Comparison to previous modelThe biggest problem with the previous model was the poor battery life. That has been greatly improved in two ways. This model has doubled the battery life and it has a better charger. I loved my first Dyson handheld model in spite of the short battery life and used it often for short jobs. Like this one, it was so easy to grab and use, I was able to keep corners clean, crumbs out of the grout lines in my tile table, computer keyboards clean, drawers clear of all that little stuff that seems to get in them--in short my house was just cleaner in multiple ways that are normally challenging. I loved the trigger on/off action that made its short battery life tolerable and the dependable strong Dyson power, plus the easily dumpable canister. SO, when the battery life began to get shorter and shorter over time, in spite of being fully charged, I anguished. Should I spend $75 for a new battery that might only repeat the fading performance of the first or invest that money in this new...
Excellent in every way except operation timeAs other reviewers have said, this vacuum is lightweight, sturdy, easy to maintain, and has great suction power. Unfortunately it also has a short operation time of up to 10 minutes, with a 3 hour battery charge time. If you can deal with that, and the cost, this vacuum is highly recommended.
What boggles my mind is that Dyson didn't design the vacuum to work with a power cord. Either allow the vacuum to be operated while the battery charger is plugged into the battery and the battery is plugged into the vacuum (a "pass through" mode that would send the DC power directly to the vacuum instead of the battery), or provide a separate AC-to-DC adapter with a (longer) cord, that would plug into the existing battery port. This is a no-brainer. If you Google reviews on this vacuum, you see over and over again that the main (if not only) complaint is the short operation time. Dyson could make a new AC-to-DC adapter NOW that would plug into the existing battery port. My only...
A joy to use.The DC31 is a joy to use -- so much so that I find myself looking for dust to capture around the house (and since I've run out, now taking it around to my workplace and to other people's homes). Cordless is key, making it convenient to grab and use rather than going into the storage closet to pull out a vacuum, uncoiling the cord, etc.
GOOD FOR DUSTING
Certain parts of my home were overdue for a dusting, which was the perfect environment for the DC31. It's good for cleaning dust from hardwood floors, flooring trim, vent covers, and any smooth surface. I use the combination tool with brush (included accessory) to dislodge the slightly stuck-on dust and then capturing it, which is more convenient than getting a damp towel to wipe a dusty surface. Also, there are no left-over dust streaks with this method versus the damp towel. It might seem like overkill to spend this much for dusting, but the joy of using this tool makes it worthwhile. On carpets (short pile, car...
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