Electrolux EL7020A Canister Cleaner

Remember mom's old reliable Electrolux? This isn't it. Not even close.

You see, there are two Elextrolux companies - one based out of Europe, and another based out of America. The old Electrolux you remember was made by the American company. This particular vacuum (the Electrolux Oxygen) is made by the European company. It's a totally different vacuum, and NOTHING like the "original" that you are thinking about.

I almost got "sucked" into one of these Oxygen vacuums, but did a little research and learned that the original Electrolux is now sold under the "Aerus" name. They're a lot more expensive than the Oxygen (the Oxygen retails for around $400 to $500, while the basic Aerus model retails for about $1100), but you get what you pay for. After comparing both, I'm glad I didn't fall for the Oxygen.

The hose on the Oxygen is very flimsy - so much so, that a common criticism of the Oxygen is torn hoses. In contrast, I can stand all 200 pounds of my weight on the hose of my Aerus, and it won't buckle.

Bags for the Oxygen aren't cheap either; a package of 40 bags sells for $110 to $120 (roughly $3 per bag). The same package of bags for the Aerus sells for about $40 ($1 per bag).

In terms of suction, the Oxygen is middle-of-the-road. In a side-by-side comparison, there was _no_ comparison with the Aerus. The little Oxygen would probably do an OK job in an apartment or small house, but I wasn't confidant that it would handle week after week of vacuuming pet hair from our carpets.

The Oxygen comes with a two year warranty. The Aerus comes with a ten year warranty.

For the money, the Oxygen 3 may be an acceptable vacuum cleaner; make sure you understand that you are not buying a "modernized" version of your mom's old vacuum. If you really want the quality and durability you expect from the "Electrolux" name (and you're willing to spend considerably more on a vacuum), go take a look at the Aerus vacuums. Once you see the two side-by-side, you'll see that there's really no comparison.