Welcome to Vacuum Wars and to our review of the Kenmore DU5092 Bagless Upright vacuum. It’s a highly-reviewed upright vacuum from Kenmore that combines high performance with a good price, as well as versatile cleaning and attachments.
We were excited to test it after the strong showing the Kenmore DU4080 had. We put it through all of our tests this week, and in this article, we’ll go over its pros and cons.
Pros
Price
The Kenmore upright vacuum is very reasonably priced for what you’re getting. For example, it ranks number six overall in our scoring system for all the vacuums we’ve tested, and it’s by far the cheapest of these six.
Debris Pickup
The Kenmore DU5092 does really well with its primary function: picking up fine to extra-large debris on both hard floors and carpets.
It has unusually large front gates that allow it to pick up larger debris that other vacuums may not be able to. But it’s also proficient with fine debris, earning a much higher than average score in this category.
Carpet Deep Clean Test
The Kenmore DU5092 also scored an impressive 100% on our carpet deep clean test, where we embed sand into medium carpet and see how much the vacuum can retrieve.
Ease of Use
The DU5092 offers a variety of features to make vacuuming easier and provide you options when you’re cleaning. It weighs 14 pounds, which is a bit below average.
Additionally, it has a very responsive swivel for navigating hard-to-reach places. Both the hose and the wand are detachable, and the canister can be lifted off the vacuum for a more versatile cleaning experience.
RELATED: See our review of the Kenmore Intuition upright.
Hair Eliminator
One notable feature of the Kenmore DU5092 is its hair eliminator nozzle. It automatically removes hair from the brush roll, ensuring it remains clean.
We found it effective during our tests. Plus, LED lights on the floor head illuminate debris that might otherwise be missed.
Attachments
The vacuum comes with two main attachments: the pet handymate tool (with a suction-powered rotating brush for pet hair cleaning on furniture and stairs) and a three-in-one tool that incorporates a crevice tool, dusting brush, and an upholstery tool.
Power
In our testing for suction and airflow, the Kenmore DU5092 showed commendable power numbers. Both its sealed suction and airflow at the head rated slightly above average.
Filtration
The vacuum uses a completely sealed air path with HEPA filtration, effectively filtering 99.97% of dirt particles. This feature ensures these particles remain trapped in the vacuum, preventing them from re-entering your living space—a rarity in vacuums within this price range.
In the box
Cons
Usable Suction
In our tests, the DU5092 scored below average in both unsealed suction and crevice pickup. However, both these shortcomings are tied to its large front gates.
While these gates allow for the pickup of larger debris, they also let in more air, reducing the seal’s effectiveness.
It seems Kenmore deliberately made this trade-off, prioritizing overall debris pickup.
Our Conclusion
The Kenmore DU5092 stands out for various reasons. With features like the hair eliminator nozzle and versatile attachments, it offers exceptional value for its price.
Its impressive performance on both hard floors and carpets further reinforces its position as a reliable choice for homeowners.
Exceptional Value for its Price
Product Name: Kenmore DU5092 Bagless
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Performance - 9.2/10
9.2/10
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Features - 9.7/10
9.7/10
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Ergonomics - 9.7/10
9.7/10
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Value - 9.7/10
9.7/10
Verdict
Kenmore’s modestly-priced DU5092 bagless upright performed well in our tests. Despite below average unsealed suction it scored the highest marks in surface debris pickup where it excelled on both carpets and hard flooring. All-in-all, we thought the upright struck a good balance between features, performance and price.
Pros
- Price
- Surface Debris Pickup
- Anti-Hair Wrap Technology
- HEPA filter
Cons
- Lackluster Unsealed Suction
Kenmore DU5092 Upright Specs
| Kenmore DU5092 | |
|---|---|
| Vacuum Type | Bagless Upright |
| Suction | ≥ 200W |
| Cleaning Path Width | 11 in. |
| Attachment Reach | 10 ft. |
| Dust Cup Capacity | 2L / 2.11 qts. |
| HEPA Filter | Yes |
| Allergen Seal | Yes |
| Washable Pre-Filter | Yes |
| Cyclonic | Yes |
| Weight | 14 lbs. |
| Cord Length | 30 ft. |
| Headlights | Yes, LED |
The Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet is available online, including at the retailer(s) below.