I'm a big fan Dyson vacuum cleaners. They're nimble, powerful, and constantly pushing the boundaries when it comes to innovation. However, the one area where they consistently fall short is comfort.
The latest flagship vacuum cleaners are some of the heaviest cordless models on the market. And while older, less technologically advanced Dyson options may be lighter, they don't offer anything that improves user comfort.
I had the chance to speak with Dyson engineer Steph Parker to find out how the company designs its vacuum cleaners, and I started by asking about the weight of its flagship models.
Steph explains that when developing the new flagship V16 Piston Animalweight loss was a “key goal” – and in particular it was “the goal of not becoming heavier than [previous flagship] Gen5.”
At the end of this process, Dyson appears to have succeeded: the V16 weighs 7.5 lbs / 3.4 kg with the wand and main attachment attached, and Gen5detection the weight is almost the same. Plus, if you remove the sticks and floor attachments, the new version is lighter (and more streamlined in shape) than the old model.
Unfortunately, however, Dyson models remain significantly heavier in the context of the wider market. This is one of the reasons that this is a pre-Gen5 model – V15 Detectionat 6.8 lbs/3 kg, this ranks number one in my rankings. Rating of the best Dyson vacuum cleaners.
To Dyson's credit, on both the Gen5detect and the V16 Piston Animal, the company has added a pad above the handle to provide some cushioning in that area. “It's designed to be comfortable on the upper arm because that's where most of the weight is,” explains Steph. Ideally, I'd like to see similar padding on cheaper models as well, because while they may be lighter, I still tend to find that they rub uncomfortably on my thumb knuckle with prolonged use.
Getting in shape
Another comfort issue I've found with Dyson vacuum cleaners is that all of their handles have straight edges, while other brands shape them to make them more ergonomic. The shaped handle is particularly welcome on Dyson's heavier flagship vacuum cleaners – the long top configuration means they can be particularly unwieldy when used in handheld mode, and users benefit from the ability to achieve a more secure grip. However, Steph says that's not what it's about.
“We fine-tune the dimensions of this pen based on our 95th percentile. [so 95 per cent of hand sizes can hold the handle comfortably]. We'll do a lot of testing with user trials just to make sure it's as user-friendly as possible,” she assures me. “But in terms of shaping it, it's essentially all we can do to try to make it as comfortable as possible.
I wonder if this is a styling choice – after all, Dyson has a distinctive and established design aesthetic that leans heavily towards clean lines. However, Steph explains that it's more about making sure the handle is nice and durable.
“I think it's probably mostly focused on structural [aspects] and just making sure that the products are as reliable as they can be while still being user-friendly for the majority of our users,” she continues. “It will undergo rigorous testing, so it must be structurally sound. And we don't need visual design [decision] It’s a total jeopardy.”
It looks like, at least for now, if you want the flashiest Dyson in town, you may have to bring comfort.
The best Dyson vacuum cleaners.
