Performance
Excellent multi-surface performance. In testing at ConsumerReports.org, the Kenmore Elite 31150 earns a Very Good for performance on carpets and for picking up pet hair, an Excellent for bare floor cleaning. It also gets top scores for emissions and total airflow, but just a Good rating for noise. At Reviewed.com, Jonathan Chan says it was the one of the loudest vacuums they tested. Still, we saw few complaints from owners. Still, Chan makes this bagged upright one of the highest rated vacuums on his site, giving it an overall rating of 8.7 out of 10 and honoring it with both an Editors’ Choice and Best of Year award. The 31150 earns those kudos via its acing of the dirt test, being equally effecting in sucking up small particles of debris and larger bits, like macaroni.
Features
Some nice extras for the price. With a four-position pile-height adjustment, included pet hair attachment, crevice tool and telescoping wand, there’s not too many places you can’t clean with the Kenmore 31150. The dirt sensor lights up until an area is completely clean, so you’ll know when you can move on, or when you need to keep going over one spot. A HEPA filter is included.
Ease of use
Heavy — and maybe a bit top-heavy, too. The Kenmore Elite 31150 weighs 21 pounds, and in professional testing that impacts its overall rating; in one it gets only a Good for handling. In spite of his praise for its cleaning abilities, Chan doesn’t have a lot of nice things to say about its handling; he notes that it’s heavy, doesn’t fit under most furniture, and tends to tip when the extension hose is used. He also says it’s self-propelled, but it’s not. He may be confused because of the strength of the pull of the brushroll; we saw several user reviewer say it seems as if it pulls itself along. However, that powerful suction can also make it hard to pull backwards, another issue that Chan highlights as a con. We also saw a few users also complain about that tippage issue, but very few seem to have an issue with its weight. Some would prefer if the 12-foot extension hose were a bit longer, but that’s actually quite generous. It has a 35 foot cord, too, which gives it a pretty long reach.
Durability/maintenance
Kenmore is built to last. While this Kenmore may be a beast, it endures like a beast as well. We saw virtually no complaints about any durability issues at all. The 31150 uses Kenmore 53293 HEPA Vacuum Bags (Est. $10 for a 2-pack). It’s beltless, which means there’s one less part to break or have to be replaced.
Specs
