Pros: All the basics plus tools, HEPA filter, long cord, great price, and CORD RETRACT.
Cons: My only wish was that is was a bit easier to push & pull.
The Bottom Line: GREAT BUY. Bag-equipped powerful upright, under $150, cord retract, HEPA, brush on/off switch with easy to use tools & on the lighter end of vacs.
spot28's Full Review: Panasonic MC-V7312 Bagged Upright Vacuum
Seven years ago I was in the market for a new vacuum and purchased strictly on what Consumer Reports listed as a "Best Buy." The write-up on that vacuum (Sharp Big Wheel) was accurate-- it was quiet & easy to push. However it was clear that if they had used it daily they wouldn't have found it such a bargain. The belt came off on each and every use and required a screwdriver and about 15 minutes to correct. When it finally bit the dust I was so grateful to be in the market for a new one.
I again referenced Consumer Reports but didn't take their word blindly. After reading their review & their "Key Features" it was clear what I needed: an upright (better overall for carpets) with tools on board, bags instead of bagless (less messy, better for allergies), and with a switch to turn on & off the rotating brush for floors (I have hardwood floors also). I was in the market to pay $150 or less. Their "Best Buy" Eureka 4870 seemed like the perfect match. But after further consideration it was not the right choice for me- it was HEAVY (24 lbs.), hard to pull, and reviews on Amazon showed repeated users complained of the belt breaking frequently. Not THAT again! Further down the list I found others that were "noisy" or "hard to push & pull." Didn't seem like better alternatives. So, I used what they considered "Key Features" and ventured on my own.
I found the Panasonic MC-V7312 (not reviewed in CR) and immediately was interested. Looks good, not too heavy, tools on board and then I saw the cord retract feature!! No more looping the cord around and around and around. I have not found this feature on any other upright. We purchased it and I didn't realize what I have been missing! Right from the box it was easy to put together, just attach handle and tighten 1 screw.
1. Power- 12 Amps, maximum for uprights.
2. Cord is long! I had not realized the benefit of this feature. Cord length is 28 feet, I can now do multiple rooms without having to plug/unplug. AND the cord retracts by the push of a pedal. (CR Key Feature). So easy!!
3. Automatic height adjustment. (Don't need to manually specify low pile, shag, etc... CR actually recommends manual adjustment. )
4. Edge cleaning
5. Motor protector- another feature I did not know I needed. When the hose becomes blocked (i.e. wand grabs a curtain, for example.) Instead of just the motor going high-pitched and overheating, it automatically opens to protect the motor. This is actually quite common on uprights nowadays but not all have it.
6. Foot pedal to turn off agitating brush for floors and tools. (CR Key Feature). Caveat: manual suggests you turn off the vacuum prior to switching off the agitator to preserve belt life. This makes it not as seamless to go from straight vacuuming to tool use, but I'll settle for that. My prior vacuum did not have this feature and often the cord became sucked up in the rotating brush as I used the tools. This is what finally did the vacuum "in".
7. Tools: hose, 2 wands, crevice tool, and dusting brush. There is a hose ring mount which prevents the vacuum from tipping while using tools. Tools are also "quick draw" meaning you can release the wand and it has suction immediately; some vacs require you to insert the wand into an area usually under a small hatch before they are functional. Total reach is 11 feet.
*Deluxe off board Panasonic tools can be purchased separately include: 12ft. hose, 2 extra wands, crevice tool, upholstery tool, dusting brush, and deluxe horsehair floor brush for $30.
8. HEPA filter- 7-Stage filtration helps to remove allergens, irritants, and pollutants. Manual recommends replacing yearly.
9. Uses bags. (CR Key Feature). After reading Consumer Reports review of bagless vacs and the amount of dust released into the air after dumping the dirt cup I preferred the traditional bag vacuum. I found the bags for this model as cheap as $.80/bag.
10. Lower plate does not require tools to remove! Yippee!! Now if the belt comes off I no longer have to hunt for the Phillips Screwdriver. (Has yet to come off.)
11. Headlight. No need to explain.
12. On/Off switch is on the body. CR recommends it being on the handle or floor pedal, but I have not found this to be a problem.
13. 14" cleaning width. I've seen other vacs with a bit more at 15" and others with less.
14. Warranty: Your basic 1 year parts & labor.
But how did it work? I am not sure if any vacuum is truly quiet... but this one is definitely not noisy; I was able to speak to my husband without shouting while vacuuming. With a two-story home I need to be able to lug the thing up and down myself... and I can do that-- and I am a wimp. My bathroom scale weighs it in around 18 pounds. Pushing and pulling isn't "hard" but I think it could be a bit easier. My former vac was better in that respect, but I wouldn't trade this new one in for some of the other heavier, louder vacs or ones with fewer features. And YES it had suction ... left carpets and everything else clean, clean, clean.
Very pleased. Considering there are thousands of models of vacuums at a wide range of prices I think to find a vac with these key features and more at such a low price is like finding lost treasure.
[CR Key Features this model does not have, but I didn't seem to mind:
-Power switch on handle or floor pedal (on body instead)
-Full bag alert
-Manual pile adjustment
-Suction control to adjust for various fabrics.. I didn't see that on any models in my price range.]
UPDATE 4/04: Almost a year later, I have not had any problems with the vacuum and the belt has NEVER come off!
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