Vacuum cleaners are like cars; every time a new one comes out it manages to get our attention. When the Oreck XL came out, it revolutionized our expectations of upright vacuum cleaners. The most notable feature was weight. Up to this point you needed a heavy upright Eureka or Hoover to get the results necessary to achieve the results we desired of our vacuum cleaners. Let’s face it; cleaning can be hard enough without having to heap the burden of a heavy cumbersome vacuum on top of that!

A Closer Look

At an amazing 8 pounds, the Oreck XL Ultra is an unassuming looking appliance. At first look it appears flimsy but that impression is soon obliterated once you get a chance to wield its double helix brushes on your carpets surfaces! Oreck claims the air moves around at the rate of a category II hurricane, moving air in the chamber at over 100 mph. That is a more sensational claim than it is impressive as many fans in uprights have the capability to outperform that figure. It is the smaller footprint that the airs about that gives the Oreck XL Ultra the capability to outperform others in its class!

Another notable feature of the Oreck XL Ultra is its built in capability to remove allergens from the air in your home, virtually elimination foul odors form coming out of your bag when starting it up, unlike most conventional machines. The reason is David Orecks patented 7 layer hypoallergenic outer bag that virtually eliminates 99.9% of all allergens down to 3 microns, eleven times better than the industry standard. Now, understandably, that is a vague claim but the 67 square inches of filtration surface on the bag have yet to perform other than promised by the manufacturer. To make matters even better, the bag throat docks to the machine with a tight rubber Saniseal assuring no contents of the bag will escape back into the air all but virtually eliminating the incidence of stale air, dander all the while inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside the patented Microban bag. Used correctly, the Oreck XL Ultra can be the best thing you can do for loved ones that suffer from allergies.

I came to purchase the Oreck XL Ultra at a dramatically reduced price at a retirement sale and have not regretted it since. I purchased the Oreck to make our office more conducive to easier breathing for some of our staff during heavy pollen seasons in the Northeast. I insist our cleaning contractor use it exclusively and am happy to supply it to them. Our staff has had lower incidences of sick calls and they have remarked about the air being very comfortable to work in, score!

The 2 speed motor is ideal for use in the home. You can dial it down to a lower speed to clean all your throw rugs without having to fish them out of the roller. The lower power setting is also fabulous for hardwood, linoleum floors in addition to delicate carpeting. The higher speeds really beat the carpet nicely, shaking the loose particles of dirt from deep in the pile. I tried it on a remnant in my basement, purposely leaving sandy silt underneath to see just how powerful it was. After half a dozen passes, about 30% of the silt had been sucked through the backing of carpet. You can expect similar results at home depending on the type of application, knowing that regular use will keep much of the loose dirt from getting underneath the rug lessening the possibility of damage to the carpets backing. We have all seen the ads with David Oreck lifting a bowling ball; well I am here to tell you it works. The dirt simply hasn’t a chance!

If you weren’t impressed enough, the ergonomic “Helping Hand” handle makes using the Oreck easy in that its looped shape allows for Oreck to be suitable for any user. The Power switch is located on the handle adding yet another convenience. Folks with arthritis will love this one as you do not have to clench the handle to maneuver it.

Negotiating the Oreck XL Ultra around your living room is made easy by virtue of its weight and design. Its low profile facilitates the Oreck XL Ultra going after dirt under the lowest of clearances making it ideal for cleaning under sofas and lower cabinet heights. The handle can literally ride the floor as you perform thorough cleaning without moving furniture around. The thirty foot cord is longer than most conventional units but falls short of commercial units which utilize 50 foot lengths.

Okay, so we have a light, ultra performing unit that will eliminate allergens in your home; can it get better? The answer is a resounding yes. The manufacturer claims the Oreck XL Ultra uses 1/3 of the electricity than any most other motors running quieter as well. I will attest that the sound levels underway are far less annoying than I remember with a Eureka.

In Summary

The Oreck XL Ultra is one of those products that you are glad you spent your hard earned money on. Not only does it perform beyond your expectations, it is a well thought out smartly designed appliance that will serve you well for many years to come. The company backs the product with a 30 day full money back 8 year manufacturer’s warranty! It is rare when a manufacturer really puts his commitment to his product on the line where it counts, customer service, remember that? Apparently David Oreck does.


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 299.00