Thread Number: 37192  /  Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
What is the worst vacuum from the past 20-ish years?
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Post# 397111   8/22/2018 at 12:19 (2,045 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)        

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I bought a Bissell Cleanview Rewind 4 years ago, and it was pretty bad. the rewind weakened drastically after about 3 months, and it blew dust no matter how much I cleaned it, and the power brush broke after about 5 months.
I know pretty much everybody hates Eureka Lightspeeds, but I got an early one for free that had been sitting out, completely exposed in the elements for more than a year, and it still worked!
What are your worst vacuums?
~K


Post# 397116 , Reply# 1   8/22/2018 at 14:30 (2,045 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)        

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This thing.






Post# 397194 , Reply# 2   8/24/2018 at 01:48 (2,044 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

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Eureka The Boss Superlite. A truly wretched vacuum.

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Post# 397198 , Reply# 3   8/24/2018 at 08:43 (2,043 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

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The Hoover Z was REALLY bad. I bought one for $50 on closeout at Home Depot years ago and detested it. Nothing good about it. They had this stupid idea to use a 'self cleaning' filter that couldn't clean itself. Just worthless.

The other machine that's totally worthless as a vacuum cleaner is The Pigg. It cannot be used as a vacuum cleaner successfully. It's actually worse than the first Big Power vacuums.


Post# 397227 , Reply# 4   8/25/2018 at 04:34 (2,043 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

The Premeir Mastercraft upright I ordered for a radio station from a janitorial supply dealer.Based on the later GE-premier uprights.Had a steel fan that beroke more easily than most plastic or aluminum ones and the base would break when the fan broke.Replaced that abomination with a metal Royal upright from the same janitorial ssupplier-they started carrying Royal.Was SN MUCH better!The Mastercraft met its pressing-crushing fate in the hopper of an E-Z pack RL trash truck.Delightful to see that horrible Mastercraft reduced to plastic schrapnel!!!Have the bag for it somewhere.Only thing that was any good!

Post# 397240 , Reply# 5   8/25/2018 at 08:52 (2,042 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

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I have one of those Eureka Boss Superlites. They are very cute vacuums and I like the two motor design, but I hate how loud they are and the filtration is poor. I guess some of their other similar machines like the Optima would be a slightly better choice.

Hoover Z - never used one but did try pushing one that came into Habitat. Was way too heavy, would not have wanted to carry that thing down the stairs! Others commented on the weight as well. I do kind of like the looks of the silver ones though with the LED headlights.

For me, it's hard to say which is the worst exactly. I just generally don't like the bagless vacuums we've had with their poor filter designs, especially those with paper filter that instantly clog. Bagless systems have gotten a lot better since they've gone with dual cyclones instead of the single cyclones they used to use which made the filters clog worse.


Post# 397248 , Reply# 6   8/25/2018 at 10:02 (2,042 days old) by mikanic (Leeds)        
Hoover itself!

I'm really frustrated at Hoover right now. They really did follow that idiotic theory of 'Everything that could be invented has been invented'.

They made ads in the 90s saying they were 'proud' to say they were updating their products to fit the modern era. They should have NEVER done that.

These models were the worst:
Whirlwind, the ONE, Dust Manager (I mean the lot).

They decided NOT to make their own machines and handed their work to someone else who had never heard of the companies work- the P.R.C! A place where the 'powerful' future was based. Call it power? I call it efficiency, not power. 2.4kw, heat, noise, everything. I'm so glad the EU stopped it all. (I'm sorry if I sound too angry)

It's not only Hoover who make bad vacuums, so do Dyson. They over-price their work and make so many suspicion-threatening claims, for example 'Better than any other vacuum', 'More suction than any other robotic vacuum', 'Replaces the big corded vacuum' and so on. I saw a review of their V10 vacuum on YouTube from a channel named 'NumaticVacuum' and the person making the video said it wasn't very inconvenient. I see what he means there- constantly changing floor tools. I actually used one in Currys PC World and (this is embarrassing) the unit is more heavier than the rest! Meaning it figuratively clings onto you saying 'Oohh, I've got a fan!'. That type of vacuum is certainly not what I call a 'stick' vacuum.

I can promise you, in the end, it's all 100% opinion based. You might not think it's all that bad, and that's OK!


Post# 397402 , Reply# 7   8/27/2018 at 10:00 (2,040 days old) by bryan1980 (Texas)        
Tough to name just one

There have been so many terrible vacuums made recently! Dyson may be the worst, on a price-per-performance basis. Sharks aren't great, either, but they're better than most Dysons, for about half the price.

Post# 397404 , Reply# 8   8/27/2018 at 11:01 (2,040 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)        

human's profile picture
That's easy. Anything plastic and bagless.

Post# 397507 , Reply# 9   8/29/2018 at 19:53 (2,038 days old) by NickTechTalk (Winter Park, FL)        
Fantom Wildcat?

I know a lot of people have never seen or used a Wildcat before, but they are hilariously cheaply made. The handle breaking off was a common design flaw in these machines and the brushroll was very small and had a narrow opening. Finding one of these machines is very difficult nowadays and I've only come across one (photo below is of mine). Did not deep clean that well in my opinion but I rarely used it due to how fragile the handle is.

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Post# 397605 , Reply# 10   9/1/2018 at 01:48 (2,036 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

According to CU tests the Wildcat vacuum was a GREAT dust blower-it would blow the dust you picked up to be filtered in your lungs or back on the surfaces you just tried to clean!I have seen these in stores long ago they did not make me go head-over-heals to buy one.

Post# 397705 , Reply# 11   9/3/2018 at 18:16 (2,033 days old) by Josh1998 (Colorado )        
Shark lift away

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Shark vacuums are really popular right now but they aren't great. I have the shark rotator lift away. My mom gave it to me for Christmas last year. They are cheaply made for one thing. They are heavy considering they are all plastic and the vacuum body is so clunky it won't even go under a standard height coffee table. The carpet nozzle is really small and it takes longer to vacuum large spaces than it does with a standard size upright vacuum. It's also hard to push on thick carpeting. It's bagless and it doesn't filter well. And the design of the dirt container lets dirt get stuck in the sides. When I would empty it I always had to pull wads of dirt out from around the edges with my hand. Eww. It has a decent turbo brush for pet hair but the other attachments are pathetic. The dusting brush is like a tiny dusting brush with bristles about 1/4 an inch long. Pitiful trying to dust with that thing. It has a stretch hose but that's not a plus. The hose shrinks up if you obstruct the suction by using the turbo nozzle or the crevice tool. If you dont have the canister part detached when the hose shrinks it pulls the entire vacuum over and it goes crashing to the ground. If you dont have the optional roller cart for the canister, which I don't, you have to carry the canister part around with you when it's lifted off. You totally can't move it. If you try to pull the canister it just falls on it's side and drags. The canister is heavy and it gets tedious carrying it around if you're vacuuming baseboards or something. The 2 pluses with the shark are that it's very quiet and it's cool looking. I found a Kirby g4 on CL for $45 and I love it. It's ten times better than my shark! The shark has been retired to the guest bedroom closet.

Post# 397728 , Reply# 12   9/3/2018 at 22:21 (2,033 days old) by Rivstg1 (colorado springs)        
josh1988

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great review/contrast of the Shark lift away! Nicely detailed...you brought up points that I didn't know

Post# 397734 , Reply# 13   9/4/2018 at 05:38 (2,033 days old) by Josh1998 (Colorado )        
Rivstg1

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Thanks. But I realized I didn't mention anything about the sharks cleaning ability. It does have strong suction and it does a pretty good job on carpeting. The first time I vacuumed my house with it I had to empty the dirt canister 4 times before I got the whole house done. But the main reason for that was because I had been using a straight suction canister for several months before I got the shark and Im sure there was a lot of built up dog hair and grit the canister couldn't pick up. Then every time I vacuumed with it the canister was full by the time I did the whole house so I thought it was doing a good job. When I used my Kirby the first time I could actually hear it picking up all kinds of grit and sand. It had a new bag in it and when I finished vacuuming the bag wasn't nearly full or anything but it had a little weight to it which is a sure sign with a vacuum bag that you've picked up a butt load of grit and sand. My mom has a shark too and I vacuumed her house with my kirby. I started with a new bag and it picked up even more grit than it had in my house.

So the shark does a great job cleaning surface dirt and pet hair but despite it's powerful suction it doesn't do a good job deep cleaning carpets. I think maybe it's because of the carpet nozzle. It's pretty much like a tiny powernozzle you would find on a canister. It does have a cogged belt and the brushroll revolves strongly. But for whatever reason it doesn't deep clean carpets. And to be fair I did vacuum my house again with the shark after I had used the Kirby and there was nothing in the canister but a tiny bit of fuzz. On the plus side for the shark is the fact it did a great job on bare floors. The brushroll turns off and it picked up all the hair and crumbs off the kitchen floor with no problem. It has an air driven turbo brush for upholstery and it did an awesome job cleaning dog hair off the sofa.

The shark is clunky and awkward to use with the hose attachments and it doesn't deep clean carpets well. But from a collecting perspective they are cool to own because they are unique and in my opinion very cool looking.


Post# 397822 , Reply# 14   9/6/2018 at 14:06 (2,030 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)        
Worst.. and HEAVIEST. POFS....of ALL!!!!!!!!!

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This. DAMN. THING!! HEAVY. BULKY. LOUD. WEIRD CORD. did I say HEAVY!!!!

As a Royal dealer, we sold WAY too many of them surprisingly. Within abt. 3 yrs 90% of them that were sold, were replaced by a regular Royal All Metal Upright, usually an 8200 etc.

I cant tell you how many of these ship anchors we had in our warehouse. Let's just say that there was ALOT of scrap aluminum and plastic to send to the local recyclers after we parted them. We hired college kids to do it. Took a whole summer...

Let's say that Royal lost ALOT of customers because of this Titanic. And so did we. I speak not of this machine, as it still causes some of our older employees to swear (such as F*** that thing), or at least give angry looks, or red faces.... I use a smooth combination of the choices, when I think of them...(that STUPID fu***ng P.O.S. for example)....

To further a point, or the WRETCHEDNESS of this GDT...A chain of dealers, over by Detroit had a lady who really was pissed off by hers. From what I've been told, she actually strapped hers somehow to the back of her Cadillac, and drove around her area of town with signs taped to it saying she got screwed by... one of the very first to fail in our district. Thankfully, she was the only CooCooCahcChoo I heard of. And we had many of our OWN to choose from, of the angry individuals.

This GOD DAMNED THING...... Id rather use a Regina Housekeeper.

Anywho..

Chad


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Post# 397835 , Reply# 15   9/6/2018 at 18:51 (2,030 days old) by Josh1998 (Colorado )        

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Ok....so don't kill me Chad but that thing looks totally cool! I'm not saying it's any good, just that it looks way cool. I wouldn't mind having one just as a collection piece.

Post# 397838 , Reply# 16   9/6/2018 at 19:25 (2,030 days old) by completenutt (West Hollywood, California)        
I agree with Josh...

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Gorgeous door stops are hard to find!  


Post# 397842 , Reply# 17   9/6/2018 at 21:11 (2,030 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        

I bought my brother and sister in law a Powercast as a housewarming gift when they bought their house. They absolutely hate it. In fourteen years, I would be safe to say it still has the original bag in it.

I thought it was pretty cool. They don't.


Post# 397903 , Reply# 18   9/7/2018 at 20:37 (2,029 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        
Shark

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Have tried the Shark at work. Mostly just used the hose to clean around the computer. I thought the attachments were pretty good compared to most newer uprights. Pretty good size dusting brush with decent bristles and crevice tool. No upholstery tool, had a turbo tool but didn't use it.

There were actually two, the first was the silver and purple model, and the one that seems to have replaced it is white and red. I liked the hose design of the first one better, just pull it out to use it. The new one requires a button to be pressed and then the handle comes off with the hose and a wand attached, a little trickier to use.

As far as floor cleaning, I found the cleaning path to be too narrow. It seemed to have decent agitation, liked the brushroll indicator and shutoff, but I could just tell it wasn't a deep cleaner by how it felt. Too light and the brush didn't seem to propel it as well as other uprights I have and have used.

The new one also has a floor brush with a microfiber cloth on it, haven't seen it used yet.


Post# 397915 , Reply# 19   9/8/2018 at 03:03 (2,029 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Royal Powercast-yes they look "cool" but a total failure as Dirtmaster37 says.I own two of these beasts-the direct air Royal metals OUTPERFORM these hulks with LESS power.The "dirt devil" paper bags these machines used were pitiful.They would clog quickly so you had to replace the paper bags in these often.the machine drew too much power often tripping 15A breakers when no other appliances on the circuit.And you needed a truck or tractor to push those things.They didn't last with a local cleaning service here.They quickly went back to their Sanitaires.If a Powercast fell off their truck the machine was hopeless.

Post# 397938 , Reply# 20   9/8/2018 at 11:09 (2,028 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)        
Killing, and good looks..Oh My!!

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I wont disagree at all that they are cool looking. In fact that helped sell them. To me, it kinda resembles what would happen if you crossed your eyes and other things, you mated Air-Way DirtMasteR from the 30's; with it's sister an Air-Way Twin motor of the same vintage ( hey this happens in ArrrKansas).... Then that offspring later on mated with a Royal Dirt Devil, and had a lovechild which ended up being he Powercast.

There were three models that I clearly remember. The Blue trim was the base model, IIRC didn't come with tools (but had a cheap set like the next one as an option); the Rose/Reddish color was the middle of the road, had a few more features, and IIRC came with a cheap plastic tool-set. And finally the Grey one, that had all the bells, and whistles, and a deluxe tool-set that had metal wands etc... It's been a LONG time since I thought about them, but that seems to be what was offered. Good/Better/Best...

So, to many at that point in time, the weight was actually an asset. To many a heavy machine feels solid, and therefore a good buy. Ask anyone who buys a Kirby, a Miele U1 upright range, or a dual motor anything from Tacony. It shocked me, being that this was nearly 30 lbs; as to how many felt that way (that it was solid and therefore worthy of purchase). These same persons were also still buying competitor vacuums that weighed about or near the same. Or had an equally heavy machine prior too...

And how quickly the enthusiasm failed, the production lines fell silent, replacements with regular models mounted, or a rebate of sorts. Kinda how Ford Motor felt in 1959 when the discontinued the Edsel. Hence why many that I knew from our area, called it Royal's Edsel. It probably had alot to do with why Royal became less itself, and more a corporate conglomerate. I'ms sure that they lost money on the whole fiasco. Certainly someone was taken to the factory courtyard, and strapped prostrate, and spanked before the crowd. Or just got fired. Or maybe im a pervert. Hmmn.

Ahh memories. Another that was similar in my mind was the Hoover Z for (Zilch sales). As heavy, looked like someone gutted Johnny5 and put in vacuum motors and called it the evolution of Hoover. Nope that was another nail in the coffin of the big H itself..

And more anon...


Chad


Post# 397978 , Reply# 21   9/9/2018 at 01:25 (2,028 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

The HEAVY Powercast had NO assisted or self propel as the Kirby and some other vacuums out there.The cleaning service out here who tried the Powercast HATED it because it was just too heavy and clumsy to use-esp women operators.And they HATED trying to carry them on or off the service van.Can see why a few of them got dropped.The Hoover Z was simply like pushing a clumsy wheelbarrow full of bricks.And it was just an AWKWARD machine.The cleaning services didn't care about tools-they had separate canisters.Too many folks out there a HEAVY machine is a turnoff-just too heavy to lift and use-clumsy as well.At least you can get the hang of using the Kirby with its assisted propel.and it was LIGHRTER than either the Powercast or Z.And the Z didn't have a self propel and was equipped with that STUPID rotating filter that didn't work.Kinda like the Keeler device that is so hated here.

Post# 399848 , Reply# 22   10/21/2018 at 01:05 (1,986 days old) by Durango159 (State College, PA)        
Awwww Chad!!!

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I actually really love the Royal PowerCast!! It's one of my favorite vacs to use whenever I visit a collector who has one. I agree with you Josh, as a collector it looks SUPER COOL!!!

That being said my pick for the worst vacuum over the past 20 years would be the god awful Eureka Maxima/ Powerline lineup. These uprights came in both bagged and bagless form and both absolutely atrocious!!

If you want a dust spewer for all of your attempted cleaning and the dirt to remain on the floor while attempting to clean then these god awful things are for you!! The sounded absolutely awful and were clogged in seconds whether you got the punishment of using the bagged or bagless one!!

YUCK!!


Post# 399894 , Reply# 23   10/22/2018 at 11:17 (1,984 days old) by gregvacs28 (U.S.)        

Anything bagless.

It doesn't matter if's upright, canister, central Vacuum, a shop vac, or even a cheap 12 volt car vacuum that plugs into your dash.


Post# 399896 , Reply# 24   10/22/2018 at 13:11 (1,984 days old) by Kloveland (Tulsa)        
Regina Housskeeper

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Me too Chad. I'm being sarcastic and serious at the same time lol!

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Post# 399909 , Reply# 25   10/22/2018 at 19:14 (1,984 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )        

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@Kloveland the Regina housekeeper was pretty bad. At the same time there was the Phantom which was worse. And who could forget some of the Bissell products of the time?

Post# 399916 , Reply# 26   10/22/2018 at 20:41 (1,984 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY)        
I wish I could remember

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what upright vacuum I bought brand new on some website. It was a commercial "sealed" Eureka I think, but I could be wrong. I'm thinking it was between 225 and 300 dollars. It was bagged. Maybe it was a hoover or sanitaire. I honestly can't remember. I remember it was a hard-bodied vac. The thing I hated about it was the suction was horrible. I literally couldn't believe how horrible it was.....I ended up giving it to someone. I wish I could remember the model but I can't. This was probably around 2007 (ish).

Post# 399925 , Reply# 27   10/22/2018 at 22:28 (1,984 days old) by gregvacs28 (U.S.)        
Bissell zing bagged

Bought one of these last summer.  When camping for the summer in a camping trailer.

 

It does NOT stand on end, as shown in the picture.  There are no supports for that and the cord end sticks out of the cord winder.

It makes a annoying high-pitched noise.

The thing gave off a burning smell which I thought was just the result of being new; but over time, it didn't get better.

I paid like $60.

 

Frankly, it helped me get interested in researching central vacuums as I realized if the vacuum were outside and I simply got a long hose, which I did, the noise, the smell, and any dust would stay outside.  I ordered a 15' shop vac hose and adapted to this and put the vac right outside the door when vacuuming.  Worked great that way.

 

It was a bad vac, but with a very positive outcome.


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Post# 400029 , Reply# 28   10/25/2018 at 11:44 (1,981 days old) by mariotron (Texas )        
Dirt Devil Breeze bagless

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The exhaust was in the front so it blew stuff everywhere and the curtains would go flying and occasionally the dust cup would fall off spill. Plus it was a PAIN to clean the filter.

BTW the that Power Cast... how is the hose connected? I've seen one in person.


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Post# 401830 , Reply# 29   12/3/2018 at 10:23 (1,942 days old) by S_Brisowitz (Omaha, NE)        

Kirby Sentria

Post# 401831 , Reply# 30   12/3/2018 at 10:33 (1,942 days old) by royalfan (Chicago)        

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@S_Brisowitz That's the most disappointing vacuum for sure!
Man I wish Kirby would make a totally new vacuum design!


Post# 401838 , Reply# 31   12/3/2018 at 11:31 (1,942 days old) by S_Brisowitz (Omaha, NE)        
Royalfan

I sold them new and it was no match for one customer's Bissell Featherweight. It was such a fantastic little vacuum. I challenge anyone to tell me to the contrary!

-Aunt Sylvia


Post# 401859 , Reply# 32   12/3/2018 at 16:18 (1,942 days old) by mark40511 (Lexington, KY)        
Hmmm, the last 20 years

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Keep in mind that I haven't used or owned a HUGE amount of vacuums, but a decent amount over the years.....and the worst (for me) by far was the Fantom bagless that came out in the late 90s. The specific model I had was the FURY and I hated that vacuum with a red-hot passion. The reason? It leaked dust like crazy - vacuuming was useless......as I would vacuum the outside of the vacuum itself would literally collect dust. I had to take it outside to empty it and clean the vacuum itself off when done cleaning and I never really felt like the house was clean because it leaked dust so bad. It had a HEPA, but I don't think it did anything. I know there are a couple of Fantom fans and that's fine, but me personally, I hated it.

There may be even worse vacuums than that - but in my case, that's MY worst vacuum cleaner experience.


Post# 401869 , Reply# 33   12/3/2018 at 19:28 (1,942 days old) by kenkart ()        
Easy,,,but there are 2

Eureka Bravo and Hoover Elite....nothing comes close for ease of breakability and noise.But these may be somewhat earlier than the dates listed, I cant remember, I haven't paid much attention to anything since the early 80s, most everything since then is junk to me.



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Post# 401975 , Reply# 34   12/4/2018 at 23:52 (1,941 days old) by ridgidwd0670 (se wood co ohio)        

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XXX iforce canister--power nozzle loud & high-pitched despite its a electric nozzle; also breaks at wand connector

Post# 402110 , Reply# 35   12/7/2018 at 10:23 (1,938 days old) by Ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado)        

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Euro Pro/Shark. They don’t even offer parts for repairs!

Post# 402112 , Reply# 36   12/7/2018 at 10:25 (1,938 days old) by gregvacs28 (U.S.)        


Anything Kirby. Can't believe they still make that metal beast as of this date.


Post# 402117 , Reply# 37   12/7/2018 at 11:46 (1,938 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        

This post has been removed by the member who posted it.



Post# 403893 , Reply# 38   1/10/2019 at 15:26 (1,904 days old) by ABCVacPlacentia (California)        
Tom's right, the Hoover Z is truly bad!

I agree with Tom, that Hoover Z has to be the biggest POS I've ever seen. Definitely the Pontiac Aztek of vacuum cleaners. Like trying not to watch a really bad movie, but you just can't look away (Con Air, Showgirls, etc.). I think the beauty of this machine is its Rube Goldberg complexity. I'd love to see the Vacuumdevil rip one to pieces and rebuild it. Can you even get parts for this thing?

I wonder if anyone has a mint condition Hoover Z? People collect Pintos, Gremlins, Vegas and Chevettes, so why not the Hoover Z? I'll give a medal to any Vacuumland member who actually has a mint condition one of these.


Post# 403910 , Reply# 39   1/10/2019 at 23:28 (1,904 days old) by completenutt (West Hollywood, California)        
What type of medal are you offering?

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It is a precious metal medal?

 

Yep, I've got a new in box Z700 that is just waiting for the right offer.  Someone someday, or maybe no one ever, will want to unbox this relic.  But at least there is still an opportunity out there for that person!

 

I agree that they are woefully overengineered and underperforming for the most part, and clearly the self-flogging filter turns out to be it's largest flaw.  I can testify that the filter becomes stinky after a few months of use and that musty smell permeates the room every time you use it going forward.. an untold horror by those of us who still occasionally try to get some use out of it.  The pre hepa filter screen is way too small and clogs almost immediately, therefore cutting down the already inadequate suction to almost nothing.  It's ridiculous.  A common house fly could probably escape it's air flow at that point.

 

It was supposed to compete with the newly introduced Dyson "never loses suction" branding, but ended up being the complete opposite in user friendliness and should have been subtitled "always loses suction"!

 

The parts I think were well done are the electronic height adjustment and two speed motor, the excellent quality brushroll, the extremely long hose, and it's self diagnosing capability to indicate the location of a clog by illuminating a light on a graphic of the machine on the control panel.  Those things were all wasted on this machine.  Such a missed opportunity to deliver a revolutionary product.  Idiots!

 

It's uniqueness endures and offers great subject matter for my photography, makes a great heavy doorstop, or can be used simply as a object to take space up in a room!

 

So, call me crazy, but I'll keep mine unless someone offers me a decent amount for it.. just to be the one who has the world's best "worst" vacuum!

 

I'm humbled and honored.

 

Would you mind bringing the medal here to me in Los Angeles?  You're only an hour away, and I make great coffee!

 

Bill



CLICK HERE TO GO TO completenutt's LINK

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Post# 403940 , Reply# 40   1/11/2019 at 13:48 (1,903 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
I have a HOOVER "Z"

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That is in brand new factory condition. And, I got it out of the box to use it at one of my mini meets.

Post# 403943 , Reply# 41   1/11/2019 at 15:34 (1,903 days old) by rivstg1 (colorado springs)        
John,

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obviously, its an oddity, good or bad, but do you find it cumbersome or awkward to use?


Post# 404014 , Reply# 42   1/13/2019 at 13:35 (1,901 days old) by ABCVacPlacentia (California)        
A nice plastic medal for Bill

Hey Bill,

My internet blacksmith is forging your new medal as I type! However, it's gonna be plastic instead of precious metal. After all, we're talking Hoover here. If it was a Kirby, it would be made of cheap polished aluminum.

Someday, if I ever find enough room to store the machines that I know I'm not going to be able to stop myself from buying, then I will come looking for your Z700. Unless the Museum of Shitty Appliances gets there first! (does Tom still have his and is it at his museum?)

At least, now you know who to call when you can't justify subsidizing five square feet of storage space any longer and need to sucker this albatross off on someone else (I believe Larry David calls it "foisting"). Your Z700 needs to stay intact, unmolested and in perfect condition as a reminder to the industry of what can happen to a company when senior management becomes totally brain dead. Sorry Hooverfiles, but Hoover deserved to die (and live on as cheap, rebranded Chinese junk). The Z700 is a clunky, stumbling testament to that.

While the brutal traffic into L.A. makes it tough to justify a trek just for the Z700, I would like to see it someday the next time I'm in your neighborhood, so maybe we will have that medal ceremony after all.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO ABCVacPlacentia's LINK


Post# 458470 , Reply# 43   12/8/2022 at 19:04 (476 days old) by ajr2993 (Bakersfield, CA)        

The Rainbow SRX is probably one of the WORST water filtration vacuums ever made. The suction/airflow specs are ABYSMAL, it gets even worse when it’s on carpet, the performance drops to NOTHING. So much for $3,200. The build quality is HORRIBLE, the tools are USELESS, and it’s overly expensive for how TERRIBLE air really is. If you ever see a Rainbow salesman in your house, tell him to get the hell out of your house because their product is terrible. And run FAR AWAY from this machine unless you have allergies. The Rainbow E2 is way better than that overpriced abomination.

Post# 458473 , Reply# 44   12/8/2022 at 19:59 (476 days old) by wstonehockertv (North Carolina)        

The DD Ultra Handvac because it was a loud machine. Went through two of those cursed machines. Makes me appreciate the 103/120 models even more.

Post# 458474 , Reply# 45   12/8/2022 at 22:31 (476 days old) by repairman (Woodridge, IL)        

The Oreck Magnesium with its remote controlled handle. Stupidest thing ever. They originally used a button battery and the modules would often fail. Later models have the switch hardwired where the upper cord hook sits but they're still garbage. If I have two of them on the bench next to each other, pressing the switch on one unit will turn on the other unit.

The Hoover Windtunnel 2. Need I say more?

BTW, in a conversation with John Gregory, I learned the Z400 and Z700 were conceived by Maytag and Tacony before or after the Whirlpool acquisition. Parts were immediately discontinued and people were mad the $400 vacuum they bought for $50 had no parts available.


Post# 458553 , Reply# 46   12/13/2022 at 17:27 (471 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
well, just be careful

gottahaveahoove's profile picture

because not everything one hears might be the actual truth.

  

 

I'm just saying....................  that's all.

 


Post# 458554 , Reply# 47   12/13/2022 at 17:28 (471 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
And, I have a Windtunnel 2

gottahaveahoove's profile picture

It's not a daily driver.  But, it's strong, works perfectly.  Too strong?  perhaps........................


Post# 458765 , Reply# 48   12/23/2022 at 16:20 (461 days old) by Gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
And that Hoover Z

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
I have one, brand new. It's good it's nice, but it wouldn't be the first thing I would save in a fire. It was supposed to be Hoover's man's vacuum. It never really took off. It is big cumbersome and unique. It works well, but clearly, not Hoover's finest hour.

Post# 458953 , Reply# 49   12/29/2022 at 16:48 (455 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
The Garry Vac fits the bill because it was just a cheap generic plastic vacuum made as an Oreck-parts-bin-special veiled in a ponzi scheme. They broke down like no tomorrow and then the lifetime bag scam that nobody actually got sealed their fate.

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Post# 459047 , Reply# 50   1/1/2023 at 00:09 (453 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        
Shark Rotator Lift-Away XL NV755

panasonicvac's profile picture
I use this vacuum at work, I've had more complaints about it than any other machine I've ever used in my lifetime by far. It's bagless, that's a start. It filters terrible, the separator gets clogged alot and lots of dust would go into the pre filters including the motor no matter how many times I'd clean it out everytime I'd use it. Oh and lets not forget the post filter, it doesn't seal the machine despite it claims that it does. The motor smells horrible like there's a fault in there, probably from all the dust that made it past through the pre filters. Also the motor would have a wave running low and high by itself which is not a good thing to have since the vacuum isn't supposed to do that. It is bulky and awkward to use, especially as a canister. It is very loud, my co-workers would shut their doors because of it. And it is very cheaply made, I almost sadly broke the vacuum by accident when I was carrying it from up the stairs once time because I was hopping it'd shatter where I could get the office a new and better vacuum. But it survived and I have to keep using it until it dies, I'm actually surprised it still works as of today.

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Post# 459052 , Reply# 51   1/1/2023 at 09:08 (452 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Wow you know what, I only seen the handle of it but now that I see the whole vacuum, I seen one of those in the dumpster of a window-glass making factory. It was one of those 9 foot tall construction dumpsters so I couldn't get to it, but found it interesting an industrial facility would have a Shark in there.

Post# 459064 , Reply# 52   1/1/2023 at 14:40 (452 days old) by Eureka1998 (New York )        
Huskyvacs

eureka1998's profile picture
Apparently a lot of businesses strangely use these. Theyre ALL over the place. I take my brother to a gaming store and even they got a Shark. Theyre ok for house use but NOT commercial grade by any means.

Post# 459066 , Reply# 53   1/1/2023 at 14:55 (452 days old) by Jo (Dallas,TX)        
Dirt devil breeze and a few others

I used a dirt devil breeze and a smaller mini dirt devil upright. Both were horrible and nearly impossible to push on certain types of carpet. Really crappy filter design quickly clogs making the vacuum very ineffective as suction is quickly lost. Hoses were not the stretchy kind just real crap and a minimum of attachments usually poor quality. Also tried a small mini Bissell upright about 10 years ago. It was horrible… blew dust out everywhere as the dust bin compartment would come loose and blow out dust as the handle plastic the bin was mounted to would flex as you’d use the vacuum. I returned it inmediately. I hate that any company is putting out such crap. These cheap vacs are basically toys and disposable and just a total waste of money but people keep buying them over and over and throwing them away over and over. Mostly it’s the people who can’t manage to save their money and live paycheck to paycheck buying these machines because they don’t have the funds to buy quality when they need a vac. And even if they do make good money annd could manage to save they end up spending it on drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, pot etc. And when it breaks they just go spend another $39 at Wal-Mart because that’s about all they have to spend on a vacuum as the “other items” I’ve mentioned above are far more important to them to spend money on. I’ve seen people throw away these cheap vacs when the brush roll gets covered in hair then just buy another. So irresponsible to our earth more than anything. Interestingly enough, Usually the motors on these cheap vac still work when they are thrown away which is the most costly part, but something else has broken.

Jon

Jon


Post# 459070 , Reply# 54   1/1/2023 at 15:32 (452 days old) by Eureka1998 (New York )        
Jo

eureka1998's profile picture
Theres only one bagless that got very so so reviews that I'd actually want to try (might be the only one I havent). NOT the Hoover Twin Chamber (the dirty fan one was a nightmare) but there was kind of a second gen. Not the Windtunnel twin chambers but one based off the Widepaths/Tempos.

Post# 459198 , Reply# 55   1/5/2023 at 19:36 (448 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah)        
Correction

panasonicvac's profile picture
The Shark is a model NV795 not the NV755.

Eureka1998, those bagless Hoovers would've been the honorable mentions in this thread because they were much worse than the bagged Tempos. They clog so fast, the filter cage doesn't have a good seal, and the filters are even a pain to clean out.



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