Kirby vs. Rainbow – which is the better option?
In the world of vacuum cleaners, Rainbow has remained the undisputed leader in the game, and their reliability is hard to beat even with competition being around for so long. However, there is a new kid on the block – in the form of Kirby.
There are numerous brands of vacuum cleaners out there, and it is easy to get confused with the sheer variety. Among the many that you will find are Kirby and Rainbow, which are quite famous among buyers for many reasons:
Rainbow for their reliability, and Kirby for their high-quality products. Both of them are quite pricey though – so they are not something that you would simply pick without much consideration.
It can be frustrating trying to decide the best option – however, we have done much of the hard work in comparing these two brands, in order to help you make a good decision that works for you.
First of all, the major differences between Kirby and Rainbow
| Vacuum cleaner | Kirby | Rainbow |
| Design approach | Upright vacuum design, which you can place in a standing position | Uses a canister design with a power head |
| Picking up moist dirt | Does not work well because it globs up the fan area | Propulsion system has a strong, durable build. Works very well when picking up moist dirt |
| Filtration | Uses direct air motor, which requires the installation and maintenance from a professional. | Uses water filtration to pick up and store dirt, as well as HEPA system to prevent release of allergens. |
| Check price here | Check price here |
Kirby vs. Rainbow – how do they differ?
Design approach
These two vacuum cleaners use different approaches to their design. For Kirby, the cleaner comes in form of an upright design, which makes it easier for you to place it in a standing position when you are not using it.
On the other hand, the Rainbow vacuum uses a canister design – this might be heavier than the upright cleaners, but it has better suction power and durability.
Dirt they can handle
Both these cleaners can handle large amounts of dirt due to their big bin capacities, although the case is slightly different when dealing with moist dirt. For the Kirby, dealing with areas on moist dirt, such as water spills on your carpet, is a bad idea because the dirt tends to ruin the fan area due to clogging.
The case is different for the Rainbow cleaner, as the propulsion system is quite strong whether you are dealing with dry or moist dirt. If you constantly deal with the moist dirt or trying to cleanup wet areas of your home, then this is quite the pick.
Kirby Vacuum Cleaner Review
Features
The name of the brand has been around for many years – in fact, for over a century, and they continue to maintain a strong presence in the market.
The only thing you need to remember when purchasing any of their vacuum cleaners is that you can only do so from their authorized dealerships, nowhere else.
What makes them different from most vacuum cleaners is the fact that all their parts are built in the US, with no outsourcing to other countries – and that is a huge deal. It may also be the reason why they are so expensive but their durability is second to none.
The putting together of the machine is also not easy, and is best left to a professional to do the job. This is mainly because Kirby vacuums all use direct air motors, which work quite differently from clean air motors that are present in other vacuum brands.
On all their products, the company has two warranties:
- Limited – for 3 years, and covers manufacturer defects. Non-transferable.
- Lifetime Rebuild program – this covers all the costs you will incur when you want to do maintenance or refurbishment of the machine. Increases every year, with the least cost being $100.
Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner Review
- This Rainbow E2 Black Model Type 12 has been rebuilt to like new condition to qualify for our 5 Year Service Promise and 60 Day Money Back This is one of the newest models of Rainbow vacuum made. It was working perfectly and in like new condition then we rebuilt it with new parts so it qualifies for our 5 year warranty and 60 day money back. It comes with everything you see in the picture including being loaded with attachments, and the mini desktop humidifier.
- HEPA & Water Filtration - Got allergies? This model of Rainbow vacuum is ranked one of the worlds best vacuums for allergies. Not only does it have 2x the deep cleaning power of other vacuums but it also has a TRUE HEPA filter to keep your air cleaner. With water filtration this means you can suck up wet spills, shampoo and more.
- 2 Speed Motor - One speed is full suction power to deep clean your floors and the a low quiet “Air Purifier” speed (you can barely here it running in the background) to act as an air purifier.
- Loaded with Attachments - Included genuine Rainbow attachments are water rated electric hose, main wands, electric power nozzle, crevice tool, duster brush, upholstery tool, and Hardfloor tool. Also included is GV attachments (not made by Rainbow but designed to fit this model) which include long flexible Crevice tool (cleans window tracks, frig), mini desktop humidifier & essential oil diffuser , hand held shampooer sprayer (to shampoo upholstery), Mini Head with spinning brushroll (great for pet hair, upholstery and stairs), and 2 oz bottle of smell good water rated fragrance to add to your Rainbow or Humidifier.
- Made in the USA - This is probably why Consumer Reports ranked Rainbow vacuums the world's #1 most dependable canister vacuum. We see them last 30 plus years all the time and is a great investment. Buy once and buy right and you will not regret it!
Features
This is among the oldest and most trusted brands, and lives up to the expectations of many – the oldest model goes back to the mid-1930s.
The main standout of Rainbow cleaners is the use of water filtration, rather than the bag model that is the mainstay of many models. This modification enables the cleaner to pick up any airborne particles or dust without spreading them into the air since the water reservoir will trap anything coming in.
In addition, it includes a HEPA filter that will further eliminate air contaminants by up to 99.9% and leave your air clean. It is also the reason why it works well when picking up moist dirt.
Unlike most cleaners, it is quite easy to use Rainbow cleaners on a variety of surfaces. The caster wheels make it easy to move across different surfaces or bend it down, even though it does not have swivel abilities.
Conclusion
As you can see, the two models are quite similar in pricing as well as their suction power and ability to clean various surfaces. However, comparing both, the Rainbow cleaner comes out on top – the lack of a bag or filter collection system makes it easier to trap dirt and keep the home clean, and it is not as expensive when it comes to maintenance.
FAQs
- What are the accessories included for both models?
- Both Kirby and Rainbow come with everything you need for the job – the kits are extensive, and you will hardly be in need of repairs.
- Do Rainbow cleaners come with a long warranty?
- In many cases, this is true, even if you buy refurbished models. For the Rainbow cleaners, any new or refurbished model comes with a 5-year motor warranty, but the case for the Kirby is different as the warranty only applies to brand new models.
