There are few things more frustrating than dealing with a mess you just can’t seem to get rid of, especially when you have pets. For years, I struggled with pet hair and dust bunnies that seemed to multiply overnight, clinging to carpets and hard floors alike. Finding a vacuum that could truly tackle this challenge felt like a constant battle, and without a powerful and versatile cleaning tool, the thought of tackling deep cleaning felt overwhelming, leaving my home less fresh and hygienic than I wanted.
When you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner, especially one designed to handle the rigors of a busy household with pets, there are several crucial factors to weigh. The primary function, of course, is effective cleaning – removing dirt, dust, allergens, and particularly stubborn pet hair from a variety of surfaces. The ideal candidate for a powerful bagged canister vacuum is someone with a mix of flooring types – carpets, rugs, hardwood, tile, and linoleum – who needs strong suction across all of them. It’s also perfect for those who value the convenience of a bagged system for mess-free disposal of dirt and allergens, preferring not to deal with emptying dustbins directly. If you have significant allergies or asthma, a robust filtration system is non-negotiable. This type of vacuum might not be the best fit for someone with very little floor space or only quick, minor cleanups, where a lightweight stick or handheld vacuum might suffice. They are also less suitable for homes where maneuverability around many obstacles is paramount and cord-free operation is a must. Before committing, think about the types of surfaces you have, the prevalence of pet hair, your allergy sensitivities, storage space, and how much flexibility you need to clean above floors, stairs, and tight spaces.
An Overview of the Kenmore 600 Series Canister Vacuum
Stepping up to the plate is the Kenmore 600 Series Pet Friendly Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum. This model promises a powerful and versatile cleaning experience specifically designed for homes with pets and mixed flooring types. When you purchase the Kenmore 600 Series canister vacuum, you receive the canister unit itself, a floor brush, dusting brush, crevice tool, the main PowerMate nozzle, the specialized Pet PowerMate attachment, a handle & hose assembly, a telescoping wand, and a use & care guide. It’s designed to be a comprehensive cleaning solution for your entire home, from floors to ceilings and everything in between. This particular model builds on Kenmore’s long history of producing reliable vacuum cleaners, offering features like a dual-motor system and advanced filtration. It’s geared towards homeowners who need serious cleaning power and effective pet hair removal. It might not be the best choice if you primarily need a cordless solution or have very limited storage space, as canister vacuums inherently take up more room than a compact stick vacuum.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons based on my experience and the product details:
Pros:
* Excellent suction power thanks to the 2-motor system.
* Pet PowerMate attachment is highly effective on pet hair.
* Comprehensive HEPA filter system significantly reduces allergens.
* Attachments store neatly inside the canister.
* Long power cord with automatic rewind is very convenient.
Cons:
* Can feel a bit heavier than expected for a “lightweight” model.
* The attachment compartment cover can feel flimsy.
* Some attachments, particularly the standard brush tool and bare floor tool, aren’t as effective as the main powerheads.
* The wand doesn’t always stand upright securely on its own.
Examining the Key Features and How They Perform
Now, let’s really dig into what makes the Kenmore 600 Series bagged canister vacuum work and why these features are important for your cleaning needs.
Powerful 2-Motor System for Superior Suction
One of the standout features of this canister vacuum is its 2-motor system. Unlike many vacuums that rely on a single motor, the Kenmore 600 Series uses one motor for powerful suction at the canister and a separate motor in the main powerhead (PowerMate and Pet PowerMate) to drive the brush roll. What this means in practical terms is incredible suction strength across different surfaces. When I switch from bare floors to thick pile carpet, the powerhead motor ensures the brush roll continues to agitate the fibers effectively, lifting embedded dirt and hair. The suction from the canister motor pulls it all away. This dual system is crucial because it maintains both high airflow and strong brush action simultaneously, which is essential for deep cleaning, especially on carpets where dirt can hide deep down. This power is what helps solve the core problem of truly getting your floors clean, not just surface-level tidying.
Triple HEPA Filter System for Allergy Relief
For anyone dealing with allergies or asthma, the filtration system in a vacuum is just as important as its cleaning power. The Kenmore 600 Series boasts a triple HEPA filter system. HEPA filters are designed to capture 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 micrometers, which includes pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. With a triple system, the air is filtered at multiple stages before being released back into the room. This means that the allergens and fine dust particles picked up by the vacuum are trapped securely inside the vacuum bag and filters, rather than being circulated back into the air you breathe. As someone conscious of air quality, knowing that the vacuum is not just removing dirt but also purifying the air to some extent is a significant benefit. It contributes directly to a healthier home environment, reducing allergy symptoms and making your living space feel cleaner and fresher. It’s a key component in solving the problem of embedded allergens that standard vacuums might miss.
Pet PowerMate and Pop-N-Go Brush
Pet hair is a formidable opponent in any household, and the Pet PowerMate attachment is specifically designed to win that battle. This is a smaller, motorized brush tool perfect for cleaning upholstery, stairs, and other smaller or elevated surfaces where pet hair tends to accumulate. The motorized brush roll actively lifts stubborn pet hair and dirt, and crucially, it’s designed to resist hair tangling around the brush, which is a common frustration with pet-specific tools. Its compact size makes it easy to maneuver on furniture cushions, stairs, or even inside your car. Complementing this is the exclusive Pop-N-Go floor brush, which stores neatly inside the canister and can be quickly attached to the handle or wand for bare floor cleaning. This eliminates the need to go back to the canister to swap tools when transitioning from carpets to hard floors. Having dedicated tools like the Pet PowerMate and a convenient bare floor option directly addresses the core challenge of effectively cleaning various surfaces and tackling embedded pet hair without hassle.
Aluminum Telescoping Wand and Maneuverability
The Kenmore 600 Series features an aluminum telescoping wand. Being made of aluminum makes it lightweight, which is a real plus when you’re reaching high or extending its length. The telescoping feature allows you to adjust the wand’s length to comfortably vacuum floors without excessive bending, which is great for ergonomics, especially for taller individuals. More importantly, it extends your reach significantly – up to 10 feet – allowing you to easily clean ceilings, ceiling fans, high shelves, or underneath furniture without needing a step stool. The various cleaning tools like the dusting brush and crevice tool attach directly to the end of the wand, making these tasks much easier. The canister itself has large wheels and a swivel mechanism at the hose connection, which allows it to follow you relatively smoothly as you move from room to room, minimizing frustrating tugs and potential tip-overs. This combination of an adjustable wand and a mobile canister makes cleaning much more efficient and less physically demanding, helping to solve the problem of reaching difficult areas and making the overall cleaning process smoother.
Convenient Bagged System and Tool Storage
While bagless vacuums have gained popularity, the Kenmore 600 Series uses a bagged system, which offers distinct advantages, especially for allergy sufferers. All the dirt, dust, and allergens collected are contained within a sealed bag. When it’s full, you simply remove the bag and dispose of it without releasing a cloud of dust back into your environment, unlike the process of emptying a dustbin. This makes for a much cleaner and more hygienic disposal process. The vacuum uses standard Type Q/C bags, which are relatively easy to find. Another great convenience is the integrated tool storage. Several key attachments, including the Pop-N-Go bare floor brush, dusting brush, and crevice tool, store neatly within a compartment on the canister body itself. This means your most frequently used tools are always right there when you need them, preventing them from getting lost and ensuring you can easily switch between tasks without having to fetch tools from a separate storage location. While the lid to this compartment has been noted by some users as feeling a bit thin, the convenience of having tools onboard is undeniable. This system simplifies the cleaning process and enhances hygiene, directly addressing common vacuuming frustrations.
Additional Features: Retractable Cord and Cleaning Tools
Beyond the main features, the Kenmore 600 Series includes a few other practical elements. The power cord is a generous 28 feet long, which provides a large cleaning radius, reducing the need to constantly unplug and find new outlets as you move through your home. Even better, it features an automatic rewind function – just tap a button with your foot, and the cord neatly retracts back into the canister, saving you from manually wrapping it up. This seems like a small thing, but it’s a huge convenience for storage. The vacuum also comes with a standard set of four cleaning tools: the main PowerMate for carpets, the Pet PowerMate for pet hair, a combination floor brush (which includes the Pop-N-Go feature for bare floors), a dusting brush, and a crevice tool. While some users have found the performance of the standard dusting and crevice tools less impressive compared to the main powerheads, the inclusion of these accessories means you have options for various cleaning tasks right out of the box. The retractable cord and included tools contribute to the overall user-friendly design and versatility of the Kenmore 600 Series bagged canister vacuum.
What Other Users Are Saying
I’ve browsed through numerous online reviews for the Kenmore 600 Series canister vacuum, and the overall sentiment seems largely positive, especially regarding its core cleaning power and pet hair performance. Many users praised the strong suction, noting how well it picked up dirt and debris from both carpets and hard floors. The Pet PowerMate attachment was frequently highlighted as a game-changer for homes with furry friends, effectively tackling pet hair on upholstery and stairs. People also appreciated the convenience of the long, retractable cord and the onboard tool storage. However, some recurring criticisms included the perception that certain plastic parts, like the attachment compartment lid and even the bare floor tool connection after some use, might be less durable than older Kenmore models. A few users also mentioned issues with the cord auto-retracting unintentionally during use or the wand being a bit unstable when trying to stand it upright on its own. Despite these points, the consensus from many long-term Kenmore users appears to be that while there might be some minor design or material differences compared to decades-old models, the vacuum still delivers reliable, powerful cleaning performance.
Final Thoughts on the Kenmore 600 Series
Living with pets and different flooring types meant that surface-level cleaning simply wasn’t enough. Embedded dirt and allergens needed a robust solution, and without the right tool, maintaining a truly clean and healthy home felt like an uphill battle with potential complications like lingering pet odors and aggravated allergies. The Kenmore 600 Series Pet Friendly Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum offers several key advantages to tackle this problem head-on. Its powerful 2-motor system delivers exceptional suction across various surfaces, the triple HEPA filter system provides excellent air filtration for allergy sufferers, and the dedicated Pet PowerMate attachment is incredibly effective at removing stubborn pet hair. Combined with the convenient features like the long retractable cord, telescoping wand, and onboard tool storage, this canister vacuum offers a comprehensive and powerful solution for demanding cleaning tasks. If you’re looking for a vacuum that can handle heavy-duty cleaning, especially in a home with pets and mixed flooring, and you prefer the hygiene of a bagged system, this Kenmore 600 Series vacuum is definitely worth considering. To learn more and see current pricing, Click here to check it out.