Customer Reviews

Electrolux Oxygen Canister Vacuum Cleaner, EL6988E

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(27)
1 star:		(34)

 

 

I was quite confused when I first started doing research on electorlux. My mother, and her mother, have always owned electrolux vacuums. This electrolux is not the same company that has been doing business in the U.S. under the electrolux name in the past. The old electrolux has changed their name to Aerus Electrolux.
Electrolux is an international company that states on their website "Electrolux is the world's largest producer of appliances and equipment for kitchen, cleaning and outdoor use." In the United States they do business under the familiar names: Eureka, Frigidaire, Poulan, Weed Eater, and now thier upscale brand Electrolux.

OK, on to the vacuum. I bought mine after much research at Lowe's. While opening and putting the thing together, a small clip that holds the power head on the shaft broke off. I called the company and they said they would send me a new piece with out much hassle, but then got a call back 15 minutes later saying that since the product was so new, it might take 2 months to send me a replacement part and suggested I just return it for a new one to Lowe's. My over all experience with thier customer support leads me to beleive that I won't have too many problems dealing with them in the future.

My second vacuum unpacked fine and after a couple uses I'm quite satisfied with it's performance. The carpet powerhead does very well on my rugs, and even does ok on hard floors. The hard floor attachment is more than a foot wide and makes quick work of the hard wood in my house but is so wide you have to switch it for the corner tool to get around most furnature. I was impressed with the suction from the vacuum, even before I noticed that I only had it turned up half way :) So I'll try to sum up the pros and cons.

Pro:
Cool looking
Nice cord length and roll up storage
Wide reach on the attachments
Small size of the canister
Does a good job of sucking up small stuff
Bags are just more than $1 each (for the standard bags)
Easily turn on and off the roller on the power head
Both the hard floor attachment, and the power head easily go under beds and couches

Con:
Hard to deteach the hose from the canister for storage
Power head won't work on bath mats

I'll post again in a few months when I see how it's holding up.

Well, I have to revise my review, which is listed below. I posted that review just after I bought the Oxygen in 2005. It worked fine for four years, so I guess I got my money's worth, if you think it's worth $100 a year. Then the plastic handle just melted -- I kept smelling a burning smell as I was vacuuming, and thought at first it was the engine, but then I saw the plastic was red-hot and literally melting near the handle, where the attachment plugs into the handle. I took it to an Electrolux store to get it fixed and they said (a) it's not really Electrolux, it's a Eureka, and (b) it would cost several hundred dollars to repair it. So I bought a really nice Panasonic canister vacuum from Amazon, the Panasonic MC-CG885, that seems to be working well so far (knock wood)... It has a metal hose, so at least that can't melt.

Here's my original review:

My main complaint with other vacuum cleaners I've had (and I've had many -- Kenmores, Eurekas, Hoovers, you name it) is that they're heavy, and loud. The Oxygen is lightweight (it weighs a mere 13 pounds, as opposed to most other cleaners, which weigh at least 20 pounds) and very quiet. But it's very powerful, has great suction, and almost breaks away and cleans on its own when you turn on the carpet feature. It's very easy to switch between carpet and bare floor, since the control is on the handle. The only drawback: the bare-floor brush attachment doesn't attach very well -- it should snap on, but it doesn't, so it tends to come off sometimes. But that's nothing compared to all the wonderful things there are about this neat little vacuum cleaner. Definitely worth the extra money.

By the way, I used to own an Electrolux, the real kind that's made in the USA, and although it was a good vacuum cleaner it weighed a ton and was difficult to lug around different rooms. I'd much rather have this lighter-weight Swedish model, esp. since it's half the price of the American Electrolux.

I bought this vaccum after developing allergies for the first time. My parents have had an elextrolux for the past 25 years and it has always worked great. Although Eureka is now making these electrolux vaccums I expect that in order to preserve the integrity of the name they will make every effort to make sure this product line is up to standard, and I think they have succeded in this regard.
Contrary to the other reviews I took my vaccum home and was able to connect all of the pieces by myself without any problems. The bags are small, but so is the vaccum. If you want bigger bags chose an upright, but beware, the hepa filtration on those units is not as good. The filter and bags are easy to acess. The power head is very sturdy but has a little trouble standing on its own- it can do it, but will fall down with the slightest breeze.
The vaccum is very quiet. To test the suction I first vaccumed with my old vaccum and then revaccumed with this one. I was very impressed. I could hear every piece of sand and crumb climbing up the hose- and there was a lot!!! It even has a light so you can vaccum in the dark, or in a dark corner. The head seems to move itself effortlessly across the room.
If you are considering this machine, don't be afraid of the other reviews. I did not experience their woes.

I researched for a long time before deciding to purchase a vacuum. I went to the store to buy a Hoover, and came out with this Electrolux after my husband and a store employee convinced me it was a better vacuum. I got it because of the Electrolux name and the $100 rebate. Well, from the moment I put it together, I was sceptical of the way the pieces fit together. When you start the rug attachment, it takes off on you, which is kind of cool. It also cleans my carpets wonderfully! I don't like the way the bare floor and other attachments just sit on it instead of attaching securely. I also find that the bare floor attachment doesn't have much sucking power. I have also had trouble getting the rug attachment off. You have to step on something on it, and pull. For me, it isn't easy, plus it seems as though it will eventually just break off. A few months ago, the rug attachment wouldn't work and I discovered that a prong that is part of the handle connections was bent. Well a few weeks
ago, it snapped right off and I had to bring it to a repair facility. Luckily it is still under warranty. But I have only owned it for about 8 months and I only use it once a week. It shouldn't be broken already. They just don't make vacuums as sturdy as they used to be. We have a very old real Electrolux that was given to us, used, by my husbands parents and it still
works. Of course it is held together buy a shoestring and lots of duck tape! I also have trouble with the rug attachment sucking up things like the cover for the couch and then shutting off. It is very powerful so beware. I still haven't gotten my vacuum back from the repair place, and they told me it might take a while depending on when Electrolux sends them the parts to fix it. I also have trouble finding the bags for it. Our old Electrolux, had bags you could find really cheap at any store, but not this one. I would not recommend this vacuum.

I looked around for a decent canister vacuum, and decided to spend a little extra for the Electrolux name. I thought Hoover was too unrefined ($100-$200 range), and I didn't want to spend over $500 for a mid-range Miele, so perhaps Electrolux was a good compromise and I had one before that lasted over 7 years.

Let's start with the pros. First, the vacuum looks nice, modern, and refined. Compared to our out-going model, a $200 Sears-Kenmore brand, it is quieter and seems to have better suction. I also appreciate how the bags have a cardboard lid that closes when removing.

Now the cons. The nice looks are not backed up by quality parts - the creaky plastic wand easily bends or deforms when pushing it into the main handle, sometimes causing the metal attachments points to bend. Eventually, after a few bends, the metal attachments broke off, and a new wand was not covered under the manufacturer warranty.

The handle's plastic slider that controls suction is not air-tight, so on full suction you can still hear the air leak out. Thankfully, if I play around with the slider and place it about 1/8 inch from full suction, it seems to keep the air in. Speaking of handle, I would have tremendously appreciated a power on/off switch (for the entire vacuum) on the handle - you only get an on/off switch for the head.

The attachments that are on the canister body fall off constantly since they are curiously and inconveniently placed at the end of the body, where the exhaust is. If you ever place the canister upright, you know what I'm talking about (which is probably why the pictures don't ever show the attachments on the canister body).

The vacuum head started to split, and I'm pretty sure we did not drop it or hit it against anything. I was able to snap it back into place, but ironically, within a short time, the belt broke so I had to unscrew and snap open the head to replace it.

I have owned this vacuum for about 2 years, and although the head is making unusual high-pitched noises that it didn't make before, I'm giving it 2 stars since I'm grateful it's still alive after spending over $400. My next vacuum... definately *not* an Electrolux :-)

After much research and reading these reviews, I decided to order the EL6988A to replace an old Kenmore canister. I found a much better price than the standard prices listed on most websites so research is important. My new vacuum arrived in one day with no shipping cost. To use a format used by another user which I found quite helpful:

Pro's
Very eary to set up - took less than 5 minutes. Bag and filter already in machine
Light weight and easy to carry
Good power and suction control right at the handle
Washable HEPA filter (they say good for 2 - 3 years)
Well rated for control of dust, pollen and other irritants
Large floor attachment (along with other attachments)

Con's
Small bag - but as someone said the cost is around $1.00 per bag which is not too bad
Attachments do not fit inside the machine (this is obviously due to the compact size of the vacuum which makes it light). A little inconvenient if you use attachments all the time.

Overall, it is a very good value with good features when compared to the prices for some of the other higher-end vacuums.

My wife had purchased a Fantom Lightning Vac some 3 or 4 years ago and had nothing but trouble with it almost from the beginning but for sure after the warranty had expired. After searching the market and being disappointed with the quality of today's vacuums, She remarked that her old Electrolux lasted for more than 20 years and that she should just get another one. Well, we found it on Amazon.Com and read the reviews to which we agreed that some people just aren't mechanically inclined and disregarded the negatives. We purchased the model 6988A and once again, my wife is very pleased with her vacuuming machine. The quality is built in and the performance really satisfies her. Thanks, Electrolux, for building products that our loving spouses like. Well worth the monies.

I have had this vacuum about one year. I gave it a favorable review before... but...It has literally fallen apart. The hose connection (the little prongs that fit together) has snapped off, so the beater head doesn't work. It has poor suction. The pile height adjustment is difficult to step through, and never seemingly the correct height for bare floors or carpet. If you have it adjusted incorrectly at all it will not pick up anything. You have to be sure to cut off the beater head motor before going to bare floors or it shoots particals out the back and across the floor. It also has an uncomfortable handle, it kind of seperates and is very irritating to hold.
I have tried to order a new part for the electrical connector and cannot find anyone who understands what I am talking about. I ordered a couple connectors on line based on a very cryptic outline of the machine, and none that arrive were the correct ones. I am looking for another brand now. I am tired of fooling around with it. I like cannisters for stair cleaning and bare floor to carpet transistions. I hear Kenmore is good. Anyone know about them?

Having earned my pocket money as a maid during high school and college, I have used many vacuum cleaners that are difficult to lug around and just don't do what they're supposed to do. I have had my Oxygen 6988A for almost a year, and I think I vacuum more than I ever did, because it is so easy to use. I probably use this vacuum every other day. It's light weight, so I don't dread pulling it out of the closet. This vacuum also comes with the widest floor brush I have ever had, so it only takes a few minutes to zoom around the bare floors in the house and pick up all the pet hair. I shopped for a good price on line, and I am very impressed with what I got for the money compared to other vacuums that cost significantly more. This machine has a HEPA filter, a power brush for carpets, and the dusting brush and floor brush are horsehair rather than nylon. You pay extra for those features with some other brands. Very satisfied.

My purchase of this product turned into a nightmare. I bought the product because it was a Consumer Reports "best buy". After using it 2 or 3 times, something broke in the rug attachment. I called the brand's customer service number and the automated system provided names of 2 repair facilities. One never returned my call and the other said they couldn't help me after telling me on the phone that they could and to bring the vacuum in. I called customer service a second time to speak to a rep who gave me two additional names of service centers to call. Both said they only dealt with central vac systems. I called a third time to see how I could return the product because there didn't appear to be any service options in my city. I was given the name of yet another service center. I told her I just wanted to return the item and she asked if I had tried changing the belt. I was incredulous. Why would I try that after owning the product for a month? There were no return options so I tried the 5th service center. This one was able to help me, but told me it might be a month before the part came in because the company was slow to ship. In the course of my desperate search for service, I found out that the vacuum is really a "Eureka", not a true Electrolux like some higher-end models. Now that I've used the "repaired" vacuum a few more times, the motor already sounds like it's getting louder and clanky. I'm sure I'll be replacing it as soon as the warranty period expires. My experience with this product and company has been frustrating, disappointing and a horrible waste of time. It's definitely been one of the worst purchases I've ever made. Stay away!