In our home, the war against pet hair is a daily, often losing, battle. With two dogs constantly shedding and a cat who seems to treat every soft surface as a personal napping-and-fur-depositing station, maintaining a clean floor feels like a Sisyphean task. We’ve tried countless vacuums over the years—canisters that were too cumbersome, bagless models that created a dust cloud upon emptying, and stick vacuums that simply lacked the deep-cleaning muscle for our carpets. The cycle is familiar: fur weaves itself into the carpet fibres, dust bunnies gather in corners like tiny tumbleweeds, and allergens linger in the air. This isn’t just an aesthetic issue; it’s about creating a healthier, more comfortable living space. That’s why the arrival of the Kenmore BU4022 Bagged Upright Vacuum Pet Friendly felt less like testing another appliance and more like welcoming a potential new champion into our home cleaning arsenal.
- Lift-Up enables versatile handheld freedom to clean above floors and stairs. Simply press a button to lift away from the floor nozzle to clean all of your hard to reach areas..200.0 watts
- No Touch Bag Technology eliminates the annoyingly stains process of emptying and cleaning a full cup with a single button press to get rid of your stains. No need to touch dirty cups or bags again,...
What to Consider Before Buying an Upright Vacuum
An upright vacuum is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for maintaining a clean and healthy home environment, particularly for those with expansive carpeted areas and persistent challenges like pet hair. Unlike canister or stick vacuums, a good upright model combines a powerful, motorised brush head and strong suction into a single, cohesive unit designed to agitate and lift deeply embedded dirt from carpet piles. The primary benefits are raw cleaning power and efficiency. They excel at deep cleaning, removing allergens, and covering large areas quickly, making them indispensable for families, pet owners, and anyone who values a truly pristine floor.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily onslaught of pet dander, shedding, and tracked-in dirt across medium to high-pile carpeting. It’s for the allergy sufferer who benefits immensely from a sealed system with HEPA filtration and the convenience of a bagged design that traps dust hygienically. Conversely, this style of vacuum might not be suitable for those living in small apartments with exclusively hard floors, where a lightweight stick vacuum would offer more convenience. It’s also less ideal for individuals with mobility issues who might find even a moderately weighted upright difficult to carry up and down stairs, despite innovative features designed to mitigate this.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Consider the vacuum’s footprint for storage and its weight for portability. At around 14 pounds, the Kenmore BU4022 is relatively lightweight for an upright, but you still need a dedicated closet space for it. Its maneuverability, thanks to swivel steering, is crucial for navigating furniture, a feature that bulkier, older models often lack.
- Capacity/Performance: Suction power is paramount, especially for pet owners. Look for features like a multi-motor system, which dedicates one motor to suction and another to the brush roll for consistent power. For bagged models, consider the bag capacity and the effectiveness of the filtration system—a fully sealed HEPA system is the gold standard for trapping allergens.
- Materials & Durability: This is a critical, and often overlooked, factor. The quality of the plastics, the construction of the hose, and the durability of the brush roll mechanism determine the vacuum’s lifespan. While high-quality plastics can feel robust, flexible components like hoses can be points of failure, a concern we’ll explore in-depth with this specific model.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: How simple is it to use day-to-day? Features like automatic height adjustment, LED headlights, and accessible controls make the cleaning process smoother. For maintenance, consider the cost and availability of replacement bags and filters, and how easy it is to access the brush roll to clear hair and debris.
While the Kenmore BU4022 Bagged Upright Vacuum Pet Friendly is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- HIGH PERFORMANCE, PORTABLE CORDED UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER - Multi-cyclonic performance with lightweight design to easily clean around the home
- 【600W/60Kpa Powerful Suction】This corded vacuum cleaner features a 600W motor, delivering strong suction power up to 60Kpa. It effectively removes dust, dirt, and debris from various surfaces,...
- Lightweight & Compact Design: Designed for effortless maneuverability, this upright vacuum cleaner makes cleaning stairs and navigating tight or large spaces a breeze. Its compact, upright build...
Unboxing the Kenmore Intuition: First Impressions and Key Features
Upon opening the box, the assembly process for the Kenmore BU4022 Bagged Upright Vacuum Pet Friendly was refreshingly simple, a sentiment echoed by users who appreciate being able to get started in minutes. The main components click together intuitively, with no complex instructions or tiny screws to wrestle with. The first thing we noticed was its manageable weight. At 14 lbs, it feels substantial and well-built without being the back-breaking beast that many powerful uprights can be. The modern green and grey colour scheme is pleasant, and the plastics, as one user pointed out, feel like a higher quality than many of its similarly priced competitors.
Immediately, two features stand out. The first is the “Lift-Up” canister. With the press of a button, the main motor and dust bag unit detaches from the floor nozzle, transforming the machine into a portable, handheld canister vacuum. This is a game-changer for cleaning stairs, upholstery, and car interiors. The second is the “No Touch Bag Technology.” As long-time advocates for bagged vacuums—especially for homes with allergies—this was a huge draw. The self-sealing bags mean you can dispose of a full bag of dust, dirt, and pet hair without ever having to touch the contents or release a puff of allergens back into the air. Paired with its sealed HEPA filtration system, it promises a truly clean experience, from suction to disposal. You can explore these innovative features in more detail online.
Advantages
- Incredibly powerful 2-motor suction that excels at removing embedded pet hair.
- Hygienic “No Touch” bagged system with HEPA filtration is ideal for allergy sufferers.
- Versatile Lift-Up canister design makes above-floor cleaning effortless.
- Lightweight and highly maneuverable with smooth swivel steering.
Drawbacks
- A significant, well-documented durability issue with the lower hose prone to tearing.
- Maintenance and self-repair can be overly complex and user-unfriendly.
A Deep Dive into the Kenmore BU4022’s Real-World Performance
A vacuum’s true worth is only revealed after it has faced the rigours of a real, lived-in home. We put the Kenmore BU4022 Bagged Upright Vacuum Pet Friendly through its paces for several weeks, tackling everything from deep-pile carpets laden with dog fur to hardwood floors dusted with cat litter and kitchen crumbs. What we discovered was a machine of impressive, yet sometimes frustrating, contrasts.
Unrivaled Suction Power and Pet Hair Annihilation
Let’s be unequivocally clear: the suction power on this machine is phenomenal. The 2-motor system is not a marketing gimmick; it delivers relentless, consistent airflow that pulls dirt from the very base of the carpet. On our main living room rug, where pet hair typically weaves itself into the fabric, the Kenmore made an immediate and visible difference. It lifted fur we didn’t even know was there, leaving the carpet feeling fluffier and looking brighter. We found ourselves agreeing with one user who, comparing it to their previous high-end vacuums, declared that the Kenmore “leaves my ‘Orecks’ in the dust.” It simply inhales dirt, dander, and debris without hesitation. The PowerFlow bag chamber technology, designed to maintain suction as the bag fills, also performed as advertised. We noticed no discernible drop in performance even when the bag was nearing capacity, a common failing in many other bagged models. This raw power is, without a doubt, the vacuum’s greatest strength and the primary reason it has earned so many fans among pet owners. This level of cleaning power truly sets it apart.
The Genius of Lift-Up and No-Touch Bagging
Versatility is where the Kenmore BU4022 Bagged Upright Vacuum Pet Friendly truly begins to shine. The Lift-Up feature is brilliantly executed. A single button press separates the canister, allowing you to carry a lightweight pod with a handle and long hose to tackle tasks far beyond the floor. Cleaning our carpeted stairs, a notoriously awkward job, became incredibly easy. We attached the “Pet Handi-Mate” tool—a small, air-driven turbine brush—and it made short work of the fur clinging to the stair risers. The same goes for couches, curtains, and high ledges. This feature effectively gives you two vacuums in one: a powerful upright and a portable canister.
Equally impressive is the commitment to hygienic cleaning. The No Touch Bag Technology is a godsend. The bags are designed with a self-sealing collar; when you remove the full bag, the opening automatically closes. You simply drop it in the bin. There’s no dust cloud, no fumbling with dirty filters, and no need to stick your hand into a filthy container to pull out clumps of hair, as is common with bagless models. For anyone with dust allergies or asthma, this feature alone could make the Kenmore BU4022 worth the investment. It confirms what many users have rediscovered: for containing allergens, a well-designed bagged system is simply superior.
Design and Maneuverability: A Mixed Bag
Moving the Kenmore BU4022 Bagged Upright Vacuum Pet Friendly around the house is largely a pleasant experience. Its 14-pound frame is easy to push and pull, and the swivel steering is responsive, allowing it to glide gracefully around table legs and other obstacles. The slim floor head is a notable advantage, fitting into spaces where our older, bulkier vacuums couldn’t. The bright LED headlights are also a fantastic addition, illuminating hidden dust and pet hair under furniture that would otherwise go unnoticed.
However, the design isn’t without its quirks. We corroborated the findings of one user who noted that the vacuum’s very low clearance can sometimes cause it to push larger debris, like cereal pieces or dry pet food, around rather than sucking it up on the first pass. While its intense suction is a benefit on carpets, it can be overly aggressive on lightweight throw rugs, practically trying to ingest them. There is a suction control slide on the handle, but even on the lowest setting, some smaller rugs were a challenge. It’s a minor inconvenience but one that requires a bit of a learning curve to manage effectively.
The Elephant in the Room: The Durability Dilemma
This is the part of the review where our enthusiasm must be tempered with a serious caution. While our initial testing period was flawless, we cannot ignore the overwhelming and consistent feedback from long-term users regarding a critical design flaw: the lower suction hose is prone to tearing. Across numerous user reports, a clear pattern emerges. After anywhere from five months to two years of regular use, the flexible hose located at the base of the machine, near the pivot point, develops cracks and eventually rips open, causing a catastrophic loss of suction. We examined this component on our test unit, and while it felt reasonably sturdy, its position at a high-flex point is a clear area of stress. Multiple users have shared images of this exact failure, with one distraught owner noting their second machine failed in the same way after just nine months. This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a recurring problem that points to an issue with either the material choice or the engineering of that specific part.
Compounding the problem is the difficulty of repair. One user detailed the frustrating process of having to remove 13 screws and navigate internal wiring just to access the hose, concluding it’s “not designed to be cleaned” or easily serviced. While some users have had success with warranty claims, receiving replacement units, the process can be cumbersome. This single, significant issue transforms the Kenmore BU4022 Bagged Upright Vacuum Pet Friendly from an easy recommendation into a qualified one. The performance is stellar, but the potential for a premature, debilitating failure is a risk every buyer must be aware of before they decide to make a purchase.
What Other Users Are Saying
The user experience with the Kenmore BU4022 Bagged Upright Vacuum Pet Friendly is deeply polarized, largely hinging on whether or not they’ve encountered the infamous hose issue. On the positive side, the praise is effusive. One user, comparing it to their previous Oreck models, stated the Kenmore “leaves my ‘Orecks’ in the dust” due to its superior suction, quieter operation, and better overall engineering. Many appreciate the return to a bagged system, with one reviewer noting, “Bagged vacuums are soooo much better for pet hair…Who wants to have to stick your hand in all that nasty to unload the vacuum.” These users focus on the exceptional cleaning performance, the lightweight maneuverability, and the clean disposal system.
However, a significant and recurring complaint casts a shadow over its performance: the lower connection hose is prone to tearing. This is not a minor quibble; it’s a failure that renders the machine useless. Multiple users reported this exact issue, with one commenting, “I have loved this vacuum cleaner for exactly 5 months…I found a slit in the hose down at the bottom.” Another user on their second machine sadly noted the hose on the new one tore in just nine months. Other, less common complaints include failures of the brush roll and the full-bag indicator light, but it is the hose problem that defines the negative ownership experience for a vocal portion of its user base. Reading through these varied experiences is highly recommended.
How Does the Kenmore BU4022 Compare to the Competition?
While the Kenmore carves out a niche with its bagged system and raw power, the upright market is fiercely competitive, particularly with Shark leading the charge. It’s crucial to see how the BU4022 stacks up against some popular alternatives.
1. Shark NZ691UKT Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap Lift-Away
- ANTI HAIR WRAP: Removes hair from the brush-roll as you clean, perfect for long, short & pet hair. LED headlights illuminate hidden dust.
- 2 FLOOR MODES: Switch between carpet & hard floor modes with controls on the handle & adjustable suction control.
The Shark NZ691UKT offers a compelling alternative, especially for pet owners frustrated with tangled brush rolls. Its signature Anti Hair Wrap technology is a major selling point that the Kenmore lacks, actively removing hair as you clean. Like the Kenmore, it features a Lift-Away design for portable cleaning, making it just as versatile for stairs and upholstery. The Shark is bagless, which will appeal to those who dislike the recurring cost of bags, but it lacks the hygienic, sealed disposal of the Kenmore. If your primary frustration with vacuums is constantly cutting hair from the brush, the Shark NZ691UKT is likely the superior choice, trading the Kenmore’s clean bagged system for a maintenance-free brush head.
2. Shark NZ801UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap DuoClean
- ANTI HAIR WRAP TECHNOLOGY: Removes hair from the brush-roll as you clean. Perfect for long, short & pet hair.
- FOR ALL FLOORS: DuoClean floorhead glides from carpets to hard floors, with 2 motorised brush-rolls in 1 floorhead. LED headlights illuminate hidden dust & pet hair.
This Shark model ups the ante with two key technologies: Anti Hair Wrap and DuoClean. The DuoClean floor head incorporates two brush rolls—a bristle brush for deep-cleaning carpets and a soft front roller for engaging hard floors to pick up both small and large debris. This makes it a more effective all-in-one solution for homes with mixed flooring than the Kenmore, which is primarily a carpet specialist. It also features Powered Lift-Away, meaning the brush rolls continue to receive power even in the portable mode, which is a step up from the Kenmore’s air-driven tools. For those who want the absolute best performance on both carpets and hard floors in one machine, the NZ801UKT presents a very strong case.
3. Shark NV601UK Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
![Shark Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Cleaner [NV601UK], Blue/Steel Grey , 33.99 cm x 30.99 cm x 1.16...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31S1iYNy22L.jpg)
- Lift-away: Converts into a handheld vacuum, comfortably hoovering stairs and ceilings
- Powerful: This upright vacuum has strong suction on carpets and hard floors, enhanced with swivel steering
The Shark NV601UK is a classic, highly-regarded model that focuses on the core Lift-Away functionality at a potentially more accessible price point. It lacks the newer Anti Hair Wrap or DuoClean features but delivers powerful suction and the same proven versatility of the Lift-Away system. It serves as a benchmark for reliability in the bagless upright category. For a buyer who is wary of the Kenmore’s reported durability issues and wants a trusted, no-frills performer, the NV601UK is a safe and dependable choice. It may not have the specialized pet features of the other models, but its solid performance and reputation make it a worthy contender.
Final Verdict: A Powerful Performer with a Serious Achilles’ Heel
The Kenmore BU4022 Bagged Upright Vacuum Pet Friendly is a vacuum of two tales. On one hand, it is a cleaning powerhouse. Its suction is immense, its performance on pet hair is top-tier, and its combination of a hygienic bagged system and versatile Lift-Up design is brilliantly conceived for modern homes. For the first few months of use, we were convinced it was one of the best uprights we had ever tested, especially for allergy sufferers and pet owners who prioritize a deep, sanitary clean above all else.
On the other hand, the persistent and well-documented durability flaw in its lower hose is impossible to ignore. It’s a critical failure point that turns a fantastic appliance into a potential liability. This transforms our recommendation from a resounding “yes” to a conditional one. If you value its incredible suction and clean bagged system and are willing to take a chance on its longevity—or are prepared to navigate a warranty claim should the worst happen—then this vacuum could still be the right choice for you. However, for those who prioritize long-term reliability and peace of mind, the risk may be too great. For an appliance that performs so brilliantly in so many areas, this potential flaw is a true shame.
If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and believe its exceptional cleaning power is worth the risk, you can check the latest price and availability to make your own informed decision.
Last update on 2025-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API