Dyson vacuums are credited with shaking up the whole vacuum cleaner market in the last few years. However, we saw some conflicting reviews regarding Dyson upright vacuum cleaners. U.K-magazine Which? Online has taken Dyson to task for its below-average repair record, which the magazine reported after its surveys of hundreds of Dyson owners. In its 2006 vacuum tests, editors excluded Dyson from the list of recommended models based not on the vacuums' performance, but on this poor reliability. However, in this year's testing editors post a follow-up. In the latest tests, the newest Dyson vacuums appear to have improved. Owners are reporting fewer breakdowns, and the newest machines appear to be better built than in the past. Lastly, Dyson (perhaps in response to complaints) has upped the warranty for new purchases to a full five years. This new five-year warranty also applies to U.S. Dyson vacuums.
A couple of reviews take a close look at Dyson and its claim to have the best suction. Both Good Housekeeping, The Wall Street Journal and testers at Grand Rapids-based WZZM News tested a Dyson vacuum alongside competitors, finding that Dyson didn't hold any particular advantage. Consumer Reports puts Dyson to the test with pet hair. The company's DC14 Animal and DC17 Animal both are claimed to better pick up pet hair from upholstery. Consumer Reports tested the Dyson vacuums along with dozens of others on their ability to pick up pet hair from carpet. Dyson vacuums weren't a particular standout.
However, hundreds of consumer reviews at Amazon.com and Epinions highly rate most Dyson models, despite their high cost. Although the positive reviews are sprinkled with complaints about heavy weight, awkward controls, hard-to-find replacement parts and breakdowns, most owners say the extra cost was worth it. Early reviews are particularly positive for the newest Dyson DC17 Animal (*est. $550) , which owners say is more powerful and easier to push and pull than the older Dyson DC14. Other reviews also say this model improves on ease-of-pushing, one of the few consistent complaints in reviews. However, Dyson vacuums cost twice or three times that of competing vacuums, and several reviews say a Dyson vacuum isn't for everyone. Dyson vacuums are bulky and heavy; most models weigh about 20 pounds (one brand new Dyson, the DC18, weighs 16 pounds). If you have a lot of stairs or have limited mobility, a lighter vacuum is a better bet.