Real Consumer Reviews and Ratings
Oreck XL21 Reviews and Ratings
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Overall Rating 
Manufacturer
Oreck Direct, LLC.
Product Description
The Oreck XL 21 is an upright vacuum that weighs 9 pounds. The XL21 is guaranteed and serviced for 21 years, hence the name. The Oreck XL 21 is supposed to be the "quietest, most powerful upright Oreck has ever developed." The infomercial offer includes a free Oreck XL cannister vac and a cordless iron. Check below for Oreck XL21 reviews.
Average Retail Value
$749.95 (prices may vary)
Comparisons
Oreck XL Classic Vacuum | Oreck XL Deluxe Vacuum | Oreck XL ULTRA Vacuum
Consumer Ratings
More than I expected
11/18/2008 - Barry of IL, USA writes:
Oreck XL21 highlights: I’ve mostly used the stainless steel [] for 35 years. I’ve used the Oreck XL since Feb 2002 to present. I’ve used convenience stores vacuums off and on and they don’t compare at all to these 2 in the cleaning and versatility categories. What I like about XL21 (similar to the XL Platinum today): 1. Very low profile for getting under furniture w/ ease. Can’t do this with [] 2. Longer cord than [] 3. Smaller motor because XL21 total weight is only 9lbs (vs [] 25lbs). This also means smaller electric bill. 4. Twice as easy to push as a [] and the [] even has automatic assist! 5. rubber wheels prevents damaging floors 6. Wooden rod for roller. This has been shown to be the best cleaner (vs all metal). 7. 6500 rpm really beats the dirt out of the rug so vacuum can easily suck up the dirt 8. Short, stubby brush hairs means nice stiff beater. This is great for getting up dirt. This beats the rug better than the []’s softer brush hairs. In the end, it’s the roller that gets dirt out. You have to loosen the dirt’s hold. Suction is only #2. 9. Fatter cord than []. This means more power can get to the motor. 10. Very nice flexible cord--- even in cold weather. 11. Self adjusts to any floor height (because it’s so light)--- from hardwood to high shag. All other vacuums you have to manually set the height. This is a master of engineering design. Be sure to use low power on the hardwoods. It’s great to go from room to room and not ever worry about height. 12. The low power mode is great for solid flooring. It will not scratch or damage the floor but sucks up all dust and dried food the kiddies spilled. 13. The XL21 just pulls you along. This is another reason why it’s easier to push than the []. You’re almost just directing it. If it doesn’t pull you along, then the XL21 needs a roller replacement (I got about 5 years out of mine). 14. Since it’s so light, it is easy to use on stairs. You don’t need add-ons/extras for cleaning stairs. 15. Since it’s so light, it’s extremely easy moving-- it from basement to attic. This means your house will get vacuumed more often. 16. Free 21 years of annual tuneups. 17. The room smells good when you’re done. Hint: use the Blooming Jasmine, not the Vanilla. 18. It is so light, it hangs from the ceiling (out of the road) thus keeping the roller brush from being flattened. 19. Can vacuum in nooks and crannies that I could never get the [] into. 20. The house is cleaner because I enjoy vacuuming more often. With the [], it was a dread to get it out. 21. Two speeds are all you need for all the floor types there are. When you try a single speed vacuum cleaner, the lower speed is soooo missed. 22. It is so light; you can treat it like a hand vacuum and even lift it up w/ ease to vacuum the couch. What a versatile machine! 23. My kids can lift the vacuum and so they like vacuuming now. 24. When dumping out dirt, the HEPA bags are great in ensuring no dust storms. 25. When I come to a doorway bump (some of my rooms have moldings there), it’s so easy to lift the XL21 up and over. 26. I’ve never had a plug-up. 27. It does so well on high shags, and likewise on low pile w/o stopping to adjust height. 28. It came with a high class canister vacuum that is powerful AND quiet. We use this a lot to vacuum our ceiling fans and going around the corners. It’s so light that my wife doesn’t notice it on her shoulder. It also came w/ a very nice cordless iron; though after 5 years, the battery finally died :(. 29. Easy to plop it in the car and take to grandma’s house and vacuum there. CON: Takes longer to replace the belt than the [].
I absolutley love this oreck
9/24/2008 - vacuum guy of Washington, united states writes:
WE have had this vacuum for almost a year now, and it still is doing great. WE took it in for its first tune up 2 weeks ago and it works the same as when we bought it. It has more suction the a [] animal. I saw a demonstration on [], that is how I know. Go to [], then type in oreck vs [], you will see that it take the [] 6 to7 passes and it only take the oreck 2. The oreck is so quiet to. another cool feature is the violate blue dirt search lights. you can see the dirt so well.
More $ than a Dyson, yet delivers less
6/25/2008 - Andy of New York, USA writes:
if you believe all of the hype around this vacuum, I'd encourage you to compare it against a Dyson and see if you notice a difference. Foremost, the Oreck works well if you have a low-pile carpet. Period. This would explain the reputation it's gained for being a hotel workhorse, since most hotel carpets are very low pile. If you have anything else, you'll find it disappointing for the price, and ou'll be especially disappointed if you have bare floors. Plus, if you need other attachments, they'll sell you an over-the-shoulder unit to lug around as a canister -- 2 vacuums when I only needed one. I opted for a Dyson canister that I purchased for about $400 (20% off, thanks Bed Bath & Beyond coupon) that has all the attachments, does better in a variety of carpet depths, and can handle my hardwood better than the Oreck did. So the Dyson is slightly heavier than the Oreck, Not by much though. And I wasn't satisfied with a lightweight vacuum that wouldn't fulfill my somewhat varied needs.
XL21 Junk
6/16/2007 - Charles of Oklahoma, USA writes:
We have had an XL21 for exactly 4 years now. Got the 21 year warranty and the overshoulder portable in the deal. Deal? $600+ bucks is a deal. Oh, well, over a 21 year life, maybe. Well, I would rather have any of our previous vacuums we have had in the past. If you have pets that shed long hair, go get something else. I have to take this vacuum apart once a month to clean the dog hair that gets plugged up in the blower blades. I used to have to do that to my old Hoovers and Sears units about once every 6 months with the same dogs. The thing is now shot and I shudder to take it in for another "tune up". What a joke. If you take it in for the regular maintenance, and you better or the warranty will be void, they put a new bag in it and charge twice what the bag will cost you. For the past year the thing has been extremely noisy (growls like a bearing is going out). I took it in last year for them to fix the growl. They replaced the roller brush, charged me $40 for a brush it did not need, installe the new brush wrong so it would wear out faster, and it still growls. They told me that the only thing covered by the warranty are the plastic parts (which they have already replaced once when they broke with normal use) and the motor. If you want this thing to last 21 years you will have to get the warranty otherwise plan on replacing it after 3 years of weekly use. Two years ago I complained and told the store I wanted a prorated share of my money back. They told me to deal with the Oreck factory. I emailed the factor with my complaints and they said any sales refunds have to be handled by the store where I bought it. Run-around? I'm taking mine in this month for its yearly tuneup. If they don't fix the growl for free where I can stand in the same room with the vacuum, we are going to court. Bottom line: Light weight? Yes Cheaply built? Yes Warranty necessary to get 3+ years of service? Yes Vacuum power adequate? My old Hoovers did better. Satisfaction guaranteed? Yeah, if you take them to court. C. W. [], Tulsa, OK
I love love love it
2/23/2007 - Judy of Ohio, USA writes:
I purchased an Oreck XL21 a couple of weeks ago and it's totally awesome. My carpet is old and with in a few uses it looks a whole lot better. It's very light weight and easy to push. On low knap carpet or floors it pulls itself. The little brushes at the sides are great to for baseboards. The bag is extremely large so less changing. After using it for a week or so I have to say I have no buyers remorse. Also you get 1 year financing which is awesome. If you are looking for cons I'd be hard pressed to find any, well maybe that the bags are somewhat expensive buy then they are huge. I would highly recommend this vacuum to everyone.
Nice Sweeper
2/1/2007 - Sharon of Indiana, USA writes:
I went to my oreck store and looked at this model. I liked it because it was powerful and fast. I had an old vacuum that was very heavy. This one is light.
Quick and Cool!
1/31/2007 - Cindy of Virginia, USA writes:
I liked this product. It is quieter than most other brands. I have tried 15 other vacs including the $1500 Rainbow. This is my favorite!
lighter than a gallon of milk
1/19/2007 - Terri of North Carolina, USA writes:
bought Oreck vacum,port,and free iron on tv 5 yr ago. have ms and wanted litewght.First liked-pick up dog hair good. Then hard to push 1 way, loose in other.told-norm or was my carpet. next loose suction. husband cleaned out but didn't lift dirt as prior. called for free yr service. told have to pay unless prove on orig ad/hype insert with vip stuff. I didn't keep ALL non vip.I did get money back after prove overpd, found 1 mag ad stated free sh, which didn't get. expensive-$350-$400.I do like the long cord. The port vac nice to use in car,but dirt bag small. seldom use iron. It was too heavy and complicated to use. Would I buy again-?-I'd compare first to one which runs around by itself! I'd make sure I went over warranty, could return if didn't like.keep all papers to enforce what they advertise.
