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Dyson Vacuums: They Worth It?

lordofthereef

lordofthereef

Android Expert
I have the opportunity to get a Dyson vacuum with a partner discount. This basically amounts to any model at 50% off MSRP. I was looking at the DC24 All Floor model, which would be $200. On paper, it seems like a good deal, but it's still $200 on a vacuum! We have had dirt devils and eurekas, and they start out ok but after a year or two just crap out. I guess I am worried about the Dyson doing the same. I have seen reviews, but not really anything that wasn't reviewing the BRAND NEW product. Has anyone had one of these for maybe a year or two that can give me some input?

Another few things. I am picking the DC24 because it is more compact and lighter (just 12 pounds). We have dogs, but from what I read the only difference in the "animal" version is the hose attachment (for couched and upholstery), which can be purchased separately if I decide I need it. The color is also different (yellow versus purple), but I don't care.

Going the next model up (DC25) gets you a bigger bin (the container all the waste goes in), and the ability to vacuum larger spills (an example I read was jelly beans or dog food). This can be done with the hose attachment though.

The top of the line model, the DC28, is all of the above, plus some fancy name for what is basically automatically driven, so there is virtually no pushing and pulling involved since the vacuum does it for you.

If the perks I listed are literally the only perks, I can certainly be happy with the DC24. The question is, how long will it last? Will one model last longer than the other (ie will the DC25 be a better investment in the long run than the 24)?

Any help would be appreciated.

Of course, if you think the product is junk, you are welcome to make lite of that. I do ask that you keep costs in consideration. If you recommend me another vacuum that retails for as much or more than the dyson retails for, I am essentially priced out of it. Remember I am only really considering this because of the 50% retail price.
 
My wife and I have one and have had it for 5 or 6 years and it's still running strong.

Worth the price??? I dunno, I can't justify that much money on a vacuum but have no problem dropping 600 on a phone. Priorities I guess.
 
I can say i haven't heard any negatives about the Dyson line other than the cost. It looks intriguing, but we have settled on the Electrolux canister line of vacs. And, yes, they cost considerably more, but our oldest is 25 years old and still sucks (in a good, clean way).

At one time we thought it was getting close to death so we bought a dept. store Hoover upright to replace it. It lasted 18 months tops and that was even with two warranty repairs. The repairs were to the beater bars and brushes which get engulfed in dog hair, wrap around the spindle and generate enough heat to melt and fuse the nylon parts together. Even cleaning it every time, it would still fail, even thought we never had that problem with the Electrolux. The Dyson's are heavily molded so it's just something to consider.
 
Wow, I haven't really had a vacuum last me longer than maybe 2 years, and in all honesty, it probably should have been thrown out in half that time. The most we ever spent was on a dirt devil, which was probably $125 or so. Had I known it would crap out so soon I wouldn't have considered it. When we moved we recently got a eureka (I think) for $35 at walmart (we had left the dirt devil back home since I only moved with what I could fit in my pickup). That thing suprisingly last about a year. This past summer we drove home to visit the parents and brought back the dirt devil. To my surprise, it is VERY similar in construction as the eureka... and we paid almost $100 less for that one!

I guess I just don't want to be burned. $200 isn't too much for a vacuum if it will last for years and do its job, but if it's likely to crap out on me, I'd rather just buy another one for $35 ;)
 
Dyson vacuums are like the Apple of vacuums. They have top design, are expensive, yet achieve really high ratings.

I'm going to get one of their fans when I move, in particular, the AM02 Tower Fan. It's $449.99 but worth it in my opinion.
 
I got one 9 years ago. Happy with build quality and never having to change bags or buy filters.

Works great.

(Had a Dyson-designed Fanthom before that, but had to buy HEPA filters - hated that.)

One of my daughters got one two years ago - I'll post back her feedback shortly, for comparison to one of the newer ones.

Correct on that dog hair thing - gotta keep the beater cleaned. That you want to do in any case, a haired-up beater doesn't beat or clean anyways.
 
lordofthereef said:
Is this a good or bad thing (and why)? Sorry for the noob question :o
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It was specifically noted because of the past history we've had with dog hair and molded parts. I'd check specifically with Dyson owners with dogs before making a final decision.
 
If you're are getting 50% off then it's worth it...no way I would spend $500 on a fan though. You get the same effect from a tower fan...many smaller blades gets rid of "buffeting"
 
Thanks all who have added even more input. I am leaning towards this sounding like it would be a good deal.

Consequently, I can get one of the fans for a similar deal. I just can't justify spending that on a fan though LOL. But who knows... I was like that with vacuums as well.
 
lordofthereef said:
Is this a good or bad thing (and why)? Sorry for the noob question :o
Click to expand...

lunatic59 said:
It was specifically noted because of the past history we've had with dog hair and molded parts. I'd check specifically with Dyson owners with dogs before making a final decision.
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Wife and I have two dogs. My wife also long hair and tends to vacuum it rather then sweeping it.

As EarlyMon mentioned below, the only "difficult" maintenance is keeping the beater bar clean (and remembering to clear it out).

Other than that, it's rinsing a filter and emptying the canister. Super simple.

EarlyMon said:
I got one 9 years ago. Happy with build quality and never having to change bags or buy filters.

Works great.

(Had a Dyson-designed Fanthom before that, but had to buy HEPA filters - hated that.)

One of my daughters got one two years ago - I'll post back her feedback shortly, for comparison to one of the newer ones.

Correct on that dog hair thing - gotta keep the beater cleaned. That you want to do in any case, a haired-up beater doesn't beat or clean anyways.
Click to expand...
 
EarlyMon said:
Correct on that dog hair thing - gotta keep the beater cleaned. That you want to do in any case, a haired-up beater doesn't beat or clean anyways.
Click to expand...

It wasn't so much the cleaning aspect, but the friction generated when the dog hair gets tightly wrapped around the spindle (axle?). If the hub has a nylon bushing (on other models) it generates enough heat to melt and fuse it to the bar, which means both literally and figuratively, it's toast.
 
lunatic59 said:
It wasn't so much the cleaning aspect, but the friction generated when the dog hair gets tightly wrapped around the spindle (axle?). If the hub has a nylon bushing (on other models) it generates enough heat to melt and fuse it to the bar, which means both literally and figuratively, it's toast.
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Yeah - I've not had an issue getting it cleaned away from under the belt.

Suppose I ought to look all the way inside and see if any got in and compromised anything, next time I'm at it.

That said - we killed a stainless axle from dog hair on mom's old machine when I was a kid, so nothing is immune to fun with friction.
 
So keep it clean. Check.

How frequently? I know this can be relative, but are we talking every time you vacuum? Perhaps monthly? We have two cockers. dog hair isn't a huge problem, but obviously more than not having dogs :)

EDIT: Also, is it easily cleaned/taken apart or do I need to get down and dirty with the tools?
 
I check every time, before vacuuming. On my model, two heads respond to a quarter or nickel, and scissors and a pocket knife has it cleared out in a jiffy.

The longer you let it build up, the more work you do, so it's not worth it to wait and it isn't that hard.

edit - oh yeah - if I have to get under the belt, I pull it back with a screwdriver, it's just easier that way.
 
EarlyMon said:
I check every time, before vacuuming. On my model, two heads respond to a quarter or nickel, and scissors and a pocket knife has it cleared out in a jiffy.

The longer you let it build up, the more work you do, so it's not worth it to wait and it isn't that hard.

edit - oh yeah - if I have to get under the belt, I pull it back with a screwdriver, it's just easier that way.
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Awesome. Even a limited toolkit such as mine can handle those tasks! :cool:
 
EarlyMon said:
I check every time, before vacuuming. On my model, two heads respond to a quarter or nickel, and scissors and a pocket knife has it cleared out in a jiffy.

The longer you let it build up, the more work you do, so it's not worth it to wait and it isn't that hard.

edit - oh yeah - if I have to get under the belt, I pull it back with a screwdriver, it's just easier that way.
Click to expand...

This is EXACTLY what I did today with mine. A flathead screwdriver to quarter turn the three retaining clips and the same screwdriver to shift the belt off/on.

It's worth noting that mine was pretty bad today. I can imagine that it's a LOT easier if done more frequently.
 
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