The nice people over at Dyson recently gave me the exclusive opportunity to test out their new Dyson DC24 vacuum ($399.99). As a disclaimer, I've never enjoyed vacuuming, and try to pawn off the responsibility whenever possible. But, after a few sessions with the Dyson DC24, I was singing in the rain. To begin, I unloaded the box, expecting a dozen parts to put together along with a confusing manual. On the contrary, there were only four (!) pieces to put together, and no manual was required — easy, breezy, beautiful. Then came the vacuuming part. read more

For a few seconds, I looked for a carpet/floor switch on the vacuum, but then remembered, the Dyson DC24 is fit for all floor types. Yay! At 11.6 lbs., the DC24 is much lighter than any vacuum I've owned, and considerably lighter than the 40 lb. Electrolux I grew up with. Since it moves on a ball, rather than wheels, and it's so lightweight, it was really easy to move around and put away once I finished. It's also two-thirds the size of previous editions, so it's compact enough even for a small apartment. The vacuum was also surprisingly powerful, and sucked up all the dust and what-have-you collecting on my floors instantly. Its reversible extension wand was super helpful for cleaning small corners and awkward areas, like the crumby spots under my kitchen cabinets that never seem to get much attention.

The Dyson Ball also doesn't lose suction, due to "patented technology," and while I'd have to test this out over time to see for myself, I can say that the larger model Dyson I've had for the past several years continues to work great and exhibits great suction power. The Dyson ball also empties all the dust and dirt from the bottom of the bin just when you press one button (and no bags, belts, or filters needed), meaning you don't have to touch or breathe in the contents of a stinky bag when you pull it out.

The only drawback is that the DC24 ($399.99) isn't as affordable as other cheaper vacuums in initial cost. However, the Dyson is a good investment because it'll stand the test of time (five-year warranty included), and has amazing features. Buying bulky $70 vacuums that work for only eight months really will add up over time, and having a vacuum repaired isn't exactly cheap either. You're looking at around $50 or more every time you have one repaired.

Overall, the vacuum was awesome. It pretty much remedied all the things I've always hated about the chore. I can give an enthusiastic thumbs up on the new model.