Comments on: The Dyson Ball Vacuum – Genius or Junk?

By: jp

jp — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:22:55 +0000

I grew up with an Electrolux canister vacuum and last owned a Rainbow for 15 years, but after it died I got a Dyson canister. It seems more powerful and I like the whole no more bags or water to change deal. Seems like good ideas involved in the design, but I can not see anyone used to normal canisters being happy with their tools.
The shape of their tools are very impracticable. Changing the design of canister suction units is smart, but redesigning the tools we all have used for 50 years is a bit stupid. I understand needing to make residuals off the sale of replacement parts, but if the parts are so ill fitted for the jobs, I don’t see people being happy enough with it to buy another Dyson. My suggestion, which I can not find a place at Dyson to make one, is to offer couplings or sleeves of tools or hoses from other manufacturers. Presently I used a piece of PVC pipe and a dado blade to notch out the pipe and it fits into the locking units of the Dyson hose. With this I can use all my Rainbow tools that I love instead of their poorly designed aberrations. Soon I will play with the use of a collar to connect my old Rainbow hose to the unit, as it should be easy. If you are handy and have some skills, the Dyson can be altered to make a good vacuum. It is sad the engineers didn’t see fit to better design the tools or at least offer conversion units. They could say, “And now we offer choice for those who hate change!” Then again what do I know?
To restate, good canister vacuum, but bad tools.

By: brrrrbecold

brrrrbecold — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 16:43:40 +0000

We have had the Dyson Ball For pet’s for about 2 years now. We use it twice a week, due to our 1 year old and having 4 dogs. Never had a problem at all with it, As long as you clean it the way it is suppose to be cleaned I can’t imagine everyone having all of these problems. Twice a week every week for 2 years that is 208 times we doe 4 rooms, 2 good size rooms, 1 average size room and 1 small room. No problems at all. Still has great suction, I clean my car with it every 2 months plus all of the extra times we use it for messes.

By: Pilg0re

Pilg0re — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 09:21:51 +0000

All these idiots who spout crap about these vacuums, have obviously never owned one. Buy one, try it out and you’ll finally get it.

If not then just return the thing, why put off buying one just because you read about idiots who like to bash what they can’t afford.

By: dmarie

dmarie — Fri, 06 May 2011 20:48:40 +0000

I have owned just about every vacuum made, including kirby, rainbow, hoover, kenmore and many more. If it’s not easy to use I find no matter how great it is I won’t use it. Now my dyson is easy to use my house has never been this clean. I have two of them a canister for deep cleaning and a small ball upright the dc24 for everyday which is light weight and fun to use.The thing I love the most about dyson is that it never smells, having two dogs this can be a problem. I’m reading all these negative reviews and I’m kind of shocked because I know a lot of people who own dysons and they all love them not like, love. I would never buy any other vacuum again.

By: Raia

Raia — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:56:03 +0000

You’ll all be pleased to know you’ve stopped one person from buying a Dyson. The marketing really is genius because it almost worked on me!

Thanks so much for the negative reviews. The criticism is consistent enough between the various sites that I think the Dyson is all hype and no substance.

I will look for something European-made because I think their consumers still have standards. Or at least higher ones than North Americans.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 01:30:36 +0000

DO A GOOGLE SEARCH: “the red push pin Dyson sucks”

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:03:43 +0000

I had been contemplating getting a Dyson because the commercial makes it seem like a person should not be living without one, but after reading so many negative reviews I don’t think it’s worth it. Believe it or not my Hoover (with all of its pieces) has been working perfectly for the past 10+ years with the exception of a couple of broken belts here and there from snagging things like telephone cords. But I am also one of those people who is pretty good at maintaining things. Hell, I still have an old Sony 27″ television in my bedroom (that still works perfectly as well, I might add) that I bought in the early 90s. I think I’ll just wait until my vac breakdown to the point where it is irreparable and get another Hoover.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:44:07 +0000

What do you people that keep breaking them do with them, bang them against a metal door or something? I’ve had my Dyson Animal Ball for 2 years and it is working just fine, with the exception of a clog I can’t find right now (only the second clog since I got it and I have 4 kids and 2 dogs). How many vacuums $500 or less have a 5 year warranty? You guys go ahead and keep buying those Hoover’s, Bissell’s, Eureka’s, etc. You’ll figure out what everyone else I know has figured out: you’ll be buying one every year because they break.

By: Rebeccca

Rebeccca — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 18:04:09 +0000

I have a Dyson ball I bought about 2 years ago. $500.00- it works well when it works – the plastic things are always coming off, and o-ring thing keeps falling out. I have to have my husband ‘operate’ on it every time before I use it. And the tube thingy for suctioning furniture and stairs? forget it, that part doesn’t work at all.

By: Orlando J.

Orlando J. — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:15:44 +0000

We have had the smaller “ball” Dyson unit for a couple of years now, and by and large, it has performed very well. The “ball” is no gimmick — it turns with a flick of the wrist and the small model, anyway, fits under, around, and between most obstacles in our smallish 3/2 house. The design of the extender “wand” is the best I’ve seen by a long shot. Just pull the handle straight out of the unit, stretch out the generous collapsible hose, and you’re off. Because the unit is so light, it’s no problem picking it up in one hand to reach ceiling fans and high corners.

Likewise, the “no loss of suction” claim appears true … to a point. The small model has a very low volume dust cup, which collects a LOT of carpet hair, dust, and fiber very quickly — a testament to the unit’s power. But that also means emptying the cup after vacuuming even one good-sized area rug, or one to two rooms. And now, the unit has clogged. I found this site looking for solutions. There’s suction at the nozzle closest to the motor, and it looks like a little tiny tube near the side of the unit is full of hair. Not sure exactly how to clear it out, although I’m sure there’s a way. I’d also agree that, with the exception of the very sturdy “ball,” the grade of plastics used in the unit is not great. Everything has a brittle, ultra-light feel that does not inspire confidence, and even on first use, the “on” button was so wobbly that it can take a few tries to depress it correctly.

Bottom line: This vacuum cleans very well, is easy to use overall, and includes several excellent engineering ideas. But it is in need of better materials and execution, and the price is on the high side. I would recommend the small “Ball” for smallish houses with these caveats.