Dyson DC15 Animal Upright Vacuum Cleaner Review

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Avg. consumer rating = 90/100 

Dyson claims that its vacuums don'’t clog or lose suction and that they are durable and easy to use.  Dysons are certified asthma friendly according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and they have a fairly long warranty (typically 5 years).  They are also very popular with consumers.  The Dyson DC15 Animal is no exception, and like most Dysons it is a best seller and can be found at many retail outlets.

How well is this vacuum cleaner rated by consumers?  The following sources provide some insights.

The DC15 Animal, like all Dyson Animal series vacuums, is designed for homes with pets, and comes with a mini turbine attachment tool that removes pet hair and fibers from confined areas such as stairs, upholstery and automobiles.  The turbine tool attaches to the hose or wand.  The DC15 also uses Root Cyclone technology which does not lose suction power as you vacuum (Dyson have apparently proved this by undergoing a test known as the IEC60312 Cl2.9 test standard).  Cyclonic suction involves spinning air at very high speed to throw dirt and dust out of the airflow and into the collection bin.  This technology does not require bags or filters.  The DC15 has 220 air watts of power.

This vacuum also has a motorized brushbar (controlled by an electronic on/off brushbar button) that can be turned on for effective dirt and hair removal from carpets and turned off to protect more delicate rugs or hardwood floors.  The DC15 Animal also uses the Dyson Ball Technology which provides extra-maneuverability with the flick of a wrist.  This unique means of locomotion is accomplished by having the vacuum essentially sitting on a ball (it is the only rolling surface that touches the ground during operation) and having the 10.5 amp motor inside the ball ensuring a low center of gravity.  Most consumers like the maneuverability provided by the Ball Technology but some never get used to it.  If you are not familiar with this technology you really must view the first video in our vacuum videos section - it shows a Dyson engineer explaining and demonstrating the Dyson Ball locomotion.

The DC15 Animal has a wand that is released at the touch of a button and is handy for cleaning stairs or other high reach vacuuming (wand extends 14 feet).  There is also a low-reach floor tool that attaches to the wand to aid in cleaning under furniture such as beds or sofas.   The 0.71 gallon clear plastic dirt container empties very easily, simply by pushing a button.  It is also easy to reconnect to the vacuum.  Additional on-board tools include a stair tool, a brush tool and a crevice tool.

The Dyson DC15 also comes with a lifetime HEPA filter.  What exactly is a HEPA filter?  A HEPA filter (high efficiency particulate air) is a high-efficiency air filter that is capable of removing at least 99.97 percent of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers or larger.  These filters are used for many applications in the nuclear and biomedical industries but have more recently found a home in the newer vacuum cleaner models.  They are especially helpful to those suffering from asthma and allergies.  Dyson claim that air expelled from the DC15 contains up to 150 times less mold and bacteria than typical breathing air.   The HEPA filter used by Dyson is washable and designed to last the lifetime of the vacuum. 

The DC15 Animal also has a fairly wide 13-inch cleaning path, a 37 foot power cord (which is a good length – not too short), and comes with a carpet care kit (shown above - about a 50 dollar item).  The carpet care kit includes Zorb carpet maintenance powder, a Zorb groomer tool and Dysolv Spot Cleaner.  The Dyson DC15 Animal weighs in at about 19 lbs and measures 44.1 x 13.7 x 15.6 inches (HxWxD).  The vacuum comes with a five-year limited warranty.  (We should note here that specifications for this machine vary depending on the source.  We have seen varying figures for dimensions, motor amps, power in air watts, weight, and power cord length.  Where possible we rely on Dyson specs.).

What do consumers like and dislike about the Dyson DC15 Animal Upright?  A review of several sources indicate the following common pros and cons: 

PROS
- Very strong suction
- Not too loud
- Effective at picking up animal hair
- Many folks like the HEPA feature
- Canister is easy to empty and reconnect

CONS
- Fairly heavy
- Detachable hose pulls against you with a fair bit of spring tension
- Best for carpets – only average on hardwood floors
- Large size makes it hard to get under furniture
- Poor at edge cleaning (without an attachment)