Monday, April 18, 2016

Dyson Ball Multi Floor Vacuum Is a Deep-Cleaning Workhorse

If your home has a variety of floor types that all need vacuuming, the Dyson Ball Multi Floor, with its powerful cleaning abilities and adeptness at transitioning seamlessly among different surfaces, might be the right choice.

In fact, Dyson vacuums promise to have the “most powerful suction,” and according to some of the reviews, the Multi Floor does indeed live up to the hype.

But strong suction and the ability to clean different types of floors, though important, aren’t the only characteristics a good vacuum should have. We analyzed this Dyson model to help you figure out if it’s the right one for you.

dyson-multi-floor-vacuumThe vacuum

The Dyson Ball Multi Floor (previously the Dyson DC65 Multi Floor) is one of several bagless uprights from Dyson. As the name suggests, this vacuum is designed to clean both carpets and hard floors, including tile and hardwood.

Dyson describes the vacuum as using a “cyclone system” to maintain suction and trap the dirt it filters from the air. Dyson is one of just three manufacturers with vacuums certified asthma- and allergy-friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The Multi Floor features a self-adjusting head and motorized brush bar to help pick up deep-set particles.

At 17 pounds, this machine is slightly heavy for an upright — for comparison, NerdWallet’s top-rated Oreck Insight is about 9 pounds — but the ball technology is designed to make steering easy, even in tight spots. The vacuum features a hose and wand for cleaning spots that are higher up. This Dyson also comes with a stair tool and combination tool for other hard-to-clean areas. The vacuum has a washable filter and a 35-foot cord.

The Dyson Ball Multi Floor is listed at $399.99, the brand’s lowest price for uprights, but can often be found for less at retailers like Amazon.

>> MORE: The best upright vacuums

The reviews

To find out how the Multi Floor performs, we researched some of the most popular Dyson models on the market. We looked at expert opinions from review sites like The Sweethome, CNET and Good Housekeeping to narrow the field. Then, we analyzed user reviews to see what shoppers had to say about their experiences with each vacuum.

We scored users’ observations on multiple features of Dyson’s top models, including their performance on carpet and hard surfaces. Our scores range from a low of 1 to a high of 10.

The Dyson Ball Multi Floor earned a respectable overall score of 9 (the top-scoring Dyson model, the V6 Motorhead, scored 9.3). The Multi Floor rated 8.9 for ease of use and 8.4 for how well it cleans.

The pros

Users found the Multi Floor easy to maneuver. The vacuum handled equally well on hardwood and most carpets. Buyers praised the strong suction, noticing the vacuum collected dirt they didn’t even know was hiding on their floors.

The hose extension was a favorite feature, as it allowed for easy cleaning on tricky areas, like stairs, without having to lift the machine. Users found emptying the bin after use was simple.

The cons

Consumers did note a few weaknesses. Some reported difficulty pushing the vacuum on plush carpeting. Others said the suction is so strong they feared damaging their carpets.

Users had trouble locking the vacuum in an upright position, which made using the hose awkward. Another complaint was that the machine left pet hair behind.

The verdict

If your home has mainly hard floors, carpet that’s not too thick or a mixture of both, the Dyson Ball Multi Floor is a solid choice. Neat freaks and allergy sufferers alike will appreciate the vacuum’s high-powered cleaning ability.

The Multi Floor might not be the best choice for homes with plush carpets, however. And if you have a four-legged friend, consider a vacuum that’s better designed to tackle pet hair. For alternatives, check out our best vacuums for pet hair and best vacuums for carpeted floors.

More from NerdWallet
The best bagless vacuums
The best Dyson vacuums
The best vacuums

Lauren Schwahn is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: lschwahn@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lauren_schwahn

No comments:

Post a Comment