The Dyson DC14 All Floors Bagless Upright Cyclonic Vacuum is a general purpose household vacuum cleaner. It employs Dyson's patented Root Cyclone technology that provides powerful suction while ensuring there is no loss of suction while vacuuming. Also featured is a motorized brush-bar that can be turned on to remove pet hairs embedded in rugs and carpets, or turned off to protect more delicate rugs (and for bare floors). The DC14 replaces the older Dyson DC07 model.
Consumer Comments
Consumer comments for this vacuum cleaner are by and large very favorable, with many of the consumer reports expressing satisfaction with the suction power, ergonomics and durability of the machine. On the negative side, some consumers indicate the price is excessive and others indicate the wand attachment can at times be annoying to set up. Several consumers also indicated displeasure with the accompanying documentation, or lack thereof, although other reviews indicated the documentation was complete but simply contained several minor errors. One comment that cropped up a number of times was how the vacuum adjusts to carpet height automatically, making a manual adjustment unnecessary. This is a popular feature with consumers. Customers also seem to appreciate the easy-empty characteristic of the canister and the fact that the filter, while requiring occasional cleaning, never needs replacing.
Consumers report the Dyson DC14 runs at about the same noise level as other Dyson models. Though not an overly noisy vacuum, neither can it be described as quiet, and therefore is probably about average as far as household vacuum cleaners run in this respect.
Several consumers have commented on the difficulty of setting up the wand attachment. This is likely due to the fact that setting up the wand is a two-step process. The wand has to be pulled out of the hose, then the hose is attached to one end of the wand and the accessory to be used to the other end. The steps involved are a bother to some, though apparently not to others. The wand attachments include a stair tool, a crevice tool, and a brush tool.
Price Range
The Dyson DC14 All-Floors Vacuum is priced at $292 for the bare bones model and $529 for the model with all the bells and whistles. An extended warranty can also be purchased if one feels the standard warranty is not enough. If you can find a model on sale or find an outlet featuring special purchase coupons, a savings of up to 20% can sometimes be realized, making this high quality machine much more affordable. A mini turbine head, useful for picking up animal hair in tight places can also be purchased. It costs about $70, and is available, among other places, at Sears.
Attachments
Some vacuum cleaner reviews express concern over the plastic parts found on many makes and models. The Dyson DC14 uses polycarbonate materials that form a very hard and durable plastic, and the Dyson consumer reviews make no mention of any breakage of the canister or any other plastic parts. There are several versions of the DC14 available, the main difference being in the accessories available and the colors. The bare bones Low Reach model has a low reach tool and 3 other attachments. The Animal model features a carpet cleaning kit and a small turbine wand, while the Full Gear model is the same as the Animal model except the warranties differ. The Complete model features a mattress attachment and soft dusting brush.
Ratings & Availability
DC14 consumer ratings are good but perhaps not as good as some of the other Dyson uprights on the market today. The Dyson DC14 models can usually be found at K-Mart, Amazon.com, Home Depot, and Sears. Reviews indicate the Full Gear model is available at Best Buy and the Complete model at Sears, however these models can also likely be found at various other Internet retailers.
