Kenmore Featherlite Lift-Up Vacuum

Kenmore Featherlite Lift-Up Vacuum Review

Brand: Kenmore
Released: August 25, 2022
Updated: 7 days ago
4.3
Consolidated expert score
137
Review insights
47
Scored features
9
Expert reviews

Bottom Line

Choose the Kenmore FeatherLite Lift-Up for a light, easy, budget upright with strong pickup, HEPA filtration, and useful lift-up cleaning. Skip it if long-hair tangles, crevice pickup, or top-tier hard-floor/carpet performance matter most.

Best for

Best for shoppers who want a light, budget upright with sealed HEPA filtration, strong everyday pickup, and lift-up/above-floor versatility. It also fits pet homes that prioritize hair pickup over perfect hair-wrap resistance.

Not for

Not for buyers who need class-leading crevice pickup, consistently premium hard-floor results, or a brushroll that avoids long-hair tangles. It may also disappoint shoppers who prefer the strongest alternatives at a similar price.

Verdict

The Kenmore FeatherLite Lift-Up is best supported as a value-focused upright that feels unusually light and easy to handle while still offering strong suction, sealed HEPA filtration, LED lighting, and a useful lift-up design. Vacuum Wars and owner-style reviews were especially positive about large-debris pickup, carpet deep cleaning, pet hair pickup, and everyday usability. The tradeoff is that its large floorhead gates help with bigger debris but weaken crevice pickup and unsealed suction, and several reviews noted long hair wrapping around the brushroll. TechGearLab was notably less impressed, calling overall cleaning average and preferring similarly priced Shark alternatives.

Compared in Reviews

Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.

shark Envy 352 Navigator Lift Away

  • Similar: budget upright category The reviewer introduced the Shark and Kenmore as closely matched budget upright picks.

Shark Navigator

  • Worse: large debris and hard-floor pickup Vacuum Wars said the Kenmore was much better than the Shark Navigator in the discussed pickup context.

Shark Navigator Lift Away

  • Better: overall performance at similar price TechGearLab preferred the Shark Navigator Lift Away as a better-performing option at a similar price.

Feature Scorecards

Summary

47 reviewed features
  • Very positive 4.5-5.0 47% 22 features
  • Positive 3.5-4.4 47% 22 features
  • Neutral 2.5-3.4 2% 1 feature
  • Negative 1.5-2.4 4% 2 features
  • Very negative below 1.5 0% 0 features

Pros

  • 5.0
    based on 1 review
    Edge and Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors): 5.0, based on 1 review
    Project Farm rated the Kenmore as the best in its test for cleaning close to a wall.
  • 4.8
    based on 1 review
    Packaging quality: 4.8, based on 1 review
    Packaging was praised by one reviewer as neat, intact, and well protected.
  • 4.8
    based on 1 review
    Pet-Ready Features: 4.8, based on 1 review
    The pet-focused review praised the vacuum for a pet-friendly home, tying that to pet hair pickup and dust containment.
  • 4.8
    based on 3 reviews
    Filtration / Dust Containment: 4.8, based on 3 reviews
    The sealed HEPA filtration drew strong praise for trapping dust inside the vacuum rather than releasing it back into the room.
  • 4.7
    based on 2 reviews
    Hair Pickup — Carpets: 4.7, based on 2 reviews
    Carpet pet-hair pickup was praised in both a lab review and a pet-household owner review.
  • 4.7
    based on 1 review
    Reverse cleaning performance: 4.7, based on 1 review
    Reverse-pass cleaning was strong in Project Farm’s plastic-ball test, where the Kenmore picked up remaining debris on the return pass.
  • 4.7
    based on 2 reviews
    Floorhead Seal on Hard Floors: 4.7, based on 2 reviews
    Reviews praised the hard-floor seal, especially the fabric squeegee that helped reduce scattering with the brushroll on.
  • 4.6
    based on 3 reviews
    Assembly and Setup: 4.6, based on 3 reviews
    Assembly was consistently described as easy or straightforward across reviews.
  • 4.6
    based on 6 reviews
    Weight: 4.6, based on 6 reviews
    Weight was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly describing the vacuum as very light or feather light.
  • 4.6
    based on 3 reviews
    Hair Pickup — Hard Floors: 4.6, based on 3 reviews
    Hard-floor hair pickup was praised, particularly when the brushroll stayed on without scattering debris.
  • 4.6
    based on 1 review
    Adaptive chassis lift: 4.6, based on 1 review
    The lift-up chassis/canister function was praised for making stair-type cleaning easier.
  • 4.6
    based on 1 review
    Bin and Bag: 4.6, based on 1 review
    The bagless dust bin was praised because the container is easy to dump and reuse.
  • 4.6
    based on 1 review
    Stair Cleaning: 4.6, based on 1 review
    The lift-up layout was praised for stair cleaning because it made carrying and using the vacuum easier.
  • 4.6
    based on 4 reviews
    Maneuverability and Handling: 4.6, based on 4 reviews
    Handling was a clear strength, with reviewers praising the light feel, swivel, low effort, and easy maneuvering around furniture.
  • 4.6
    based on 3 reviews
    Headlight and LED lights: 4.6, based on 3 reviews
    LED/headlight comments were positive, with reviewers calling the lighting useful and appreciated.
  • 4.6
    based on 2 reviews
    Maintenance requirements: 4.6, based on 2 reviews
    Maintenance evidence was positive where reviewers discussed easy filter changes and simple cleaning.
  • 4.6
    based on 2 reviews
    Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries): 4.6, based on 2 reviews
    Reviewers liked the bagless and washable-filter setup because it reduced the need to buy bags or replacement filters frequently.
  • 4.5
    based on 3 reviews
    Debris illumination: 4.5, based on 3 reviews
    Debris illumination was praised for helping users see under furniture, in dark areas, or during everyday cleaning.
  • 4.5
    based on 5 reviews
    Emptying and Mess Control: 4.5, based on 5 reviews
    Emptying and mess control were consistently praised as easy, with reviewers noting simple dumping and cleaning.
  • 4.5
    based on 2 reviews
    Versatility: 4.5, based on 2 reviews
    Reviewers described the vacuum as versatile, with many ways to use it and a broad budget feature set.
  • 4.5
    based on 1 review
    Cord management: 4.5, based on 1 review
    The cord hook was praised because it kept the cord from tangling around the user's feet.
  • 4.5
    based on 1 review
    Innovation compared to competitors: 4.5, based on 1 review
    Vacuum Wars praised the Kenmore for bringing premium-style upright features into a budget price range.
  • 4.4
    based on 4 reviews
    Carpet — Medium-Pile Pickup: 4.4, based on 4 reviews
    Medium-pile carpet evidence was generally strong, including perfect or high sand/deep-clean results, while TechGearLab rated carpet only slightly above average.
  • 4.4
    based on 6 reviews
    Ease of use: 4.4, based on 6 reviews
    Ease of use was a major positive in most reviews thanks to light handling and ergonomics, but TechGearLab scored ease of use below average.
  • 4.4
    based on 4 reviews
    Build quality and durability: 4.4, based on 4 reviews
    Build quality was mostly praised as solid, durable, or well-made, with the main caveat being limited long-term evidence.
  • 4.4
    based on 3 reviews
    Floorhead design: 4.4, based on 3 reviews
    The floorhead design was praised for efficiency and a balanced gate-size tradeoff between large-debris pickup and sealing.
  • 4.4
    based on 3 reviews
    Tool-change simplicity: 4.4, based on 3 reviews
    Tool changes were generally described as easy, including a removable wand, snap-together pieces, and convenient switching on attachments.
  • 4.4
    based on 1 review
    Support and Reliability: 4.4, based on 1 review
    One owner-style review recommended it for someone wanting a cleaner home and something reliable.
  • 4.4
    based on 6 reviews
    Suction and Airflow: 4.4, based on 6 reviews
    Most reviews described suction or airflow as strong, with test evidence ranging from solid water-lift results to owner praise for high suction.
  • 4.4
    based on 4 reviews
    Upholstery / Above-Floor Pickup: 4.4, based on 4 reviews
    Above-floor and upholstery use was praised with the canister, wand, and included tools for couches and other surfaces.
  • 4.4
    based on 9 reviews
    Overall opinion: 4.4, based on 9 reviews
    Overall opinion leaned positive across most reviews, but TechGearLab offered a notably more negative verdict.
  • 4.4
    based on 2 reviews
    Suitability for small spaces: 4.4, based on 2 reviews
    Small-space usefulness was supported by comments about a narrower head and attachments for tight spaces.
  • 4.3
    based on 6 reviews
    Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake: 4.3, based on 6 reviews
    Hard-floor large-debris pickup was often praised, including perfect rice pickup and better large-debris handling, though TechGearLab reported cereal plowing.
  • 4.3
    based on 1 review
    Controls and UI: 4.3, based on 1 review
    The roller-off control was praised as handy for hard floors because suction continues without the brushroll spinning.
  • 4.3
    based on 6 reviews
    Price and Value: 4.3, based on 6 reviews
    Most reviewers framed the Kenmore as a strong budget value, though TechGearLab argued similarly priced models performed better.
  • 4.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Clogging and debris prevention: 4.3, based on 2 reviews
    Dustbin and open-design comments were positive about keeping the vacuum free from clogs.
  • 4.1
    based on 4 reviews
    Convertible handheld design: 4.1, based on 4 reviews
    Lift-up or detachable-canister use was usually praised for portability and above-floor cleaning, though one lab review criticized the lack of a true lift-away feature.
  • 4.0
    based on 1 review
    Onboard tool storage: 4.0, based on 1 review
    Onboard tool storage was presented as useful because accessories stay on the upright for quick access.
  • 4.0
    based on 1 review
    Scratch resistance: 4.0, based on 1 review
    One reviewer valued the hard-floor mode because stopping the brushroll helps avoid scratching wood floors.
  • 3.9
    based on 5 reviews
    Comparative performance: 3.9, based on 5 reviews
    Comparative evidence was split but mostly favorable: several reviews put Kenmore ahead of budget rivals, while TechGearLab preferred Shark alternatives.
  • 3.9
    based on 3 reviews
    Accessories and Tools: 3.9, based on 3 reviews
    Reviewers considered the included accessories decent to nice, especially the upholstery and combination tools, without calling them premium.
  • 3.8
    based on 2 reviews
    Noise level: 3.8, based on 2 reviews
    Noise evidence was mixed: one comparison called it relatively quiet, while another review found it a little louder than average.
  • 3.6
    based on 4 reviews
    Cord length: 3.6, based on 4 reviews
    Cord length was adequate to good: some reviews called it plenty or long enough, while Vacuum Wars treated 25 feet as neutral.
  • 3.6
    based on 2 reviews
    Overall durability/longevity: 3.6, based on 2 reviews
    Build impressions were positive, but long-term durability remained only cautiously assessed because the model was relatively new.

Cons

  • 2.8
    based on 5 reviews
    Hair‑Wrap / Tangle Resistance: 2.8, based on 5 reviews
    Hair-wrap resistance was the most repeated drawback, with several reviewers reporting long hair wrapping around the brushroll, though one reviewer claimed strong anti-tangle behavior.
  • 2.3
    based on 3 reviews
    Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors): 2.3, based on 3 reviews
    Crevice and groove pickup was a repeated weakness, with Project Farm and Vacuum Wars describing below-average or struggling results.
  • 2.0
    based on 1 review
    Hose length: 2.0, based on 1 review
    TechGearLab listed hose length as a drawback.

Compared With Category Average

Compared with other Upright Vacuums, this product is above average in Edge and Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors), Floorhead Seal on Hard Floors, Weight, below average in Hose length, Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors).

Summary

8 compared features
  • Above average 0.4+ pts higher 75% 6 features
  • Same as average within 0.3 pts 0% 0 features
  • Below average 0.4+ pts lower 25% 2 features
Attribute This product Category average Difference
Hose length 2.0 3.4 -1.4
Edge and Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors) 5.0 3.6 +1.4
Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors) 2.3 3.6 -1.3
Floorhead Seal on Hard Floors 4.7 3.4 +1.2
Weight 4.6 3.5 +1.1
Cord management 4.5 3.4 +1.1
Clogging and debris prevention 4.3 3.3 +1.0
Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake 4.3 3.5 +0.8

FAQ

Is the Kenmore FeatherLite Lift-Up easy to use?

Most reviews say yes, citing its light weight, swivel handling, and easy maneuverability. TechGearLab was the main outlier, giving ease of use a below-average assessment.

How well does it clean carpet?

Vacuum Wars reported a perfect carpet deep-clean score, and Project Farm measured strong sand pickup. TechGearLab was more reserved, calling carpet cleaning only slightly above average.

Is it good on hard floors?

Several reviews praised its hard-floor large-debris pickup and reduced scattering, especially compared with some Shark models. TechGearLab disagreed, reporting cereal plowing and poor hard-surface performance.

Is it good for pet hair?

Yes for pickup: reviews praised pet-hair cleaning, including carpet pet-hair performance and pet-household use. The main drawback is that long human hair can wrap around the brushroll.

Does it have HEPA filtration?

Reviews praised its sealed HEPA filtration for trapping dust inside the vacuum, and one pet-focused review specifically valued that for dander and household dust.

How useful is the lift-up design?

Most reviews liked the detachable or lift-up canister for above-floor cleaning, couches, and stairs. TechGearLab was less positive, saying it lacked a true lift-away feature.

Is the cord long enough?

The cord was treated as adequate rather than exceptional: Vacuum Wars called 25 feet neutral, while another reviewer said it was long enough to skip some outlets.

Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed

These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.

Video Reviews

Article Reviews

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