Review of Kirby Ultimate

Kirby is probably the most recognizable brand name in vacuum cleaners.

Since 1935, authorized distributors have done in-home demonstrations of Kirby vacuum cleaners for potential buyers. Kirby is one of the few companies that still use this sales method.

If you want to purchase a new Kirby vacuum cleaner system, you have to buy one through an authorized Kirby distributor. It is possible to buy units online from individuals, but the company does not consider this a new purchase and all warranties are void if you don’t purchase directly through a Kirby distributor who comes to your home.

All service to your Kirby vacuum cleaner system is also done through an authorized distributor. Many find this to be an inconvenience, but most admit that Kirby vacuum cleaners are top of the line and worth the time, trouble, and money.

The Ultimate G Series

The Ultimate G Series is the latest and best series of Kirby vacuum cleaner systems. In the Ultimate G series, you can find both upright and canister systems as well as a deep-cleaning system, a carpet renovation system, and a hardwood floor care system. Kirby offers one of the most comprehensive accessory systems you can find. If there’s a special tool you’d like for your vacuum (including turbo hose systems), Kirby is likely to have what you need.

The best example of uprights from the Kirby Ultimate G Series is the Ultimate G Diamond Edition system. This upright vacuum is recommended by a large number of current owners, as well as consumer testing groups. This Kirby vacuum cleaner weighs about 24 pounds, which is a little heavier than the recommended 20-lbs. limit for people with physical limitations. It might be hard to carry up and down stairs, but the unit is self-propelled, which makes it easy to operate.

This vacuum is easy to turn on and off with a clearly visible switch, and there is also a switch to turn the rotating brush off to clean bare floors or use a hose attachment. Also very important, this vacuum allows you to manually adjust the height level for different carpet pile depths. This is especially important if you have Berber or plush, high-pile carpet. Most vacuums that automatically adjust or don’t adjust at all don’t do the job nearly as well. The rotating brush sometimes doesn’t reach lower pile (especially Berber) carpets, which can leave dirt, dust, and mites in the carpet, creating a dangerous environment in your home and seriously lessening the life of your carpet.

On the other hand, if you have plush, high-pile carpet and don’t correctly adjust the rotating brush for the pile, the brush can be too low, which basically beats the heck out of your carpet and hastens its demise. It can even severely damage the carpet piles, tear piles from the carpet backing, and ruin your carpet – all from just one or two cleanings with a badly height-adjusted vacuum. When you are able to manually adjust the pile level of your vacuum, you are promoting a cleaner home and a longer life for your carpet.

Kirby Vacuum Features

Here is the complete list of features for the Kirby Ultimate G Diamond Edition:

• Powerful 1.8 hp motor
• 15-inch wide cleaning path
• ‘Micron Magic’ HEPA filtration system
• Two-speed dual fan system for maximum suction power
• Patented side discharge exhaust system
• 7 height adjustment settings
• Self-propelled
• Many tools (stored separately), including: power nozzle, crevice tool with removable brush tip, wall and ceiling brush, duster brush, upholstery nozzle, swivel surface nozzle, inflator tool, sprayer, portable caddy
• Powerful headlight
• 32-foot power cord
• 24 lbs.
• Price (new): $1800-$2200

Motor

This vacuum has excellent suction power, which is the result of the 1.8 hp motor and the dual fans. Many customers rave about how powerful it is and how it will suck up a lot of debris that other vacuums miss.

HEPA Filter

The ‘Magic Micron’ HEPA filter is what you’d expect on a machine this expensive. It will remove virtually all dust, debris, and allergens. The side discharge system is patented by Kirby and pumps the exhaust away from your body as you work.

Height Setting

Having seven height settings is a nice touch. It gives users a lot of versatility to clean just about any floor surface, from bare to deep-pile carpeting.

Self Propelled

One of the best features of this Kirby vacuum cleaner is that it’s self-propelled. This is obviously a real work saver. Most people report being far less tired after a round with this Kirby than with standard push vacuums weighing a lot less. The fact that Kirby engineers were able to keep the weight under 25 lbs. with the addition of a self-propel drive is a testament to their abilities.

Attachments

The included tools with the Ultimate G Diamond Edition are one of the most impressive aspects of this vacuum. You get a tool for literally any imaginable task! The removable brush tip in the crevice tool is a very useful feature.

What Kirby Vacuum Owners Say In Reviews

Owners of the Kirby Ultimate G Diamond Edition vacuum cleaner have written many reviews that have been posted on some top websites. One of the most common accolades is the incredible suction power. Many owners have written that this fact alone makes the vacuum worth every penny.

There are only a couple of complaints that are common among these owners. One is the weight, which at 24 lbs. is considerable. However, this is the trade-off for getting a vacuum that is self-propelled. The extra energy you have to exert lugging it up stairs and out of the closet is more than offset by the ease with which you can move it around on the floor once you power it up.

Another fairly common complaint is the cost. Certainly, at about $2000 for a new Kirby, it’s one of the most expensive uprights on the planet. Is it so much better than models costing only a few hundred dollars that the price is justified? Probably not, but it is clearly one of the best vacuum cleaners ever created.

Kirby Vacuum Recommendation

All things considered, the Kirby Ultimate G Diamond Edition is recommended in our review, but with a proviso. Don’t spend this kind of money unless you truly have the means. You can find vacuums that are close enough to the Kirby in quality for far less.