Vorwerk has thought of everything for its Kobold VK200 vacuum cleaning system, but that's reflected in its hefty price tag.
Should I Buy The Vorwerk Kobold VK200?
Our Verdict
- Overall, I can’t argue with the capabilities of this cleaning system. My house has never looked so clean or smelt so fresh, and it’s absolutely down to the Vorwerk Kobold. It’s a shame it’s a bit clunky to use on the stairs, and that it always requires a power cable (albeit a very long one), but aside from those quibbles there’s not much else to find fault in.
- It’s the price that’ll hold most people back. At £500, I’d be running to buy one of these myself, and to me even that is expensive. But I can absolutely see how the more house proud among us would be able to justify the £1,500 for the whole system. It can clean all of your floors to an amazing standard, and offers a tool or accessory for pretty much anything you need it to do. It’s likely to last for a lot longer than many alternative vacuum cleaners, too. And if you’re unsure, you can request a demo in your own home before you commit.
Price When Reviewed
- From £749
Vorwerk’s Kobold VK200 is smart, powerful and extremely sophisticated, but it certainly isn’t cheap. That said, it didn’t take long to understand why the cleaning system is so expensive, and why so many people buy it anyway.
Price & Availability
Starting at £749 and ranging right up to £1,499 depending on the extras you require, many would consider the Kobold VK200 extortionate, but as you'll come to understand as you read this review, it's easy to see how why it carries such a high price tag.
I first experienced the Kobold during a demo that took place at my house, on my very own floor. And that’s not just because we were reviewing it - any potential customer can have a Vorwerk Kobold demo if they’re concerned about coughing up the cash.
Otherwise, you can order the Kobold system on the Vorwerk website, as well as any additional extras you require. It's not currently available to buy in the US, but is available in the UK and across much of Europe.
You should also check out our round-up of the best vacuums to see what the best alternatives are.
Features
Kicking off with the Kobald’s upright vacuum cleaner portion of the system, called the EB400 Automatic Electric Brush, I soon discovered that what I thought was a clean bit of carpet in my living room was absolutely not. Using a demo cartridge, it became clear that there was a whole host of dust and cat hair that my current vacuum cleaner just could not reach.
It’s not just carpet that the EB400 can vacuum, though. It automatically detects when you move on to hard flooring and adjusts accordingly, with a reassuring green light to indicate that it has done so. When used on carpet it will make the most of its brushes to raise dust and dirt from within the fibres, whilst on hard floor it will retract the brushes to protect your floor and optimise suction.
You can adjust the power level manually, or set it to automatic to let the machine take care of that for you. I found that it took no time at all to get my carpet and hard flooring free of dust, crumbs and hairs.
The process is made much easier by its flat design that can reach beneath sofas and tables, as well as its swivel joint that helps the vacuum glide around the room. It has an easy to adjust telescopic handle, too.
One downside is that the Kobold uses filter bags rather than the cyclone we’re used to seeing in many modern vacuum cleaners. However, it really isn’t as much as a downside as you might think. It’s easy to change the filter bags, they improve air quality for people with allergies, and they don’t fill up as quickly as expected.
You’ll be able to keep an eye on how full the bag is thanks to the lights on the front of the Kobold, which will disappear as the bag fills and eventually turn orange when it’s time for a new one.
You don’t need to vacuum before cleaning with the SP600 as it does it all for you, and when you’re finished you just unclip the fabric and put them in the washing machine ready to be used again.
All that and we haven’t even touched on the additional accessories you can buy. The Electric Upholstery Brush is probably the most impressive. It’s particularly ideal for using on the stairs, although it does require you to carry the whole base portion of the Kobold, power cable and all, up the stairs or down while you use it. It’s not particularly light or easy to carry, so this could be problematic if you’re lacking in upper body strength. It also works well in cars and on furniture, with its own motorised brushes that will entice out even the most stubborn of dirt.
The mattress cleaning set looks a bit odd, but is designed to get rid of dust and dirt from your mattress whilst also making it smell fresh and clean thanks to the Lavenia Mattress Cleaning Powder it uses.
There’s also a soft nozzle, a flexo nozzle and a crevice nozzle for cleaning skirting boards and catching drill dust.
The price of your Kobold cleaning system is going to depend on which features and accessories you require. The base unit is £749 for the VK200 and its EB400 automatic electric brush, and goes right up to £1,499 if you are looking for the entire set.
The good news is that Vorwerk has designed the Kobold to be durable and very difficult to break. It offers excellent customer service with a five year guarantee, but expects you to continue to be happy with your Kobold for the next 10 years or more.
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