I’ve been reviewing quite a few vacuum cleaners lately, and one of the more interesting things about testing different models from the same manufacturer is seeing how subtle differences can affect the overall experience. A new design or cleaning attachment might seem insignificant on paper, but these small refinements can make a real difference to how practical an appliance is.
Last year, I reviewed the Electrolux 800 Series and was impressed. At $400, it offered excellent value, with its self-emptying station and strong performance across different floor types. I ended up awarding it four stars, with battery life being my only substantial criticism.
Now comes the Electrolux Series 700 Cordless Cleaner in Shell White, which also sells for around $400. That presents an interesting question. If both models cost the same, is there any compelling reason to choose the 700 over the supposedly more premium 800? While the 700 is quite a capable vacuum cleaner, and as a standalone would provide excellent value, the answer is no.
As someone living in a two-storey apartment with a mixture of hard flooring and some stubborn old carpets, I’m interested in how Electrolux has approached the differences.
Design
Swedish design has always been closely associated with functional simplicity, and that’s evident with the Series 700. The Shell White finish looks suitably understated, while the slim profile gives the vacuum a clean, contemporary appearance.
It’s a little different from the 800, which I praised for its attractive white and bronze charging station. Both look more refined than some of the bulkier cordless cleaners I’ve tested.
The Series 700 is focused on manoeuvrability, weighing in at 1.35kg. Its slim cleaning head can also reach underneath furniture with clearances as low as 9.4cm. That should be useful in apartments where furniture positioning makes conventional vacuuming unnecessarily awkward. It’s a genuine joy to move around the home, seamless and stable so it can whoosh in a straight line with no effort.
The centrepiece is the All-in-One Station, which automatically transfers dust from the vacuum into a larger collection bag while also serving as its charging dock. I loved this arrangement on the 800, largely because emptying a conventional cordless vacuum can release an unpleasant amount of fine dust. Having the station handle that process makes maintenance much easier.
Both models share this advantage, although the 800’s station also includes a cleaning hose for maintaining parts of the vacuum. It’s a useful extra, and it usually hovers around the same price as the 700. And so choosing between the two does seem like a no-brainer.
Performance
Electrolux claims the Series 700 can remove up to 99 per cent of dust under its specified testing conditions. The redesigned dust-management system is also intended to reduce clogging by a factor of three compared with the previous generation of the 700.
That’s an important distinction, especially for anyone concerned about maintaining consistent suction over time. The 800, however, has its own advantages. I was impressed by its PowerPro Multi-surface nozzle, which worked beautifully across the different flooring in my apartment. Its BrushRollClean pedal was also useful for removing tangled hair without constantly disassembling the cleaning head.
The Series 700 takes a slightly different approach, focusing on reducing clogging and hair-related maintenance through its internal design.
Both models feature automatic suction adjustment, although the 700’s AutoMode is promoted for adapting to different hard-floor surfaces. I found the 800’s automatic setting useful when moving between carpets and hard flooring, and it’s one of the reasons that model remains such a strong recommendation.
The Series 700 also features six-stage HEPA filtration, with Electrolux claiming it captures up to 99.99 per cent of fine particles under laboratory conditions.
There’s a practical benefit to that, especially when combined with the automatic dust-emptying system. Anyone concerned about fine dust circulating in their home should appreciate the emphasis on filtration.
Battery endurance is another consideration. I managed approximately 45 minutes with the 800 during my previous testing, although more demanding settings drained the battery much faster.
Verdict & Value
At $400, the Electrolux Series 700 represents good value, especially when you consider that you’re getting a cordless vacuum with an automatic emptying station. But the comparison with the 800 makes things more complicated. They typically hover around the same price, and so a lot of it comes down to aesthetics.
The Shell White of the 700 looks exceptional. It’s a bit bulky, but both feel and function as a premium product that punches well above its price tag. But the 800’s boost in functionality- I guess it comes down to this: the 700 specialises in hard flooring while the 800 can do both.
The 700 has an appealing emphasis on lightweight handling and reduced maintenance, with its updated dust-management system and six-stage HEPA filtration providing plenty of reasons to consider it.
The 800, meanwhile, remains an excellent all-rounder. Its PowerPro Multi-surface nozzle performed well during my testing, while the BrushRollClean pedal and versatile station gave it a level of practicality that I still appreciate.
Electrolux continues to offer some of the best value in the cordless vacuum market. The Series 700 is another appealing option, but at the same price, I’d still give its more premium sibling the edge.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Lightweight construction; convenient auto-empty station; six-stage HEPA filtration; improved dust management.
Lowlights: The station requires dedicated space; ongoing bag replacement costs; the superior 800 offers compelling competition at the same price.
Price: $400
