SEBO Balance A1 Cordless Stick Vacuum with Tool Kit

The Balance A1 is a cordless stick that weighs about five pounds, runs on a lithium-ion battery and starts with a trigger, so you are not holding down a power button for the whole job. It comes in Graphite, Pastel Blue and Magenta, with a freestanding station and a full tool set in the box.

Where it works, and where it does not

It is built for short, frequent sessions: daily dust, pet hair, stairs, upholstery and mixed floors with the right roller fitted. Its appeal is the light carry and the grab-and-go routine. For long carpet sessions, or if you want SEBO’s 10/10/7 registration bonus, a corded SEBO is the better choice, because the A1 is excluded from that bonus.

Runtime, in SEBO’s numbers

There are three power levels. SEBO’s US figures are up to 48 minutes at level 1 and up to 20 minutes at level 3, so expect a tradeoff between power and time. The LED display shows the battery charge as a percentage and the selected level as a bar graph, which tells you whether to start the bedroom or recharge first. The motor is digital and brushless, rated at more than 100,000 rpm.

Brushes and rollers

• LED power brush: a low-profile swivel head with a headlamp, shock protection and anti-hair-wrap technology that is self-cleaning.
• Mini power brush: for suitable upholstery, carpeted stairs and small areas, so you are not balancing the full floor head on a step.
• MicroCare roller: soft bristles for hard floors.
• MultiCare roller: a universal roller; swap it with the MicroCare as the surface requires.

Filtration is staged: a main cyclone, six smaller cyclones downstream, then a motor-protection filter and a micro-hygiene filter. Dirt collects in a bagless bin that you empty at the MAX mark. If a clog or a brush jam occurs, the machine shuts itself off.

In the box

• Suction unit, adapter, suction tube, removable battery and US charger
• LED power brush with MultiCare universal and MicroCare soft-bristle rollers
• Mini power brush
• LED crevice nozzle, sliding two-in-one dusting/upholstery nozzle, separate dusting brush and extension hose
• Wall mount with two attachment clips, support tubes and base for the freestanding station
• Micro-hygiene filter and two motor-protection filters, one installed and one spare, as listed in the US manual

Specifications

Living with a battery

Empty the bin at MAX, keep airflow paths clear and care for each filter as the US manual describes. Switch off before you detach powered tools or clear hair. Over the years you will need to plan for a replacement battery, filter upkeep and brush wear; going cordless saves you the cord, not the maintenance. Spares are easy to add, including the mini power brush, extension hose and LED crevice nozzle.

Warranty

The Balance A1 is covered for 2 years parts and labor and 1 year on the battery, under SEBO’s US terms, and it is excluded from the 10/10/7 bonus. Keep your receipt and serial number.

Questions

How loud is it?

SEBO quotes 69 dB in one place and 70 dB in another at power level 1; the table shows both as a range.

Is it good on stairs?

That is the job the mini power brush and extension hose are for, on suitable surfaces. You are carrying about 5 lb, depending on the tools fitted.

Balance A1 questions go to (860) 678-0011; our shop in Avon is a SEBO Medalist dealer.