Dysons vs. other similar bagless vacuums

[zoebartlett]

We registered for a Dyson Animal but now I''m torn about whether to change to a different vacuum. We have two cats, and we really like the sound of the Dyson Animal, but it''s just so heavy. We live on one floor, so for now, it would be okay. In the future though, I''m not sure I want to drag it upstairs with me. It''s also just heavy in general -- pushing it around is a workout (I''ve tried a friend''s).

We like the Dyson Animal that has "the ball" also, but it''s super expensive (and it''s heavy -- just like the regular Animal).

I think we''re looking for something just like the Animal but without the hefty weight (or price tag).

Does anyone have any suggestions of other vacuums to try out? We have Berber carpet, which I love, but cat hair sticks to it like crazy.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

There have been many threads on dysons. We have the regular animal (2 cats) and LOVE it!

 

[rockzilla]

If you are going for a less expensive model, I would recommend the Bissel Pet Hair Eraser ($130)

I don't have the pet hair eraser, but I have another bissel vac- dual velocity cyclone or something and it is very similar. I got it when my old roommate moved out, and before the new roommate moved in I had a cleaning service come. The woman said it was the best vaccuum she had used - she was very impressed!

Also, if this helps, I don't have dogs or cats, but I shed a LOT (gross I know...long blonde hairs everywhere...at least with brown hair it would hide better) and this picks up my hair like no other. So I bet the pet one would work too.

At $130, it is a much cheaper investment, just get it from a place with an excellent return policy, like BBB, and if you don't like it bring it back.

 

[shortee78]

I don''t want to sound spoiled, but my hubby does the vacuuming, so the Dyson works great for us and our two-story home I looooooove it. One recommendation I would have is to purchase it from Costco (or another company with a no-questions-asked-refund-policy) so you can try it out. Good luck!

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I have 2 cats and the Dyson Animal with the Ball.

My first vacuum was a regular bagless type, I got about a handful of cat hair the container each time I used it it. About a year after I owned it it started smoking and I freaked out and threw it away.

I got the Dyson on closeout for 60% off, so I was lucky. I took it home, and in the same room, I filled the whole container with cat hair, and that was after only doing 1/2 the bedroom. The suction on this thing is amazing. It is heavy, but there are many design elements that are not on typical vacuums. attachment wand is much longer than most vacuums, therefore I can reach places I typically cannot reach. The fact that everything is so easy to take apart and put back together is a huge plus too. The power cord is even longer than usual, so you don't have to stop half way through the job and re-plug it in somewhere elce. There are just a lot of nice little things they thought of.

I recently read Consumer Reports, and their top raited model is actually a Kenmore that only Sears sells. One of the many things they tested is pet hair removal, and this one did well. Don't know the model, but if you go to Sears, they will have it labeled as "rated by a top consumer magizine." I checked it out, and it seemed bigger than the dyson to me. I didn't use it, so I don't know it is easy to use. But it costs about $300 which is much less than the Dyson.

 

[monarch64]

We have a Hoover from Sears we bought maybe 4 years ago, it is one of their bagless models. I think it cost $250 back then, and it came with a full warranty and service agreement (they give us a reminder once a year that we need to bring it in to have preventative maintenance done to it). It''s been a great little vacuum, but we only have 1260 square feet and only half of that is carpeted. We do have two beagles who shed a lot, and it still does a good job of sucking up all their fur, as well as my very long hair, without getting clogged or anything. I have no idea what the model # is, but it''s green, bagless, and has the wheels that go sideways as well as frontways. It''s pretty much my best cleaning friend, I should know more about it but DH picked it out. Hee hee.

 

[spike13]

I have the regular dyson. The only difference between the animal and the regular are the attachments. So consider if you really need those. The actual vacuum is the same.

I love it and it works great - wouldn''t buy a different model.

If you have a Bed Bath and Beyond, you can use one of their 20% off coupons to get it.

 

[Fancy605]

I have the regular Dyson and a dog. It does very well picking up her fur. It makes the carpet look as good as new pretty much. I also have a Hoover Windtunnel from my pre-Dyson days. It is a good vacuum, but not a great one. Someone gave us a Dyson for our wedding, and we nearly took it back because we already had a perfectly good Hoover, but we decided to test it out. We vacuumed with our Windtunnel, and it picked up a good bit of hair/dirt. Then we vacuumed with our Dyson, and it picked a good bit of hair/dirt that the Hoover had left behind. So, we decided to keep it and have one vacuum upstaris and one downstairs (though I drag the Dyson downstairs when I am feeling up to it just b/c it works better).

 

[Aloros]

The Target down the street from me has Dysons on clearance for $339 right now. They might be on clearance at some other Targets - I''m not sure. Just thought I''d mention that!

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 6/16/2008 7:01:30 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
There have been many threads on dysons. We have the regular animal (2 cats) and LOVE it!

Oops, I should have thought of checking first. I think I''ve even replied in one of them.

 

[Eva17]

i like the dyson also. i like the way it empties.


if you like for now get it. when you have two floors, get another vacuum. i have a vacuum on every floor so i don''t have to drag them up or down.

 

[zoebartlett]

Thank you for the replies! I wanted to read Consumer Reports to see what vacuums they recommended, but I''m too cheap to get a subscription. I''ll have to keep reading the info. and reviews I can find.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 6/17/2008 6:09:44 PM
Author: ZoeBartlett

Date: 6/16/2008 7:01:30 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

There have been many threads on dysons. We have the regular animal (2 cats) and LOVE it!

Oops, I should have thought of checking first. I think I''ve even replied in one of them.

No problem. Just wanted to let you know so you could see more info on them. My MIL has 2 dysons. My parents have a dyson. Everyone I know who has one LOVES them. They are worth it. We got ours 2 years ago still works great.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Date: 6/17/2008 6:27:00 PM
Author: ZoeBartlett
Thank you for the replies! I wanted to read Consumer Reports to see what vacuums they recommended, but I''m too cheap to get a subscription. I''ll have to keep reading the info. and reviews I can find.

I don''t know anyone with a Dyson, but what I can do is offer consumer reports take. Of the models they tested, it came out 8th overall. The sears that was $200 less rated higher, including on pet hair.
Dyson Animal:
Highs
This model excelled at cleaning bare floors and keeping its emissions low. It was very good at cleaning carpets and picking up pet hair.
Lows
The Dyson was fairly noisy in our tests and was somewhat hard to handle. It lacks suction control, manual pile-height adjustment, and a retractable cord. It is not self-propelled.
Bottom Line
Moderately expensive, this upright excelled at cleaning bare floors and keeping its emissions low. It cleaned carpets and picked up pet hair very well, but it is somewhat noisy and lacks a few key features.

 

[jcrow]

another here with a regular dyson and a dog. it does a fantastic job. no complaints.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I don''t think it is noisy....hmmmmm....

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 6/17/2008 6:27:00 PM
Author: ZoeBartlett
Thank you for the replies! I wanted to read Consumer Reports to see what vacuums they recommended, but I''m too cheap to get a subscription. I''ll have to keep reading the info. and reviews I can find.

We have the subscription if it hasn''t expired. I''ll try to look it up for you. I need a new vacuum myself. Do you want upright or canister? I like Consumer Reports because what is popular is not always the best!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I see b_i_h has already told you the Dyson didn't score all that well. (I assume you are looking at upright)

The top rated one is: Kenmore Progressive with Direct Drive 35922 $300 (CR best buy) (score of 75)

#2 is another model Kenmore 36932 that costs $350 (score 69) (this one is bagless)

#3 Riccar SupraLite RSL3 Simplicity Freedom F3500 $330 (score 6

#4 Electrolux Oxygen3 EL5035A $400 (score 6

#5 Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870 $150 (CR Best Buy) (score 67)

#8 Dyson DC Animal DC17 $550 (score 65)

In fact, a $60 Hoover rates above the Dyson. So I'd be looking at #1-5, personally! My daughter just bought #5 and likes it. #2 is your best bet if you want bagless. Oh, and all of them are about 20 pounds except #3 Riccar at 9 pounds, but it gets a lower rating on noise than the others.

 

[VegasAngel]

I have the Eureka Boss & I love it. Anyone who wants to show me how much better their Dyson picks up bring it on over

Forgot to add that my father had the Kenmore Progressive & it works very, very well.

 

[zoebartlett]

Thank you so much BIH and DS! I appreciate you taking the time to pass along the info. I think we''ll be going to Sears this weekend and looking at what they have to offer.

 

[Stephanie]

I have to vote for the Dyson. We have the ball and it''s wonderful, especially with two cats that like to hide under the bed.