Kenmore 81214 200 Series Pet Friendly Lightweight

Many hard-to-find features!
I own the same model of this vacuum from 25 years ago. I loved that vacuum more than I can say. Tried to get it repaired, but they no longer sell the parts, which is unfortunate. The newer one, though, has all the features I loved plus one that I really need, but didn’t know I needed. I also own a Miele canister vacuum so I’ll share some notable differences.PROS1. This vacuum has a light (and it the light is operational even when you disconnect the powered floor nozzle and use only the part made for hardwood floors). Mieles with similar price points do not have any light, and the light is really useful for illuminating where the dirt is under couches and under furniture, esp if you have pet hair.2. The suction is incredibly strong and adjustable. Could probably suck up a small cat from about 30 feet away. j/k but it’s intense. Miele’s has great suction too.3. The on/off switch is located on the handle, so you don’t have to bend down. Miele has the power switch on the canister itself. Ostensibly you can use your foot to turn the switch on/off on the Miele, but I’ve had to bend down often to get it to turn on, and often the canister is far away, so if you want to turn the suction up or down or turn off the machine momentarily, say to pick something up, the location of the switch makes a big difference.4. The floor cleaning nozzle is two-in-one (one powered for carpets and one unpowered made for hardwood that just glides effortlessly and picks up everything on the first try). When I have used the (un)powered Miele floor brush attachment, it often makes smaller bits (like cat litter) shoot all over the place. Miele has a similar tool, but you have to bend down to change the nozzle head and it still doesn’t pick up small bits on hardwood as well. With the Kenmore, you just use your foot to pull out the floor brush from the motorized nozzle. Easy and quick and no fussing with finding a different attachment and bending down to affix it.5. All of the attachments (including the powered pet mate attachment) are stored inside the canister with a lid. Miele’s storage is flimsy and not contained, so I found that the attachments would routinely fell off their caddy.6. Power cord is retractable (same as Miele, but the button on the Kenmore is larger and easier to use).7. Both the suction tube connecting the floor wand to the canister AND the power cord are significantly longer than the Miele’s. I have a very small apartment, and this still annoyed me. If you want to be able to clean without having to plug and unplug the vacuum regularly, the extra length is lovely.8. The floor nozzle on the Kenmore can almost go flush with the ground and the attachment still stays level so it can vacuum under furniture effectively even if it’s quite a distance back. The Miele’s floor attachment pops up (becomes unlevel with the floor) when you try to make the handle level with the floor. I do have to say, my 25 yo Kenmore could go completely flush with the ground, perhaps even lower and still remain level. So I’m bummed that the new one can’t go completely flush, but it’s still able to vacuum more flush than the Miele.9. Kenmore is cheaper than most Mieles.Having enjoyed most of the above features on my 25 year old Kenmore, I was disappointed by the Miele.CONS1. The canister and wand on the Kenmore are heavier than the Miele. The weight of the canister is annoying if you need to carry it up and down stairs. And although I don’t have any stairs, I imagine the Miele would be easier for stairs.2. The wheels don’t work perfectly on the Kenmore (they were fabulous on my older model). So while canister vacuums are always a little clumsy, I find maneuvering with the Miele easier.That’s about it. I like having both vacuums, but if I had to choose one, it would no contest: I would go with the Kenmore. If money weren’t an object, perhaps the top-of-the-line Mieles would match the features on this Kenmore, but for twice the price or more.

You cannot beat Kenmore canister vacuums for longevity. My 30-year-old Kenmore vacuum is still going strong. I bought this vacuum so that I do not have to carry vacuums between floors at my home; now there is one on each level. I like ALMOST everything about this new vacuum. My key points:PROS: Excellent suction; simple design with less electronic gadgets to break; excellent quality hose; can use either HEPA dust bags or regular dust bags (much less expensive); very light and maneuverable.CONS: Short hose length (6ft long; old Kenmore hose is 8ft long); all attachments are cheaply made (shame on you Kenmore!); comes with a regular dust bag installed and NOT a HEPA dust bag as you would expect based on the advertising (not a deal breaker for me).SUMMARY: Despite a couple shortcomings, I highly recommend this vacuum; great value for the money!

J’ai beaucoup hesite avant d’acheter cette balayeuse a cause du prix. Mais je ne regrette pas du tout mon achat au contraire! Cette balayeuse a une suction extraordinaire. Elle me fait beaucoup penser a l’electrolux de ma mere, avec les meme accessoires et certains autres en mieux, comme la brosse pour le ventillateur. L’attachement pour les poils d’animaux a sauve la couverture sur laquelle mon chat aime dormir et qui etait pleine de poils. Le pouvoir d’aspiration de cet attachement est vraiment intense. Jadore l’option de pouvoir passer du tapis au plancher simplement en poussant une pedale avec le pied. Et il se remet facilement dans le moteur pour tapis. En fait, tous les accessoires, rallonges, etc, sont faciles a ajouter et a enlever pour avoir la configuration que vous desirez selon l’endroit que vous balayez. Le morceau en long pour les coins difficiles est accroche sur le manche et apres l’avoir enleve pour l’utiliser, j’ai du faire quelques exercices mentaux pour finalement comprendre qu’on le reattache en le tournant sur le cote. Je ne suis pas la plus forte des personnes, j’ai 60 ans. Il y a des moments ou j’ai du prendre une pause, les bras en l’air pour le ventilateur ou pour lutter contre la suction du petit moteur pour tapis et poils d’animaux. Ce n’est pas le plus leger des aspirateurs. Tous les accessoires sont dans le couvercle, mais en meme temps j’adore avoir tout a portee de la main. Il suit facilement, comme tous les aspirateurs traineaux, vous devez surveiller qu’il n’accroche rien sur son passage. Le couvercle ou l’on range les accessoires me semble fragile, je me promet de le manipuler gentiment, mais c’est la seule piece qui me fait peur. Le fil est facile a faire enrouler dans l’appareil grace a un bouton sur le dessus. L’aspirateur se range facilement, vous pouvez inserer le tuyau sur un bouton integre a votre aspirateur, il y a des explications plus claires sur le pamphlet ou regardez la video :). En gros, je suis tres impressionnee par cet aspirateur. J’espere qu’il me durera longtemps. Bemol, les sacs sont chers mais il me semble que vous pouvez au moins faire un mois avec chacun si vous en faites un usage normal. Il faut aussi changer le filtre HEPA de temps en temps. Je suis allergique a la poussiere et j’ai vraiment senti une difference dans l’air. Pour ce que ca vaut sur ce commentaire a la compagnie, la livraison avec Amazon c’est passee sans incident et a temps. Preparez vous a monter une grosse boite si vous ete seul(e) et pas jeune jeune lol… En resume, si vous n’etes pas une personne tres frele, je recommende absolument cet aspirateur, il est fantastique!