Dyson produces a vast range of models to choose from, in any variant from corded to cordless, and even hybrids, some of which can convert to hand-held.
Although the naming conventions can be something to wrap your head around, it is less complicated than it might appear. Here’s what to look out for when scouring Dyson sales in Australia.
What models are there?
Generally, a corded and a cordless version of the same model exists, followed by some form of a suffix. Typically, these are the plus sign (+), the word Animal, or Absolute.
The suffix refers to how many cleaning attachments come with the unit. The cheapest range is generally the “Animal” models, with only the bare basics of cleaning attachments.
Absolute is the next step up and offers one or two extra cleaning attachments, above and beyond the Animal models.
When you see the + sign, it means that there are even more attachments available. Consider the Dyson V15 Detect: while the regular version offers excellent performance, it only comes with ten attachments. The Detect plus offers one additional but significant extra adapter, which allows the vacuum to reach underneath awkward furniture by essentially “bending” in a different direction to accommodate the extra reach.
What is the V15 all about?
A top-performer in any Dyson vacuum sale in Australia, the V15 Detect is known for its superior performance. One drawback is that it is hard to find, due to its popularity.
It boasts a range of features that enhance the base performance and make the unit a joy to work with. Think of the convenience of an integrated battery life display, a dirt sensor that increases the suction power when the unit senses a filthy area, a hair-shredder for carpeted areas (pet hair, be gone!), a soft brush for wooden floors, an illuminating laser to make dust easier to see and clean, and maintenance tips and instructions right on the unit display.
The smart folks at Dyson have even included a dust-particle sensor to let you know how much dust you have vacuumed. Excellence comes at a price, and the V15 is a costly unit, often over $800 each.
Are there equally reliable, strong vacuums on the market at a lower price on the market? Probably. Are these as reliable as a V15? Probably. Are they more comfortable than anything a garden-variety Dyson sale might serve up? Probably. Although it is unlikely that you will ever regret buying a Dyson, you should also guard against getting discouraged if you might NOT be able to buy one. If it is simply not within your budget, you are almost guaranteed to find something from another brand in its stead.
What is the Outsize category about?
Dyson also has another category, best described by its name – Outsize. This is by far the most expensive level of Dyson machines.
The Outsize models offer everything in a bigger and better format – more capacity, more suction, more battery life thanks to an additional battery pack, and more oomph, thanks to its sheer size. These models are ideal for very large homes.
What are the critical factors when vacuum shopping?
Any vacuum relies on its suction power, which would be the first thing to check out. The holding capacity of the dust bin is often overlooked. Still, unless you like emptying vacuum cleaners over and over, I would recommend looking for as much holding capacity as possible.
You also need to determine whether the type of vacuum cleaner is suitable for your home, whether it has hard floors, carpets, or a combination. This makes a significant difference to what kind of vacuum you need, as the attachments that are best used on carpets are designed to lift the pile and get all the junk out of the crevices. A hard floor attachment will not work nearly as well on carpets as a custom-purpose attachment, and the reverse is also true.
If you are lucky enough to have a large home spread across multiple stories, which could take several hours to vacuum, why not consider an Outsize Dyson? These brilliant vacuums automatically adjust their suction power to adapt to the type of flooring it is cleaning at the time. If you have a large area to clean, no problem – the extra battery pack takes care of any additional cleaning requirements! This is a particularly great feature, as interrupting your cleaning to first rechange the unit before continuing can be hugely frustrating!