The Dyson Animal DC14 telescope reach vacuum has a hefty price tag at $499, but packs a lot more punch and lasts longer than the average cheaper vacuum. Designed specifically for pet hair removal with added attachments and cleaner, the Dyson Animal vacuum delivers as promised. Some features take a bit of getting used to, but no vacuum ever has a perfect set-up. Offering low maintenance, with continuous strong suction of pet hair and a 5 year warranty, the Dyson Animal vacuum can be a valuable investment for a cleaner home.
Suction: The number one reason to buy any Dyson vacuum is the suction, and the fact that the suction lasts. Vacuum the carpet once with your new Dyson Animal and you’ll be astounded at how quickly the canister fills with dust, debris and pet hair. Vacuum a couple days later and that canister will fill just the same. Less expensive vacuums may have impressive suction at first, but after awhile they lose power, and owners will find they empty the bag or canister less and less often because the vacuum just isn’t cleaning pet hair and dirt efficiently anymore. After a year of steady use, however, our Dyson Animal vacuum continues to draw up pet hair in astonishing volumes. Pet owners of shedding cats and dogs will wonder how their pet isn’t bald, with all the hair that shows up in that vacuum canister.
Telescope Reach: Another nice feature is the telescope reach wand in the Dyson vacuum handle, which can be used alone or with the attachments to clean pet hair from stairs, under furniture, or in hard to reach places. The hose extends 17 feet, so you can easily clean a full flight of stairs without every having to move the Animal vacuum. Anyone who’s tried holding a heavy upright vacuum halfway up the stairs while trying to work the attachment at the same time will greatly appreciate this feature. The Dyson vacuum also rolls along with you when using the attachments. The telescope reach wand is a bit of pain to set up, requiring the user to detach the hose, draw out the entire wand, flip around and reattach the hose. After several uses, it gets to be second nature, but it’s not an ideal set-up.
Canister: The clear Dyson Animal canister also has a nice easy-empty feature. A button on the handle disengages the canister from the Dyson vacuum. Hold the canister over the trash and pull the trigger. The hinged bottom opens and the pet hair and debris fall into the trash. This works best if you can hold the canister slightly inside the garbage can, to reduce any flying pet hair and allergens when you dump the canister contents.
Daily Use: The Dyson Animal vacuum is lighter than similar vacuums, and has a convenient handle above the canister for easier, more balanced carrying. The base of the vacuum is narrow enough to fit into some smaller spaces. Unfortunately, the design of the Dyson Animal vacuum prevents it from fitting under low furniture, including the toe kick area of kitchen cabinets. Using the attachments sucks up all the pet hair in the corners that the main vacuum misses, but it does add some extra time to cleaning chores.
Auto-Leveler: The auto-leveler feature in the Dyson Animal vacuum adjusts to the level of the carpet without having to move the dial. It can take time for the leveler to adjust, so when going between different carpet heights, run the vacuum in the same section a few times to set the height before continuing. Don’t forget to switch to the Bare Floor setting for tile and wood flooring.
Maintenance: Maintenance of the Dyson Animal vacuum is minimal. Wipe out the canister occasionally with a damp paper towel, or rinse with water and dry with a soft towel. If the canister gets over full of pet hair, you might have to wipe off any debris that clings to the top mechanism. A washable filter needs to be cleaned every 6 months (more often for heavy use). The HEPA filter is for lifetime use and needs no upkeep. The Dyson manual includes instructions for clearing out any blockages in the hoses or brush of the vacuum.
Consumer Tip: Watch for sales on Dyson vacuums to save money on the list price. Another great strategy is to shop at a supplier that offers a discount for opening a store credit card–you can save $50-$100 or more on your Dyson Animal Vacuum.
Find out more about the Dyson Animal vacuum and other Dyson vacuum models at the Dyson website.
