I remember Electrolux. I remember going on appointments to show the product to potential customers in their homes. This is a unique company with a unique history. So it would follow that you would expect a unique product. This could be it. The form factor of the Electrolux El5020a is the first thing that must be mentioned. Its unique bi-fold handle and compact design results in a unit that folds up to a remarkable 17 x 14 x 12 inches. This does not mean, however that this is not a full power, full service unit. The Electrolux El5020a is driven by a 12 amp motor and the suction power is one of the first things noticed by many users in their reports. One of the reasons for this is the compact design.

The travel from the working end to the dirt canister is just 3 inches which helps increase suction. Most users report that once-over is enough to sell the unit as it proves its point by the dirt it picks up. Which leads to one of the drawbacks, its compact size means that the dirt cup is only 1-quart so frequent cleaning is needed. But Electrolux engineers, anticipating this worked in a design element that warns the user that the cup is nearing capacity and then shuts the unit off to protect it from damage. Very smart. The unit lists for $299.00 but a little shopping will yield prices below $180.00. This is a perfect solution for apartment dwellers offering a full power machine in a small package.

See larger image Electrolux EL5020A Intensity Upright Vacuum Cleaner (Kitchen) List Price: $299.99 USD New From: $189.95 In Stock Used from: $100.00 In Stock

More Customer Reviews Below

Don’t expect to use this vacuum for ALL your cleaning needs. Its excellent quality , with nice features and GREAT suction, however the disposable bag is much too small. I vacuumed 2 wool rugs that are a year old and previously vacuumed many times with my old Oreck and filled the bag the first time I used it. Folds up to a small foot print and the wire recoil is a nice feature but its demise is the small bag unless you don’t mind purchasing bags frequently

Review

I noticed this vacuum for sale about a year ago – mainly because of the pretty ingenious, apartment-closet-friendly design – but figured it couldn’t be *that* much better than the one I was already using. In the spirit of fiscal responsibility, I put it off. Boy, was I wrong.

Customer Review

I have had personal experience with small heaters. The single most important factor is safety. The Optimus H 5120 is built with that in mind. The unit is designed to shut off if its is tipped over or if it over heats. The safety shut-off switch is located on the base of the unit and even just sitting on an uneven surface can cause the unit to shut off, possibly an annoyance but certainly a welcome feature. The other factor that weights both for and against the product in the minds of most of those who have used it is that its fanless. Those who have expressed misgivings about the product have cited this fact. But it is also the most oft mentioned positive feature of the unit due to the very quiet operation that results.

With proper circulation this need not be a problem. The Optimus H 5210 has to settings, 400 watts and 800 watts. Even those who expressed misgivings over the product have cited its heating power as significant even at the 400 watt level. There have been a number of reports that mention a difficulty with reading the dials but no one judged this to be a decisive factor. The listed retail price is $29.99. This is a real value and hard to beat. It does as advertised and its very safe to operate.

See larger image Optimus H-5210 Infrared Quartz Radiant Heater (Kitchen) List Price: $29.99 USD New From: $29.99 In Stock

More Customer Reviews Below

I also wanted something with low wattage to save on electric plus not have to worry about it tripping the circuit breaker. True I do not live in the frozen eastern parts of the country but it is still damp and cold here and this little heater makes me warm and toasty. In fact it warms up my entire room just fine.

I am glad I did not listen to the bad reviews because I almost didn’t buy it.

Review

It probably puts out about the same heat per watt as my oil filled heater, but if you are in the same room as the heater it feels warmer because of the infrared rays. I would of given it 5 stars if the dial setting was easier to see.

Customer Review

The Hoover Elite 5507 900 is a full featured Bagless upright vacuum cleaner. Hoover is the most recognized name in the industry and they have a reputation for quality and durability. They have not let us down on this one. There are a number of features that stand out on this vacuum cleaner not the least of which is power. Many of the customers that use this unit report that the sheer power of the motor and its “sucking” power is impressive enough to warrant the purchase. In a vacuum cleaner this is paramount so that makes this one a winner. Beyond that, The retractable cord is cited as a major benefit. Most of all the bottom dump dirt cup is a real winner. This allows you to empty the unit without the risk of dust and dirt spreading back on to the floor that you just cleaned, brilliant.

The vacuum cleaner comes with a long 24 foot cord which is advantage enough, but having that cord on a retractable mount is even better as it allows you to avoid damaging the cord from twisting and to greatly ease the use of the product. No more wrapping up after your done. Most importantly this a solidly constructed and reliable vacuum cleaner. Equipped with a lifetime HEPA filter and an alert system to inform you when the filter needs cleaning adds to the ease of use. A full set of attachments are provided, including a 10 foot, powered pet hair removal tool and a deluxe stretch hose. The price of the Hoover Elite 5507 900 ranges from $60 to $120 when you shop around online so the value of this product is a real winner

See larger image Hoover 5507-900 Elite Auto-Rewind Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner (Kitchen) List Price: $129.99 USD New From: $164.95 In Stock

More Customer Reviews Below

This vacuum is great. yes, the rewind feature is awesome but also the sheer sucking power of this vac will have you wonder why you ever sat on your carpet without cleaning it with this sucker first.

Review

Having two different Eureka Optima’s break within a six month period, I figured it was a sign to maybe try a different make and model. Then I saw this Hoover and figured I’d give it a try. I’ll admit I was a little unsure at first because it was a little too big, especially for my apartment. But wow, was I surprised by it’s performance and features. Setup was a breeze, took five minutes and a phillips screwdriver.

Customer Review

Incoming search terms for the article:

• Hoover 5507-900 Elite Auto-Rewind Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner (17)
• hoover 5507 reviews (16)
• Hoover 5507-900 (8)
• Hoover 5507-900 - Elite Auto-Rewind Bagless (7)
• Hoover 5507-900 Elite Auto-Rewind (6)

The Dyson product line is one of the most hyped and advertised in the recent years. This is the one that they push the most, the “Ball” line. The Animal Ball is the version of this product line that is specifically designed for homes with pets. The most important thing about any vacuum cleaner is the suction power. On that score this is generally a winner. Most everyone that has used it, even those who didn’t like it for one reason or another, will admit that the suction power is remarkable. The vacuum cleaners head size is 12.5 inches, less than others but that is due to its mobility design. The standard cord is 24 feet long, adequate for single rooms but less than some other models.

As to its vaunted maneuverability, almost everybody that’s used it has commented that its design is superior in that regard. There is a switch that turns off the brush motor for hardwood floors, although you can leave it set that way as the unit automatically turns it back on when you power it on again. Generally, this product does as it says it will do. But, the price is the most often mentioned negative. The retail list price is a whopping $549.00! That is a significant investment for any piece of equipment. In this case perhaps too much. Yes Dyson backs this up with a 5 year parts and labor warranty but for less than half you could find a high quality vacuum cleaner to do most of the work you need. Is it worth it? Yes. but be warned, your expectations could result in a negative reaction if your not ready for it.

See larger image Dyson DC25 Animal Ball-Technology Upright Vacuum Cleaner (Kitchen) List Price: Price Not Listed New From: Check Amazon For Pricing In Stock Used from: $449.99 In Stock

More Customer Reviews Below

I loved my Dyson DC14 and couldn’t resist buying the new DC25. Without question a delight to use and I love the new ball! (Replaces traditional vacuum wheel set so it maneuvers effortlessly! The best of the best! (I also like that the DC25 is a bit smaller than the DC14- just easier to use.)

Review

I hate cleaning. Particularly vacuuming, which is on par to cleaning the tub on the list of things I avoid until I absolutely cannot help it any more (which is usually when guests are coming over). The biggest compliment I can give this vacuum is that it makes me want to vacuum my floors. It is light. It was easy to assemble. It picks up hair from my two long hair black cats that embeds itself in my tan carpet. Best vacuum I’ve ever owned.

Customer Review

Incoming search terms for the article:

• Dyson DC25 Animal Ball-Technology Upright Vacuum Cleaner (3)
• Dyson DC25 Animal Ball-Technology Upright Vacuum Cleaner review (2)
• Dyson DC25 Animal Ball-Technology Upright Vacuum Cleaner hardwood fllor (2)
• review dyson ball upright (1)
• dyson Dyson DC25 Animal Ball Technology vaccuum (1)

Its difficult to find less than stellar reviews for this product. The Eureka 71b, Hand Held Vacuum is one of the consumer products that becomes a staple due to its simplicity and direct design. It is made to do a particular job and it does so, as advertised. The interesting thing about this one is that what its does so well was never mentioned as a special feature of the product. Pet hair. Hundreds of customers have lauded the Eureka 71b as being a real winner for dealing with pet hair. The unit is powered by two separate motors, one for suction and one for brush operation with a total of 5.5 amps of power.

The standard cord is 20 feet long but does not retract so you have to remember to wind it up. One of Eureka’s unique features is the Riser Visor, a clear cover that stays down for cleaning flat surfaces and flips up so the brush can reach the vertical carpet on stair risers. There’s no bag to change, just a filter and clear plastic dust cup to clean when full. The Riser Visor is unique and if your stairs have full front riser carpeting this is the one for you. The list price is $59.99 but a little hunting can trim that down and Eureka is one of the better brands on the market so quality is not too much of a concern.

See larger image Eureka 71B Hand-Held Vacuum (Kitchen) List Price: $59.99 USD New From: $26.72 In Stock

More Customer Reviews Below

This vacuum is great for pet hair and especially stairways. The suction is very strong since it has a power cord versus batteries. My sister got one the other day after I raved about it and she loves it, too. It is lightweight and easy to clean. We definitely are please with our Eureka vacuum. My only suggestion would be to lengthen the hose but that is a minor detail that can easily be overlooked. Love it.

Review

I bought this vacuum to clean the 13 carpeted steps I have going from 1st to 2nd floor. I had been using a Power Nozzle on a Electrolux Canister. That was pretty much a two man job as the Nozzle required two hands, and the Canister/hose combination wouldn’t set on a step without falling. This small vacuum has solved the two man problem. The Up-Side: It dose a good job of cleaning, is light weight, easy to empty, compact storage, and I didn’t find it unusually noisy. The Down-Side: It doesn’t glide over my particular carpet very well, especially when trying to use the front opening on the stair risers.

Customer Review

The Panasonic SD YD250 Automatic Bread Maker is one of the marvels of the kitchen. The idea of a machine that will bake bread for you with only the addition of your ingredients is pretty astounding. This unit will mix, knead, rise the dough and then bake the bread. Going beyond just the basics the Panasonic has a multitude of settings that can be combined to product of 40 different breads and dough’s. The maker supplies a booklet to guide you through the process. The unit is so smart that it will beep to alert you when its time to add raisins or bananas, for example. You can control the crust for color and texture on most of the major settings and once you’ve decided what kind of bread you want in the morning you can prep the machine and set it on a timer for up to 13 hours in advance.

Its not hard on counter space at 14 inch’s wide 13.5 inches high and 9 inches deep, and its metal clad for durability. The baking pan is non-stick for easy clean up and is well made. The price? $124.95. That tends to be less than other machines of comparable quality. Customer reviews of this breadmaker tend to be fanatical. With some people reporting that they are just now replacing there old unit of the same make after 10- years or more. This is a great product and a great value, its durability is a real advantage in a world of cheap, disposable products. And its fun and healthy too.

See larger image Panasonic SD-YD250 Automatic Bread Maker (Kitchen) List Price: $174.99 USD New From: $129.95 In Stock Used from: $98.00 In Stock

More Customer Reviews Below

By “RCaauwe”
This is a great bread machine. It makes perfect loaves every time. I had the earlier model of this bread machine for over 15 years and it never fails (except when you forget to put in the yeast!).
Review

By M. Long  
I bought this machine last month (Feb 2010) after my 8-yr. old Rival Kitchen Pro’s gears disintegrated on the countertop. The Panasonic makes a nice loaf of bread with a fine grain and nice crust. My only complaint is that there’s no window in the lid to check progress of bread so I have to lift the lid which might affect interior temp. Hasn’t seemed to matter. So far, loaf has fallen out of pan free of paddle. It’s weighs quite a bit and is top-heavy.
Customer Review

If it wasn’t for batteries, we’d never have to go home to charge our cell phones, eh?. With the Hoover Platinum Collection Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum its pretty much the same story. There are trade-offs in everything. One of the most interesting aspects of this vacuum is the “Fade Free” power system. This means that you will have full power right up until the battery dies. This also means that the battery doesn’t last as long as we might like. Note: don’t store the battery on the charger, with this type of battery it can damage the battery. But you will be covered by a six-year warranty on the vacuum and a 2 year warranty on the battery and charger, so you need not worry.

Hoover has also built in to the unit a unique “one touch brushroll switch” which allows you to switch from carpet to bare floors on the fly. This is a very useful feature considering that the product is intended for quick, convenient use. Its suction power is excellent and translates into quicker cleaning. The dirt cup empties from the bottom making cleanup, well , cleaner. This has also been mentioned by a number of users as one of the features of the product that stand out. Another feature that I think is very useful is that you can let it go and it stands up on its own, that’s useful engineering! It’s a winner. The list price is $199.00 but a little shopping can trim that by 25% or so.

See larger image Hoover LINX Cordless Stick Vacuum (Kitchen) List Price: Price Not Listed New From: Check Amazon For Pricing In Stock Used from: $125.99 In Stock

More Customer Reviews Below

I bought this vacuum and it works like a charm. No more cords to fall over or have to keep plugging and unplugging. Really does an excellent job on my wood floors and gets all the dust and lint vacuumed. Also works good on carpets.

I do plan to get the extra battery so it will be ready at all times but you don’t need to if you are willing to wait three hours for the battery to recharge.

Review

I bought this after seeing the TV Commercial and reading the previous reviews. I have three Scottish Terriers who bring the outside inside on a daily basis. This little vacuum more than handles their combined “footprint.” Suction power is great, and ability to turn off roller helps immensely with area rug fringes.

Customer Review

Incoming search terms for the article:

• hoover platinum cordless stick vacuum (1)

The Eureka 4870mz Boss Smart VAC Upright Hepa vacuum cleaner comes equipped with a unique, sealed, HEPA filtration system that captures 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, allergens, and bacteria. So do many others (one even named its product after 99.97%!). What makes this one unique is the combination of features, quality and price, they are balanced and that is rare. The Eureka 4870mz features a Direct Air Control System, an air flow switch that lets you direct suction either to the carpet or to the hose for attachment use. The Power Paw brush makes it easy to clean stairs and upholstery, and as the name implies is intended to handle your pet hair issues.

There are a few other features unique to the Eureka Boss, such as the 30-foot cord. This is a full 6 feet longer than most others and a real god send when your just short of finishing. The other is the 15 inch wide cleaning path, just a little wider than most others as well. It also has a quick brush control switch allowing you to go from carpet to floor without stopping. The list price is $199.99 but a little shopping can buy you as much as 30% off making this an even better value for the money invested. Over-all, this is the definition of value for money.

See larger image Eureka 4870MZ Boss Smart-Vac Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner (Kitchen) List Price: $199.99 USD New From: $117.54 In Stock

More Customer Reviews Below

Although most the reviews are for the 4870GZ and I bought the 4870MZ, I suspect the machines are basically the same so I won’t repeat what others have already said about it except to say this is a solid machine with excellent suction and it did a great job on my carpets, both deep cleaning and returning the nap to a plush feel.

Review

Love this vacuum. I also owned it’s predecessor and due to no fault of its own, I needed a replacement. Eureka has proven themselves again. The suction on this thing is unbelievable. I love the spinning brush that whips the carpet as I vacuum. It feels new again under my feet as I vacuum. The box says it’s 60% more powerful than the Dyson but at half the price. The first part I believe, the second is a fact.

Customer Review

There are two things that a great majority of customers mention as drawbacks of the Dyson Dc17 Animal, first is the price. This is an issue, as with most things today, but in the case of the Dyson Dc17 Animal you are paying for quality and reputation and its not wasted. The other is how heavy it is. The Dyson Animal is over 20lbs. The main concern is that using it on your stairs could result in injury. Well Dyson has a telescoping 16 foot attachment wand which should allow you to tackle most of the steps with the unit on the floor, thoughtful. There is also the 35-foot cord, while it doesn’t auto-wind it allows easy access to most of two or three rooms without unplugging. Additionally, there is a 2.5 quart bin that is easy to empty. And the HEPA filter doesn’t need replacing which can save quite a bit of money depending on what your using now.

This vacuum is backed by a 5 year MFG warranty showing the makers commitment to the product and its customers. And of course, being a Dyson, its suction power is expected to be outstanding, and it is. So is this product a winner or not? Well the product itself is certainly a winner based on quality and features, it is better than most. But as with most Dyson products price is an issue. The list price of the Dc17 Animal is $549.00 but if you go-a-shopping you will find that you can get 20 to 25% off that as the newer Dyson models are out and this allows prices of last years model to go down.

See larger image Dyson DC17 Animal Cyclone Upright Vacuum Cleaner (Kitchen) List Price: $549.99 USD New From: $549.00 In Stock Used from: $220.00 In Stock

More Customer Reviews Below

I purchased the Dyson DC17 Animal Cyclone Upright Vacuum about a month ago. I have three dogs and 2 cats that live inside so I was in desperate need of good vacuum. It picks up all of the animal hair, dirt and dust off of my floors. This is the best vacuum I have ever purchased. I am extremely happy with this purchase!

Review

Once in a great while a company gets it right.
They make a tool that transforms a task into something you actually WANT to do.
Delta’s Unisaw, Stihl Chainsaw, All-clad pans and now Dyson DC 17 vacuum are among those few.
Until yesterday, I figured all vacuums were more-or-less an equal pain. After all, the Bissell (junk) we bought had the same 12 amp, bagless design as the Dyson. I figured “How different could they be?” ( Answer — LOTS!)
Customer Review

McCulloch is better known for chainsaws and the like. McCulloch hopes to cut through dirt with the McCulloch MC-1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner. The question is, “do they?” They are attempting to bring to market a product that has the “heavy-duty”, home work shop reputation that other McCulloch products enjoy, and for the most part it would appear that they do. The Mc1275 generates 1500 watts of power to produce the steam that drives its cleaning power. This is the first point to be made. While customers generally have positive things to say about this unit they also mention that, while good, the steam power isn’t remarkable and that its most effective at ranges of less than a few inches. More than good enough but not, perhaps, “shop quality”. But great for home duty.

One of the better features is the vast collection of attachments that are stored in the unit itself while still keeping its dimensions at 17 x 11 x 9. Over all the Mc1275 weighs in at 13 lbs full. That is reasonable and the extension wands included with the accessories make it easier to use. The water reservoir holds water enough for one hours use. The list price is $150.00 but if you “shop” around you can get it under $100.00. Over-all this is a good unit for a good price but doesn’t really rise up to the McCulloch reputation, but still a great product for the home.

See larger image McCulloch MC-1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner (Kitchen) List Price: $150.00 USD New From: $98.54 In Stock Used from: $99.00 In Stock Release date October 15, 2003.

More Customer Reviews Below

absolutely love this steamer! Unlike the smaller hand held steamers this one holds enough water to steam for almost an hour! And it packs a punch! I can’t stop steaming! I’ve steamed my cupboards, refridgerator, oven, microwave, floor boards, carpet, silk plants, tile floor, showers, tubs and more! I haven’t been disappointed once! Also, cleaning without harsh chemicals is such a blessing because of my sensitive skin! Light weight, quick and easy to use! Love IT!!
Review

Good quality construction. Somewhat annoying to refill reservoir but can live with it. Great for cleaning tile grout.
Customer Review