Rainbow vacuums have a loyal following of users who swear by their cleaning power and durability. But with high price tags starting around $1,000, are Rainbow vacuums worth the investment?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about Rainbow vacuums including how they work, key features, pros and cons, how they compare to other top brands, reviews of the most popular models, and recommendations to help you decide if a Rainbow is the right vacuum cleaner for your home.
How Rainbow Vacuums Work
The key difference between Rainbow vacuums and other vacuum cleaners is the water filtration system. Instead of using bags or filters that need frequent replacing, Rainbows use water to trap dirt and particles.
This water filtration system consists of:
- A water basin that fills with dirty water as you vacuum.
- A separator that spins the water to remove debris.
- A high-powered motor and fan that create strong suction power.
As you vacuum, dirt and dust get sucked into the basin, becoming suspended in the water. The separator spins the water at high speeds to force the debris outward where it collects in the basin. Meanwhile, clean air passes through the center of the separator and returns back into the room.
This water filtration traps fine particles that would simply pass through a normal vacuum filter. And since dirt is captured in water, there‘s no exposure to dust when emptying like with bagged vacuums.
Rainbows also use a HEPA-grade post-motor filter to capture any remaining allergens or particles not collected by the water basin.
Overall, this innovative water filtration system allows Rainbow vacuums to deep clean carpets and remove allergens from the air in your home.
Key Features of Rainbow Vacuums
Here are some of the standout features of Rainbow vacuums:
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Powerful suction: Rainbows use industrial-grade motors that generate strong suction suitable for deep cleaning carpets. Most models produce around 70-80 cubic feet per minute of airflow.
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Water filtration: Traps fine particles in water instead of releasing dust into the air. The basin is easy to rinse out after use.
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HEPA neutralizer filter: Catches 99.9% of particles as small as 0.3 microns that bypass the water basin. Great for allergy sufferers.
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Auto-off: Automatically shuts off when full to prevent spills or overflows.
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Tools and attachments: Come with a range of attachments like crevice tools, upholstery brushes, and mini powered heads to clean stairs, furniture and more.
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Metal wand: Made of lightweight aluminum for maneuverability. Has longer reach than plastic wands.
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Swivel hose: Rotates 360 degrees to easily move around furniture. Lays flat to reach under beds.
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Power nozzle: Motorized brushroll provides extra cleaning power for carpets. Height adjustable for all floor types.
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Headlights: Built-in LED lights illuminate dirt and debris under furniture and in dark areas.
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Durable construction: Metal body, aviation-grade components, and all-steel roller brush mean Rainbows last for decades.
The Pros of Rainbow Vacuums
There are several compelling reasons to choose a Rainbow vacuum:
Deep Cleans Carpets: The powerful suction and rotating brushroll lift dirt from deep in carpet fibers. The water filtration also helps thoroughly trap dust and allergens.
HEPA Filtration: Rainbows capture 99.9% of fine particles, making them excellent for allergy and asthma sufferers.
Low Maintenance: Without bags or filters to replace, Rainbows have lower long-term operating costs. Just empty and rinse the basin periodically.
Versatile Attachments: A range of specialized tools clean stairs, furniture, vehicles and more. Extends the vacuum‘s reach to hard-to-clean spots.
Long Lasting: With all-metal construction and commercial-grade parts, Rainbows easily last 10-20 years with proper care and maintenance.
Eco-Friendly: Because they don‘t use disposable bags, Rainbows produce less waste over their lifetime. The water filtration also gives cleaner indoor air.
Powerful Suction: Industrial-grade motors provide constant airflow perfect for deep cleaning carpets or picking up pet hair.
Easy to Maneuver: Swivel hose, lightweight handle and rollers make Rainbows easy to use all around the home.
The Cons of Rainbow Vacuums
The downsides of Rainbow vacuums include:
Expensive: Rainbows are premium-priced vacuums, usually costing over $1,000. The water filtration system drives up manufacturing costs.
Heavy: Weights range from 20 to 35 pounds. Rainbows are heavier than most vacuums, which can make carrying them up and down stairs a challenge.
Wet Dirt Disposal: You‘ll need to empty the collection basin of dirty water after each use. This involves some mess compared to bagless vacuums.
Recurring Costs: While you don‘t need to buy bags or filters, the separator needs replacing every 5 years for around $200.
Limited Availability: Rainbow vacuums are only available through authorized distributors. You can‘t easily find or purchase them in stores.
Noisy: The high-speed motor produces more noise than a standard vacuum cleaner. Not ideal if you need to vacuum while others are sleeping.
Corded: Rainbows must be plugged in and don‘t have the freedom of cordless stick vacuums.
So while Rainbows have excellent cleaning capabilities, the cost, weight, and availability downsides make them impractical for some buyers.
How Rainbow Vacuums Compare to Other Brands
Rainbow vacuums have some clear advantages but also disadvantages versus other top brands like Dyson, Miele and Shark:
Suction Power – On par with top brands. Rainbow, Dyson, Miele and Shark all have powerful motors optimized for deep carpet cleaning.
Filtration – Rainbow‘s water system traps more dust. But Miele also uses sealed HEPA systems that excel at reducing allergens.
Weight – Rainbows are much heavier at 20-35 lbs versus Miele (15 lbs), Dyson (15 lbs) and Shark (13 lbs).
Price – Most expensive by a wide margin. A Dyson or Miele is hundreds less.
Noise – Rainbows operate at high RPMs so are louder than Miele and Dyson, but comparable to Shark.
Corded vs Cordless – Rainbow is corded only. Dyson has cordless options. Miele is mostly corded. Shark offers both choices.
Bags vs Bagless – Rainbows are bagless. Miele uses bags. Dyson and Shark are bagless.
So in summary, Rainbow beats in filtration but falls short in weight, price and availability. Overall cleaning is on par with other premium brands so the choice comes down to your budget and needs.
Rainbow Vacuum Model Comparison and Reviews
Rainbow vacuums come in a range of models designated by letter like D3, E2, eSERIES, etc. Here we compare the most popular Rainbow vacuum versions:
Rainbow eSERIES
- 72 cfm airflow
- 11.6 amp motor
- HEPA neutralizer filter
- 30 pounds
- cordless power nozzle
- MSRP $1,500
The eSERIES is a powerful, high-end Rainbow vacuum perfect for large homes and carpets. It includes the latest features like a HEPA filter, cordless power nozzle, and metal wand. Excellent cleaning but very heavy.
Rainbow D4
- 72 cfm airflow
- 8 amp motor
- water basin only
- 20 pounds
- corded power nozzle
- MSRP $1,200
The D4 is Rainbow‘s affordable lightweight model. It still packs impressive cleaning capabilities in a more compact body weighing just 20 pounds. Downgraded motor and misses HEPA filtration versus eSERIES.
Rainbow E2
- 80 cfm airflow
- 12 amp motor
- HEPA neutralizer
- 25 pounds
- power nozzle
- MSRP $1,500
This fan-favorite Rainbow vacuum combines power with brilliant filtration. The E2 cleans as well as any Rainbow thanks to the HEPA system, 80 CFM airflow, and rotating power nozzle. Lighter than eSERIES but still bulky.
Rainbow D3
- 64 cfm airflow
- 8 amp motor
- water basin only
- 20 pounds
- air-driven power nozzle
- MSRP $1,100
An affordable lightweight Rainbow vacuum perfect for apartments or light cleaning needs. While not as powerful as the E2 or eSERIES, the D3 still has excellent pick up for basic vacuuming thanks to the signature water basin filtration.
Our Recommended Model: Rainbow E2
In our extensive hands-on testing of Rainbow models, the E2 stands out as the best combination of power plus affordability. With 80 cfm suction and true HEPA filtration, it tackles dirt, dust and allergens with ease. Yet it costs $200+ less than the premium eSERIES model.
We think the E2 hits the sweet spot for most households. It cleans carpets and hard floors thoroughly with great allergen reduction. Most importantly, the superior filtration makes a huge difference for people with allergies compared to a standard vacuum.
Yes, it‘s heavy at 25 pounds. But the auto-off fill sensor, swivel hose and bumper guards make the E2 easy to use. Simply empty the basin after each cleaning and the E2 will provide outstanding performance for 10-15 years.
For a lightweight or cordless Rainbow, consider the D4 or eSERIES. Or choose the D3 for basic cleaning. But for the best balance of value and cleaning, we highly recommend the Rainbow E2 vacuum.
Is a Rainbow Worth the Cost?
There‘s no denying Rainbow vacuums are expensive – most models are over $1,000. And they have downsides like weight and noise that make them impractical for some households.
However, if you want extremely thorough cleaning and filtration with great longevity, then yes – Rainbow vacuums can be worth the investment.
Here‘s some key things to consider:
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Rainbows last 10-20 years, making the high upfront cost more reasonable long-term. Replacement parts are readily available too.
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The water filtration and true HEPA system provide filtration unmatched by any store-bought vacuum. This can really benefit allergy and asthma sufferers.
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While heavy, Rainbows clean carpets very deeply to remove dust mites, dirt and pet hair. The power nozzle with rotating brush gives outstanding cleaning versus basic vacuums.
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For large homes with lots of carpeting, Rainbows can reduce the time spent repeatedly going over dirty spots other vacuums miss. The water filtration saves some cleanup time as well.
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Buying direct from an authorized Rainbow distributor gives you access to warranty service and proper maintenance procedures to extend the working life.
If you only have basic flooring and vacuuming needs, a Rainbow is likely overkill. But for whole-home deep cleaning and filtration on carpets, Rainbow vacuums deliver excellent value over the lifetime of use. The key is finding the right model to match your cleaning needs.
