Consumer Reports Rates the Dyson DC14
I previously noted that the Dyson line of vacuums didn’t fair too well against the competition in January’s Consumer Reports, but that they hadn’t yet rated the DC14 because they didn’t get a unit in time for the issue. Well, February’s Consumer Reports is here and their verdict is in: they rated it “very good” overall, but it fell behind plenty of other models from Hoover, Eureka and Kenmore. It may look cool, but there are better vacuums to be had for much less money. Pick up the January issue for the full roundup or the February issue for the DC14 review specifically.
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I find it amusing that you are so interested in vacuum cleaners. I was under the impression you never clean anything. *grin*
Yeah, I never imagined I’d be posting about a vacuum either, but the Dyson has become such a part of ‘geek chic’ at this point that it seemed appropriate, with the help of Consumer Reports, to do a little debunking.
Eureka won my money, both for its Consumer Reports rating and the fact that my last vacuum, also a Eureka, is over 30 years old and has never once been in for service. Oh, and it’s still running fine, it just doesn’t suit the type of floors I have at the moment.
I know I missed this by a couple days, but the vacuum at Big Bar smells like fire sometimes?
We have a Dyson vacuum cleaner at home and it works far better than any other vacuum cleaner we’ve previously owned. I would say it was entirely worth it because we’ve had it for quite a long time and it continues to work beautifully.
[...] Update: Received the February issue and they rated the DC14. . Posted December 7th, 2004 Permanent Link RSS [...]
Having just bought the 14, a few comments.
If you need HEPA filtration, Dyson is the cheapest by far - why? No filters to buy - ever. I have had other HEPA vacums - if you have dogs and cats, you will be spending $20 to $40 bucks on a filter every several months. The Dyson becomes cheap very quickly.
Lifespan - most low cost vacums are low life span vacums - basically disposable models. I have gone through two Hoovers and a Eureka in the past eight years. The Dyson comes with a 5year warranty.
Third, not everyone needs a quality vacum cleaner. If you do not have heavy use, or even carpets, you can get buy with way less, and it will last a long time because it is not being used. If my wife and I did not have kids dogs and cats - the $70 bucks would buy a vacum that would do the job for decades.
Better is only determined based upon what your criteria is. And my criteria is not CR’s - it is far more demanding
Dysons are worth every penny they cost period. I’ve owned a Kirby previously and it was the 2nd best vacuum I’ve used. After numerous Bissils and Hoovers I won’t buy anything other than Dyson.
It’s amazing how staunchly Dyson owners defend their choice, despite quantitative data that there are better models for less money. It reminds me of the Kirby owners in years past, who insisted their overpriced, heavy, and noisy vacuums were the best ever. Visual design and marketing triumph again, I guess.
For those of you who vacuum with your old vacuum and then claim the Dyson picks up after it….please keep in mind one thing.
If you set a Dyson roller down to medium to low setting, the roller grabs a lot of carpet fiber that other vacuum cleaner’s don’t.
This is not a good thing, as it breaks down your carpet and is not the same thing as picking up dust and debris.
I purchased the Hoover Mach 5… which was blueprinted off the first Dyson who’s patent expired. The roller’s ability to pick things up is great…. but you have to be careful about that roller breaking down your carpet fibers.
A vacuum should not cut the life of your carpet in half by pulling fibers out…
In the mad rush to find the vacuum that fills the canister fastest, just pay attention to what it is that vacuum is filling it with.
I own a Dyson dc14 all floors and while it cleans good, I keep getting that loud, annoying ratcheting noise, even though the brush bar is free of human hair. Also, it’s kind of hard to push and if I force it, I get that loud noise, as if the vacuum is resisting my attempt to push it forward.
I read somewhere that the noise is caused by a faulty clutch so if that’s the case, I wasted $400 on this vacuum which is only 2 months old and I don’t even do a lot of vacuuming.
I am excited about playing in the Super Bowl. And my Dyson is great!
Biggest misunderstanding!!
A Dyson uses cyclonic cleaning and with any vacuum that has cyclonic technology the dirt spins and settles in the dirt bin. The dirt is not “packed down” like it is in bagged vacuums and some other bagless models. Cyclonic cleaning allows a lot of air in the dirt and it fluffs up…
The result is yes it looks like you are picking up soooo much more dirt than you really are vs a bag. You can fill a Dyson bin up with dirt 3-4 times and that same amount of dirt will only require one bag in most models.
I own a Dyson Dc14 It is a terrible vacuum it does not pick up like they say I have had it in the shop four times Ive called dyson and the pretty much tell me im lying. but if there is a piece of confetti on the floor and I have to go over it ten times just for it to drop it some where else. it sucks the big one!