Nilfisk GM80 HEPA Vacuum, 110-120V, 3-1/4 Gal.

One of the best on the market for years

First a confession: I did not buy my Nilfisk from Amazon, I bought it 22 years ago from an industrial supplier after spying one in a lab at MIT where I was working at the time. However, even back then, I was quite familiar with the brand and the product: I might say that the Nilfisk is one of the first things I remember as a child, since my dad bought his first one in Italy (where I grew up) 70 years ago before I was even born. I recall him saying often that it was, at the time, really, almost extravagantly expensive, but incredibly well made and durable. Over the years, he passed it on to his auto shop, where it was used constantly to vacuum customers' cars, and bought another identical one for home. A little later on, as each of my 6 uncles and aunts got married, they too bought a Nilfisk, on my father's recommendation. And here is amazing fact number one: my father retired long ago (he's turning 90 in a few months) and the "old" Nilfisk, which rejoined the "new" one in his apartment, still works quite well, as do all of the others in the family, including my own one, which is just a puppy really at 22. Amazing fact number two: all the crucial parts are interchangeable between the generations: the motor can be unclipped from the top of the 70-year old one and mounted on mine, and switched on. Ditto for the internal felt filter (a Nilfisk characteristic), the paper bags and the hose connectors.Nothing much has changed, even though this Danish company (Nilsen and Fisker, hence the name Nilfisk) was bought about fifteen years ago by an American multinational: it is still essentially the same, and still quite expensive. But enough about my family story: following is a review of the product itself.First of all this Nilfisk is not pretty: this is not a consumer product, available in multiple designer colors like a Miele or a Panasonic or a Dyson, and it does not have multiple controls, robotic features or a rechargeable lithium battery pack. It doesn't even a single LED little light! Second, it is HEAVY, which comes in handy when you use it in your car shop like my dad did, where it gave as good as it got, as proven by its many dents, but not so much when you have to carry it up a floor.What a Nilfisk really is is a starkly functional steel barrel divided in two sections held together by two clips which you flip to open it and change the dust bag. This barrel rests on a steel three-wheel trolley that can be easily unclipped if you need to put the vacuum on a bench or the step or landing of a staircase, to prevent it from rolling. on top of the barrel rests the electric motor, also held by two clips. The motor unit also includes the receptacle for the power cord, an on-off switch and, in the de-luxe model, a rotary switch that modulates the suction power for more delicate jobs. This design allows to replace the motor and all electricals in less than one minute, in case of failure. At the bottom of the barrel there is a circular opening to accommodate the hose. Inside the barrel, suspended from the top half of it, is a thick felt filter that can be unclipped and washed if necessary. Also inside the barrel, around the motor is a second, thinner felt filter, also washable. The purpose of this second filter is to prevent dirt from entering the motor, which is one reason for its great longevity.So far, my description applies perfectly to both my dad's 70-year old unit and the one you can buy today from Amazon. What is new in the current one is the HEPA filter mounted on top of the motor: mine and all the others in my extended family have a flat little cap instead, and a much shorter handle.WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT- The exceptional durability, due to the excellent original design and the quality of the materials (almost all steel).- The simplicity of the design. This is truly an appliance that can taken apart in a few seconds. Should the motor ever need service or even just a cleaning, you pull it up from the barrel, put it on your work bench and take it apart at your leisure.- Availability of all parts: in Italy I had to replace the hose in the oldest one because the cotton sleeve was worn beyond repair: the new hose is made of a different, synthetic material but fits perfectly in the old fittings: same diameter, same system! Here in the US I had to replace the power cord and got a new one in two days.WHAT I LIKE LESS- As I mentioned, it's heavy: even on flat surface, you are always aware that you are pulling it, and on a multi-floor residence it can be a killer- The price: still quite expensive, though the gap with the top consumer products is much narrower than it used to be.- The vacuum power: it is still more than adequate, in my opinion, but while there was a time when a Nilfisk was head and shoulders above the competition, recent technological developments (especially Dyson) appear to have surpassed it (at least on paper).- Limited versatility: this machine cannot vacuum wet or liquids.So why not 4 stars instead of 5? The thought did occur to me, but ultimately I wanted to recognize the integrity of a product designed to do one job only but do it excellently and reliably, and the integrity of a company that, over so many years, did not resort to cost-cutting on the materials or outsource production. You see, a Nilfisk is sort of a little like a vinyl record: not a paragon of convenience perhaps, but something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.

This is the best hepa vacuum on the market. I have purchased high end Miele and Dyson and sent them back. Advantages of a Nilfisk: (1) I have had my previous Nilfisk for over twenty years before I decided to purchase a completely new Nilfisk vacuum cleaner (same model) as opposed to replacing a part; (2) for asthma and allergy sufferers this hepa picks up to the nth particle and reduces allergy symptoms rapidly and extensively; (3) parts are solid with minimal plastic which makes the vacuum heavier but invincible; (4) not a lot of bells and whistles and fancy doodads since the job is industrial -- reduce allergens; (5) powerful suction; (6) picks up everything without tangling -- both Miele and Dyson failed to pick up long hairs without my having to stop the motor and cut the hairs off the roller. This vacuum cleaner is expensive and unnecessary if you don't need to reduce allergens. It is not a sexy vacuum cleaner whose design will win any awards at a technology trade show. The Nilfisk is built to do a job and, based on its long history of superior performance, it does the job well. I do not work for the Nilfisk Company, and I was unable to purchase this product on Amazon as the seller did not respond to my inquiries. I purchased the Nilfisk 120 through a third party provider recommended by Nilfisk Company.

You don't need anything else, ever. I bought mine in 1992. It still is the most durable, effective, and practical vacuum I've ever owned. You will have to replace the hose, maybe the power cord if you keep it this long, but the parts have always been easy to find. I've replaced the hepa filter a few times and have no problems with suction - one construction site it sucked up even a dead rat... Not pretty, just the best.

I've used a Nilfisk vacuum at USPS. The first vacuum I've ever been warned about. To quote my coworkers" it'll RIP a baby's arm off" .lots of power. And excellent filtering.