Kenmore Elite: The Toughest HEPA Vacuum for Serious Filtration

Specs:

Type: Upright

Debris Collection Type: Bagged

Power Source: Corded

Surface Recommendation: Floor and Carpets

Attachments: Dusting Brush, Crevice Tool, 10-feet Telescoping Wand, and Pet Handimate

Price:

Pros:

• Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
• The beltless agitator reduces the need for maintenance and repairs.
• Has a generously long power cord measuring 35 feet in length.
• No problems pushing it on carpets.
• The agitator can be deactivated.
• The best HEPA vacuum is due to its triple HEPA filters and sealed filtration.
• Currently has the most powerful airflow that can go up to 120 CFM.

Full Review:

We have reviewed a lot of vacuums before and for our 2022, we know that Kenmore Elite has the future to be one of the best vacuums in our annual roundup. There are lots of reasons for that and first of them is its HEPA filtration system which also makes it the best HEPA vacuum.

Elite is one of the rarest vacuums we tested with a completely sealed filtration system that can remove smoke and even the tiniest particles up to 0.3 microns. This is all possible due to its triple HEPA filter system which effectively traps the dust and other allergy-causing particles inside the HEPA-certified cloth bags. 

Further, what makes Elite the extreme HEPA vacuum is its unmatched motor system and nozzle head design. Unlike others, this unit comes with a total of 3 motors: 2 in the belt-free motors in the nozzle and 1 inducer motor. The collective power of the 3 motors beats the airflow level of other vacuums we have tested before. To be precise, the Elite offers up to 80 to 120 CFM of airflow due to the combination of the 3 motors! But what even makes it more effective in the actual pickup test is the design of the nozzle.

This model offers 5 level adjustments you can set easily using the knob situated in the nozzle head. Nonetheless, we were pleased that even at the Medium setting, we were able to use it effectively both on carpets and hard floors with ease. At the said setting, it was able to tackle medium debris with just one to two passes on any surface. It was also very effective on deep cleaning low-pile carpets in our test as its brushes did a good job agitating and retrieving the dirt we scattered. Further, it is a huge plus that you can deactivate the roller brush in this model which makes it very enjoyable even on hard floors. Without the soft roller, its suction is enough to pick up fine debris on the floor in just a single pass!

This best HEPA vacuum also offers some bells and whistles including headlights. There is also a LED dirt sensor that lights up whenever it senses debris around the nozzle (quite decent in our test).

The package also comes with 4 attachments you can store onboard for easy access and storage. It includes a dusting brush, crevice tool, 10-feet telescoping wand, and the Pet Handimate. The last wasn’t the best attachment we’ve ever tried since we frequently encountered tangling hair around its brush, but it can still be useful for light pet hair work on upholsteries.

Kenmore Elite FAQs:

Does the Kenmore Elite come with a debris bag?

• Yes, the Kenmore Elite comes with a bag. The brand also sells replacement bags.

Is the cord of the Kenmore Elite retractable?

• The 35-foot cord of the Kenmore Elite is not retractable but you can wrap it easily at the two hooks on the back of the unit.

How heavy is the Kenmore Elite?

• The Kenmore Elite weighs at least 20 pounds but pushing it is not a challenge, even on carpets. If you want a lightweight vacuum, try handheld models or stick vacuums. 

What is the material of the wheels of Kenmore Elite?

• The wheels of Kenmore Elite are made of hard plastic covered with rubber to prevent scratches on floors.