Some High-End Vacuums Poor Performers: Report

Vacuums from Dyson, Hoover and Electrolux were among the list of “sub-par performers” recorded on a US media website that claims to have interviewed a selection of consumers and also carried out impartial tests itself.

The Consumers Union released the report called ‘Extensive CR Testing Also Finds Some Stylish Vacuums to Be Sub-Par Performers’ to help provide “a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves,” it said.

According to the Union’s tests, an unnamed Electrolux vacuum which suggested consumers use its Twin Clean canister’s ‘powerful brushroll’ for deep-cleaning “stopped cold” when it was put to the test on tough pet-hair.

Consumer Reports also shamed another two “less than stellar designs” during testing.

“Electrolux’s Intensity EL5020A folds into the most compact upright CR has tested. But pushing and pulling it wasn’t easy,” said the report.

“Hoover’s Constellation S3345 canister floats on a cushion of air. While relatively easy to handle, it lacks a motorized brush and was subpar on carpets and pet hair.”

The report also let rip at certain vacuums that claim to filter allergens.

“Dyson touts an Asthma Friendly seal from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America certifying its uprights are ‘proven more suitable for people with asthma and related allergic sensitivities,’ and many of its models carry a Seal of Approval from the British Allergy Foundation for products that ‘restrict or remove allergens from the environment of allergy sufferers.’ Vacuums that made those claims did, indeed, pick up allergen-sized particles in Consumer Reports’ tests. But so should others, since pollen, mould spores, and other typical allergens are large enough to fall to the floor, where they’re easy to capture,” it said.

When choosing a vacuum, consumers should look for a model that performs well in the areas they care about most, said the report, and included a list of tips, including:

“Choose the right kind. Most vacuums do well on bare floors. Uprights tend to do best on carpets. But you may prefer a canister’s easier pushing and pulling, since you move mostly the hose and powerhead. Canister vacs are also easier to use on stairs.

“Check its features. A brush on/off switch helps prevent scattering dirt on bare floors. Manual pile-height adjustment lets you match the vacuum’s height more precisely to carpets; while suction control lets you reduce airflow through the hose when cleaning curtains and upholstery.

“Think twice about bagless vacs. Our Ratings include top-performing bagless models. But you’ll probably prefer a bag if you have allergy concerns, since emptying a bagless vacuum’s bin is a frequent and dusty task. And while HEPA bags and filters can provide added filtration, they don’t guarantee that the vacuum they’re in won’t spew dust. We test all models with their standard bag or filter. Vacs that did well should do well in your home if you use the bag and filter types they came with.”