Welcome Home, Kirby Vacuums!
It's a first for us at Abt: we're welcoming the Kirby vacuum company home right here, both online and in-store. If you know a thing or two about vacuums, you might be surprised. Kirby is a vacuum brand that has previously only sold their series of Home Cleaning Systems by going door-to-door, giving demonstrations and selling to customers not through stores, but via specialists. But if people want a Kirby vacuum, they shouldn't have to wait—instead, they can come right to Abt, or order theirs online, thanks to the new Signature Series. With just two canister vacuums and one upright model, they're starting small, but these vacuums have everything they need to capture attention.
The Signature Series, Compared
Kirby's History & A New Beginning
The Kirby Company began over 100 years ago, when the company's namesake, Jim Kirby, started completing his classic vacuum designs. In 1914, he came together with George Scott and Carl Fetzer to create the company's first vacuums—the prototype to their Home Cleaning Systems, which you can't find for sale in stores. In fact, up until now, you couldn't find any Kirby vacuums in stores. They use a direct selling model, where Kirby Distributors bring the vacuum to your home to showcase just how powerful it is. The impressive airflow and suction has kept Kirby a household name for years, but American homes have changed a lot in the last century, and even more in the last 50-60 years. Think of the 70s home and its wall-to-wall carpet, sometimes even shag carpet. The flagship bagged Home Cleaning System by Kirby was made to pull up dirt and dust from these high-pile rugs and carpeting, something that competitors have a hard time replicating.
The American home looks different these days, often with a combination of bare flooring, carpeting and low-pile rugs. Instead of just power, we need versatility. That's where the latest Kirby vacuums come in. Meet the Signature Series: the V530 upright, the C550 canister and the C530 canister. With just three to choose from, the collection could feel light, but each of these Kirby vacuums can tackle more than you'd expect. These can go from bare floor to carpet to rug and back again, with a more flexible design that's meant to move with you and all throughout your space. They're easy to move, easy to use, easy to empty, and ready to go when you are. All the while, PurAir Dual HEPA filters keep allergens and dust locked away inside. Read on to explore the collection of the latest from Kirby for today's home.
Meet The Signture Upright Vacuum from Kirby: The V530
As the only upright vacuum in the Signature Series, the V530 is certainly a head-turner. The black corded vacuum is made with strength and flexibility in mind, fusing the power of a Home Cleaning System Kirby vacuum with the benefits of a quick, light and modern machine. If we were a door-to-door salesperson showing off the Kirby V530, we'd point out a few top-notch selling points, like its multifunctionality—this vacuum can go from hard floors to carpets to furniture and back, and cleans deeper than other vacuums can with every pass. That's all thanks to the supercharged MAXFLOW® motor with clean air tech inside. You can swap between four different speed and performance levels, letting you choose just how much suction you need for the moment. Then there's the Power Nozzle: here, LumiGlide LEDs illuminate what's ahead and the powerful brush head pulls up deep-seated debris and surface dust. Keep in mind that not every vacuum height is for everyone, and that's why the Kirby V530 Signature Series has six different levels of height adjustment. Swap between attachments quickly with the magnetic hose connection. This is a great all-purpose vacuum that can tackle everything from carpet-heavy spaces to mixed flooring.
While there's no door-to-door direct Kirby salesperson to give you a demo of the Signature Series, we've got the next best thing—an incredible warranty that covers the motor and labor for eight years, and other parts for five years. That's how sure the brand is that you'll love one of their new Kirby vacuums ... and that it'll function well for you for years to come. You'll find the same warranty across the canister vacuums in the Signature Series.
Meet Kirby's Signature Canister Vacuums: The C550 and C530
Next up, the canister vacuums. These are a bit more of a departure for the brand, marking the first time they've ever made canister vacuums ... and they're powerful. We'll start with the C550, their premium canister vacuum. With the same type of Multi-Surface Power Nozzle you'd find on the Signature upright vacuum above and the mighty MAXFLOW® motor, the high-powered canister vac is made for a premium cleaning experience. It goes where other vacuums can't and pulls away hidden dirt that others leave behind. The canister is more flexible than the upright version, though; some of its best features allow it to clean a little more flexibly thanks to the adjustable wand and attachments, like the hard floor nozzle and Turbo Air Brush. While the upright version has features like a crevice tool and duster, the Kirby C550 has a powerful brush roll for carpets, rugs and other surfaces, as well as the specialized Hard Floor Nozzle and Turbo Air Brush. Swap between all three brushes to clean carpets, hard floors and every home surface. The C550 is an amazing, high-quality vacuum for anyone who loves a canister, but needs a bit more power than they've been getting. A premium feel and versatility are built into the machine, and this Kirby vacuum is crafted to clean both hard flooring and carpets well.
Finally, the C530. Of all three vacuums, the C530 is the most budget-friendly, but only by a hair when compared to the V530 upright. It brings users the premium performance anyone can expect from Kirby vacuums, though it is designed more for quick cleaning sessions. It's flexible enough to move between different flooring types and still has the same powerful MAXFLOW® motor that makes the Signature Series stand apart. We'll note that it's definitely better for hard floors and rugs than it is for carpet, though, mainly due to its nozzle. It does not have the multi-surface power nozzle found on both the upright V530 and the canistercanister C550. Instead, it uses the Turbo Nozzle for hard floors and low-pile rugs, as well as the included attachments like the upholstery tool, dust brush and dedicated hard floor nozzle. Like with the C550, you can adjust everything, from the vacuum's power level to the length of the wand. They both feature sound-dampening technology, too, making it easier for you to stand beside a high-powered motor in peace.
The Breakdown
So, which is for you? We're breaking apart some of the top specs and traits of all three Signature Kirby vacuums.
| Features | Kirby V530 Upright Vacuum with Power Nozzle | Kirby C550 Canister with Power Nozzle | Kirby C530 Canister with Turbo Nozzle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filtration Type | PureAir Dual HEPA Filtration | PureAir Dual HEPA Filtration | PureAir Dual HEPA Filtration |
| Home Size | Mid-Size to Large Homes | Large Homes | Mid-Size Homes, Condos, Apartments |
| Deep Carpet Cleaning | Outstanding | Outstanding | Very Good |
| Hard Floor Cleaning | Very Good | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Pet Hair Vacuuming | Outstanding | Outstanding | Very Good |
| Stairs | Good | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Storage | Outstanding | Good | Good |
| Cord Length | 32.5 ft | 24 ft | 24 ft |
| Warranty | 8-Year Limited Warranty | 8-Year Limited Warranty | 8-Year Limited Warranty |
| Nozzles and Attachments | Multi-Surface Power Nozzle, crevice tool, duster brush, upholstery tool | Multi-Surface Power Nozzle, Hard Floor Nozzle, Turbo Air Brush, crevice tool, duster brush, upholstery tool | Turbo Nozzle, Hard Floor Nozzle, crevice tool, duster brush, upholstery tool |
Which is Right For You?
We're in new territory for Kirby vacuums with the all-new Signature series, so choosing the one that's right for you might feel difficult. But the premium quality behind this vacuum collection is truly unique, so it's hard to make a mistake. There may be one that's better for your home, and some features that help eliminate others. Look at floor type, for example. If you have a lot of carpet in your home, the V530 upright or C550 canister is a better option for you. And if you know you'll love a canister but need to stay within budget, the C530 is the best choice for you. If you still have questions, our vacuum pros are here to help and can help you find the answers. Call us at 800-860-3577 to learn more, or read up with our vacuum cleaner buying guide before you buy.
Kirby Vacuums Signature Series FAQs
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Yes, they do. The new Signature Series contains an upright vacuum and two canister vacuums that you can buy here at Abt, but you can still purchase the classic Home Cleaning System series directly from Kirby.
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At the time we're publishing this article, the C550 canister vacuum is $999, the C530 canister is $749, and the upright V530 is $799.
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The Signature Series of Kirby vacuums is definitely worth the money. The brand has been known for long-lasting technology, incredible products and great warranties; between these factors, we think the Kirby Signature series has more than earned its place.