The Sanyo SC-H2000 upright vacuum is a bagless model with a HEPA filter to capture dust and allergens. The filter is a lifetime HEPA filter. It will require regular cleanings, but it saves one the ongoing expense of replacement filters. And because this Sanyo is a bagless model, there's no need to budget for replacement bags, either.

The Sanyo SC-H2000 has one of the widest cleaning paths on the market -- 16 inches -- and makes short work of even the largest square footage. It is a sleek looking machine with clean, modern lines. Plus it is outfitted in chic metallic red and titanium silver colors.

We especially like its Edge Grabber feature that helps pick up dust and particles near baseboards and in corners, sometimes saving us the trouble of using a crevice tool. When it comes to attachments, we wish there were more. The SC-H2000 has an attachment hose, a crevice tool, a combination dusting brush/upholstery tool and two extension wands. We like the attachment brush, but it doesn't agitate and remove pet hair from carpet fibers. This same attachment, however, works effectively on crumbs and debris on upholstery and car interiors. The suction isn't extraordinary, but it is adequate.

While we find the number of attachments lacking, it's not as disappointing as the Sanyo's other shortcomings. The brushes on the vacuum's main head do not turn off. This makes us hesitant to use the vacuum on bare floors, particularly hardwood floors, for fear of scratching them. We were also disappointed that the Sanyo didn't pick up more pet hair with the main vacuum head. We expected it to power through even our dirtiest carpets because of its 12-amp motor and bagless design, but it didn't. We often needed to pass the vacuum several times over especially dirty areas before they became clean.

The Sanyo SC-H2000 has a 30-foot power cord. The cord is an adequate length and longer than some models we've tested. It may seem like a minor detail, but a longer power cord can save time because one doesn't need to move it from outlet to outlet as often. Unfortunately, the Sanyo is heavy. It weighs 26 pounds (shipping weight) and takes some muscle to move. Overall, it gets middle-of-the-road marks for average performance and uninspired features. If we were grading on looks alone, it would be a winner, but with vacuums -- as with all appliances -- performance counts.


Pros: Sleek styling, 16-inch cleaning path
Cons: Heavy, can't use on bare floors

Warranty
1 year