Our Pick: Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS XL Commercial Upright Vacuum

Before I begin with the review itself, I’d just like to keep you in the loop as to

Why we’ve chosen this product as our No. 1 Pick

1. We’ve analyzed 32 different 

   Number One Pick

   

   Oreck XL2100RHS Commercial Upright Vacuum

   Get It On Amazon

   Wide Range of Features

   Oreck XL2100RHS Commercial Upright Vacuum

   This versatile upright vacuum boasts of 32 features such as ease of use, lightweight, thick bumpers, versatile cleaning ability, low profile design, and an assortment of attachments – all at a very affordable price.
   features for each product we selected. I know what you’re thinking – “I didn’t even think an upright bagged vacuum had 32 features”. Well, they do. And we’ve compared and contrasted them for you so you don’t have to. The Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS XL has a unique combination of features that made it unbeatable in our comparison. Read our research report for a closer look at what made it our pick. The vacuum has a powerful, high speed and balanced brush roll with double helix brushes that whirl at an amazing 6,500 RPM and flick all that dirt up inside the machine very effectively.
2. Even with its remarkable range of features, this vacuum can be bought for as little as $160. Not much else in the affordable range of upright bagged vacuums could boast this range of features.
3. We compared rating frequency on Amazon for each of these products and found this product had received ratings at an impressive rate. In the first 8 days, it received 10 ratings, in the next four it got the next 10, and 3 days for the next 10. This is an increasing rate of positive ratings, something we look for in a successful product.
4. Amongst the product’s excellent features was its ability to protect walls, baseboards and furniture due to its unique design.

Detailed Review

The Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS Xl was a great machine to test. It was lightweight, at 8.2 pounds, and came with an Ease-of-use commendation from the Arthritis Foundation. We’re not arthritic here yet but it was very comfortable and easy to use. It had a wide range of movement and could handle tight corners and awkward spaces well.

The suction was ample, though you can even improve it yourself with some tricks. It demolished all the different samples we use to test with, even avoiding getting tangled in the long hair (always a problem). Even up to rubble, this vacuum got soil, cereal, dust and cobwebs with ease.

We tested the number of allergens in the area before and after vacuuming with this machine and found it effectively removed many irritants and micro-fibers, so would make a good choice for sufferers of allergies and respiratory conditions. This is alongside its ease of use commendation.

It came with 35 feet of cord, easily enough for a couple of rooms or a ground floor. It was made of solid-feeling materials and the plug felt well made and unlikely to flake out on us.

Its low profile design was handy, we got it under lots of furniture like low slung sofas with ease. The wheels didn’t jam or squeak.

Over a variety of surfaces like laminate, wood and carpet, the Oreck Commercial worked well, it’s a versatile machine.

A very nice touch was the top-fill inner bag, which made unloading a full bag or putting a new one in very easy. Fiddle free and no explosions of dust.

We rated the side edge brushes, they helped get right into the corners and baseboards, as advertised.

The thick bumpers on the sides meant we didn’t ding or smudge any of our furniture in our testing scheme. It bounced off our baseboards, beds and kitchen tables and things nicely.

Our 2nd Best Choice: Sanitaire EUKSC679J Commercial Shake Out Bag Upright Vacuum Cleaner

This upright bagged vacuum came a very close second in our comparison; it has nearly the same features but was only beaten by expense and battery life, which makes it a very high-rated vacuum indeed. It’s battery operation and quick charging operation did rate higher than our top pick, but against the overall utility it still came below.

So basically this product has the same number of positive features that the best pick has, it just has different features. A battery might be suited to some more than others as it adds substantially to the weight of the vacuum and for those with arthritis, it would be unsuitable. The Wind Tunnel Technology worked very nicely, picking up whatever dirt we put in its way.

 

Detailed Review

This was a close call, we debated long and hard about whether to award the Hoover or the Oreck the top gong, but at long last, we came to view the extra weight and higher sale price as the clincher.

That shouldn’t diminish this upright vacuum though, it’s a great bit of kit. It covered all terrains well and deep cleaned our carpets better than any canister vacuum ever could. The broad swath of the vacuum head covered a lot of ground and was flexible enough to get into awkward spots.

All the attachments worked well, the suction from the extendable head was substantial, it made cleaning hard-to-reach areas very easy and we could be assured that all the dust mites and allergens had been sucked up, something we’re never sure of with a canister vacuum.

It cornered well and this thing was great fun to drive around, it sensed which direction you were pushing in and glided smoothly wherever you pointed it. For covering large areas, this is excellent.

Swap in and out your allergen bags and be reassured your kids won’t be snuffling and sneezing at home. HEPA bags filter and trap 99.97 of allergens and pollens down to 0.3 microns, much, much smaller than a human hair’s width. That’s really tiny. So basically all of them.

On Amazon, this Sanitaire EUKSC679J got great reviews, people saying it was reliable, easy to use and powerful. No scuff bumper could turn some would-be buyers off, but it’s an individual choice as to whether you want them or not.
The Embedded DirtFinder turns green when the vacuum has sucked whatever its positioned over clean of dirt. That’s a great feature. Peace of mind Embedded.

There’s a 1-year warranty on this beast, so it should be good value for money.

Budget Pick: Hoover Vacuum Cleaner Air Steerable WindTunnel Bagless Lightweight Corded Upright UH72400

Hoover has been making vacuums for a very long time, so long that the name Hoover is also used as the verb for vacuum cleaning in some parts of the world. So you know that when you’re buying a Hoover, you’re buying into decades of experience.

This wasn’t the cheapest product we reviewed but when considering the number of great and effective features, for the sale price it was clearly the winner in our Budget Pick category. It has a cleaner that does the job quickly and cleanly. Combined with the Fabulous Filtration technology (HEPA compatible) that filters the escaping air through rinsable filters after leaving the bag and before leaving the vacuum, you can breathe easy.

Detailed Review

Hard to beat for under $100, this Hoover is great for those on a tighter budget but still need the allergen filters that make bagged vacuums a must-have for some. You’ll cover a lot of ground with the small cleaner.

It pushed around well and made for easy cleaning. It was lightweight, we didn’t struggle to get this up the steps like we did with some (more expensive) alternatives.

Nestled in the core of this vacuum is a powerful motor, providing some serious suction. You’ll have those allergens safely in the trash in no time.

Not only does this Hoover suck up plenty of dirt, but it filters the exiting air for allergens too. No more wheezing while doing the spring cleaning, this will leave your eyes un-scratchy and your noze un-sneezed. We really appreciated this Fabulous Filtration technology in a Hoover so cheap.

The extra element of filtration was a big plus, nothing in the sale price range would be so protective of those with allergies or respiratory conditions. It fits HEPA filters.

The attachments were well made and did the trick with nooks and crevices. Even those hard-to-reach areas can be allergen-free with this machine.

Described as “unflashy”, “practical” and “does the job”, this isn’t a Hoover to show off with, though a vacuum cleaner geek (they do exist) might appreciate your choice of the budget vacuum cleaner.

The plastic wasn’t the greatest quality but it felt sturdy and durable. Lots of people have owned these for years and still get great results from them.

Advanced Pick: Kenmore 31150 Elite Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner – Silver by Kenmore Elite

Only the bag capacity lets this Kenmore down, it could have been a contender for our Top-Rated Pick but for the small reservoir. Other than that, it has nearly the same features as our Top Pick. Rating frequency on Amazon was 10 ratings in 4 days, 10 more in 5 days and 10 in the next 7 days. The maximum cover-up area is higher than even our Best Pick. Highly rated!

Detailed Review

Phew! This thing does it all. Where to start? The sale price? At around $250 this is an expensive upright bagged vacuum, but you’d expect that for all the features packed into this baby.

It has two inducer motors (the spinning things that direct the dirt into the vacuum), apparently giving 20% more suction than a conventional upright vacuum motor. How true this is is beyond us in our research team but we do know that this thing annihilated any grit, dirt or tiny, tiny particles we put in its path.

This Kenmore Elite was certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Sufferers are looking in the right place.

HEPA certified filters capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns without losing suction, a pretty remarkable feat. So this thing can help you and your family stay sneeze or irritation free at home.

We tried this machine on carpets, tiles, wooden floors, you name it, it cleaned them all. Bagged uprights typically clean more deeply than canister vacuums and this was no exception. The allergen count was right down after a thorough going-over with this thing.

It even picks up dirt you can’t see with its Infrared Dirt Sensor. Does it get more advanced than that? It worked too (we had some fun with infrared cameras, any excuse ey?).

LThe side hand vacuum was a little short but it was still useful. The rest of the accessories worked very well and were made of solid, durable plastic.

A common fault on vacuum cleaners is the drive belt going, but you won’t have to worry about this Kenmore, it’s got a beltless direct drive system. This also makes the machine simpler and therefore less likely to wear out.
The cleaner adjusts to 5 different heights. This covered all the situations we put it into.

We’ve got to say, it does look good too.

A List of 6 Other Upright Vacuums We Reviewed

No. 5: Hoover Vacuum Cleaner T-Series WindTunnel Corded Bagged Upright Vacuum UH30300 Review

$200 is a good price for this Hoover. It is distinctly un-flashy and practical. It has some nice features but isn’t special. And that’s fine. This is a mid-range upright bagged vacuum, it doesn’t need to do much but suck up dirt.

And that it does fine. It has plenty of oomph, given by the 12amp motor; even with a full bag it sucks and sucks.

HEPA media bags fit and it filters what you vacuum very well, so allergy sufferers will like this Hoover. It was easy to assemble and worked very well during our tests, with no issues in the Hoover itself.

When the bag is full, a light comes on to tell you. A handy, obvious trick that a lot of manufacturers miss. When the bag is full, you take the case, detach it, hold it over the trash can and press the button. The bag drops into the bin without you needing to touch it at all. For those with very acute sensitivities, this could be the decider. It’s a very nice feature. When it works.

Being able to switch the brush roll up and down is a good feature, it means you can change from hard tiling to soft carpet without a hitch or horrible grinding noises as your Hoover tries to eat the carpet. Though it’s important to remember that your vacuum can be noisy for many reasons and you can take steps to reduce it to some extent.

The attachment hose is too short for some at 8 feet, as is the cord.

Bags are cheap and last a long time (unless you’re an especially mucky pup, or have mucky pups) and if you have allergies, there is no choice really, canisters don’t work well as filters.

No. 6: Hoover T-Series WindTunnel Pet Bagged Upright Vacuum Review

Right in the mid-range of prices, this Hoover is a powerful machine that is full of good features, especially if you’re a pet owner.

A P.A.W.S (Pet Approved Windtunnel System) really gets deep into the carpets and fabrics but doesn’t scatter that it pulls up all over the place. So those nasty allergens that have been hiding in your shag-pile won’t just end up in the air. They’ll end up in the Activated Carbon HEPA Media bag, safely trapped until you can dispose of them safely.

It was very easy to get the bag in, there were no fussy latches, just the One Touch door release. Neat. Even better than that is the Clean-Drop Bag system, which means you never have to touch the dirty bag, you just hold the container over the trash can and press the button. A great feature for the more sensitive amongst us.

30 feet of power cord felt like enough for us, it does the job and the plug felt well made.

Being able to raise or lower the brush roll with a simple push button was handy for transferring between carpets and hard flooring.

Very pleasingly, this Hoover had a headlight so we could see where we were vacuuming. I still wouldn’t recommend vacuuming in the dark, but this was a nice touch.

There’s a no-scuff bumper made of clear plastic, so you won’t leave dirty marks on the walls or furniture.

At 12 feet, the hose was the proper length, in our opinion. We can’t be doing with the shorter ones, they mean we climb on the furniture and set a bad example to the kids.

There’s even a special Pet Upholstery tool for your dog bed or wombat den or whatever fluffy creature you keep at home that fills the air with tiny things that make you itchy. We know dogs hate vacuums, but your dog won’t hate this one we hope!

No. 7: Panasonic MC-UG471 Bag Upright Vacuum Cleaner Review

Panasonic seems to make anything electrical, with a mixed amount of success. This vacuum was a good success though, it was a fairly affordable choice and while it felt a bit tacky, it did the job.

The amount of suction was impressive, the 12amp motor really gives it some. It is quiet to run, surprisingly.

The cleaner was 14 inches wide, so it cut a wide swath through our filthy test bed. It did well on the number of allergens due to its HEPA filters, which worked well, filtering the air of 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. It felt clean.

A headlight showed the way around darkened corners, illuminating otherwise invisible dirt. We do like headlights here.

The auto-carpet-height adjustment worked well, it could sense when it was moving from tile to carpet and moved smoothly between the two. Unfortunately, this vacuum struggled with hard wooden floors while handling carpets very well.

Access to the accessories and tools was good, they were cleverly placed and fitted well, coming off and on easily. A little disappointing was the 24-foot cord, it was shorter than a lot of our other choices. That said, it did reel in automatically when we pressed the button. This is a great feature but it can lead to tangles inside the machine, which are really difficult to get out. Win some, lose some.

At 20 pounds, this was a heavy vacuum, though not unusable by any measure, it was annoying to carry.

Bag access was fairly straightforward. Not much to say about it.

Reviews on Amazon were overall positive but there were some problems like bits falling off or it having trouble with the cable. Nothing too critical.

No. 8: Dirt Devil UD20124 Endura Reach Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner for Carpet and Hard Floor

This Dirt Devil UD20124 is the cheapest range we selected to review, and we like it very much for the value it provided against the money.

This machine comes with endura filters, meaning it filters 99.97% of particles down to 0.03 microns while still maintaining suction. This worked very well in the Hoover Platinum.

This dirt devil vacuum comes with a miniature canister vacuum for hard-surface cleaning and more difficult spots like above floor vacuuming. We rated this touch, it added to the versatility of the package, though allergy sufferers and asthmatics might not think the canister was safe for them as it doesn’t filter.

The controls were intuitive and easy to use. The electronics felt like they were durable and wouldn’t go all sticky after a few weeks of use.

Powerful LED lights illuminate dirt and other nasties, you won’t believe how dirty it is behind the couch!

Not only can you see the dirt but so can the vacuum, the advanced Dirt Sensor infrared technology enables the vacuum to see dirt that humans can’t! It then adjusts itself accordingly, ensuring you get every last particle. Very smart.

Reviews on Amazon were mixed, some people had some trouble with it overheating, but overall they were quite positive. A lot of people felt that spending that amount was justified for the quality of the machine.

No. 9: Hoover Vacuum Cleaner Windtunnel MAX Bagged Corded Upright Vacuum UH30600 Review

This was an amazing Hoover, its 15-inch cleaner nozzle sucked up wide swaths of our dirt during tests. It had a lot of power coming from the 12amp motor, it could deep clean a carpet very successfully.

It had a few gizmos, like seven-floor settings for each floor type, which was a bit excessive and we couldn’t tell much of a difference between them. They did work though.

Standard HEPA filtering worked well against our tests, it passed the allergen test we put all our upright bagged vacuums to. We didn’t follow this thing around in a cloud of dust like with a canister vacuum.

Hoover’s great Clean-Drop system is such a neat feature, we like that we don’t even have to touch the bag to dispose of it. Many a sneeze was avoided.

The cord has to be coiled by hand, but this does save on it shooting in and tangling if you aren’t paying attention.

The suction was brutal, even making it difficult to move the cleaner on some surfaces. At least you know it’s getting all the dirt. It does a good job of not scattering dirt too.

With 29 feet of cable, we could take it anywhere we liked, within reason.

Hairs come up pretty well, but some were missed. It does a pretty good job.

Faintly annoying is the high pitched whine this Hoover emits. Stick some headphones in and it’s fine, but it could do a few heads in.

No. 10: Oreck Commercial U2000R-1 Commercial 8 Pound Upright Vacuum with Helping Hand Handle, 40′ Power Cord Review

Yes. A 40-foot power cord. This is what we like to see. Plenty of Freddie Mercury impressions can be done with this cord. For $200, there are better options available, but its still a good upright bagged vacuum.

Amazon reviews were mostly very positive, which could be a good thing if you care about what other people say. But you’re reading this, so you must a bit. And we say its pretty good.

This is not really a house cleaner, it is more for commercial (hence the name) settings, where it wouldn’t encounter deep pile or shag carpets. So, as you might expect, it does hard floors and shallow carpets very well, but not much else.

The motor is powerful and the vacuum itself is very light, making it a good choice for a shop or business.

It has a low profile and goes under our furniture very easily. Its maneuverable and can get into lots of tight corners.

A little lacking in the accessories front, it’s still a capable machine. The suction is enough for deep cleaning, which it does well.

This vacuum has a commendation from the Arthritis Foundation because of its ease of use and lightweight (roughly 8 pounds empty).

The cleaning head is only 12 inches wide, but for its light weight it has to be.

The Helping Hand handle is extremely comfortable, and clearly would be good for any painful hands or joints.

This is the vacuum for an elderly or disabled person who wants to keep hold of their autonomy, which is so important for a happy life.

A List of Other Products We Tested

• Oreck LW100 Magnesium SP Bagged Upright Vacuum>>>8 Positive Features as seen on our research report
• Oreck Magnesium RS Swivel-Steering Bagged Upright Vacuum, LW1500RS>>>7 Positive Features as seen on our research report
• Oreck Commercial U2000RB2L-1 LEED-Compliant Upright Vacuum>>>5 Positive Features as seen on our research report
• Prolux LED Upright Sealed H-Grade HEPA Allergen Pet Vacuum>>>5 Positive Features as seen on our research report

Care and Maintenance:

Take proper care of your vacuum and let it serve you for years. Follow the tips given below:

Brush Tool:

Keep this clean or it’ll stop working. Generally, it will fill up with hair, then everything else gets stuck in the hair. A pair of scissors skillfully used (don’t cut the brush fibers) can deal with this well. Then use a dampened rag or cloth to wipe it down, making sure to dry it thoroughly and to lubricate the joins. As always, make sure the vacuum is unplugged when you’re cleaning it.

Dust Bag:

You’ll have to keep an eye on this, depending on the use you’ll have to change it between once a month and once every few months. When the bag has been filled, you won’t get the suction you’re used to, so make sure it’s clean. Unplug the vacuum, don’t just turn it off, then detach the hose from the case and find the catch that opens the case. Some vacuums have very easy access, but some are more difficult, so make sure you’ve found where it is before filling the bag. A full bag and fumbling with catches could be messy.

Filters:

Most HEPA filters can’t be washed, just get a new one. Some manufacturers do make washable ones, just ensure you’ve checked if yours is one before you wash it, or it won’t work at all. The filters before and after the motor can be removed and washed with a mild detergent. Always ensure your filters are dry before putting them back in the vacuum.

Wrapping it Up

There’s a lot to a vacuum cleaner, especially a bagged upright, that you need to get right if you want to get the right results. Ask what you want to be cleaning, and use our guide to make your choice.

Pet owners should choose carefully, some vacuums are built to deal with pet hair and allergens, others won’t tackle them at all. Pet hair can make people very ill, so be sure you’ve got the right vacuum for pet hair.

For those with sensitivities, allergies and respiratory conditions, a bagged upright might be the only choice, and we hope the guide above has given you enough to make a good choice.

Check out the rest of our site for articles and guides on all sorts of things. Thanks for reading!