What's a good upright cordless?
October 16, 2019 12:26 PM Subscribe
Do you have an upright cordless vacuum you love? Do tell!
My home is pretty small, all hardwood, and no pets. However, I do need something that can handle long, fine human hair. I try to pick up clumps of hair whenever I see it but there are constantly still individual strands lying about. I would also prefer something that comes with a handheld attachment that has a wide mouth and maybe a crevice tool as well. For reference, I currently use a Shark Navigator that I am not satisfied with the suction power or the bulkiness (doesn't fit under some furniture). I am aware of the name Dyson and have been pondering if my bank account will forgive me for that, but I think I'm ready for a big girl vacuum, if the time has finally come. But that's pretty much the only name I know, so if you have any other suggestions, I'm all ears!
Bonus question: Is it normal to still have a fine layer of white dust after vacuuming? Only noticeable if I actually swab the floor with my finger and notice some on there.
My home is pretty small, all hardwood, and no pets. However, I do need something that can handle long, fine human hair. I try to pick up clumps of hair whenever I see it but there are constantly still individual strands lying about. I would also prefer something that comes with a handheld attachment that has a wide mouth and maybe a crevice tool as well. For reference, I currently use a Shark Navigator that I am not satisfied with the suction power or the bulkiness (doesn't fit under some furniture). I am aware of the name Dyson and have been pondering if my bank account will forgive me for that, but I think I'm ready for a big girl vacuum, if the time has finally come. But that's pretty much the only name I know, so if you have any other suggestions, I'm all ears!
Bonus question: Is it normal to still have a fine layer of white dust after vacuuming? Only noticeable if I actually swab the floor with my finger and notice some on there.
Agreed on the Dyson V7 Cordless. I have 6 pets and it works wonderfully for all that hair.
posted by Jacob G at 12:44 PM on October 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Jacob G at 12:44 PM on October 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Thirded. I have a dog who sheds prodigiously. I got a Dyson V8 stick vacuum a few weeks ago and it's been amazing. I don't see any hair left after I go over the carpet a couple times. (Plus, since it's so light weight, I've actually been vacuuming instead of just thinking glumly about it.)
posted by henuani at 1:09 PM on October 16, 2019
posted by henuani at 1:09 PM on October 16, 2019
Four.
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 1:13 PM on October 16, 2019
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 1:13 PM on October 16, 2019
I misspoke... I have the Dyson V10 Animal cordless. Nonetheless, it's awesome.
posted by Jacob G at 1:16 PM on October 16, 2019
posted by Jacob G at 1:16 PM on October 16, 2019
I have a Dyson V7 and while it's good for most stuff, I find it terrible for houseplant stuff.
Any attempt to vacuum a leaf results in either the Dyson not picking it up or picking it up, pulverizing the leaf into little leaf-pieces and spitting them back out, making a bigger mess. This is also true for anything similar in size/texture to a leaf, like certain bits of paper.
Granted, we vacuum cat hair and cat litter which can affect the canister loot, but it's very rare that I don't need to pull out some bits of hairy mess when emptying the canister.
The point at which the brush stops rotating when encountering carpet-y stuff is set really low. So, for example, vacuuming bath mats requires a technique where you can't have the whole vacuum head on the mat because it'll stop turning.
Other than that the Dyson is nice (it's been great at getting under furniture), but I'm definitely going to research other brands for my next vacuum.
posted by homesickness at 1:25 PM on October 16, 2019
Any attempt to vacuum a leaf results in either the Dyson not picking it up or picking it up, pulverizing the leaf into little leaf-pieces and spitting them back out, making a bigger mess. This is also true for anything similar in size/texture to a leaf, like certain bits of paper.
Granted, we vacuum cat hair and cat litter which can affect the canister loot, but it's very rare that I don't need to pull out some bits of hairy mess when emptying the canister.
The point at which the brush stops rotating when encountering carpet-y stuff is set really low. So, for example, vacuuming bath mats requires a technique where you can't have the whole vacuum head on the mat because it'll stop turning.
Other than that the Dyson is nice (it's been great at getting under furniture), but I'm definitely going to research other brands for my next vacuum.
posted by homesickness at 1:25 PM on October 16, 2019
We've had good luck with the Shark Ion-- We've used the Dyson at a place we stayed, and I think I'd stick with the Shark all things considered, got it with an extra battery and a few more heads etc, and still more affordable then the Dyson.
posted by Static Vagabond at 1:37 PM on October 16, 2019
posted by Static Vagabond at 1:37 PM on October 16, 2019
Response by poster: Okay so Dyson appears to be the winner so far. Follow-up question: how did you decide WHICH Dyson? Is there one that's particularly good for hardwood? I have noticed that the ones with "Animal" in the name are probably good for people with pets...
posted by madonna of the unloved at 1:48 PM on October 16, 2019
posted by madonna of the unloved at 1:48 PM on October 16, 2019
Mrs. coppertop wears out vacuum cleaners. We have pets and hardwood floors, though the most recent vacuum cleaner was acquired when we had wall-to-wall carpeting. It is a Riccar (our second), and it is a tank. It might be a bit much for a small place, though. I have no experience with any Dyson products though, so I cannot offer any points of comparison. AGGH. nevermind. The Riccar is not cordless.
posted by coppertop at 1:56 PM on October 16, 2019
posted by coppertop at 1:56 PM on October 16, 2019
The Dyson vacs come in different versions, and then they come in packages with various accessories. The "Animal" is a particular package—I think what distinguishes it is the compact upholstery brush, which is legitimately excellent at getting pet hair off of furniture. So you can get the Dyson V7 regular or the V7 Animal depending on whether or not you care about those added accessories for the additional price. You can, of course, buy accessories aftermarket, but they are usually more expensive (unless you buy them used).
The regular powered floor brush works pretty well on both hard floors and carpet, IMO.
If you get it, do yourself a favor and put up the mounting bracket somewhere promptly; it vastly increases the utility of the vac and makes it much less awkward to get out and use (one handed vs. two hands plus stooping over, if the thing is sitting loose on the floor).
posted by Kadin2048 at 2:26 PM on October 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
The regular powered floor brush works pretty well on both hard floors and carpet, IMO.
If you get it, do yourself a favor and put up the mounting bracket somewhere promptly; it vastly increases the utility of the vac and makes it much less awkward to get out and use (one handed vs. two hands plus stooping over, if the thing is sitting loose on the floor).
posted by Kadin2048 at 2:26 PM on October 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Maybe this is different for the newer models, but the 7 or 8 era Dyson stick vacuum batteries weren’t replaceable. So when the battery no longer held a charge, the whole thing was useless. I’d want confirmation that the vacuum would last longer than its battery before I’d buy one — it shouldn’t be disposable.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 4:08 PM on October 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 4:08 PM on October 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
I also love my Dyson (I think it’s a 7) and especially love the “Fluffy” head, which would be perfect for your hardwood. I used to hate vacuuming but now it’s nearly enjoyable.
posted by somedaycatlady at 7:25 PM on October 16, 2019
posted by somedaycatlady at 7:25 PM on October 16, 2019
I also recall reading that about the batteries not being replaceable. But I found this on Dyson's website. So I think it must be replaceable, just not easily.
posted by henuani at 8:08 PM on October 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by henuani at 8:08 PM on October 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
The attachment that's designed for hardwood floors is called the "soft roller cleaner head". It's supposed to be better at picking up larger objects (the marketing photo shows Cheerios; I just tried it out on some leaves I tracked in and it picked them up).
The "direct drive cleaner head" is very effective on rugs, and probably fine for hardwood floors too, but apparently it is only designed to get really small stuff.
As Kadin2048 said, the model names "Animal"/"Absolute"/etc. represent different attachment combinations. Just check that the model you're looking at includes the attachments you want.
posted by henuani at 8:51 PM on October 16, 2019
The "direct drive cleaner head" is very effective on rugs, and probably fine for hardwood floors too, but apparently it is only designed to get really small stuff.
As Kadin2048 said, the model names "Animal"/"Absolute"/etc. represent different attachment combinations. Just check that the model you're looking at includes the attachments you want.
posted by henuani at 8:51 PM on October 16, 2019
Henuani: THIS. CHANGES. EVERYTHING.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 3:42 AM on October 17, 2019
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 3:42 AM on October 17, 2019
Once you get your Dyson you might find that the tool holder that comes with it won't hold all the tools you like to use. There are 3D printer people on Etsy who make holders and extensions to the holder, that allow you to hang all the tools together. Having everything neatly in one place is fantastic.
posted by tula at 7:44 AM on October 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by tula at 7:44 AM on October 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
I have one of the newer cordless Dyson (v10 I think?) and the soft roller that is supposed to be for hardwood. We have all hard floors. I got it hoping for a quicker way to vacuum, but have mostly been disappointed: the plastic at the front of the casing "glides" along the floor and scratches the hardwood floors. We use it for the kitchen (vinyl) and basement (tile). My long hair gets wrapped around the roller and also gets stuck in the canister and so I spend a lot of time pulling that out.
The best vacuum I've ever had for my hair, and the one I continue to use on my hardwood floors, is a Miele Canister vacuum with a bag (similar to this one) and the hardwood floor (no roller) attachment. The bags last much longer than I ever expected and are much cleaner than bagless when emptying.
posted by miscbuff at 2:59 PM on October 17, 2019
The best vacuum I've ever had for my hair, and the one I continue to use on my hardwood floors, is a Miele Canister vacuum with a bag (similar to this one) and the hardwood floor (no roller) attachment. The bags last much longer than I ever expected and are much cleaner than bagless when emptying.
posted by miscbuff at 2:59 PM on October 17, 2019
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Regarding your white dust, we've had an extraordinary amount of construction-related work done in the past few months, and the Dyson picked up all kinds of debris with no visible leftovers.
posted by ALeaflikeStructure at 12:41 PM on October 16, 2019 [2 favorites]