum cleaner. Let’s not forget that 2014 is the year of the bagless and cordless vacuums and you can take a peak at the market to see that. The Kenmore Elite Bagged Upright stands in line with the traditional vacuums and has a bag and a cord, but Kenmore designed this vacuum cleaner with “Power Flow” which means it has dual walls with additional vents so you won’t lose suction when the bag is full and keep the air flowing. You also get headlights so you can spot dirt in dark places, under furniture and many other areas. And something you don’t get to see every day, you get an Infrared Dirt Sensor which alerts you to the dirt you can’t even see. You can have a look at this great vacuum cleaner in the video made by Kenmore:
The list of Kenmore Elite’s specifications
| Suction power | Provides great suction power with its new beltless 3-D Inducer Fan motor. You will get 20% more power that the older models. And thanks to the new Power Flow design, there will be no change in suction or performance caused by full bags or clogged filters. |
| Input power | 12 amps, as most uprights. |
| Dust capacity | It's a bagged upright, so you'll have to replace the bags from time to time. Users reported changing them at every 5-6 months, but this depends a lot on your cleaning frequency. You can use type O or type U bags. The only difference is that type O bags are HEPA. |
| Filtration system efficiency | The HEPA certified filter is 40% lager and captures maximum debris like dust, pollen, dander and other allergens so it’s a good pick for those of you who are suffering from allergies. The vacuum has been even certified by the Asthma and Allergies foundation as ideal for allergy sufferers. The 3 filters are washable/replaceable. |
| Weight and Dimensions | 13.8 x 12.2 x 45.8 inches. And it weighs 21 pounds, so it can be a little heavy. |
| Warranty | You will get the standard 1 year limited warranty, a little short if you ask me. |
| Accessories | You’ll get 4 onboard accessories like the Pet Handi-Mate hose and wand, crevice tool, upholstery tool and reach-out telescoping wand to get to places you couldn’t normally reach. |
| Special features | It has a 4 position height adjustment so you can clean all kind of surfaces. The Infrared Dirt Sensor will have you cleaning dirt you can’t even see. And the dual wall design will keep the air flowing when dirt accumulates. |
| Usability | It has great usability thanks to its 4 position height adjustment. The brushroll has 3 positions: Off, Floor and Carpet. This ensures you can clean any type of surface. The noise produced is medium. Although the power cord wrap is manual, the length of this cord is 35 feet, one of the longest I've seen. This ensures you can travel long distances without having to switch the plugs. Thanks you its powerful suction, the vacuum cleaner practically drags itself along the carpets and rugs. |
| Price | In online stores it is priced at 360$, but you can get best deals on sites like Amazon, SearsOutlet or Ebay and get it at around . |
Positive reviews from buyers
- It is very powerful and I love that it is so easy to push. The wheels are like a part of the lower power head, so when you tilt the vacuum you don’t change the angle in which you are cleaning, which is great for my back!!!
- This vacuum cleaner never needs belts; it’s such a great machine!
- This vacuum has everything and it’s 3/4 the price of a Dyson.
- The Kenmore Elite is unreal, I really love it and recommend it to all of you!
- It’s very heavy and bulky, but I can’t imagine how it couldn’t be any lighter and still do the things it does. It makes everything shine, from my hardwood floors to tiles!
- With the dogs and all the dust that comes inside our home, not many vacuums could have been able to get the job done. My hubby and I are really happy we bought the Kenmore.
Negative reviews from buyers:
- The hose is kind of short and can make using the tools awkward. I also find it hard to maneuver.
- It’s really heavy and my small arms can’t get it up the stairs. I have to always ask my husband to carry it.
- For a 2014 vacuum cleaner, you should not have to manually gather the cord!
Personal thoughts and final VGM
The Kenmore Elite Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner does not have a lot of reviews because it just came out this year, but almost everyone highly recommends it on Amazon. I really enjoyed playing with this thing and it’s a very good vacuum cleaner. If you are willing to pay the price and you can lift it, you don’t need another cleaning machine. Sure, it is a little heavy, and of course you have to rewind the cord yourself. But the suction force is so good it is worth it. My VGM for the Elite Bagged is 93, which places it in my 2014 top 5 vacuum cleaners, even though it is not a bagless, cordless or the lightest upright:
Need some more details on the Kenmore Elite? Bought a Kenmore and want to share your opinion? Use the comment form below!
Jason Roberts
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kelly mitchell says
I have had this vacuum for about a month now..Enough time to give it a review…I LOVE IT SINCE DAY 1 !!!!!!!! I have found that I love vacuuming again. I even use the bright light on the front to vacuum in the dark. this way I don’t miss any of the cat litter pieces on the floor throughout my house. I have 2 cats and three dogs and have found it does well on picking up the pet hair. I do use the HEPA bags because my son is the only one that has allergies so I vacuum everyday when he is home from college. I put vacuums through their paces and longevity !! Don’t forget this vacuum is also SELF PROPELLED…..so this is a HUGE pro and an amazing selling point.. one of the greatest inventions!!! I think the price was a bit high but really well worth it. I bought it at Sears in the mall and some extra bags . I do think it comes with one bag in the box so you can vacuum the same day as purchase. 🙂 It was pretty easy to put together also. I found that it was not as loud as some of the other reviews had stated. I guess my previous vacuum was just louder….which was a Hoover..which was not self propelled !!!! I did not like that one since day 1 …I also want to mention that it is so easy to transition from bare floor to carpet…just push the switch at the top…simple…I have been using the lowest setting and have had no problems. As others have mentioned one of the Cons that I have noticed is that the length of the hose is too short. When stretched the vacuum is in the upright position falls over so I resolved that issue with completely laying it down. problem solved 🙂 The pet hair attachment has been working well and at this point cannot think of anything else. The suction adjuster on the wand has been working well . Hmmmm what else….JUST RAVE REVIEWS ALL AROUND….I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS VACUUM !!!!!!
Jason Roberts says
I’m glad you like it, Kelly!
Angie Rondolet says
will this damage my wood laminate floors? They are wood planks but not real wood. Just wondering is this is too powerful.
Please Advise.
Thanks!
Angie R.
Jason Roberts says
It will work great on wood laminate floors. You can set off the brushroll and safely enjoy the powerful suction. And if youțre still not sure about this model, check out my top 5 vacuum cleaners for hardwood floors.
Phil Salvatore says
I have old vacuums going back to the 1960s and even one from 1956, a rare Kenmore “Kenkart” 707. Some of my collection are high priced door to door models like Electrolux/Aerus Lux and Kirby. I have many modern vacuums too including some expensive German brands. The current Kenmore Elite is by far the most powerful and has the best cleaning power of the lot. Compared to the grossly overpriced German machines, the Kenmore CrossOver brush does not bog down on my home’s deep pile carpeting like my Sebo and Wessel Werk brushes do. The Sebo is particularly useless as the belt sensor misinterprets the drag of the carpet on the brush as a belt jam and shuts the machine off. All I can clean with it is the indoor/outdoor carpet in the garage, a huge waste of money. Miele brushes are not much better on deep pile carpet. It is a problem common to the European vacuums in general that I have observed.
The CrossOver brush at first looks like a gimmick but is actually very effective. Don’t ask me why but I can plug a conventional Powermate from my Progressive on the Elite and it doesn’t clean carpet as well as the CrossOver brush does. The detachable hard floor brush is also more effective than you expect and the highly flexible swivel neck makes either brush very maneuverable. I was inclined not to like the CrossOver brush but find it is my favorite now.
Other considerations? Kenmore has much larger dust bags than it’s rivals and they are priced reasonably, six for $20.99 if you buy the six bag package. Warning, don’t use paper C bags in this machine. It has so much suction and airflow it will easily tear paper dust bags. Use the cloth HEPA Q bag exclusively. Kenmore HEPA filters are also humanely priced and readily available. Kenmore offers superior attachments. The attachments that come with Miele, Simplicity and Riccar canisters in particular are offensively small, kids toys really. Kenmore attachments are sized for adult hands. The Contour Brush is a gem for cleaning high shelves, ceiling fans and track lighting. The version of the Pet Powermate that comes with this model and the Progressive is the best in the industry, better than previous Kenmore Pet Powermates and vastly better than any air driven turbo tool. It never bogs down and stops on soft upholstery and the bristles do not clog with fuzz like my Electrolux Sidekick II or early Kenmore Pet Powermates do. Highly useful tool.
Cons? The silver finish scratches easily and scratches cannot be polished out if that matters to you. The lid is a bit flimsy so I imagine someone who abuses vacuums will find a way to break it. For me it is ok. The telescopic wand doesn’t lock very well and sometimes telescopes outward when you pull the floor brush back. The floor brush itself can be difficult to push due to the suction of the vacuum. I end up using one setting higher than I use with other Powermates because this vacuum sucks the brush into the carpet. It is better than a Kirby that way.
This is the current King Kong of canister vacuums with insane suction and airflow. It cleans American carpets better than the overpriced German vacuums and overall is a far better value than any other high end canister vacuum on the market.
Jason Roberts says
Thank you for your review Phil. I guess you are referring to the canister Kenmore Elite, not the upright. I totally agree with you, this is one of the best machines in the branch from what I’ve heard, and I’m planning to check it out pretty soon.
Margaret says
I am seriously considering a Kenmore Crossover but don’t know if I should try to get a refurbished one to cut costs. Any thoughts?
Jason Roberts says
The CrossoverMax is a good upright, and I don’t see why a refurbished model shouldn’t work just as well as a new one. Just make sure you get at least 6 months of warranty, and that you can return it in the first 30 days.
Ruth says
Have you ever tried to get parts for these puppies?!!! If you have an older model, forget it. It might seem like a great machine, but if you can’t get replacement parts, then it’s next to useless. There’s a lot of plastic on this machine so parts break regularly. I no longer can replace the broken floor brush on my older machine which totally ticks me off. I tried the Sears parts and they kept sending me one that didn’t fit the wand, which also needed to be replaced.
Jason Roberts says
You could try some online parts stores such as GoVacuum.com or SearsPartsDirect.com.
Rob says
Jason, I must say I agree with most of the points you made in your review. I have the previous Kenmore Intuition with Direct Drive, which was the Kenmore Elite’s predecessor, & it is about 3 years old now. It and the Elite are GREAT vacuums, & offer excellent cleaning performance. However, the Intuition & Elite have one fatal flaw that I learned the hard way – it’s impossible to open up the powerhead on the vacuum to get in & clean out or do repairs! Because the design is so over-engineered & complex, it is really hard to get it apart, even if you just want to clean the brushroll & the brushroll cavity, but more importantly, it is quite literally impossible to get it back together! I know….been there & tried. Was afraid of damaging the plastic body or components, so called my local Sears store & made arrangements with their contracted repair agent in my area to re-assemble the vacuum for $60.
Had I known all this when I was looking at the vacuum & purchasing it, I would have bought another Kenmore without the Direct Drive brushroll. It’s a flaw for me that would be a HUGE REASON not to purchase this vacuum. I ride my mountain bike in the winter & store it indoors in my apartment….I need to be able to clean up the mess it brings in, & that means I have to have a vacuum that I can easily take apart it’s powerhead & clean it out. I have no choice but to put my Kenmore into storage & use my Electrolux canister vacuum in the winter.
I would strongly suggest anyone in the USA looking at the Elite to consider this model: http://www.kenmore.com/kenmore-intuition-upright-canister-vacuum-cleaner-blue/p-02031140000P
For Canadians, I would suggest looking at this model: http://www.sears.ca/product/kenmore-md-upright-bagged-vacuum/620-000616128-30620C?recs=igodigital
Both these models are nearly identical to the Elite, & have the same hose & onboard tools, & take the same filters & bags. The only difference is that they don’t have the Direct Drive brushroll, but here’s what Sears WON’T tell you….they DO come with the same V belt that their powerheads use, that used to be labeled WhisperBelt. So there’s really no need for the Direct Drive brushroll if you have a V belt driving the brush, since most last the lifetime of the vacuum or require changing only every 5 years or so. The brushroll isn’t quite as aggressive as the Direct Drive brushroll on the Elite, but it’s still a great carpet groomer & just as bit as good as any other uprights being sold today. All 3 models use the exact same suction motor, & have the exact same power – don’t buy Kenmore’s claim that the Elite has a special “inducer” motor that produces more power than it’s slightly lower priced cousin.
The only differences is the American model doesn’t have the Dirt Sensor that the Elite does, & the Canadian model doesn’t have the Bag Check light, headlights or the Dirt Sensor. If you can live with a couple of features missing, these 2 models are a much better buy & will be easier to service at home if needed.
I sincerely hope this helps other people who were considering buying this upright & they don’t make the same mistake I did.
Jason Roberts says
Rob, thank you so much for sharing your experience. I also took a look at the Intuition model a while ago and reached the same conclusion as you did. These are indeed very good products.
Me says
I purchased the ken more elite upright and have been using for a year. This thing is amazing! I cleaned houses for years and have used every overpriced vacuum out there and this machine out performs dyson, Kirby, Hoover, dirt devil, you name them the ken more elite beats them all. Hose could be more flexible but the bags are great will never buy another bag less vacuum. Made a huge difference in my older carpets. Lifted pile I thought was flattened for good. Worth every penny.
M Gil says
Thanks for the review! I just bought a Kenmore Elite today at Sear’s. I’m excited to try it out!!!
M Gil says
Tried it and LOVE it!!! The one better part about having the bag less vacuums is that you can visually see all the dirt it picks up. It is harder to see the dirt/hair without looking inside the bag, but it picked up a lot that my roommate’s Dyson didn’t even get (seriously we tested it!) I definitely recommend the Elite!
Jason Roberts says
Thanks for the input Gil.
MJ Cox says
Bought the ELITE a couple of years ago. The brush has worn out and the vacuum is very difficult to push. Sears wants $150 for a new brush beater bar and I can not find it anywhere else! What a racket! sell the vacuum on sale for $250 and then charge $150 for a new brush!
stefan says
I just bought one of these at a Sears closing sale. The only negative thing I can say about my first use is the hose is very short and tight. When you pull it the vacuum wants to tip over. Maybe someone can help me find the right aftermarket bags? I have searched Amazon and Ebay for a decent deal on the cloth HEPA bags. Almost all say they will fit with the model numbers 53294, 50688 and 50690. But in the description they have different size dimensions. Does anybody know the measurements of the right size bags to buy?
Jason Roberts says
What is your model no?