We have had the DC14 Animal less than a week, but so far we are amazed at it's performance. With 2 teenage kids, 2 Newfoundland dogs, a cat, a parrot and a finch, the floors see their fair share of dirt, hair, crumbs and feathers. We have mostly carpet with some hardwood floors with runners. This machine does an equally great job on all. Its is easy to push around and the long cord allows you to cover a lot of area without having to find another outlet. The wand is easy to use and, judging by the reviews on the DC07, an improved design. Instead of having to disconnect it from the hose, turn it around and re-connect it as noted on earlier reviews on the DC07, you just release it from the handle and extend it.
I don't put a lot of credit in the "sweep with old vacuum then sweep with new" to determine how much better the new unit is. I tried sweeping with the new unit and then swept again with the new unit and picked up more dirt. The test that convinced me that this does a better job is on an item that has never been succesfully cleaned with the old vacuum. We have a 2x4 dirt mat that is in front of the door between the garage and house. It is of a thick fiber material that catches and holds dirt and especially dog hair. Our old Hoover bagless has never been able to completely clean it. In order to remove the hair, we had to use a short stiff bristle brush and brush it out. The DC14 did the job. Did it do it in one swipe you ask? No. I had to sweep it good to get it clean but it did remove ALL the hair and dirt. I was definitly impressed.
We have not used the tools enough to form any kind of opinion on them yet. We have used the turbo brush on the furniture and it seems to do a decent job but I would recommend that you remove the handle from the hose and fit the brush on the end of the hose. It makes it much easier to use.
OK! That's the fluff. Now for the grit.
I guess nothing in this world is perfect. This is the second DC14 we have had in a week. The first unit made an awful ratcheting noise when we used it on the runners on the hardwood floor. I had seen other reviews that commented on this along with statements that it is a design feature to prevent damage to the life-long brush drive belt. If a rug gets sucked up into the brush and tries to stall the brush, a clutch begines to slip rather than burn the belt up. I called Dyson and they confirmed this. Good plan in theory. However, we had tried both the DC07 and the DC14 display models at the store. The section of carpet was similar to a throw rug. I could see the rug being sucked up to the head and hear the brush bar flogging the snot out of it and neither one of those machines ratcheted. In my case, the brush bar was turning and didn't sound like it was trying to stall so, assuming maybe the tension on the clutch on my machine was not set properly, I took it back and exchanged it for another. No more ratcheting sounds. I think Dyson needs a little more "Quality Control" on their clutch. I might add there is a good example why some items might be better purchased from a local store. Much less hassle if you do experience a problem.
All and all, we are very satisfied with the DC14. Only time will tell on it's durability. But in view of the fact it is an improved version of the DC07 and reviews have shown for the most part it holds up well, I expect this vacuum to last as long or longer than any other leading bagless vacuum currently on the market.
If it wasn't for the fact of having to take the first unit back, I would have given it 5 stars. I recommend the DC14.
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Dyson DC14 Animal Cyclone Upright Vacuum CleanerProduct Description: Designed for homes with pets, this Dyson upright vacuum cleaner features advanced Root Cyclone technology to ensure thorough, efficient cleaning with no clogging or loss of suction. Effective for use on all floor types, the unit's motorized brushbar can be turned on to remove dirt and pet hair from carpets, or turned off to protect rugs and delicate floors. The unit's pre-motor filter removes particles down to 0.1 micron and can be washed, while its post-motor electrostatic filter, which never needs replacing, traps harmful carbon emissions from the motor.
The vacuum cleaner also comes equipped with a quick-draw Telescope reach; the wand releases and expands 17-feet at the touch of a button for stairs and high-reach cleaning. In addition, the unit's advanced mini turbine head cleans pet hair from confined spaces such as upholstery, stairs, and the car, and its low-reach floor tool attaches to the wand to clean hard-to-reach places such as under beds and sofas. The intake nozzles of the on-board tools direct high-velocity airflow down into the carpet pile, which provides two main advantages. More gets picked up because the directional force of the air agitates and dislodges dust, and it keeps airflow continuous even when vacuuming curtains or upholstery, preventing them from becoming stuck to the cleaner.
Thoughtfully designed, the unit's hygienic 5/7-gallon bin quickly empties without ever having to touch the dust--simply pull the trigger. The clear bin allows for easily viewing the cleaning progress and gauging when the bin's full. Air expelled from the unit contains up to 150 times less mold and bacteria than common breathing air thanks to the vacuum's money-saving, lifetime HEPA filter. Furthermore, Dyson upright vacuums are the first and only vacuums certified asthma friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation. Other highlights include a 14-foot quick-draw hose, a wide channel for picking up larger pieces, auto carpet-height adjustment, a 35-2/5-foot cord, and an ergonomic design with a low handle that feels lighter to carry. The included carpet-care kit helps keep new carpets looking new. The Zorb powder absorbs dirt from carpets; the Dyzolve spray removes spills and marks. Made from ABS and polycarbonate, the same materials used to manufacture crash helmets, the vacuum delivers unquestionable durability. The vacuum cleaner measures 13-3/8 by 14 by 44-6/7 inches and carries a five-year warranty.
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I have never done a review of an item before but but I spent so much time researching this vacuum cleaner purchase that I decided to.The other reviews were very helpful so I wanted to give something back. Please understand this review covers the machines ergonomics and functional aspects. Since the machine is new in our home I can not address how well the vacuum will perform after extended periods. First let me say that this purchase came after a lot of research. I compared most brands on the market and and narrowed the field to the hoover and the Dyson. After a trip to the local store I ruled out the Dyson due to its cumbersome design, high price and the series of steps necessary to use the wand and accessories. What a pain!. In addition the beater brush area is very high on Dyson the and would be very difficult to get under furniture and cabinets. Now that said, let it be know that my wife if a vacaholic. The vacuum runs every day in this house. For the last several years we have used a $400 Panasonic machine and we thought it was doing a good job. We were wrong! A first cleaning with this new hoover has returned several cups of dust and dirt from EACH room!!.Really!.This hoover finds dirt that the Panasonic didn't know existed!. The beater bar is very aggressive it will actually pull the head along if you don't restrain it. At this point I think I will just list the pros and cons as that is easier for the reader. The Pros far out weigh the cons on this machine and I think with a few simple changes hover will have the ultimate machine in this line. We are very pleased.
