Living with two dogs and a cat means my life is a constant battle against a tidal wave of pet hair, dust, and dander. For years, I struggled with vacuums that promised the world but only seemed to push dirt around, especially on my thick, plush carpets. The frustration of seeing lingering fur after a full cleaning session was immense. I knew I needed a serious upgrade to a machine that could truly deep clean and capture allergens, otherwise, my home would never feel genuinely fresh.
A canister vacuum cleaner is designed for homeowners who need versatility and power. Unlike upright models, the separate canister and hose design allows for easier cleaning of stairs, upholstery, drapes, and hard-to-reach areas like ceiling corners and under furniture. The main unit sits on the floor while you maneuver a lightweight wand, reducing arm strain during long cleaning sessions. They are often more powerful and feature more robust filtration systems than their stick or upright counterparts.
The ideal customer for a canister vacuum is someone with a multi-surface home, including carpets, hardwood floors, and stairs. If you suffer from allergies or have pets, a model with a sealed HEPA filtration system and specialized motorized attachments is particularly beneficial. However, this style of vacuum may not be for everyone. If you live in a small apartment with limited storage space or prefer the grab-and-go convenience of a cordless stick vacuum for quick cleanups, a canister model might feel too cumbersome. Before you buy, consider factors like the unit’s weight and maneuverability, the length of the cord and hose, the type of filtration, and the included attachments to ensure it meets your specific cleaning needs.
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A Closer Look at the Kenmore 81714
The Kenmore 81714 Bundle Ultra Plush Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum is presented as a comprehensive solution for tough cleaning challenges, particularly in homes with pets and deep-pile carpeting. It promises exceptional cleaning power through a combination of strong suction and specialized tools. The main draw is its motorized Pet PowerMate attachment, designed to lift stubborn pet hair, and an Ultra Plush nozzle that uses advanced airflow to clean even the thickest carpets effectively. This model is for the homeowner who needs uncompromising deep-cleaning power and is willing to handle a larger, more substantial machine. It is not for those seeking a lightweight, quick-cleanup tool.
Pros:
* Exceptional suction power for deep cleaning carpets.
* Motorized Pet PowerMate is highly effective on pet hair.
* HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of dust and allergens.
* Long, retractable power cord provides excellent reach.
* Variable power settings for different surfaces.
Cons:
* The canister is quite heavy and bulky.
* Maneuverability can be challenging; it tends to tip over rather than roll smoothly.
* Durability of plastic components is a concern for long-term use.
* The design of the wand can prevent it from fitting under low furniture.
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A Deep Dive into Features and Performance
After using this vacuum for an extended period, I’ve developed a thorough understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. It’s a machine of contrasts: incredibly powerful in some aspects, yet frustratingly flawed in others.
Suction Power and Overall Cleaning
The core strength of this Kenmore canister vacuum is its raw power. The first time you turn it on, you can feel the immense suction. The double-wall design works as advertised, maintaining strong and steady airflow as the bag fills. On my plush carpets, where pet hair and dust love to hide, the main Ultra Plush nozzle is a game-changer. You can literally see it pulling the carpet fibers up and extracting dirt that my previous vacuums left behind. It’s deeply satisfying to see a truly clean floor. The variable power control is also a fantastic feature. I can dial down the suction for delicate area rugs without fear of sucking them into the nozzle, then crank it back up for the high-traffic hallway carpet.
The Pet PowerMate: A Pet Owner’s Best Friend
For anyone with pets, the motorized Pet PowerMate attachment alone might be worth the price of admission. This is not a flimsy, air-driven tool that stalls when it meets resistance. This is a true, motorized brush head that aggressively agitates carpet and upholstery fibers to dislodge embedded hair, dander, and dirt. I use it on the dog beds, the carpeted stairs, and the cat tree, and the results are consistently impressive. It restores the look of the fabric and removes allergens effectively. It’s a small but mighty tool that tackles the biggest headache for pet owners.
Air Quality and HEPA Filtration
As someone who is sensitive to dust, air quality is a top priority. The sealed HEPA filter system in this machine is excellent. After vacuuming, the air in the room smells cleaner, not dusty like with older, poorly sealed vacuums. It captures an incredible 99.97% of particles, which provides peace of mind that I’m not just kicking allergens back into the air. The bagged design is also beneficial for trapping dust. However, this brings me to a notable issue. While the bag itself contains the mess, I’ve found that the compartment seal isn’t perfect. When it’s time to change the bag, a fine layer of dust often coats the inside of the canister, which can make for a messy changeover if you’re not careful.
Maneuverability and Design Quirks
This is where my praise for the Kenmore 81714 becomes more measured. The machine is heavy, weighing in at nearly 30 pounds. While the Swivel+ Steering system sounds good on paper, in practice, the canister is cumbersome. Instead of gracefully following me around corners, it often gets stuck or simply tips over with a thud, requiring me to stop and right it. Pulling it across thick carpet requires a significant amount of effort.
Furthermore, there are a couple of baffling design choices. The headlight on the power head, which is meant to be helpful, is mounted in a way that increases the head’s vertical profile. This prevents the wand from getting under my sofa, coffee table, or bed frame, forcing me to move furniture or use a different attachment to clean those areas. Another frustration is that while you can connect the power head directly to the handle for cleaning upholstery, the handle lacks the locking clip that the wand has. This means you can push the tool, but the moment you pull back, it falls off. These may seem like small issues, but they add up to make the cleaning process more laborious than it needs to be.
Durability and Longevity Concerns
Over time, I’ve become concerned about the long-term durability of this canister vacuum. While the motor feels robust, many of the functional components are made of brittle-feeling plastic. The latch for the on-board tool storage compartment feels flimsy, and I’ve read numerous accounts from other users about critical plastic parts—like the front wheel or the canister’s main closing latch—cracking and breaking. A failure of a tiny plastic piece can render the entire machine useless, which is a major concern for a product at this price point. This reliance on breakable plastic parts is the machine’s most significant Achilles’ heel.
What Other Users Are Saying
After scouring the internet, I found my experience was not unique. Many users echo my praise for the vacuum’s phenomenal suction power and its effectiveness against pet hair. However, my complaints are also common. A significant number of reviews mention the unit’s excessive weight and poor maneuverability as major drawbacks. The most worrying trend among long-term owners is the frequent breaking of various plastic parts, leading to frustration and, in some cases, a completely non-functional vacuum in just a couple of years.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
The persistent problem of deep-seated pet hair and allergens in thick carpets is a challenge that requires a powerful solution. The Kenmore 81714 is undeniably a fantastic fit for this problem, offering incredible suction and specialized tools that deliver a truly deep clean. Its HEPA filtration system also ensures the air in your home stays fresh. However, this power comes at the cost of convenience and questionable long-term durability. If you prioritize raw cleaning performance above all else and are prepared to handle a heavy, sometimes awkward machine, this vacuum could be an excellent choice for you. Click here to check the price and see if its powerful features outweigh the drawbacks for your home cleaning needs.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API