LG LuV400T

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Avg. consumer rating = 75/100 

The LG LuV400T is a very interesting vacuum cleaner with a tremendous range of features and tools.  Some of the more atypical features include vacuum RF controls from the wand and a special dust compacting system that allows you to get up to 3 times more dirt in the canister before emptying is necessary. Consumer ratings are not bad and the vacuum is also Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.  The cost for this machine tends to be similar (or slightly less) than a Dyson.

Many folks have probably heard of LG but don’t really know much about them.  LG is a Korean electronics company and it has been around since the 1950’s.  They created the first radios, televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines in Korea.  They have been very busy since then and are now the second largest LCD TV manufacturer in the world, and the third largest global provider of mobile handsets.  LG are now producing vacuum cleaners and consumers appear mostly pleased with the results.  They manufacture a range of upright and canister vacuums that all use the KOMPRESSOR technology.  The LuV400T is their top-end vacuum cleaner.

Consumer ratings are shown in the table below and indicate a reasonable level of satisfaction with the machine (with the exception of ratings on Amazon where the figures are lower than on other retail sites).  When these figures are averaged they generate an overall score of 75/100.

A list of common LuV400T likes and dislikes as described by owners has been compiled below.

PROS
- Very strong suction
- Vacuum works well on both carpet and bare floors
- Effective on pet hair
- Fairly quiet
- Dirt canister is easy to empty
- Ability to adjust suction is nice feature
- Lengthy 5-year warranty
- KOMPRESSOR technology works and also helps to limit dust during emptying
- Very long power cord allows vacuuming a large area without searching for an outlet
- Easy to assemble

CONS
- Wand can be a bit awkward to use
- Some owners find the vacuum bulky
- A little heavy
- Doesn’t fit under low furniture easily
- Wand and attachments must be assembled and attached to vacuum body for upright to work
- LED lighting isn’t that bright

The LG Kompressor Total Care Upright Vacuum Cleaner (model LuV400T) is powered by a 12 amp motor and suction is generated via cyclonic technology (cyclonic technology is quite popular these days and has been made particularly famous by Dyson).  This technology spins air at very high speeds which causes dirt and debris to be drawn out of the air and into the dirt canister.  This approach is said to help maintain strong suction while vacuuming (as the dirt canister is filling) and also to help filters stay cleaner longer.

This LG vacuum comes with a washable HEPA filter.  HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air and is a filter that removes 99.97% of all airborne particulates of 0.3 microns or larger that pass through it. This level of filtration has been used in the biomedical industry for many years to help inhibit the spread of airborne bacteria and viruses.  HEPA filtration is particularly popular with allergy or asthma sufferers as it will remove dust, pet dander, dust mite feces, pollens and other allergens from the air.  As stated above this machine is Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

According to LG, KOMPRESSOR technology allows the vacuum to hold up to 3 times more dirt/dust (than a non-KOMPRESSOR type vacuum) before emptying is required.  This is accomplished via a wiper blade inside the dirt canister.  This blade keeps the dust from accumulating on the canister walls and compacts the debris in the canister as well.  The debris is compressed into a cake and this helps to eliminate dust when emptying.  This feature gets approval from most owners who are pleased with the technology.  Also, the LG Kompressor Total Care has an indicator to tell you when you should empty the dirt canister.  

Attachments and tools include a mattress tool that vibrates to release dust from mattresses, a flexible crevice tool that bends enabling it to reach into awkward areas, a special parquet nozzle for bare floors, a pet hair turbine tool and a combination upholstery tool/dusting brush.  Consumers mention that the pet hair turbine tool and the mattress tool do a good job.  The mattress tool is also good for cleaning cushions.  An accessory bag is provided for the attachments but some would prefer to see them stored on the vacuum body for convenience.

The LuV400T does not scrimp on power cord length.  This machine sports a very, very long power cord at 40 feet (it is not retractable however).  With attachments, this provides an impressive cleaning range of 55 feet (the wand can be stretched out to provide 15 feet of additional reach).  The wand is made of aluminum and it detaches from the vacuum base – the vacuum handle becomes part of the wand. There are controls on the handle that allow you to turn the vacuum on and off, adjust suction (suction has 3 settings: Low, Medium and High) and turn the brushbar on and off.  These are RF controls so they still work when you are using the wand and away from the main body of the vacuum.  There are a number of owner comments indicating they like this rather unique feature.

LED lighting on the nozzle

As mentioned the brushbar can be turned on and off.  This is important if you intend to clean both carpet and bare floors.  Most people prefer to vacuum hard surfaces with the brushbar off and indeed a brushbar can mar some delicate flooring.  The height between the floor and the vacuum nozzle can also be adjusted on this machine - useful for different piles of carpet.  The adjustment is managed via a foot pedal and there are 4 different settings: High, Medium High, Medium Low and Low.

Other vacuum features include LED headlights on the front of the power nozzle (although there are a few consumer comments indicating these are not bright enough), a stretch hose, a very wide cleaning path of 14.5 inches and motor overload protection.  Motor overload protection will shut off the motor should the vacuum encounter an airflow obstruction or other similar problem.  After a shut off you just press the reset button to start the vacuum again. 

One of the downsides of this machine, with all its features, is its weight.  At 22 lbs some owners feel that it can be difficult to move around.  For an upright 22 lbs is indeed a little heavier than usual and dragging this up and down stairs, for example, could be difficult for some folks.  The LG LuV400T carries a respectable 5-year parts and labor warranty.