Wow! This is a VERY expensive vacuum. How much more powerful would this be than let's say, a normal priced vacuum you can buy much cheaper? I have a pet bird (messy seeds everywhere) and my biggest problem is the rotating beater on my vacuums jut spits the debris out backwards. I ONLY have harwood floors in my house, no carpets. Does this vacuum llow you to turn off the rotating bristles? I'm extremely skeptical whether this vacuum is really better than one I can get much cheaper! Thanks. Wow! This is a VERY expensive vacuum. How much more powerful would this be than let's say, a normal priced vacuum you can buy much cheaper? I have a pet bird (messy seeds everywhere) and my... » Read More Wow! This is a VERY expensive vacuum. How much more powerful would this be than let's say, a normal priced vacuum you can buy much cheaper? I have a pet bird (messy seeds everywhere) and my biggest problem is the rotating beater on my vacuums jut spits the debris out backwards. I ONLY have harwood floors in my house, no carpets. Does this vacuum llow you to turn off the rotating bristles? I'm extremely skeptical whether this vacuum is really better than one I can get much cheaper! Thanks. « Show Less
1780890
This vacuum's suction really impressed me, but then my previous vacuum was a pos Oreck. This vacuum allows the user to choose carpet or floor (which does turn off the rotating bristles). I find it does a wonderful job in picking up cat litter from a linoleum floor, so I would expect the same for birdseed from hardwood. Hope this helps.
1780891
I love this vacuum and yes it is powerful and quiet! Yes you can turn off the beater bars with a flip switch on the handle. I have two cats, a short hair and a long hair. Upstairs is carpet, downstairs in hardwood and marble tile. This vacuum is great on all these surfaces and I have found it worth the money - at least for me.
1780892
I have had this vacuum only a week, but it does what it says it will. The brush bar does not turn with the "Smooth" setting and dust bunnies, birdseeds, feathers, dog and cat hair are all sucked up easily and tidily from my tile floors. True, it is pricey and there are other makes with "Floor" settings that will prevent the brush bar from turning on hard floors, but I am very happy with my purchase. And, don't forget the generous 7-year warranty on the body and motor of the machine.
1780893
I think it is definitely overpriced - plus I emailed customer service about an issue i am having with it after 1 yr (the on/off button does not work so to turn it on and off I need to unplug/plug it in ) and they never even responded! If you have hardwood floors a cheaper vacuum would be fine I am sure - I think this is more for carpets and ppl with dogs/cats to get anything out of its "pet" features. The bristle brush does turn off but I also have a Dyson that does as well - get a cheaper one and just suck the seeds up with an attachment- save yourself the $ . Also, not sure how strong you are but this is VERY heavy to carry and very difficult to push on plush carpets even when using the correct setting. I think it is definitely overpriced - plus I emailed customer service about an issue i am having with it after 1 yr (the on/off button does not work so to turn it on and off I need to unplug/plug it in ) and they never even responded! If you have hardwood floors a cheaper vacuum would be fine I am sure - I think this is more for carpets and ppl with dogs/cats to get anything out of its "pet" features. The bristle brush does turn off but I also have a Dyson that does as well - get a cheaper one and just suck the seeds up with an attachment- save yourself the $ . Also, not sure how... » Read More I think it is definitely overpriced - plus I emailed customer service about an issue i am having with it after 1 yr (the on/off button does not work so to turn it on and off I need to unplug/plug it in ) and they never even responded! If you have hardwood floors a cheaper vacuum would be fine I am sure - I think this is more for carpets and ppl with dogs/cats to get anything out of its "pet" features. The bristle brush does turn off but I also have a Dyson that does as well - get a cheaper one and just suck the seeds up with an attachment- save yourself the $ . Also, not sure how strong you are but this is VERY heavy to carry and very difficult to push on plush carpets even when using the correct setting. « Show Less
545164
You know I did a lot of research before I finally purchased my Dyson and the best I've been able to determine the machine itself is the same. I've heard from others that the Animal has stiffer bristles in the motorized head but the two seemed the same to me in the store. The main difference (besides the color) appears to be what's included in the box. You get a different set of tools with the Allergy model than you do with the Animal. The Allergy comes with a soft dusting brush, matress tool and flexi crevice tool that add up to $89.97 purchased seperately. The Animal comes with a mini turbine head, low reach tool and a carpet cleaning kit with Zorb and Dysolv which add up to $145.96 purchased seperately. I think that's your difference in pricing. Hope this helps you out!
2237071
Well, someone is ranting, but the hundreds of happy Dyson reviewers can't be ignored. I've had the dc17 for over a year. 1) I use the low reach floor tool under furniture. 2) What hardwood attachment? When vacuuming on bare floor, turn the brush bar off. Tada. 3) The hose design is much easier to use, no extension rods to connect. 4) It's 20 lbs, average for the class. There is much heavier. 5) Anything will break if continually abused. I haven't had to use the 5 yr warranty yet. 6) I would seriously take your vacuum off your hands except you seem to have trouble with things breaking on you. Maybe you should stick with the cheap stuff. Hoover's got the Tempo for under $100. Well, someone is ranting, but the hundreds of happy Dyson reviewers can't be ignored. I've had the dc17 for over a year. 1) I use the low reach floor tool under furniture. 2) What hardwood attachment? When vacuuming on bare floor, turn the brush bar off. Tada. 3) The hose design is much easier to use, no extension rods to connect. 4) It's 20 lbs, average for the class. There is much heavier. 5) Anything will break if continually abused. I haven't had to use the 5 yr warranty yet. 6) I would seriously take your vacuum off your hands except you seem to have... » Read More Well, someone is ranting, but the hundreds of happy Dyson reviewers can't be ignored. I've had the dc17 for over a year. 1) I use the low reach floor tool under furniture. 2) What hardwood attachment? When vacuuming on bare floor, turn the brush bar off. Tada. 3) The hose design is much easier to use, no extension rods to connect. 4) It's 20 lbs, average for the class. There is much heavier. 5) Anything will break if continually abused. I haven't had to use the 5 yr warranty yet. 6) I would seriously take your vacuum off your hands except you seem to have trouble with things breaking on you. Maybe you should stick with the cheap stuff. Hoover's got the Tempo for under $100. « Show Less
1496760
The motor head is worse the brush bar barely touches the floor. I have had both the dc59 animal and the dc59 Motrhead and I like the animal much better. Dyson claims the motorhead works better due to its stand alone powered brush bar but I beg to differ. I think they failed with the brush bar itself and didn't put it low enough. Get the animal, it's a cheaper better vacuum.
2115739
I agree with both Steve Brenner and John C, based on a few months of experience with this attachment bought for use on our hardwood floor at home. Also, the bristle row has a couple mm of gap all along the front too, i.e. they are raised vs the rest of the bristles around the sides and back, I suppose to get the wind speed up as it advances. When you pull it backward across a not yet vaccumed section of floor the bristles in the back always touch the floor and are dense enough there to kick the dirt back/not permit it to be pulled up. You wouldn't use it to vaccum carpet much but can hit the occasional section. Grabs dirt out of the sliding glass door jamb better than the hard plastic attachment does, by a long shot. The bristles are in great shape after several months of use, a couple times a week on about 2k ftsq of house. Long story short, get this attachment for your hardwood or sensitive hard flooring materials, and push it forward to grab dirt, pull it backwards across floor that has already been swept.
1342909
I am very happy with this vac. Does great on carpeted and wood stairs and floors! It gets pretty close to walls when it cleans but you'll need a canister vac to really do a thorough job. But how often do you do that? This is a great vac with very good power. I love it! Hope this helps.
1554345
Pros: Easy to maneuver and very powerful. Very goof on carpet. Very easy to empty. Useful powered handbrush available for purchase.Cons: Small bin that needs to be emptied often because of my dog. Not wonderful on wood floors. Loses suction rapidly if the filters are dirty.All in all, I love this vacuum and consider it to be the best one I have ever owned. The Pros heavily outweigh the Cons for me.
2074627
I have had this cleaner for about a week. I have vacuumed and vacuumed prior to use and yes, I still get tons of pulled up hair into the machine. I have taken the covers off the base machine by removing the 5 screws and had to rinse and use a shop-vac to pull out any extra hair, put back together and then start using again. However, even with this hassle, the machine, both the upright and the detachable unit, have cleaned VERY well. I also have let the base unit dry well underneath and then shop vacuumed out any remaining hair. That helped with better functioning. I guess it may be the price we animal lovers pay for all the tiny hairs that a vacuum can't pull up but the shampooer does! Over all, the units have cleaned better than other brands we have had previously. Hope any of this response helps you!
546464
What do you mean by "self propelled"? If it vacuumed on its own? Regardless of what ur question is I would recommend looking at other vacuum cleaners all together. Dyson is just a big name hype, and expensive.
658018
All Rexair Rainbows use water to reduce the airborne dust in your home. However, when buying online. You get no warranty, even if someone is trying to tell you do. This particular model I believe is only a one speed. Meaning it only vacuums for you and doesn't run 24/7 purifying your air, like a new one. FYI... This model is almost 10 years old and they're asking for $2000. I'd do some research, considering a brand new one isn't far off of that price!
534762
I find the suction to be wonderful! I have a dog, and 4 cats and it picks up everything they shed. Don't believe the recent competitor commercial that shows this white substance not being picked up by the machine! I have used it to pick up saw dust from indoor wood projects, glitter, and a host of dust like jobs!! It works very well. But you need to know your home's needs - if you have thick pile carpeting then a stick-vac (any stick-vac) may not suit your needs. :)
1280255
I'd also like to know about the cat "Yak" as we call it. Since no one has answered the first poster I guess I'll just have to get the vacuum and give it a try. Can't be any worse than cleaning it by hand and hopefully it will be better.
2082281
There's a lot of factors to consider. Roomba does a pretty good job of getting into corners because it has a side brush. Roomba is also much more tenacious, to a point where it's just brutal on your walls, furniture and carpet. Cleaning the sidebrush can be a pain when hair gets wrapped around it. You need to remove a screw and pop the brush off, then tweeze out the hair. Roomba will also clean for much longer than is necessary; going over the same areas repeatedly. I find this to be extremely annoying personally. Neato doesn't have a sidebrush. I thought this would be a major shortcoming of the Neato, but it turns out it's not been an issue at all. The laser guidance allows the Neato to get right up close to walls and corners. It's crazy; beyond anything I ever expected of a robot vac. Neato cleans more methodically and it has a much stronger suction so it does a good job of not missing any spots without having to use a brute force approach like Roomba. If you want the best robot vac on the market then get the Neato. The biggest negative for Neato right now is the price.
1583278
I have a cat and use this vacuum mainly for carpeted areas. It sucks up the litter. I use YESTERDAYS NEWS recycled paper litter and just started using Feline Pine Litter and it sucks them both up. I am very, VERY happy with this vacuum and wouldn't trade it for any other.
602458
I do not personally own this vacuum but, according to a neat little review site called "Apartment Therapy", they like Eureka's Electrolux Ergorapido 2-in-1 Sweeper. They say it is "the best hard floor vacuum for pet owners." To read a full review (this is available at Amazon, by the way) just cut and paste into a new browser: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/cleaning/best-product-eureka-electrolux-ergorapido-2in1-sweeper-047188
2236922
I still use my eureka. The handle broke off right away but it mechanically still runs great and with lots of power. It's a messy ordeal emptying the dirt cup. I always do that outside. It was a cheap vacuum, so even tho its got little issues, Istill am amazed at how much dirt it pulls out of my carpet.
282616
I purchased my vacuum because I was buying vacuums at the rate of 1 or 2 per year. I have carpet (dogs and lots of birds) the bristles turn off when the body of the vacuum is in the upright position and you use the hand-held hose. Generally, I sweep the seed and feathers up first with a broom and then use the hose and wand on the rest. I've had the vacuum for 4 years without any problems. The one negative I've found is the price of the bags (I wanted a vacuum with a bag as the bag-less seem to spit out everything). I do purchase generic bags on-line and they are the same as the pricey ones at half the price. The body swivels and will get under furniture pretty well, around corners easily and does a good job overall. Hope this helped.