For some vacuums, smaller isn't better

Got a cramped closet? Some of the latest vacuums Consumer Reports tested for our March 2008 report fold for compact storage, while others meld upright and canister features into one machine. But our vacuum tests show that several brands need to pay more attention to cleaning.

New uprights that fold include the Hoover Fold Away Widepath ($70) and the Electrolux Intensity ($300). We also tested the folding Dyson Stowaway ($500), the brand's latest canister. Yet only the Electrolux was impressive at cleaning carpets—our toughest test and the type of cleaning vacuums typically do most. Indeed, only three of the latest models we tested were better than mediocre for carpet cleaning.

Our tests of more than 60 uprights and canisters include a new top performer among canister vacs. (See an alphabetized listing below of the vacuums in our Ratings as of the end of February 2008.) We also tested vacuums that claim to kill germs and clean their own filters, among other promises. But some could disappoint you if you value cleaning over gadgetry. Here are the details:

Less-than-magical wands. The new Dirt Devil i M130000 ($250), Dyson DC15 The Ball All Floors ($500), and Panasonic AeroBlast MC-UL975 ($700) uprights have handles you can remove and use as a canister-style wand to clean curtains and battle those dust bunnies beneath the couch. But like most of the newest folding vacs, two of those scored only a good for carpets, and the Dirt Devil scored only fair.

Big claims, middling performance. The AeroBlast includes a unique feature that promises to stretch filter life, among other benefits. (See our blog on the Panasonic AeroBlast.) But our test results belied those claims.

Halo Technologies says its uprights, including the UVX ($400), kill dust mites, flea eggs, and germs using UV light. We didn't test those claims because the UVX was only so-so at the more primary tasks of cleaning carpets and picking up pet hair. What's more, it has no hose or tools. (On February 26, 2008, the National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus recommended that Halo modify or discontinue certain advertising claims for one of its vacuums. Read more here: Download HaloVacuum.pdf)

Clobbered by cat fur. The Electrolux Harmony canister ($300) is the latest to flub our grueling pet-hair test. As with the brand's TwinClean model, cat hair wound itself around the brush and stopped it—partly because the brush is driven by airflow, rather than by a motor.

A venerable brand has problems. A predecessor company to Hoover was the name on the first widely available electric vac in 1908, and Hoover is still a best seller. While Hoover vacuums are often fine values, our latest survey found more reliable upright brands, including Dyson, a relative newcomer.

Read our expert shopping advice and watch our video buying guide (above) for detailed information on what to look for in your next vacuum. And continue reading this blog to find out which models we've tested.

What's in our Ratings
The listings here include the upright and canister models we tested for our March 2008 story. Note that the models are in alphabetical order, not Ratings order. (Models in italics in parentheses after a tested vacuum are similar to the vacuum we rated.) If you're a subscriber to ConsumerReports.org, look at our Ratings of upright and canister vacuums and CR Quick Recommendations for uprights and canisters to find the best model for your home.

Upright vacuum cleaners
Aerus Lux Legacy • Bissell Healthy Home 5770 (Healthy Home 5770-H, Healthy Home 5770-P, Healthy Home 5990, Healthy Home 6100, Healthy Home 6405) • Bissell Lift-Off Revolution Turbo 3760-1 (Lift-Off Hybrid Pet 3760-6, Lift-Off Revolution Pet 6860-H, Lift-Off Revolution Pet 4220-9, Lift-Off Revolution Pet 3760-4, Lift-Off Revolution Pet 3760-2, Lift-Off Revolution Deluxe 3760-3) • Dirt Devil i M130000 • Dirt Devil Reaction M110000 • Dirt Devil Ultra Vision Turbo MO87300 • Dyson DC07 All Floors (DC07 Animal) • Dyson DC14 Complete (DC14 Animal, DC14 All Floors) • Dyson DC15 The Ball All Floors (DC15 The Ball Animal) • Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal • Dyson DC18 Slim • Electrolux Intensity EL5020A • Electrolux Oxygen3 EL5035A • Eureka Altima 2981 • Eureka Boss 4D 5892AVZ (Boss 4D 5892BVZ) • Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870[ ] • Eureka Optima 431BX • Halo UVX • Hoover Fold Away Widepath U5175-900 • Hoover Elite Rewind U5507-900 • Hoover EmPower U5262-910 (EmPower U5265-900, EmPower U5269-900) • Hoover Tempo Widepath U5140-900 • Hoover WindTunnel Bagless Self Propelled U6630-900 (WindTunnel Bagless Self-Propelled U6634-900) • Hoover WindTunnel Bagless U5753-900 (WindTunnel Bagless U5760-900, WindTunnel Bagless U5753-960) • Hoover WindTunnel Cyclonic U5780-900 • Hoover WindTunnel Self Propelled Ultra U6439-900 (WindTunnel Self Propelled Ultra Turbo U6436-900) • Hoover WindTunnel Supreme U5458-900 (WindTunnel Supreme U5468-900) • Kenmore (Sears) Progressive with Direct Drive 35922 (Progressive with Direct Drive 35923) • Kenmore (Sears) Progressive with Direct Drive 36932 (Progressive with Direct Drive 36933) • Kirby Sentria • Koblenz U610-ZN • Panasonic AeroBlast MC-UL975 • Panasonic Performance Plus Platinum MC-V5241 (Performance Plus Platinum MC-UG585) • Riccar Brilliance Premium (Simplicity Synchrony Premium) • Riccar Radiance (Simplicity Synergy) • Riccar SupraLite RSL3 (Simplicity Freedom F3500) • Riccar Supralite RSL4 (Simplicity Freedom F3600) • Sanyo Performax SC-A116 • Sanyo SC-H2000 • Sebo Automatic X4

Canister vacuum cleaners
Aerus Lux Guardian C154E • Aerus Lux Legacy C153C • Bosch Formula Electro Duo Hepa BSG71360UC • Dyson Stowaway DC-21 • Electrolux Harmony EL6985B • Electrolux Oxygen EL6988D • Electrolux TwinClean EL7055B (TwinClean EL7055BZ) • Filter Queen Majestic 360 AT1100 • Hoover Constellation S3345 • Hoover Duros S3590 • Hoover WindTunnel Bagless S3765-040 (WindTunnel Bagless S3755) • Kenmore (Sears) Progressive 27514 (Progressive 27515) • Kenmore (Sears) Progressive 27614 (Progressive 27615) • Kenmore (Sears) Progressive 27914 (Progressive 27915) • Metropolitan ADM-4PNHSF • Miele Callisto S5280 • Miele Direct Connect S514 • Miele Plus 1200W S251 • Oreck Dutch Tech DTX1400B • Rainbow e-series E2 • Riccar 1700 (Simplicity S36) • Sanitaire System Pro SP6952 • Sebo Air Belt C3.1 • Thane H2O SA861-80