What is Looria?Sign up

Kenmore 31220 Pet-Friendly CrossOver Max vs Kenmore 8161 600 Series

Kenmore 31220 Pet-Friendly CrossOver Max

Kenmore 31220 Pet-Friendly CrossOver Max

53 reviews

View Product Details

Kenmore 8161 600 Series

Kenmore 8161 600 Series

61 reviews

View Product Details

Best Uprights for $300 or Less

Consumer Reports · Best Full-Sized Vacuums for $300 or Less

#71 most mentioned brand

Reddit · r/BuyItForLife

#71 most mentioned brand

Reddit · r/BuyItForLife

Great suction power

Long cord

Easy-to-clean dust bin

Great suction power

Adjustable features

Ability to clean all surfaces, including pet hair

Thoughtful placement of tools

Good customer service

Not durable

Difficult to use for some

Possible clogs and malfunctioning parts

Not durable for some users

Heavy and difficult to maneuver for some users

On/off switch placement is inconvenient for some users

Verdict

Overall, the Kenmore 31220 Pet-Friendly CrossOver Max has received mixed reviews. Many reviewers praise its strong suction and ability to clean pet hair, while others have had issues with its durability and difficulty in use. The long cord and easy-to-clean dust bin are commonly mentioned as positives. However, some reviewers have experienced problems with clogs and malfunctioning parts. It is important to note that some reviewers have mentioned confusion with assembly and operation.

Verdict

Overall, the Kenmore 8161 600 Series vacuum cleaner has received mixed reviews. Many users appreciate its powerful suction and adjustable features, but some have found it heavy and difficult to maneuver. The placement of the on/off switch has also been a point of contention for some users. However, the vacuum cleaner has been praised for its ability to clean all surfaces, including pet hair, and for its thoughtful placement of tools. While some users have experienced durability issues, others have had positive experiences with Kenmore's customer service.

Reviews by Topic

Our analysis shows how reviewers feel about different topics. Please note these are not full reviews.

Suction

I'm sorry that I bought this, and here's why...

4. Suction is very good when the vacuum is facing forward, including baseboards. It is not so good from the side, which is unfortunate because going down the hallway, I have to maneuver the vacuum directly into the baseboards, back and forth, both sides of the hall. It's possible to run the vacuum parallel to the baseboard, but the curve of the vacuum head makes it all but impossible to simply roll along the base boards

81714, a powerful vacuum

I was able to follow the instructions for putting it together. Overall it seems intuitive to use and has excellent suction, especially on rugs and carpet. The switch for hardwood, carpet and power on the handle work as intended but seem flimsy. It’s easy to hit the carpet setting on hardwood

Cleaning Performance

I'm sorry that I bought this, and here's why...

It is not so good from the side, which is unfortunate because going down the hallway, I have to maneuver the vacuum directly into the baseboards, back and forth, both sides of the hall. It's possible to run the vacuum parallel to the baseboard, but the curve of the vacuum head makes it all but impossible to simply roll along the base boards. It's necessary to rock the vacuum head, front, back, front, back, along the baseboards for the suction to work well. Again, head-on is the best suction

Low quality which got even worse

We just got it, the second one, identical, i took a brush and used it with old vacuum, it works awesome so far! So a[ardently, brash alone was a problem, we should start from replacing it, instead of a handle. We used the first one for one year in total, even though with constant troubles, but it is so cheap, that i thought to give it another chance, maybe the other one will last longer, if not- i will look for something else, because buying it once a year will be costly overtime. Update: I noticed that the first vacuum (exactly identical 200 series Kenmore) had telescopic expandable pipe, this new one, ordered in 2019, does not, and it is so short that with my height on 5’1” I can not use it! It’s too inconvenient. The other issue with new vacuum: bare floor attachment has too thin brush, which is too soft, like it is not even there, so entire brush just sucked to floor, that you can’t even move it around! Same about upholstery brush -too flimsy

Quality

The wand extension is very easy & cleaver. Easy to remove & empty the bag-less container; and it's nice not messing with a bag. Since it can be empty after every use there is NO 'stale pet hair' smell the next time you start up the vacuum (not the case with a bag since you don't empty until it's full after several uses). The swivel of the floor head makes it easy to get around, and getting under lips of cabinets and furniture without having to re-position your entire body

The Quality Is Apparent

Besides using the vacuum for normal floor cleaning, you can easily clean the edges and corners of your room with the Kenmore 81614 canister vacuum cleaner. This Kenmore canister vac combines the affordable price, quality and performance in a unit that are design for all-surfaces cleaning including the pet hair This is a 2-motor system that comes with powerful suction power (12 amps) and you can use it to clean all types of floors including bare floors, carpets and dog hairs. The vacuum cleaner is provided with adjustable suction power and can be used according to the type of material or surface being cleaned. You can reduce the power for delicate carpets, furniture and so on

Filters

Complicated and Fragile

Two stars because it works. Uses two filters, only one of which is washable. Consumer Reports, you let me down. Update: The comment by Yadira of Kenmore customer service asking that I contact her for assistance accomplished nothing

Worst purchase I’ve ever made

It tips over & the hose gets tangled & the hepa-filter falls off all of the time. This vacuum has actually come between my husband & I..

Filter Life

Consumer Reports Was Wrong -- Do Not Buy!

However, this one, within a 2 months, stopped vacuuming well and started making horrible screeching noises. We cleaned the washable filter well, even using higher pressure water from a hose sprayer outside to ensure that it was clean, yet the problem persists. The HEPA filter cartridge looks like it is in great shape as well. The problem is the valve at the top of the canister

Poorly made, the back filter door pops off continually and filter falls out. And it's July and the filter is NOT washable and you have to duct tape the filter door. Worst piece of junk I ever bought

Filtration

DON'T BUY THIS VACUUM UNLESS YOU WANT TO CONSTANTLY UNCLOG IT

I have to empty the cannister at least 2 x while vacuuming my 20 x 30 living room. I refused to pay $16 for another filter when this one only lasted 2 months. SERIOUSLY do not buy this vacuum!

Good suction, but too many design flaws. Spend your $$$ elsewhere!

It does a good job picking up dust and dirt from both. But Cons: - The air filter cover pops off. There's a single sliding latch that is supposed to keep the cover on, but it pops off frequently when the vacuum is stood on end. The design would have been better off if Kenmore had put on two opposing latches to release the cover

Design

Heavy, awkward, clumsy, poor attachments.

The attachments are flimsy. And the carpet power beater has huge pull. It would be good for an office building with straight open hallways. The design tried to do too much with too little

Disappointing Vacuum

I have some floor attachments, brushes, and long-reach wands that fit other vacuums, but they won't work with this Kenmore because of it's design. I was able to fashion an adapter that gets around this problem, but there's some risk the adapter may damage the hose. Kenmore should make their vacuums to use standard attachments, so customers don't lose their investment in specialized attachments. Third, the only attachment with a brush for effectively vacuuming bare floors is only 9 inches wide instead of the standard 14 inch width of most floor attachments

Ease Of Use

A Year Later: **NOT** Easy to Use, Full of Options, Cleans Deep

Step on button feature to go between carpet and flat floors very easy. Lots of good attachments, all easy to use. Self-propelled forward motion. But the cleaning is impressive

Kenmore Elite 21814 Pet Friendly CrossOver

I have a 10 year old Miele swivel upright vacuum, which I love (sadly, it'I believe they stop making them longer & replaced with a few worthless battery corded stick vacuums) and a Sebo Flexi swivel upright. My uprights have a swivel heads which makes moving them about from room to room a breeze, plus there's isn't a long hose to push while dragging the heavy canister behind you (that crashes into everything).

Power

Suction worth the cons if you're a multi-pet owner.

We've had this vacuum for a little over a year now and, in a nutshell, the fantastic suction/power is worth the complaints I have regarding other aspects of this model. As an owner of a short-haired dog, a long-haired dog, and a fluffy cat I'm honestly just happy that this vacuum truly does grab the majority of hair, dirt, and dust in our place, including on the furniture. I haven't yet found another upright that is as effective and in a similar price range. If you're interested in the cons we've discovered

Has a serious design flaw (bought 9/15/18) ***UPDATED 1/31/19***

Out of curiosity, considering the old one is shot, I took apart the wand and discovered the problem. It used to be that the power cord was on the outside of a tube that never extended or retracted. Now, the extendable wand has its wiring inside, in the form of a ribbon wire, that when repeatedly extended and retracted (as much as one can in the 4 months we have had it using it occasionally) the wire snaps at the one connection end. This is a serious design flaw

Noise Level

Don't waste your money

Aside from this, even when it was working, it's very heavy, noisy, and difficult to operate. Look elsewhere for a vacuum. And Sears/Kenmore refuses to stand by their product. Terrible customer service (Seas/Kenmore - not Amazon)

Works great, good suction

Works great, good suction. Love the telescoping wand. What I don't like is the noise. It is quite loud and has a high pitched noise that I can't figure out where it is coming from

QUICK QUESTION!

Got an opinion on a product you've used?
If so, we want to hear from you! Write an authentic longevity review about the product and share your experience with our community. You'll have the chance to win a $100 gift card.

You might also like

More Alternatives

Shark Navigator Professional Lift-Away NV356E

Shark Navigator Professional Lift-Away NV356E

Shark Vertex

Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352

Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352

Miele Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog

Miele Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog

SEBO Dart

Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away

Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away

More Alternatives