Manufacturers regularly add all kinds of features to their vacuums to make them work better—at least that’s their goal. One of Panasonic’s latest wrinkles is the "PowerBlast Automatic Filter Cleaning System," found on the AeroBlast MC-UL975 upright vacuum ($700, shown).
When you turn on the vacuum, a series of belching sounds announces that the vacuum is routing air back through the filter. All the commotion is designed to keep this upright from losing suction.
A video ad for the vacuum says the filter-cleaning feature “not only extends the life of your filter, it helps ensure consistent suction, maximizing your cleaning power and making your job as easy as possible.”
But in our tests, fine dust tended to clog the filter, and airflow through the hose did not match that of our top performers.
This 12-amp, HEPA-filter-equipped vacuum is also an unremarkable cleaner—it did no better than mediocre on carpets and even bare floors, a test aced by most other uprights and canisters in our latest report. Also note that the MC-UL975 is a bagless vacuum. Emptying the bin on a bagless model can be a messy, dusty process, especially a concern if you suffer from allergies.—Ed Perratore
Essential information: Read our March 2008 vacuums report, with Ratings of 61 models. If you're in the market for a new vacuum, watch our video buying guide. And celebrate the 100th anniversary of the vacuum.
This was the biggest waste of money I have spent in a long time. Less than 6 months after purchase I went in with a problem and got serious run-around from the dealer. (Like I don't know how to run a vacuum cleaner!) The filter does not clean itself and both the dealer and Panasonic did NOT stand behind their product when I came in with a clear cut problem Do not buy this product, you will be sadly dissappointed. $600+ down the drain.
September 28, 2009 Have had this Panasonic MC-UL975 vacuum cleaner for 5 months and under full warranty and was told there are no repair shops to take it to in city of Houston of over 4 million people and that the nearest repair center is Lake Charles, LA of which I am to pay for the shipping and insurance for BOTH sending and returning of the vaccuum unit in order for Panasonic to repair it. Panasonic was difficult to get through to it's representative on their automated phone service and then representative was curt and rude. After only 5 months, the telescoping wand will not click completely back into place when returning it to vacuum unit and will not completely allow the telescoping wand to return to original position so will not allow you to vaccum with the unit without the wand telescoping open and shut, open and shut. A huge waste of good money and NO customer service and no true warranty service without huge expenses and need to repackage the whole unit to another state for servicing. When they said it had a warranty I never dreamed it would entail this kind of a response to utilize it. I would never recommend Panasonic.
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