Kenmore Intuition Bagged Upright Vacuum

Verdict

Recommended if you want a lightweight bagged upright that excels on carpets and pet hair with sealed HEPA-style filtration and no-touch bag changes; less ideal for very thick/shag rugs, deep under-furniture reach, or buyers sensitive to hose/tool quirks and build-quality variability.

Pros

  • Carpet — Medium-Pile Pickup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.6
    Carpet performance (especially medium-pile deep-clean) is a standout: Vacuum Wars reports a perfect deep-clean result on embedded sand and multiple sources call it excellent for carpets. One technician review notes some fine powder can remain in carpet, but still calls pickup good for the price tier.
  • Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.6
    Crevice/groove pickup is highlighted as a strength in Vacuum Wars testing, where it outperformed a comparable Shark model, aligning with stronger measured head airflow and unsealed suction performance.
  • Assembly and Setup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.6
    Assembly is generally described as quick and straightforward with click-and-lock parts and a quick-start guide. Some users still report a short learning curve for correctly reseating the wand or understanding the bag mechanism.
  • Comparative performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
    Often positioned as a bagged alternative to Shark Navigator Lift-Away style uprights; Vacuum Wars reports similar overall power with stronger head airflow, and Consumer Reports recommends the Intuition BU4050 over a lower-performing bagged upright competitor.
  • Dual motors ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
    At least one review describes a dual-motor setup (one motor for suction consistency and one for the brushroll) as a contributor to strong cleaning performance. Other reviews focus on measured suction/airflow rather than confirming motor count.
  • Accessories & Tools ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.5
    Accessories are a strong point for the price: commonly mentioned tools include pet-focused attachments (Pet HandiMate/turbo-style), a 3-in-1 combination tool, dusting/upholstery tools, and an oversized upholstery brush in one roundup. A technician review criticizes tool fit/lock and calls the tools an afterthought.
  • Convertible handheld design ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.5
    Lift-off/lift-up detachable pod design is a major selling point for above-floor cleaning and portability (stairs, furniture, upholstery). A technician review argues the execution can feel awkward due to hose stiffness/shortness and tipping risk when tugging the hose.
  • Upholstery / Above-Floor Pickup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.5
    Above-floor and upholstery cleaning is typically strong thanks to pet tools and wide upholstery brushes, with users reporting effective furniture and bed cleanup. Hose reach/attachment stability can limit comfort for some users.
  • Suction & Airflow ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.5
    Suction and airflow are repeatedly described as strong, with measured results cited by Vacuum Wars and notes that suction stays strong even as the bag fills. Some users note the strong suction can make very thick carpet/shag harder to push, mitigated somewhat by a suction release/control.
  • Versatility ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.4
    Versatility is consistently praised: lift-off pod, brushroll on/off, integrated wand, and a broad tool set make it useful across carpets, hard floors, and above-floor tasks. Limitations noted include thick-carpet push difficulty and reduced under-furniture reach.
  • Pet-Ready Features ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.4
    Pet readiness is a strong theme: reviewers emphasize strong pet hair pickup, pet-specific tools, sealed filtration for dander/allergens, and (on some models/claims) hair-eliminator brush features aimed at reducing tangles.
  • Emptying & Mess Control ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.3
    No-touch/one-button bag release is repeatedly praised for hygienic, low-mess disposal and reduced allergen exposure (self-sealing bag language appears in multiple reviews). One technician review says the mechanism feels flimsy and that the bag does not seal as well as competitors.
  • Hair Pickup — Carpets ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.3
    Pet hair pickup on carpets is consistently rated highly across lab-style tests and user impressions, aided by pet-focused tools (e.g., Pet HandiMate/turbo-style tools) and strong suction.
  • Overall opinion ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.3
    Overall sentiment is strongly positive for carpet-focused homes: multiple reviewers and roundups highlight strong suction, excellent carpet pickup, and allergy-friendly bagged/sealed operation, plus lift-off versatility. A technician-focused review is much more critical, mainly citing cheap-feeling construction and awkward above-floor ergonomics, and suggests it’s only a great buy when heavily discounted.
  • Hair Pickup — Hard Floors ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.3
    Pet hair pickup on hard floors is generally strong, with multiple reviewers noting effective pickup without excessive blowing/scattering, though one technician test still saw some remnants after passes.
  • Filtration / Dust Containment ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.3
    Filtration and dust containment are widely praised thanks to a sealed system and HEPA-bag/HEPA-style filtration claims, appealing to allergy/mold concerns and reducing dust exposure during disposal. One technician review questions bag material/HEPA claims and notes a small, light exhaust filter.
  • Bag-full indicator ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.3
    Bag-full indicator is a commonly cited convenience feature (light/scale) that helps users know when to replace the bag and maintain performance; one reviewer notes it can trigger during certain conditions but is still useful overall.
  • Weight ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.3
    Weight is commonly cited around 14 lb and lighter than many uprights, supporting easier carrying and steering. A critical review calls it dense/hefty when carrying the pod despite being light for the category.
  • Headlight & LED lights ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.2
    LED headlights are repeatedly mentioned as helpful for visibility and spotting debris in dim areas; placement varies by model but the feature is viewed positively overall.
  • Aesthetic design & finish ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.2
    Aesthetics get positive mentions for modern styling (including rose-gold and chrome accents), though at least one critical review suggests the materials look/feel cheap up close.
  • Dried-On Stain Removal ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.2
    Handling is usually described as easy thanks to light weight and swivel/tilt steering, helping around furniture and corners. Thick carpet/shag can be harder to push due to no height adjustment, and one review notes the unit can tip when using the hose.
  • Controls & UI ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.1
    Controls are generally straightforward (power, brushroll on/off, suction release/control, bag-full indicator), but a few reviewers mention quirks such as wand reseating taking practice or early stiffness in related mechanisms.
  • Price & Value ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.1
    Generally viewed as a strong value (often praised under ~$200 and sometimes much less on sale), especially given performance, bags included in some bundles, and a 5-year warranty mention. One critical review argues value drops sharply if priced above ~$200.
  • Maintenance requirements ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.1
    Maintenance is generally straightforward (bag swaps, occasional filter attention), but hair can still tangle on the brushroll depending on version and hair type. Some reviewers mention minor learning curve with wand/bag mechanism and a stiff cord hook early on.
  • Support & Reliability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.1
    Support is bolstered by a commonly cited 5-year limited warranty, which improves confidence at the price point. Direct long-term reliability evidence is limited in these reviews.
  • Hard Floor — Fine Dust Pickup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.0
    Hard-floor fine dust pickup is generally good, with some reviews reporting strong results, but at least one roundup says it’s not as effective on hard floors as it is on carpets. A technician test observed some flour/fine debris left behind in certain passes.
  • Suitability for small spaces ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0
    A critical reviewer suggests it fits best in apartments/small condos due to its compact feel and narrower cleaning path, even if it may be less ideal for large homes where wide cleaning paths matter more.
  • Bin & Bag ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.0
    Bag system is frequently described as high capacity (often cited around 3.1 L) with synthetic/HEPA-style bags and designs meant to maintain airflow as the bag fills; some bundles include many bags (even a year supply). A critical review argues the compartment/bag size and sealing are weaker than some competing bagged systems.
  • Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.0
    Hard-floor large debris intake is typically good, helped by a fixed-height gate design that can pass larger debris, though some tests note occasional snowplowing/leftover pieces depending on particle size.
  • Cord length ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.0
    Cord length is often cited as 30 ft in specs/reviews, though one technician measurement suggests closer to ~25 ft depending on how the cord holder is used. Most still consider the cord reach decent for typical rooms.
  • Stair Cleaning ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.9
    Stair cleaning is often improved by the lift-off pod and handheld tools, making it more practical than many fixed uprights. One technician review warns the short/stiff hose and tipping movement can make stair use awkward.
  • Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.6
    Ongoing costs are mainly from replacement bags (and periodic filters), which some reviewers flag as the tradeoff versus bagless convenience. Others argue bagged ownership can reduce filter washing/replacement frequency and note that many units include multiple replacement bags up front.
  • Hair‑Wrap / Tangle Resistance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 3.6
    Hair-wrap/tangle resistance is mixed by model/reviewer: some content emphasizes a hair-eliminator style brush/nozzle intended to reduce tangles, while Vacuum Wars and a technician review report tangling comparable to other uprights and a brushroll that isn’t quick-release for easy cleaning.

Cons

  • Onboard tool storage ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.2
    Onboard tool storage is appreciated for keeping accessories handy, but at least one critical review reports the storage placement allows tools to get bumped off easily during use.
  • Cord management ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.2
    Cord management is functional but not premium: some reports mention a stiff/hard-to-turn cord hook and occasional cord tangling; it’s not a retractable system and may require a bit of practice to wrap smoothly.
  • Tool-change simplicity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.1
    Tool changes are workable but not universally smooth: some users found the wand/tool seating took getting used to, and a technician review claims certain attachments don’t lock well and may fall off in use.
  • Area Rug Handling ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.0
    Area rug handling is generally good on typical rugs, but multiple sources note it can be difficult to push on thick carpet/shag due to no height adjustment; suction release/control can help reduce the sticking effect.
  • Floorhead design ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0
    Floorhead design notes include a fixed-height gate and brushroll on/off, supporting solid debris pickup and deep cleaning on typical carpets. Lack of height adjustment can make plush/shag harder to push, and one reviewer describes the cleaning path as narrower than average.
  • Noise level ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 2.8
    Noise impressions vary: Consumer Reports calls it middle-of-the-road and quieter than a notably noisy competitor, while a technician review describes it as very loud during microphone testing.
  • Under-Furniture Pickup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 2.7
    Under-furniture reach is a known weakness: a roundup notes the dust-bin/pod position makes fitting under low furniture tricky, and a technician review says it won’t reach well under beds or very low-clearance pieces.
  • Suitability for heavy-duty use ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.5
    For heavy-duty/large-home use, performance is strong on carpets, but concerns include a narrower cleaning path, thick-carpet push resistance, and mixed build-quality feedback—making it potentially better for moderate, everyday use than rough, high-volume cleaning.
  • Hose length ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0
    Hose reach is a pain point in at least one detailed critique, describing it as short and stiff (slinky-like), which can limit above-floor reach and cause the unit to tip when tugged.
  • Build quality & durability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 1.8
    Build quality feedback is polarized: some describe it as well-designed with decent attachments, while a technician review criticizes plastics, hinges, and mechanisms as cheap/chintzy. Long-term durability is therefore uncertain across sources.
  • Odor control ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 1.8
    Odor/off-gassing is rarely mentioned, but one technician review reports a strong plastic smell from the unit, described as unpleasant; other reviews do not emphasize odor issues.