Familiar with the popular Dyson upright vacuums? There is also a Dyson CANISTER vacuum!  It is the model DC-11 Telescope and comes in 3 styles Allergy is lavender/green, All Floors is yellow/silver, Full Gear is purple/silver also known as the Pet/Animal version.  The main difference between the Purple and other 2 is an additional attachment called the mini-turbine head.  I've also been told that the Pet/Animal version also has greater suction power, but have not found/seen the specifications to verify this.

The main turbine head is 10.5 inches wide.  The mini-turbine head is less wide at 6.5 inches, for ease of vacuuming smaller areas such as pet beds, stairs, even vehicle interiors.  The mini-turbine head attaches directly to the flexible hose when the telescopic handle is removed.

Mini turbine head not shown          Mini turbine head not shown          See 3 attachments on DC11

DC-11 Telescope refers to the feature of the telescoping hose that attaches to the main turbine head.  This feature along with the compact body make this vaccuum easy to store in small storage spaces that lack the height (half cabinets or bottom of coat closets for instance).  Allergy refers to the fact that it has been found to collect 99% of particles in the air.  It even has a seal of approval from the British Allergy Foundation.

Mini turbine head not shown          Blue HEPA sponge shown              Main and Mini turbine heads

There are 8 main pieces: 

1. BODY (consists of the double canister, the main unit on 2 wheels, and the water-washable hepa filter that looks like a blue rectangular sponge)
2. telescopic HANDLE (from 17" to 46" in length)
3. flexible HOSE (69" in length)
4. MAIN TURBINE HEAD
5. MINI TURBINE HEAD (for smaller areas or car interior) *included in only the PURPLE model*
6. attachment 1: BRUSH TOOL (circular)
7. attachment 2: LONG CREVICE TOOL (long and skinny)
8. attachment 3: SHORT BRISTLE TOOL (oblong)

Weight: 14.1 lbs
Dimensions: 13”H x 11”W x 16-1/2”L

This unit is bagless and with lifetime HEPA filter.  On the main turbine and mini turbine heads there is a large button, that when tapped by your foot, disengages the rotating turbine head and allows you to clean hardwood floors.  On the telescopic handle there is a trigger that does 2 things: 1/ Resumes the rotating brush should you come from hardwood floor and return to carpet 2/ Reduces suction for cleaning lighter or more delicate pieces (curtains, upholstery, or rugs).  The telescopic handle cannot be used with the mini turbine head.  The mini turbine head must be attached directly to the flexible hose.  When using the mini turbine head, you must manually pull out the "large button" to re-engage the rotating brush since the trigger from the telescopic handle is not available.

Also, the attachments are easy to switch around.  I find myself vacuuming previously hard-to-clean spaces more regularly such as:

• heater vents
• wall moldings
• bathroom ceiling air vents
• edges of carpet and walls
• lamp shades
• under sofa and heavy furniture

Some may comment on the following:

The canister needs to be emptied quite often.
My response: This is true and goes hand-in-hand with using a smaller canister model as compared to other upright vaccuums.  I usually have to empty it after its use in 1 or 2 rooms.  However, I also get a lot of satisfaction knowing how much it really picks up.  Besides, it is so easy to empty.
1/ Press a button to separate the canister from the vacuum
2/ Holding the canister over a garbage can while pressing another button that opens like a trap door to allow debris to fall into the trash
3/ Close the trap door and reattaching the canister to the vacuum

The automatic cable rewind fails often.
My response: It hasn't failed me with a little help.  I make sure that the cord doesn't have any kinks and is placed loosely at the front of the mechanism.  You might have to press the button a few times but it will feed the cord.

The retractable cord is too short
My response: The cord is 196" inches in length (about 16 feet) to the red indicator.  There is an additional 2.5 feet if you fully extend the cord past the red indicator.  That gives about 18.5 feet!  I vacuum rooms that average 14x16 and have had no problems reaching end to end.  The cord may be too short to be used between 2 larger rooms, at which time I just incorporate emptying the canister when I power down and unplug the machine from one room to another.  It has pretty much become routine to me.

The turbine head is not appropriate for pile-high carpets.  It will not pick up large pieces or will stop completely.
My response: Depending on how compacted the carpet pile is, it could be difficult to push the turbine head against the grain of the carpet.  I've found this to happen in 2 small areas of our carpet. When I apply a bit more pressure and use quicker and shorter strokes, it works fine for me.  This is not the norm for me, but there is a difference in areas where the carpet has worn differently.  To address the other issues, larger items might not be picked up in 1 sweep depending on how high or compacted the carpet pile is.  I find that I have to go over it in 2-3 shorter strokes before larger crumbs or items thicker than dog hair are picked up, but they are picked up.  What I'm concerned about (and the reason I purchased this vacuum) is the particles that I can't see but I can smell (dust, pet dander, or what have you?).  I know for sure these are picked up because the canister is filled with it and the resulting air in the room is fresher and cleaner.

It doesn't balance well on the stairs
My response: I don't think that there are vacuums that sit nicely on stairs.  The advantage with this canister model is that I can carry it in one hand while navigating the turbine head in the other hand.  It sure beats trying to vacuum stairs with a heavier upright model by either:
1/ Using both hands to direct the vacuum's head brush over the steps
2/ Carrying it beside up the stairs even when using the available attachments

In my opinion, my previous vacuums seemed to just swirl the dust particles around leaving a vaccuum/dusty smell.  Our home is wall-to-wall carpeting in the top floor bedrooms, hardwood with area rugs on the main floor, and berber pile in the basement.  It works great in all places and it is easy to switch from room to room.  And with the turbine head buttoms and telescope handle trigger, it makes switching from carpet to hardwood a breeze.  The room smells cleaner after using this vaccuum! 

I'm pleased with its portability, cleaning, and ease of storage.  Prior to this vaccuum, I've used/owneda  Kirby upright (bag vacuum) and Dirt Devil Vision (bagless with HEPA filter).  This vacuum is worth every penny for its allergy/pet cleaning quality alone.  The other features (retractable cord, ease of attachments use, portability, smaller size) are just bonuses.

Although this model is no longer made by Dyson, you can find them on eBay for starting bids at $300 to $675 for Buy-It-Now

**Hello, I'm continually looking to improve and in the process of updating this guide.  If there is something that was unclear or a question you had that I didn't cover, please let me know.  I appreciate any comments.  Thanks, Karen***