Electrolux’s Ergorapido Ultra 2-In-1 Stick Vacuum (EL1022A) is one of a new breed of vacuums that aims to be a versatile bargain in combining two kinds of vacuums in one. Can Electrolux pull off creating a 2-in-1 that actually works well in all the ways it claims to? Or will it end up like 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner and not fully satisfy anyone? Let’s take a look.
Power
The Ultra clocks in at 12 volts – that’s admittedly not that powerful for a good stick vacuum, but it’s a testament to Electrolux’s design that its cyclonic technology is efficient enough to really make those 12 volts work hard.
Performance
This is readily apparent in the fact that this vacuum has both a low and high power mode – you’d think that would only be worth having with a much more powerful vacuum, but the Ultra makes it work. In fact, it does fantastic on bare floors in either mode. It shares the common stick vacuum foible of not doing well on carpet, but a brushroll helps with rugs nonetheless.
Ease of Use
The main feature that makes this vacuum so easy to use is of course that it is two vacuums in one – you can pop out the handheld to clean up a mess on your counter, and then pop it right back in to get one spilled all the way to the floor. If there are any shadows, an LED headlight clears that right up (and it’s especially useful when looking for glass). The vacuum head also swivels like a much more expensive Dyson vacuum to a full 180 degrees.
Battery Life and Charging Time
Impressively, the Ultra gets an alright twelve minute runtime on its high setting, but really is quite useable on its low setting which gives you a full twenty minutes. If you’re efficient, you can get quite a lot of floorspace done in that space of time. With a NiMH battery and Energy-Star certified charger it needs about 15-20 hours to fully charge, but it’s easy to leave overnight for that.
Weight
Also impressive is the Ultra’s weight – 5.3 pounds is incredibly light considering that it’s really two vacuums in one. It makes it very easy to maneuver this vacuum no matter which mode you’re using.
Filter
Electrolux has included their very helpful two-stage snap-spring filter – it’s a unique design that has a quick little mechanism that makes cleaning out your filter much easier and cleaner.
Dust Bin
With 12.8 ounces, the Ultra does show one of the limitations of 2-in-1 vacuums – it’s limited by the size of its handheld aspect. That said, it’s one of the only ways the Ultra is limited, and even then, it’s still not a bad size for a dust bin at all.
Included Accessories
On the other hand from that disadvantage, an advantage of 2-in-1 vacuums is that you get the accessories you would get from a handheld – in this case a crevice tool and a dusting brush – that you normally wouldn’t ever get with a stick vacuum.
Reliability
In conversations I’ve noticed some people are fooled into thinking their vacuums are broken or faulty just because they don’t bother to maintain them well; this might be the case with the Ultra as well because of its smaller dustbin. It’s very easy, however, to pop out the Ultra’s brushroll with a click and maintain it, and if you just remember to empty the dustbin each time you use it, it’ll last for quite a while.
Warranty
Electrolux offers the Ultra with a two year warranty. That’s average for this kind of vacuum, and is standard in a good way for this price range.
Price
This vacuum is on the upper end of the middle in terms of stick vacuum pricing. Remember, though, that you’re getting two vacuums in one – in light of that, this vacuum actually goes for a great price.
Pros
- both a handheld and a stick vacuum
- fantastic on bare floors
- swiveling vacuum head
- LED headlight
- quiet and lightweight
Cons
- won’t stand upright on its own
- smaller dustbin
Conclusion
Electrolux has created a great buy with the Ultra – it’s not too expensive, yet you get a 2-in-1 vacuum that includes accessories and helpful features like an LED headlight, a unique filter, and a swiveling head. It works wonderfully in the two realms that cordless vacuums are best for: small messes for the handheld, and bare floors when it’s used in stick mode.
