‘Essential’ habit helps Dyson vacs last longer
The laser function on Dyson’s new stick vac is giving shoppers a “reality check” with how dirty their floors really are. And they’re loving it.
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If there’s one name that sits among the top most highly coveted vacuum cleaner brands, it’s Dyson.
Before the British manufacturer pulled in fans with the Airwrap, it was a cult favourite for stick vacs. This is partly thanks to their strong suction power, versatility, whole machine filtration and innovative technologies, according to Dyson’s Senior Design Manager of RDD Floorcare, Sallahuddin Mashkuri. Plus, the corded models are bagless, so there’s no need to constantly buy replacement bags.
“It is not enough for vacuum cleaners to pick up dust effectively. Ensuring that all the dust is trapped inside the machine and not expelling dirty air back into the house is just as important,” he said.
Household dust is made up of a mixture of dust mites, dust mite faeces, bacteria, mould, small insects, and particles – all of which can be airborne and spread across different surfaces, including sofas, beds as well as floors, Sallahuddin explained
Dyson vacuums are also designed to work on different types of surfaces, so you still get an effective clean without having to fork out extra for a carpet washer for one room and a stick vacuum for another.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR DYSON BATTERY LAST LONGER
Don’t know why your stick vacuum is only lasting for a few minutes? Sallahuddin has a few tips that are “essential” in order to make the most out of your appliance.
Some include:
• Empty the battery at least once a month so it can naturally discharge.
• Use the high power mode less often.
• Regularly empty the dustbin to prevent blockages.
• Store the vacuum cleaner at room temperature.
• Avoid using the vacuum in extreme heat temperatures.
• Let the vacuum cleaner cool after use.
Use the right power mode
Owners can help preserve the run time and overall life of their machine’s battery by using the power mode best suited to the cleaning task, and only using Boost mode for intensive cleaning.
In machines with Auto mode, suction power automatically adjusts based on the concentration of dust detected, ramping up when there is a high concentration of dust for the most efficient clean.
Keep the cleaner heads in good condition
Clean your soft roller brush bars of any build-up of fine dust and, if you have an older machine, de-tangling any wrapped hair and fibres on the brush bars relieves unnecessary strain on your machine’s motor. This is especially important for earlier models, including anything from the V7, V8, V10 and V11 lines since these don’t have the anti-tangle attachments.
Clean your vacuum filter
Simply remove the filter, tap excess dust into the bin, wash with warm tap water - no detergent required - then shake off the excess water and leave it to dry for 24 hours. Your filter must be completely dry before being put back in the machine. You can see a step-by-step guide here.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO REPLACE A DYSON BATTERY?
Sallahuddin said the main telltale sign your Dyson battery needs replacing is a “noticeable decrease in run time”. But make sure to check for any blockages and clean the filter before rushing to the store.
“Dyson battery life is determined by multiple factors – like quality of maintenance and storage rather than a set number of years,” he explained.
“Using the high-power mode less, avoiding using it in extreme heat temperatures, storing your vacuum at room temperature and letting it cool down after use can all help to prolong your battery’s life.”
You can also bring your Dyson vacuum to any of the Dyson Service Centres for servicing or to get technical support and maintenance tips from the technicians.
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Unsure whether you should invest in a top-of-the-line Dyson Gen5detect or save some cash and opt for a V7 (which is now on sale for $399) or the V10 model? We break down our top picks of the best Dyson vacuums below.
CLICK FRENZY MAYHEM 2023
Love a bargain? Snag a Dyson stick vac for up to 30 per cent off in the The Good Guys’ Click Frenzy Mayhem sale happening right now. This includes the Dyson Gen5Absolute Cordless Vacuum, which is currently $477 (use the codeword CLICKNOW).
But don’t wait too long – the sale event ends soon!
BEST DYSON VACUUM CLEANER GUIDE
- Most powerful and long lasting Dyson vacuum
- Best Dyson vacuum for carpet and tiles
- Best Dyson vacuum for pet hair
- Best budget Dyson vacuums
- Best Dyson barrel vacuum
- How to make your Dyson battery last longer
- How long do Dyson vacuums last
- Should you leave your Dyson charged all the time?
MOST POWERFUL AND LONG LASTING DYSON VACUUM
Dyson Gen5detect Absolute, Myer, $1349 (down from $1549)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
If you get blisters or sore hands from holding down the trigger on Dyson’s stick vacs, you’ll be glad to know its Gen5detect Absolute has finally ditched the uncomfortable feature for single-button power control.
This model also offers the strongest suction power and longest run time compared to other cordless vacs from the brand, along with the usual wide selection of attachments to help clean everything from furniture and mattresses to corners and hard-to-reach spaces.
Although it might be the laser LED illumination function that makes this vacuum worth getting, reviewers have described it as a love-hate feature, with many super impressed with how well it lights up how much dirt and debris there actually is.
“(The) laser function is handy on hard floors … kind of horrifying actually... gave us quite a reality check about how dirty the floor really was,” a customer posted on The Good Guys website.
Another shopper called the Dyson Gen5detect Absolute a “beast”.
“I live in a rental house made up of 80 per cent carpet (thick 1980s premium wool carpet) and our only complaint is that this thing is maybe too powerful. This carpet was “clean” and was vacuumed regularly, and within 30 seconds of turning it on, one square metre of floor had filled the entire canister with a kind of silky grey soot I’ve never seen before,” they wrote.
PROS:
+ Up to 70 minutes’ run time.
+ Promises to remove and capture 99.99 per cent of particles.
+ Has an LCD display to show different types information, such as the number of particles on the floor and when they’ve been cleaned.
+ Automatically de-tangles hair and adapts suction power.
+ Accessories include the Fluffy Optic cleaner head, Digital Motorbar cleaner head, dusting and crevice tool, hair screw tool, combination tool and wall-mounted dock for easy storage.
CONS:
- On the heavier side, weighing 3.5kg.
- Expensive compared to most cordless vacuums.
BEST DYSON VACUUM FOR CARPET AND TILES
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Complete, Dyson, $1049 (down from $1349)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
For an all-rounder, Sallahuddin recommended the Dyson V12 Detect Slim as a “great option for those with smaller homes with carpet and hard floors”. It can last for up to 60 minutes on a single charge and includes an anti-tangle conical brush car, which Sallahuddin said is “motor driven to enable fast cleaning of small spaces and is great at picking up long hair and pet hair from carpet, couches, mattresses and pet beds”.
This Dyson stick vacuum also comes with two cleaner heads (Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head and Motorbar cleaner head) and seven accessories for plenty of versatility and convenience.
PROS:
+ Compact and lightweight, weighing only 2.2kg.
+ Includes an up-top adaptor that bends and locks at different angles to help clean hard-to-reach areas.
+ Accessories include a fabric and mattress tool, mini soft dusting brush, combination tool, crevice tool, hair screw tool, wand storage clip and floor-standing Floor Dok for storage.
CONS:
- Small 0.35-litre dustbin capacity.
BEST DYSON VACUUM FOR PET HAIR
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute, Myer, $1,449
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
For hairy (or should we say, furry) problems, Dyson’s newer cordless vacuums like the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute have a hair screw tool and anti-tangle technology to pick up hair without clogging. You can alternatively switch it out for the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head, which lights up microscopic dust to give you a better view of where to clean.
Dyson also has a pet grooming tool that sucks up loose hair and dander as your brush your pet. It’s compatible with Dyson V15 Detect vacuums, Dyson Outsize vacuums, Dyson V11 vacuums, Dyson Cyclone V10 vacuums, Dyson V12 Detect Slim vacuums, Dyson V8 vacuums and Dyson V7 vacuums.
PROS:
+ Up to 60 minutes’ of run time.
+ Automatically adjusts suction power, based on the size of the debris detected by the piezo sensor.
+ Digital Motorbar cleaner head adapts to different floor types.
+ Accessories include Digital Motorbar cleaner head, Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head, combination tool, crevice tool, hair screw tool, wand clip and wall-mounted docking station.
CONS:
- Heavier than most other Dyson stick vacs, weighing 3.08kg.
- Reviewers suggest the small size dustbin may be more suitable for small to medium homes.
BEST BUDGET DYSON VACUUMS
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
You can still get the ‘Dyson experience’ without breaking the bank with older models like the Dyson V7 Advanced.
It comes many of the same features found in the newer models, including two power modes, hygienic bin emptying system, and whole machine filtration to capture 99.9 per cent of particles and ensure the dust and debris stay sealed inside the vacuum.
“I finally bought a Dyson and they are worth all the hype! Compact and convenient - works so well – carpets never looked better,” a happy customer reviewed.
PROS:
+ Relatively affordable.
+ Weighs 2.5kg, making it lightweight (especially compared to other Dyson stick vacs).
+ Includes the Motorbar cleaner head, which has de-tangling vanes that automatically unwrap hair from the brush while you clean.
+ Comes with a Motorbar cleaner head, combination tool and crevice tool.
CONS:
- Short run time – lasts up to 40 minutes on the extended clean setting, and up to five minutes on high power mode.
- Doesn’t include a docking station and this vacuum is not self standing.
Dyson V10 Cordless Vacuum (394101-01), The Good Guys, $1099
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
If you’re looking for an all-rounder, but don’t want to splurge on the latest product – the Dyson V10 vacuum might be a winner. It provides up to 60 minutes’ of run time, which is fairly standard for similarly priced stick vacs, plus a 0.77-litre hygienic dustbin. The V10 was actually Dyson’s first cordless vacuum to feature the ‘point and shoot’ vertical dustbin, which minimises any contact between you and the dirt by simply ejecting the debris into the trash.
PROS:
+ Offers three power modes.
+ Motorbar cleaner head automatically de-tangles hair.
+ Includes a wall-mounted dock for space-saving and convenient storage.
+ Comes with three extra heads: combination tool crevice tool and hair screw tool.
+ Two-year warranty.
CONS:
- Cannot replace battery.
BEST DYSON BARREL VACUUM CLEANER
Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal+ Bagless Vacuum, The Good Guys, $749 (down from $949)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
If cordless stick vacuums aren’t your thing, don’t stress. The Cinetic Big Ball Animal+ is a barrel style vacuum, which means the dustbin and main motor trail behind you while you reach the hose into every corner with ease. They’re generally a little heavier and larger than a stick vacuum, but they come with the benefits of a much larger dustbin and super powerful motor. Plus, the corded design means you’ll never run out of battery mid-clean, making them ideal for larger houses.
“We have had this vacuum for a couple of years now, without a single problem,” praised a shopper, giving it five stars.
“Powerful suction, easy to empty the bin and clean the filter, (and) the retractable cord is great for quick pack up. The auto-right function is great, especially for manoeuvring around corners. The handle is lightweight, even our toddler loves to ‘help’ with the vacuuming! Cleaning the car is a breeze with the mini head.”
PROS:
+ Has a 1.6-litre dustbin capacity.
+ Ball design makes it easy to steer around corners and rolls back up if it tips over.
+ Cyclone technology captures and separates dirt, debris and hair without clogging.
+ Wand can stretch to 125cm, allowing you to reach every dusty corner of your home.
+ Suitable for tiles, carpets and hard floors.
CONS:
- Bulky and heavy.
HOW LONG DO DYSON VACUUMS LAST?
All new Dysons come with a two-year Dyson Guarantee that covers the repair or replacement of your machine, and you can read the specific terms of that guarantee here. That said, it’s likely that your Dyson vacuum will last you seven to 10 years, especially if you take good care of it. We recommend regularly cleaning the filter and power heads to maximise life – check out Dyson’s tips here. Plus, if your battery gives up the ghost before the rest of the vacuum does, you can buy replacement batteries here.
SHOULD I LEAVE MY DYSON ON CHARGE ALL THE TIME?
More Coverage
If you have one of Dyson’s rechargeable cordless vacuums, you can indeed leave it on charge all the time when it isn’t in use. According to Dyson, this actually helps to improve the algorithm’s accuracy, and it’s what the battery was designed for – plus, you’ll have the added bonus of ensuring it’s fully charged for your next use.
Looking for more vacuum recommendations? Check out our roundups of the best cordless stick vacuums and best robotic vacuums to clean your home.
Then for all the best savings, pop over to the news.com.au Coupons page, to score unmissable deals from your favourite brands including The Good Guys, Myer and more.
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