Electrolux EL6984A UltraSilencer Green Canister Vacuum Cleaner

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Avg. consumer rating = 85/100 

The Electrolux EL6984A UltraSilencer is a lightweight and extremely quiet bagged canister vacuum cleaner.  It gets top grades from consumers for it’s ability to clean hard surfaces (wood, tile, lino, etc) and for its quiet operation, but seems to fall a little short when cleaning carpet (in particular deep-pile carpet).

Consumer Sentiment
Consumer ratings for the Electrolux EL6984A UltraSilencer are not that plentiful but several were found at the sources indicated in the table below.  These ratings are quite good and indicate a respectable level of consumer satisfaction however this is small data set.   

A review of consumer comments from several quality sources indicates the following common likes and dislikes related to the EL6984A canister vacuum cleaner: 

PROS
- strong & adjustable suction
- lightweight
- retractable power cord
- very quiet
- eco-friendly
- excellent on bare floors

CONS
- fairly average on low-pile carpet or area rugs
- not very effective on deep pile carpet
- some attachments clip onto the handle – an awkward place
- brushbar is not motorized
- nozzle can be hard to push on carpet 

Vacuum Features & Specs
The EL6984A is powered by a 9 amp motor and comes with variable suction (via a basic slide control on the canister and on the vacuum handle).    The motor is also sound insulated as part of Electrolux’s effort to make this machine quiet.  Coupled with soft wheels and a low-noise floor nozzle, this machine apparently produces a maximum noise level of about 60db.  There are indeed several consumer comments indicating that this machine is very quiet.

The EL6984A Ultrasilencer is also touted as a “green” machine.  It comes packed in 80% recycled, unbleached cardboard and the plastic used in the construction of the vacuum is 55% recycled.  Electrolux also claim that the motor is extremely energy efficient and that it produces strong suction while using one third less energy than comparable models (although we do not know what models this refers to).  We have also read that 90% of this vacuum is recyclable (although we have not seen this particular piece of information on the Electrolux site but rather on several retail sites).

HEPA filtration is available with the Ultrasilencer.  HEPA stand for High Efficiency Particulate Air filtration and this level of filtration will remove 99.97% of particles of 0.3 microns of larger.  In particular it is good for removing allergens like dust mites, pollen, pet dander, etc from the air.  HEPA filtration is a useful feature for those with allergies of asthma.   The basic HEPA filter needs to be replaced about every 12 months.  However one can use an optional washable HEPA filter with the EL6984A and this will last about 2-3 years with proper maintenance.

The Ultrasilencer includes a foot operated lever on the carpet/bare-floor nozzle to allow for effective transition between carpeted surfaces and bare-floor surfaces – this essentially engages/disengages the brushbar (which is air-driven).  Other features of note include an electronic “bag full” indicator that tells you when it is time to change the vacuum bag, a foot pedal for the auto-rewind power cord and a telescopic wand that anchors to the back of the vacuum for neat storage. 

A crevice tool and a dust brush come standard with this unit.  It is also very light, weighing in at 12 lbs.  The light weight of this vacuum is commonly commented upon by consumers who feel the vacuum is easy to move and maneuver – it also has a large carry handle which helps when picking it up and/or moving it.   The power cord is retractable and is 21 feet in length while the hose length is 7 feet (the hose also swivels 360 degrees).  Oddly no consumers seem to have commented on what we would consider a rather short power cord - perhaps with the additional reach of the hose they do not feel it is a significant issue.  The EL6984A carries a 2 year limited warranty.