Dyson DC22 Baby Allergy

To think I sold a Kirby vacuum for this pile of junk. I got rid of the Kirby because it was too heavy for my bad back, not realizing that the DysonDL22 was going to be 10 times worse! It looks neat. Handle is so cumbersome and uncomfortable. Thought it would be easy to switch from cleaning carpets to laminate flooring with attachment. Have to pick it up and wrestle with the switch with my hands. It is impervious to switching over by a touch of the foot. The tiny brush attachment would in theory be good for dusting windowsills etc, but the wand is so thick and long that everything in its way is vulnerable to damage. Need numerous socket outlets because the distance from plug to hoover is not just short, it is downright mean! Even emptying it is complicated because both lid and container get covered in dust and will not empty into average sized kitchen bin without spilling dust all over the floor. I hate everything about this hoover. Must have been designed by misogynistic men, who have underpaid cleaners, or for female body builders on steroids! Suction is good and attachments are useless. Carpet sweeper does a better job than this and strains the back less.

I love my little dyson, I thought it may not be able to handle a house with 6 people and 2 dogs but as it was only £139.99 from Argos in the sale I jumped at the chance after my electrolux vitesse+ pet lover blew up(thank heavens, I hated it) So I got this home and used it and was amazed at how much it picked up and how small it was, although the'flat out'' floor tool gets scratched and the unit needs emptying often, I was amazed at how small it stored away. I did however find the power cable very short but I can live with that. I dont like the combination crevice/dusting brush either. I find that the dusting brush keeps slipping down and also limits what spaces it can get to. I do think its rather good at getting dog hairs (1 black lab & a husky) which is good considering they moult constantly and i have a cream rug. I do have to empty it 3 times in a full house clean (5 bedroomed large house) but I dont find that a worry. Im always amazed at what it pulls out my rather old carpets (EWW!)

I LOVE MY DYSON

Hopelessly inefficeient - terrible on carpets, you just move hair and fluff back and forth unless you use the stair tool which measures approx 2 inches by 1 inch and makes even the smallest room an endless chore. You need to buy a beater bar for carpets which could bring this hoover into the £300 category. Don't buy - especially if you have allergies or carpets in your house - this hoover will not improve either of them. Pathetic....

I have to start by saying that I hate vacuum cleaners but accept them as a necessary evil. I loathe the Dyson DC22. Yes it is small so obviously the capacity is not great and you have to empty it frequently. It does however store in quite a compact space. The power cord is far too short so you have to unplug when going from say a hallway into a room. The machine is made of very hard plastic but there is no buffer around it or the cleaning tool so expect paint chips in your skirtings and at the bottom of door frames unless you are very, very careful. The cleaning tools are very poor so while the suction may be excellent it doesn't actually pick up all that well. Kind of defeats the object of the machine really. Mobility is poor. You would expect a cylinder vacuum to follow you round easily but it doesn't and for its size it can be quite difficult to manoeuvre. Don't even attempt to balance it on stairs as it will fall off. Basically style over substance.

The Dyson DC22 Baby Allergy is a splendid machine and well worth the money. The size, suction and weight add to the fact that it is very well built. Apart from the tool issue, which is a small issue anyway, there is nothing wrong at all with this great hoover.