There are 3 types of Electrolux vacuum cleaner; canister, upright and lightweight. Each offers potential buyers different features at different prices. What follows is a review of the Electrolux range of upright vacuum cleaner that will, hopefully, help you decide which is best for you.
Electrolux are technical innovators. Proof of this was the release of the Trilobite vacuum, the first commercially available vacuum that vacuums your home without the need for you to do anything else but turn it on. True, there had been other earlier versions, but these were simple ‘bump and turn’ models; when they ran into an object the turned off in some random direction. If left running over a sufficient period of time, they would eventually vacuum the whole floor.
The Trilobite is very different. There is an aboard computer that not only memorizes the layout of the room, but actually works out the most efficient way of doing it. Its sensor also prevents it from ever touching anything in the room, so even the most delicate of objects is safe.
However, the Trilobite is incredibly expensive, has its limitations and the vast majority of people are going to buy a lightweight, canister or upright Electrolux vacuum cleaner.
Electrolux Upright Vacuum
There are three models on offer. The Electrolux Aptitude EL5010 has been built with quietness in mind. It allows you to change the brush roll speed with a nice sliding switch on the handle – the handle is one of those looped, ergonomic types, I don’t much like them but plenty do. It comes with 7 carpet height settings, a 12 amp motor, and HEPA filter. The onboard tools are of superior quality with the hose having a 15 foot reach. It has an overall sleek design and is an appealing vacuum cleaner. If there is one criticism it’s that the carpet height setting is not automatic – the Simplicity Synergy vacuum cleaner comes with this feature.
The Electrolux Oxygen 3 vacuum (EL5035) primary design focus was the sealed HEPA filter – it’s one of the best on the market. It also comes with electronic height adjustment that allows you to change the head height so you can clean all floor types. There’s a 12 amp motor and the cleaning width is 15 inches. This model compares favorably with the Simplicity Synergy vacuum cleaner; in fact it’s cheaper and better.
Finally, we have the Electrolux Intensity vacuum (EL5020). Its design is an interesting idea inasmuch as it’s been designed to be a foldaway upright. It does look rather odd at first, with its ‘wishbone’ handle and lower part that looks like a canister vacuum. Although the main body is small, it still houses a 12 amp motor and its cleaning width is 15″ and the air path is only 3″ from head to bag, so it does pack a punch. Like the other models it comes with a HEPA filter.
While the Electrolux Intensity is nice is does have some serious drawback. The first being the size of the dust bag – 1 quart. It’s small; the dust bag of the Aptitude is more than 4 quarts. I guess it could be argued that the Intensity isn’t really designed for large homes; its space saving, fold away design being more suitable for small studio apartments limited on storage space. That may be true, but it’s the most expensive of the 3 Electrolux uprights – by quite some margin – and I can’t see why anyone would pay this much for a ‘small’ upright. Many online vacuum cleaner reviews also agree on this point.
Electrolux upright vacuum cleaners are among the best on the market. Of the three, I think the Electrolux Oxygen 3 is the model that offers the most vacuum for the money. It has few rivals that can match its cleaning power, quietness and filter.
