Fantom FM239 Thunderbolt Canister Vac

by Euro-Pro

Product Features

• Lightweight 12-amp canister vacuum with motorized power head
• Head has 15-inch cleaning path, headlight, adjustable height
• True HEPA filter removes 99.97 percent of airborne particles
• Convenient bagless design; adjustable telescoping handle
• Three on-board tools; automatic cord retraction

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 18.2 x 13.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 25.8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000070IBH
• Item model number: FM239
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,262,589 in Home & Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The 12-amp Fantom Thunderbolt canister vacuum is lightweight and quiet, but it also packs a lot of power into its very user-friendly design. The vacuum’s motorized power head has a wide, 15-inch cleaning path with a headlight to illuminate the cleaning area. Additionally, a lever on the head lets you manually adjust it to varying carpet heights. The chrome telescoping handle also adjusts to the height of the user, preventing back strain from bending while vacuuming. The Thunderbolt features a convenient bagless design that traps debris within an easy-to-empty transparent dust cup. A HEPA filter within the dust cup effectively removes 99.97 percent of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, leaving fewer irritants and allergens within the home.

At 26 pounds, this vacuum travels easily and its wide wheels make it especially sturdy for vacuuming on stairs. The Thunderbolt has three on-board tools—a crevice tool, an upholstery attachment, and a dusting brush—to cover a wide range of cleaning needs throughout the house. In addition, large power and cord retraction buttons on the top of the unit are accessible by foot while you’re gripping the handle. --Cristina Vaamonde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Power Great Value yes it's plastic and looks like it I still love this vacuum, October 21, 2005

By 

helena motel owner "helena" (Nevada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantom FM239 Thunderbolt Canister Vac (Kitchen)

My husband bought a Kirby It's to heavy to lug around the motel and to change attachments is to cumbersome.I do the maid work at our motel and it's just not practical.I also have a 18 month old son that tosses food all over about 3 times a day. I really wanted a light vacuum I can carry with ease and a bag less one with HEPA filter I also needed it to be a canister type vacuum so I have easy access to the tube to quickly clean blinds,floor edges kick boards fans and so on.I live in the desert and we get a lot of alkaline dust weeping in true windows and while using a upright I can never get any of those areas done.
This vacuum lifts the wall to wall carpet up as much as the Kirby does I can vacuum faster with it.
In a snap I can take the head off to use the tube to suck up chunks of food.
I give this vacuum 5 stars because it's a great value at $139 it does not look expensive I however did not get it to look at it to me this is a work tool and I read other reviews saying it tipped over on them never had that problem those people must be stressed out other complaints was that this vacuum clogged up I belive that when you have a bag less you have to empty the can and shake the filter out after every use or your filter will get humid and clogged up with funk in no time resulting in bad suction.
I simply tap the filter against the trash can liner when I empty the dust can and it does not stick but falls right out .I love this vacuum works well for me if i get 2yrs out of it I think it would be money very well spent.
I think the bad reviews this vacuum got was from people with unrealistic expectations It is plastic it is a budget vacuum not a Kirby but for me I am parking my Kirby in the tool shed this one is just a better vacuum for me.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very poor quality plastic, April 15, 2003

By 

Sylvester (san francisco, ca USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantom FM239 Thunderbolt Canister Vac (Kitchen)

I had the previous Phantom vaccuum - the Lightning which was great. This one is so cheap and poorly put together. The unit is so loud, suction fair at best, and the plastic handle feels like it will snap at any moment.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm quite pleased with mine..., April 15, 2005

By 

JD (St. Louis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantom FM239 Thunderbolt Canister Vac (Kitchen)

I have a Fantom Fury, but wanted a cannister vac. I've had good luck with Fantom products in the past, and thought this vacuum might just fill the ticket. It did. The suction is great, the power head does an excellent job. My experience has been in line with that of the "Kid's Review" above.

I'm sorry to see the negative reviews -- I noticed they are from 2003 and 2004 so maybe EuroPro/Fantom took it to heart and did some improvements, as mine is a rather solid unit, and cleans very well. I'll admit, it does have a tendency to want to tip if I try to pull it around too far, but I counter that by pulling it along closer from time to time.

Very pleased.