Kenmore 81614 Bagged Canister Vacuum with Pet PowerMate
Kenmore 81614 Bagged Canister Vacuum, 600 Series, is well designed canister vacuum cleaner, suitable as the main vacuum cleaner even in larger homes and apartments.
Kenmore 81614 Bagged Canister Vacuum is two motor canister vacuum, featuring motorized PowerMate main cleaner head, and onboard tools including Crevice Tool, Pet PowerMate, Dusting Brush, and Bare Floor Tool. Multilayered air filtration ensures true HEPA air filtration, very important not only to people having asthma and allergy issues, or pets, but to all those people being concerned with the vacuumed particles being released back into the vacuumed area.
Updated: July 29, 2020.
Kenmore 81614 Bagged Canister Vacuum Features and Specifications
Kenmore 81614 features two motors - one, main motor is used for creating vacuum suction and hence cleaning, and second motor is used for powering PowerMate main cleaner head.
Kenmore 81614 is rated at 12 Amps (1440 Watts) - it features strong suction and the ability to clean all common surfaces found at home, from the floor to the ceiling.
In order to protect the motor from overheating, Kenmore 81614 features thermal protection system which in the case of lower air flow due to the dirty air filters, or full vacuum bag or clog of some kind, shuts off main motor. If that happens, power off the unit, unplug it from the wall, remove any clog, or replace the full vacuum bag or air filter, wait 50-60 minutes for motor to cool down and then use your vacuum cleaner as you normally would.
Unit weighs 22.6 pounds (~10.3 kg) which is not light, but during operation most of the weight is resting on the floor. When the unit is carried around, unit is carried by two hands - one hand carries the canister, another carries the wand, so it is not heavy to carry around. Nonetheless, weaker and older persons could have issues carrying it up and down the stairs.
Power cord is 28 feet (~8.5 m) long and in combination with the maximum attachment reach of 10.5 feet (~3.2 m) ensures long reach using just one wall power socket.
Kenmore 81614 comes with automatic power cord rewind system.
Kenmore 81614 main cleaner head is so-called 'PowerMate' cleaner head, designed for vacuuming practically all floor types found at homes and apartments.
PowerMate cleaner head cleaning width is 14 inches (~35.6 cm), allowing the user to quickly clean really large area.
PowerMate cleaner head also features brushroll (agitator) powered via separate electric motor.
Also, it features edge brushes on both sides of the cleaner head for cleaning edges along the baseboards and similar surfaces - this is excellent feature saving both time and effort since without it user will have to clean edges with another cleaning tool, like crevice tool or similar.
PowerMate cleaner head also features soft furniture guard in order to prevent any damage on the furniture, walls and other objects and obstacles found during vacuuming.
Main cleaner head features manual height control with four possible positions:
- HI (High) Setting: This setting is recommended for shag, deep pile, super-soft, or ultra plush carpets, and scatter rugs,
- MED (Medium) Setting: This setting is recommended for medium to deep pile carpets,
- LO (Low) Setting: This setting is recommended for low to medium pile carpets,
- XLO (Extra Low) Setting: This setting is recommended setting for most carpets and bare floors. If the main cleaner head is difficult to move around, increase the main cleaner head height.
Height adjustment is done via simple-to-use foot pedal. Also, PowerMate cleaner head features a safety mechanism that stops its motor from running if the agitator slows down or stops due to the clog or blockage of some kind. If that happens, turn off the unit, unplug it, remove the clog, press the overload protector reset the button and then use the vacuum cleaner as you normally would.
Note: Kenmore 81614 is easy to use and maintain bagged canister vacuum cleaner, but when it arrives, be sure to read the manual before the very first use.
PowerMate cleaner head features very low profile, allowing it to reach and clean under beds, sofas and other similar objects.
However, it does NOT feature LED headlights that can be really useful when cleaning in low light conditions.
Also, it features very effective dirt agitator (brushroll), but it is of rather classic design and it has to be cleaned manually from time to time - it is not of tangle-free design.
Power controls are on the handle and are simple to use. They include power switch and electronic suction control switch.
Power switch has three settings:
- OFF: unit is turned off,
- Hard floor: unit is turned on, but only the main motor (suction motor) is turned on.
- Carpet: both motors (suction motor, PowerMate cleaner head motor) are turned on.
Electronic suction control enables the user to set the suction at desired level, according to the surface being cleaned and the cleaning tool being used.
Other cleaning tools are carried onboard, helping the user to quickly switch from one cleaning too to another.
These cleaning tools include:
- Pet PowerMate is smaller version of PowerMate main cleaner head. It is used for deep cleaning of carpeted and upholstered surfaces, thanks to the small brushroll (agitator) which helps loosen deeply embedded dirt which is then vacuumed by strong suction.
When vacuuming stairs, note that unit feature so-called 'Stair Grip', allowing it to be safely pulled up the stairs, without rolling back down the stairs. This feature greatly help when cleaning the stairs not only with Pet PowerMate, but also with other tools.
- Crevice Tool is long and narrow cleaning tool designed for cleaning tight and hard-to-reach areas, like corners, edges, between mattresses and cushions etc.
- Dusting Brush features soft bristles that agitate small particles of dust (hence the name), pollen and other dirt which are then vacuumed by strong suction. Dusting brush can be used for vacuuming even very delicate surfaces, just be sure to lower the tool pressure on the surface and suction strength.
- Bare Floor Tool is designed for vacuuming of the bare floors. It is not motorized cleaning tool like PowerMate main cleaner head and thus it can be used for cleaning delicate and sensitive floors.
Also, Bare Floor Tool has even lower profile than PowerMate main cleaner head, allowing this tool to clean areas that are not accessible by the main cleaner head.
Note: all cleaning tools can be used connected to the adjustable metal wand or connected directly to the handle. Cleaning wand extend the reach, which is important for cleaning floors and really elevated surfaces. Tools are connected to the handle when vacuuming furniture, upholstery and similar surfaces where more control of the cleaning tool is required.
Due to the availability of the cleaning tools, Kenmore 81614 vacuum is also know as 'Pop-N-Go' canister vacuum cleaner.
Kenmore 81614 stores vacuumed dirt into the vacuum bag.
Kenmore 81614 uses Type Q HEPA disposable cloth vacuum bags designed for Kenmore canister vacuums.
Type Q HEPA disposable cloth vacuum bags are important part of Kenmore's air filtration system and are built to trap 99.97% of 0.3 microns or larger particles - they are true HEPA vacuum bags being able to trap dust particles, pet dander, pollen, bacteria and other small particles and potential allergens.
Type Q HEPA vacuum bags are quick and easy to replace - take the full bag out, and put a new vacuum bag into the vacuum.
Note: thanks to the bag mount (on the vacuum) and bag collar (on the vacuum bag), it is really hard to position the bag in the wrong way. But, if unsure, check the manual how to replace the vacuum bag.
Type Q HEPA disposable cloth vacuum bags can be found in packages containing 2 and 6 bags.
Since disposable cloth bags cost more than reusable vacuum bags, Kenmore 81614 features Check Bag Indicator, that signals when it is time to check/replace the vacuum bag.
Note: if fine dust and dirt are vacuumed regularly, it is possible for Check Bag Indicator to go ON although the bag is not full. In that case, replace the bag, since fine dust particles can clog the vacuum bag although the bag itself is not full.
Another layer of air filtration is Motor Safety Filter. This mechanical air filter protects the motor from debris that might pass the bag, especially when the bag is being replaced.
Motor Safety Filter is hand washable in warm soapy water. After rinsing it should be air dried thoroughly - never return the filter into the unit if it is not fully dry. Also, never use the unit without it.
Exhaust air filter is Kenmore's EF-11 pleated HEPA media filter, also being able to trap at least 99.97% of 0.3 microns or larger particles of dust, pollen, pet dander and other dirt.
By combining HEPA cloth disposable bags, motor safety filter and HEPA air filter, Kenmore 81614 canister vacuums exhaust practically only the clean air - great for everyone, not just for people with pets or people with asthma, allergies and similar issues.
Note: such air filtration is possible only using OEM vacuum bags and filters. Using non-OEM vacuum bags and filters can lead to somewhat lower operating costs, but it is not recommended. On a contrary ...
Kenmore 81614 is designed to be stored in upright position with the wand being firmly hooked to the canister.
Kenmore 81614 comes with 1-year warranty for domestic use and 3 months for non-domestic use.
Long Story Short: Kenmore 81614 is well designed unit, being able to clean large floor areas quickly and to trap vacuumed dirt inside of the vacuum. Onboard cleaning tools allow the user to quickly switch from vacuuming floors to vacuuming stairs, furniture, upholstery and similar elevated surfaces.
If you are looking for bagged canister unit with good suction and excellent air filtration, consider this model.
For more reviews and recommendations, check Kenmore 81614 Bagged Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon link (link opens in the new window).
Also, if you are looking for spare vacuum bags and HEPA filter, you can find them by following Kenmore 53292 Type Q/C HEPA Vacuum Bags
and Kenmore 52730 EF-11 HEPA Media Vacuum Exhaust Filter
Amazon links (links open in the new windows).