Thermax AF2 Home Enviro Water Filtration Vacuum

I purchased the original AF1 from a direct sales person many years ago. At that time, I paid a little over $2,000. What seems an outrageous price for a vacuum cleaner, it really paid for itself over the years. The suction is always strong and I have never found another vacuum that works as well at picking up dirt, hair, food, etc. True, I haven't had the need to purchase many others, but the ones I have purchased to supplement the Thermax were always a disappointment. The latest, a Hoover Wind Tunnel (highly rated by CR Magazine) was no comparison in performance.

A few years ago, Thermax offered the AF2 at a significant discount to current AF1 owners. I paid a little over $600 without the water extraction option. I didn't need it since the old AF1 was still working after 20 years of weekly use. The AF2 is identical in performance to the AF1. The difference is a more compact design and an easier to clean recovery tank system. This is the part most people may find too cumbersome and not worth the hassle. You can't just open the top and throw out a dust bag or empty the dirt into the trash. The recovery tank must be emptied into the toilet. Depending on how many people (or animals) with long hair reside in the house, hair makes cleaning the various tank parts a little more difficult. I usually take the tank outside and rinse off all the parts with a hose and then let it dry outside. A couple foam filters also need to be rinsed once in a while as well. The main filter is the water.

Since the dirt and dust are trapped in the water, there is very little dust in the exhaust. The is real big plus for those with allergy problems. The vacuum even comes with various oils to place in the tank to scent the exhaust while vacuuming. You can also use the tank as an air cleaner by setting it in the midde of a room and letting it run without the hose attached. Other vacuums, with filter bags or bag-less, always leave a musty odor behind after finishing a room.

I'm not so sure I would pay the $2,400 that Amazon has priced for a new one, unless it came with all the options and accessories. The bottom line is, it vacuums better than anything else out there and is very reliable. The only downside I can see is the price and having to clean the recovery tank after each use. There may be lower prices on the net somewhere, but you'll have to live with the hassle. I have for many years and it was definitely worth it for me.