Best Reviewed
Handheld Vacuums
- Best cordless handheld vacuum Black & Decker 18V Pivot Vac PHV1810 *Est. $55
- Best corded handheld vacuum Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Corded Hand Vacuum *Est. $30
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- Good suction
- Build quality
- Quiet
- Easy to charge and empty
- Short battery life
- Expensive
- Must press power button continuously
Despite its high price, most testers say the DC16 Root 6 is an average performer. Many say it lags behind both the top-rated Black & Decker PHV1800 18 Volt Pivot Vac (Discontinued) and the inexpensive yet effective Shark Cordless Hand Vac SV736 (Discontinued). Conversely, the DC16 fares very well in non-comparative reviews by two consumer magazines. Owner assessments parallel the professionals: Hundreds of user reviews are split between positive and negative with the Dyson earning mediocre ratings overall. Aside from the basic model, the Dyson DC16 is also available in a model called the Animal (*Est. $200), which includes a motorized brush bar for pet hair.
The cordless Dyson DC16 Root 6 hand vacuum gets a lot of attention from reviewers. Popular Mechanics and The Wall Street Journal both conducted comparative tests pitting the Dyson against a handful of other hand vacs. Australia's Choice magazine editors review the DC16, comparing it to other handheld vacuums in rigorous testing. Which magazine also reviews the Dyson, but don't compare it to other hand vacs. Wired magazine editors also conduct a test and post a brief review on their blog highlighting its pros and cons. Small reviews at Housekeeping Channel and Apartment Therapy websites round out the picture. Numerous owner-written reviews on Amazon.com provide a good indication of how the Dyson actually performs on real-world tasks.
Our Sources
1. Choice magazineDetails/Subscribe
Choice magazine is the Australian counterpart of Consumer Reports, and its ratings are based on rigorous independent testing. The DC16 is compared to other handheld vacuums and rates favorably. Note that in Australia, the DC16 Root6 is called the Radix 6.
Review: Review: Dyson Radix 6 handheld vacuum cleaner, Editors of Choice, Feb. 2009
2. PopularMechanics.comDetails/Subscribe
This short video by Popular Mechanics magazine editors ranks the Dyson DC16 in between its competitors - the Black & Decker PHV1800 and the Dirt Devil Kone -- in tests of how these handheld vacuums picked up sifted flour and wet kitty litter.
Review: Handheld Vacuum Test, Editors of Popular Mechanics magazine, Dec. 7, 2007
The Dyson DC16 is tested here along with four other handheld vacuums. While the author says its suction is good, he also finds the Dyson "somewhat impractical." He notes that the button must be depressed for the vacuum to work.
Review: No Crumbs for Christmas, Charles Passy, Nov. 23, 2007
4. Amazon.com
More than 200 owners have posted reviews of the Dyson DC16 on Amazon.com, with positive ratings slightly outnumbering negative ones. The Dyson draws praise for its suction and ease of use. The short run time per charge is the primary complaint among owners.
Review: Dyson DC16 Root 6 Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com
5. Which? magazineDetails/Subscribe
U.K.'s Which? magazine editors cover the Dyson DC16, but don't compare its performance to other products Editors say the DC16 performs well. Since they haven't tested any other models for comparison, though, they've chosen not to rate it.
Review: Dyson DC16, Editors of Which? magazine, Feb. 2008
6. Wired
This short review of the Dyson Root 6 deems the popular hand vac "a serious sucking machine." Dumas liked the "easy-to-clean HEPA filter and dustbin" as well as the powerful suction. Cons include the power button that must be held down, the price, and the "pathetic battery life." No other hand vacuums are tested.
Review: Review: Dyson Root 6 Handheld Vacuum, Danny Dumas and Erika Stalder, Jan. 23, 2007
7. Housekeeping Channel.com
The Dyson DC16 is tested, but not against other cordless vacs. They find the battery life is extremely short, but they praise its durability and performance.
Review: Review: Dyson DC16 Root 6, HC Staff
This is a brief and not very detailed review of the Dyson DC16, though it gives a short list of pros and cons. The author decides: "People love or hate Dyson."
Review: Dyson Root 6 in the Test Lab, Editors of Apartment Therapy, Nov. 19, 2007
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