When it comes to vacuums, function often outweighs form. But as a design editor, I can’t deny my attraction to products that blend both efficiency and aesthetics. So, after my Dyson V8 started showing signs of wear—clogging, random shutdowns, and rapid battery depletion—I knew I needed an upgrade that delivered on both style and substance.
My must-haves were simple: a cordless design, compatibility with both rugs and hardwood floors, and the ability to handle pet hair from our beagle-corgi mix, Elsa. After exploring numerous options, I kept coming back to the brand that had long captured my attention—Electrolux, specifically their Ultimate700 Complete Home Vacuum.
Having been a fan of Electrolux for nearly 15 years, I was familiar with their reputation for quality and sustainability. While the Dyson V8 had its merits—quick charging, easy maintenance, and compact storage—the Electrolux Ultimate700 took all these features and improved on them. Here’s why it’s quickly become my favorite.
Performance and Features
One of the standout features of the Ultimate700 is its one-touch button, replacing the trigger control found on Dyson vacuums. This seemingly small change significantly improves comfort, allowing me to clean without continuously holding a button. With four power modes (two more than the V8), the Ultimate700 offers 10 more minutes of runtime as well.
The suction power of the hardwood nozzle is impressive, automatically adjusting to the surface type—whether bare floors or low-pile rugs. Additionally, the vacuum’s five-step filtration system ensures that even microscopic particles are captured, releasing cleaner air back into the home. In the six months since I brought it home, the Ultimate700 has effortlessly picked up everything from Elsa’s shedding fur to broken glass shards and food crumbs. LED lights on the nozzle reveal just how dusty my home really is, even in well-lit rooms.
The vacuum comes with several specialty attachments, including a pet nozzle, crevice tool, dusting brush, and angled joint. Emptying the canister is mess-free—simply click it out and unscrew the filter over the trash. Plus, the charge time is 30 minutes faster than the Dyson V8, making it easier to finish cleaning in one go. This vacuum is the perfect size for our 700-square-foot apartment, though it would also serve well as a secondary cleaner in larger homes.
Design
The Ultimate700’s walnut brown color is a sophisticated touch that stands out, especially for a vacuum in this price range. Unlike the loud, space-age hues of many other vacuums, this one has a calming, sleek aesthetic. Its slim profile—especially the dust canister—combined with an easy-to-read digital interface, makes it a joy to use. Weighing only 4.9 pounds and featuring a full tilt design, it’s incredibly lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Storage and Maintenance
While the charging stand is larger than the Dyson V8’s wall mount, it’s still compact enough to sit inconspicuously in the corner of our entryway. The stand allows attachments to be stored upright, though not all of them fit. For the ones that don’t, I keep them in a small tote. Maintenance is straightforward, requiring periodic cleaning of the dust trap and filters.
Affordability
One of the best aspects of Electrolux vacuums is their pricing. At $449 for the Ultimate700 Complete Home model (or $389 for the standard version with fewer attachments), it’s hundreds of dollars more affordable than comparable models from Dyson, Samsung, Roborock, and Miele. The Dyson V8, for example, costs around $470—and that doesn’t even include the extra features found in Electrolux’s Ultimate700.
Conclusion My switch from Dyson to Electrolux has been nothing short of satisfying. The Ultimate700 not only outperforms the Dyson V8 in cleaning power and ease of use, but it’s also more affordable and better designed. I’ve found my new favorite vacuum, and it looks just as good as it works—making it a true win-win.
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