Kenmore 600 Series Pet PowerMate Review

What sets the Kenmore 600 Series Pet PowerMate apart from other canister vacuums is its incredibly long reach. Its 28-foot cord should also be enough to get you up or down the stairs without having to unplug. This model comes with an adjustable head with which you could change the suction, brush speed, and head height simply by using a slide on the handle. We also enjoyed how this vacuum managed to inhale pet hair, but we had difficulty finding other things to like about this product.

Carpet Performance

Like many canister vacuums in our lineup, the Kenmore 600 did well with low-pile carpet, but dropped off with high pile. We made a mess of Cheerios, rice, and sand on our test carpets. On low-pile we were able to clean an impressive 93.37% of the mess. However, on high-pile carpet, we only picked up 57.7%. The vacuum struggled to pull our smaller pieces from the high pile, but with extra time we were able to clean up substantially more.

Hardwood Performance

The Kenmore 600 Series Pet PowerMate had an impressive performance picking up the debris. We were able to collect 98.1% of the mess we created on the hard floor.

The machine includes a specific crevice tool to get into the nooks and crannies. However, during our crevice testing we found the standard head sufficient enough. For deeper cleans, the crevice tool is handy, though. However, the Kenmore struggled with edges, pushing our test coffee grounds forward as it moved along the wall, leaving some behind as it went.

Ease of Use

We would have liked to see the 600 Series transition smoothly from surface to surface. However, we had to give the vacuum a bit of a shove to make it onto the bamboo slats. The Kenmore 600 Series Pet PowerMate did, however, perform its best in two tests: reach and surface transition. This vacuum stretches out to just over 40 feet. It also has adjustments for height, suction, and an on/off switch for the brush roller, allowing it to easily transition to hard surface cleaning. This machine is on the heavier side at 23 pounds, so we wouldn't recommend this model if you frequently make your way up and down stairs.

The Kenmore 600 is one of the easiest to care for and clean. The HEPA filter is very easy to pop out and replace, and the same can be said about the disposable bags. When the bag is ready to be replaced, an indicator light lets you know. The Kenmore is equipped with a nice selection of attachments. We were impressed with the upholstery attachment, which easily cleaned our throw pillow with coffee grounds were spilled on it.

Pet Hair

The Kenmore 600 Series Pet PowerMate did not live up to its name. Much of the hair ended up wrapped around the brush roll. If you have a pet that sheds a lot, we consider another option, especially if you have carpet.

Filtration

Finally, we tested filtration for every vacuum. The Kenmore 600 did a great job here, not letting much small or large particles escape. The machine has a triple HEPA filtration system, that proved to be effective during our tests, which can be beneficial for those with allergies or respiratory conditions.

Should you buy the Kenmore 600 Series Pet PowerMate?

The Kenmore 600 Series Pet PowerMate has subpar high pile carpet cleaning and lousy handling. If it doesn't clean your carpets well and is clunky to move around, that decreases its worth significantly. But, it does redeem itself somewhat with its stellar pet hair performance. We are stunned by the price of this model compared to its disappointing overall performance. We don't feel that this vacuum has enough redeeming qualities for us to recommend it.

What Other Canister Vacuum Should You Consider?

There are other top canister vacuums in our lineup worth checking out that perform better at a more reasonable price point, such as the Eureka Mighty Mite. But, if high pile carpet is your main concern, the Kenmore Elite Pet Friendly is your vacuum.