Kenmore 23813 Progressive PowerMate Bagged Canister Vacuum

Pros: Variable suction power, telescopic wand, HEPA filtration, power, versatility
Cons: Flimsy on-board tool cover, expensive (but well worth it)

The Search for the Perfect Vacuum Cleaner Begins . . . Early in the fall, my nine-year-old Hoover Runabout upright bit the dust. Not bad for an $89 vacuum cleaner. During those nine years, a lot has changed: I purchased my first home three years ago ...

Pros: nice color
Cons: it doesn't work

Wife did not want a bagless, and reviews were good for these type of Kenmores. We found this to be a pain to use - try pushing a rope, and to lug around and store. It vacuumed fine, but the light burned out with some enthusiasm. Not under warranty, I replaced about 10 bulbs in a year. Finally took it into Sears; they found nothing wrong. I suspect it was the voltage. Last week while using it, the light blew out and all power to the lower unit cut off. Now, out of warranty by 3 months. The thing is too big for a decent decoy weight.

Pros: When it's not in the shop it does a great job
Cons: To many cheap plastic parts in critical places.

Purchased 11-29-03 After 2 months the wheels on the power-mate were wore out.
A week in the shop for wheels and wheel mount replacement.
The plastic wheels snap to a plastic stud. Dirt gets in and acts as sandpaper to grind them down.
Another 2 months and the 360 swivel head started cracking causing unit to power on and off..Another week in the shop for replacement.
Called to buy the 2 year extended warranty ,but since it is used they want over a Hundred dollars now.
If you do buy it new, get the warranty for 49.95.
The wheels on the canister looks like they will be next.

Pros: powerful suction, easy access to tools
Cons: Breaks breaks breaks. shoddy construction.

14 days after the one year warranty ran out the plug detached itself from the wire and the elbow piece on the power head cracked and could not be used. Three months after getting that fixed the hose detached from the main body in a way that it shorted out a part of the motor. After spending $200 + two years ago, another $100 six months ago this thing is going in the trash.

Pros: Nice features, good price
Cons: Made with the cheapest quality plastic that just falls apart

After looking at all the expensive machines ex. Miele, Dyson etc. my cleaning service suggested a Kenmore as a reliable product. She said she has one and it works well. I purchased it two months ago. Nice features at a fair price and so on.

Well after four uses the machine is falling apart. The slide switch that controls the suction just broke off. Sears receipt claims they will take back any product you are not happy with in a reasonable amount of time. They are getting it back tomorrow.

P.S. Now the same person tells me "well, yes it works okay, but I have it into service about once a month."

Run don't walk away from this machine.

Pros: suction
Cons: cheap attachments

Well the suction is relatively above average but the carpet piece only seems to such well when it is positioned at a certain angle. Just so happens the plastic piece that connects the power is loose so when I get it at the right angle, the power head turns off, so I have to play with it a lot. To buy a new wand and power head it was like $300+, I'll get a different machine before I do that.
Love the dirt alert light, to bad it takes so long to go off since I hate to use the thing.
The machine itself is great, give me some alternatives for attachments.