Dyson DC33 Multi-Floor

The DC33 Multi-Floor is Dyson's mid-priced upright vacuum, but it has some features common to the more expensive models, such as a 35-foot cord and large dirt canister. Reviewers say the dirt canister is easy to empty, and the DC33 has such powerful suction that it leaves medium-pile carpets looking newer and has no difficulty removing pet hair. Weighing 17.6 pounds with a 14-inch cleaning path, the DC33 Multi-Floor is larger than some upright vacuums, but reviews say it's easy to maneuver nonetheless.

However, the large brush head doesn't fit well under couches and other low furniture. Most reviewers don't see this as a huge problem, however, noting the suction is powerful enough that it's not necessary to reach fully underneath furniture; others say they use the telescoping wand to reach tight spots instead. The most common gripe found in reviews is the cord: Some reviewers wish it was self-retracting. As an alternative, the Dyson DC24 Multi-Floor (*Est. $430) is much lighter at 11.6 pounds, and reviews say it's just as good at pet-hair removal.

We didn't find the Dyson DC33 Multi-Floor reviewed in any professional roundups or comparison tests, so we turned to consumer opinions. We found nearly 800 owner-written reviews on sites like Walmart.com, Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Viewpoints.com and Kohls.com. The majority of these reviews are found on Walmart.com, which has about 350 reviews for this model.