Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Happy Monday . . .

Rowenta has entered the cordless stick vac market with a new model, the Air Force. As with many Rowenta past vacs, it bears a wedge shaped nozzle for getting you right into corners. The claims here are stronger suction equivalent to a regular canister machine and up to 40-minutes of runtime. Sounds like a go -- if it works.

http://living.scotsman.com/features/Gadgets-Rowenta-Air-Force-Wireless.6642531.jp

http://www.homeandcook.co.uk

The following link is to a sweet and to the point YouTube video from Which?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K_B_yeo6I8

Venson

Hi Venson
I tried this already at a store. it's not impressive really - the L shaped angled floor head has too much space between the front bumper and the revolving brush despite there being a suction channel at the front to suck in light dust. Thus on carpets and as the Which test also states on here, carpet performance isn't the best. Infact on account that it can't even pick up dirt on angles or against skirting boards like a standard upright means it isn't really a stick vacuum I'd recommend as there are no dust channels on the sides. It isn't very noisy in the lowest setting but screams at the highest although the battery life is longer than most at 18 volts compared to Hoover and Electrolux at 12volts. . If I was interested in a stick vac cordless style I'd either get a new Ergorapido or the Vax Life/Hoover Linx.

Here's what Which said:

"...We assembled the Rowenta in no time. There are three pieces which slot together easily and just one large screw to deal with, so it’s not a fiddly job.
It needs to be charged for 16 hours before you can get started. This might sound like a long time, but it isn’t actually too bad - others on the market take as long as 24 hours to charge fully.
The charger plugs straight into the unit so there’s no separate charging base to put together or find space for, which is the case with some other stick vacs.
There’s no battery time remaining indicator so it might be a good idea to keep it plugged in to ensure it’s ready to use when you need it. There are two vacuuming settings on the Air Force – floor and carpet. You can easily switch between the two using the button on the handle. Using the carpet setting activates an ‘electrobrush’ booster function, which uses a motor to turn the brushes and is designed for more powerful dust pick up.
It does a good job on hard floors, but we found its pick-up on the carpet setting a little disappointing, especially given its claims of matching a regular cylinder’s cleaning power. We had to run over some pieces of fluff and dirt on our carpet a couple of times to pick them up, and it seemed to struggle with hair on carpets. As a result, we think that if you’ve got mainly carpets at home you’ll still need a regular vacuum cleaner to get a really thorough clean.
It did, however, last an impressive 45 minutes on a full charge before dying off completely. And you can expect it to last 30 minutes if using the carpet setting constantly. One stand-out feature on the Air Force is its triangular shaped ‘delta’ floorhead - designed to clean in corners and awkward spaces more easily. It swivels and turns easily but you’ll need to keep a tight grip on the handle as it moves very freely. The triangular floorhead does make getting into tight spaces easier and there is suction right at the tip of the floorhead, which makes it more effective at picking up dust and dirt in these awkward spaces. The Air Force gets under all but the lowest lying furniture easily. It was rather more awkward to use on stairs as the handle isn’t height adjustable - but this is common to most stick vacs. There are some on the market with detachable handheld vacuum cleaners inside, which are much easier to use on stairs. Although it’s fairly quiet on the floor setting, there’s a noticeable increase in noise when you switch to the carpet setting. Rowenta says the dust container holds 0.9litres, which is reasonably good for a stick vac. We found it easy to remove from the main body when it needs emptying – though it does require two hands, as you’ll need one to hold the vac steady while you remove it. There’s a quick release button on the container itself, so emptying it is relatively mess-free. The Rowenta is slimline and neat and it stands upright when not in use, too. If storage is an issue at home this is a great option as it doesn’t take up much space at all.

Pros: Slimline for easy storage, long running time, easy to manoeuvre.
Cons: Noticeably noisy on carpet setting, carpet cleaning isn’t as good as hard floor

Hi vacmanuk,

Points well taken. I know what it is but wonder what it could become. As well, I agree with Which?; it is not a match for a regular vacuum. Light duty is where it should serve best just as all the rest of the rechargeable stick vacs available so far.

I watched the Which? video review and am aware of the shortcomings found. However, how did you find the level of suction for a machine of this type?

Its nozzle design is merely a rehash of the form of the straight-suction nozzle Rowenta used with many of its canister vacuums. Maybe the company will relent and try something new and better suited. However, I think the longer runtime is a significant issue, a landmark matter of fact, as well as the higher than usual suction, if true.

Best,

Venson

Put me in the column impressd with the Rowenta Air Force.  As is Which?  For 3 reasons:  First the run time on one charge: 30-45 minutes depending on the mode, regular or turbo.  Two, the dirt bin capacity of .9 liters.  Three, the design and function allowing to clean under low profile furniture.  All 3 are features that meet or exceed both more expensive cordless and corded vacuums on the market today.  3 cheers.  Cordless is the new vacuum frontier.  Rowenta is leading the way.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Carmine, you are displaying all the right criteria for a buyer to get excited. However the results are in the pudding after testing so to speak and Rowenta haven't really brought anything new to the table here.

1) The run time runs out of puff when the highest suction is required, thus the charge time shouldn't be relied upon.
2) The 0.9 litre capacity is actually too small to be of any use. Constant cleaning and its mesh filter needs to be cleaned every time otherwise the suction becomes poorer. The 1 litre capacity of the Vax Life/Linx is better in this respect and has non-stop suction due to its windtunnel/cyclone system.
3) The Rowenta doesn't actually go under low furniture unless the floorhead is angled to the left or right hand side - in this respect, Carmine it is no better than a conventional standard cylinder/canister vacuum floor head that has to "eventually" go left or to the right to remain truly flat to the floor - against what Which has said.

vacmanuk wrote:

VacmanUK:  Like Venson, i say the Air Force is a good first start.  Let's see where Rowenta takes these in the next reiterations.  As Which? says, the Air Force is a stick vacuum for supplementing cleaning with a full size vacuum.  Not a substitute for a full size. Compare for example the run time and dirt container capacity of the Air Force to dyson's cordless hand helds and latest digital slim.  Rowenta leaves dyson in the dust on both features and at considerably less the prices.

Carmine D. 

CarmineD wrote:
Apart from the L shaped angled head, the Vax Life / Hoover Linx has a longer lasting run time and the same amount of power. We'll see how long Rowenta's model lasts though - should be interesting - as none of their conventional vacuums have hung around for long in the UK. Bear in mind Carmine you're comparing a hand held with a stick vac where the Rowenta is concerned. Not entirely fair to suggest the Dyson is the same given the design regardless of the stick on tubing and floor head.

vacmanuk wrote:

You're right VacmanUK, I'm comparing the run times and dirt bin capacities of dyson handhelds/digital slim, after several years' and several iterations for the handhelds, to Rowenta's Air Force with only one product launch.  Why?  Both are cordless.  Both are specialty vacuum products.  Not stand alone full size vacuums.  In my view, DC35 which is dyson's latest cordless specialty vacuum is an ideal match for Rowenta's Air Force.  So is the HOOVER/TTI LiNx stick a good match.  Rowenta has 30-45 minutes of run time depending on mode.  I'm thinking, if I recall correctly, that the USA HOOVER/TTI LiNx is the same run time.  BUT, the dirt bin capacity for Air Force is significantly larger than the LiNx which is a tad better than dyson's handhelds and digital slim.  If I'm right, and using the US price for LiNx which as I recall is less than half for the UK, Rowenta at least on the features we agree upon, wins over LiNx too.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Carmine. According to Which tests, the Vax Life/Hoover Linx runs for 40 minutes to an hour and only takes 3 hours as opposed to the first 16 hours on the Rowenta and 8 hours thereafter. Also the Life/Linx has a 1 litre capacity dust bin compared to the Rowenta's slightly smaller 0.9 litres.

vacmanuk wrote:

Thanks Vacmanuk.  I presume the difference in runtimes and charge times [according to user reviews in the USA HOOVER LiNx normally gets 20-30 minutes run time] is due to the current differences between USA and UK.  Perhaps that is the reason that the UK model sells for $320 and USA model sells for $160-$170.  Plus, perhaps the euro vice dollar differences.  On the dust bin capacities, not much of a difference of .1 liter.  I have not been able to officially confirm and/or verify the LiNx dirt bin capacity anywhere on line.  So... the question to a UK stick vacuum buyer becomes: Is the HOOVER LiNx worth the higher price than the Rowenta for the differences?  Perhaps on primarily carpet cleaning.  But for primarily hard surfaces?  The latter [Rowenta] may be a better buy and venue for Rowenta.  Have to factor in the warranty too, not just on the overall product but the battery pack too.  HOOVER LiNx is 2 years and Rowenta 3 years???

Several years ago I purchased a Dirt Devil Cruz for $100 [2 years on product and battery pack].  It routinely sells for $70 now.  Strictly straight suction with no revolving brush and no tools.  I use primarily on my ceramic tiles.  It has the triangular floor shaped nozzle like the Rowenta.  It has 30 minute run time.  I believe charge time is 16 hours.  It's been fine as a supplementary cleaning tool in my household cleaning arsenal.  But nothing close to the Rowenta Air Force and/or HOOVER/TTI LiNx. 

Carmine D.

I posted a pic of the HOOVER/TTI LiNx stick in the event it is not the same as the Vax/Life LiNx, which I'm beginning to think is a real possibility.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Nope. Sorry to report Carmine, it is indeed the same model: Taken from http://www.vax.co.uk/shop/catalogue/upright-vacuum-cleaners/life-cordless

vacmanuk wrote:

Don't be sorry, Vacmaunuk.  It's very useful.  Same model or is it?  Some key differences:  Most notibly price and warranty.  Here in the USA $160.  UK: $320.  Euro may explain some of price difference. 

Also, appears to be different tech specs for run time and bin capacity than you posted [from the link you provided]:

Carmine D.

Well, I think the U.S specs may be wrong. For a start there's no way the Linx/Life has a 1.4 litre dust bin. As for the rest, even Vax's own UK site has 1.0 litre/1L listed. This is why I've often said that you can't rely on stats alone to get the general opinion that a vacuum is good, regardless of how high tech it is.

The problem with the run time is dependent largely on the kind of surfaces that Vax or Hoover or even Which have tested this model on. We don't have to worry about different textures when using a mains powered vacuum for example because there's continuous power all the time. I'd suggest Vax have tested the Life on the thinnest nylon carpet against Which who may have tested it on thicker pile, thus the marked difference in run times. My own experience of a cordless upright vac rests with the older Electrolux Ergorapido/Pronto. The power brush roller lasted longer on thinner pile carpet against thicker pile carpet, obviously putting more strain on the brush roller which then puts pressure on the cordless battery to work harder than the thinner, easier to roll over nylon carpet.

vacmanuk wrote:

Vacmanuk:

The tech specs I posted are from the UK site for the Vax/Life LiNx, not US LiNx.  Soemthing just not kosher.

Carmine D.

Oh well, someone will just have to buy it and relay the info/usage on here. I think someone on here already confirmed the run time from personal usage.

vacmanuk wrote:

Thanks to Vacomatic here it is from May 2010 for the USA LiNx.  Now we could use the same for Vax/Life LiNx.  Except for dirt bin capacity which I mentioned I could not verify anywhere on line for the USA sold LiNx.  Except for price and warranty [and bin capacity] this looks almost same as UK specs for the UK LiNx.  And much different than the Which? info for the LiNx.  Rowenta Air Force still looks like the better buy based on this review.

Carmine D.

Linx is a lightweight "windtunnel" stick vac that does a decent light duty cleaning of carpets and floors. With battery and parked on carpet, it tends to fall over. A loud, grinding motor's unpleasant, and the Lithium Ion battery, while maintaining constant power, only lasts 10 - 12 minutes (recharges take 3 hours). Brush head's cog belt driven. Not a lot of airflow thanks to the very restrictive secondary filter. Vac's fine for small apartments and surface dirt on rugs/floors, but keep a regular canister/upright around for serious cleaning! Date Purchased: 10/15/09 Price Paid: $170 Recommend: Yes

Pros: Lightweight, easy to carry and push. Relatively constant battery output. OK at picking up surface litter. Brush roll can be switched off. Cons: Very loud motors. Tips over on rugs with batter installed. Short battery life: 10 - 12 min. max. Secondary filter messy to clean, clogs easily.

Well.. that's interesting info. If I get one to trial, I'll let you know all about the Rowenta.

vacmanuk wrote:

Sounds like a plan. Let us know the unknowns.  I still can't reconcile the huge price differntial between the Vax/Life LiNx and the HOOVER TTI LiNx.  Euro dollar diff explains some but not this much.  Something just doesn't compute.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

The 18-volt model can be had through John Lewis for 129 pounds. That's the equivalent of $201.50 American. Correct me if I am wrong but if the price includes a VAT of some sort then it all probably works out to about the same as I'd pay here for a Platinum Stick. Regular price $179 plus about 15 or 16 dollars additional for sales tax (.0875 percent).

http://www.johnlewis.com/230906944/Product.aspx?SearchTerm=RecentlyViewedList

I haven't been to Europe in quite a while and do not know how the Euro works or prevails since this product is priced in pounds instead of Euros.

So far I've found the Vax Life stick as low as 159 pounds and up to 199 pounds.

Venson

Venson et al, the prices you see at these retailers will have VAT added beforehand.

vacmanuk wrote:

Makes life simpler I think. The price they say is the price you pay.

Here you first are told price and don't learn of the additional sales tax until you either the register or ask.

Do you know what percentage of VAT is added per your individual pound?

Venson

Venson wrote:

Thanks Venson.  You're the man.  Always an explanation for the unknown.  Well, almost always.  Too bad the European countries didn't stick to their own currencies in 2000 rather than adopting the euro.  They're reaping the benefist of the euro now.  Greece bankrupt.  Ireland bankrupt.  Portugal soon to follow.  Then probably Spain.  Rioting in the streets over pensions and tuition hikes.  Even in the UK.  Only Germany is above the economic and social unrest fray and largely through its financial assistanceand stability bailing out the weaker euro countries.  But for how long?  Any wonder SEBO and MIELE are still going strong.  Strong country, strong people.

Carmine D.

PS: Rowenta is Gerrman made.  What a coincidence?

Venson wrote:
For all retail products, everything has a 17.5% VAT tax added to it.

Lots of reviews for the new Airforce including: http://www.dorkadore.com/house-home/rowenta-air-force-dork-review/

Wins points for

• Flexibility. The stick bends every way, meaning you can easily get under the sofa without any unnecessary effort.
• Triangle head. The suction goes all the way to the edges, which is great for those corners a more substantial hoover misses.
• Lightweight. Having a lightweight vacuum certainly makes cleaning less of a chore.
• Storage. It’s tall and slim, so it’s great for storing away in the broom cupboard or under the stairs.

Loses point for

• Suction. It’s good for a cordless option, but it can’t compare to the heavy duty corded options.
• Recharging. A little annoying to have to stop every 40 minutes to recharge. Saying that, I seem to get the hoovering done a lot quicker anyway, so I only need to recharge between sessions

Also check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkmea_PlrHg&feature=related where you'll see the true part of the sole plate.

vacmanuk wrote:

Hi,

40 minutes time for light cleaning should be more than enough. I would not use this machine with the intention to deep clean but merely to make things appear tidy in quick fashion. The more time allowed to do that, the better the result.

The bottom view shows that this vac is a not yet ready for prime time player when it comes to heavy duty. The brushroll, as shown, is for light duty/low energy challenge by way of use in a rechargeable device -- exactly the same as with the Ergorapido and a number of other rechargeable sticks.

However, I think if Rowenta thinks on a serious redesign of the cleaning head it has good chance to excel. The nozzle's bottom is overly elaborate in regard to air paths and could bear simplifying as the design as is requires a lot more air power than supplied. (The engineers who thought it up seem to have had a limited type or carpeting and hard flooring in mind.) Considering the Air Force's power draw it could stand a beefier revolving brush to step up surface soil/litter pick up and a simpler PN design to ensure good edge cleaning as well.

Venson