Is a Kirby Vacuum Worth the Investment?
A couple of months ago, I ended up inviting the Kirby sales team into my house because they offered a free carpet cleaning. I didn’t plan to buy anything, but I eventually made a pretty big purchase—a Kirby vacuum. Surprisingly, I don’t regret it. So, let’s see if the expensive Kirby vacuum is actually worth its price.
**KIRBY’S VACUUM PERFORMANCE**
I always thought my Dyson was unbeatable when it came to vacuuming. I was a huge Dyson fan, practically ready to endorse the brand. But then, I tried the Kirby Sentria II, and suddenly my Dyson didn’t seem as impressive. After using the Kirby for a few months, my carpets feel much softer and look brighter and cleaner.
**EXTRA FEATURES OF THE KIRBY**
The Kirby vacuum has some useful attachments. I love that you can extend the hose to clean those usually ignored spots like fan blades and curtains. One downside is you need to remove the vacuum head to use the attachable hose, unlike the Dyson where the hose is easily accessible. Nonetheless, the Kirby hose can reach higher places, which is a plus.
Notably, the Kirby can also clean carpets just like our previous Bissell cleaner. For furniture and mattresses, the Kirby’s detachable head is much more efficient than any vacuum hose I’ve used before. It also includes features like cleaning upholstery and even an add-on for scrubbing hardwood floors, plus it can inflate air mattresses and toys.
**DOWNSIDES OF THE KIRBY**
While I’m impressed with many aspects of the Kirby, there are some downsides too. It’s heavier than the Dyson, making it tiring to use for extended periods, especially for people with arthritis. This extra weight comes from its mostly metal body, as opposed to Dyson’s plastic and metal construction.
Some people might find the Kirby tricky to operate. Without any guidance, I’d have been lost. Although it comes with a DVD guide, if you’re not willing to invest time in learning how to use it, the Kirby might not be for you. Also, it uses bags—something I liked about the Dyson was its bagless design. Although it adds cost, the bags only need changing every 4-6 months, depending on how much cleaning you do.
**IS THE KIRBY WORTH THE PRICE?**
Whether the Kirby is worth its price depends on the deal you get. Initially quoted at nearly $3000, I declined, and the salesperson eventually reduced it to $1090, including tax. Considering it replaced both my Dyson and the Bissell, the price seemed fair.
Think about potential savings with a Kirby. If it prolongs the lifespan of your carpet and mattress by five years or more, it’s already paying for itself. Plus, a well-cared-for Kirby could last 20 years or more, during which you might replace other vacuums 3-5 times.
In the end, I think the Kirby vacuum is worth its price. If I’m still using and loving it in 10-20 years, I’ll definitely say it was worth every cent. Do you own a Kirby vacuum? What do you think about it?
