Electrolux EL5020A Intensity Upright Vacuum Cleaner

 Avg. consumer rating = 74/100 

The Electrolux EL5020A Intensity Upright is a powerful, lightweight, inexpensive vacuum cleaner.  Amazon’'s price of 108 bucks right now (as of this writing) seems like a pretty amazing deal - the Electrolux site posts an MSRP of 299.99USD. This is a bagged vacuum cleaner.  Some people like a bagged machine because they do not have to clean out a “dirt canister”.  However with a bagged machine you do have consumables – in the form of vacuum cleaner bags.  Some folks actually clean out the bags and re-use them.

Upright vs Canister
The Electrolux EL5020A Intensity is also an upright.  Electrolux makes both upright and canister models (not to mention a host of other specialized vacuums – stick, robotic, handheld, etc.).   Historically the upright models have been better at cleaning carpets while the canister vacuums have been better on hard surfaces and tend to be quieter.  The canister has typically (but not always) tended to be more expensive as well.  Additionally with an upright you have to move the entire vacuum back and forth while vacuuming and it can be difficult to vacuum under items like a bed with low clearance.  However, it should be noted that the distinction between these two types of vacuum cleaners is becoming more blurred as manufacturers attempt to bridge the gap between strengths and weaknesses.

EL5020A Features
Like many other vacuums this Electrolux has a 12 amp motor.  This motor is usually quite powerful and provides the unit with significant suction.  Electrolux also tout the 3 inch wide airpath which helps maximize suction.  Other features include easy to use fingertip controls (on top of the handle) that allow you to switch between carpet and bare-floor modes at the touch of a button, an adjustable height telescopic handle, a 12 inch wide cleaning path with edge cleaning brushes, and indicator lights to tell you when the bag is full or the filter needs changing.  The vacuum measures 17 x 12 x 14 inches when folded and it carries a two-year warranty.  In addition the Electrolux EL5020A utilizes HEPA filtration.

 

HEPA
To the consumer wanting HEPA filtration without significant expense, the EL5020A is a good choice.   What exactly is a HEPA filter?  A HEPA filter (high efficiency particulate air) is a high-efficiency air filter that is capable of removing at least 99.97 percent of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers or larger.  These filters are used for many applications in the nuclear and biomedical industries but have more recently found a home in the newer vacuum cleaner models.  They are especially helpful to those suffering from asthma and allergies. The removal of allergens from the home and environment is important to the health of the individuals living there. Also, the more dirt and dust you remove, the longer your carpets will last. You will have less strain on your heating and cooling systems because those filters will remain cleaner.  The 12 amp motor in this vacuum cleaner offers significant airflow which is important in the effectiveness of a filter.
 

What are Consumers Saying?

Source	Consumer Rating	#Ratings
Amazon	3.7 stars out of 5	95
Epinions	3.8 stars out of 5	5
Ciao	4 stars out of 5	1

After perusing all of these reviews the general pros and cons of the vacuum cleaner as expressed by the consumer are as follows: 

PROS
Powerful suction.  Folds up to a small foot print.  Quiet.  Lightweight.  Equally good on floors and carpets. HEPA filtration.  Inexpensive.

CONS
Disposable bag too small.  Doesn’t maneuver that easily.  No tools.  Cord is a little short (many people indicated they used it with an extension cord).  Some concerns about durability – especially handle and wheels.

However Amazon’s price of $108 bucks right now (as of this writing) seems like good deal.  Many folks on the net have paid substantially more for this machine.  The Electrolux site provides an MSRP of 299.99USD.  And, if you're afraid of running out of the bags, you can get them at Amazon (the link/image shown here on the right was recommended by some consumers and they claim these work well and are inexpensive).
 

Vacuum Cleaner Specifications

Model Number:  EL5020 
Container:  Bagged 
Dust Capacity (Quart):  1.0
Cord Length:  21 ft. 
Power (amps):  12 
Filtration:  HEPA filter 
Product Weight (lbs):  16 
Depth (in.):  17 
Height (in.):  14 folded 
Width (in.):  12 
Warranty (year):  2

User Manual:
The manual for the Intensity is getting hard to find but we managed to dig it up.  You will be able to view it here.

Watch the Electrolux Intensity Video - short but gives you an idea of the size and ease of use of the vacuum.

More videos on our vacuum videos page.