Side by side

Kenmore Elite 31150 vs BU4050: Elite gives more cord reach, and BU4050 is lighter to carry and detaches for stairs

Quick verdict

Elite 31150 is the choice for five manual carpet heights and a 35 ft cord. BU4050 is the choice for a lighter full machine, a pod for cleaning stairs and button-release self-sealing bags.

Before you buy

Why, and what it costs you

Weight of the whole machine matters before cleaning even starts

Elite 31150 weighs 21 lb, which is more than 6 lb above the under-15-lb specification of the BU4050. The BU4050 also detaches for stairs. If the vacuum has to travel between floors regularly, favor the BU4050. The complete-unit gap says nothing about how comfortable the detached pod is, so look at the carrying handle and balance too.

Where this comes from

Subtract a value below 15 from 21 and the gap is more than 6 lb.

The catch

Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright

Full machine weight is 21 lb.

The catch

Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator

Nozzle height has no manual dial.

Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright

Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright

Why pick it
  • Pick from five manual carpet heights
  • Get farther across a room on a 35 ft cord
The catch
Full machine weight is 21 lb.
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Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator

Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator

Why pick it
  • Park the floor base while you do stairs
  • Let the sealing system close off the used bag on release
The catch
Nozzle height has no manual dial.
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Comparison updated , Product data updated , Amazon.com / United States

What this page compares

Five-position carpet control, a 35 ft cord, stair carrying and self-sealing bag release, compared across two Kenmore bagged uprights.

Elite 31150 is the choice for five manual carpet heights and a 35 ft cord. BU4050 is the choice for a lighter full machine, a pod for cleaning stairs and button-release self-sealing bags.

Which one fits

Pick the situations that sound like you

  • Rugs call for adjusting the height on purpose

    The 31150 has five settings.

    Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright
    Better fit
    Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator
    Caution
  • Often take the entire cleaner up the stairs

    The BU4050's published weight for the whole unit is lower.

    Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright
    Caution
    Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator
    Better fit
  • Want disposal by self-sealing button release

    That mechanism is explicitly provided by the BU4050.

    Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright
    Good
    Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator
    Better fit
  • With outlets spaced apart, five extra feet help

    The 31150's cord is 35 ft, compared with 30 ft.

    Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright
    Better fit
    Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator
    Good

In practice

Differences you will notice

Weight of the whole machine matters before cleaning even starts

Elite 31150 weighs 21 lb, which is more than 6 lb above the under-15-lb specification of the BU4050. The BU4050 also detaches for stairs. If the vacuum has to travel between floors regularly, favor the BU4050. The complete-unit gap says nothing about how comfortable the detached pod is, so look at the carrying handle and balance too.

How we worked this out

Subtract a value below 15 from 21 and the gap is more than 6 lb.

Two manual adjustments come with the carpet-focused model

Five nozzle heights and a 35 ft cord come with the Elite 31150. The BU4050 has no manual height dial and a 30 ft cord. Choose the 31150 for varied permitted carpet piles over longer routes on one level. Those controls and dimensions do not show stronger suction or better removal of embedded hair.

How we worked this out

The recommendation rests on documented nozzle adjustment together with a 5 ft difference in cord.

Bags on both, but they come out differently

According to the 31150 guide, you remove the bag manually. The BU4050 adds a button release and a bag that seals as it leaves the cleaner. If handling dusty litter or loose fur at disposal worries you, choose the BU4050. A bagged label by itself does not mean both models seal the same way.

How we worked this out

The disposal advice is based on the separate bag-removal procedures that are documented.

Option A
Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright

Kenmore, 31150

Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright

Weighing 21 lb, this bagged upright offers five manual height settings, a true brush-off floor mode and an included Pet HandiMate.

Best for
Pick from five manual carpet heights

Facts we checked

  • Manual carpet height: Five manual nozzle-height settings
  • Whole-unit weight: 21 lb complete vacuum
  • Stair configuration: Fixed upright body with hose and telescoping wand
  • Bag removal: Bagged collection with manual bag removal
Option B
Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator

Kenmore, BU4050

Intuition Hair Eliminator

This bagged Lift-Up upright has a floor brush that clears wrapped hair on its own. You also get button-release bags, a 30 ft cord and a separate brushroll stop.

Best for
Park the floor base while you do stairs

Facts we checked

  • Manual carpet height: No manual nozzle-height dial
  • Whole-unit weight: Under 15 lb full unit
  • Stair configuration: Lift-Up pod for hose and accessory cleaning
  • Bag removal: Self-sealing bags released by a button

Spec by spec

Where they really differ

Where Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright and Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator differ
SpecKenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged UprightKenmore Intuition Hair EliminatorIn practice
Manual carpet heightFive manual nozzle-height settingsNo manual nozzle-height dialDeliberate nozzle-height adjustment is the 31150's addition.
Whole-unit weight21 lb complete vacuumUnder 15 lb full unitThe 31150 is listed at 21 lb and the BU4050 below 15 lb.
Stair configurationFixed upright body with hose and telescoping wandLift-Up pod for hose and accessory cleaningA removable pod comes with BU4050.
Bag removalBagged collection with manual bag removalSelf-sealing bags released by a buttonSelf-sealing button release is explicitly specified for the BU4050.
Power cord35 ft cord with manual wrapping30 ft cord with manual storageThe 31150 has 5 ft more nominal cord.

Trade-offs

What each pick costs you

With Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright

  • No pod you can remove for stairs.

With Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator

  • Nominal cord reach falls five feet short.

Change of plan

When the answer changes

You mostly clean one level, over carpet with varied pile

Go with Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright. That route is served by the height dial and the longer cord.

Carrying it often and changing bags are the trouble

Go with Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator. Lower whole-unit weight and self-sealing release come together in the BU4050.

Decision guide

How to decide

Pick Elite 31150 for five manual carpet heights and a 35 ft cord. Pick BU4050 for a lighter full machine, a pod for stair cleaning and button-release self-sealing bags.

01

Weight of the whole machine matters before cleaning even starts

Elite 31150 weighs 21 lb, which is more than 6 lb above the under-15-lb specification of the BU4050. The BU4050 also detaches for stairs. If the vacuum has to travel between floors regularly, favor the BU4050. The complete-unit gap says nothing about how comfortable the detached pod is, so look at the carrying handle and balance too.

02

Two manual adjustments come with the carpet-focused model

Five nozzle heights and a 35 ft cord come with the Elite 31150. The BU4050 has no manual height dial and a 30 ft cord. Choose the 31150 for varied permitted carpet piles over longer routes on one level. Those controls and dimensions do not show stronger suction or better removal of embedded hair.

03

Bags on both, but they come out differently

According to the 31150 guide, you remove the bag manually. The BU4050 adds a button release and a bag that seals as it leaves the cleaner. If handling dusty litter or loose fur at disposal worries you, choose the BU4050. A bagged label by itself does not mean both models seal the same way.

Check these before you buy

  • Lift the 21 lb full machine yourself before choosing the 31150 for a multi-floor home.
  • Make sure you know the right replacement bag type for the exact model.

What this page can’t tell you

  • These recommendations use documented features and operating limits, not a matched cleaning, noise or odor test, since none was performed.

By the numbers

What the data shows

What we found across the upright vacuums we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.

Show the facts and the math
Models in the comparison
2 models
Sources
5 covering these models
Product data updated
The facts and sources behind each product in this recommendation
ProductNeeds it meetsFacts we checkedSources
Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Bagged Upright
  • Pick from five manual carpet heights
  • Get farther across a room on a 35 ft cord
  • Manual carpet height: Five manual nozzle-height settings
  • Whole-unit weight: 21 lb complete vacuum
  • Stair configuration: Fixed upright body with hose and telescoping wand
  • Bag removal: Bagged collection with manual bag removal
  • Power cord: 35 ft cord with manual wrapping
Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator
  • Park the floor base while you do stairs
  • Let the sealing system close off the used bag on release
  • Manual carpet height: No manual nozzle-height dial
  • Whole-unit weight: Under 15 lb full unit
  • Stair configuration: Lift-Up pod for hose and accessory cleaning
  • Bag removal: Self-sealing bags released by a button
  • Power cord: 30 ft cord with manual storage

Ready to buy

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