Here at Great Vacs we're frequently asked what differences exist between some of the Kirby Vacuum models. We're also frequently asked which model is best, so we decided to make this page to show you the differences between the Kirby vacuum cleaner models. This is not a technical page about Kirby Vacuums. To get that information, you will need to contact the Kirby Company either through customer@kirby.com or through www.kirby.com and someone will attend to your needs.

Kirby Vacuum Model Differences

Photo	Model	Power (CFM)	Filtration	Self Propelled	Motor Speeds	Weight	GreatVacs Warranty	Fan Material
	Gsix	107	HEPA	Yes	1 Speed	23lbs	5 Years on Motor, Fan, Bearings, & Tech Drive/Transmission	Kevlar
	Ultimate G	108	HEPA	Yes	1 Speed	23lbs	5 Years on Motor, Fan, Bearings, & Tech Drive/Transmission	Kevlar
	Ultimate Diamond Edition	115	HEPA	Yes	2 Speed	23lbs	5 Years on Motor, Fan, Bearings, & Tech Drive/Transmission	Kevlar
	Sentria	115	HEPA	Yes	1 Speed	22lbs	5 Years on Motor, Fan, Bearings, & Tech Drive/Transmission	Kevlar
	Sentria II	115	HEPA	Yes	1 Speed	22lbs	5 Years on Motor, Fan, Bearings, & Tech Drive/Transmission	Kevlar
	Avalir	115	HEPA	Yes	1 Speed	22lbs	5 Years on Motor, Fan, Bearings, & Tech Drive/Transmission	Kevlar
	Avalir II	115	HEPA	Yes	1 Speed	22lbs	5 Years on Motor, Fan, Bearings, & Tech Drive/Transmission	Kevlar

* The CFM Ratings were done by our company. To see how we test CFM, CLICK HERE

Kirby G4. Produced from 1993-1997, the Kirby G4 is a great vacuum and much like the older G3. However, some improvements were made: they added a smoother shifting transmission, a 3-position handle locking mechanism, designed a stronger pivot assembly, and added “Micron Magic Filtration”. The genuine-kirby-micron-magic-filtration was years ahead of the competition when it was revealed. A downside of the G4 is that it has a plastic fan which can break if you vacuum up metal. The G5 model and newer all use much stronger Kevlar fans, so when we refurbished any G4 models we'd swap out the plastic fan for the much stronger Kevlar version. the G4 kirby vacuum uses the twist style paper bags, a standard brush roll and the kirby vacuum belts. However, Due to its age we have discontinued the G4 model from our lineup.

Kirby G5. Produced from 1997-1999. The G5 Kirby and the earlier model (G4) are very similar. As far as performance goes, you probably won’t notice much of a difference. Kirby did make some improvements, however. Possibly the most significant was the Kevlar fan. Most vacuums don't have enough power to suck up bullets and quarters, but Kirby's do! The look of the Kirby was also changed slightly and it became more rounded and modern looking. The powerhead belt lifter seemed to move easier. A few tools (like the floor tool) took on a slightly different appearance as well. The brushroll magnet was also switched to the other side. The kirby G5 use the allergen-reduction-filters and the standard brushroll just like the G4 model. Due to its age we have discontinued the G5 model from our lineup.

Kirby Gsix. Produced from 1999-2002. With the Gsix, came HEPA filtration. HEPA filters can filter down to .03 microns which is smaller than a human hair. Anytime hepa-filtration is introduced, though, it chokes the air flow as air has to pass through the fine HEPA filter. To compensate for that, Kirby came out with an improved mini emptor. The mini emptor is the elbow piece at the bottom end of the bag. It was designed with better air flow, which allowed the vacuum to have both HEPA filtration and a lot of suction power. The Gsix model has a deeper colour than the two models before it and this colour makes it more beautiful than the G4 and G5 model. The actual power of the  Gsix model is 7 AMP 50-60 Hz.

Kirby Ultimate G. Produced from 2002-2003. According to our tests, the Ultimate G is slightly more powerful than the Gsix. The brushroll was improved, and it seemed to do a better job at picking up pet hair. They also improved the outer bag and extended the fan blades for more suction. The ultimate G has an updated HEPA filtration system and better inner disposable bags when compared to the Gsix model. It is also the only model that is made with a switch speed and carpet-cleaning-system which is designed for delicate vacuuming.

Kirby Ultimate Diamond Edition. Produced from 2003-2005. Even though it’s not the newest model, the Ultimate Diamond Edition is one of the most popular models of Kirby. The reason: it’s the ONLY model of Kirby that comes with a more powerful 2 speed motor. This is a great feature if you have hardwood floors, throw rugs, or need to do any delicate dusting. The only problem with Kirby's is they have so much power, they tend to suck rugs all the way up into the vacuum! With the Diamond model, you simply switch to low power mode, and this problem is solved. This diamond model has two filters which are the HEPA and Mico Allergen filters, you can read more about this filtration on our blog post by clicking hepa-filtration.

Kirby Sentria. Produced from 2005-2012. There were several changes between the Sentria and the Ultimate Diamond Edition. Once again, they updated the cosmetics and gave it a more modern look. They also added LED lights, made it 1.2 pounds lighter, and the handle and belt lifter are made of plastic, but are still very strong. They also changed the style of the bumper on the head, and changed the design of the tools. All the tools from previous models still fit, they just look a little different on the vacuum. For pet lovers and owners, the kirby sentria vacuum is one of the best vacuums that is used for picking up pet hairs, this vacuum also has a self propelled feature that makes your cleaning task much easier for you. Just like the ultimate diamond and other kirby vacuum models, the kirby sentria vacuum has a very good HEPA filteration system that is designed to help those with regular allergies.

Kirby Sentria II. Produced from 2012-2014, the Sentria ll continued with the modern look, but changed the color theme and tweaked the styling. The Sentria ll still uses LED lights, and the weight remains the same as the original Sentria at 22lbs. The biggest change on the new Sentria ll is stiffer, longer lasting brushroll bristles, which clean deeper into your carpet than the older models did. The kirby sentria II comes with all the tools you need for your cleaning including the upholstery tools, pet cleaning tools, shampooer and many others. You will never feel your carpet can be cleaner than it is after you have used the kirby sentria II on it.

Kirby Avalir. Produced from 2014-2018, the Avalir got another facelift to keep up the modern styling. The Avalir still uses LED lights, and the weight remains the same as the original Sentria at 22lbs. In our experience, the only changes to Kirby's since the Sentria have been minor cosmetic upgrades. The kirby avalir is also the first model of kirby that has an handle both above and beneath the external bag so that you can easily lift it without much stress. You can learn more about how to use and assemble this vacuum model by checking our blog post at kirby-vacuum-use-and-assembly guides.

Kirby Avalir ll. Produced from 2018-Present. This is currently the newest model of Kirby vacuum. At the time of writing, we have not refurbished any of these models because they are still so new. However, initial results have shown that again the only changes since the last model have been purely cosmetic. We have great plans at GreatVacs.com to start refurbishing this models and before this year runs to an end, you will be eligible to buy your refurbished Kirby Avalir ll.

 Kirby avalir II is a very fast cleaning vacuum that is guaranteed to cut your cleaning time. This model comes with a shampooer, an extension tube, an inflator, an upholstery, a duster brush, a good belt, a pet hair cleaning tool and a user manual.                                                                        

GreatVacs Recommendation: We totally recommend the kirby vacuum cleaners because the vacuum cleaner will save you of money, time, it is good at picking up pet hairs and it can perform thorough cleaning. Unlike other vacuums which only last for two years, the kirby vacuum cleaners have a lengthy lifespan of up to 25 years and beyond. When it comes to Kirby's, not much has changed over the years. They are built to last, so even if you want to buy an old G4, it’ll still last much longer than any cheap-o plastic vacuum from your nearest no-name superstore. However, the G5 and up models have Kevlar fans, the G6 and up models have HEPA filtration, the Diamond Edition has a 2 speed motor, and from Sentria up, they’re slightly lighter and more powerful. Really it comes down to your budget, and your personal preference.

Older models will soon become harder to find replacement parts for (main reason we've dropped the G4 and G5 models), so if you want this to be the last vacuum you ever have to buy, it might be a good idea to buy one of the newer models. Click on any of the pictures above to learn more about each model and see our pricing. The table below breaks down some of the differences between the current Kirby models we offer. For more information, send us an email at service@greatvacs.com and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.

So, as a conclusion, here are some recommendations:

1. The Kirby Gsix, in my opinion, is the best to purchase It costs substantially less and performs similarly to current ones.

2. If you have a lot of pet hair, I recommend the Ultimate G or a more recent model. You could also get the Gsix, but you'll probably want to purchase the newer model brushroll that we provide instead.

3. If you are not on a strict budget, in my opinion, the Diamond Kirby was the best Kirby ever created for the reasons listed below.

First off, it is the most recent model (produced up to 2006), which has all the best features but none of Sentria's flaws (i.e. weaker handle, mentioned below)

b. It is the only Kirby model with a two-speed motor.

4. Choose the Sentria if you want the newest and coolest-looking Kirby model. According to the specs that were supplied to us, it also appears to have a little better ventilation.

I'll discuss a few of the aspects of the Sentria model that I don't like, as I promised you in the previous paragraph.

1. For another two years or so, shops like ours won't be able to purchase the new parts that are on the Sentria. As a result, you would need to purchase those parts from Kirby. Getting the parts shouldn't be a problem; all you have to do is purchase them from your local dealer or Kirby directly.

Examples of some of the components include the belt lifter knob, light, handle, bumper, and tools.

2. The handle's brittleness (IMHO). We had to pack the handles on the Sentrias we sold a lot tighter than we did on earlier models. The Sentria has a plastic frame with some incredibly light aluminum plating on the front, unlike all the other models, which had metal frames and a very sturdy plastic back handle cover. We had to box them better because those handles were breaking during shipping. We are aware that Kirby dealers reportedly mentioned the same thing. Kirby models are well-known for their strength and sturdiness. I was therefore disappointed by that.

So that's it. I sincerely hope that this review was useful in helping you choose the best Kirby model. I hope I was able to make my point and provide you with accurate information.

Thank you,