Side by Side Comparison of: Panasonic

My family has often used this type of canister vacuum growing up. I was worried about quality compared to what I was used to. This vacuum has been no problem for the past three years. It still runs well. I like the attachments. I don't have too much trouble finding bags (they go on sale on amazon from time to time). I usually buy them for $2.00 a bag or so. The pile height adjuster is broken (either permanently or temporarily; I haven't checked into it) but otherwise, I expect to keep using it. It's great in the car too. At three-and-a-half years, the cord is not retracting as well. It takes some effort for it to pull in. Once while using it, the wand would disconnect from the rug motor every time I pulled on it. I was not able to repeat that problem. I'm still happy with it.

I replaced my 17+ yr old Kenmore 360 Progressive with this vac. I give it 5 stars because it is (almost) EXACTLY the same product as the one I paid twice the price for many years ago. With the exception of the handle at the top of the wand where the switch is (the Kenmore is a higher quality) and this Panasonic model does not have the power indicator light but you can see the indent in the plastic body where it would be if it was a higher price. HEPA filter and everything else is the same. My old model was going to the dump for recycling but then I had the brilliant idea to try the new hose and carpet (beater bar) attachment on my old model. Eureka! LOL I now have two vacs that work. So the old model will go down to the first floor (it was the carpet attachment on the old one that was dead and why I was replacing it in the first place) and the new one will be upstairs. So win-win. All parts interchangeable. For this price it is a 5 STAR. How long it will last is unknown. It has a powerful motor and great suction, it is loud but not unusually so. Glad I got it after reading many reviews in all price ranges.

I have used Kenmore canisters for years and loved them. When my last Kenmore kicked the bucket I went to Sears to shop for a new one. I found the comparable model to be cheaply made, didn't like the attachments and too expensive. One of the Kenmore canister models that was most like my old one only had half the bag space. This Panasonic was exactly like my old Kenmore plus had one extra attachment my old one didn't have. It seems to be well constructed, was reasonably priced and uses the same bags I used for my Kenmore. I would recommend to anyone who loved the old model Kenmore and doesn't like the New models.

When doing my research prior to purchasing this vac I found that basically very little has changed in the world of vacuums. Self rolling cords have been around for decades as have multiple attachments, double motors, metal wands, lights on the front, ect. The one newer feature is the hepa filteration system, which has been around for a while. So why pay the huge price for the "elite" models like electrolux, dyson, or dirt devil? I found that this vac is almost one third the price of some of the other models. It does the job and I have not had any problems.
Pros:
Light weight and easy to move around the room
Easy to assemble and to break apart
The wands are metal with push pins eliminating the problems encountered with plastic wands
Any of a multitude of bags will fit including micro filter bags.
Small enough to move easily between furniture and will go beneath the sofa as well. My last vacuum wouldn't do that and so required extra work
The 24 foot cord allows vacuuming a large space without changing the plug to a new site.
Ride aboard attatchments sit beneath a cover so they stay in place and don't fall off while the vac is in use.
Will pick up large particles such as broken crackers or spilled cherios
Double motor-one in the body and one in the head
Three filters, hepa filter, bag, and motor filter.
Headlight
On/Off switch is on the handle
Handle is small enough to fit in the hand of a petite women (Look at the electrolux oxygen-the handle is huge!).
Uses a bag for dust collection. I don't like the bagless vacs and prefer a system which allows me as little contact as possible with dust and allergens.
Hepa filter has improved the air quality of my home.
Price is better hands down than any comperable vac on the market.
Good housekeeping seal of approval.
Large bags will hold a lot of dust and debris.
Bags are easy to change.
Switches easily from carpet to bare floors.
Cons:
The headlight turns on and off by itself which may be a problem if you want it on and the vac disagrees.
As far as I know there are no after market attatchments such as a power paw or extension wand to allow dusting of a high ceiling. The vac will take standard attatchments so other brands extensions can be used, however.
The cover over the extensions is a little difficult to open. I found that it is best to grip with both hands at the sides rather than one hand at the front.

Overall this vac is a great deal for the money and does what it is supposed to. It is easy to use and my carpet looks great after it is vacuumed. The air smells clean and my family is experiencing less problems with allergies. This vac was all sold out in my area and it is easy to see why. Not a problem as amazon was able to deliver one to my door free of charge in four days at a lower price than the local stores!

Of all our household chores I believe we all have at least one "favorite" whether it be laundry, ironing, cooking, vacuuming ect.. My favorite is vacuuming so that being said I have used so many different vacuums over the years from hoover, eureka, dyson, electrolux, kenmore, commercial, central vac's, ect. and my latest was Oreck before purchasing this Panasonic mc-cg902. I have to say this Panasonic amazed me. From using mostly upright vac's, getting used to a canister vacuum is not that much of an adjustment at all, I find it is actually easier. I believe canisters vacuums are so much better and the suction can't be beat by any upright I have ever used even the Oreck. No more having to use a different vacuum for stairs and smaller tight areas.

I have tested this vacuum on all my floors and even my couch. I have hardwood, laminate, oriental area rugs, runners, small door way throw rugs, wall to wall carpet, shag carpet and tile in my home as well as kids with their friends in and out & 2 dogs one of which is a pretty good shedder. Needless to say I vacuum everyday! The suction is so good that I only have to pass once and it picked what it should and including that pesky dog hair without sucking the rug into the vacuum, made the carpet so plush looking like brand new again with those great vacuum lines, beautiful! Unlike the oreck.. which I also had to continually run the oreck vac in the same spot over and over til finally I just bent over to pick up the random sting or scoop with my hand the dog hair the oreck vac wouldn't pick up. To me the oreck and the dyson is highly overated and overpriced. The dyson for me didnt pick up at all seemed it blew the dust and dog hair around.

This Panasonic Canister vac also is so convenient because of the onboard tools which I used every single one with no problems and great suction. Easy to switch to a tool for baseboards, steps or tight corners. As far as bare floor cleaning, the one thing that was dissapointing for me was the headlight turned off but the pickup was totally strong! Which was what matters to me more. Walking on the bare floor after vacuuming you definately felt the clean, smooth difference. This vacuum is also pretty quite, so much so you can have a conversation without screaming at each other while vacuuming or even without having to turn the TV volume up.

Purchasing from Amazon was also a great experience, shipping was so quick and great customer service, will use Amazon for future purchases without hesitation. Five out of Five Stars to Amazon too! I read all the reviews and they helped me with my decision so I Hope this review helps someone with their decision to purchase this amazing Panasonic MC-CG902 Vacuum too :)

I purchased this Panasonic vac as a replacement for a 2yr old Dyson DC39 that was was accidentally "killed" by an electrical surge so a replacement was in order. After using a "bag-less" vac for two years I was ready to return to a bagged vacuum due to their higher suction rate and "no mess" emptying. I spent a week researching bagged canisters and settled on this model due to it's good reviews over various sites.

So far I am extremely impressed with this vacuum's cleaning power/suction and ease of use.

PROS:
very strong suction! It even lifted my carpet up slightly! Very Impressed with this over the Dyson..it was not that strong
easy to maneuver -a little more so than the Dyson DC39
long cord that retracts easily
love the Air turbine brush and it's "caddy" that fits so snugly on the wand that would take effort to knock it off
easy on/off/bare floor/carpet switch located on the handle [no more bending down to turn it on/off]
on board "tools" are within easy reach inside the top of the machine
very easy to remove/replace bag
even though most of my floors are tile or wood, I do have some carpet and switching from the power head/carpet to the hard floor tool is easy. You can use the bare floor/carpet head but I like to use the bare floor only tool so that's personal preference
easy to carry and store as the telescopic wand fits on the back of the canister in an upright position

CON:
its not too heavy but it isn't feather light either...but then anything with a "motor" is going to have some weight so I'd say its about the same weight as a Dyson DC39
The only change I'd make is in the hard floor tool [not the one with the beater bar]..here Dyson beats Panasonic. The Dyson "trigger-head" hard floor tool rotates in every direction making it very easy to maneuver around/under while the Panasonic hard floor tool does not rotate making harder to get under and around table legs, etc. NOTE: please see my review of the Axis Hard Floor Tool as a great replacement tool for the disfunctional hard floor tool that comes with this vacuum.

Final Thoughts: for those of us who like a bagged vacuum the Panasonic is a great choice and I didn't have to spend a small fortune!
If I experience any problems in the future with this vacuum I will revisit this review.

I have had this vacuum since February 2015 and have been very pleased. I also own the red Kenmore Progressive canister and I can say that the Panasonic definitely has better suction, likely because of the opti-flow design. I also believe the Panasonic seems more sturdy and has a better build quality than the Kenmore. The tools function very well and there is not a lot of bulk on the wand or handle, so it can get into tight spaces.

It does a great job on carpets and does well on bare floors when using the bare floor tool. The power head with the brush roll turned off can also be used to clean bare floors, but it will leave behind the fine dust particles, so use the floor brush for a more thorough clean. The dusting brush probably has the longest and softest bristles of any vacuum I've seen before, which is great for dusting furniture and electronics. I do like that it is bagged so that all the dirt is trapped inside and you don't have a mess emptying it or constantly cleaning filters. I use the thick HEPA bags, which are the same as the Kenmore Q bags that you can pick up at Sears. I wish this model had the electronic suction control because there are times when the suction is so strong you need to dial it down, but there is a manual suction control you can adjust on the wand which eases up the suction just a bit. Also, the vacuum takes standard 1.25 inch attachments, so you can buy additional attachments from other vendors if you want. I bought a combination floor tool that I use for bare floors since it is a bit larger and maneuvers a bit Better than the one that comes with the machine, All in all, a great value considering everything you get.

So far I'm very happy with this purchase. It arrived intact and assembly was easy! I like the extension pole and the long, retractable cord. At first I was disappointed with the results on my carpet, that is, until I discovered the floor/carpet button - what a difference. My carpet looks new again! and it works equally well on my floors, so I'm thrilled. It's a little larger and heavier than I had anticipated but that's due to my own lack of consideration to this-mainly the size since my closet space is scarce. It is exactly how described, however, and I've made room for it, standing it up and flattening out the sweeper to stand next to it. The main sweeper is much wider than I'm used to though it's not a complaint, just will take some getting used to. I love having all of the attachments in one convenient place! The last time I spent this much on a vacuum cleaner, it lasted 16 years, with a few minor repairs in between. This one is a sturdy, powerful machine and I expect it will last for at least that long,

I finally did it. Treated myself to that long awaited vacuum. Despite needing one for a very long time, either the price or poor quality has delayed my purchasing one up until now... I was finally too desperate to wait any longer. I admit, I was worried about going with a brand I have never even considered to be a home vacuum (sound or visual electronics sure), yet I am so glad that I chose this one! It so far completely surpasses any Kenmore, Hoover, Bissell (and I love my Bissell, which in it's own right is worth 5 stars for a dust vac), Dirt Devil, or any other brand I have owned or even considered prior to purchasing this one. And as a die-hard fan and previous owner of Kenmore brand vacuums, this was a difficult decision for me to make, then ultimately make the change. I chose this particular vacuum because of the price, the high reviews given on other websites and of the Pet Hair feature. Then kicked myself for choosing this particular model, as I really liked the burgundy color of the model one below this one. Yet, there is only highlights of green and mainly black in color. Once I used the "Pet Hair" feature, I soon realized that I am happy that I made the plunge and bought the Pet Hair feature, as I am finally enjoying a Pet Hair free home as this feature has turned out to be truly AMAZING! To date, with every feature this vacuum has to offer, it FAR SURPASSES any other vacuum I have viewed, considered or owned. I also was concerned about aluminum versus steal. Don't need to sorry about this feature as this does not remove any of the quality this vacuum has to offer; as the high quality of the aluminum makes this a strong competitor, that is light weight providing a very nice length to reach the higher ceiling places (I'm 5'3"). The Hepa bags assure you will not be re-distributing the same dust that was just vacuumed, which is a great feature that I never realized I wanted up until it came with the vacuum. This vacuum is Great in quality, Great in every aspect it offers, as this vacuum holds true to the glowing performance ratings and recommendations that have been given by popular websites that rate these kinds of appliances. Pretty quiet, the floor feature quieter than the carpet; wide vacuum base that covers a wider portion of floor that allows finishing the job faster; long plug extension which allows covering a larger portion of area before looking for the next closer outlet; long hose ; nice area that holds tools; easy to use. Delivery quick, prompt and completely undamaged in every way (box to appliance perfect). A welcomed addition to any household (especially mine) and I would recommend this to my mother as well as to my friends...

My wife and I test drove this Panasonic canister vacuum along side a couple of different Electrolux cansisters, and while we ended up going with one of the Electrolux models based on some preferred features, it was really a tough choice against this Panasonic! In fact, when I eventually returned the Optiflow, it was not without some hesitation as to whether or not I was making the right choice -- the decision was that close.

However, from our time testing the Optiflow out, I made some observations that may help others decide if it's right for them.

Pros:
-Excellent price, in my opinion, for all the included features and accessories.
-Large, high quality dust bag. I haven't been able to find exactly what the capacity is, but it seemed twice as large as the Electrolux canister models we were comparing it to. And on top of that, the bag seems to be made of a cloth-like material.
-Great suction. We actually received and tested one of the Electrolux vacuums (the Jetmaxx) first, but after hitting up a lot of the same spots with the Optiflow, it already seemed to have quite a bit more dirt and pet hairs in the bag.
-Optimal selection of tools included and storabable onboard: Air turbine pet hair brush, upholstery tool, crevice tool, hard floor tool, and dusting brush.
-Overall pretty quiet operation compared to the Eureka Boss upright we were getting rid of. Of course, it's louder with the power nozzle turned on, but still overall fairly quiet. Dogs being less frightened of a vacuum is a good thing.
-HEPA filtration.
-24' retractable power cord.
-Canister has parking slot to store power nozzle. We found this to be a very convenient feature.
-6' hose is sturdy and very flexible. The Optiflow has what's known as a wire-reinforced type hose and it's way more flexible than the "crush-proof" type hoses most higher end vacuums have. "Crush-proof" sounds like a nice way to market your vacuum parts, but seriously, how many times have you had to worry about your vacuum hose being crushed? I would say I have average adult male strength and the Optiflow's hose is extremely rigid when you try to apply pressure directly down on one of the wire rings, yet at the same time more flexible when maneuvering through standard vacuum motions.
-In addition to a flexible hose design, the wand handle is well-placed above, not in-line, with the wand and hose connection. We found this made pushing the power nozzle around way easier on the wrist and just plain more nimble.
-Canister has a rubber bumper strip around the whole unit.
-Air turbine brush can be opened to clean out the insides. Also has a geared belt to reduce slippage you might experience with a flat belt.

Cons:
-The Optiflow has HEPA filtration, but it is not a sealed unit. There are already several layers of filtration on this vacuum and being sealed just means the HEPA filter and the lid would have rubber gaskets, so that added layer of sealing may not be a big deal to you.
-No bag full indicator.
-The height indicator on the power nozzle is difficult to see.
-Warranty is only 1 year.
-The included air turbine brush is less efficient that a similar motorized brush, which just means you'll need to do an extra swipe or two. And yes, this brush is air-driven, meaning it will stop if you apply too much pressure to it on your stairs or furniture. I can confirm this brush DOES work when applying it to a surface with a light enough touch to keep the brush roll spinning. It's not necessary to muscle the brush firmly against a surface...let it glide over the surface lightly and it'll get that pet hair!

If you're like me, researching a good vacuum cleaner online is kind of a nightmare, as you have so many conflicting reviews for a given product. It'll drive you mad when you look through reviews and read "Best vacuum ever!" immediately followed by "Worst vacuum ever!".

If we hadn't decided that we preferred a sealed HEPA vacuum cleaner and a motorized pet hair brush, we would have gone with this Panasonic Optiflow. If those two factors aren't a concern to you AND you prefer to spend less money, I would go with this unit in a second. There was one hitch, however. At one point the power nozzle height adjustment pedal seemed broken. Before I was ready to pack it up and send it back, I opened up the power nozzle per the instructions for changing the belt so I could take a closer look. I discovered nothing was actually broken, but one of the parts related to the height adjustment had somehow slipped out of alignment and I was able to put it back with a screw driver. I reassembled the power nozzle and it never happened again while I still had the vacuum.

You can see more comparison details between this vacuum and an Electrolux model by looking up "Panasonic Optiflow Canister Vacuum Vs. Electrolux Ultrasilencer Delux Canister Vacuum" on my YouTube video.

I bought this vacuum 3 years ago. My household has 8 furry pets, one human with long hair, and one bald human with a lot of body hair. Basically, our house is a nightmare for a vacuum cleaner. This machine has held up very well! It handles our wood floors, lino floors, and carpet, no problem. It does a great job of collecting the hair and dust. The bags are super easy to change and hold a lot. The attachments are on-board which is a must for me, because I need to be able to switch to the hose and various attachments constantly if I am going to take the hair off baseboards and out of tight corners. This machine lacks nothing. It has never been serviced and (knock on wood), has never clogged or broken (despite one dig who does her best to shred her toys as often as possible).

I would give it 5 stars except it is heavy and kind of a chore to drag around. I hate canister vacs for that reason, but it is necessary in our house to have a powerful, versatile machine.

This is a great vac.

We are canister people. Uprights seem to be the most popular option, but we like the versatility of a canister. It's difficult to find a good quality canister outside of speciality stores, more so these days because it seems nothing is built like it used to, and this vacuum is no different. We've had 2 Kenmore canisters in the last 25+ years and they have served us well. The Kenmore models are actually built by Panasonic, so it seemed like a no brainer to stick with what works and go with this model. Although this vacuum is basically the same model that has been made successfully for years, it's obvious that quality has gone down a bit - the plastic is a bit softer, the power switch is cheaper feeling, the wand tube is a lighter guage metal and the parts feel like the molds used to make them have got sloppy from wear over the years... It's the model I'm familiar with, its just not as well made. Still, its not nearly as bad as cheap machines I've used and in comparison to what is commonly available still appears to be a good value. I just don't think I'll get 15 years out of this version. The weak point with this model is the electrical connections on the handle and power head - unfortunately a new hose assembly is virtually the cost of a whole new unit. I have also seen several comments that this current model may have trouble with an internal relay that controls the main motor inside the case, but fortunately I am skilled to repair that myself should it fail. I won't return this vacuum, but if I had known how the quality had dropped I may have considered going up to the next level of the German machines (though I understand that they aren't what they used to either, and they are significantly more expensive). I also considered a new model from the steam cleaner Vapamore (MR-500), but they have no history in the conventional vacuum market and its uncertain how long it would be supported if it is not successful and potentially decide to drop it, not to mention no stores carry it so I'd have to purchase on faith. So, I'll hold out hope the Panasonic holds up close to its ancestors, because this vacuum really is the best value canister vacuum among the competition - it has extraordinary suction, includes an electrically powered carpet head, HEPA filtering, convenient features like upright parking of the wand on the bottom of the unit so it stores in a closet nicely and overall handles just about any mess with ease. If only they still made them like they used to.

Update:
I've had this vacuum for 5 years and the switch problem seems to be completely gone (maybe it just needed to work itself out -- don't think it's happened in 4 years). Other than that, this vacuum has been really reliable and does a great job cleaning. I've never changed a belt, but have kept up with changing filters. It never kicks up dust and does well both on carpet and hardwood. I'm sure the hepa filter is doing a solid job because I have an air purifier that detects particles and automatically turns on. It never turns on when I'm vacuuming, even if I go right by it. The biggest issue I have with this vacuum is that it's a little too bulky so it's sometimes a pain to keep pulling the canister forward, especially around corners.

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Previous review from 2011

Soon after assembling the first unit, I noticed an intermittent problem where when the vacuum was on the "floor" setting on the three way switch (carpet/floor/off), and switched to the "off" position, the vacuum didn't turn off. Setting it back to the floor position, and then to off again did not correct the problem. I would have to switch to "carpet", which activates the roller, and then slide to off in order to turn off the vacuum. This would happen only sometimes, other times it would work fine. This is unacceptable for a $200 vacuum.

I ordered a second unit as a replacement, and the first time I plugged it in after assembling it, it turned on, even though the switch was in the off position. This makes me think that either Panasonic has some serious quality control issues, or that there is a design defect in the vacuum. The only contributing factor I could think of is that there is high humidity inside my apartment because of the summer and that is causing the switches to malfunction.

Overall, I'm happy with this product. It gets the job done better and more efficiently than the canister and upright vacuums I was using.Pros:- Off/floor/carpet slide switch is on the top of the handle - super convenient to run from rugs to bare floor and back.- Good suction - picks up small rocks.- The power head is low profile - gets under the toe kicks and sofa.- The long cord reaches several rooms, rewinds.- The extra floor attachment is ~9" and so gets into the nooks and crannies the powerhead won't.- The wand / powerhead clip on the unit when upright so it stores compactly in the closet.- Powerhead is light, a breeze to whip around the room, but see handle con.Cons:- The carpet height indicator is hard to see in anything but bright light.- The handle rotates freely 90d ccw, which is good for getting under the sofa if you're right-handed, but not so good if you're left handed. Also makes the power head harder to control when on rugs/carpet.- Tool & bag lids are hard plastic, meaning you'll have to be reasonably gentle with them.- The extra attachments, excepting the one for the floor just slide on, rather than clip.- the headlight goes off in the floor mode.- The powerhead doesn't get up the dust film on hard flooring when the brush is off. I got a 1-1/4" x 14" wide floor brush, which works great and is much lighter than the powerhead.Info:- This unit uses 3 filters: o Bag: 8" x 13.5" Panasonic MC-V150M | type C-5 | Kenmore 50558, 5055, 50557. # to a pack & bag material vary. o Hepa: 4 5/16" x 2 13/16" x 13/16", Panasonic MC-V194H | Kenmore EF-2 | #86880. 1 to a pack. o Motor protector: 5" x 5" x 3/8", Panasonic? | Kenmore CF-1. 2 to a pack.- Wand fits 1-1/4" attachments like 1 & 1/4 inches DELUXE FLOOR BRUSH for most vacuum cleaners.- Motor head is reasonably powerful, but less so than my old Eureka upright.- The powerhead roller has brushes on both sides, rather than a beater bar & brush.Update:I've used this unit 1x a week for 3 years or so now. Still working great.

This vac might actually be worthy of a 5-star review, but I haven't used it long enough to have that strong of an opinion, so I'm giving it 4 stars for now.

I never thought I'd buy a vacuum cleaner online -- I'm so picky about little things like ergonomics, how well it cleans, etc, and I know that shipping back an unwanted vac would be so expensive that I'd end up keeping a vac I didn't like.

However, I had looked everywhere in town for a vac that did well in Consumer Reports testing but didn't cost a lot, and I'd had no luck. So, I went ahead and took a chance on this vac; it did really well in the latest Consumer Reports testing and had overall good reviews on Amazon. (BTW, don't confuse Consumer Reports with Consumer Digest; the latter is basically paid advertising designed to look like tests/reviews!).

I've been using my new vacuum cleaner for a few days and really like it. I had a Kenmore Whispertone before that finally died and was surprised that this is almost identical - right down to the connecting pins! It seems just as solid in quality & construction as my Kenmore (which lasted at least 10 years).

The vacuum is a tad smaller and lighter (both the canister & the powerhead)than my Kenmore, which I like because it's easier to maneuver. However, if your house is all carpet (mine's 50-50 carpet & wood), you might prefer the deeper cleaning that a heavier upright has.

I ordered some pricey bags because I didn't think I'd be able to find Panasonic C-5 size bags in town (since I couldn't find a Panasonic vac cleaner). Turns out my old Kenmore Whispertone bags fit. You don't have to order the pricey Panasonic C-5 bags, just take the bag that comes with it to your local KMart or Sears and pick one the same shape.

Pros:
- Handle makes it easy to use on steps.
- Solid construction (steel tubes that really latch together)
- Good quality brushes (real hair bristles on the dust brush).
- Cord rewind button and it really works!
- Sturdy but not unreasonably heavy.
- Good Consumer Reports test results, especially on emissions (important in our house full of allergic folks!).
- Pretty standard canister bag shape.
- It also came with the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, which I didn't know.

Cons:
- Color is a dark maroon red, not a cheery red like I'd thought. Probably doesn't matter to most people but I have to store mine out in the open so I like happy colors.
- No "power paw" attachment (basically a small powered brush head) for getting pet hair out of upholstered furniture. Fortunately my old Kenmore one fits. But it would be better if Panasonic at least offered this as an accessory.

This unit is very much like my old Hoover Dimension which I liked but reached the end of its time. Vacuums have not been my favorite appliance for many reasons--cost, capability, quality, and longevity. I prefer canister models over upright for their ability to get under furniture and are more lightweight. I also like the canisters with power heads for their ability to power those brushes and fluff up carpet pile. This unit so far is doing well. I have hardwoods, carpeting which is a mid-pile dense type and pets. The wider head is very effective at cleaning larger areas at a time. It even does a decent job of getting the edges which even on a good day is not possible for most vacuums. It has a longer cord which is also helpful with good rewind feature and the on-board tools are useful for getting into those annoying smaller areas. It is easy enough to use--the controls are designed to avoid accidental turn off..The canister is not overly heavy and moves around pretty effortlessly. You can pick it up and move it around without throwing your back out. There is a lot of plastic but it seems heavy enough to do the job. The wand height is adjustable so if you are tall you can clean without being hunched over. It is not overly expensive but if you shop around you can likely pick one up on a sale. I am looking forward to this one being around for a while.

I bought this vacuum cleaner to replace my Hoover progressive, which stopped working after 15+ years! It is a great little vacuum cleaner with lots of power but I gave it only 4 stars for a few reasons.
Pros
-Manuevers easily
-Onboard tools are easily accessible
-The air turbine attachment works great on picking up cat hair off of furniture

Cons
-I've used this Panasonic 4 times and, like other reviewers, I agree that it does have an oder when first turned on. It's not nearly as bad as the first use.
-The telesoping wand is a nice feature but makes the wand bulky to get underneath some furniture, especially if the air turbine tool caddy is attached. It would be better to be able to store this attachment along with the other tools.

Overall, I like it and would recommend it.

This vacuum replaced our 7 year old kenmore cannister which had a defective hose. Replacement cost for new hose was approximately $125 to $150, I was never sure of the exact replacement. The panasonic vacuum is very similiar to our old kenmore, probably was manufactured by them, and performs in like manner. It has great suction, good powercord length, and an awesome cord rewind. The HEPA filter is an improvement since the exhaust air smells very clean. We use this vacuum primarily for wood and tile surfaces. Very happy with purchase since this machine was only $100 over the cost to repair our old kenmore.

This vacuum cleaner will not blow your mind with design or technology. This is essentially the same vacuum as my old Kenmore. They use the same Kenmore C-style bag, they have the same levers in the same places. I even switched hoses from my dying Kenmore to verify that they are interchangeable. The overall impression, however, is of higher quality and better performance.

The motor and turbine noise is lower than the noise of air rushing through the hose and nozzle. Not exactly silent, but reasonably quiet. Much better than the old Kenmore. Suction is good, extendable wand is great - I no longer need to bend during vacuuming. Power cord rewind is strong and reliable. The best thing is the wheels. Finally a vacuum that rolls easily and follows me without pulling back and hitting all walls and corners. This vacuum is heavy. Not an issue until you need to carry it.

During the after-holidays cleanup this vacuum picked up all dust, tree needles, glitter, dog hair, and even small debris like pistachio shells. It pulled dog hair out of rugs. Generally did a great job.

The things I do not like: the accessory cover is meant to pop when you press the release buton. It does not, you have to lift it which requires both hands. The power cord is shorter than in other vacuums I used. This make it necessary for me to switch outlets more frequently. The hole in the standard nozzle is not straight but at an angle. Very annoying when cleaning stairs. I had to drill another hole right in the center.

I do not get the dust bag basket. It does nothing for me. Neither good nor bad.

Some reviews here complain about damaged hardwood floors. Guys, the power brush is for carpets and rugs, not for hardwood or linoleum. Also, the power head has adjustable height. Use XLO for bare floors to maximize dirt pickup. Use MED for low or medium pile rugs and carpets.

This vacuum was just about what I expected. It has all of the features that I wanted in a unit, and it is REALLY powerful. It is my first canister vacuum to purchase (but I do have an ancient high end Electrolux canister vac that is really nice that was given to me, but one that is bulky to store and with its old power-head having a short in the hose making it hard to keep it spinning, etc). This Panasonic has probably twice the suction of my older Hoover upright, and probably a little more than even the old Electrolux, all at half (or less) of the noise level than either of the two. Considering the lowered buying power of today's dollar, having gotten this unit on Amazon for $200 was a song in comparison to my last vacuum purchase (my old Hoover upright, purchased from Sears in late 1994 for $130).

Some of the features on this unit, as I expected, are really delicate, so I do expect to have to handle this thing with kid gloves in order to prevent having to buy parts and make repairs - in the long term, but even my mother in law's Miele is equally as delicate. After I ordered this unit I asked my mother in law to let me see her vacuum, which I remembered being a well over $400, my having ordered it for her. The first thing she said was, "You have to be very careful with it. It is very easy to break. It is very delicate." Her Miele is notably quieter than this vacuum, but this unit is not, by any means, a loud machine. It is probably the first vacuum I have ever owned that I could use and still hear my television, and not miss my show.

If there was a way to rate this unit four and a half stars, that is what I would rate it, realistically. I believe that the features are high end enough to merit a five star, also considering its power, air filtering system and reduced noise. My only REAL negative is that it could have been made a little tougher, as far as the plastic parts are concerned. Some of the plastic just seems soft enough that it is sure to be easy to break. For the dollars spent, however, I'd rate this a five over a Miere that I'd rate four at best, for its also being fragile but at such an elevated price (unless, of course, the motor gives out on this one and not my mother in law's Miele, which has yet to be seen by me).

Pros

Very powerful unit. Pulls debris out of crevices at which my Hoover upright with hose attachment just snarled.

Plenty of attachments for any kind of cleaning that you could need to tackle. Most store inside the unit under the hood.

On/Off switch in the perfect place on the hose for easy control

Canister follows behind the operator just fine. Does not stray into the legs of the furniture or into walls.

Nice long power cord that winds back into the unit at the press of a bar that is on the unit for foot press.

Hose/power-head has a foot release making it easy to detach and swab out those hard to reach areas.

Telescoping wand!

Although not as quiet as my mother in law's Miele, this unit is on the quiet side, especially in comparison to my older vacuums.

This unit has an adequately large bag. I have read reviews on some vacuums where bag size was an issue, being too small.

Filtering system works! Unit, hands down, LEAVES NO SMELL OF DUST, where my Hoover upright left the house smelling dusty.

Aesthetics are nice. This is a really sharp looking black unit with green trim.

Cons

Headlight is not bright enough.

Power-head does not edge as well as I expected. I'm not certain, but I think my Hoover upright actually edges a little better.

Some of the components and/or controls are very delicate and would be very easy to break.

It is a little larger than I thought it would be, making it a little harder to store, but still easier to store than my ancient Electrolux.

This is a great machine. It deserves a 4 or 4.5 except for what I consider some unacceptable operating conditions (for normal people).I love Panasonic…Great quality…last same vacuum lasted me 35 years and the bags are the same, as well as the basics.This machine has some new nice electronic/electrical features, like the re-sets and circuit protections and a couple of new filters.I have two complaints: getting the attachments on/off is impossible for any one except 150 lb athletes with strong fingers. The normal or arthritic house wife is not going to change attachments at all. Ok, maybe it is not done often, but it is murder.Second….just the opposite…the ON/OFF-Floor/Carpet Switch is so easy to move and so much under your fingers all the time, that it is always turning off or changing modes.Consider it a 4.5 for it's quality and performance; I gave it a three to get your attention.So, I love it (85 yr old ex gorilla), had it just for a day and will handle it, but NOT easily.

In general, it is fine. However, the angle of the trigger housing is not true vertical when used with the floor cleaning attachment. It is tilted slightly, approximately 10 degrees to the left. This will most likely present a problem for left handed users because your palm will be facing up. For me, I prefer true vertical but it is okay with a slight overhand grip. It is a design problem which Panasonic can remedy by moving the retaining pin to the right about 30 degrees which will allow it to swivel to the left and right. If you are a lefty, try and mimic the motion by angling your left hand slightly to the left and push outward. If it is uncomfortable, you may need to vacuum your floor with your right hand. This applies only when cleaning floors since the accessories can be used at any angleMaybe I got a bad extension set.

I bought this as a replacement for a worn-out Oreck canister vac. After some time living with it, I can say that the Oreck was quite the superior product.My biggest complaint is with the power head. It's too high to fit under the kitchen cabinet kick plates or other furniture the Oreck sailed under, requiring a lot more detail work with the other attachments. The head is heavier, louder, and it doesn't steer when you twist the handle - you have to muscle it to change directions. One of the small wheels on the power head has stopped turning.The handle on the hose doesn't seem to be ergonomically efficient - it tires my wrist much more quickly than just grabbing the hard curve at the hose end of the Oreck. I do like the power switch located in the handle. The metal extension is very hard to detach from the hose because the button is stiff and hard to depress sufficiently.The attachments are better quality, but they are difficult to access because of the canister door. The door curves forward of the hose attachment point on both sides, and as a result the hose is often in the way when trying to open the door. Also the grab point for opening the door is very shallow and hard to use except from just the right angle.My biggest safety concern is that, if you use the vac for a while with the power cord partially unreeled (so some of it is still stored in the canister), then unreel more cord, the newly unreeled part of the cord is extremely hot.All in all, it's much better than an upright (The Shark Rotater I tried was terrible) and it does the job (sort of) but, price point be dammed, I want my Oreck back.

Bought this model from Amazon to replace a worn-out but very similar Sears model. The Panasonic vacuum works well, suction is pretty strong, not too noisy, rotating brush does a good job on carpets. HOWEVER... ...after about 1 year, had same problem with ON/OFF switch that many other reviewers also had. The vacuum will not shut off unless you unplug it. I disassembled the wand and checked the 3-position switch with an electrical tester - the switch itself does seem to operate correctly. As another reviewer mentioned, removing the hose from the canister section does not stop the motor as it should. These facts point to a problem in the internal wiring of the motor unit, possibly a normally open relay that is stuck closed. I then opened the canister section (it's not obvious how to do this - you have to snap off the gray plastic cord rewind switch cover to access the screws, and it's really easy to break the hold-down tabs). Unfortunately, the amount of work needed to get at the circuit board under the motor is daunting, even for an eager do-it-yourselfer like me. I just didn't want to open that can of worms. And I wonder whether you can buy the replacement part, even if you get that far. Anybody actually accomplish this?Panasonic should be ashamed. Such a simple problem in an otherwise good unit spoils its value.

I bought this vacuum less than a year ago and in that time the off/on switch has failed. So, to turn it off and on, I have to unplug and plug it in to the outlet.My husband took it apart and tried to fix the switch but that did not work.We contacted Panasonic, hoping they would just mail us a switch which we could install. They would not. Since there is not a repair center in our city, we will have to cover the cost of shipping the vacuum to their repair center.This is a disappointment. Such a switch should not have failed in less than one year's worth of light usage. To make it worse, Panasonic will not help with the shipping cost of such a heavy item.

I bought this vacuum to replace an almost identical sears model that, after 20 years of reliable service, burned out the main bearing in the motor.When I first received and used the panasonic vacuum I was delighted. It is powerful, light weight, convenient and easy to operate. The problem developed within a week of usage. The power switch on the handle no longer turns the machine off. The problem is not in the switch, but, I'm guessing, it's the relay or some other internal part. I removed the vacuum hose that includes the switch and the machine continues running.I am not going to contact Panasonic. I will fix it myself once I am certain of the problem. It is really annoying to buy a new item and have to repair it only after one week of use! I guess it's hard to find reliable products these days.

The hose is annoying short. Can't reach a mid-level shelf without hoisting vacuum somehow. No brake for use on stairs--it will just wheel itself right back down unless held in place by foot or brute strength. The "press button to open" button to get to the on-board tools (like the crevice tool) is rather picky about when it chooses to open--can't press it too hard nor too softly. The small rug tool is useless--it only uses the airflow to turn the mini beater bar. The tubing ("wand") is too short (when combined with hose) to reach an 8' ceiling. Suction is good--almost too good, so if crevice tool is used in a small space (closet, small bath) WEAR HEARING PROTECTION.

I prefer canister vacs like this one, but boy, was I spoiled by my previous Kenmore (which, by appearances, was a Panasonic). Now I know what to check.

Actually purchased this a few years ago. Our 3rd canister. Other 2 were from Sears but made by Panasonic. Measuring only the hose, not the ends, the Sear's hose is 6'10". This Panasonic hose is about an inch less than 5'. This is a HUGE difference when vacuuming, as the hose is constantly hitting your leg when vacuuming, even if the canister is inches away from your foot. My spouse hates this short hose. Unfortunately the hose is not interchangeable from the Sears hose. The suction is good; wish the bare floor attachment that is housed in the canister was wider.

After an initial problem with the electrical and a trip to the (far away and rude!) service center, the unit worked ok for about 3 years. Today the motor failed big time, I'm out of warranty and now off to buy another canister vacuum that will perhaps last longer. So disappointed with Panasonic - won't buy anything else from them again.

It's OK. There is a strange "burning plastic" smell after using it. I hope that's because it is new and it eventually goes away. The vacuum stick does not stay upright if you have to move something while vacuuming, and falls over - this totally and completely makes the thing horrible. It does pick up long air in the carpet (human) with one go. That is nice. The roller does not come out unless you do some massive unscrewing and taking apart - this makes clearing those long hairs out of the roller difficult. Came with two vacuum cleaner bags and one in the machine - that's good. Feels heavy and clumsy when trying to vacuum with this thing - both how hard it is to push it around the floor, and dragging the canister around. very heavy to use. not light. The foot controls to change the roller height (low, medium, or deep carpet) and the control to remove the stick from the upright position are too close together and feel flimsy. Poorly thought out. Who designed this thing? It's kind of crappy design when actually using it. There is this brush you can mount near the handle but don't - it just gets in the way. Rubber bumpers on the canister but will still ding the crap out of your furniture and walls. Why can't there be a removable washable cushioned cover for the bumpers? Hello?

I purchased this vacuum to replace my thirteen year old Kenmore. As other reviewers have mentioned this model is very close to the Kenmore and the bottom of the canister is obviously the same mold. The good news is the suction is strong and the newer wheels allow it to roll much easier. The vacuum is also reasonably quiet and my old Kenmore motorized stair attachment works with the new handle. I paid more for the Kenmore and I can see where they cut corners on this new model to make it cheaper. The plastic in general seems cheaper and not as sturdy. The handle on the new on has a seam that is actually uncomfortable to use for long period where the old Kenmore had a well manufactured and comfortable grip. The rubber around the edge of the canister is thinner than the old vacuum and doesn't look like it will hold up as well. The attachments on the new vacuum are also much lower quality but I can still use the old so it's not a problem for me. Overall in use it is a form fit replacement and I am content with that, but I don't see this one lasting as long as my previous Kenmore.

This vacuum cleaner is awkward and cumbersome to use. I would NOT buy it again,indeed am thinking of getting rid of it, trying to trade it in. I used a heavy upright Kirby vacuum for years. When I downsized to a small apartment without carpet/rugs, I no longer needed such a heavy duty machine. This machine is more awkward to use than my Kirby. The only plus is that it is quieter. I do not recommend it.

I was happy with all of the features and performance straight out of the box.After 3 months and only a handful of vacuuming sessions the motor burned out. I'm passed the Amazon return window, so now I need to deal with Panasonic customer service, which I've read could use a reputation boost.

I purchased this vacuum cleaner in the late summer 2011 and it worked great for the first year and 1/2. After about 2 1/2 years now it is just about dead. First the front wheels fell off, first the right, then the left. Every time I popped them back off they just came off again.Next, the hose broke clean off during a routine vacuuming! My husband re-attached that using electrical tape, and it worked fine for another month. Soon after that, when I pulled back on the handle during normal vacuuming, the power would waver on and off. Today it just completely died. I'm sorry, but vacuum cleaners, ESPECIALLY those that receive the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval", should not fall apart after 2 1/2 years of ownership!! I plan on complaining to the manufacturer.

Loved it for the first few months that I've had it, one of the best that I've had in recent years. The issue that I have now, is that the dowel pin/power brush is warped. The bigger issue, is trying to get a hold of Panasonic's customer service/warranty support. They require you to send a proof of purchase, which I have no problem with as this was expected. The big problem is, they appear to have a completely different firm handle their emails and fax (as a rep has told me). I've sent the necessary information, and they've told me that they received it. However, they still never called after saying that they would have a supervisor call me (over 1 week later).So I attempted to call 3 times. The first time, i was hung up on after I responded with "Hello, I have a pre-existing case...". The other 2 times, the reps picked up the call, but didn't bother to say anything. You could hear them in the background, but they wouldn't say anything. This is unacceptable, and no one should have to go through this.Update - So I forgot to update on this. I had to actually have my mom call. She had absolutely no problem with getting them to work with her. It was as if the second my number showed up on their caller-id, I wasn't going to get any help from them at all. Just know that if you are calling towards the end of a business day, they WILL push you off the phone and tell you to call back (or just hang up on you like they did to me). In the end, I had to drive 5 hours to drop off my vacuum to my mom, just so she could have someone drop it off at the nearest authorized Panasonic service center (about 6 hours away from where I live). And then they sent it back with a damaged hose, so I couldn't even use the vacuum!!! I called the service center to complain about that, they had a brand new one 2 day shipped for free. USUALLY they blame it on the shipping company, but I didn't get any hesitation from the service center to make this situation right (I was thrilled about that... no additional hassle to fight between them and shipping company!!!). I have been vacuuming since, reliable ever since. Who knows why the darn beater bar warped, but it'd be easier to just buy a new one rather than fight for warranty like I did.

EXTRA, EXTRA Read all about it.Panasonic 902 Vacuum cleanerThis Vacuum cleaner sucks and sucksThis is a nice Vacuum cleaner; it has all the normal attachments including the motorized carpet/floor cleaner.It does NOT come with the small Turbo nozzle or the Telescoping wand. The telescoping wand would have been nice for someone like me that is over six foot tall. It has lots of power and picks up dirt very good when it works!!Pros:Nice full size vacuum cleaner, I love the color (Dark Red/Maroon)Lots of power,24 feet power cord, you can easy clean two rooms from the same electrical outlet,Cons:The slightest tug or twist on the hose where it attaches to the main body shuts the vacuum down, it constantly loses power. I do not know yet if this is due to sloppy manufacturing or if this is a design flaw. When I have time, I am going to check and see what the real problem is and then attempt some “Southern Engineering” to fix it. Because of this problem, I am taking away three stars.Ordering, shipping, and delivery from Amazon were as always, Flawless. Five stars on that.

I got this vacuum after initially purchasing another brand and sending it back. This is exactly what I want a vacuum to be. It's lightweight to pull around. I had a similarly designed Hoover for 15 years and this is as powerful as it was, but much lighter and easier to maneuver. Cleverly designed so the handle can rotate to go under beds, etc. without too much stooping on my part, which is good since I have issues with my back. Best of all, it has really powerful suction, even on my deep pile carpets. It was also very easy to put together - I was able to put it together without help from my husband, who gets called in on the tough jobs. It would have gotten 5 enthusiastic stars from me, except for one minor design flaw. I like to use the brush attachment for dusting, but this b rush is so wide and narrow (what was wrong with round brushes?) that when you turn on the vacuum, the suction causes the soft plastic of the brush to close up completely! So basically, the brush tool is useless. I had to use the one from my old vacuum cleaner, which fit snugly enough, even if it doesn't clip into place. Overall, I would still buy this vacuum again, but I will be looking for a better designed brush attachment.***************Revised 02-14-12******************After only a year of very light use, this vacuum cleaner blew a relay. I have a cleaning service every other week who use their own vacuum, so I maybe used this cleaner 10 times or so over the course of the year. The relay costs over $125 to replace, and the repair shop couldn't even find one. Every place is sold out of them, which would suggest these sweepers blow them a lot. Must be some sort of design flaw. I will be getting a Hoover next time around.

I bought this vacuum a year and a half ago on Amazon for $212. The carpet function stopped working recently. I took it apart to check the belt, which was fine. So the issue must be a blown fuse or the motor. I just thought instead of fixing it, I would just buy a new one. Well I pretty much had a heart attack when I saw what it is selling for today on Amazon--$900!!!! How can this be? The warranty is only good for 1 year. This vacuum lasted me a year and a half with intermittent use. I did not run this vacuum into the ground, I used it on mostly tile floor and not that often because I actually like to sweep. So what the heck!!! No way am I gonna pay $900 for a new one, and I recommend you don't either.

Good until it needs to be repaired. This vacuum had everything I wanted -- bagged canister style, on board tools, retractable cord, actual beater brush. Supposedly the build quality was good. The reviews mention Kenmores a lot, which I've never used. I was thinking more of my dad's old TriStar canister vacuum. That thing was a beast and all metal. I'm pretty sure my dad took it apart to repair it several times. However, it seems if you want anything quality and metal anymore you have to pay 5 times more than this vacuum, which I am still unwilling to do. While this thing was working, I remember thinking the build quality was just fine even though it was mostly plastic.

You absolutely CANNOT take this thing apart whatsoever to try to fix it. You can access a segregated area for the bag and HEPA filter, and a separate area for the tools and that is it. Other than disconnecting the hose, there is literally no way to disassemble any other areas if you have a problem. There are some very, very deep inset screws, but for the life of us, we could not unscrew a single one.

After owning this for 1 year nine months, suction was bare minimum and a "beating" sound could be hear where I assume the motor is and it would get very hot very quickly. Even things it apparently would suck up would drop out once the vacuum was powered down, so I don;t think anything at all was reaching the bag. There wasn't anything in the hose; there is very obviously something wrong in an area we can't access. If it had been within a year, it would have been covered by either Amazon's warranty or Panasonic's. I am currently trying, for the first time ever, to use the extended warranty my credit card offers to get it repaired. Try checking for the nearest official repair center right now. I live in Chicago and there is only one repair center within 50 miles. We took it there and they said they couldn't even repair it. They had to ship it off to Panasonic. Still waiting to see if this is "repairable" and what my warranty will cover.

UPDATE: Their site now says there is no shop within a 200 mile radius. I wonder if their website wasn't updated an my "repair" has sparked removal of them from their database. Even more reason not to buy a new Panasonic -- there are literally ZERO places to have it repaired!

This makes me wonder if a regular repair shop (the repair shop had to be Panasonic approved for the warranty) would ever be able to repair it if I come across another problem (assuming they decide to repair the one I have). Is the unopenable design of these "cheap" vacuums Panasonic's insurance that we will buy a new one as soon as something minor goes wrong? I find this new trend where the consumer isn't allowed to access the "dangerous" areas of the very product they purchased extremely frustrating. You see this more and more with electronics and it's pretty upsetting.

If I have to replace this vacuum, I don't know if I will even be able to find once that is user-serviceable. Maybe it would be more worth my time to find one of those expensive metal beasts newly repaired/gently used. At least I would be able to GET them repaired in my own city, I hope, even if I cannot open the machine myself. I will DEFINITELY be looking into the approved repair centers in my area and it WILL NOT be a Panasonic of any stripe.

I don't know how to fairly rate this in stars. While it worked, I would have given it a "4" for my minor gripes, but overall I thought it was a great vacuum for a fantastic price and it seemed all my "research" supported this. However, the fact that the repair process is so bungled and this is obviously meant to be a disposable (?) appliance, I can't help but regret the purchase entirely. I'm just hoping it gets repaired at near-no cost (had to pay shipping to Panasonic from their repair place) to offer another near-two years of service and then I guess it would be best to get a new one (?). I regret this purchase now and currently would rate it a "1". A small part of me feels that is unfair, because I really don't (and can't!) know what is wrong with it. Was it my fault somehow? I feel like something just came a little loose and if only I were allowed to peek inside I could fix this minor problem and be on my merry way. Instead this idiotic protection against accessing the internals of this machine I OWN makes the whole thing USELESS.

Here's what I wrote to Panasonic back in January of '16:

“This (the vacuum shutting down/shorting out) happened right out of the box when the hose connection to the canister would occasionally turn the wrong way and/or angle and the vacuum would cut out for a second. I lived with it until now, when I changed the bag. Now the vacuum will cut out and stay off more often and longer than when it is on. The connection design is clearly flawed. The hose end does not make a solid connection to the canister, and, now that I have changed the bag, I can see how the edge of the hose meets the rubber ring that holds the bag very off center and there's nothing I can do to correct that misalignment. I purchased the vacuum from Amazon on 3/18/15. It was sold and fulfilled by Amazon.”

I used some WD-40 300083 Specialist Electrical Contact Cleaner Spray on the three prong contacts, both on the hose and inside the canister, as well as along the edge where the flexible hose enters the collar of the connector to the canister. After a few hours to allow the spray to work in, I tested the vacuum and nothing had changed."

"I would appreciate being kept up to date on the status of the return, as the warranty has only two more months. Since I know from speaking with the Parts Dept. at Panasonic that complete hose replacement assemblies are unavailable anywhere in the U.S., not even at Panasonic, and are not expected at Panasonic until the end of the month. That means I will likely lose a month of use out of my last two months under warranty, something I am not at all pleased with."

I had been told I had to ship my vacuum to the nearest service center in Harrison, AR. I had to ship it. If I personally delivered it, Panasonic would not pay return shipping. Huh?

My wife and I debated about spending the money to fix it. A new hose would be over $100, plus the service cost and shipping cost would be make the repair cost close to what I paid for the unit new, with only the repair having any sort of warranty once it was returned.

We ultimately decided to get rid of the Panasonic, bite the bullet and buy a Miele Home Care Plus. The Miele is sold and serviced locally, the people there know their product and will quickly get an answer to any questions they cannot answer themselves. It's an investment. Thus far, with a $6 adapter and the Dyson stiff bristle brush added (for stairs carpet nap), the Miele has worked flawlessly. I have even managed to contort the hose in ways the Panasonic hose could never accomplish and the Miele hose returns to normal as if nothing ever happened.

Maybe my Panasonic was a lemon. Reviews by others here lead me to wonder if it was. However, it's not only the hose. There are engineering flaws with the vacuum head: pile height pedal way too hard to adjust, the handle release pedal is cheap plastic and almost guaranteed to break and the tool storage only has one hinge and awkward to open. It hasn't completely soured me from buying lesser cost Panasonic products in the future. However, I can no longer recommend Panasonic canister vacuums.

I have owned this vacuum for a year. My wife desperately wanted to get a cannister vacuum that would be easy to take around the house. We have 2 kids and 2 cats, so there's always something to vacuum!

First 6 months:
Amazing performance! The vacuum was easy to take around the house and outperformed any other vacuum we've owned. The attachments snapped in easily and the bag was simple to swap out.

6-12 months in:
The main attachment / vacuum head started to crack. It still clicked into place, but was getting loose. Still great suction.

1 year in:
The main vacuum attachment has broken, but still attaches long enough to vacuum. It detaches every once in awhile ( which is annoying ).

15 months in:
Unusable. The main attachment broke. It won't vacuum anymore, and I have yet to find a replacement part.

Summary:
It worked perfectly for a few months. A steady decline killed it before 2 years. Hence the rare 2 stars review.

I've always liked Panasonic goods and chose this vacuum in part based upon that. The vacuum worked well until 10 months in when the height adjuster on the carpet attachment got stuck on high and the telescoping wand no longer locked in place. With a 1 year parts and labor warranty, I figured I was covered. No such luck. I called Panasonic and was told that if I drove the vacuum to Syracuse, over an hour away, they would fix the height adjuster switch under warranty but not the wand as that is "an accessory and accessories are not covered." The written warranty is very clear on what is not covered. The list includes bags, light bulbs, belts and bristles. The word accessory is not used anywhere and besides, how is the piece which gets dirt from the floor to the canister not considered part of the vacuum? How else would the dirt get there? Now looking for a vacuum that lasts more than ten months and has a real warranty.

Disappointment! This has to be returned for multiple design & ergonomic flaws. The "power nozzle" weighs not quite 5 lbs and is clumsy, so envision vacuuming with a 5-lb bag of sugar on the end of the tube. The floor brush has almost no bristles, but the big problem is it has no gooseneck, just a straight neck, connecting brush to tube. So the actual floor brush never sits entirely against the floor. The attachments are on top of the machine under a thick plastic cover--but the handhold to open it is too small and awkward. Get ready to break some fingernails on that one. Worse, you have to open not only the accessory cover but also lift up all the accessories to access the dust bag. And, when you open it up, the accessories all fall out. I bought this after my old Hoover WindTunnel quit because I still like a canister vacuum for my fringed rugs and hardwoods (the power nozzle eats fringe and cannot be opened to remove it). I also didn't want to get into the over-engineered $8 apiece bags, since I use around 25 a year ($200 in bags!!). Life has enough frustrations not to have your vacuum frustrate you every time you use it.

I have used this vacuum less than 2 years and the handle and on/off switch no longer works. The only way to turn the vacuum on or off is by plugging it in or unplugging it which is very inconvenient. The hose can be disconnected from the canister and it keeps running which is a potential safety issue. After reading previous reviews mentioning the same defect it appears to be a broken relay in the canister. One of the reviews mentioning this was on Nov 30 by Douglas. Someone else repaired the relay and was successful. There are no Panasonic service centers in Ohio and it's probably not worth the cost to get it repaired anyway. I also purchased the MC-CG917 "OptiFlow" at the same time. The switch on it is still working. I wonder if the parts are the same or higher quality in the MC-CG917. I really like both of these vacuums to replace my previous Kenmore progressive canister vacs. Many of the parts are interchangeable so I am saving the still functioning Kenmore's to use for parts. I miss the nicer upholstery and dusting brushes from the Kenmore's so I just use those and order Kenmore replacements. Overall, I am just unhappy because the older Kenmore vacs made by panasonic were much higher quality then they are making today. I hope they have corrected this defect by now because there are many reports of this problem but, it might be something to check into.

Every time I read reviews before buying a product, I read the lowest ratings and think "that can't really break immediately" or "I'm smart enough to not complain about assembly." HOWEVER, this vacuum is 3 months old and will not turn off!! That's the same complaint I didn't believe when reading reviews. Also, the nearest service center is 116 miles away, like everyone else said. There is nothing to do but drive or ship. I guess I'll just deal with my $200 vacuum being broken already and maybe file a claim closer to the one year warranty mark, in case something else breaks, too. (also, my wheel fell off the front as mentioned in other reviews, too). ugh

I never write reviews of products but I feel compelled to this time because this machine has been such a disappointment. the power nozzle broke within 8 months (after light use and gentle care) and I brought it to a service center to be repaired and it's been close to 2 motnhs and I have an ongoing complaint with the better business bureau, but still have no vacuum cleaner. I would strongly recommend against buying this product - not because it doesn't work well when it works but because when it breaks - and it will inevitably break - you will have extreme difficulty in getting it repaired.

Having used an upright vacuum for the past few years, we were very excited to finally have a cannister vacuum again. However, before the machine was ever plugged in the pile height adjustment quit working. We phoned Panasonic expecting a gracious apology and to be told to send the machine to them (at their expense) and for for them to rush another to us as soon as the defective one was received. Sadly, that was not the case. We were told that we would need to send the machine to a service center, at our expense. That would mean not only incurring the cost of shipping, but also waiting for the machine to be repaired, and then having a vacuum that been repaired. It was simply not acceptable. Thankfully, Amazon has a very easy return policy and we shipped the machine back for a full refund. We will be researching for another brand to purchase. We certainly understand that mistakes sometimes happen and had Panasonic stood behind their product, we would have gladly given a very positive review. As a result of our experience, we give the vacumm and company one star (only because there is no way to give a zero rating).

Vacuum has worked well- until hood release broke and after being redirected to a least 5 call centers and 4 people on phone and attempts to find part on-line- have have come to realize that panasonic does not support their vacuums-they offered finially only for me to take the vacuum to the closest service center which is at least 60 miles away for a simple part that I could snap into place. This is the closest service center- and no parts can be shippled to me per the last customer service rep. I live in a heavily populated area of Florida- makes no sense to have to drive half way across the state to get a vacuum cleaner part. Also attempted Sears parts- so far unable to locate.

Bought this vacuum several months ago. It had good cleaning power and liked the unit except for 1 thing. It emitted a smell from the exhaust that lingered in the room you used it. Called Panasonic and they requested that I send the unit to them because they could find no service for the unit within 100 miles of the Cincinnati area. They paid for shipping to them. Waited a few days and called the Panasonic rep who was handling my problem. She told me they were running test to see what was causing the issue and they would get right back with me. 3 days later I called them again, this time telling them I bought the vac to use for our home, not for them to keep testing it. For god sake send me a replacement if you're going to keep the vac. I got irate with the rep because she talked down to me like I was taking up her time. She finally offered to refund me what I paid for the unit from Amazon, but I had to sign a form releasing them from having to tell me what they found wrong. I accepted the refund and swore I would never buy anything made by Panasonic again. Their customer service is non existent and before you buy one, check and see if there is a service department somewhere close if you have a problem.

The suction and cleaning ability of this vacuum is good. However when the dust bag gets half full cleaning performance goes down considerably, even with the so touted Panasonic Optiflow. This problem is especially true when using the Panasonic Hepa Dust Bag. Additional problems with the Panasonic Optiflow, it will pull on dust bag causing hole to miss align at the canister hose opening causing dirt dust and debris to enter throughout the vacuum eventually destroying the motor. This is what happened to me, after two months of ownership of MC-CG917, about four hrs. use per week the vacuum would start to overheat, shut down and eventually not start at all. So I removed the hose from the canister and noticed the dust bag hole was no longer aligned the way I installed it. So I opened the canister hood, the whole vacuum dust bag area was loaded with crud plastered to the walls and both dust filters were in-cased. So I cleaned out the dust bag canister area replaced the filters, dust bag, and the vacuum would still not start. So then I went through the Panasonic warranty process and they refused to repair or replace this defective product saying I caused water damage when I cleaned it. I asked how much it would cost if I payed for repair. The Panasonic repair outlet told me they don't do component repairs and I should buy another one. Another one! I only had this Panasonic vac for two months and you want me to buy another one because you won't honor the service warranty contract.
l previously had ownership of two other non-Panasonic vacs in my lifetime, both lasted more than ten years with out any major repairs.
I will say if you buy this vac be ready for repairs and a possible negative response from Panasonic to be able correct any problems. After this experience I would not recommend Panasonic to my worst enemy!

The vacuum itself is good, I have no complaints. But less than 6 months after purchase, the telescoping mechanism on the floor cleaning attachment just broke.It wasn't dropped or treated roughly at all, I was just pushing it over a wood floor (no resistance whatsoever) and it just snapped, and now it only telescopes. This renders the device useless- as soon as you move it, it just slides up and down.
I emailed Panasonic, and they wrote back and told me to call parts. I called parts, and they told me to go to Kentucky or Illinois (I live in Indiana). I said that was not acceptable, it is a portable vacuum cleaner, there must be someplace I can take it locally, and they said they'd arrange that, and call me back within 24 -48 hours. They did not call back. I called again, and they said I'd never called, although they knew the model and serial number I was calling about (I only gave that to them in my phone call). Then they told me I have to send it to Illinois at my expense, not just the attachment BUT THE ENTIRE VACUUM CLEANER. This machine was used for less than 4 months, since I ordered it for a house I hadn't moved into yet, and it broke with very little wear. Essentially none. To ship the entire thing to Illinois will cost me as much as I paid for the vacuum. My experience sounds almost identical to Eric's in June. The call center people clearly don't know the difference between Indiana and Illinois or Kentucky- although they told me there was a place in Kentucky (different from Eric). That's hundreds of miles from here. The machine probably needs an entirely new wand, which is a major part, but it will probably cost less than shipping the entire vacuum to Illinois. Maybe that's Panasonic's stategy.
I would agree with Eric, don't buy this machine if you are not in a MAJOR metropolitan area (really- Indianapolis isn't really Mayberry). The warranty only matters when it does. The part that broke on my machine is plastic.Vacuum cleaners are tools. I would expect it to withstand way more use (*not abuse) than it got here, and it's not usable now.

This is a nice vacuum except for one glaring flaw: it emits a powerful, room-filling plastic chemical smell when it is used. I thought that the smell would wear off, but it has been a few months now and the smell is as strong as ever. I wish now I had returned the unit while I had the chance.

The smell is so strong and so unpleasant, I have to open doors and windows to bring in fresh air after using this vacuum, and as a result I don't use it as much as I'd like to. It is not just the ordinary 'new' plastic smell that other new plastic products often have. This is a really strong eye-watering stench.

Its really too bad, because except for the smell, this is a nice vacuum. It is powerful, comfortable to use, and the HEPA filter does a great job preventing dust from escaping.

Another minor flaw is that the "optiflow" feature reduces the capacity of the bag-containing area considerably, so that the vacuum bag has to be changed when it is less than halfway filled. I could live with this, though, if the vacuum didn't smell so strongly.

I don't know whether all units smell this bad or whether I got one that was made from a bad batch of plastic, but I would not recommend this vacuum unless you don't mind breathing strong plastic fumes or have no sense of smell.