Kenmore DU1275 Bagless Upright Vacuum with Hair Eliminator Review: Pros, Cons & Rumors Debunked

Kenmore DU1275 Bagless Upright Vacuum Lightweight Carpet Cleaner with 4 Height Adjustment, Hair Eliminator brushroll, Pet HandiMate & 2 Cleaning Tools

With a 3X larger dust cup and swivel steering, the Kenmore DU1275 lets you clean more with fewer stops while maneuvering effortlessly around corners and furniture.
Enjoy tangle-free cleaning with the Hair Eliminator brushroll and reach every spot with a 7′ hose featuring Pet HandiMate and two versatile tools for carpet, stairs, and upholstery.

The Kenmore DU1275 combines strong suction performance with a lightweight, bagless design.
Most users praise the Hair Eliminator brushroll and swivel steering for pet hair removal and easy maneuvering.
Common complaints focus on flimsy plastic components and difficulty sourcing replacement filters, though no safety recalls exist.
This vacuum suits budget-conscious pet owners and smaller living spaces requiring regular carpet maintenance.

Core specifications include under 11 lbs, 3X more dust cup capacity, and 4-height adjustment.
Features multiple attachments like Pet HandiMate and a 6′ hose plus accessory tools for extended reach.

Table of contents

Product Overview
Kenmore DU1275 Review: Honest Findings
Positive Feedback & Highlights
Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis
Who Should Consider Kenmore DU1275?
Conclusion: Final Verdict

Product Overview

The Kenmore DU1275 Bagless Upright Vacuum is positioned as a lightweight carpet cleaner that bridges the gap between heavy-duty uprights and compact stick vacuums. At under 11 pounds, this unit boasts swivel steering for enhanced navigability around furniture and tight corners. Its upright configuration includes four height adjustments to handle everything from low‐pile rugs to thicker carpets, ensuring optimized brushroll engagement across surfaces.

A standout selling point is its 3X more dust cup capacity compared to standard compact models, reducing the frequency of emptying during large-area cleaning sessions. The Hair Eliminator brushroll automatically cuts away and dispenses hair wrap, eliminating the need for scissors to cut tangled fibers from the roller. In addition, the Pet HandiMate attachment provides a powered mini‐brush for upholstery and pet beds, while two additional tools—a crevice nozzle and dusting brush—are included to tackle ledges, stairs, and tight spots.

With a 6‐foot hose and tool attachments, the Kenmore DU1275 extends reach up to 7 feet, which is especially helpful for above‐floor cleaning without lifting the main unit. The cover materials are primarily clear and colored plastics that help users visually track dust levels, though some reports cite the plastic as less robust under knockout use. Overall, the DU1275 aims to deliver a balance of powerful suction, pet‐friendly features, and an agile form factor for everyday home maintenance.

Performance measurements show consistent strong airflow and effective debris pickup.
Assembly and maintenance are straightforward, with intuitive tool attachments and easy emptying.

Kenmore DU1275 Review: Honest Findings

In hands‐on testing and user feedback analysis, the Kenmore DU1275 consistently demonstrates a high level of suction power that rivals many mid‐range uprights. Users report that low‐pile carpets and area rugs emerge visibly cleaner after a single pass, often revealing surprising quantities of hidden dust and pet hair. The vacuum head includes a manual switch to deactivate the brushroll, making it safe for bare floors and delicate rugs without risking scratches.

Assembly typically takes under ten minutes, requiring only a few snap‐in connections for the handle, hose, and attachments. The clear dust cup empties with a bottom‐release latch, minimizing user contact with collected debris. Filters are accessed via a panel behind the dust cup and include a foam pre‐filter plus a HEPA-style cartridge, both washable and reusable. While some customers praise the sealed filtration system for reducing airborne dust during vacuuming, a handful note that reassembly of the filter housing demands care to maintain an airtight seal.

Maneuverability is a highlight: the swivel steering enables sharp turns around table legs and sofas, which many users find preferable to bulkier uprights. The 7-foot extended reach—combining hose and wand—allows above‐floor cleaning of curtains, ceiling corners, and shelves, although the wand length itself is moderate. Cord management relies on two wrap hooks on the rear of the body; while functional, winding the cord can require bending over or awkward hand positioning.

Overall, the DU1275 delivers on its promises of combination performance, offering robust carpet cleaning and pet‐hair removal in a package that remains light and agile. Its main drawbacks lie in material longevity and the occasional finicky plastic latch, rather than cleaning efficacy.

Users frequently cite great suction and ease of use as standout positives.
The Hair Eliminator brushroll is acclaimed for hassle‐free pet hair pickup.

Positive Feedback & Highlights

Across dozens of verified reviews, users applaud the Kenmore DU1275 for powerful pickup on both carpets and hard floors. Many pet owners highlight that the anti‐hair wrap technology keeps the brushroll free of tangled fur—even after multiple passes over pet beds and rugs—eliminating the need for manual hair cutting. People with allergies also appreciate the sealed filter path, noting a perceptible reduction in dust clouds during emptying.

The lightweight frame stands out, especially for older users or those with back issues. At less than 11 pounds, the unit moves easily up and down stairs and requires minimal effort to push across different floor types. The swivel head design receives repeated praise for getting into furniture legs and awkward corners without heavy shoving or repositioning.

Attachments score high marks, too: the Pet HandiMate powered mini‐brush is specifically designed for upholstery and pet furnishings, while the crevice tool and dusting brush fit snugly into their storage clip on the handle. The 3X capacity dust cup reduces the need for constant emptying, and its clear plastic construction lets users see when the cup reaches maximum fill. Quiet operation is a bonus, with many reviewers describing the motor noise as “not too loud” compared to competitor uprights.

Reports of broken clips, snapped connectors, and belt failures appear in negative feedback.
No evidence of safety recalls or widespread “rumors” about product defects.

Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis

While the Kenmore DU1275 earns solid marks for cleaning performance, some users express frustration over the durability of plastic parts. Common complaints include the dust cup latch chipping off after months of use, hose connectors that snap when tipped, and attachment clips that wear out or fall off easily. A few owners report that the tool storage clip fails to hold accessories securely, forcing them to store attachments separately.

Belt longevity is another concern: a handful of reviewers mention that the brushroll belt wore out or broke within the first 40 minutes to a year of use, necessitating replacement. Although replacement belts and filters are technically available through Kenmore parts channels, several customers have difficulty sourcing correct HEPA‐style filter cartridges, with some aftermarket filters not fitting properly. This has fueled minor chatter online about a “hidden bug” where customers cannot maintain their machines long‐term—but the issue stems more from limited part availability than from any design flaw.

Despite these mechanical gripes, there are no official safety notice or recall records for the DU1275 model. No credible rumors of fire hazards, electrical failures, or worsening suction have emerged outside customer anecdotes about wear and tear. Kenmore’s customer service process for ordering parts can be slow—often 3–4 weeks—leading to impatience, but it does exist.

In summary, negative feedback centers on fragile plastics and maintenance logistics rather than on cleaning power or safety. Prospective buyers should weigh the convenience of a budget price against potential part‐replacement hassles over the machine’s lifespan.

Ideal for pet owners, apartment dwellers, and those needing lightweight maneuverability.
Not recommended for heavy‐duty commercial use or exceptionally high‐pile carpets.

Who Should Consider Kenmore DU1275?

The DU1275 appeals most to users seeking a blend of strong performance and pet‐friendly features at an affordable price point. If you have shedding dogs or cats, the Hair Eliminator brushroll and Pet HandiMate attachments can save time and avoid the frustration of manual hair removal. Small to medium homes, apartments, and dorm rooms benefit from its lightweight design and swivel steering that glides effortlessly around tight furniture layouts.

Those who value simplicity will enjoy the easy assembly and one‐step dust cup emptying. Allergy sufferers may appreciate the sealed filter path, provided they can source the correct replacement filters. On the other hand, users with large open floorplans or very high‐pile carpets may find the 12-inch cleaning path and moderate brushroll height range less efficient than a full-size commercial upright.

Customers who plan to vacuum multiple times per week should consider setting aside a small budget for replacement parts—clips, connectors, and belts—over the unit’s multi‐year service life. If you prefer bagged vacuums or long‐term reliability backed by widely stocked parts, other Kenmore uprights or premium brands might be better suited.

The Kenmore DU1275 delivers excellent value for targeted household cleaning.
No major health or safety concerns have been reported, only durability trade‐offs.

Conclusion: Final Verdict

After a thorough review of user experiences, product specifications, and customer service feedback, the Kenmore DU1275 emerges as a solid, budget‐friendly upright vacuum with notable pet‐hair capabilities and strong suction. It excels at regular home cleaning tasks, especially in environments with pets and moderate carpet needs. Minor downsides—such as fragile plastic fittings and occasional filter availability issues—should not be dismissed but are not uncommon in this price tier.

Importantly, no serious complaints or rumors exist regarding safety hazards or major defects in the DU1275 line. Most negative feedback centers on normal wear and tear, suggesting that buyers who handle the machine with reasonable care and plan for occasional part replacements will enjoy years of reliable service. In short, this Kenmore model offers exceptional cleaning performance for its class, making it a recommended choice for pet owners and budget‐minded consumers alike.