The Sebo X7 Excel vacuum cleaner is exclusive to John Lewis, but does the engineering differ and can you buy it elsewhere cheaper, get a longer guarantee or better value for money?
This article is about the White X7 Excel. Our article on the navy blue X7 Excel Plus is here: Sebo X7 Excel Plus from John Lewis – Is There a Better Deal? Also, here is another useful article on this subject: Sebo X7 Extra and the John Lewis X7 Excel Plus Compared
First and foremost, all Sebo X7 vacuum cleaners are ostensibly identical in the basic specification. That is to say they all have similar or identical body parts, motor, tool fittings, wand handles, switches etc. All that differs is the colour of the body and trims, the extras offered with the machine and in the case of the black Pet Boost model, it has an extra Boost button.
There is no extra magic or complicated sorcery involved in “exclusive special editions” like the Sebo X7 Excel. They don’t secretly have more powerful motors, better engineering or anything extra that you cannot otherwise obtain.
The reason department stores approach manufacturers of appliances and ask them to make an “exclusive” line for them such as the Sebo X7 Excel is in order that nobody is able to make a like-for-like comparison with other appliances at other retailers. This allows them to offer things like a “price match promise”.
If nobody else sells the identical machine in all respects you don’t need to price match anybody. All you need to do is give a wry smile and say, “Ah, but that machine is not exactly the same as ours, let me explain why…………”
This is marketing from the 1970s large department store retail playbook, and you don’t see that much of it nowadays as people are wise to it. But some of the old school retailers from the era of Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served still believe this stuff works.
We’ve made a video explaining the difference between the white Sebo X7 we sell and the version sold by John Lewis — showing you how to save money or get better value.
Sebo X7 Excel vs X7 Extra vs Pet Boost: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | John Lewis Sebo X7 Excel (White) | Sebo X7 Extra (Blue) | Sebo X7 Pet Boost (Black) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colour | White | Blue | Black |
| Extension Hose | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Onboard Tools | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mini Turbo Brush | No | Optional | Yes |
| Headlight | Yes | No | Yes |
| Boost Button | No | No | Yes |
| Carbon Filter | No | No | Yes |
| Price | Highest | Lower | Lower, better value |
Conclusion: If you’re not bothered about a headlight and don’t need the Boost button, the Sebo X7 Extra gives you the same core spec for less money. If you want all the extras — Boost, headlight, carbon filter, turbo tool — the Sebo X7 Pet Boost is the smarter buy over the John Lewis Excel.
Some people do like a headlight though, and for those who want to retrofit one to an existing Sebo X7 we sell a Sebo X7 headlamp conversion kit. After all, practicality debate aside, a headlight on a vacuum cleaner is quite cool and retro. See the 1960s Hoover Dirtsearcher for details.
So what exactly is the John Lewis Sebo X7 Excel?
The John Lewis X7 Excel Sebo vacuum cleaner is actually a basic white machine with the extension hose, brush tool and clamp from the blue and black machines and the headlight from the black machine. This makes it an “exclusive”. There is no more to it than that.
In terms of specification (assuming you are not too concerned about the headlight), you would buy the blue Sebo X7 Extra ePower and this machine is otherwise identical to a Sebo X7 Excel apart from being blue rather than white and not having the headlight.
Yes, you can save money by shopping with an independent store as many people do.
All Sebo vacuums from the Sebo Shop at Manchester Vacs are delivered with Royal Mail fully tracked delivery at no extra cost. If you are relatively local to us, you can get our Premium Home Delivery at no extra cost as well.
The Sebo Shop – part of Manchester Vacs – are approved Sebo dealers offering the full range of domestic and commercial Sebo vacuums together with consumables and spare parts.
