This machine, the animal DC-07, is the biggest rip off I've ever been involved with. After about 1-1/2 years old the machine would shut down after about 4 minutes. I would have to wait about 10 minutes and then it would reset. Again after about 4 minutes it would shut down again. I've talked to Dyson about this and of course they ask if hoses are clogged, did I ever clean filter etc., which I assured them I had many many times. I also mentioned to them that I had read on the internet that many many people have had the same problem, and they just said it's the first time they've ever heard any having this problem. I spoke to a Dyson authorized repair shop and they said they were very familiar with this problem. The motor would have to be replaced for about $200.00. They also told me that Dyson now uses a different motor set up to eliminte this problem. So much for the Dyson factory person telling me she had never heard of this problem before. The repair shop actully tried to sell me a new Dyson for another $600.00, how could any one in their right mind want to trust them with another $600.00. Buyers beware you should consider just about any other vacuum other than a Dyson.

Over the years we have owned a variety of uprights and the Dyson is the biggest hype of them all. It takes several passes to pick up lint that you can see with the naked eye--I sometimes get so frustrated I just bend over and pick up stuff that it absolutely won't.

Another example - Our son got glitter from an art project on the floor. The glitter was VERY easy to see and the Dyson wouldn't pick it up. We borrowed the neighbors Eureka and it was gone in one pass.

I have taken it to the local service place to ask them if my machine has an issue. They tell me that it's just fine, and showed me how to adjust the height dial. (that did not help)

We vacuum every weekend and my carpets have never looked so bad. What a joke and huge waste of money!

I will never buy a Dyson vacuum again.

I bought the Dyson Animal (purple) for my wife 2 1/2 years ago. She loves the way it vacuums, says it's the best vacuum she's ever had in the 34 years we've been married. The issue is, this is becoming a high maintance machine. Last year the on/off switch went out. Bought the switch off the web, all togther the first repair was less than $15. Last month the roller stopped and would not vacuum the carpet. The belt was fine, it was the part the activates the roller. Had to take it to the shop this time and now we're out $165 for the fix. It vacuums great when it doesn't break down.

I used to vacuum daily with my old vacuum cleaners and was shocked at the debris that they left when I went over my floors with the Dyson.
The air smells better after using the machine, and it was only after observing that that I realized that my old machines must have been leaking fine particles of dust into the air or something.
It is great to be able to see the dirt collect in the canister, which is really easy to empty.
I love my Dyson.

Now, I have to say...I have read these reviews, all of them. I sold Kirby's for 2 years, and yes, I have one. The Kirby Ultimate G - Diamond edition to be exact. Have I tested every other vac, yes. Is it a gimmick, with our little filters, No. Unfortunately, I had to stop selling the machine a year ago, due to a new addition to the family. My wife and I went out and purchased a Dyson a month ago, because she was having her doubts about the Kirby. Now then. We vacuum our home daily, and she took a half and I took a half, each with our respective machines. After a month, we emptied the dirt holders (Bag and dust cup...thingy). We switched sides, vacuumed, and emptied the contents of each on a white plastic trash bag. The dyson lost, MISERABLY. After a weight test, the dyson picked up 2.35 grams of rocks, dirt, and dust...The Kirby removed 13.78 grams. This was in a competition sharing the high traffic evenly, and the kirby taking the older child's room (more traffic). To the woman below who tried the test cleaning with her dyson for a few weeks...Try cleaning with a well serviced and clean Kirby for a few weeks, THEN try the Dyson...you will be ashamed. As the person below you stated, it takes time. The Dyson simply does not have the suction power to clean like a Kirby (Yeah, you should have them cleaned once a year...20 bucks at the local shop, c'mon) As for the Kirby salesman, you are rude, and arrogant. Exactly why Kirby salespeople have a bad rep. I have 5 months of 15 plus, and I was never rude. I for one was disappointed with Dyson's performance in my home. I dont care about easy, pretty, or "Cyclone Technology" (Ahem, as a side note...the natural action of air forced through a tube is to spiral, i.e. Toilet flush. What a marketing Joke) All I care about is as clean as I can make my home after first birthday and first christmas in the hospital because of terrible allergies with my son. Dyson...Stay OUT!

Here's one for you - i had called Dyson no less than 7 times and they 'helped' me diagnose and unclog the machine. When I asked them why I had to continuously call and unclog, when I had better things to do, they got nasty. I sent the machine back to them and they said it was my fault that the machine didn't work, making up some bogus claim of misuse (I vacuum dry floors which happen to have dirt and pet hair - if this is misuse, then perhaps you shouldn't be in the vacuum business). The best part is that, despite the fact that I told them not to, they sent back an unrepaired useless vacuum. They never gave me a quote to fix it - they sent it back with a nasty note. I not only would never recommend Dyson, but I tell everyone I meet never to buy one. Not just because the vacuum is expensive and unreliable, but because for Dyson "customer service is always right" not the customer.

The vacuum cleaner has special high-velocity airflow tools. They won't stick to carpets or curtains and by directing the air down into the carpet pile, airflow is continuous, enabling better dirt pick up and gentler cleaning on delicate materials.
The Dyson Animal  vaccum cleaner is a great choice for pet owners and a can't-miss selection in terms of quality, features, and benefits.

Very true

Don't kid yourself. The dyson is the best vacum on the market bar none. Easy clean up, easy empty of the cannister and after one year of heavy duty use no suction loss. The extentable cleaner on the back is amazing for stair and such. This thing is built to last and built for performance. Don't buy into this Kirby propaganada. The Kirby is a joke at best, a scam at worse.

I know how everyone loves this vacuum . I hate it. I am a compulsive vacummer and it does not get low enough to the ground. I could not reach under the bed, dresser, and couch. The handle while it does provide great suction is cumbersome to use. It awkward to but back in place. I do like how its easier to maneuver and emptying the canister, but thats all.

A good vacuum, but it still does not compare favorably to the Sebo series.

I love my DYSON! All of the hype is true. It outperforms every vacuum cleaner I've ever owned. Worth every penny!
You can physically see it suck the dirt/pet hair towards it from several inches away on hardwood floors.
All vacuums should work this well. It's sad to realize that they don't, and people are still wasting their money on them.
Trust me- you'll love having a DYSON.

I don't have the dc07, I have the dc14, but the results are the same. I have been using a kirby for the last few years. It has worked decent, no better or worse that pretty much any vaccum out there, just a-lot heavier! Before the kirby I had a hoover windtunnel. It worked just as well as the kirby, with much less weight and it did not loose suction after 3 months like the kirby did. I recently purchased the dyson dc14 compleat and did my own real world test, unlike the demonstration the kirby clowns will perform for you if you let them in, an actual real test side by side of both machines. When the kirby clowns perform there perfected sales gimmick, they DO NOT use the bag, that clogs quickly and caused the vaccuum to pick up almost nothing. They attach a little filter that by-passes the bag and has little round filters that they replace several time during there little show. I used my dyson for a few months to be fair, then went over all my carpets with the kirby(new bag). I then followed with the dyson. I have a 2,100 sq foot house and even after using the kirby with a brand new bag, I hade to empty the dyson 3 times! It simply picks up that much more stuff. Don't let the kirby clowns fool you with there phony presentation and well practiced sales pitches and if you do, don't pay there overpriced amount for the junk they are selling. I have listed one that is only a few months old on ebay...the one that my dyson has replaced. Don't be fooled with the clowns, like in the listing below that claim the kirby is better. Like he said, he sells them and is trying to make a living!! Just look at the reviews for each, they clearly show the exact same real world results that I have stated.

I have had my DC07 Animal for over a year now. I wold recomend it to anyone. I have had anywere from Kirby to rainbow and hoover... Nothing has worked like my Dyson! I am a stay at home Mom of 4 cats and a baby. What the Dyson has pulled out of my carpet is amazing. Now my sister is able to come to my house and not be allergic to my cats. It takes a lot of time to bring out all nasty stuff out of your carpet but if you are consistant about vacuuming soon you will be like me and only pull out lint a little of pet hair and traffic dirt. Take it from me this vacuum really works.

I have two labs and have had trouble keeping hair off the flooring and carpet. I have had a bissel, hoover and used my grand parents Kirby. I conducted the test of all three units over the same carpet areas. The Dyson dc 7 animal was far better on the carpet and the wood floor. Even after the other two had ran over the carpet, the dyson picked up about two cups of litter off the floor. The simple fact is that the Dyson did a better job. Also, it did a better job on the stairs. We have two children and the dogs, so we had to find a better way to clean. WE DID, the Dyson and the attachments make our house much cleaner, it does not smell like dogs due to pulling the dander out of the carpet as well.

To be kind . . . I can fully demonstrate how a 15 year old Kirby is better than the best 2005 Dyson (whatever model)(or any other vacuum on the market). Yes, I sell Kirby's, and if Dyson were better than Kirby, I would sell Dyson's machines. In sales, one quickly realizes that 99% of all customers buy on emotions, not empirical fact. The reason Kirby has always sold in-home is because when a Kirby is put side-by-side ANY other machine straight up on a customer's carpet or sofa or mattress, the Kirby clearly outperforms any other vacuum on the market. A Kirby is not an emotional purchase, it is simply and factually the best there is. I welcome anyone to prove me wrong. I do not have to play the emotional angle in sales--especially with Dyson. I can do any number of objective tests, with Dyson or any other machine, and PROVE Kirby cleans best. I will make a wager with anyone owning a Dyson: If your Dyson can be PROVEN to be superior to a Kirby in a FULL demonstration, I will give you what you paid for your Dyson. However, if I show you (as I will) that the Kirby is clearly superior in every way, you must agree to purchase a Kirby from me at full retail price. A Kirby is expensive because it is the best on the market. I have done full comparisons against every other cleaning system on the market (the Kirby shampoo system versus all steam cleaning is even more superior!), and the Kirby wins hands down. There is no comparison, and when people object, telling me a Kirby is too expensive, I ask them - Next to what? Why do you vacuum? To get the dirt out, right? You can run every machine made over any section of your carpet--all in a row--and then I can take a Kirby and visibly show you the dirt all of the rest left in your carpet or furniture, or mattress. If you doubt me, and you live in the southeast part of Texas, e-mail me and I will prove it beyond any doubt. I won't even ask you to buy the Kirby from me. You will ask me to sell it to you. And, if you need work, I will tell you how you can make a very good living being your own boss, selling the best machine in the business, bar none. Up to you, Sports Fans. :-)

I used to dread springtime and the inevitable influx of Kirby door-to-door salespeople. Now, I welcome it. My Dyson DC-07 sends them packing with their tails tucked between their legs. I have 3 cats, two with long hair. My daughters and I all have fairly long hair and shed like the cats. I never have hair flying around the house any longer. My carpets are cleaner. This is the best vacuum I have ever owned; and I have owned Kirby, Hoover, Panasonic, ALL the name brands, I had an Electrolux when I bought my Dyson. I would happily spend the money I spent on the Dyson again. I will never own any other brand of vacuum.

I have owned my Dyson about 8 months. It works awesome. I have 3 indoor cats & my carpet is so clean after I vacuum. You can see it in the canister! Carpet looks like it has been steam cleaned after you use the dyson! I love it.

I have 3 Siberian Huskies, and I foster Sibes as well, so we can have 4-5 of them here. This gets dog hair up better than any vacuum I've ever used. The attachments are great for pulling hair off of the sofa, and the hose reaches all the way up the steps! well worth the money.

It was worth 400$ because we have had so many vacuums in the past 2 years its not funny, we had this for 3 years and still works perfect

Best vacuum on the market. Made our Kirby look like a piece of junk. Couldn't believe how much dirt, hair, and gunk it picked up the first time I used it. Our carpet looked like it had been professionally cleaned. I was disgusted by the thought of how dirty our floors were all those years we had the Kirby. Yuk! I highly recommend this vacuum. I don't think it's too heavy... the Kirby, now THAT was heavy! The wand attachment was a bit tricky to figure out, but once I understood how it worked, it takes just a few seconds to use now.

Just got this today. Amazing vacuum. Shocking actually, how much more dirt it sucks up. I am a guy, and I usually do not get jazzed by cleaning tools, but this one is really cool. I read some reviews on amazon that said it was heavy, not to me. They also dinged the wand attachment as being a bit cumbersome to attach -welllll kind of, but I can do it in 5 seconds so not too bad. Highly recommend this vacuum.

This is the best vacuum cleaner I have ever used! Also tools and ease of use are top notch