Kenmore DU1040 Bagless Upright Vacuum Lightweight Cleaner - Pet

In this review the Kenmore DU1040 FeatherLite bagless upright is evaluated as a compact, pet-friendly cleaner for everyday home use; the single biggest reason to buy is its combination of powerful suction in an under 12lbs chassis that is easy to carry between floors and maneuver around furniture. The review focuses on how it handles carpet, hard floors and pet hair, and whether its height adjustments, swivel steering and included tools deliver practical cleaning performance for typical households.

Key Features

• Lightweight design: Weighing under 12lbs makes lifting the unit up and down stairs and carrying it from room to room noticeably easier for most users.
• Powerful suction: The motor and airflow work together to remove ground-in dirt from carpets and pick up dust on hard floors without repeated passes in normal conditions.
• Four height adjustments: Adjustable height levels provide optimal airflow and cleaning efficiency across bare floors and varying carpet pile depths.
• Extended reach hose: The flexible hose extends to about 7ft so cleaning stairs, high surfaces and tight spaces against baseboards is straightforward.
• Pet HandiMate and tools: The included upholstery brush, 3-in-1 combo tool and Pet HandiMate tool make it easier to remove stubborn pet hair from furniture and stairs.
• Swivel steering system: The swivel head glides around corners and furniture which improves maneuverability in cluttered rooms.

Who It's For

The Kenmore DU1040 is best for small to medium homes with pets and mixed floor types where a lightweight upright is preferred over a heavier canister. It suits owners who need decent suction for everyday debris, want easy portability between rooms and appreciate simple tool access for upholstery and stairs.

Shoppers who need heavy-duty deep-cleaning for thick commercial carpets, long runtime for very large homes, or advanced filtration for severe allergy sufferers should look elsewhere; this model is optimized for convenience and routine home cleaning rather than professional or specialized filtration performance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very light at under 12lbs, making it easy to carry and store.
• Effective suction for everyday dirt and good at picking up pet hair from floors and upholstery.
• Four height settings and a 7ft flexible hose increase versatility across surfaces and hard-to-reach areas.
• Swivel steering improves maneuverability around furniture and tight corners.

Cons

• As a compact upright, it may require more passes on very deep or heavily matted carpets compared with larger, commercial models.
• Bin capacity and runtime expectations are typical for a lightweight bagless unit and may need more frequent emptying in homes with many shedding pets.

Specifications

Brand	Kenmore
Model	DU1040 FeatherLite
Weight	Under 12lbs
Height Adjustment	4 levels
Hose Reach	Flexible hose extends to 7ft
Tools Included	Upholstery brush, 3-in-1 combination tool, Pet HandiMate
Steering	Swivel steering system

Our Verdict

The Kenmore DU1040 is a sensible choice for pet owners and apartment or house dwellers who want a lightweight upright that still delivers strong everyday suction and practical tools. Its portability, adjustable height and extended reach make it good value for routine cleaning and removing pet hair, though those needing heavy-duty deep cleaning on dense carpets may prefer a larger machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this vacuum good for pet hair?
Yes. The combination of the Pet HandiMate tool and the main suction system reliably picks up pet hair from furniture and floors in typical home settings.

How easy is it to carry up stairs?
The unit weighs under 12lbs and is designed to be easy to lift and carry between floors, which most customers find convenient for multi-level homes.

Can it clean both hardwood and carpet?
Yes. The four height adjustment levels let you optimize airflow and cleaning efficiency for bare floors as well as varying carpet piles.