Dyson DC17 Animal Review

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The Dyson DC17 Animal gets good customer ratings – and there are many ratings available as this is a popular machine.  Consumer comments indicate that it does indeed work very well on removing pet hair from most surfaces.  It can be a bit heavy for some folks however. [REF Dyson Vacuum Cleaner Reviews 2010]

Consumer ratings for the DC17 Animal can be found at a number of quality sources.  Ratings are all quite good for this machine as can be seen in the table below:

Also, a review of customer comments yields the following common Dyson DC17 Animal likes and dislikes: 

PROS
- Very good at removing pet hair (most consumers agree on this)
- Easy to maneuver
- Strong suction
- Dirt canister is easy to empty
- Not too loud
- Brushroll can be turned on and off

CONS
- Poor detail/instructions in manual
- Only average on bare floors (best on carpet)
- Attachments don’t work that well on bare floors
- Hose is stiff
- Heavy machine

Features 
Like all Dysons with the “Animal” tag, the DC17 is designed for homes with pets.  Its 12 amp motor generates 220 air watts of power and it also uses Dyson’s Level 3 Root Cyclone technology.  Root Cyclone technology applies centrifugal force to spin dirt out of the air and, as claimed by Dyson, ensures that the vacuum does not lose suction or clog.  In the case of the DC17, Dyson engineers have combined Root Cyclone technology with a core separator.  This separator is an extra cyclonic stage between the outer and inner cyclones.  This extra stage helps to separate out particles as small as 0.5 microns from the airflow.  Dyson call this “Level 3 Root Cyclone technology” and they indicate that this is their most efficient system for capturing microscopic dust.

The DC17 Animal has a motorized brushbar which can be turned on or off (via the touch of a button).  The ability to turn the brushbar off is useful when transitioning from carpet to other more delicate flooring (like some hardwood floors or delicate rugs). 

There are also a number of attachments that come with the DC17:
- Low reach floor tool (attaches to the wand and helps to clean under low furniture such as beds or couches)
- Crevice tool (creates high velocity airflow and is useful for cleaning baseboard and vacuuming in hard to reach areas)
- Stair Tool
- Brush Tool (useful for cobwebs and delicate surfaces)
- Mini-turbine head (helps to vacuum up pet hair from upholstery/stairs/autos/etc.)

The DC17 has a lifetime HEPA filter (should be washed about every 6 months).  HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in diameter or larger.  This level of filtration is useful for those suffering from allergies or asthma.  Dyson is actually certified as  “asthma & allergy friendly” by the Asthma and Allergy foundation of America.  The DC17 also comes with a washable pre-motor filter.

Like all Dysons the DC17 is bagless.  Some consumers like bagged machines while others feel that a bagless vacuum saves money and is more environmentally friendly.  The dirt canister on the DC17 is clear plastic so you can see how full it is and it is also “bottom empty”.  Consumers do indicate that it is fairly easy to empty.  It is also quite large having a capacity of 0.63 gallons.

One complaint voiced by a few consumers is the vacuum weight.  It is quite heavy for an upright at 20.8 lbs and could be a chore for some to lug up or down stairs.  It does however have a very long 35 foot power cord which allows one to move from room to room without having to find a new outlet all the time.  A carpet cleaning kit that includes Zorb powder (for absorbing dirt from carpets) and Dyzolve spray (for removing spills and marks) is also provided with the DC17.

The DC17 has a 14 inch wide cleaning path (about average for an upright) and a telescopic wand that provides 16 feet of reach.  It does not come with a headlight nor does it use the Dyson Ball technology -  this is a fixed wheel Dyson.  You can see the DC17 Animal side-by-side with the DC25 Animal Ball in one of the videos below to better understand the form of locomotion used by each machine.  The DC17 Animal carries the typical Dyson upright 5 year parts and labor warranty.

The following is a good video to see the DC17 Animal and the DC25 Animal side-by-side.  Worth the watch if you are considering a Dyson Animal vacuum cleaner.

This is an HSN commercial for the DC17 Animal (please bear that in mind) but it does show the vacuum features.  Again, if you are in the market for a Dyson Animal this may be worth your while.

Vacuum Manual 
You may wish to view the Dyson DC17 Manual for additional information. 

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Chuck - homeowner   | 208.90.184.179 | 2010-06-25 12:09:43 Unfortunately, we have had the worst luck with our dyson. Every repair shop we spoken with says nothing good about them. Wish I'd have known that before dropping $600. Had it for 2 years, been in the shop twice. Now it needs a new motor and have been waiting 6 weeks! Apparently they don't stock parts. Find another brand...that's my opinion. Reply

Elizabeth - home-owner   | 173.76.220.56 | 2011-04-17 06:35:43 I agree with Chuck. We have had our vacuum cleaner for over 2 years, our motor broke- and cannot find any one to fix it. If you did not buy it from a place who dooes repairs, it is impossible to find someone who is willing to look at it. I have the DC25 Animal ball. Reply

Michelle   | 50.89.129.75 | 2011-07-01 06:33:32 I hate to add my negative comments, but I too have not been completely thrilled with my Dyson. Although, it is not completely dead yet, the wand only works when it feels like it, the motor is now VERY loud, and sometimes it doesn't even suck up the dirt. Reply

Sheila - pet owner   | 75.15.192.180 | 2011-11-26 13:32:11 Bought this because I have pets. Very disappointed. The pet hair twists up and clogs the cyclone, and you cannot take apart the cyclone like the basic Dyson to clean it without tearing up the seal. Plastic tab on the container broke in year 1. I'm tired of servicing it literally every 5 minutes. Cheap plastic construction. Not a good value at $600. Reply

Sheila - home owner   | 75.15.192.180 | 2011-11-26 15:04:21 Just a follow-up to my previous comment. Dyson is sending me a new cyclone free of charge (under the 5-year warranty I guess). Apparently there was a problem with the seals on these. Hopefully that will fix it. Reply

Erica   | 198.190.160.3 | 2012-03-20 17:43:34 I don't know where all the positive Dyson reviews are coming from. Many websites I've looked at say that Dyson is a great vacuum. I totally disagree. I have had mine for just under 5 years, and it is AGAIN in for service--only this time I'm told it's a problem that (surprise) isn't covered under the warranty. I could have bought a different, better quality vacuum for the amount of money I've spent on repairs so far. My vacuum service shop has had only negative things to say about Dysons. They even told me that the vacuums are really made for low-pile carpet & don't fare well on anything much thicker than that. And it IS a very heavy vacuum, especially on carpet. The only positive I have is that I like how the brush turns off so I can clean my hardwood floor. I'm not pleased with its carpet cleaning ability, though. Also, the only difference between the regular Dyson & the animal are the attachments provided. The actual vacuum is the same, so not worth the extra cost to me. With its non-heavy-duty plastic construction, shoddy performance & huge price tag, I HIGHLY discourage anyone from purchasing a Dyson! Reply

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