I have to admit I was skeptical at first because of the lukewarm "professional" reviews of Dyson in general, but now I'm a true convert.I LOVE this vacuum (coming from someone that HATES housecleaning).
Pros
--Canister style vacuum-great for those of us with back problems that can't push around a heavy upright for long.
--Suction power-WONDERFUL suction on this thing.
--Power brushes-stiff bristles "refresh" the carpet and can easily be turned off by foot controls (no bending down).
--Maneuverability-this has a ball style joint that makes it extremely maneuverable.
--Compact storage-it wraps around itself and is light enough to easily pick up and carry.
--No filters or belts to replace-just clean the built-in filter every 6 months with tap water.
--Quiet!-this is the quietest vacuum I've ever used.
--Retractable cord-guess this is standard on most canisters, but as a former upright user this is a nice feature to me.
--Low profile vacuum head-makes it easier to get under the couches, beds, etc.
--No bags to buy...ever!
--5 Year Warranty
Cons
--No headlight-funny I didn't realize how dark some of my corners are.
--Using attachments is a little awkward because of the larger, inflexible handle, but I imagine I'll get used to it.
--Short power cord-could definitely use a few more feet, but I suspect this was as long as they could fit into the compact unit.
--Power brushes-just a warning here, they're not for delicate carpets.They're rather stiff compared to most and I imagine could do some damage to older/thinner rugs.
--Small collection bin-available volume seems small due to the compact design, but it's EASY to empty, so not really a big problem.
--Price-it's not cheap, but I did find a 20% off coupon on-line for another store so saved $100.
There are enough cons that I can't give this vacuum 5 stars, but none of them are serious enough in my opinion to be major detractors.I'm definitely happy with my purchase.
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Dyson DC21 Stowaway Canister VacuumProduct Description: Delivering 220 airwatts of suction power, this canister vacuum cleaner features advanced Root Cyclone technology to ensure thorough, efficient cleaning with no clogging or loss of suction. The unit's hard-floor tool provides improved pick-up on hard surfaces, while its quick-draw Telescope Reach extends instantly for stair and high-reach cleaning. Turn the motorized brushbar on to remove dirt and pet hair from carpets, or turn it off to protect rugs and delicate floors. Thanks to the vacuum cleaner's money-saving, lifetime HEPA filter, air expelled from the unit contains up to 150 times less mold and bacteria than common breathing air. Other highlights include a motorized cleaner head for easy maneuverability and cleaning in tight spaces, a 16-2/5-foot cord, and 4/9-gallon bin. In addition, the hose and wand compress and wrap for compact storage. The vacuum cleaner measures 17-2/3 by 11 by 13-4/5 inches and carries a five-year warranty.
From the Manufacturer Dyson's Stowaway canister vacuum is ideal for those who want the convenience and store-ability of a canister but also want a floor-cleaning machine that doesn't lose suction. It easily wraps to store away, as the hose and wand collapse and wrap for storing purposes. Because of its motorized cleaner head, the Stowaway provides an effortless steering experience, making it easy to maneuver and clean in tight spaces. It has a foot operated brush control, so you can operate it without bending down, and a clear polycarbonate bin that lets you see when it's ready to empty.
Dyson Stowaway: The Only Canister that Doesn't Lose Suction The Stowaway canister vacuum utilizes Dyson's renowned Root12Cyclone technology. The Dyson cyclone spins air at high speed, so dirt and dust are thrown out of the airflow and collected in the bin, not on filters or bags. Unlike other vacuums, a Dyson doesn't clog and lose suction, so it picks up more dirt. Also, the vacuum's motorized brushbar has powerful bristles which remove dirt and pet hair from carpets, and it has no belt to replace. The Stowaway is very hygienic--its clean expelled exhaust air has up to 150 times less bacteria and mold than air you breathe. Lifetime HEPA filtration is another way that this vacuum keeps things clean (it's been approved for allergy sufferers by the British Allergy Foundation). The extra cleaning tools are stored board for simple and rapid access, and, for easier cleaning in confined areas like cars, the tools can be fitted directly to the end of the wand. The Dyson Stowaway also boasts a durable, tough construction--it's made from ABS and polycarbonate, materials used to manufacture crash helmets.
DC21 Features:
Easy storage: Hose and wand compress and wrap for easy storage.
Root12Cyclone technology: a Dyson cyclone spins air at high speed. Dirt and dust are thrown out of the airflow and collected in the bin, not on filters or bags. So unlike other vacuums, Dyson doesn't clog and lose suction, so it picks up more dirt.
Clean exhaust air: air expelled has up to 150 times less bacteria and mold than air you breathe.
Tools on board: tools on board for rapid tool access.
Motorized brushbar: Powerful bristles remove dirt and pet hair from carpets. Brushbar has no belt to replace.
Durable, tough construction: made from ABS and polycarbonate, materials used to manufacture crash helmets.
Foot operated brush control: operate brush control without bending down.
Clear bin: no bags to buy. You can see how well the Dyson works and always tell when it's full.
Effortless steering: each to maneuver and clean in tight spaces.
Lifetime HEPA filtration: approved for allergy sufferers by the British Allergy Foundation.
Dimensions: 13.8 by 11.02 by 17.7 inches (H x W x D)
Cord length: 16.4 feet
Maximum reach: 28.3 feet
Warranty: 5 years
What Makes Dyson Different Bags Clog Suction When the vacuum cleaner is empty, clean air flows into the machine and out through the pores of the bag. However as soon as you start to use the machine the bag starts to fill with dust and debris. The bag acts as a filter and the machine starts to lose suction. This is because the pores of the bag begin to clog with the dust that the machine has picked up. This restricts the airflow which causes loss of suction power.
Other Bagless Systems Clog like Bags
When the vacuum cleaner is new, clean air flows through the container and out through the filters.
However as soon as you start to use the machine the container starts to fill with dust and debris. The filters clog, and the machine starts to lose suction.
This is because the surface of the filter becomes blocked with dust, restricting the airflow which causes a loss of suction power.
Only Dyson Doesn't Lose SuctionDyson Root Cyclone technology uses 200,000G of centrifugal force in the cyclones to filter dust and remove dirt from the airflow efficiently. Because there is nothing to obstruct the airflow, it doesn't clog and doesn't lose suction. Dyson proves no loss of suction claim using the IEC 60312 Cl 2.9 test standard.
Dyson has the Most Advanced Cyclone Technology
Powerful suction spins out larger dirt and debris. The shroud filters out fluff and lint. Centrifugal forces spin out the tiny harmful particles. Cleaner air is expelled into your home.
The Dyson Story James Dyson You know the feeling when some everyday product lets you down. You wish someone could solve the problem. James Dyson does that. He is a man who likes to make things work better. With his research team he has developed products that have achieved sales of over $10 billion worldwide.
The Bag ProblemIn 1978, while vacuuming his home, James Dyson realized his bag vacuum cleaner was constantly losing suction power. He noticed how dust quickly clogged the pores of the bag and blocked the airflow, so that suction dropped rapidly. He set to work to solve this problem. 5 years and 5,127 prototypes later, the world's first cyclonic bagless vacuum cleaner arrived.
No Place for New TechnologyJames Dyson offered his invention to major manufacturers. One by one they turned him down, apparently not interested in new technology. They seemed determined to continue selling bags, worth $500 million every year. Later, Hoover's Vice President for Europe, Mike Rutter, said on UK national TV: "I do regret that Hoover as a company did not take the product technology off Dyson; it would have lain on the shelf and not been used".
Buy cheap Dyson DC21 Stowaway Canister Vacuum now
I know alot of people would balk at the idea of paying this much for a vaccum cleaner, understandably so. Quite honestly, I spent a long time weighing my options and researching for this purchase. In the end I went with this one because of the quality, the warranty and how well it worked. 
