MIXED REVIEWS. What lies behind the success of the Dyson cleaners, especially given that they're anything but cheap? Priced from $399 to about $590 in the U.S., a Dyson costs more than twice as much as most rival models. Moreover, the marketing campaign for the cleaners has stayed decidedly low-key. Straightforward TV commercials feature the 57-year-old Dyson in his lab, calmly explaining how his frustration with ordinary vacuum cleaners prompted him to create a better machine...

Independent product reviews of the various Dyson cleaners on the market, however, have not always brought raves. In February, Consumer Reports tested Dyson's DC14 Complete upright, one of the top-of-the-line models, which comes with the patented RootCyclone suction technology, found in all the inventor's models, and a feature that allows users to easily remove the suction wand for cleaning hard-to-reach places. The publication concluded that the $570 cleaner, "proved very good overall, but neither as good nor as low-priced as plenty of other vacuum cleaners we tested."

Good Housekeeping magazine's October test of the standard $399 Dyson DC07 determined that it "had the best pull" but "didn't suck up debris nearly as well as the winners."

The Dyson vacuum is attractive and certainly seems to have a lot of street cred with the geek crowd, but according to the January issue of Consumer Reports, it’s not the top of the heap. It’s not even close.

Consumer Reports tested thirty-two upright vacuums including the Dyson DC07 Animal. What place did the Dyson come in at? Thirteen, behind models from Hoover, Eureka, Kenmore, Kirby and Oreck; models generally cheaper than the DC07’s $620 US price tag.

They also tested fifteen canister models including the Dyson DC11 Full Gear. In this cateogry, the Dyson faired better coming in at third place, but it did so below two Kenmore models available at much lower prices.
“But I Love My Dyson”

The Dysons are good vacuums and if you own one I’m sure you’re happy with it. Both Dyson vacuums are rated “Very Good” by Consumer Reports, but according to their tests, there are better choices at lower prices. As for me, my place has hardwood floors, so I have a Swiffer.

Absent from their tests is the Dyson DC14. They have a note that it wasn’t delivered in time for their tests and will appear in a future issue.

Update: Received the February issue and they rated the DC14.

Consumer Reports Rates the Dyson DC14
Picture of a Dyson Vacuum

I previously noted that the Dyson line of vacuums didn’t fair too well against the competition in January’s Consumer Reports, but that they hadn’t yet rated the DC14 because they didn’t get a unit in time for the issue. Well, February’s Consumer Reports is here and their verdict is in: they rated it “very good” overall, but it fell behind plenty of other models from Hoover, Eureka and Kenmore. It may look cool, but there are better vacuums to be had for much less money. Pick up the January issue for the full roundup or the February issue for the DC14 review specifically.

Or, you can read this month's edition of Consumer Reports, which has done its biggest vacuum cleaner survey ever and -- guess what? -- its top two rated uprights were $300 Kenmore models from Sears, followed by the Hoover Wind Tunnel for $280, and a Eureka "Boss" Smart Vac for $140.

"Consumers should not think that just because you're spending a lot of money you're getting the best vacuum cleaner," says Consumer Reports' Lauren Hackett.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06050/656646.stm