Dyson DC18 Bagless Upright Cyclonic Vacuum

When researching this vacuum I was looking for a multipurpose performance machine that could handle 5 rooms of carpeting as well as the hardwood/tile mix in the rest of the house. I also needed it to be relatively compact so that it could transition to a small urban apartment and easy enough to maneuver for a cleaning averse petite person to ensure that it would not merely end up as a coat rack. Although wooed by the novelty and effortlessness promised by robots, I knew I really needed the superior filtration and ability to immediately clean up spills and make last minute runs before company arrived that only a manual could provide.

Assembly
The Dyson Slim comes semi-assembled in three pieces. The cleaner head and the telescoping handle snap easily into opposite ends of the main canister body without requiring the use of any tools. Although the airline-safety-esque instruction card lacks any explication, I found the simplistic illustrations to be clear enough and had a fully functioning vacuum within 5 minutes of opening the box. Later, I did find the actual care and instruction booklet that contains narrative in addition to a more detailed and rather convoluted diagram, so I would actually recommend sticking with the quick-start guide or your own intuition, initially.

Operation
Following the principle of form facilitating function, the operation of this vacuum is rather intuitive with the controls being well placed and very visible. In fact, the sleek grey/mustard/blue/ and red styling also serves to color-code the controls. Stepping on the prominent red pedal at the rear of the vacuum disengages the two rollers on either side, which act as kickstands to hold the vacuum upright. The red power button and grey beater brush control sit at the base of the handle, allowing you to turn the vacuum on and off or switch floor modes with your free hand without ever having to bend over.

Unlike most vacuums that have a hose attachment on the side, the Quick-draw Telescope Reach wand is built directly into the handle of the vacuum. The top of the wand is coded red and has a bi-directional arrow decal that is visible even when the rest of the wand is housed inside the handle. In order to extend it, you simply flip the safety cap and pull upwards and slightly backwards so that the wand disengages from the main vacuum body. It should be noted that this is only possible when the power cord is unwound as the top cord hook is located on the handle itself. Unlike stationary hooks that require unwinding, the DC-18's grey cord hook swivels 180 degrees, quickly releasing the entire length of the 25 foot cord.

Anytime the vacuum is in the upright position, the suction will automatically switch from the floor cleaning head to the wand, eliminating the need to fiddle with any additional controls. The hose itself is made from a very soft and pliable material that will stretch to 16 ft., affording a degree of freedom that is more typical of a canister vacuum. For example, you can clean an entire flight of stairs with the wand while the vacuum body remains on the first floor. The benefit of having the handle remain attached to the hose is that it also enables about 2.5' of firm reach beyond your hand hold, allowing you to capture corner cobwebs or maintain a more dignified and comfortable, upright position while tackling those stairs.

Accessories
Compared to other Dyson models, the DC-18's accessories are rather modest, with only two "onboard" accessories included. As someone who never used any of the frivolous and inadequate attachments that came with my previous vacuum, this was not a detractor. From my perspective, what is lacking in quantity is made up for in quality by the Combination Tool alone. This simple tool looks like a slightly larger version of the bristled attachments that are used to vacuum out computer keyboards. The medium stiff bristles are perfect for dusting baseboards, window ledges, hardwood steps or any other slightly delicate surface.

The bristle head can also be retracted with the squeeze of a button, revealing a more traditional hard plastic-style crevice tool. The narrow head has an additional opening on the underside of its lip allowing it to perfectly fit the corner edge of door and window trim. (Seriously, when was the last time you dusted up there?) The value of my all-in-one wonder tool is a whopping $8.99 when ordered separately online.

The other included attachment is the slightly more expensive Floor Tool ($11.99) that I do not use because it is a) designed for carpeted stairs that I lack and b) poorly placed on the vacuum. The tool itself is something like a bifurcated nozzle, with the center divide being the most prominent, so that the two resulting openings hinge on the partition. The outer edges are lined with very thin strips of fabric similar to what is used on red velvet lint brushes. Because the plastic divide sticks out the most, I prefer to use the bristled Combination Tool on hardwood steps to prevent scratching. This tool may be useful however, for vacuuming carpeted stairs, rugs, and upholstery.

The main reason I haven't personally explored other potential uses is the unfortunate placement. Unlike the Combination Tool's holder, which positions the Tool vertically, parallel to the handle and within easy reach; the Floor tool's holder is slightly lower but more importantly rear facing and horizontal so that it is constantly falling off or being knocked off by the hose when the wand is in use. This "onboard" attachment therefore spends most of its time in the closet and as they say "out of sight, out of mind."

Performance
Touted as the "most powerful lightweight", Dyson's patented Root Cyclone Technology claims to deliver 200 airwatts of constant suction power in a 15.8lb package. This vacuum is indeed remarkably strong and has no trouble vacuuming up everything from large surface particles to even fine silt-like dust that other vacuums miss. (Yes, I too performed a comparison test and emptied more than 3 bins of dirt and debris from carpeting that was "just cleaned" with my old vacuum.") The motorized beater brush automatically adjusts to the carpet height making it more effective at agitating carpet fibers so that more deep down dirt and loose fibers are pulled out. I would also agree that the vacuum truly has no-loss in suction power delivering the same powerful performance when the bin is empty as when it is full (or overly full in my case). For me, the power stands out the most in the wand, which performs more like an industrial carpet vacuum found at a car wash than the typical ineffectual on-board vacuum hose whose meek drafts I would categorize as being a few degrees shy of actually blowing air.

At almost 16 pounds the Dyson Slim is certainly no stick or broom vac, but still has a weight savings of 5 pounds over other Dyson models. Because it is built using the pivoting The Ball design of the DC-15 it is moreover easier to maneuver and responds with the turn of the wrist. For those used to self-propelled systems, it may require more effort but the smaller footprint also enables easy cornering around obstacles and into tighter spaces. The DC-18 has multiple ergonomic handles making it more comfortable for a variety of users to transport. Being shorter, I prefer gripping the handle atop the dustbin that allows for a better distribution of weight which enables one-handed carrying. This way I no longer find myself tripping up the stairs with a vacuum that is knocking into my shins as it tries to escape my awkward bear hug.

The Dyson Slim is considered an All Floor model, making it suitable for multiple floor surface types. By turning the beater brush off, you can use the same powerful suction on hardwood, tile, concrete etc. This feature is also beneficial for vacuuming delicate rugs, tasseled items or those notorious knotted rugs that would otherwise be "eaten", damaged by agitation, or impossible to clean with a traditional floor vacuum. On hard surfaces, the DC-18 unquestionably out cleans a stick or broom vac, the wand also comes in handy for reaching under cabinets or behind toilets etc. The exhaust vents are well placed so as not to scatter items in front of the cleaning path while the strong suction actually helps to draw matter towards the vacuum. With the Dyson Slim, you will never again be forced to play a cat-and-mouse game of chasing after runaway dust bunnies.

The DC-18 is particularly well suited for homes with children who spend a great deal of time on the floor as well as allergy and asthma suffers. The Lifetime HEPA Filter emits air "that has up to 150 times less bacteria and mold than the air you breathe." The vacuum has been further certified "Asthma Friendly" by the American Asthma and Allergy Foundation and received the Seal of Approval from the British Allergy Foundation. This is a far cry from vacuums of my past that have emitted foul smells or even worse, visible puffs of dust when used. The Dyson Slim not only leaves carpets feeling softer and fluffier, but also seems to improve general air quality while eliminating subtle room odors that were previously thought to be inherent. I admit that I quite often leave the vacuum running a few extra minutes after cleaning so that the suction is solely drawing in air through the upright and safety capped wand, fully believing that my makeshift purifier results in cleaner, fresher air.

The Clear Polycarbonate Dustbin allows you to view the Cyclone action while monitoring fill progress. With a capacity of .45 gallons it is smaller than other Dyson models that can hold up to .71gallons. Although it will undoubtedly fill up alarmingly quickly on your first run, during maintenance cleanings, I find the size to be adequate especially when I reflexively empty the bin after every use. This isn't necessary per se, but Dyson has made it so easy to do that one can unintentionally pick up a habit that also maintains the hygiene and aesthetics of the vacuum. With the press of a grey decaled button, the dustbin pops out of its holder while depressing a red button releases the trapdoor from the bottom, allowing the dirt to fall into the waiting receptacle and away from the user. The optimal method is emptying the dustbin into an empty grocery bag that is cinched around the bin so virtually no dust particles escape into the air. For most, this will be a one-handed, no-touch operation but I personally end up vacuuming a lot of long human hair that ends up matting with the dust and carpet fibers, so a gentle tug is sometimes required to get the mess moving out of the canister.

Care
To ensure best cleaning results, Dyson recommends checking the lifetime HEPA filter and washing at least once every 3-6 months. The filter compartment rests atop the cyclone unit and can be easily accessed by removing the dustbin and opening the clear latch that is marked with a blue Filter sticker. The filter is cleaned by simply rinsing under cold water and allowing to air dry for at least 12 hours.

The plastic cylinder of the dustbin may also be detached from the rest of the cyclone mechanism if more thorough cleaning is desired by pressing a latch. Just be sure to only rinse the clear plastic portion of the container, not the cyclone itself and double check that all pieces are thoroughly dry before reassembling.

If any problems arise, it is highly likely that they will be resolved by using the tiny reset button located on the right side of floor cleaning head. (Clearly stickered of course) If the cleaning head becomes blocked, the Dyson Slim automatically shuts down to prevent damage or overheating. This has only happened to me once when I accidentally vacuumed over of a plastic bag. After pulling it out and restarting, the suction came back on but the beater brush would not rotate. Hitting the reset button while the vacuum was powered off and then restarting remedied the situation and all was well.

The Slim's design also simplifies and encourages proper maintenance of the beater brush. On either side of the cleaning head are two plastic end caps that can be unlocked and removed by simply turning the plastic screws with a common coin, no tools required. (Mac users might recognize this design from the battery compartment of their keyboards) The bar actually divides into two halves that slide out from either side allowing you to remove any hair or string that wraps itself around the bristles. The clear plastic casing on the cleaning head further allows you to see when cleaning is necessary rather than being alerted to the accumulation by a slowly revolving or completely stopped beater bar that can only be addressed with scissors and a great deal of patience underneath an upended vacuum.

Notes and Considerations
Overall, I think the Dyson Slim has been beautifully designed and admirably executed. There have been however, a few quirks experienced during my usage that may be unique to my unit or symptomatic of other machines which may be worth mentioning. The first I consider relatively minor which involves the hard plastic power button not always being responsive due to its position next to the beater brush control. Because the buttons share the same half moon shape, it is almost as if it catches on some neighboring mechanism, as both buttons will go down slightly although nothing will actually happen in terms of the beater brush or the power. This most frequently occurs when the button is pressed quickly, so it is addressed by more diligently concentrating force on the power button alone or hitting the button a few times until it responds. Conversely, this is never a problem with the beater brush control which depresses easily and independently with a consistent response.

The second is the kickstand mechanism which in theory automatically engages when the vacuum is returned to the upright position. I have found that although the little wheels descend this does not necessarily mean that the locking mechanism is fully engaged and was genuinely puzzled on the few occasions where I turned away from an upright vacuum only to have my reflexes tested by trying to catch it before it finished swooning to the floor. Now I check that the stand is locked by lifting up on the underside of the foot pedal and listening for the click that indicates that the mechanism is truly engaged.

The last note briefly addresses some differences between the DC-18 and other models for those trying to choose across the Dyson line. The Dyson Slim does not have an official Animal version but that does not make it is any less suitable for pet owners. In fact, although the Animal models are allegedly"designed for homes with pets," this is really a marketing distinction because the base vacuums are actually exactly the same, the difference being the bundled accessories which would include a mini-turbine head, a low reach floor tool, and a carpet care kit all of which can be purchased for and used with the DC-18 if desired.

The Dyson Slim has the benefit of features like the Quick Draw Telescoping Wand (/DC-07) and a motorized brush bar (/DC-14) that are lacking in some earlier models. The Root Cyclone technology is surpassed only by the DC-17, which is the only Dyson model outfitted with the advanced Level 3 Cyclone system. The DC-15 and the DC-18 are distinguished as the only models built on the ball structure which enables easier steering although the Slim is the only one categorized as a lightweight; its small footprint also earning it an easy-to-store distinction. It is important to note however, that because of its lightweight and unique pivot structure, the Slim may not be as stable as its 4-wheeled counterparts. This really only comes into play when using the wand, where it would be advisable to place the vacuum body somewhere where it will not topple if one inadvertently pulls too hard on the hose. The pared down Slim also has a smaller bin size, slightly diminished hose, and power cord that is 10 feet shorter than other models, which for me were not issues but may be factors for others depending on the intended usage.

Warranty and Repair
All Dyson vacuums come with a 5 year warranty against manufacturer defects that covers the cost of parts and labor. Claims are initiated by calling the helpline that is open 7 days a week, while the service is usually carried out locally. It is important to note that warranties are only valid in the country of purchase and if sold by an authorized agent, which makes buying a vacuum intended for another market inadvisable. Customers who are relocating to another country are advised to call the Helpline, to determine the effect on warranty.

Pricing and Availability
The retail price of the Dyson slim is $469.99. When I purchased my vacuum, I received a 20% discount with the standard coupon from Linen-N-Things. Dyson vacuums are available from Dyson directly with free shipping as well as from a number of other online retailers. Here in the US, the imports are increasingly making their way into non-specialty chain stores like Circuit City, Best Buy, or Target. With increased availability comes increased competition, which retailers have responded to with exclusive extra-value bundled accessories, specialty color options, or rebates/discounts/gift cards that on some models have been as much as $120! I would definitely encourage comparison shopping as I would expect aggressive pricing for the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Rating
I was initially going to give this vacuum a 4 star rating in order to reflect my notes on the things that I believed needed improvement. Upon reflection, I decided this might not be truly fair because these were relatively minor issues that prevented it from being "the perfect" vacuum. When using the ratings to compare across products, I felt a 4 star rating might also be misleading by implying anything other than the simple fact that the Dyson Slim is by far the best vacuum I have ever owned or used. Consumers should know that although the DC-18 still aspires towards perfection, its excellence in ergonomics, aesthetics, ease-of-use, power, and performance are easily deserving of high marks. In assessing its value, its higher upfront costs are offset by the lack of future maintenance costs in bags, filters, belts etc. Ultimately, the Dyson Slim has made a "Cleaner" out of me and does everything short of vacuuming my house for me. (But then again, I hear Dyson is working on that ; )

http://www.dyson.com/homepage.asp