Dyson DC14 Low Reach Upright Vacuum
by Dyson
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List Price: Category: Home See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Dyson DC14 Low Reach Upright Vacuum
Customer Review: it sucks
Summary: 5 Stars
It sucks your carpet. Now the carpet is clean. When it gets dirty I'll do it again in a never ending cycle.Customer Review: Dyson - Great Suction but a few things to consider...
Summary: 4 Stars
Dyson's "doesn't loose suction" advertisements peaked my interest so I justified the expense due to my multi cat, multi kid, overly sloppy household. I didn't like dragging around my old canister, stopping to free the huge anchor from the kitchen island, chairs, etc. and trying to maneuver the wide vacuum head in tight spots so I liked that this was an upright. I considered also that it was bagless having had bad experiences with a few "stick vacs" that spewed dust everywhere. The Dyson looked versatile with the detachable wand for tight spots and its reputation for pet hair sold me. Overall I'd say it is a good product - I'm amazed at how much shows up in that canister after one trip around my home (actually embarrassed might be a better word). One benefit of the bagless style is when you pick up something unintentional you can usually find it by fishing through the dirt and dust (if you want).
I use the Dyson on my main floor which is entirely wood except for a few rugs. One large rug is 8 x 10. I have found using the vacuum is better than a broom for wood floors because I'm constantly chasing cat hair into the dust pan with the broom.
General use:
This Dyson can be switched between hard floor and carpet. I mostly use it on the hard floor setting. The carpet setting engages a rotating brush for getting deep into rug fibers. If left on for hard floors the brush creates too much wind that blows the cat hair and some light dirt particles away while trying to vacuum so it must be switched to the right setting for hard floors. Because the head of the main vac unit is so high and gets stuck under kitchen cabinets I sometimes use the detachable wand throughout the kitchen. This means I revert back to a canister because I'm dragging the main unit (which is tall and tends to pull over easily) around again. The wand is pretty easy to detach but you then have to pull out the length of the wand so really two steps. I also keep the wand out to do wood stairs. I think this vac is best for carpet situations because you can keep it upright most of the time.
Maintenance
Emptying the dust bin is not hard but since it picks up so much dirt I have to do it at least every other time I vacuum. You just push one button and let the mess drop into the trash. If I vacuum the entire floor I have to empty it each time. I find myself missing those bags you only have to empty every few months or so. If you wait too long to empty the bin you have the dirty job of sticking your hands up through all the cat hair and pulling it down from around the inner cylinder because it's packed too tight. But I do think this machine works better at getting more dirt than my other bagged vacuums. Also you can tell those bagged ones stop picking up when the bag gets full where this does not.
This Dyson has a filter that has to be rinsed (and they recommend rinsing the whole inner chamber) every 6 months (I'm bad about this). This isn't hard but it has to dry at least overnight so don't plan to use it again soon. I had a hard time figuring out how to get to the filter from the diagrams.
Attachments:
There three small attachment that fit on the end of the wand when you have detached it from the main vac. These are similar to most other attachments on other brands, one is a brush, one for upholster, one is for crevices... These can also be attached directly to the flexible hose (without the long wand) which makes it much easier to use on upholstery (see below, the animal turbo tool can't do this).
Low Reach Floor Tool:
This attachment is supposed to reach under furniture and kitchen cabinets since the main vac is too high to reach very far (but using it this way converts it into a canister, essentially). The reach tool has a row of brush bristles (don't understand their function) which push large dirt away while you are trying to pick it up. For instance, trying to pick up spilled rice krispies under a kitchen table, the built in bristles push them away so you have to lift the tool and set it down on top of the cereal so it will go up into the hole to be picked up. It is easy to get into tight spots because it is not real wide and tilts as needed. It does seem to do a great job of picking up cat hair but I hardly ever use this tool because I am too lazy to get it out and attach it just for the kitchen.
Animal turbo tool:
This is smaller version of the floor tool which can be used on upholstery, cars, stairs, etc. but different in that it has a suction driven rotating bristle brush. Works well on pet hair but you can't attach it directly to the flexible hose - you have to attach it to the rigid 3ft long detachable wand which makes it hard to manage close up near the furniture. Also, the rotating brush whines like a "turbo" engine, very loud. I would never use this on curtains because I would be afraid they would be sucked in and damaged.
Instruction book:
Great graphics but sometimes confusing because there is very little explanatory text to go with the graphics - kind of relies on "universal" language of pictures. I remember having a hard time figuring out how to get to the inside to clean the filter.
Pros: picks up a lot of dirt, keeps picking up even if you don't empty the bin.
Cons: hose is not long enough to set it at the bottom of stairs (per the instructions) to reach the entire floor of stairs. Also, using the turbo tool is difficult because it has to be attached to the stiff wand, making it very heavy (hose pulls on it) to use on furniture. Not as convenient as I had thought when I originally bought it because I can't clean kitchen or under furniture well without stopping and changing out tools and dragging the main vac along like a canister.
Customer Review: it works, love the design for the staircase use.
Summary: 4 Stars
Well I bought a Dyson vacuum cleaner.
They really are great and work wonderful. My first Hoover lasted 10 years but I always thought it could use some extra power. My second one broke within a year. So after reading and hearing about Dyson I decided to give it a try. In a way we are all nuts. For crying out loud,it is a vacuum cleaner.
What are we paying so much money for? But it really does a great job. In the end it is still only a vacuum cleaner and that is where you have to decide if the money is worth it to you or if any of the less expensive will do just as well of a job.
I think so. But I had to try the Dyson. Yes it sucks up everything in sight and I am sure in the long run there is a helthy benefit that comes with it. I do like that the vacuum cleaner is not huge and has a smaller sucking surface. More square then the other brands who tend to have a more elongated sucking design.
All in all a really nice vacuum cleaner. BUT I have to worn you.
It is LOUD. I am noise sensetive and had I known that perhaps I had reconsidered. But none of the reviews mentioned it.
It makes sense though. It has this turbine engine in it to suck it all up and the price you pay is a noisy vacuum cleaner. There is a constant high soundig noise with it while in use.
You get used to it but it does bother me.
Thankfully you don't vacuum clean for hours at a time.
The reason I picked the 14 over the 7 is that the handle is easier to use. With the 7 you have to take it out and put the one device on the other hand of the handle. WIth the 14 it is all correctly attached.You just pull it out and use it and it is WONDERFUl on the stairs.
That is THE selling factor for me. I was tired of short cords and heavy vacuum cleaners on the stair case. We are renting and yes there is carpet everywhere. With two kids you end up with a lot of stuff on the stairs. This is absolutely a wonderful design and what makes the money worth it.
No heavey cort or hose and so on. As a matter of fact the cord is so long, you don't have to replug it in each room.
I can vacuum clean all rooms and just plug it in ones.
The entire design is nice and all is right there. None of the little attachments have fallen off so far while I used the vacum cleaner.
Very well thought through.
Worth the money yes, but still expensive.
I dislike the noiselevel and therefore gave a 4 star verses 5.
Enjoy
Customer Review: Very good vacuum
Summary: 4 Stars
Like:
-Suction. It is strong. It is more than a little disconcerting to see your filth fill up the clear container...be warned!
-It is lightweight, esp. compared to a Kirby.
-Buying refurbished for $309. Unit looked absolutely brand new, not a mark anywhere. Don't pay full price if refurb is available. (I'd have a tough time giving 4-5 stars if I paid over $500)
-The hose and tools work pretty slick. About three more feet of hose would be handy for doing stairs though (I have 10 stairs, a 90 degree bend, and 4 more stairs. Can't quite get to the last step.) We used it to do our ceramic floors and the unit rolled along with us without tipping over. It is overall a better implementation than I have seen on any other vacuum, but they are all a bit awkward to use, esp. if you get in tight spaces.
-No bags. Ever.
Could improve-
-Quality of latch that holds lid closed on clear dirt container. When you close it after opening, the plastic tab does not firmly snap into its retaining groove. Sort of just slides in, but does not give you positive feedback thing is securely closed. Durability over time is my concern.
-Others have said this. But a con of good suction, is that it will now pull up rugs and things you had no trouble vacuuming before. Hard to count this against Dyson, but it really disrupts your wokflow when you constantly have to stop and free the rug...and awkwardly attempt to hold it down to vacuum. SOme way to reduce suction (bypass airflow) when desired would be a great feature.
-Tools not real secure on top of dirt container. Especially the fabric tool. Sets in place ok, but with a very weak snap. Falls off occasionally.
-Switching the low reach tool attachment from bare floor to carpet mode is tricky to do with your foot. I always have to pick it up and fiddle.
Customer Review: I saved $190 dollars/ amazon is the way to buy!
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased a new DC14 Low reach red Dyson from amazon. I really didn't want it, my husband did. The first time we turned it on there was a loud noise and then the noise stopped after about a minute. When I turned it on again, the noise was gone but the beater bar was not moving. Called Dyson and they sent an repair order. The repair shop said they had many Dysons in the shop. Hey at $450+ What's up?
With Amazon, in this case, I could return postage paid and recieve a new replacement or to get a refund. Kudos for Amazon - I chose a refund and it was very easy.
Now I was sketical of the Dyson breaking down so easily, they are plastic and made in China. I'm wondering if they are overated as the "latest and greatest". I didn't want to pay so much. I decided that I would look at the reconditioned price afterall that is what I would have had anyway had I taken it to be repaired. With Amazon's policy, I took a chance-The reconditioned one cost me $190 less than the new one and it looks like new. I like the vacuum - the telescopic reach is what won me over from a canister.
Warning instead of a two year warrantee I only got 6 mos. with the reconditioned.