The vacuum cleaner debate thread

[IPD]

These people know what they are talking about. Bagged vacs are still far and away the best option.
Jeremy

except they're not. To my knowledge, no one uses centripidal filtration for bagged vacuums--which is where the magic happens. Without centripidal filtration, you're simply relying upon SOME FORM OF FILTER to catch the debris before it gets sucked into the vacuum motor. About the ONLY advantage a bagged vacuum has over a cannister vacuum is that people who are hyper-sensitive to dust have potentially less contact with it...when emptying the vacuum. Of course, if you overfill the bag, that's a moot point.

Why does dyson have removable hoses & stuff? So that you can clean every part of the system. On my DC07, I don't think there's any part of the "dirt flow" that I can't get to and clean myself (and I'm not talking shop-level maintenance, I mean simple DIY level Mx with pieces that snap/screw together).

Apart from that, do your own comparison. People love this or love that--but personal experience is really what speaks the loudest. For me, I don't want a vacuum cleaner that I have to move with two hands any time have to lift it. I also don't want to have to get creative with regular PM on it (no matter what type of vacuum you have, the brush will have to be cleaned regularly). Durability isn't really a problem with the Dyson for me--but then again, I treat everything like I had to scrimp and save to buy it. If you treat everything you have like you stole it--maybe a Dyson isn't right for you; maybe you should buy a 1950 Hoover vacuum.

As far as suction power? My DC07 will already lift an 5x8 wool area rug when I vacuum it...as well as carpeting, runners, etc. I'm not sure where exactly they hooked the "suction meter" up to the Dyson, but from the pic, it seems like the meter is hooked to the bottom of the Kirby, and to the top of the handle on the Dyson (which is where the hose is kept). Now I know that the Dyson functions so that the hose is powered when the vacuum is fully upright, but you're still talking about a longer distance than measuring from the bottom.

I do NOT have personal experience with a Kirby--although I can say that every other one of the dozens of bagged vacuums I've tried simply cannot compare to the abilities of the Dyson at removing dirt. I was skeptical about the price, but I got my DC07 Animal for $300--and it made me a believer in the technology. I think cannister vacuums get a bad rap because they were all thrown-together "me-too" ideas trying to imitate Dyson. The problem is that about 99% of them use internal filters inside the cannister--so they will easily lose power, making them far inferior to even a low-end bagged vacuum. Because Dyson "spins" the dirt out of the air, it doesn't require a cannister filter, which means the suction power doesn't change. Of course, this isn't the only method to accomplish this feat--but it is arguably the most simple & cost-effective method (I don't have to pay for bags (Kirby, Oreck), fill a can with water (Rainbow), etc.

The other thing I love about Dyson is the design. I'm not talking about the colors, etc. I mean that the hose on my DC07 is integral to the design. About the only thing that could potentially make mine better is an automatic cord retractor. Even still, the design is like a "transformer", where all the pieces you need to convert it to to hand-held, hose-operated--are functionally integrated into the design. This means that I don't have to occupy closet space storing hoses, attachments, etc. It's that kind of forward-thinking design that appeals to me. Sure it looks cool, but it's also functional.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

except they're not. To my knowledge, no one uses centripidal filtration for bagged vacuums--which is where the magic happens. Without centripidal filtration, you're simply relying upon SOME FORM OF FILTER to catch the debris before it gets sucked into the vacuum motor. About the ONLY advantage a bagged vacuum has over a cannister vacuum is that people who are hyper-sensitive to dust have potentially less contact with it...when emptying the vacuum. Of course, if you overfill the bag, that's a moot point.

Why does dyson have removable hoses & stuff? So that you can clean every part of the system. On my DC07, I don't think there's any part of the "dirt flow" that I can't get to and clean myself (and I'm not talking shop-level maintenance, I mean simple DIY level Mx with pieces that snap/screw together).

Apart from that, do your own comparison. People love this or love that--but personal experience is really what speaks the loudest. For me, I don't want a vacuum cleaner that I have to move with two hands any time have to lift it. I also don't want to have to get creative with regular PM on it (no matter what type of vacuum you have, the brush will have to be cleaned regularly). Durability isn't really a problem with the Dyson for me--but then again, I treat everything like I had to scrimp and save to buy it. If you treat everything you have like you stole it--maybe a Dyson isn't right for you; maybe you should buy a 1950 Hoover vacuum.

As far as suction power? My DC07 will already lift an 5x8 wool area rug when I vacuum it...as well as carpeting, runners, etc. I'm not sure where exactly they hooked the "suction meter" up to the Dyson, but from the pic, it seems like the meter is hooked to the bottom of the Kirby, and to the top of the handle on the Dyson (which is where the hose is kept). Now I know that the Dyson functions so that the hose is powered when the vacuum is fully upright, but you're still talking about a longer distance than measuring from the bottom.

I do NOT have personal experience with a Kirby--although I can say that every other one of the dozens of bagged vacuums I've tried simply cannot compare to the abilities of the Dyson at removing dirt. I was skeptical about the price, but I got my DC07 Animal for $300--and it made me a believer in the technology. I think cannister vacuums get a bad rap because they were all thrown-together "me-too" ideas trying to imitate Dyson. The problem is that about 99% of them use internal filters inside the cannister--so they will easily lose power, making them far inferior to even a low-end bagged vacuum. Because Dyson "spins" the dirt out of the air, it doesn't require a cannister filter, which means the suction power doesn't change. Of course, this isn't the only method to accomplish this feat--but it is arguably the most simple & cost-effective method (I don't have to pay for bags (Kirby, Oreck), fill a can with water (Rainbow), etc.

The other thing I love about Dyson is the design. I'm not talking about the colors, etc. I mean that the hose on my DC07 is integral to the design. About the only thing that could potentially make mine better is an automatic cord retractor. Even still, the design is like a "transformer", where all the pieces you need to convert it to to hand-held, hose-operated--are functionally integrated into the design. This means that I don't have to occupy closet space storing hoses, attachments, etc. It's that kind of forward-thinking design that appeals to me. Sure it looks cool, but it's also functional.

Prove it. Notice how everyone is backing it up with professional vac repair-person testimony? You? Just your opinion and what the Dyson hype machine has spoon fed you. I have used every (reasonably attainable) major vac brand out there. I'm not promoting any brand(though I do use a diamond edition Kirby just like in the link that Nate provided), but Dyson is most certainly not the end all be all.

Kirby vs. Dyson Vacuum Review
IamA Vacuum Repair Technician, and I can't believe people really wanted it, but, AMA! : IAmA
Hi, reddit! I'm here to make your day suck better. The Vacuum Guy is back with an updated AMA! : IAmA
Iama Vacuum Repair Technician and this is the 1 year anniversary AMA! Thanks, Reddit! : IAmA
Vacuum Repair Guy Here Again. I Missed Several Hundred Questions Last Time. Let Me Answer Your Unanswered Vacuum Questions. : IAmA

Here's some basics to get you started:
*Dollar for dollar, a bagged vacuum, when compared to a bagless, will always:
1) Perform better (Actual quality of cleaning).
2) Be in service for much longer.
3) Cost less to repair and maintain (Often including consumables).
4) Filter your air better.
Virtually every vacuum professional in the business chooses a bagged vacuum for their homes, because we know what quality is.

Jeremy

[IPD]

You get vaccum advice from Reddit? um....

Look, I get that he likes canister (I admit, I've been confusing the terminology, but let's stick to upright and canister). The problem is, a canister has suction loss over an upright--even with identical motors. And they don't have brushes...so they won't work anywhere near as well on carpet (especially thick pile) as an upright.

His punditry on bagless vacuums is apt...except that (as I mentioned above) it doesn't apply to Dyson because Dyson's use a different filtration system. So yes, they are head and shoulders above other bagless vacs.

As compared to bagged ones? Well I'll leave you to your own experiences. All I can speak to is what I know from MY experiences...which is that my DC07 did a MUCH better job than a bagged vacuum with a new bag--even to the point where I had done the room TWICE with the bagged vacuum, and the DC07 (the third pass) was picking up stuff like the room had never been vacuumed at all.

That's my PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I didn't buy the hype--I decided to experiment for myself...and I'm pleased about the results. I swear, some of you people remind me of all the Windows 8.1 haters who still use Windows 7--even though they've never even tried 8.1.

[DocWalt]

I know somebody that owned a kirby and dyson, said the dyson was a gigantic POS and the kirby was a heavy POS that worked better. They have a cheapo shark vacuum now because it's easy to use, cheap, and works as well as the dyson.

[CoreyB]

Wow this thread is awesome. I have a cheap vacuum, its better than any dyson.

[anyonebutme]

I had a dyson.........I threw it away.

[j2k4]

The most effective vacuum wins, and the most effective vacuum has been Kirby, FOREVER.

Challengers have come and gone, and Kirby has defeated them all; Dyson is merely the latest.

Kirby's are heavy and cumbersome, moreso than other vacs - that has been the case since they appeared - the market sorts the duds and assigns the rankings, and, even with it's handicaps, Kirby is #1.

Carlos, I recommend you find a Kirby, then get your Dyson - turn them both on with the hoses connected, and soon your Dyson will be clean as a whistle.

Btw- it used to be you could buy enough accessories for a Kirby to build a house - that's a slight exaggeration, but I have one of the grinder-attachments somewhere; if I can find it, I'll take a pic.

[Chris@Rvengeperformance]

so, Dyson is amazing because they use the same filtration cat and John Deere was using 70 years ago? wow.

[FeaRpb]

Time to jump in on this thread about vacuums. (fucking ladies). I had a kirby growing up, that thing is a fucking power house, still is and it is like 20 years old. The dyson blows loads compared to the kirby. My $70 Eureka I use at home works better than the dyson my friend has.

The thing that kirby did was magical. It very well could suck a golf ball through a garden hose. Where as the dyson as little bird lips.

[IPD]

ahh, i figured the trolls would eventually come out in force. $70 eureka is better? did you even plug them in first...or has your friend used his as a football? lol!