Another Success: Dyson DC 14, Low Reach.

What is a Dyson vacuum.
Simply put the Dyson vacuum is the first canister vacuum that does not lose suction. And it works.
The DC 14 is the latest in the Dyson line of upright vacuums. It is the replacement for the DC 07 and has a number of improvements that makes it a worthwhile purchase.

How it works
It works just like any other vacuum. You turn it on by pressing a button on top of the vacuum body, put your foot on the vacuum pad, tilt the handle back, and begin to vacuum. It has a twisting knob that shuts off the brush for hard floors and turns it on for carpets. The unit also has a hose that you can put accessories on the end of it or you can use the wand attachments to make it act like a canister vacuum (perfect for hard floors or hard to reach places.)
The vacuum also has a permanent canister for dirt. It is easy to dump and you do not need to buy new filters. The Vacuum does not have a carpet height control knob, the vacuum automatically adjusts to the height.

The Suction and the chamber
The chamber is redesigned but I cannot see much of a difference by just looking at it. According to the stats on Dyson.com the DC 14 is only 70% as large as the DC 07. This makes sense since the vacuum is a little lighter and a little smaller. But because of how the cyclone vacuum system is designed that decrease in space will not make much of a difference in suction power and only people that have a large house will notice a difference in how often they have to empty the canister.
The DC 14 has 250 air watts of suction, which is 20 watts less than the DC 07. In my observations I did not noticed any real difference between the two in terms of power. Ultimately 20 watts will not make much difference. Initially I thought this would keep me from recommending this vacuum. The things that really make a difference in suction power is the diameter of the hose and any air leaks in the body itself. Thanks to rubber pads this is not a problem.

How to dump
- Push a release button to remove the canister.
- Hold canister over a trashcan and pull The same release button. The bottom opens like a trap door automatically dumping the dirt.
- Close the trapdoor bottom and slide the canister back into position.
They changed the buttons on the DC 14 and if you push the button too hard and yank out the canister too quickly you can dump the dirt all of the vacuum and the clean carpet, so don’t be too hasty.

The Noise
I do not find any Dyson model to be quiet. The noise is loud enough to drown out a T.V. or a pleasant conversation. Typical for any vacuum I have used. I was unable to tell any difference between the noise level between either model I have tested or owned.

Ergonomics and weight
It is half a pound lighter than the DC 07 but that really does not make much of a difference. The ergonomics are slightly improved in this version. The handle is slightly improved, as are the buttons.

The lifetime filter
There is a lifetime filter and it is located on top of the canister unit. The filter does not need to be replaced but it does need to be cleaned. You just wash the filter under water and cleaning it is very simple. You can buy replacements if you happen to damage your current one but I wouldn’t worry too much about that happening.

The hose
The hose is long. I can use the hose about 10 feet away from the vacuum before I start pulling the vacuum body with me. This makes it so much easier to use and is a necessity. A short hose would make this feature very difficult to use like in my old Hoover.
Also, this hose is much better made than the DC 07. It is strong and does not feel as flimsy.

The Accessories
The machine comes with a “stair tool”, a “crevice tool”, and a “brush tool” attachment for the wand.
The wand is stuck in the airshaft and the hose. In order to use it for the accessories you need to pull the wand out of the hose and attach the accessories to one end and the hose to the other. With other manufacture models you just need to detach the hose from the side of the vacuum. Now it is bothersome two-step process, but when you are concerned about suction then Dyson’s design is far superior.
The stair tool, brush tool, and crevice tool are the standard tools you will find on almost all vacuums. They are made of the same nice plastic as the body. There is nothing remarkable about them except that they fit VERY tightly to the hose and require a bit of pressure to put them on. They also attach to the vacuum itself very tightly and the placement of the accessories does not get in the way. The placement is also an improvement over the DC 07.

Materials
The materials used in this is ABS and polycarbonate materials. In simple terms, the vacuum is made out of a very hard plastic. I have not experienced any problems with the plastic on my vacuum and I do not foresee any.

Cleaning
Cleaning the machine is fairly easy. First there is a round Hepa filter on top of the canister. All you need to do is wash the sponge filter and the plastic casing in cold water and let it dry. The holding tank is the second part. You just separate the clear plastic bin from the inner tube and wash both with a wet sponge to get rid of any dust. And believe me, a lot of small dust particles will accumulate.

Warranty
The Low reach model only has a 2 year warranty as does every other model except the Full Gear model. The Full Gear has a 3 year warranty but is only found at select retailers.

What is the difference between the 5 versions?
All of the versions are the same except for their accessories and colors.
The Low Reach- Just the bare bones model. It has a non-turbine low reach tool in addition to the 3 other wand tools.
The Animal- has everything the low reach version has plus a carpet cleaning kit, and a small turbine wand attachment.
The Full Gear- has everything the animal has plus a 3 year warranty.
The Full Access- Only found at Best Buy. This is basically the animal plus a turbine head low reach tool, extra filter, flexi-crevice tool. It does not come with the carpet care kit.
The Complete- Only available at Sears. This is basically the animal plus a mattress attachment and a soft dusting brush.

Improvements from the DC 07
When I first saw this vacuum online I was not impressed. The air wattage was reduced, the bin capacity was reduced, and it was more expensive with no obvious benefit. If someone asked me at the time which vacuum I was supposed to recommend I would have recommended the DC 07. Since I have been able to carefully examine and test the vacuum a couple of times I have changed my mind and whole-heartedly recommend the DC 14 over the DC 07.
-The first improvement is the standard accessories are more securely attached. The brush accessory and the stair tool are attached to the top of the bin itself. The Crevice tool is attached to the right side of the vacuum.
-The filter is found in the top of the bin and not the bottom foot of the vacuum (this should increase air flow by only blocking air flow at the end of the path and not at the beginning.)
-The hose is made of better material and appears more durable.
-The buttons to use/release the wand attachment are easier to use.
-The handle’s ergonomic design is improved…slightly.
-The wand slides out to make it slightly easier to use.
-Ergonomics overall are improved…slightly.
-Lighter by .6 pound.

Drawbacks from the DC 07
-Bin capacity reduced. (.71 instead of 1 gallon)
-Air watts are reduced. (250 instead of 270)
-Cord length is reduced. (1.5 feet)
In my opinion the drawbacks are insignificant.

What model should you get?
The most important question. Right now you can buy 3 different models, the DC 07, the DC 11, and the DC 14. If I were to choose from these 3 models I would definitely buy the DC 14: full access. The main reason is because of the turbine floor attachment.

Dimensions and weight from the Dyson Website.
Weight: 18.6 lbs
Dimensions: 44 7/8 in. (h) x 14 in. (w) x 13 3/8 in. (d)

Summary:
This is a very expensive vacuum but one that is worth the money. It is well made and most importantly it actually cleans your carpets. You will pull dirt out of your carpets that you did not even know you had. This vacuum will not lose suction and will last for many years. You will not be disappointed.


Other reviews for the home.
Dyson DC 07.
Dyson DC 11, canister version.
Dyson floor tool accessory for the 07 series.
My guide to buying a vacuum cleaner.