Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Does the performance of the Dyson DC28 Animal upright vacuum match its lofty price?

Cleaning carpets is a vacuum cleaner's toughest job. That's why it's also Consumer Reports' most demanding test for upright and canister vacuums. In fact, the ability to remove embedded talc and sand in our carpet-cleaning test helped separate the strongest from the weakest performers in our March 2009 report on vacuums (available to subscribers).

Dyson's new DC28 Animal upright vacuum with "Airmuscle" technology, $600, includes an automatic adjustment system aimed squarely at the kind of performance needed to deep-clean carpeting. And as if Airmuscle and Animal don't sound macho enough, the DC28 includes hardware that seems more suited to muscle cars.

A pneumatic actuator "pulls the cleaner head deeper into the carpet" while a high-torque clutch adds "more power to the brush bar, enabling the stiff bristles to open carpet pile and dislodge dirt," says Dyson. There's even a "powered cam" designed for better bare-floor suction. You half expect to find 0-to-60-mph acceleration time and horsepower specs for this vacuum.

The promise behind all that technology is better cleaning, since the system separately adjusts the vacuum head and brush to the cleaning surface. Dyson also says the automated process makes the vacuum easier to push.

This latest Dyson earned a very good in our carpet-cleaning test and did better than most of its brand mates, getting a very good instead of Dyson’s usual good. It also scored well in our pet-hair test and in airflow for tools—a plus when you need to get spilled cereal and other messes out of the nooks and crannies of a couch. Four friendly push-button height settings are another plus, since you can still do some adjusting on your own.

But as our handling test revealed, the DC28's added pulling power made this 21-pound vacuum relatively hard to push and pull. And while Dyson has been among the most reliable brands of upright vacuum in our repair surveys, some recommended models and CR Best Buys from similarly reliable brands cost hundreds less. The D17 Absolute Animal, $550, also scored a very good in our carpet tests.—Bob Markovich | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check our ratings of upright and canister vacuums (available to subscribers) for top values from other reliable brands. Before you shop, use our free buyer's guide to vacuums.

Comments

[Keith Rogers]

I just bought this exact model, and I must say that it is an excellent vacuum cleaner, especially in comparison to the older Dyson(s) that I've used in the past. However, I don't agree with the comment about the DC28 being hard to push. When you have the brush roll set at the lowest possible setting (without damaging your carpet), it is very easy to push, and can often make the machine feel self propelled. You also get great deep cleaning by setting the brush roll to the lowest setting as well. It only gets difficult when you have the brush roll set too high. For instance, on my plush deep pile carpet, having the brush roll too high will allow the floor nozzle to concentrate too much suction against the floor, making it hard to push and pull the machine. Having the brush dig deep into the carpet somewhat breaks the suction seal against the floor, with the brush acting as a powered wheel for the machine.

This blog entry also mentions the DC17 received a "very good" rating for carpet cleaning. However, it failed to mention that it does this by using a very aggressive brush roll that is damaging to many delicate high pile carpets and rugs; many DC17 owners and reviewers can attest to this fact.

[carol c]

I'm disappointed with the review: there's no mention of longer term suction and pickup performance. Dyson makes a major point that their technology prevents slippage over time in performance on those two counts, compared to other makers' technology. From experience I know that a Hoover Windtunnel at age two is nowhere near as good as when it first came out of the box.

[Barbara Tess]

I just purchased the Dyson Animal DC28 yesterday and I can proudly say that it is one of the best buys I have ever made. I have a 94 pound labradoodle (not supposed to shed... Ha! Ha!)and have tons of his hair embedded in my carpet thanks to a very expensive Oreck XL2. After taking apart the Oreck to clean it, the performance was still extremely poor. I knew I had a winner with the Animal when I had to empty the tank 3 times in my bedroom alone the first time I used this vacuum. After doing the whole house for the first time, I was able to fill up a 13 gallon kitchen garbage bag with dog hair and dirt. Simply unbelievable! The Animal also comes with 2 HEPA filters that you simply wash under the kitchen faucet every 3 months rather than trying to find pricey replacement filters. The only thing I don't like about the Animal is that it is hard to lug around when using the hose attachment as the handle of the vacuum is actually part of the hose. All in all this vacuum is the answer to my environmental allergies.

[tine Thevenin]

In your Summer 2009 Inside Newsletter you support federal legislation aimed at enhancing the safety of the food supply. No argument with the concept. However, let's be sure we separate conventional, corporate and chemical based foods and industrialized processed foods from organic, locally grown and locally produced foods.

These two entirely different groups cannot be legislated with one standard. The paper work and fees alone would devastate local small-scale growers who sell off their farm or at the farmers market or in small Ma and Pa shops.

I'd urge you to check out Weston A. Price Foundation and numerous other whole food related groups which are supporting small growers. Legislation designed for corporate food growers and manufacturers would devastate local growers who are by and large the real protectors of safe foods.

Food problem and food recalls are inherent with corporate growers and manufacturers, not family owned, small scale producers.

[hydraulic valve]

More complex control systems using valves requiring automatic control based on an external input require an actuator. An actuator will stroke the valve depending on its input and set-up, allowing the valve to be positioned accurately, and allowing control over a variety of requirements.

[Genny]

I bought an expensive Hoover when I should have bought a Dyson DC28 long ago. The suction power is very impressive. I don't even like vacuuming and I vacuum all the time now because I can actually see all the dirt and dog hair that the Dyson picks up. ONE AMAZING VACUUM CLEANER !!!