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Kenmore Intuition 31040

Price range:

$179.99 - $319.90

Summary: This 23-pound upright from Kenmore is bagless and has HEPA filtration, a brush on/off switch, and a 32-foot manual-wind cord.

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Type: Bagless upright vacuums

Specs
Bag Denotes whether the model has a disposable waste bag. A growing number of vacuums, particularly upright models, use a container that can be emptied, eliminating the bag. To capture fine-dirt particles, however, these models must use a filter (such as a HEPA filter) that can need regular cleaning, or replacement. Replacement filters tend to be significantly more expensive than bags. While vacuums with bags may also use filters, the bag acts as a pre-filter that helps to keep the fine-dirt filter cleaner, thus extending its performance until cleaning or replacement. Another caveat: Emptying the dustbin and cleaning a filter can be messy, and handling it may expose you to dust and other allergens. Bag	No
Weight (lbs.) The weight of the vacuum cleaner, to the nearest pound. If you expect to carry your vacuum up and down stairs, consider a lighter vacuum (under 20 pounds). Weight (lbs.)	23
Cord length (ft) The length, in feet, of a model's power cord. Cord length (ft)	32
Standard-bag cost ($/bag) The cost per replacement paper bag, in U.S. dollars (rounded to the nearest 25 cents), for vacuums that use a bag. "NA" means the bag is not available from the manufacturer; "-" indicates a bagless vacuum. Standard-bag cost ($/bag)	-
Microfilter-bag cost ($/bag) The cost per replacement microfiltration bag, capable of trapping 99 percent of particles 0.5 microns or more in size, for vacuums that use a bag. Cost is in U.S. dollars, rounded to the nearest 25 cents. "NA" means the bag is not available from the manufacturer; "-" indicates a bagless vacuum. Microfilter-bag cost ($/bag)	-

Features
Brush on/off An on/off switch for the rotating brush lets you stop the brush from rotating when using tools or cleaning bare floors. This helps eliminate scattered dirt on bare floors and reduces the risk of injury if the vacuum tips over during use. It also reduces the risk of damaging a carpet or the finish of a bare floor if the vacuum sits in place at the low-height setting. Brush on/off	Yes
Easy on/off A switch that's located on the handle or where your foot can activate it is more convenient than one on the body of the vacuum. Easy on/off	Yes
Manual-pile adjust Lets you adjust the height of the machine to a carpet's pile height to allow for easy movement and thorough cleaning. Adjustments are automatic on some models, but we prefer the more precise manual control afforded by some models. Manual-pile adjust	Yes
Accepts tools Has a hose to which you can attach tools. Accepts tools	Yes
Suction control This feature reduces the flow of air through the hose, which can be helpful when cleaning upholstery and curtains. Suction control	No
Retractable cord A feature that's common in canisters, not uprights, a retractable cord is one you can rewind via a slight tug or a push button. Retractable cord	No
Full-bag/bin indicator Some models have a feature alerting the user when the dust bag or container is full, which impairs the vacuum's ability to clean. Some bagless models simply have a clear bin, letting you see when the vacuum is full. Other models have an electronic or mechanical indicator. Full-bag/bin indicator	Yes
High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter High-efficiency particulate-air (HEPA) filters provide the highest level of vacuum-cleaner filtration. In our tests, models with a HEPA filter have been very effective at reducing emissions. However, some models that don't have HEPA filters have performed just as well in our emissions tests, and such vacuums may cost less than HEPA models. High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter	Yes
Folds for storage Handle folds to minimize storage space. Folds for storage	No
Self-propelled This feature typically uses a transmission and drive system to assist the pushing and pulling of the vacuum, thereby requiring little effort by the user. This feature, however, typically adds weight that can make some vacuums very heavy and difficult to carry or use on stairs. Self-propelled	No

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