Dyson DC33 Multi floor

Avg. consumer rating = 81/100 

This machine seems to have all the key vacuum cleaner features as well as very strong suction.  It is also not as expensive as some of the other Dyson uprights, however many consumers love this machine or hate it.  It does not get the very consistent high ratings of the Dyson DC25 Animal for example.   Owners are pleased with the powerful suction, long cord and large dirt canister however there are numerous comments regarding the less-than-stellar wand design and the noise generated when vacuuming on short carpet.

A review of consumer comments from many sites has provided the following common Dyson DC33 Multi Floor likes and dislikes:

PROS
- Very powerful
- Long power cord
- Large dirt canister that is easy to empty
- Durable
- Generally not too noisy
- Easy to maneuver
- Good on both carpet and hard surfaces
- Washable filters

CONS
- Not easy to get under low furniture
- Hard to push on deep pile carpet
- Extension wand handle is not strongly made
- Retractable hose is stiff
- Extension wand is awkward to use
- On low pile carpet or area rugs there is sometimes a grinding noise (mentioned by quite a few owners).  This is, apparently, the result of the brushbar clutch slipping due to too much suction.

The Dyson DC33 can be found at a number of online outlets and as a result there are many comments and owner ratings available for this particular machine.  The table below shows consumer ratings from several quality sites.

Source	Consumer Ratings	#Ratings
Amazon	3.7 stars out of 5	39
Best Buy	3.7 stars out of 5	28
Walmart	4.5 stars out of 5	15
Kohls	4.3 stars out of 5	20
Lowes	3.9 stars out of 5	7
Bed Bath & Beyond	4 stars out of 5	7
Macy's	5 stars out of 5	12
Sears	4.5 stars out of 5	8

Ratings are a little inconsistent with some websites giving the DC33 high grades and others finding it somewhat lacking.

The Dyson DC33 Multi Floor upright vacuum cleaner is, according to Dyson, designed for use on many floor types including carpet, ceramic, vinyl and wood.  Dyson doesn't really make it clear what is supposed to make this vacuum better than other Dyson machines on these floor types, but it is likely the automatic height adjustment that is supposed to ensure optimum cleaning distance between the nozzle and the floor. 

The DC33 also comes with a motorized brushbar with an on/off switch in the form of a pedal at the bottom of the machine.  This switch allows the user to transition easily between carpets and bare floors.  The brushbar can be engaged to ensure proper rug or carpet cleaning and disengaged so the unit just uses suction on bare floors or delicate surfaces.

It is powered by a 12 amp motor and uses, like all Dyson vacuums, root cyclone technology.  This technology spins air very rapidly and forces debris out of the air flow and into the dirt canister – an approach that ensures no loss of suction over time and also helps to keep filters cleaner longer.  The DC33 has 240 air watts of suction (by comparison the DC28 has 235 while the DC25 has 220). 

Dyson uprights all come with HEPA filtration.  This is a high level of filtration that removes 99.97% of all particles with a diameter or 0.3 microns or more.  This typically includes dust mites, pet dander, pollen, etc.  The DC33 appears to be certified asthma & allergy friendly by the Asthma Society of Canada but so far is not certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (according to Dyson the uprights with this certification include the DC14, DC17, DC22, DC23 Turbinehead, DC24, DC25 and DC28).   The HEPA filter can also be washed and reused so there is no need to buy expensive HEPA filters time after time.

The dirt canister on this vacuum is quite large with a capacity of 0.61 gallons (2.3 litres).  One of the few shortcomings of the DC25 is the small dirt canister which is only 0.31 gallons.   The DC28 also has a 0.61 gallon dirt canister.  The dirt canister is easily emptied via a push button so there is limited contact with dirt/dust when emptying (consumers do comment on how easy this canister is to empty).   The canister is made of clear polycarbonate which allows the user to see the amount of dirt and therefore know when emptying is needed.

According to Dyson the DC33 telescopic wand has been re-engineered and is now lighter and also provides 4 inches more reach than other models (yielding a full 15.7 feet of reach).  However the wand is one of the main areas of consumer contention with this vacuum.  Comments include the likes of:

- the wand has a flimsy handle
- the stiff hose makes using the wand frustrating (tends to pull vacuum over)
- you have to unravel the entire length of the power cord to use the wand

The hose length is a full 15 feet but it is considered a bit stiff and not easy to stretch out or flex.  This contributes to the difficulty in using the wand.  In addition, this vacuum doesn’t clean right up to edges (leaves about an inch or so along the baseboard un-vacuumed) so it is necessary to use attachments like the wand for this, further frustrating some owners.

The Multi-Floor weighs 17.6 lbs which is perhaps slightly heavier than most uprights but is about average for a Dyson.  The vacuum is marketed as lightweight and compared to the DC28, for example, it is.  The DC28 weighs 20.6 lbs.  However the DC25 only weighs 16.1 lbs. 

This is a fixed wheel vacuum and not a Dyson Ball machine.  But consumers generally feel that it is quite maneuverable.  Although there are some comments indicating that it can be an effort to push on area rugs or deep pile carpet.
 
The power cord on this unit is quite long at 35 feet.  This is a great feature and one appreciated by many owners.  A vacuum with a short power cord can be quite frustrating. The DC33 also comes with a stair tool and a combination accessory tool (which is both a crevice tool and a brush).  The tools store on board the vacuum.  Like all full size Dyson vacuums the DC33 carries a 5-year parts and labor warranty.