Sissies shouldn't grow beards.

Philips Norelco QT4070 Stubble Mustache

Compared to any other trimmer on the market, I venture to say this is the most superior. I have owned at least 4 different types, including another Norelco. By any comparison, this product exceeds my expectations and makes other trimmers look like garbage.

The trimmer is a pleasure to hold and seems ergonomically designed. The build quality is very solid- to the point of impressive. Adjusting the trimmer is accomplished via a rubber coated adjustment wheel that is accessible on both sides of the trimmer. There are length indicators on the side vertically (a scale in inches) and the adjustment size displays on the LCD screen in millimeters. This provides a precise cut to those who require such precision (not me). The width of the blade area is more than sufficient for face and other areas (more on that later). Touted as a Vacuum trimmer, it does a pretty good job overall with some room for improvement as it may not vacuum all hair although that may depend on the length of hair being cut. Hair collects in a little compartment with a swing door. The trimmer is rechargeable (a stand is not included however- just the charger). Despite being rechargeable, the trimmer is very powerful, easily cutting through thick beard.

Some Issues

As stated before, the vacuum does a decent job, but not a great job at collecting hair. The shorter the hair, the better the job. At the very least, it seems to significantly contain the mess. Another issue is that due to the design of the blade guard, you cannot really trim right up under the nose. It gets pretty close, but not quite. Finally, neither a beard brush, travel case, or recharger stand are included. I was a little surprised in this regard.

I am unable to comment at this time on how long the battery will last. I will have to edit my review after a few months to see how the charge stands up.

Get your Philips Norelco QT4070 Stubble Mustache Now!

My favorite out of all the steam cleaners I have tested

Finejo Vacuum Keyboard Cleaner Computer

As this was being assembled, which consisted of attaching the handle with 4 well-marked screws, I thought I would have to take off a star--the assembly took two tries. However, when that was done, the product proves to be so good that the rating deserves a full five. First, the wheels are large enough to roll easily. The water containers both have nice handles to carry to the sink. The pump-out container is also super-easy to empty and clean. The cream of the product, however, is how clean the carpet is after minimal physical effort. The choice to remove the motor parts to use to clean upholstery or spot clean carpet spots is just as nice. This precludes the need for another appliance at additional expense and storage space. This design is functional and effective on all counts.

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Hoover dirt cup baffle

Hoover Baffle BH50010 Replaces 517758001

We purchased these bags for the first time in May 2001. I installed a bag and thought it worked OK. (I did not throw the former bags, not Hoover bags, out.) The next time the bag needed changing the lady who cleans the house (unbeknown to us) installed the bag we had been using previously. My wife who is very sensitive to house dust recognized the difference. After a very short time my wife said she could smell the dust when the vacuum cleaner was in use. I changed the bag in our vacuum back to a Hoover bag and the probem was cured. While not very scientific, it convinced us. I have thrown the other bags away.
Additional Comment:
Because of the small particles that are trapped in the bag, I take the vacuum outside to remove the filled bag. This prevents these particles from escaping back into the air in the house.

Get your Hoover Baffle BH50010 Replaces 517758001 Now!

Just right

Honeywell H39240 Bissell Devil Replacement

We purchased these bags for the first time in May 2001. I installed a bag and thought it worked OK. (I did not throw the former bags, not Hoover bags, out.) The next time the bag needed changing the lady who cleans the house (unbeknown to us) installed the bag we had been using previously. My wife who is very sensitive to house dust recognized the difference. After a very short time my wife said she could smell the dust when the vacuum cleaner was in use. I changed the bag in our vacuum back to a Hoover bag and the probem was cured. While not very scientific, it convinced us. I have thrown the other bags away.
Additional Comment:
Because of the small particles that are trapped in the bag, I take the vacuum outside to remove the filled bag. This prevents these particles from escaping back into the air in the house.

Get your Honeywell H39240 Bissell Devil Replacement Now!

Works as Described

Vacmaster VFDB Count Gallon Dust

We purchased these bags for the first time in May 2001. I installed a bag and thought it worked OK. (I did not throw the former bags, not Hoover bags, out.) The next time the bag needed changing the lady who cleans the house (unbeknown to us) installed the bag we had been using previously. My wife who is very sensitive to house dust recognized the difference. After a very short time my wife said she could smell the dust when the vacuum cleaner was in use. I changed the bag in our vacuum back to a Hoover bag and the probem was cured. While not very scientific, it convinced us. I have thrown the other bags away.
Additional Comment:
Because of the small particles that are trapped in the bag, I take the vacuum outside to remove the filled bag. This prevents these particles from escaping back into the air in the house.

Get your Vacmaster VFDB Count Gallon Dust Now!

on time and as promised

Hoover Allergen Cleaner Replacement Package

We purchased these bags for the first time in May 2001. I installed a bag and thought it worked OK. (I did not throw the former bags, not Hoover bags, out.) The next time the bag needed changing the lady who cleans the house (unbeknown to us) installed the bag we had been using previously. My wife who is very sensitive to house dust recognized the difference. After a very short time my wife said she could smell the dust when the vacuum cleaner was in use. I changed the bag in our vacuum back to a Hoover bag and the probem was cured. While not very scientific, it convinced us. I have thrown the other bags away.
Additional Comment:
Because of the small particles that are trapped in the bag, I take the vacuum outside to remove the filled bag. This prevents these particles from escaping back into the air in the house.

Get your Hoover Allergen Cleaner Replacement Package Now!

diapers have worked great for us

Luvs Ultra Leakguards Diapers Count

These diapers work so great for our son!! We tried every other brand and they just weren't for us! My son pee's A LOT, and we had a very hard time finding diapers that wouldn't leak! We tried huggies and pampers and both leaked really bad! Some one suggested that I try the LUV's brand, just to see if it was any different! And Oh my gosh!!! It was night and day!! We have been using these diapers for over 4 months now and NOT ONE leaky diaper!! I do have to say that I think the LUV's run a little small, but that actually works great for us! My son is really tall but thin, and we think thats why we had so many leaks with the other brands.These diapers are super absorbent! And have absorbing, stretch leak protection along the sides! I love that the diapers smell like baby powder! lol It just adds to the good baby smell!! All in all!! These diapers worked great for us! But every baby is different, so buy a smaller bunch to see if they work for you first...and then if they do go ahead and order this big box!!

Get your Luvs Ultra Leakguards Diapers Count Now!

Awesome

Shark MV3010 Navigator Professional Rotator

I just moved to a home with about 2000sq. ft. of beige ceramic tile floors, I began by purchasing a Swiffer wet jet and that was a joke all it does is smear the dirt around. I went online and started googling and reading product reviews and the Shark seemed to be the best option for me. It arrived yesterday and I cannot believe how simple it is to use and to change from vac to the steam mop you just push a button lift up and set the handle assembly on the steam head. The floors dry very quickly! My floors are gleaming and with very little effort from me. I have a yorkie and a long hair cat and the vac picks up pet hair I can't even see. I am so happy with my purchase and I highly recommend this product. Oh and as an added bonus the hepa filter is washable! Also comes with 2 steam pads.

Get your Shark MV3010 Navigator Professional Rotator Now!

AMAZING!

Shark Navigator Professional Lift Away Cleaner

I never leave reviews, but I was so amazed by this vacuum that I had to share!! I have a Kirby....which is a great vacuum...has many uses...but is very heavy and awkward. (and don't get me started on how much I paid for it!) I have a few friends who rant and rave over the Shark (they have the one that doesn't "lift away"). So, with positive reviews from friends and all of the positive reviews online, we decided to go with the Shark Pro. (we went with pro because of the extra attachments/tools).

Let me just start on the price. It's under $200. If you get it somewhere other than amazon.com (kohls....bed, bath and beyond, etc you can probably get it cheaper because of coupons). I paid a lot for my Kirby...this is 1/4 of the price! It's totally worth the money. (and it has a 5 year warranty).

It's very light (compared to my kirby...it's like a feather). It moves around the carpet nicely and without effort. There's no carpet levels to pick....it's either carpet or bare floor. It's easy to operate! The head is small, so it goes in smaller areas. The lift away feature is nice. I wish the hose was longer, but the the canister sits nicely on the steps, so I think I'll be ok!

What really sold me on the Shark was this...before my husband got home with it, I vacuumed our living room twice with the kirby. He got home, we set it up in a few minutes and tested it. I vacuumed the whole living room again. It pulled up sand (we live in ohio....so my kids haven't played in the sand box for at least a month now!) and a pile of hair/dust that was unbelievable. I was truly shocked by what my old vacuum missed. It wasn't like we had a cheap vacuum...I am sold on the Shark! I'll recommend it to anyone. I took a picture of the pile of dust and I'm showing it to everyone! I wish I could post it on here. You won't regret this purchase!!

Get your Shark Navigator Professional Lift Away Cleaner Now!

Wonderful Air Cleaner

Miele Canister Attachment Horsehair Bristles

I have often thought of getting an air cleaner, but was put off buy the price. When this one came my way, I jumped on the chance to try one.

I am very glad I did. This performs much, much better than my expectations. I have three big dogs and sometimes my house can smell a little "doggie". They also have access to a doggie door, so they are constantly bringing in dust, dirt and other things from the great outdoors. I plugged this into an outlet in the family room (approximately 12x24) and in less than 24 hours it smelled 100 percent better.

Set up is incredibly easy. All one has to do is open the box and plug it in. It is very light weight, so it would be very easy to move it from room to room if necessary. It makes a little bit of noise, somewhat like a white noise machine set on low. I am very pleased witht his product.

Get your Miele Canister Attachment Horsehair Bristles Now!

Wonderful Air Cleaner

Black Decker HEPAFreshTM BXAP148 Purifier

I have often thought of getting an air cleaner, but was put off buy the price. When this one came my way, I jumped on the chance to try one.

I am very glad I did. This performs much, much better than my expectations. I have three big dogs and sometimes my house can smell a little "doggie". They also have access to a doggie door, so they are constantly bringing in dust, dirt and other things from the great outdoors. I plugged this into an outlet in the family room (approximately 12x24) and in less than 24 hours it smelled 100 percent better.

Set up is incredibly easy. All one has to do is open the box and plug it in. It is very light weight, so it would be very easy to move it from room to room if necessary. It makes a little bit of noise, somewhat like a white noise machine set on low. I am very pleased witht his product.

Get your Black Decker HEPAFreshTM BXAP148 Purifier Now!

WOW.... What a Cleaner

Hoover WindTunnel Bagless Upright UH70105

bought this in june 2010 and have used it continuously since then.

excellent product design. easy to assemble. convenient handles, top and mid, and on/off switch near handle. easy foot peddle control of vertical stack. dumping the cylinder much easier and cleaner than loading and unloading a traditional bag. only two easily accessible filters to deal with. very clever red/green vacuum level indicator.

amazing suction. a good thing. brush tool works great for surface cleaning. floor intake really pulls the stuff off of and out of rugs. but you almost have to be careful when using the hand tools. haven't tried the spinning brush tool yet.

also steers straight. other vacuums can steer off to one side.

very quiet compared to most other vacuums i've owned or used elsewhere.

would be good if the hose and extension tube were longer. and the flimsy shipping box arrived partially open. oh well.

overall great product and well worth the ~$100 price.

Get your Hoover WindTunnel Bagless Upright UH70105 Now!

Hiaasen Hits the High Mark Again

Bad Monkey Carl Hiaasen

Andrew Yancey has several problems: the former employee of the Miami Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office is currently on roach patrol, i.e., a restaurant inspector. His current girlfriend Bonnie has an unsavory and lurid past that is about to be revealed, and a builder is constructing an oversized house that spoils his view of the water in the Florida Keys. And one minor detail: when a charter fisherman catches a human arm, Yancey is ordered by the county sheriff to take it to Miami thereby making it the city's problem.

Andrew, to be fair, is multitalented. A man who supports a mango Popsicle habit, Andrew is nevertheless appealing to the opposite sex, and, although dubious, is willing to make love with a beautiful and slightly kinky medical examiner on an autopsy table. Throw in a few murders, a ill-tempered monkey with the heartbreak of psoriasis, a not-so-grieving widow and her estranged daughter concerned with inheritance issues, a hurricane with an unlikely name, assorted Bahamans including a voodoo queen interested in sex as a payoff for voodoo services provided, and a surprise revelation that throws a real curve in the plot, and we have the makings of another wild ride with a fantastic plot, well-conceived outrageous characters, and a fast-paced story that readers have come to expect in Carl Hiaasen's novels. There are also satiric undertones, as Hiaasen also explores the despoiling effects of uncontrolled development on the Florida coast.

'Bad Monkey' is Hiaasen at his best.

Get your Bad Monkey Carl Hiaasen Now!

Perfect for pets

Bissell Lightweight 3 in 1 Vacuum Silver

I bought the Bissell 3-in-1 this past Thursday (12/23/11) at Walmart for $19.88 and I can't stop singing it's praises. I'd read quite a few reviews on various stick vacs and had actually decided on the Eureka; but luckily when I opened it up it was used and actually missing parts so I returned it right away and picked up the Bissell instead, which I have to say is the best thing that could have happened. The Bissell has no rollers for string to get caught on which I saw with the Eureka; just straight suction and it has a lot of that! If I have a complaint is that I wish the cord was longer (just need an extension cord) and I have to empty it quite often, but Dyson is using that as a selling feature for its hand model retailing at approx. $300! If you're looking for a great deal this is definitely the way to go!

Get your Bissell Lightweight 3 in 1 Vacuum Silver Now!

best vacuum other made

Kirby G10 Sentria Upright Vacuum

I love the vacuum.

It cleans very well. For 23lbs, it tracks much easier than my Dyson when you turn on its assisted push (drive mode), its suction power is ridiculously strong, it cleans my persian rug spotless, something my Dyson couldn't even get CLOSE to doing.

I don't get all the negative reviews. I had to deal with a high pressure sales, but TBH he was extremely helpful, showed me how to do everything and the dos and don'ts. Followed his instructions to a tee, and well, half a year later my house is still spotless. My son no longer gets weird rashes on his legs, my reoccuring eczema on my hands are gone, wife doesn't sneeze much anymore. I love this thing.

Its easy to push, easy to take apart (completely tool-less), easy to clean, only con I have is it has too much attachments and options, sometimes I don't know if I want to go upright or portable/attachment mode, and the fact that I have to change bags every 2 months. There is a lot to this machine, and the salesman explained every little feature in detail.

This ain't my first rodeo with high pressure sales, I talked him down from $2600 to $1500. Yes its more than Amazon, quick search on my smartphone revealed to me the Amazon price, but he cleaned my whole house, and I figured for his labor, plus tax, plus shipping, plus watching a master salesman at work (wow he's good, a little scripted, but one of the best I've had to deal with, he can relate with a piece of rock, bravo!), it was worth it.

The shampooer attachment is worth its weight in gold. The first time I used it I can't believe how many small pebbles it picked up in my carpet, one that my Dyson has been keeping "clean".

Its a great product, I had thought Dyson was the best until I saw it in action. Not even close.

Get your Kirby G10 Sentria Upright Vacuum Now!

I finally found my Vacuum!

Royal Style Bags Pack Generic

OK, here's my story. I had a Kenmore canister nearly identical to this Panasonic. I loved it. Eventually, the wire that connects the wand to the carpet cleaning unit no longer made a working connection. It seemed to me to be a design flaw. The newer Kenmore vacs rerouted the connecting wire, most likely to prevent the separation of the main wire over time. Anyhow, I thought that I'd never buy another canister designed this way because of the wire, but after looking at what the stores had to offer for canisters and the prices, I decided to purchase the same design over again. I really did give the Kenmore a run for its money. As it turns out, the Panasonic parts are interchangeable with the Kenmore. I plan to order Panasonic parts to fix the old Kenmore. On the flip side,and as I've read from other reviews, it's cheaper to use the Kenmore bags and filters over the Panasonic ones. Contrary to some reviews that I've read about the suction, the Panasonic works just fine. You just have to remember to make sure that the ring on the upper part of the wand is totally closed. The purpose of the adjustable ring is to decrease suction for vacuuming things like drapes. My dog sheds 24/7. He's a lab with furniture privileges. Fur is a fabric in this household. The Panasonic does a nice job of extracting the fur. I use the carpet unit on the furniture. I vacuum in several different directions and am pleased with the results. We have hardwood floors and area rugs. Not having to change the attachments when jumping from rugs to carpets is a nice feature too. Amazon had our vac delivered in two days. It was definitely brand new. Our vac was red. I didn't care what color it was, but the picture that I saw on the web site was burgandy. Good-luck Shoppers!

Get your Royal Style Bags Pack Generic Now!

I finally found my Vacuum!

Panasonic MC CG902 Canister Cleaner Burgundy

OK, here's my story. I had a Kenmore canister nearly identical to this Panasonic. I loved it. Eventually, the wire that connects the wand to the carpet cleaning unit no longer made a working connection. It seemed to me to be a design flaw. The newer Kenmore vacs rerouted the connecting wire, most likely to prevent the separation of the main wire over time. Anyhow, I thought that I'd never buy another canister designed this way because of the wire, but after looking at what the stores had to offer for canisters and the prices, I decided to purchase the same design over again. I really did give the Kenmore a run for its money. As it turns out, the Panasonic parts are interchangeable with the Kenmore. I plan to order Panasonic parts to fix the old Kenmore. On the flip side,and as I've read from other reviews, it's cheaper to use the Kenmore bags and filters over the Panasonic ones. Contrary to some reviews that I've read about the suction, the Panasonic works just fine. You just have to remember to make sure that the ring on the upper part of the wand is totally closed. The purpose of the adjustable ring is to decrease suction for vacuuming things like drapes. My dog sheds 24/7. He's a lab with furniture privileges. Fur is a fabric in this household. The Panasonic does a nice job of extracting the fur. I use the carpet unit on the furniture. I vacuum in several different directions and am pleased with the results. We have hardwood floors and area rugs. Not having to change the attachments when jumping from rugs to carpets is a nice feature too. Amazon had our vac delivered in two days. It was definitely brand new. Our vac was red. I didn't care what color it was, but the picture that I saw on the web site was burgandy. Good-luck Shoppers!

Get your Panasonic MC CG902 Canister Cleaner Burgundy Now!

Look no further

Kirby Micron Filtration MicroAllergen Technology

My future son in law can not sleep at our house do to a cat dander allergy. They have a cat (it was my daughters - a fairly dander free variety) and bought the older version of this on amazon for their home- said he got major relief from the minor irritation his cat causes. We have 2 cats - one low dander - one high dander - poor guy has to take benadryl after being in our house an hour or so.

Well based on his results with the older version - I bought this one - clears a major area in minutes in the room we are in - then put it in the guest room for the night - happy to say - allergy free the entire night! IT WORKS.... we put it in our bedroom when they are not visiting - and surprisingly - we both sleep much better - wake up refreshed and without "scratchy eyes and throats" ... so all in all - well worth the price paid!

Get your Kirby Micron Filtration MicroAllergen Technology Now!

Helps my boyfriend's allergies and quiet enough to sleep through.

Whirlpool Whispure Purifier Cleaner AP51030K

My future son in law can not sleep at our house do to a cat dander allergy. They have a cat (it was my daughters - a fairly dander free variety) and bought the older version of this on amazon for their home- said he got major relief from the minor irritation his cat causes. We have 2 cats - one low dander - one high dander - poor guy has to take benadryl after being in our house an hour or so.

Well based on his results with the older version - I bought this one - clears a major area in minutes in the room we are in - then put it in the guest room for the night - happy to say - allergy free the entire night! IT WORKS.... we put it in our bedroom when they are not visiting - and surprisingly - we both sleep much better - wake up refreshed and without "scratchy eyes and throats" ... so all in all - well worth the price paid!

Get your Whirlpool Whispure Purifier Cleaner AP51030K Now!

air freshner review

NEW Rainbow Deodorizer Air Freshener

Five years ago, I bought an Electrolux canister vacuum (model EL 7055A) after agonizing about wanting a Dyson. Dyson seemed to be a lot about marketing and flash, so I was unsure about spending so much money on something that maybe just looks pretty. The Electrolux had very good reviews in allergy/asthma sufferer forums regarding its performance and HEPA filter, so I went with the Electrolux instead.

Fast forward 5 years. I was in need of a new vacuum cleaner. The Electrolux sucked well and has still not lost suction, but the controls were poorly designed and they became non-functional within the first year, so I have not been able to control any of the settings (carpet height adjustor, suction power, etc.). I was also getting tired of its heavy weight. I decided to spend the big bucks on a Dyson.

I looked online and immediately became confused at the differences between all the Dyson models. Just reading the descriptions was not enough for me to discern any huge difference between the models. All I wanted was a vacuum cleaner that sucks well. I wasn't looking for a lot of bells and whistles, so the small differences in the models were lost on me.

So I decided to go to Best Buy and see them out of the box. I'm glad to have looked at the different Dyson models side by side. I was primarily looking at the DC41, DC40, and DC33. Out of the 3 models, I was immediately drawn to the DC40 because of its smaller size and lighter weight compared to the DC41 and DC33.

I've been using it for 2 months now, and I am happy with both performance and maneuverability. After I opened up the Dyson box, I first vacuumed with my Electrolux, then vacuumed again with the DC40. The Dyson did not pick up too much more dust. To be fair, the next time I vacuumed, I started with the Dyson then vacuumed again with the Electrolux. The Electolux also did not pick up too much dust. Both vacuums seem to have good suction. I am neither over- nor underwhelmed with the suction. It does its job.

======================
WHAT I LIKE
======================

1. SUCTION.
It sucks at least as well as (if not better than) my previous Electrolux which has very good suction, so I have no complaints in this department.

2. SIZE AND WEIGHT.
The DC40 is the smallest and lightest of the vacuums I have owned (other than handhelds). I don't dread vacuuming the stairs anymore. It stores very easily and doesn't take up a whole lot of space in the closet, even for an upright.

3. THE BALL.
Although some reviews note that it takes getting used to, I've liked the ball since the very first time I used it. The DC40 swivels nicely and more naturally...I don't have to move my whole body to change the direction of the vacuum. It did not take getting used to at all.

4. LOW CLEARANCE CLEANER HEAD.
Because the cleaner head is on the small side compared to other vacuum cleaners I've owned, it seems to get to corners and edges better. It also gets under cabinets nicely (the ball does not get in the way of cabinets).

5. EASY OF USE ON STAIRS.
I've used the stair tool that comes in the box with the DC40 that attaches to the wand (hose). However, I find that the DC40 is light enough that I can vacuum the stairs without using the stair tool. For me, the swivel of the ball makes it much easier to maneuver on each step. Whether using the main cleaner head or the stair tool, vacuuming the stairs has become much easier. It takes much longer to vacuum with the stair tool because it's much smaller than the main cleaner head.

6. MULTI-FLOOR.
It works well on carpets, tile, and hardwood flooring.

7. TOOLS / ACCESSORIES.
Unlike many other vacuum cleaners, the DC40 ships with only 2 tools...stair tool and a combination tool. If you don't care for accessories and misplacing them all the time, this is a plus.

======================
WHAT I DISLIKE
======================

1. THE BALL.
Because the ball is quite large, it does not get under my couches and beds. That's the biggest drawback of the DC40 for me. I use my old Electrolux to get under furniture.

2. NOISE.
Granted my Electrolux QuietClean canister has a reputation for being a relatively quiet machine, so perhaps I'm spoiled, but the DC40 is quite loud in comparison.

3. WAND AND ACCORDION.
The accordion part of the wand is pretty stiff in my experience. Hopefully it gets looser with age...right now, I have to keep tugging at the wand to make it expand and stretch. Plus I wish the accordion/hose was longer. When doing baseboards with the narrow combination tool that attaches to the wand, the vacuum stands too close to me because of the shortness of the hose/wand, and I don't have as much elbow room as I'd like. I wish Dyson would make a longer hose/wand that attaches to the original wand for people that want a little more length.

4. CORD STORAGE.
The cord wraps around vertically behind the canister. For the high price tag and stylish design, I wish they'd find a way to incorporate a retractable cord. The manual-wrap cord is both a little retro (not in a good way) and unsightly. My old Electrolux has a retractable cord which keeps it nicely out of the way and out of sight.

5. TOOLS / ACCESSORIES.
If you like using many different types of tools and attachments with your vacuum cleaner, you will need to buy them separately...and Dyson's accessories can get pretty pricey. Right now I've got my eyes on the multi-angle brush ($35) so I can get to my ceiling fans.

======================
SOME TIPS
======================

1. GO TO A LOCAL DYSON VENDOR TO COMPARE MODELS.

You can read about all the differences and features between Dyson models online, but it's really best to see the product in person. Hold it and move it around if possible. There are so many national chains that carry Dyson nowadays that it shouldn't be too difficult to find display models. The difference in weight between the models was a lot more noticeable than I expected when I tried them out at Best Buy. Walk around the store with it. Lift it up as you would on the stairs. Release the wand and see how you like the feel.

2. REMEMBER TO WASH THE FILTER!

Don't forget to wash the filter! The user manual recommends washing the filter every month, which I've done so far. This seems to be an important part of Dyson maintenance...I've owned a Dyson handheld for 4 years and the motor blew out after 2 years because I had never washed the filter (For the handheld, filter washing is recommended once every 3-6 months). I hardly ever used the handheld so I didn't think that it would be an issue (the filter was not even that dirty when I took them out). But when I called customer support, they said that not washing the filters basically blew out the motor.

3. EMPTY CANISTER IN A DEEP TRASH CAN.

Empty the canister in a deep, relatively empty trash can. The first time I emptied a bagless vacuum canister into a half-full trash can, I got a puff of dust cloud all around the trash can. This is not unique to the Dyson, it will happen with bagless vacuum cleaners in general. Not fun.

======================
IN CONCLUSION
======================

As others have noted, the DC40 has some trouble sucking up large-ish pieces. It tends to "push" these pieces around. I can confirm that it has trouble sucking up Cheerios pieces that my toddler drops on carpet/tile/hardwood. That's not due to the suction which is more than powerful enough to handle Cheerios, but due to the design of the cleaner head. As I don't normally have large pieces on the floor, and I primarily use it to pick up small particles and dust, this has not been an issue for me. I've also found that the Cheerios pieces get picked up when I back the vacuum cleaner up to it rather than pushing at it from the front.

Vacuuming has become a lot more "fun" than before, and I am quite happy with the purchase. I contemplated giving the Dyson DC40 a 4-star rating because of its inability to vacuum under my couches and beds due to the large size of the ball. However, I am giving it 5 stars because despite that flaw, it is still the best vacuum cleaner I've ever owned / used.

Get your NEW Rainbow Deodorizer Air Freshener Now!

The Dyson DC40 is a fantastic machine.

Dyson DC40 Upright Accessories Bundle

Five years ago, I bought an Electrolux canister vacuum (model EL 7055A) after agonizing about wanting a Dyson. Dyson seemed to be a lot about marketing and flash, so I was unsure about spending so much money on something that maybe just looks pretty. The Electrolux had very good reviews in allergy/asthma sufferer forums regarding its performance and HEPA filter, so I went with the Electrolux instead.

Fast forward 5 years. I was in need of a new vacuum cleaner. The Electrolux sucked well and has still not lost suction, but the controls were poorly designed and they became non-functional within the first year, so I have not been able to control any of the settings (carpet height adjustor, suction power, etc.). I was also getting tired of its heavy weight. I decided to spend the big bucks on a Dyson.

I looked online and immediately became confused at the differences between all the Dyson models. Just reading the descriptions was not enough for me to discern any huge difference between the models. All I wanted was a vacuum cleaner that sucks well. I wasn't looking for a lot of bells and whistles, so the small differences in the models were lost on me.

So I decided to go to Best Buy and see them out of the box. I'm glad to have looked at the different Dyson models side by side. I was primarily looking at the DC41, DC40, and DC33. Out of the 3 models, I was immediately drawn to the DC40 because of its smaller size and lighter weight compared to the DC41 and DC33.

I've been using it for 2 months now, and I am happy with both performance and maneuverability. After I opened up the Dyson box, I first vacuumed with my Electrolux, then vacuumed again with the DC40. The Dyson did not pick up too much more dust. To be fair, the next time I vacuumed, I started with the Dyson then vacuumed again with the Electrolux. The Electolux also did not pick up too much dust. Both vacuums seem to have good suction. I am neither over- nor underwhelmed with the suction. It does its job.

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WHAT I LIKE
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1. SUCTION.
It sucks at least as well as (if not better than) my previous Electrolux which has very good suction, so I have no complaints in this department.

2. SIZE AND WEIGHT.
The DC40 is the smallest and lightest of the vacuums I have owned (other than handhelds). I don't dread vacuuming the stairs anymore. It stores very easily and doesn't take up a whole lot of space in the closet, even for an upright.

3. THE BALL.
Although some reviews note that it takes getting used to, I've liked the ball since the very first time I used it. The DC40 swivels nicely and more naturally...I don't have to move my whole body to change the direction of the vacuum. It did not take getting used to at all.

4. LOW CLEARANCE CLEANER HEAD.
Because the cleaner head is on the small side compared to other vacuum cleaners I've owned, it seems to get to corners and edges better. It also gets under cabinets nicely (the ball does not get in the way of cabinets).

5. EASY OF USE ON STAIRS.
I've used the stair tool that comes in the box with the DC40 that attaches to the wand (hose). However, I find that the DC40 is light enough that I can vacuum the stairs without using the stair tool. For me, the swivel of the ball makes it much easier to maneuver on each step. Whether using the main cleaner head or the stair tool, vacuuming the stairs has become much easier. It takes much longer to vacuum with the stair tool because it's much smaller than the main cleaner head.

6. MULTI-FLOOR.
It works well on carpets, tile, and hardwood flooring.

7. TOOLS / ACCESSORIES.
Unlike many other vacuum cleaners, the DC40 ships with only 2 tools...stair tool and a combination tool. If you don't care for accessories and misplacing them all the time, this is a plus.

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WHAT I DISLIKE
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1. THE BALL.
Because the ball is quite large, it does not get under my couches and beds. That's the biggest drawback of the DC40 for me. I use my old Electrolux to get under furniture.

2. NOISE.
Granted my Electrolux QuietClean canister has a reputation for being a relatively quiet machine, so perhaps I'm spoiled, but the DC40 is quite loud in comparison.

3. WAND AND ACCORDION.
The accordion part of the wand is pretty stiff in my experience. Hopefully it gets looser with age...right now, I have to keep tugging at the wand to make it expand and stretch. Plus I wish the accordion/hose was longer. When doing baseboards with the narrow combination tool that attaches to the wand, the vacuum stands too close to me because of the shortness of the hose/wand, and I don't have as much elbow room as I'd like. I wish Dyson would make a longer hose/wand that attaches to the original wand for people that want a little more length.

4. CORD STORAGE.
The cord wraps around vertically behind the canister. For the high price tag and stylish design, I wish they'd find a way to incorporate a retractable cord. The manual-wrap cord is both a little retro (not in a good way) and unsightly. My old Electrolux has a retractable cord which keeps it nicely out of the way and out of sight.

5. TOOLS / ACCESSORIES.
If you like using many different types of tools and attachments with your vacuum cleaner, you will need to buy them separately...and Dyson's accessories can get pretty pricey. Right now I've got my eyes on the multi-angle brush ($35) so I can get to my ceiling fans.

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SOME TIPS
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1. GO TO A LOCAL DYSON VENDOR TO COMPARE MODELS.

You can read about all the differences and features between Dyson models online, but it's really best to see the product in person. Hold it and move it around if possible. There are so many national chains that carry Dyson nowadays that it shouldn't be too difficult to find display models. The difference in weight between the models was a lot more noticeable than I expected when I tried them out at Best Buy. Walk around the store with it. Lift it up as you would on the stairs. Release the wand and see how you like the feel.

2. REMEMBER TO WASH THE FILTER!

Don't forget to wash the filter! The user manual recommends washing the filter every month, which I've done so far. This seems to be an important part of Dyson maintenance...I've owned a Dyson handheld for 4 years and the motor blew out after 2 years because I had never washed the filter (For the handheld, filter washing is recommended once every 3-6 months). I hardly ever used the handheld so I didn't think that it would be an issue (the filter was not even that dirty when I took them out). But when I called customer support, they said that not washing the filters basically blew out the motor.

3. EMPTY CANISTER IN A DEEP TRASH CAN.

Empty the canister in a deep, relatively empty trash can. The first time I emptied a bagless vacuum canister into a half-full trash can, I got a puff of dust cloud all around the trash can. This is not unique to the Dyson, it will happen with bagless vacuum cleaners in general. Not fun.

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IN CONCLUSION
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As others have noted, the DC40 has some trouble sucking up large-ish pieces. It tends to "push" these pieces around. I can confirm that it has trouble sucking up Cheerios pieces that my toddler drops on carpet/tile/hardwood. That's not due to the suction which is more than powerful enough to handle Cheerios, but due to the design of the cleaner head. As I don't normally have large pieces on the floor, and I primarily use it to pick up small particles and dust, this has not been an issue for me. I've also found that the Cheerios pieces get picked up when I back the vacuum cleaner up to it rather than pushing at it from the front.

Vacuuming has become a lot more "fun" than before, and I am quite happy with the purchase. I contemplated giving the Dyson DC40 a 4-star rating because of its inability to vacuum under my couches and beds due to the large size of the ball. However, I am giving it 5 stars because despite that flaw, it is still the best vacuum cleaner I've ever owned / used.

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The best vacuum for laminate floors

Dyson DC26 Multi floor canister

The unit's pieces all fit together with precision - no friction fit like some vacs.
Small, light, very good power for its size. Used mostly for hardwoods the floor attachment works nicely.
The attachment uses carbon fibers to help sweep the floor while vacuuming, yet dust doesn't stick to them - nice touch.
For a few Persian rugs, I use the air-driven power head for periodic cleaning which is effective but not aggressive. It is smaller than most, but is handy for getting around and under furniture.

Unfortunately, function followed form with respect to the power cord. It is far is too short - another 5 feet would have made a big difference in usefulness.

Generally, the DC26 lives up to its marketing. It has been well conceived and executed. I bought it new, online for $300 with free shipping, which makes it a good value.

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Best Gift I've Ever GIven Myself

Hoover Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

We purchased this vacuum through Amazon three weeks ago. The vacuum is used for our large kitchen (laminate floor), laundry and entry way from our garage (laminate floor), front entry way and three bathrooms all with ceramic tile floors. Based on one of the customer reviews we'd read, we were concerned with the battery life. This has not proven to be a problem at all with us. First, the battery charges to full capacity in just about two hours and not the three we expected. We use the vacuum almost every day and the first charge lasted for a good two weeks. We are now on the second charge. The brush option is seldom used as the vast majority of the vacuuming is on hardwood floors and not rugs. It is our belief that limited brush use has allowed the battery to last longer. We've emptied the cup twice and did not have a problem with getting dirty. If your cleaning needs are similar to what I've explained, I would highly recommend you buy this vacuum. We also like the convenience of being able to charge the battery away from the vacuum and not be limited to where the charging can occur. So, we prefer to place the charging unit on a counter top.
I do agree with others who expressed concern with the price ($180) for this vacuum. However, I'll bet that the battery is the single most expensive part and this alone probably pushes the cost to this level.

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Central Vacuum Motor

116765 Lamb Central Vacuum Motor

I've been using the Hoover Pet Rewind for about a year now and I LOVE it! I had never used a bagless vacuum before and people told me they lose suction all the time and are a pain in the rump. They said only Dyson does bagless well. Well, I was skeptical to begin with, because my last vacuum, a Hoover Wind Tunnel bagged vacuum, was the most amazing vacuum ever. It lasted 10 years, faithfully picking up dog hair from my two chow mixes. I never thought I'd find another vacuum like that and wasn't about to invest in a Dyson to find out. So I bought the Pet Rewind and it works just as well as my Wind Tunnel did! Plus I don't have an issue with it losing suction. Sure, when the canister is full, I do. And if I have to vacuum my whole house, I have to empty the canister between floors. But I have two chow mixes! Hair everywhere! And I only vacuum once a week, so a lot of hair builds up. I can't ask more of a vacuum than I get from the Pet Rewind. Simply cannot. The only complaint I have is that the hand tool, which is FABULOUS on furniture is moody and tempermental. It gets hair wrapped up in it and I have to take it apart and clean it often to keep it operational. But it is cleaning a sofa and dog bed that two very hairy dogs frequent. I just really love this vacuum and if you have friends that tell you only a Dyson will do the job and no other brand will do, ignore them and save your dough. There simply is not 3x the room to do a 3x better job to justify 3x the cost. Oh, and be careful with your Pet Rewind...it will suck up everything within reach...throws, curtain cords, chihuahuas...so make sure the floors are clear of such stuff or you'll be replacing a burned out belt like I had to do early on before I had full knowledge of its power. (No chihuahuas were harmed in the writing of this review)

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