Dyson DC40 Multi-Floor

 

 Avg. consumer rating = 90/100 

The Dyson DC40 Multi-Floor is one of the more recent Dyson upright vacuum cleaners.  It uses Dyson'’s latest version of radial root cyclone technology which provides better airflow, and it has updated Dyson Ball Technology.  The Ball Technology now has more components inside the Ball and less clutter outside.  The DC40 is one of the more lightweight Dyson uprights yet it still manages to generate a respectable amount of suction. Owner ratings are excellent and most folks feel that the DC40, while expensive, is worth the money.

Consumer ratings for the vacuum average about 90.4 out of a possible 100 (or 4.5 stars out of 5).  It should be noted that even though the vacuum is widely distributed it has not yet generated a large number of owner ratings.  But the sample size is still large enough that we can draw a fairly solid conclusion – see table below.

Update - We have updated the table and score for this vacuum in March 2016 (score dropped from 92 to 90).  The latest figures are skewed by the large number of rating from Home Depot, and ratings on sites like Amazon are not quite so high.  All-in-all though the vacuum still gets pretty good ratings at most of the sources.

Owner comments provide the following common vacuum likes and dislikes:

PROS
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight
- Fairly compact and easy to store
- A lot of people like the maneuverability provided by the Ball
- Good suction
- Doesn’t use bags and filters are washable
- Dust canister is easy to empty
- Cleans up to the edge well
- All tools store on-board
- Long warranty

CONS
- Some folks struggle with getting used to the Ball for movement
- Lengthy wand can be awkward to use
- Expensive
- Initially the hose doesn’t stretch out easily
- Short power cord

You can read more Dyson DC40 customer reviews on Amazon here if you wish.

This is a bagless upright vacuum that is powered by an 11 amp motor.  The DC40 uses the latest version of Dyson’s Root Cyclone Technology which has improved airway efficiency resulting in stronger suction power.  Cyclone technology spins air very rapidly and throws the dust and debris out of the airpath, away from the filters and into the dust canister.  This approach ensures the machine doesn’t lose suction as you vacuum and it also helps the filters stay cleaner longer. 

As mentioned, the vacuum is quite lightweight when compared to other uprights in the Dyson arsenal.  It weighs in at 14.5 lbs.  The DC41 weighs 17.4 lbs, the DC28 weighs 20.6 lbs and the DC33 weighs 17.6 lbs.  The DC24 however does weigh less than the DC40 at only 11.7 lbs.  However, as indicated below, the DC24 doesn’t have the same kind of suction power as the other machines.

DC40 suction power is measured at 200 airwatts.  By comparison, the DC33 generates 240 airwatts, the DC41 and the DC28 both produce 235 airwatts, and the ultralight DC24 produces only 115 airwatts.  Due to the light weight of the DC40 if you measure airwatts per lb of vacuum weight the DC40 produces more suction per lb than any of the other uprights (13.8 airwatts/lb), although the DC28, DC33 and DC41 are close.

This vacuum has been designed to work on all floor types – from carpet to bare surfaces such as tile, wood, vinyl, etc.  The unit has a motorized brushbar with on/off controls conveniently located on the handle near your fingertips.  The brushbar motor is independent of the main vacuum motor.  Being able to turn the brushbar on and off is important when transitioning from carpet to bare floors.  Generally one wants the brushbar ON when vacuuming carpet and OFF for bare surfaces.

Also, like the DC41 Animal, the DC40 has self adjusting nozzle height.  The unit’s base plate moves up and down ensuring an optimal cleaning distance from the floor surface.  This helps limit air loss from around the nozzle thereby maximizing suction and it also ensures the brushbar is the most effective height from the carpet.

Like most Dyson uprights with Ball technology – today or in the past – there are mixed sentiments regarding this feature.  MOST owners like the Ball technology and feel it does make the machine more maneuverable and easier to move about.  However there are always owners that simply can’t get used to moving a vacuum atop a ball and prefer the more traditional wheeled approach.  We have noted both types of DC40 owners in our investigation but the “pro” ball users outweigh the “con” ball users. 

Perhaps one of the reasons the ball is so popular with this machine is that the DC40 ball assembly is less cluttered than that used in previous machines.  Many more of the vacuum’s components are now housed inside the ball and as a result there is much less ducting and fixtures around the ball assembly.  The new approach creates a lower center of gravity (for better maneuverability) and also allows the vacuum to get closer to walls, furniture, etc.

Like most Dyson machines the DC40 has washable filters.  The HEPA filter on this machine is also washable and is a great feature for those who suffer from asthma or allergies.  HEPA filtration will remove very fine particles such as pet dander, dust mite feces, ragweed, etc from the air.  The DC40 is approved by the British Allergy foundation.

The dust canister has a capacity of 0.42 gallons.  The heavier uprights have larger dust canisters: DC41 = 0.55 gallons, DC28 and DC33 = 0.61 gallons.  While the much lighter DC24 = 0.19 gallons.  The DC40 Multi Floor is also easy to empty.  The bottom of the canister falls away when a button on the canister handle is depressed.  This ensures that emptying can be achieved with only one hand and it also helps limit one’s exposure to dust and debris.

Tools provided with the vacuum include a combination accessory tool (which is both a crevice tool and a brush tool) and a stair tool.  There is also a plastic telescopic wand.  The tools fit “with a click” to the end of the wand or stretch hose.  The attachments and hose provide a full 14.7 feet of cleaning reach.  The power cord on the unit is 24.7 feet in length and this is an area of some discontent with owners.  Most wish it was longer.  24.7 feet is indeed a little short for an upright and we usually advocate 30+ feet for a full size machine.  With hose and attachments the vacuum’s full reach is 14.7 + 24.7 = 39.4 feet.

The DC40 Mutli-Floor comes with a lifetime belt and it has manual wrap cord storage – there is no retractable cord.  The sound level of this machine maxes out at about 85 dBa and there are a number of consumer comments reporting that it is quieter than other Dyson uprights.  It carries a 5-year parts and labor warranty.