We have to be honest: The Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum sucks—and that's why we love it for home cleaning.
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Electrolux Vacuum Review: We Tried the Ultimate 700 Series
Updated on Nov. 25, 2024
As a longtime apartment dweller, I’ve tried many of the best vacuum cleaners to find one that works for my living space. I’ve had my hands on Dysons, Bissells and Dirt Devils (plus a few robot vacuums) and I’ve loved them all. That said, I think I found my new go-to dust sucker: The Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum.
I’ve been using this Electrolux vacuum for nearly a month to clean my roughly 900-square-foot apartment to test it for this review (you’re welcome). In addition to dust bunnies, I’ve tested it on Legos, food and other items to find its strengths and weaknesses.
While I think it’s an excellent vacuum that I’d recommend to a lot of people, it’s not perfect so there are a few people who it’s not right for. Read on to find out which camp you fall in.
What is the Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum?
The Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum is a cordless stick vacuum made by Swedish appliance company Electrolux. Although not as well known as LG or Samsung, Electrolux is the second best-selling appliance company in the world, behind Whirlpool.
The Ultimate700 is one of many vacuums they sell and comes in two options: standard and Complete Home. We tested the Complete Home package, which comes with additional attachments. Both options have a charging stand with attachment storage and a two-year warranty. They are ETL-listed, meaning they meet strict appliance safety standards.
Although it’s sold as a stick vacuum, the Electrolux can become a handheld vacuum for use in cars or harder-to-reach spaces like the top of your cabinets.
One feature that’s new to me is the LED display that shows your battery level and the setting (low, medium or high) the vacuum is on. This was a nice touch and easy to read. Another cool feature is the charging stand, which makes storing the vacuum and accessories much neater than putting them in a random closet.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Electrolux Ultimate700 Complete Home Stick Vacuum
This lightweight, cordless vacuum is powerful enough to clean every surface of your home.
Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum Features
After testing the Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum for four weeks, we found a few features that made it stand out.
Attachments
The Electrolux Ultimate700 standard and Complete Home versions come with a PowerPro Bristle Nozzle, and the Complete Home version has a PowerPro Hard Floor Nozzle.
The Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum standard version comes with the following attachments:
- Crevice Tool
- Small Dusting Brush
- Angled Joint
The Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum Complete Home version comes with the following attachments:
- Pet Nozzle
- Crevice Tool
- Small Dusting Brush
- Delicate Dusting Brush
- Angled Joint
All the attachments work as intended and easily detach with the press of a button.
LED Lighting
Whether you’re vacuuming at night or in a dark corner of your home, the Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum has LED lights so you can see where and what you’re cleaning. This isn’t a feature I’ve seen in many other vacuums, and while I like it, I find it a little unnecessary.
Firstly, this vacuum is way too loud for vacuuming after dark. The noise level clocks in at 80 decibels, which is about as loud as a busy downtown street (think the interstate during rush hour). Secondly, the lights don’t illuminate much so seeing anything other than the space directly in front of the vacuum is hard.
It should be noted that the lights are only included in the primary nozzle attachment and not on attachments like the crevice tool or small brushing tool.
Charging Base
Honestly, I could write a review just about the Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum’s charging base. Stick vacuums often need to be propped in a corner or stored somewhere it won’t tip over, so I love having the base to keep it upright. You can leave it there when not in use or, as the name implies when you need to charge the vacuum.
It also has spaces for all the attachments because we all know those things have a way of growing legs and getting lost.
Five-Step Dust Filtration
The Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum has a five-step dust filtration that, according to the company’s website, traps 99 percent of “microscopic particles” as small as 0.3 microns. This means the vacuum has the same filtration capabilities as one of the highest-rated high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The dust is filtered into a bagless dust bin that has a 0.3-liter capacity, which is just over three-quarters of a gallon. This isn’t a vacuum for large houses, but I’ve been able to vacuum my 900-square-foot apartment two or three times before emptying the dust bin.
One thing I like about the bagless dust bin is it makes retrieving mistakenly vacuumed items, such as Lego pieces, effortless.
LED Smart Display
The top of the Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum has an LED smart display that allows you to check its battery and power level and receive alerts for any needed maintenance. You can also use it to change the power level when needed.
Why more vacuums don’t have something like this is beyond me. I love being able to easily monitor the battery level, and while I haven’t received any maintenance alerts (knocks on wood), it’s nice to know that I won’t have to spend hours Googling any issue that pops up.
How We Tested It
To test the Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum, I used it to clean my 900-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment. In addition to using it as a regular stick vacuum, I tested all the attachments and used it as a hand vacuum in my car and hard-to-reach corners.
It Sucks (And That’s a Good Thing)
My apartment is mostly carpeted, but the bathroom and kitchen have vinyl flooring. The Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum works incredibly well on both surfaces. Before this, I used the Bissell featherweight stick vacuum and I could tell an immediate difference in the carpet the first time I used the Electrolux.
But dust isn’t the only thing you or I have to vacuum, so I couldn’t test this just by doing regular cleanings.
That’s why I placed several food crumbs, such as chicken and cereal, on the vinyl flooring and carpet to see how well the Electrolux vacuum could suck them up. It passed with flying colors, not struggling at all to pick up anything in its path.
I also placed Legos and other small items in its path to see what happened. The vacuum picked up all the pieces and there was a little rattling inside, but it quickly reached the filter without damaging the vacuum.
My one major knock against the vacuum is its battery life. It takes four and a half hours to charge fully but only lasts about 50 minutes on low power and only 10 minutes when running on high. For me, it’s not that bad since my place isn’t that big, but it could be an issue for those in larger homes.
It’s Here, It’s There, It Vacuums Everywhere
If there’s one thing I love, it’s a versatile piece of cleaning equipment. The Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum is versatile in that it can quickly become a handheld vacuum and be used with one of the attachments or on its own.
I like this for cleaning my car or cleaning dust from the top of my fridge or in tight corners like behind my dryer.
Pros
- Works on most surfaces
- Comes with multiple attachments
- Has a charging stand with attachment storage
- Can be used as a handheld unit
- Under five pounds
- Five-step filtration
- Motorized nozzles
- Partially made with recycled plastic
- LED lighting
- Fits in tight spaces
- Aesthetic design
- 50-minute run time on full charge
- LED display
Cons
- Takes four and a half hours to charge fully
- Loud
FAQ
Where are Electrolux vacuums made?
Electrolux is based in Sweden, but their products are made in the USA, Hungary and China.
What is the difference between the 700 series and 800 series vacuum?
The Electrolux 800 series is slightly larger than the 700 series and has a slightly longer battery life. The 800 series charges in two and a half hours, whereas the 700 series takes four and a half hours to charge.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
The Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum has a 4.9 average rating on the company’s website, with 11 five-star reviews and one five-star review.
“I liked to vacuum before now but this product took it up a notch for me,” wrote five-star reviewer BarrettsMom.
On Amazon, the vacuum has a 4.5 average rating with 21 reviews.
“The suction is excellent,” writes five-star Amazon reviewer Laura Golightly. “It’s leaps and bounds better than my other cordless stick vacuum. I can get the wood floors of my house with no problems and the suction seems to be spread out evenly on the vacuum head so it picks up dirt to either side of it and not more concentrated towards the middle.”
Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum vs. Dyson V8
I’ve used the Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum and the Dyson V8 stick vacuum, so I feel I’m qualified to be the referee in this cordless vacuum showdown.
Both vacuums are similarly priced and come with multiple attachments, but I think Dyson takes the win here. Dyson attachments like the anti-tangle hair screw tool perform better than the pet nozzle on the Electrolux. Dyson’s attachments also feel more high-quality than Electrolux’s, which generally feel like cheap plastic.
The Electrolux has a slightly better charging time and battery life, though that’s not saying much. It’s also lighter and more compact than Dyson. Both boast the same filtering capabilities and high decibel levels.
The Dyson V8 doesn’t have an LED smart display like the Electrolux, though I don’t think that’s a deal breaker for most homeowners.
Both vacuums also perform just about the same when it comes to picking up dust, pet hair and food.
So, which one should you pick? This might sound weird, but I think it depends on how you want to store the vacuum. The Dyson V8 has a wall-mounted dock, whereas the Electrolux Ultimate700 vacuum has a charging stand that stays on the floor. The Electrolux is better for renters or anyone who may not be allowed to drill holes into their apartment, while the Dyson V8 is a good pick for those who are allowed to drill holes (or don’t mind a quick plaster job to get their deposit back).
Final Verdict
I think a lot of people will love the Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum. It’s lightweight, powerful, can be used as a stick and handheld vacuum, has versatile attachments and the charging stand keeps the vacuum upright and attachments in one place.
The 0.3-liter bagless dust bin is big enough for those looking for a reliable apartment vacuum that doesn’t require you to drill into the wall.
That said, it’s pretty loud, takes up to four and a half hours to charge and can run out of power in as little as 10 minutes when on high.
Where to Buy the Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Electrolux Ultimate700 Complete Home Stick Vacuum
The PowerPro Bristle Nozzle with LED Lights and full tilt design highlight dirt and dust while easily tackling hard-to-reach spaces.
On Amazon, the Electrolux Ultimate700 Vacuum costs a little more than $325 for the standard version and a little more than $375 for the Ultimate Home version. Both options are available for Prime shipping and free returns. The Electrolux vacuum is also available on Wayfair.
