Test: Dyson Fluffy

How can you resist a vacuum when it’s called Fluffy? The DC74 Fluffy is the latest device made by the creative engineers at Dyson. Oft associated for their bladeless fans, Dyson has expanded its lineup into the vacuum segment. They already have a flurry of vacuum models. The latest of which (and definitely the one with the cutest name) is the Fluffy.

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Did I just review a vacuum or one of the Doctor’s gadgets from Doctor Who? To say that the Fluffy looks futuristic is understating its unique design. Dyson combines elegance and creativity in their design that manages to look sleek without being tacky. Adorned with bold purples and reds, the Fluffy looks fit for a 21st century sci-fi film set. The Fluffy’s design is both ergonomic and visually appealing.

Prying the Fluffy from the box is more than a handful. The number of parts you can assemble to create a working unit is overwhelming. But the fun begins when you start to assemble it. Its different parts are connected with an easy click and disassembled with just a click of a button. Despite the ease of assembly, the Fluffy’s construction is sturdy enough to be handled as you see fit. The even weight distribution between the head and the engine just shows how flexible of use the vacuum is.

The Fluffy uses Dyson’s patented V6 engine which uses cyclone technology to provide maximum suction power at 100 air watts. Deep inside, it uses digital pulses and powerful neodymium magnets to rotate an astonishing 110,000 times per minute. This engine can pick up both fine residue and bigger chunks of dirt. If 11,000rpm isn’t fast enough, the Fluffy has a Max button which pushes the engine’s power to its maximum capacity at the expense of around 75% of its normal battery life.

The engine is activated by a trigger. Without the usual hassle of switches and buttons, the Fluffy is easy to use. With the trigger, you use the engine (and consequently, its battery) only when you want to. The trigger may be convenient, but it’s a shame that it doesn’t have a lock. Carrying the Fluffy may result in accidental triggers, which lops off precious seconds off its battery.

Minus the engine, the Fluffy is completely customizable. The long tubular neck can be done away with for a shorter handheld device. When it’s on, the Fluffy reaches up to heights of up to one meter, perfect for reaching the ceilings of regular houses. There are also a variety of heads engineered for various uses. The package comes with brushes, crevice cleaners, and nozzles designed to clean every nook and cranny. But the spotlight is on the main Fluffy head, from which the DC74 Fluffy got its name.

I tested the Fluffy on wood, tile, and carpet. Speaking as a cat owner, the Fluffy pleased me to no end. The Fluffy was able to pick up both cat litter and thousands of cat hairs from all three surfaces using a variety of brushes. There’s even one dedicated for hairs. I found the Fluffy head to be the most useful. It’s operated by two soft (or fluffy) rollers with strips of carbon bristles. The rollers push in dirt into the neck or the engine for easy suction. The carbon bristles are charged with static electricity which picks up finer residue and hairs from surfaces. The Fluffy also works wonders on a car. Its lithe figure enables it to reach hard-to-reach crannies.

The dust bin, however, is quite small. It can contain 0.4 liters. Emptying the bin is as easy as pushing a button and a flap on the bin’s bottom opens up to let the dust fall. The bin is also transparent which is both convenient (you can see when you have to empty the bin) and visually appealing (as you see it fill up).

The battery lasts 20 minutes on full charge. With the engine’s strong suction power, this is ample time to go through all the areas you need to clean. On Max mode, this reduces the time to only six minutes. Since Max mode is reserved for tough surfaces like carpets, six minutes is also ample time for the Fluffy to clean through the areas you put it up to.

The biggest drawback to the Dyson Fluffy is its high price point. It retails for a whopping P38,500. Its revolutionary technology is worth the cost, but it’s definitely out of the blue to spend that much for a vacuum cleaner.

VERDICT

One word we love saying as much as “fluffy” in this review is “easy.” The Dyson Fluffy is a powerful solution for just about any type of cleaning you need for your home. It’s simple and easy to assemble and operate. And it has the snazzy design and the cutting-edge technology to boot. Its price may leave you reeling, but you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

PRICE

P38,500

SPECIFICATIONS

Bin Capacity: 0.4 liters

Suction Power: 100AW

Cleaner Head: Soft roller cleaner head

Cyclone Technology: 2 Tier Radial Cyclones

Movement Type: Cordless

In The Box: Carbon fiber motorhead floor tool, combination tool, crevice tool, removable wands, battery, battery charger, docking station

Dimensions and Weight: 1,207 x 208 x 249mm, 2.31kg