Tradition

Commercial-grade vacuum with good repair potential but some troubling component issues.

• •Part Availability: Many replacement parts available when needed, with nationwide warranty service centers supporting repairs. Multiple users confirm parts access.
• •Build Quality: Metal bottom and wands provide durability, but internal plastic parts can fail - one user reported a plastic piece completely shattered after six months. Modern builds appear less durable than older models.
• •Ease of Service: Simple mechanical design makes it easy to clean and maintain. Users describe it as repairable with straightforward access to components, though belts break regularly and hair clogs are common.

Bottom line: Serviceable workhorse with readily available parts and simple mechanics, but questionable durability of some internal components keeps it from scoring higher. Good BIFL candidate with proper maintenance.

Classic commercial vacuum caught between its legendary past and cost-cut present. Reddit vacuum enthusiasts call it a carpet-only beast while Amazon users report internal plastic pieces completely shattering after six months.

• •Built like a tank where it counts: Metal wands and metal bottom plate survive daily janitorial abuse, with one cleaner saying it will easily last a long time with household use
• •Fatal flaw in the guts: Critical internal plastic component shattered completely after light commercial use, plus users confirm the build quality years back these vacuums were way better built
• •Parts availability saves it: Many replacement parts available if needed keeps this repairable, though you'll be fixing broken belts from hair clogs according to multiple reports

Bottom line: Could've been BIFL royalty but modern cost-cutting knocked it down to decent-if-maintained territory. The 2-year warranty tells you what Sanitaire really thinks about longevity.

Sanitaire offers a standard 2-year limited warranty on their Tradition vacuums, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

• •Coverage Details: Excludes wear items like bags, belts, filters, and damage from improper use.
• •Service Process: Customer must return defective unit with proof of purchase to an authorized warranty station. Shipping costs generally fall on the customer.
• •User Experience: No specific warranty claim experiences found in reviews, but users note parts availability, suggesting repairability beyond warranty.

Bottom line: A typical manufacturer's warranty with reasonable duration but standard limitations and potential hurdles in the claims process. The 2-3 year coverage with clear terms earns it an average reliability score.

The Sanitaire Tradition has a solid reputation among professional users but with important caveats about its specialized purpose.

• •Carpet Performance: Consistently praised for powerful suction and effectiveness on carpets; users describe it as a commercial-grade beast that vibrates floors and provides satisfying cleaning power.
• •Hard Floor Limitations: Major drawback is its inability to clean hard surfaces due to always-spinning brushroll that scatters debris; this is a dealbreaker for homes with mixed flooring.
• •Durability Debates: Generally considered repairable and durable with available replacement parts, but some users note modern versions aren't built as well as older models, with reports of plastic components failing.

Bottom line: Redditors see it as a specialized carpet workhorse rather than versatile vacuum - buy it for carpet-focused cleaning and repairability, but look elsewhere if you need a multi-surface solution.