I expected way more.
UPDATE: After owning this vacuum for 9 months, I can officially say this is the worst vacuum I have ever owned. It is so cumbersome to use, it makes me want to never vacuum.
I was mostly underwhelmed by this vacuum. I thought by purchasing a Dyson I'd be automatically inducted into an elite subculture of privileged consumers fortunate enough to afford a truly elevated vacuuming experience. I expected the vacuum to become an extension of my limbs, where I could maneuver effortlessly around the house sucking up dirt, dust, debris, and dander at will.
But this is just a vacuum, and not an overly impressive one.
The number one fatal flaw is the rigidity of the hose. It's so tightly coiled, that you can only extend a portion of it before other sections start retracting back into place. You can barely step two feet away from the base before it starts springing back pulling the vacuum toward you. Vacuuming higher surfaces, upholstery, ledges, and fans, at the least, seems unmanageable, if not outright laughable, Some reviewers and the manufacturer say you have to "break it in" over time or massage it, or train it, or some ridiculous method. Others say it maintains its difficult structure regardless of their efforts. I say it should be fully functional out of the box. Why should I have to struggle with my vacuum or hope that it breaks in order to get the full benefits from it?
Second disappointment may just be my ignorance. I thought all the attachments would somehow be stored on-board the unit. Again I expected to be able to transition from floor vacuuming to pet hair removing, literally like a transformer. Unfortunately, only one of the tools mounts to the base. The other tools have to take up closet space piled messily on a shelf.
Third, maneuverability is no better or worse than my cheap Dirt Devil Walmart special. In fact it may be worse because the unit is heavier, making it more difficult to lift and reposition it in difficult to reach areas. Pointing the ball in the right direction isn't as intuitive as it appears either. It's hard to explain, so I won't. Also, the cord is mounted too low on the machine, making it uncomfortable to grab it and whip it around to avoid running over it. You know what I mean... the vacuum cord dance we all do... it's not a good dance partner.
Finally, the mechanism to release the vacuum from its standing position and to lock the vacuum back into the standing position seems ill thought out. It never feels like you're doing right. Because there's no physical release lever, you use the weight of the vacuum to "Kachunk" it into reclining mode. And there's no satisfactory feedback that says it's in back in locked standing position, leaving you unsure if it will flop back down or stay standing. Yes I'm aware that the vacuum goes into hose suck mode when it's properly in standing position, but that doesn't make up for feeling like the first thing to break is likely to be the position locking system.
Overall I definitely expected more. The good news and the bad news is that the vacuum sucks; meaning it functions, but definitely not a pleasure to use.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Refurbished
