June 2007
Electrolux Intensity vacuum: First Look
A unit that folds into a small package. Did it come up big in our tests?
COMPACT POWER The Electrolux Intensity upright vacuum, $300, offers plenty of suction and folds into a neat package.
Name of product: Electrolux Intensity EL5020 vacuum
Price we paid: $300
Date of Consumer Reports full report: October 2007
What it is. A 16-pound, 12-amp folding upright that has a short, 3-inch-long air path. The manufacturer claims that this design provides 50 percent greater suction than leading upright vacuums.
What we liked. The Intensity folds up into a 17x12x14-inch boxlike shape, so it requires less storage space than many other uprights. The vacuum did an outstanding job of cleaning bare floors and achieved excellent results in our emissions test. It also did very well in cleaning carpeting and picking up long pet hair. The vacuum is equipped with a HEPA filter, a brush on/off switch, a 21-foot retractable power cord (not common on uprights), a full-bag indicator, and a telescopic handle that adjusts for users of different heights.
What we didn't like. Unlike many uprights to come out in recent years, this vacuum lacks a hose, so you can’t attach any tools to clean drapes, upholstery, ceilings, or crevices. The vacuum also lacks manual pile-height adjustment, which limits its cleaning performance on carpets, and its 1-quart dust bag is small, requiring frequent changes. And despite its modest weight, the Intensity was not easy to handle or carry.
Our initial take. The Intensity is a reasonable choice if you have limited storage space, and it excels when cleaning bare floors and carpeting.
But the vacuum isn’t easy to maneuver on carpet. Based on our preliminary testing, we’d steer you toward other less-expensive
lightweight vacuums that clean as well and offer more features, such as the Eureka Boss Smart Vac Ultra 4870, $150, or the
Hoover Tempo Widepath U5140-900, $60. For more information on those models, see our Ratings
More information. Whether you’re in the market for an upright or a canister vacuum, read our latest report for expert advice on how to find the right vacuum. And be sure to watch our exclusive video buying guide.
Price we paid: $300
Date of Consumer Reports full report: October 2007
What it is. A 16-pound, 12-amp folding upright that has a short, 3-inch-long air path. The manufacturer claims that this design provides 50 percent greater suction than leading upright vacuums.
What we liked. The Intensity folds up into a 17x12x14-inch boxlike shape, so it requires less storage space than many other uprights. The vacuum did an outstanding job of cleaning bare floors and achieved excellent results in our emissions test. It also did very well in cleaning carpeting and picking up long pet hair. The vacuum is equipped with a HEPA filter, a brush on/off switch, a 21-foot retractable power cord (not common on uprights), a full-bag indicator, and a telescopic handle that adjusts for users of different heights.
What we didn't like. Unlike many uprights to come out in recent years, this vacuum lacks a hose, so you can’t attach any tools to clean drapes, upholstery, ceilings, or crevices. The vacuum also lacks manual pile-height adjustment, which limits its cleaning performance on carpets, and its 1-quart dust bag is small, requiring frequent changes. And despite its modest weight, the Intensity was not easy to handle or carry.
(available to subscribers)
.More information. Whether you’re in the market for an upright or a canister vacuum, read our latest report for expert advice on how to find the right vacuum. And be sure to watch our exclusive video buying guide.
