
Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly Ultra Plush Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum with Pet PowerMate, HEPA, Extended Telescoping Wand, Retractable Cord, and 3 Cleaning Tools-Champagne
- Experience deep cleaning with Kenmore Elite’s 2-motor canister vacuum and HEPA filter that captures 99.7% of dust, dander, and allergens for a healthier home.
- Tackle pet hair with the Pet PowerMate motorized brush that lifts hair without tangles. Ultra-plush nozzle, telescoping wand and retractable cord make cleaning quick and convenient.
- Overall, the Kenmore Elite 81714 delivers robust suction power and excels on ultra-plush carpets.
- Users praise the HEPA filtration and pet‐hair tools but note a substantial weight and bulk.
- Common complaints involve attachment durability issues, a finicky bag-full indicator and occasional overheating concerns.
- No widespread safety hazards or verified fire‐risk rumors, but some customers report very hot motor housing after extended use.
- Best suited for allergy sufferers, pet owners and homes with thick carpets—less ideal for those seeking a lightweight, ultra‐maneuverable vacuum.
- Key specs: bagged canister design, 2-motor system, HEPA filter, Pet PowerMate and Ultra Plush nozzle.
Product Overview
The Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly Ultra Plush Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum (often shortened to “Kenmore Elite 81714”) is engineered for versatile, whole‐home cleaning.
It features a 2-motor system that claims 20% more air power than conventional uprights, a rear HEPA filter trapping 99.7% of debris, and a motorized Pet PowerMate attachment for stubborn hair and dander.
The ultra plush nozzle offers manual pile‐height adjustment, while the telescoping aluminum wand extends up to 10′ for high and tight spaces.
Onboard tool storage keeps the crevice tool, dusting brush and upholstery brush neatly stowed, and a retractable 26′ cord adds convenience.
In practice, this vacuum is marketed as an all‐floors workhorse—hardwood, laminate, tile, area rugs and deep pile carpets. At 22 lbs, the main unit rolls easily on smooth surfaces but can feel heavy when pulled on thick carpet or carried up stairs.
Despite its size, the combination of a HEPA FILTER SYSTEM and bagged design appeals strongly to allergy sufferers.
- Customers consistently remark on the powerful suction and deep‐clean performance.
- Many note a learning curve when switching from uprights or stick vacs to this canister style.
Kenmore Elite 81714 Review: Honest Findings
Across multiple verified users, the Kenmore Elite 81714 earns praise for its impressive airflow and tool variety.
One reviewer affectionately nicknamed theirs “Kenny” and reported it “pulled up an ENTIRE bag of dirt, dust and sand” that their previous Shark model missed for years. The LED sensors on the nozzle help ensure no dirt goes unseen.
However, transitioning from an upright or stick vacuum can be challenging. Users mention “clanking it everywhere” and occasionally toppling the canister due to the hose connection at the top.
The unit’s 22 lbs plus accessories make it a noticeable workout, especially on stairs. Still, the robust motor rarely skips a beat—even after a hard knock or wheel pop‐off incident described by a long‐time Kenmore enthusiast.
- Strong suction lifts embedded pet hair, dust and crumbs on hard floors and carpets alike.
- Attachments like the Pet PowerMate and Ultra Plush nozzle get high marks for targeted cleaning.
Positive Feedback & Highlights
Many owners rave about the Elite 81714’s ability to handle everyday messes and pet hair without frequent bag changes. One vacuum enthusiast with four hair‐shedding daughters emphasized that regular brush‐roll cleaning prevents severe tangling.
The carpet nozzle “just glides across the pile” on medium and high‐pile rugs, doing what several expensive uprights failed to achieve.
Key positive themes include:
- Exceptional pet‐hair removal: The Pet PowerMate brush resists wrap‐around hair and is praised for deep‐cleaning furniture and stairs.
- Effective HEPA filtration: Allergy sufferers appreciate the sealed bag design and high‐efficiency filter trapping dander and pollen.
- Onboard tool storage and telescoping wand simplify transitions between floor, crevice and upholstery modes.
- Long retractable cord (26′) and stair‐grip feature improve ease of use when covering large homes.
- Users report heavy and cumbersome handling on tight spaces and furniture maneuvering.
- Recurring reports of fragile or misaligned attachments leading to failures in nozzle locks, swivel heads and telescoping wands.
- Some owners complain of motor housing running too hot, causing safety concerns or red marks from the exhaust air.
- A handful experienced a non-functional bag-full indicator and rear filter door popping open mid‐use.
Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis
While overall feedback skews positive, several recurring negative themes emerge. The most frequent is the unit’s bulk: at 22 lbs plus hose and wand, it feels less nimble than uprights or stick vacuums.
This weight intensifies on stairs or when dragging the canister by its top-mounted hose—which some say places undue stress on the hose connection and can cause tipping (“turtling”) or dislodged attachments.
Attachment durability is another sore point. Multiple users describe the floor head snapping off or the latch mechanism failing, forcing them to purchase replacement parts that can cost upwards of $100.
The crevice tool’s small opening, side vents and poor suction retention also frustrate customers seeking a reliable edge‐and‐corner tool.
A small but vocal group raises overheating concerns. One reviewer noted the vacuum became “pretty hot” to the touch after hours of use, worrying about potential motor burnout or a fire risk if run continuously with a full bag.
Manufacturer guidance warns that neglecting to change bags may damage the motor, but no widespread reports of fires have emerged on Amazon forums or consumer‐safety databases.
A persistent rumor circulating online suggests this model experiences a higher failure rate than other Kenmore canisters—but public data and large‐scale review analysis do not corroborate an above-average defect rate.
Many issues stem from routine wear and tear, heavy use without maintenance (brush-roll cleaning, timely bag replacement) and the trade‐off of a powerful motor in a heavier chassis.
- A compelling choice for homeowners with ultra-plush carpets and heavy pet shedding.
- Ideal for allergy sufferers due to bagged HEPA filtration and minimal airborne exhaust.
Who Should Consider Kenmore Elite 81714?
The Kenmore Elite 81714 shines in specific use cases.
If you own deep-pile carpets that challenge most uprights, this canister version glides across with adjustable height and a plush-carpet brush head engineered for high‐pile fibers.
Pet owners will value the Motorized Pet PowerMate when removing embedded hair from stairs, upholstery and vehicle interiors.
Allergy sufferers benefit from sealed, replaceable disposable bags and an advanced HEPA filter capturing dust, pollen and dander—features uncommon in many bagless designs.
Homes with large open floor plans also leverage the 26′ retractable cord and canister’s exclusive Stair Grip to anchor the unit on steps.
Conversely, light dwellings with mostly hard floors or small apartments might find uprights or sticks more maneuverable and easier on the arms. Users seeking ultra-light handling, minimal storage footprint or near-silent operation may prefer compact cordless models.
- The Elite 81714 delivers solid performance on floors, carpets and pet hair—but with design trade‐offs in weight and fragility.
- No credible evidence supports widespread safety hazards, though occasional overheating and motor wear warnings merit regular maintenance.
Conclusion: Final Verdict
The Kenmore Elite 81714 emerges as a powerful, feature‐rich canister vacuum capable of deep‐cleaning ultra-plush carpets and tackling pet hair with its HEPA-sealed, bagged system.
While robust suction and versatile attachments earn high marks, potential buyers should weigh the unit’s 23-pound bulk and recurring reports of attachment durability and indicator faults.
There is no substantiated rumor of catastrophic failure or fire risk—most issues trace back to dropped parts, neglected maintenance or the inherent stress of moving a heavy canister by its hose.
For allergy sufferers, pet owners and homes with thick carpets, the Kenmore Elite 81714 is a strong contender.
If you prioritize lightweight portability or ultra-quiet operation, you may wish to explore alternative canister or cordless models.

Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly Ultra Plush Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum with Pet PowerMate, HEPA, Extended Telescoping Wand, Retractable Cord, and 3 Cleaning Tools-Champagne
- Experience deep cleaning with Kenmore Elite’s 2-motor canister vacuum and HEPA filter that captures 99.7% of dust, dander, and allergens for a healthier home.
- Tackle pet hair with the Pet PowerMate motorized brush that lifts hair without tangles. Ultra-plush nozzle, telescoping wand and retractable cord make cleaning quick and convenient.
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