Dyson DC16 Root 6 Review

What the reviewers like:
Professional reviewers and owners agree that the Dyson DC16 Root 6 is unusually powerful for a cordless handheld vacuum. Owners also say they like the high-quality construction and the fact that the Dyson is quiet, quick to charge, and easy to empty.

What the reviewers don't like:
The Dyson DC16's power comes at the expense of battery life. Runtime is rated at only six minutes; some owners say it's actually even shorter. Many users also say they would prefer not to have to press the power button continuously during vacuuming. Price is the main negative.

Dyson DC16 Root 6 review highlights

Despite its high price, most testers say the DC16 Root 6 is an average performer that lags behind both the top-rated Black & Decker PHV1800 18 Volt Pivot Vac (*est. $70) and the inexpensive yet effective Shark Cordless Hand Vac SV736 (*est. $40). Conversely, the DC16 fares very well in non-comparative reviews by two consumer magazines. Owner assessments parallel the professionals: Nearly 200 user reviews are split between positive and negative with the Dyson earning mediocre ratings overall. Aside from the basic model, the Dyson DC16 is available in the purple Issey Mayake-designed ‘Limited Edition' (*est. $150), and 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 Online and the U.K.'s Which? magazine both review the Dyson, but, since they don't compare it to other hand vacuums, there's no way to know how it would measure up. Numerous owner-written reviews on Amazon.com provide a good indication of how the Dyson actually performs on real-world tasks.

Also see full report: Handheld Vacuums

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Popular Mechanics
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Handheld Vacuum Test
Editors of Popular Mechanics
Dec. 7, 2007

This short video by Popular Mechanics 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.

2. The Wall Street Journal
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No Crumbs for Christmas
Charles Passy
Nov. 23, 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.

3. Amazon.com
Dyson DC16 Root 6 Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

Nearly 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 runtime per charge is the primary complaint among owners.

4. Which.co.uk
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Dyson DC16
Editors of Which.co.uk
February 18, 2008

U.K.'s Which? magazine covers the Dyson DC16, but doesn't compare its performance to others. Editors say the DC16 performs well. Since they haven't tested any other models for comparison, though, they've chosen not to rate it.

5. Choice.com.au
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Review: Dyson Radix 6 handheld vacuum cleaner
Editors of Choice.com.au
Apr. 2007

Choice Online is the Australian counterpart of Consumer Reports, and its ratings are based on rigorous independent testing. Although their review of the Dyson is positive, the fact that the DC16 isn't compared with other handhelds limits its value.

Also see full report: Handheld Vacuums

Dyson DC16 Root 6 Review