Friday, January 22, 2016

Dyson V6 Review: A Closer Look at the Stick Vacuum

It’s important for consumers to do their homework before making a purchase — especially when buying a relatively expensive item, such as a stick vacuum. But there are so many options and price points, and reading individual reviews can be time consuming.

Here at NerdWallet, we’ve done the research for you. If you’re considering the popular Dyson V6, we’ve analyzed consumer reviews and rankings so you can decide if it’s right for you.     

The vacuum

The Dyson V6 is a sleek red, silver and blue stick vacuum that comes with two separate heads. The first is a soft roller that suctions both fine dust and larger debris, designed for hardwood floors. When it’s time to clean carpets, switch to the second option, which is a direct-drive cleaner head that reaches between carpet bristles.

If you need to clean hard-to-reach areas, such as stairs or your car’s interior, slip off the aluminum wand and convert the V6 into a powerful hand-held vacuum. And if you need to clean walls or ceilings, its balanced, lightweight design makes the process as easy as cleaning the floor.

This model also comes with a docking station that charges and holds attachments, a mini motorized tool with stiff bristles for tough jobs, a crevice tool and a soft dusting brush for cleaning delicate areas. It also features push-button bin emptying and an option that gives you six minutes of enhanced high-power suction.

Three and a half hours of charging gets you 20 minutes of cordless cleaning power.  

The Dyson V6 is available through the Dyson website for $599.99. You can find it for less at Amazon.

Compare the Dyson V6 with other top vacuums in NerdWallet’s Best Stick Vacuums

The reviews

Stick vacuums tend to be lightweight and are often cordless, so it’s no wonder they’re such a popular option. In order to determine how well various makes and models worked, we analyzed some of the top stick vacuums on the market, including the Dyson V6. We compiled user reviews and expert opinions from respected review sites, such as The Sweethome, CNET and Good Housekeeping. 

We evaluated the vacuums in three major categories — their overall performance, how well they cleaned, and their ease of use. Possible scores ranged from a low of 1 to a high of 10.

The V6 ranked second among all the stick vacuums we evaluated. It had an overall rating of 9.0, but a 9.8 on its cleaning performance. Its ease of use clocked in at a solid 9.2. 

In addition to the three major categories, we also considered how well each model cleaned specific floor types, battery life and durability. The Dyson V6 had perfect scores on cleaning hardwood floors, stairs, and pet hair. It also scored a 10 for durability. However, it scored just a 4.1 on battery life.

The pros

Users found the Dyson V6 worked well for pet hair pickup. They also cited its weight and powerful suction as positives, and said it was especially good on hardwood and tile flooring.

The cons

Some users complained that shag carpeting got caught in the V6’s bristles, which caused it to power down in order to save energy. Some also found it a little more difficult to push on carpeting than on tile or hardwood floors.

The verdict

Users consistently noted the V6’s powerful suction, especially when in the enhanced max power mode. It was also praised for being light and easy to use. Because it lasts only 20 minutes on a charge, it’s better for people with smaller homes or for use as a supplementary vacuum.  

The Dyson V6 came in second to another Dyson product — the V6 Motorhead — which scored a 9.3 overall and sells for $200 less than the V6. The Motorhead also scored slightly higher than the V6 on durability, as well as carpet cleaning — 10, compared with the V6’s 9.4. If your house has more rugs than tile or wood floors, the Motorhead may be the better — and less expensive — option.

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Image via iStock.

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