nagels's Full Review: Electrolux EL1012A Bagless Stick Cyclonic Vacuum
She didn't have to say it more than once. I'm always up for buying a new vacuum cleaner, and even the mildest allusion to a new addition to the Spudman vacuum arsenal is all it takes to get me in full vacuum hunting mode. She wanted something small, something that could clean the floor under those messy parakeets and could also tidy up the table on which the cage sits. It had to be light, portable, and aesthetic enough to sit in a dining room corner.
She'd had a smallish, corded Bissell upright/stick that she loved until the head broke off one day. I couldn't find one like it. All of the corded vacuums with tools were just too big and heavy. Then I started looking at cordless vacs and almost settled on the Black and Decker pivoting 18 volt cordless. It has great reviews, but no above floor tools. I also considered a Black and Decker 12 volt Dustbuster with detachable hand vac but just wasn't sure.
Hoover's Platinum Linx cordless was very tempting with its separate and replaceable battery pack, but that $180 price was too much of a deterrent.
I then started researching a vacuum I'd seen in BJ's, the Electrolux Ergorapido cordless. I liked its looks, its features and its mostly positive reviews. Even Consumer Reports didn't find too much fault with it. Price the Ergorapido anywhere, and you'll most likely find prices ranging from $115 to $140. BJ's was selling the Ergorapido for $89. After a week or so of vacillation, I finally put my money down on the Electrolux. It was a good decision.
Electrolux Ergorapido cordless 2 in one....EL1012A
Weight - about 5 pounds Height - about 45 inches Cleaning path - 10 inches Color - Platinum (almost looks like a metallic grey) Very classy Also comes in brown
Features: Cordless Two in One stick and hand vac Crevice and brush tools included Motorized brush roll -"Ideal for all bare floor surfaces." Yes, but it can't be turned off. No bags to buy Three way cleaning of dirt chamber. Minimal assembly required Two power settings on stick vac Brush roll indicator light Flexible head Mountable charging station
The Electrolux Experience
I wasn't sure about the Ergorapido because I'd read a few critiques of its Pronto predecessor. No vacuum cleaner is perfect, but this one seemed best to suit our needs. If considering this vacuum, be aware of its limitations and adjust your expectations accordingly. If you're buying this Electrolux cordless as your main, whole house vac, you'll most likely be disappointed. If you're buying it for spot cleaning or bare floor cleaning, you'll probably love it.
Assembly - There's really not much to it especially if you don't mount the charger unit on the wall. The vacuum comes in two pieces attached with one screw and the two charger pieces simply snap together. Even a caveman could do it.
Length of charge - This is why you can't vacuum your entire house, unless you do it piecemeal, vacuum quickly, or have a small house. We've found that the battery maintains power about fifteen or twenty minutes with continuous use depending on whether you're using the high or low power settings. The first charge takes 24 hours, and subsequent full charges are said to take up to 16 hours. Mostly we use the Ergorapido (Latin for therefore fast?) for small tasks and return it to the charger, so it's always charged and ready for use.
Performance - For what it is, the performance of this little vacuum is great. It works better on bare floors, but the pick up on carpet is more than adequate, especially for touch ups, like for scatter rugs by the doors. We really like being able to clean around the parakeets so quickly, easily, and quietly without having to worry about sucking up the entire tablecloth. Just don't expect the performance of a full size upright.
Ease of Use - This appliance is absolutely remarkable. I've never had a tool that was so easy to place on and remove from its charger. It's such a smooth and effortless task that we constantly marvel at the Ergorapido's engineering and design. Somebody deserves kudos. Separating the hand vac from the stick vac base is also almost effortless. Press a button and it almost falls into your hands. The hand vac snaps back into position just as easily with no jostling, manipulation or positioning.
The stick vac is easy to push and literally glides on the floor. With each passing day we find needs for the hand vac and may soon think of it more as a necessity than as a convenience.
Cleaning - There are three ways to clean this little wonder. You can simply detach and empty the dust container. You can use the hose of a second vacuum to clean out the dust chamber by lifting a latch and pressing the second vacuum's wand against the Ergorapido's cleaning hole. Or you can remove the filters and shake them or use a cleverly designed spring to free dust from the filters. Just pull and release the spring 5 or 6 times. The filter may be washed in lukewarm water. It's made of a material that's much easier to clean than other bagless vac filters I've wrestled with.
Looks - This is by far the most attractive stick vac we've ever seen. Even the fussy Mrs. Spudman is quite taken by it, and is proud to keep it out in the open. The elegant Ergorapido looks nothing like those 29-dollar bargains we've bought in the past.
Finally - We both like this vacuum quite a bit. It's almost the perfect combination of form, function, and utility. My only quibble is that when the battery dies, the vacuum must be discarded. What a waste! Hopefully when that eventuality occurs, the Electrolux will have designed a cordless with a replaceable battery or the Hoover Linx will have come down in price.
Do I, owner of a vacuum cleaner fleet (over ten now), recommend the Electrolux Ergorapido? YES! YES! YES! Click on the Allergy Be Gone link for more information.
And as you might have guessed - MADE IN CHINA HECHO EN CHINA FABRIQUE en CHINE
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