bit-tech Shopping: Dyson Animal DC14 Vacuum

• Bare Floors
• Carpets
• Stairs
• Upholstery

• Active Edge Cleaning
• Attachments
• Automatic Carpet Height Adjustment
• Lifetime Filters
• Telescopic Handle

• Crevice Tool
• Dusting Brush
• Other
• Tool Storage
• Upholstery Nozzle

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Light, powerful, easy to use

Weaknesses: so light it follows you when you use the extensions

Summary: I would very much recommend this vacuume cleaner! I love it!Amazing suction...I had no idea how much pet hair I had in my carpets! When I use it, I can feel confident that my floors are really clean.Very easy to push and pull. It has a very light touch. It has a small footprint and easily fits in small closet without taking up much room.I normally hate to vacuume but I find that it is so easy to use that I don't hesitate to use it several times a week. That in it's self is AMAZING! My son who NEVER vacuumed, uses it alot as well.Sometimes I have to take the catch bucket out and put it back in again to get it to turn on. The handle for the extender is a little cumbersome at first but within a few uses, you get used to it and it isn't as difficult to use.Because it is so light, when you take the extension handle out and move away from the vacuume it follows you instead of staying put.

Rating: 2

Time with product: 1 Years

Strengths: I like that it's bagless.

Weaknesses: Heavy. Unwieldly. Doesn't live up to the hype. Waaaay too expensive for what it's worth.

Summary: I absolutely hate this vacuum. I regret the day I shelled out this kind of money. I have two cats and one chihuahua, so NOT a lot of animal hair, but every time I use it, after just a few minutes I get that "ratchet" sound and I have to disassmeble and remove all the hair that gets stuck in the beater brush. I thought that the term "animal" meant that they figured out a way to surpass this obstable. The attachements are worthless, the tubing is so tight that you have to struggle with the hose when you want to use the attachement. It's such pain putting it all togther each and every time. They're made of a cheap plastic and you have to struggle to get them off when you're done. There is no short wand, so if you want to get into a tight space you can't. Most of the time it's extremely difficult to empty the canister when you're done...I have to stick my hand up into it to dislodge the contents (which is gross). I'm going to sell mine at a great loss. I've had mine for a year and have sent it back to the factory twice because of suction issues. This is a terribly over-hyped and over priced machine. You do NOT have to pay this kind of money to get a good vacuum cleaner. Mr. Dyson is laughing all the way to the bank, at our expense. I wonder if they ever product-tested this with real people, because I sure would have liked to have been a tester, I could have given them a LOT of useful information. I wholeheartedly want to dissuade anyone from making the mistake of wasting money on this machine.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Great suction.Many useful attachments.

Weaknesses:

Summary: I have had the Dyson Animal for about two weeks now. I read all of the reviews before making the decision because it was a bit more expensive than any other vacuum I've ever owned. When I think about the price in retrospect, I have decided that it will outlast several cheap models that I have purchased for about the same price total. I rarely get to use it because my children are always doing the vacuuming for me - they love it! The first time I used the Animal, I used my old vacuum first and then went over the same area with the Animal. It was amazing how much dog hair and other nasty dirt the Animal found and picked up immediately. My carpets look so much better and I feel better about my house which I previously thought was clean. It was money well-spent.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Great suction and power. Will pick up pet hair.

Weaknesses: Plastic wheels. Heavy.

Summary: If you have pet hair issues, the Dyson Animal will suck it up and just about everything else. On the other hand, the Dyson is heavy and clunky. Also, in spite of what the sales lady said, I would not use this vac on hard surfaces (wood, tile, etc.) The hard plastic wheels scuff.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Days

Strengths: Suction, Versatility

Weaknesses: Takes a while to get used to, Expensive

Summary: This vacuum though expensive is probably the best I have ever used. I have two dogs and a cat and it gets all the hair and dust and much more than any other vacuum I have ever used. It takes a bit of getting used to all the ins and outs of all the different extensions etc but once you get the hang of it - it is easy. Also the Dyson help center is so friendly and helpful - and their carpet spot cleaning liquid is second to none. The extending head gets all the way up our stairs without having to try and carry the vacuum as you go. I would spend the money again in a heartbeat to purchase this vacuum and reccommend it highly.