Dyson Animal – initial impressions

James DysonContinuing on with my review series of the Dyson DC25 Animal, I wanted to share with you my initial impressions the first day I used it. Keep in mind most of my impressions are in comparison to the Kirby Ultimate G because that is what I had been using previously. These are my immediate observations, some may end up being dis-proven, some may just be weird, but I wrote everything down that came to mind as I used the vacuum for the first time.

My initial impressions after my first day using Walter (if you are new here, I named my Dyson – Walter):

  • Cord is shorter than the Kirby.
  • Pickup and suction are incredible.
  • Cleaning the stairs is so much easier.
  • Lighter.
  • Easier to maneuver.
  • Easier to not miss spots because of it’s maneuverability.
  • It doesn’t smell like the Kirby smells (not in a good way) while vacuuming.
  • It gets into and under places better.
  • With the Kirby I could use the very corner of the head to sneak into a corner, not with the Dyson..it doesn’t pick up that way.
  • Can turn the roller off with the touch of a button to vacuum the kitchen/dining room floor.
  • With the roller off it does not pick up larger particles like Cheerios.
  • Very easy to push.
  • Seems to pick up way more dog hair.
  • You cannot pull the Dyson back as far because once the handle is upright, the roller stops spinning. With the Kirby I could get in a tight spot and pull it past me and even if the handle was upright, it would still vacuum.
  • If you need to stop for some reason, the roller stops spinning when you put the handle upright.
  • More compact.
  • The strange balance of the ball takes some getting used to but the maneuverability it provides is worth it.
  • It takes some practice getting the handle back and locked in upright position.
  • The extender tube was kind of stiff but I imagine it will loosen up some.
  • The extender tube did take some muscle to pull it all the way to get to the top stair, but still easier than lugging the Kirby up the stairs or digging out the Kirby accessories.
  • It’s not as easy to stop to do something and leave the vacuum sit by itself, and then tilt the handle again to start it moving. Since the handle causes the back foot to drop down in order to stand upright.
  • To buy a Kirby you have to have a salesman in your home, Dyson is available at many retailers.
  • To vacuum the hard floor, the Dyson brush stops with the touch of a button, with Kirby you have to lift the front and turn the belt.
  • The Kirby has a headlight. So what?

Below is a video I took the first day I had the Dyson. It basically addresses one thing – how they sound in comparison to each other because of all the things I was curious about, the sound intrigued me because I always thought that the Kirby was louder than a diesel engine. You will also see the results fromof the first time I vacuumed with the Dyson.

After a few weeks of using the Dyson, many of my initial observations remained positive characteristics that cause me to choose the Dyson over the Kirby, even when it means the Kirby is sitting right in front of me and I have to go find where I last left the Dyson. As I continue on with my review series, some of these features will get explained in further detail so you can see them in action for yourself.

About Kim

Kim is a creative person who doesn't sit still for very long. As the mother of two, she calls herself a "recovering former working mom" and left a successful career as an Architect to stay home with her kids. This blog is a reflection of her daily life and her quest to find the answer to "what's that smell?". If blogging doesn't work out for her, she plans on auditioning to become a sports team mascot.

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Comments

  1. Donnie Webb says:

    I work at my father-in-laws Kirby repair center and I can tell you that we will not work on a Dyson. I will list the issues we have.

    1. The Dyson is so much harder to work on. So, if you have a problem you will probably spend more than if you just buy another Dyson.

    2. Once the Dyson starts losing suction you will never get that suction back, But with a Kirby and a great Kirby repair shop it’s back to when you bought it new.

    3. We have and sell Kirby’s daily.

    4. The parts for the Dyson are extreme. Yeah, you need to service a Kirby every 2 years, but worth it.

    5. If you weigh a Kirby then weigh other vacuums the weight is only like a pound or 2

    6. Kirby’s that are kept at the 2 year service will last you until you die

    Just another note. I just sold a Kirby that was built in 1941. I don’t think Dyson will have any of the first series that will last 70 years. Don’t get me wrong, when I work on them they are nice. My problem was also the stupid handle. I just feel that for 39.95 service fee every 2 years is better than replacing a Dyson when it breaks. Dyson are hard to work on, prices for parts are very high, and for these reasons we do not work on them anymore. Don’t be haten I am just explaining from a repair specialist point of view. They are both great vacuums, but Kirby’s were built to last your lifetime, not Dyson. I don’t even own either, I have a Hoover. Only because it is smaller than both and when I break a vacuum I just take it to the shop and grab another vacuum that we have for sale and use it till it breaks. Besides, if I took a Kirby we would lose the money on selling it. Hope any of this helps. Another hint, do not buy those vacuums that are plastic from Walmart. Like the WindTunnel we get those in every day and it cost more to repair them than the vacuum cost. Mostly the parts are expensive for those too. Thanks for listening or reading.

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