Fantom FM239 Thunderbolt Canister Vac
- Lightweight 12-amp canister vacuum with motorized power head
- Head has 15-inch cleaning path, headlight, adjustable height
- True HEPA filter removes 99.97 percent of airborne particles
- Convenient bagless design; adjustable telescoping handle
- Three on-board tools; automatic cord retraction
Amazon.com Review
The 12-amp Fantom Thunderbolt canister vacuum is lightweight and quiet, but it also packs a lot of power into its very user-friendly design. The vacuum's motorized power head has a wide, 15-inch cleaning path with a headlight to illuminate the cleaning area. Additionally, a lever on the head lets you manually adjust it to varying carpet heights. The chrome telescoping handle also adjusts to the height of the user, preventing back strain from bending while vacuuming. The Thunderbolt features a convenient bagless design that traps debris within an easy-to-empty transparent dust cup. A HEPA filter within the dust cup effectively removes 99.97 percent of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, leaving fewer irritants and allergens within the home. At 26 pounds, this vacuum travels easily and its wide wheels make it especially sturdy for vacuuming on stairs. The Thunderbolt has three on-board tools—a crevice tool, an upholstery attachment, and a dusting brush—to cover a wide range of cleaning needs throughout the house. In addition, large power and cord retraction buttons on the top of the unit are accessible by foot while you're gripping the handle. --Cristina Vaamonde
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Fantom FM239 Thunderbolt Canister Vac
- Kitchen: 0 pages
- Publisher: Euro-Pro
- Label: Euro-Pro
- Studio: Euro-Pro
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 8 reviews
- Sales Rank in Kitchen & Housewares: #257586
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Avg. Customer Review:
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Great Power Great Value yes it's plastic and looks like it I still love this vacuum 2005-10-21
Comment: My husband bought a Kirby It's to heavy to lug around the motel and to change attachments is to cumbersome.I do the maid work at our motel and it's just not practical.I also have a 18 month old son that tosses food all over about 3 times a day. I really wanted a light vacuum I can carry with ease and a bag less one with HEPA filter I also needed it to be a canister type vacuum so I have easy access to the tube to quickly clean blinds,floor edges kick boards fans and so on.I live in the desert and we get a lot of alkaline dust weeping in true windows and while using a upright I can never get any of those areas done.
This vacuum lifts the wall to wall carpet up as much as the Kirby does I can vacuum faster with it.
In a snap I can take the head off to use the tube to suck up chunks of food.
I give this vacuum 5 stars because it's a great value at $139 it does not look expensive I however did not get it to look at it to me this is a work tool and I read other reviews saying it tipped over on them never had that problem those people must be stressed out other complaints was that this vacuum clogged up I belive that when you have a bag less you have to empty the can and shake the filter out after every use or your filter will get humid and clogged up with funk in no time resulting in bad suction.
I simply tap the filter against the trash can liner when I empty the dust can and it does not stick but falls right out .I love this vacuum works well for me if i get 2yrs out of it I think it would be money very well spent.
I think the bad reviews this vacuum got was from people with unrealistic expectations It is plastic it is a budget vacuum not a Kirby but for me I am parking my Kirby in the tool shed this one is just a better vacuum for me.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: I'm quite pleased with mine... 2005-04-16
Comment: I have a Fantom Fury, but wanted a cannister vac. I've had good luck with Fantom products in the past, and thought this vacuum might just fill the ticket. It did. The suction is great, the power head does an excellent job. My experience has been in line with that of the "Kid's Review" above.
I'm sorry to see the negative reviews -- I noticed they are from 2003 and 2004 so maybe EuroPro/Fantom took it to heart and did some improvements, as mine is a rather solid unit, and cleans very well. I'll admit, it does have a tendency to want to tip if I try to pull it around too far, but I counter that by pulling it along closer from time to time.
Very pleased.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good for the money 2004-09-20
Comment: Relatively inexpensive. I like the unit. Bought it for my beach house. It does flip once in awhile - I think that has to do with the tention on the hose and the light weight of the unit. Suction control on handle does open, but I am not sure if it is doing it on its own or I am doing it. Suction is good, motorized head is great. Filter is washable, so I do it after each use. I would rather wash the filter than have a bag unit and keep spraying the dust that has accumulated in the bag around each time I use the vac. I figure it will not be as clogged after using the machine on my carpets for awhile.
It is quiet, plastic does not give it an expensive look, my rainbow has a quality look, but it is so heavy and bulky, I want to go to a whole house system to avoid using it.
I believe the original maker of fantom went broke amd Euro Pro bought them. No review I have read on any vacuum has been great, unless you get into the expensive units and I am not sure that they are worth the money.
Not sure why others got so upset about unit, it is after all a cleaning tool, not a matter of life and death.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Be Afraid, be very afraid 2004-07-02
Comment: Fantom products have gone WAY downhill since they were acquired by Euro-Pro/Shark. This product may last past it's warranty, but likely will not. And you'll need a Lot of patience once you try and get any "customer service" from this company, because they don't know the meaning of the words. Run, don't walk, away from this or any product by this company!!! Don't go thru all the aggravation I have! If you have any doubts, check out TheComplaintStation.com for Euro-Pro!
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Worst ever 2004-02-22
Comment: Although it has good suction and a power head.... It topples over all the time while vacuuming, gets clogged and my power head went dead and no one can fix or replace it.... so that's it! I only used it 6 times in 1 year, since I have maid service. Worst ever! This was my second and last Fantom!
Tony in Florida
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