After falling in love with and subsequently divorcing my
Electrolux Pronto during our 11 month relationship, I have decided that, while first impressions for vacuum cleaners are very telling, longevity is the ultimate key. Therefore, I pledge to revisit my Dyson DC18 review in 6 months and 1 year from now, to reveal how well it holds up over the long haul.
Before getting down to business, I would like to address the most obvious question you're all wondering by now ~
You paid $400 for a vacuum... Are you crazy? Well, I admit I paid an exorbitant price in hopes of obtaining the best vacuum on the planet. But, as I explained to my husband, I'm actually very clever because I remembered to bring a 20% off coupon and save about $80 off my new vacuum. Only time will tell if it's really a sound investment.
What's Inside the Box? The Dyson DC18 requires minor assembly, which is not so difficult if you have a talented 11 year old son who's good at putting things together. While I was busy reading the manual, he snapped on the rolling brush assembly and Quick-Draw telescope wand in about 10 minutes. It would have taken me longer without his help!
I chose the Dyson Slim DC18 because it seemed to have several advantages over the other Dyson models. First of all, the Dyson Slim is 15.8 pounds, which is heavier than my Electrolux Pronto but lighter than other Dysons. Second, the Dyson has a more compact cleaner head, which means it will fit into tighter crevices and under more of my furniture and cabinets. Finally, unlike a lot of lightweight stick vacuums, the Dyson DC18 Slim cleans carpet and rugs, as well as bare floors.
My Experience Using the Dyson DC18 Medium Weight ~ At 15.8 pounds the Dyson is still somewhat heavy to use on stairs. I am able to awkwardly clean my stairs with the vacuum, but for safety's sake, the manual suggests leaving the vacuum at the bottom of the stairs and using the telescoping hose to clean the stairs.
Maneuverability ~ The Dyson DC18 claims to have Effortless Steering. In my experience, it's easy to turn and swivel this vacuum on bare floors, but it doesn't propel itself on carpet, so you need a little elbow grease to move it forward continually. It's convenient that you don't have to adjust it to move from carpet to bare floors (unless you're moving to a delicate surface).
Attachments ~ The Quick-Draw Telescope Reach wand is definitely a cool feature. It was a little difficult to figure out at first, but once I attached the nozzle tool to the wand, I was getting cobwebs off my baseboards in no time flat. The accessory tools have a home on the vacuum and there are only two to keep track of. However, a really good upholstery tool is not included, so I'll probably buy that as a separate attachment ($19.99 at Amazon.com). I noticed you can also buy a fluffy dusting tool, which might be a good investment.
Figuring it Out ~ At first, I was a little puzzled figuring out how the DC18 actually works. You press the Red ON switch to get it started, but the brush bar doesn't start rolling until you tilt the handle backwards. You can also turn the brush bar off to vacuum delicate flooring, rugs and carpets. The directions are a little sketchy in this area, but with trial and error it becomes apparent how it operates.
The Dirt on the Dirt It's thrilling and somewhat chilling to watch the dust cup fill-up. The clear, polycarbonate bin is another plus from Dyson and makes it tough to overburden the vacuum by forgetting to empty it. Like most other reviewers of Dyson vacuums noticed, it's downright scary seeing the massive volume of dust my other vacuum missed. My first run-through with the Dyson yielded at least four full cups of dust, which were emptied using the hygienic Ejector button on the bottom of the bin. I have to say, Kudos to Dyson on this Inspector-Gadget type feature. My only complaint is that sometimes dust bunnies get stuck in the bin behind the filter, and require poking around to dislodge.
Cord Length ~ It could be longer in my opinion. If you go too far, the plug easily comes out of the socket for safety purposes. However, I need to plug the vacuum into at least six outlets to get my whole house clean.
Root Cyclone and Filter Technology ~ This is the patented technology Mr. Dyson talks about on Dyson commercials (love the British accent!). Supposedly, it means the Dyson will never lose suction. Additionally, the Lifetime HEPA filter is great for allergy sufferers (and the rest of us). It means that air coming out of the vacuum has less mold and bacteria than the air you breathe! Dyson is certified Asthma Friendly, too.
No extra costs ~ Dyson claims that you'll never have to buy filters, bags, belts or bulbs for the DC18. But, you do need to remember to wash the filter by hand (no soap) at least every 3-6 months to maintain performance.
Motorized Brush bar ~ The brush bar is a pivotal feature of any vacuum. As I discovered with my Electrolux Pronto, a poorly designed brush bar can be the weakest link in your vacuum-- if it dies or refuses to budge, your vacuum ceases to function. The Dyson brush bar is much more substantial than its counterpart on my Electrolux Pronto, and you can watch it whir while vacuuming. If debris gets stuck in the brush bar, it immediately stops whirring so you can unwind it or yank it out. The toughest test of a vacuum's pickup power are kids' rooms! This Dyson picks up confetti, chips and cheerios from my son's room, and leaves my daughter's Girlscout Cookie-Crumbed room clean as a whistle. Although I don't have dogs or cats, the Dyson sucks up stray birdseed in one pass.
Noise ~ Here's where I am completely disappointed with the Dyson DC18. I was not expecting to power up the vacuum and hear a high-pitched squeal and loud motor whine with a $400 vacuum. What, no muffler? The noise is especially a nuisance while cleaning bare floors; it is not quite as loud on carpet. At first, I thought the noise level would be a deal breaker (RETURN) but the quicker the dust cup filled up, the more I rationalized that yes, it is an annoying flaw, but I can always wear earplugs. *frown*
Warranty ~ Perhaps most reassuring for Dyson owners of the DC18 is its AMAZING 5 year warranty! That's something to write home about, or at least to alert the company of your purchase. I bought mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond, which has always been generous about accepting returns of defective merchandise from me. So, I have no problem returning it within the year if it ceases to function properly.
Thanks for Reading and Good Luck on your Search for the Perfect Vacuum!
