The Kenmore Elite 31150 Pet Friendly bagged upright vacuum cleaner works like a charm for pet hair, but the complaint is that the hose is too …
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Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The Kenmore Elite 31150 Pet Friendly is a bagged vacuum that comes with the Pet Handi-Mate, an attachment especially made for removing pet hair. Though this vacuum’s main attraction is for pet owners, it provides a good balance for cleaning hard floors and carpets, leaning more towards carpets due to the stiff bristles on the brush roll.
Those who have used it say the Kenmore is three times stronger than a Dyson at a more affordable price. It’s a workhorse vacuum if you live in large living spaces with plenty of human traffic and a squad of adorable pets. It satisfies most owners to the point they buy two for their homes, or for their family in other homes.
The trade-off for having a powerful suction and a sturdy body is that the Elite 31150 is a bit difficult to move. If you are looking for a lightweight vacuum, there are other choices. The hose on this model is also very short, making it mostly effective for floors but not for above-floor surfaces.
YES, the Kenmore Elite is good if you need to remove plenty of pet hair. The vacuum performs well on both floors and carpets, and it has a sturdy body. The issue is that it’s not a lightweight appliance, and the hose for attachments is very short.
Kenmore Elite 31150 Reviews by Customers
Is It Good for Cleaning Carpet?
With a manual 5-height adjustment button, the 31150 gives a good balance for cleaning both plush carpets and hard floors, with a better performance for the latter. Users report that the Kenmore glides over their rugs, making it feel self-propelled although it isn’t.
The dirt sensor tells you if there is still dirt in the carpet or not. One user says her sensor stayed on for 30 minutes. Once she finished, her rugs looked brand new due to the Kenmore’s ability to clean up the deepest dirt.
The vacuum has powerful suction, so much that some people feel it’s too strong and sucks up their throw rugs. In some cases, the Elite damages the surface of an area rug or unravels the edges of it. You can turn down the suction power to avoid this issue.
How Is It at Cleaning Hard Floors?
Many people are concerned whether the big and sturdy looking 31150 can scratch their floors. Though the bristles on the brush roll are slightly stiff, most people report they get no scratches vacuuming with it. Make sure you switch the height adjustment to the floor position to turn off the brush roll.
With the height adjustment, you can easily change between cleaning floors and carpets. However, you need to manually change the height since it doesn’t automatically adjust like other vacuum brands. It’s not a big deal for most people, but some users feel it interrupts their cleaning process.
Can It Pick Up Pet Hair?
The Kenmore Pet Friendly vacuum is designed for removing pet hair. With the specially designed Pet Handi-Mate attachment, which is a roller brush with an air driven turbine, you can easily pick up pet hair from your bed, sofa, car interior, and other places your pets love to play at.
Most vacuums actually are decent for picking up pet fur, if you have only one or two cats or dogs. If you have more than three or even a foster house full of rescues, the 31150 works like a charm for these situations. The Pet Handi-Mate has a high speed that allows you to easily clean pet hair.
Are the Bags Easy to Replace?
This appliance has a Power Flow design, meaning it maintains optimum suction power even as the bag becomes fuller. The bag has triple stage HEPA filters certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), making the 31150 a good choice for allergic persons.
Depending on how often you vacuum, the bags may need seldom changing. For daily cleaning of a household with a dog and two children, you may only need to change bags every two months.
You get one bag and filter when you buy the Kenmore Elite. Some people feel that the price of the bags are expensive, but others say it’s worth the price considering how easy it is to dispose.
The Kenmore Elite 31150 rates number 5 on our list of best bagged vacuums.
Is it Easy to Move?
At 21 lbs, the 31150 isn’t a lightweight vacuum. For most people, this vacuum is heavy to push around. On the plus side, it is strong and durable with a pleasing look that many people like. Even users with arthritis say they don’t complain about carrying this vacuum up the stairs, since they like the solid feeling of it.
The vacuum’s size is quite big, but it can lay flat, allowing you to clean under beds. For smaller areas though, such as a small kitchen, it may be difficult to maneuver the vacuum to reach all corners and under chairs and tables.
It isn’t self-propelled, but as long as the height adjustment is correct, the Kenmore can pull itself forward. If you are alright with a heavy vacuum that’s sturdy, the Elite is great. However, if you have back pain or other physical conditions, or if you’re not very strong, the weight of the 31150 may not be a good fit.
Another consideration is the height of the vacuum that is 45 inches. If you are short, it might be difficult for you to move this vacuum up and down the stairs. It’s not a common issue, but one worthy to think about if you want to get this vacuum.
Is it Loud?
The consensus on the loudness of this appliance is mixed. Some users report the Kenmore 31150 is the quietest vacuum they have ever owned. The pitch of the motor is low, and it doesn’t whine like some other vacuums.
On the other hand, some owners wear ear plugs when vacuuming with the Kenmore. It will depend on how sensitive your hearing is to determine whether this vacuum is loud or not for you.
Features of the Kenmore Elite 31150
- Inducer motor
- Dirt sensor
- 10 ft telescoping wand
- Crevice/dusting tool
- 35 foot cord
The inducer motor provides 20% more suction power compared to older models from Kenmore. It uses three motors for beltless suction that results in less maintenance and repairs. The 31150 can last quite a while in your house and save you the hassle of having to send it for repairs.
The dirt sensor turns on when there is still dirt on the floor or carpet. It’s a handy indicator that tells you where to clean and for how long. That said, some people say the sensor isn’t very useful, since it can turn on in clean areas if there is a single piece of small debris.
The 35 foot cord is generous, allowing you to vacuum the whole house with using just one outlet (if your space is that big). However, there is no retractable cord, so you have to hook it up at the back of the machine.
The number one complaint that makes the Kenmore Elite fall short of a “perfect” vacuum is the hose that is too short. People who give this vacuum a 5-star rating admit that the hose is too stiff and not long enough.
The hose can reach up only a few stairs, meaning you have to bring the vacuum up with you when cleaning stairs. It’s tough to reach high spots such as draperies. The vacuum also easily falls over if you try to stretch the hose too far. It’s a minor annoyance for some users, but a major issue for other users such that they return their Kenmore Elite.
There is currently no hose extension you can use to replace the default hose. Though it’s an issue, some owners say the hose is enough for their needs. Many buyers feel that this vacuum is worth every dime, and is the one vacuum they’re looking for.