The Dyson sucks--in a good way
I've only got one issue with this vacuum, hence the 9 instead of a 10. This vacuum is a wonder. I love that I don't have to buy bags and I can't believe how much disgusting stuff it sucks up every week. It was worth the hefty price tag and I'm glad we decided to buy it when we did. My only issue is the ease with which you can convert it to use just the hose end. Maneuverability Does as well as any other vacuum I've owned with maneuverability. I know they now have a ball-type Dyson that they advertise to corner better, but really, how much of a problem is a vacuum on corners and getting it around? I generally am pushing it forward and backward just a short distance anyway, not driving 60 mph through obstacles. This thing picks up cat hair like a champ too, and it isn't the animal model. Ease of Maintenance They recommend that every few months you rinse out the filter and let it dry 24-48 hours. I recommend that every once in awhile you remove the canister from the body and remove the clear cylinder from the part that suctions. Look up in the underside and make sure it isn't clogged. You can read below what came out of mine recently... Suction Performance I just recently noticed that my Dyson wasn't performing as well as in the past and was worried that it was on its way out. Then I cleaned the thing out and removed half a bucket of dirt & dust (I kid you not) from around the cyclone part of the machine. Not surprisingly it made a remarkable recovery! It works like the day we brought it home now. We've owned it for several years (maybe 10 now?? Not sure) Versatility I have a Sanyo Transformax for my wood & laminate floors that is TRULY versatile, which is why I gave the Dyson an 8. They are made for different things though, so it might not be totally fair. I fight the Dyson a bit when I am using it with the tools and hose end to do stairs and other smaller things. I end up in a sweat by the end--it just doesn't want to bend somehow so that I can get to a lot of areas. Probably good for my heart health, but docks the Dyson points on versatility. I have begun using it on our hardwood & laminate floors sometimes, which ups its versatility factor. I just turn off the spinning brush on the front. Design I like the look of it! Mine is teal blue. I like that I can see what I vacuumed up too, all swirling around in there. Makes me feel like I've accomplished something and not just wasted my time pushing it around. Durability Works like a champ if you treat it right. Follow the maintenance schedule and make sure you check the brush wheel in the front for hair. I've got a child with long hair and recently discovered that the brush was coated in her hair to the point that it wasn't picking things up anymore. That's how good this thing works--even with half a bucket of crud in its innards and hair coating its "teeth" it was still working as well as my other vacuum previous to this one!!
Kristen71
USA