Are Sebo Vacuums Worth It--Financial Deep Dive

Today we are looking at the question, are Sebo's worth it?

About 20 years ago we were going through about 20 million vacuums sold per year in the United States. We're now up to about 50 million vacuums a year, meaning the average household spends about $100 per year on vacuums, so that kind of begs the question. Why do we need so many stinking vacuum cleaners? Well there are many answers to that question. The biggest culprit is modern vacuum advertising. It has begun to train people that an average lifespan of 2 to 3 years is normal for vacuums. This is not the case.

Sebo is one of the vacuum brands looking to challenge that notion. Their machines are durable, well manufactured, and maintainable. This means they last anywhere from twenty to twenty five years.

If you are exploring the Sebo brand and trying to determine if Sebo's are worth the money than check out the rest of this series. In future videos we will asses many of their qualities including warranty, durability, and ease of repair.

You can see more information on the financial pay offs from owning a Sebo vacuum cleaner here:

Vacuums R Us & Sewing Too – Arvada Store
8025 Sheridan Blvd. Unit X
Arvada, CO 80003
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Vacuums R Us & Sewing Too – Boulder Store
3005 28th St.
Boulder, CO 80301
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Vacuums R Us & Sewing Too – Fort Collins Store
501 Riverside Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80524
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[gncc]

Sadly with the decline of small brick and mortar businesses most people don't go to a vac shop to buy vacuum. I would say 90% of the people don't even know the good brands. They go to a big box store, best buy, walmart... etc and pick one from $50-$500. If you ask most people what the best vacuum is they will probably say Dyson or Shark with a few Kirbys here and there. This is why so many are buying disposable products. They simply don't know any better. We own a lawn equipment dealership and unless someone is doing commercial work the majority of the homeowners buy from the big box stores. They are not even aware that better products and service exists outside those stores. Its shift in consumer spending habits and products built to compete only on price.

[KarenKefauver]

50 million vacuum cleaners a year?! Wow, no wonder I am going CRAZY with research. Super helpful perspective historically!

[horsestaplebatterygrass]

I took the plunge and forked over a lot of money for my miele C3 a few years ago and I love it. It's last longer than any other vacuum I've had and it's easier to maintain, use and does a better job cleaning than anything else I had (even the over-hyped Dyson). Sebo was on my comparison list when I bought it and ultimately I think I would have been happy with either.

[cindybutler]

I was looking for a video on how to change out the wheels on my Sebo X4 that I bought around 2001. Yes, it's 24 years old, and the wheels need to be replaced, because well, it's been 24 years, and has now lived in 4 houses in 3 states. At the time, I thought it was expensive, as a newly married young adult with a dog. But these guys in a vacuum store told me it was the BEST and sold me on it. I had to replace the motor in it a few years ago. The day I plugged it in and it didn't turn on was very sad. But replacing the motor was still way cheaper than a new vacuum, and since it's so soundly made, there was no reason NOT to repair it and just keep on going. Worth the money? Heck yes!! I'm not kidding when I say it's definitely one of the best purchases I've ever made.

[lzdmlky]

I agree with pretty much everything you said here. I am a senior citizen and have owned a few different vacuums (mostly uprights) over the years including Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Eureka. The only canister I have ever used was a Eureka Might Mite. None of the ones I have owned have been anywhere near "perfect, " but I will say that the Mighty Mite canister vacuum did a fabulous job for me during the years I had bare floors only in my home. My Mighty Mite cost me roughly $80-$85 and has lasted me more than ten years. In fact, it still works great, but my current residence has two rooms of medium pile carpet, and the Mighty Mite is not designed for carpet, so I was forced to buy another vacuum cleaner or pay to remove the carpet and put down vinyl. Now, I absolutely loathe carpet, but since I lease my home, and since a permanent home never is guaranteed if you are a lessee and thus one never knows where one may end up living in future and what type of flooring one may have, I decided to purchase another vacuum. I figured a good vacuum can always be sold if necessary, too. My preference, however, would have been to rid my home of carpet. In my opinion, carpet is a very dirty way to live even if you do not wear street shoes in your home, which I do not.

Anyway, I researched vacuums on-line for a few weeks before I decided top purchase a Sebo Airbelt K3. It was a very, very expensive purchase for me, but I opted for it because in my opinion 98% or more of the vacuums on the market today are pure junk, and I wanted the vacuum I purchased to be my last ever vacuum, which at my age, I think the K3 will be. Some of the points that sold me on the K3 were the great warranty, the great filtration, the build quality, the quiet operation, and the reasonably compact size---my home is just a little over 900 sq ft. Also, the K3 will have me covered in future no matter what type of flooring I may have wherever I may live. Sebo is also supposed to be a good choice for pet owners, and I have a dog who sheds like there will be no tomorrow year round. I intensely dislike carpet, but carpet combined with one or more pets is especially repugnant to me.

Now, on this last point, in my opinion at least one reason why people who have pets seem to go through vacuums more often is that they expect their vacuums to do it all. I have never expected this. I always sweep my floors before vacuuming, and in this way, I remove all of the big, heavier particles including tons of hair. I think it is really important to sweep first. I also mop pretty regularly. I sweep and vacuum at least once per week, and I mop at least once per month.

Once upon a time I used to sweep and vacuum once per day because my dog sheds so much. However, as I have aged and grown ever more weary of housework with each passing year, I stopped doing this, but I still sweep and vacuum at least once per week. Regular cleaning is necessary for so many reasons. As I said, I have loved my Mighty Mite, and I am sorry it will no longer work for me now that I have carpet, but I highly recommend it for anyone who has bare floors only and who is budget conscious. It works great on vinyl, tile, and wood laminate. It is not a sealed system, so it may not be a good choice for severe allergy and asthma sufferers, but for everyone else, it will not only do a great job, but if it is well cared for (I like to change my bags once they are half full---I think this keeps suction at peak power), the Mighty Mite will last quite a few years. As I said, I used a Mighty Mite at least weekly to vacuum floors, to vacuum baseboards, and to vacuum a lot of upholstery. I would estimate that I used my Mighty Mite for at least 2-3 hours a week, sometimes a good bit longer, and it is still going strong after 10-11 years. I shall miss it. I dislike this carpet, and I never planned on going into debt for a year to buy a vacuum, but I think overall I made the right decision given the all of the vacuums on the market today. I was at least fortunate to be able to finance the purchase interest free so I did not have to play close to $1K up front.

I am looking forward to receiving my Sebo. I hope I will notice better air quality and thus at least some improvement in allergies and in making my home feel really clean and dust free. As you know, the K3 does not come standard with a HEPA filter, but I would like to upgrade to a HEPA. Can you tell me which Sebo HEPA filter will fit my K3 ?

Thanks very much and happy vacuuming to all! 😊

[corey]

This is perfect timing. I'm looking into replacing my 18 year old miele canister as its needing a couple repairs and I'm ready to move to something better. Bags are super expensive and to repair my power nozzle they are saying 200 dollars. I'm thinking a felix for my kitchen and breakfast nook tile and a D4 for the rest of the house. Miele is a great product but it seems the last couple years the canisters seem a bit cheaper made. So looking forward to this sebo series.

[hawkeyejane]

I just recently retired my Sebo x2 upright for a Sebo Felix. I remember questioning spending so much at the time I purchased my first Sebo, but it was well worth it, lasting nearly 25 years. After killing a Hoover upright when I vacuumed coins that damaged the motor and struggling mightily whenever I had to change the belt for the roller, I looked at Sebo’s design and decided it would be worth the cost. In particular, the “gear-like” design of the Sebo belt meant that it would last MUCH longer (I replaced it just one time in 25 years). I also found that many components are replaceable, so you can essentially rebuild it. My original Sebo was due for replacement of the handle and cord as well as the flexible hose. I’d just moved into an apartment and decided it was time to retire it and chose the Felix. At this point, I believe the Felix will outlive me :) Also can’t beat the extended warranty when you purchase from an authorized dealer; at the time I was shopping, the store was offering 20% off. As an added plus, the handheld turbo brush I’d purchased many years ago for my Sebo upright also fits my new Felix!

[A_Bunch_of_Savages]

I bought one very well reviewed Shark. It worked ok, but after 18 months it became very apparent that it was designed to be disposable. I won’t do that again.

[ponderrosie]

I am one of the odd balls I guess. I bought a Riccar Commercial vacuum when I married. I had it 14 yrs and decided to buy a new one for my birthday. Bought a Simplicity Series 7 that was exactly like my Riccar. Bought It's 23 yrs old and now it is time to buy a new one. I never dreamed it would be so hard. My needs have changed. Different house with no wall to wall carpet to be found. I'm older and need a more manageable vacuum too. I learned Simplicity is now China made -so junk. And Riccar while still made in the USA is way too expensive and the reviews are filled with folks who have had one problem after another with them. I have no interest in buying a headache. Mine would be terrific for someone younger with a house with mostly carpet. I have always had to travel 2+ hours to find any vacuum dealer. last one I found via a wholesale direct to public dealer in a metro region, paid around $600 for the machine, all the horse hair attachments, extra hose, hepa filter and a dozen bags. I don't count any appliance quality if it breaks down and repair costs exceed 1/3 the price paid to purchase. Just lived a Speed Queen nightmare. I need to find a quality vacuum that isn't designed to make a ton for a dealer on the front end and a repair tech on the back end. I am ready to learn some hard cost to own numbers. That is where the rubber meets the road.

[WILLIAMMORALES-gwzz]

I got 7 years from a dyson floor vac. I had fixed it, and rigged and it has finally broken to where I can't fix it and I'm ready for cordless anyway. I'm ok with 7 years, I shouldn't be but I am.

[unclebob]

Everything changed when the lightweight cordless and bagless machines became popular. These things don't last long which is why manufacturers only offer a 2 year warranty, compared to 5 - 10 years for corded machines. The battery stops working and the machine gets clogged up.

[aem]

Super video Josh, no mumbo jumbo there (your words!), instead it's excellent hearing from a professional who knows. And yes, I am one of those people who's tired of buying crappy vacuums that end up in landfill. I'm ready to invest in a great vacuum with longevity.

[marklloyd]

I have that vac D4 and love it . Thinking of getting a Felix

[drum]

I must be lucky. I bought a Bissell Cleanview II Bagless in in like 2006 and it's still going. Been looking at Miele and sebo for the day my vacuum dies.

[kosiekoos]

Im.one year in on a Hoover Hybrid, using the bag much better, it had 2200watts it says whatever that means with viable suction settings. I try not to overheat th3 motor although it does get hot. Paid R1800 in South Africa. I have exactly 50/50 carpet and laminate floor. Its ok on laminate floor provided i up the suction setting. I already have my eye on Felix 1.

[flowers]

You make us laugh. Great information and advice. Thank you.

[tuongchu]

Is there a sebo vacuum that’s suitable for a small apartment, easy to maneuver, maintain, is bagged, with many heads that are easy to switch, and not too heavy?

[timothyfosberg]

This is very interesting information regarding vacuum cleaner purchases.

[GardengalAAA]

I’ve had my Dyson animal upright for maybe 19 years? I’m guessing it’s age, I don’t remember the year we purchased exactly. It’s been great overall but the downside is I can’t use the hose to reach high places - the hose is way too short and the machine too heavy to lift to give me more height to reach. I have to use my shop vac for that. As far as animal hair, it works great but it’s 2024 and it’s on its last leg starting to squeak and parts are nearing their shelf life.

My next vacume will be a Sebo. I never even heard of the brand until someone mentioned it on a forum. I have no clue yet which model is best for pets and carpeting.

[richardherndon]

I have a Miele C3 Complete Homecare Powerline with the powered brush head and led headlamp. I've owned it since 2016, and never had a problem with it. Prior to this vacuum, I owned a Miele S7 series upright, and before that a Sebo X4 automatic. I am now having difficulty bending down to the floor to change brush heads on the Miele for carpets or bare floors, and find that as a canister, it's cumbersome to lug it around. I do have a cat, and he scatters litter every day both on the tile floors throughout my home and on the area rugs. I'm considering going back to a Sebo, and I know they make a model with a pet hair cartridge. What are your opinions on Miele vs. Sebo? Back in the '80s or 90s, when I owned the first Sebo, it didn't seem to brush the carpet as well as the Miele upright. However, those vacuums are no longer available. Has Sebo increased its suction power or does it restore the pile of the carpet better than it used to? Do the different Sebo uprights (I don't want a Felix) offer different levels of performance? Thanks.