Kenmore 600 Series 81615 Canister Vacuum Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Kenmore 81615 suits homes with pets and mixed floors, thanks to its motorized Pet PowerMate, two floor nozzles and onboard tools. Its bagged design means keeping compatible replacement bags on hand.
On this page (8 sections)
- Kenmore 600 Series 81615 at a glance
- Does the Kenmore 81615 suit your floors?
- How useful is the Pet PowerMate for pet hair?
- What should you know about bags and filters?
- Is the Kenmore 81615 easy to move around?
- How does the 81615 compare with other Kenmore canisters?
- Who should choose the Kenmore 600 Series 81615?
- Should you buy the Kenmore 600 Series 81615?
The Kenmore 81615 suits homes with pets and mixed floors because it combines a motorized Pet PowerMate, Pop-N-Go floor brush and onboard tools. This Kenmore 600 Series canister vacuum uses bags, so you'll need to keep compatible replacements on hand.
The model number is 81615. If you're comparing it with other canisters, start with the tools you need most: a powered attachment for pet hair, a brush for bare floors or controls for adjusting suction.
Kenmore 600 Series 81615 at a glance
The Kenmore 81615's strongest fit is pet hair cleanup across floors, furniture and stairs. It combines two motors with two floor nozzles, a motorized Pet PowerMate and several stored attachments.
Kenmore 81615: Best for pet hair and mixed floors
- Bagged canister design
- Pet PowerMate motorized attachment
- Pop-N-Go floor brush
- Onboard tools
The 81615 pairs a motorized pet attachment with tools for bare floors, upholstery and tight spaces. It fits a home that needs one vacuum for several surfaces and above-floor cleanup.
Pros
- Motorized Pet PowerMate stores inside the vacuum
- Pop-N-Go brush is included
- Tools store onboard
- HEPA filtration
Cons
- Bagged design needs replacement bags
- Bags and filters need attention
- Corded design needs an outlet within reach
Our score weighs specs and features against the needs of shoppers comparing canister vacuums.
The Pet PowerMate is the key feature for homes with shedding pets. It attaches to the handle and wand, and stores inside the vacuum when you're done.
What comes with the Kenmore 600 Series canister vacuum?
The Kenmore 81615 includes a Pet PowerMate, Pop-N-Go floor brush, crevice tool, dirt brush, bare floor tool, upholstery brush and dusting brush. The upholstery brush is intended for furniture, curtains, stairs and car seats; the dusting brush is for areas such as baseboards and cabinets.
Its attachments and accessories store onboard, which can help keep them close during a cleaning session. The telescoping wand extends for overhead and other hard-to-reach spots.
Does the Kenmore 81615 suit your floors?
The Kenmore 81615 supports multiple floor types, with two floor nozzles and four height adjustment levels. Those settings let you adjust the floor head for different surfaces.
The Pop-N-Go brush is for bare floor cleaning, and the vacuum also comes with a bare floor tool. Follow the manual's guidance on which nozzle and height setting to use on each surface.
A powered attachment can be useful when carpet or upholstery collects pet hair. If your home has mostly bare floors and little pet hair, consider how often you'd use the Pet PowerMate.
For more on what a powered canister head does, see what a powerhead is on a canister vacuum. Our canister vacuum guide also explains how a canister's hose, wand and floor head work together.
How useful is the Pet PowerMate for pet hair?
The motorized Pet PowerMate is meant for stubborn pet hair on surfaces such as furniture and carpets. It connects to the handle and wand, and Kenmore says its design helps stop hair from wrapping around the brush.
Its motorized brush gives you a different tool from the included upholstery brush. Choose the attachment and setting that suit the surface, following the manual's care guidance.
The attachment stores inside the vacuum, which keeps it with the machine between uses. Consider where you'll use it most: stairs, fabric furniture, car seats or carpeted areas.
If pet hair is your main concern, compare the Kenmore 81615 with our best canister vacuums for pet hair. That guide can help you weigh a dedicated pet tool against other features.
What should you know about bags and filters?
The Kenmore 81615 is bagged and has a triple HEPA filter system. Kenmore says the HEPA system traps 99.97% of dirt inside the vacuum.
That filtration claim isn't a promise of allergy relief or dust-free air. Keep up with bag and filter care as directed in the manual.
A bagged design means replacing bags as they fill rather than emptying a dust cup. Before buying, check which bags fit model 81615 and plan where you'll keep spares.
Onboard storage keeps cleaning attachments with the vacuum, but you'll still need room for replacement supplies. Our guide to Kenmore canister vacuum bags explains how to check compatibility.
Is the Kenmore 81615 easy to move around?
The Kenmore 81615 has wheels and a carrying handle for moving it between rooms. Its cord retracts, and the telescoping wand extends for overhead cleaning.
Pulling a canister across a level floor and carrying it up stairs are different tasks. If you frequently move a vacuum between floors, consider where you'll store it and how you'll carry it.
Its retractable 28 ft cord gives you that length of cord to work with before changing outlets. Room layout, the route to the outlet and furniture placement affect how much floor you can cover.
How does the 81615 compare with other Kenmore canisters?
The Kenmore 81615 stands out for its motorized Pet PowerMate and Pop-N-Go brush. The Kenmore 81414 offers variable suction control and four height settings, while the Kenmore 500 Hair Eliminator has a bagless dust cup and a brushroll designed to remove hair automatically.
| Model | Bag type | Notable feature | Consider it if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenmore 81615 | Bagged | Pet PowerMate and Pop-N-Go brush | You want a powered pet attachment |
| Kenmore 500 Hair Eliminator | Bagless | Automatic brushroll hair removal | You prefer a dust cup |
| Kenmore 81414 | Bagged | Variable suction and four height settings | You want adjustable suction |
The Kenmore 500 Hair Eliminator has a transparent dust cup, so emptying means handling the cup and collected debris. For a broader brand comparison, read Miele vs Kenmore canister vacuum.
You can also compare another canister in our Eureka 3670M review. Compare its tools with the attachments you'd use on your floors and furniture.
Who should choose the Kenmore 600 Series 81615?
Choose the Kenmore 81615 if you want a bagged canister with a motorized pet attachment and tools for several surfaces. Its onboard storage and retractable cord may also suit homes where you want cleaning tools kept with the vacuum.
Consider the Kenmore 500 Hair Eliminator if you prefer a bagless dust cup. The Kenmore 81414 is worth comparing if variable suction control is a priority; both the 81414 and 81615 have four height settings.
Storage and carrying needs also matter if you often move a vacuum between floors. Think about the route from its storage spot to the rooms you clean, along with the tools you'll use there.
Should you buy the Kenmore 600 Series 81615?
Choose the Kenmore 81615 if a motorized pet tool and bare floor attachments are your main reasons for buying a Kenmore 600 Series canister vacuum. Its Pet PowerMate, Pop-N-Go brush and onboard tools cover that mix of tasks.
Choose the Kenmore 500 Hair Eliminator if you prefer a bagless design, or compare the Kenmore 81414 if variable suction control matters more. For other pet-focused choices, visit our best canister vacuum for pet hair guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kenmore 600 Series 81615 good for pet hair?
The Kenmore 81615 is designed for pet hair cleanup and includes a motorized Pet PowerMate attachment for surfaces such as furniture and carpets. Kenmore says the attachment helps prevent hair from tangling around its brush, and it stores inside the vacuum between uses.
Does the Kenmore 81615 work on hard floors?
The Kenmore 81615 supports hard floor cleaning with its Pop-N-Go floor brush and included bare floor tool. It has two floor nozzles and four height settings, so follow the manual's guidance when choosing the tool and setting for the surface you're cleaning.
What bags does the Kenmore 600 Series use?
The Kenmore 81615 needs replacement bags compatible with model 81615, so confirm the fit before buying spares. Match the model number to the bag compatibility guide; our guide to Kenmore canister vacuum bags explains how to check the fit before you order.
How does the Kenmore 81615 compare with the 81414?
Both are bagged Kenmore canisters with HEPA filtration, two motors and four height settings. The Kenmore 81615 includes a motorized Pet PowerMate and Pop-N-Go brush, while the Kenmore 81414 offers variable suction control, so choose based on the tools and controls you'll use most.
