Dyson DC54 Cinetic review

Dyson is back doing what it does best: vacuum cleaners. More importantly, making them easier to use and better than before. While we're all familiar with the bagless vacuum concept - something James Dyson has been working on since the late 1970s - Dyson has decided to go one step further and remove the filter too.

The DC54 Cinetic is the first machine that Dyson has produced without the washable filter. From a consumer point of view, it’s that last little bit of inconvenience for users removed; there’s no more rinsing required on a regular basis. Because that is something that Dyson owners needed to do to keep the machine in tip top condition. Granted, it wasn’t much to ask - rinse, leave to dry for two hours, replace - but how many people remembered? From the company’s point of view, it means there is less chance of the machine losing suction because of clogged filters and therefore damaging its reputation. So it’s a win win situation all round, right?

It works by using 54 cyclones with rubber tips that vibrate at a high frequency, stopping them from clogging. Add into that the efficiency of the cyclones that do a rather good job at handling dust and there is simply no need for the filters any more.

The good:

While the DC54 more than manageable, compared to Dyson’s last model, the DC49, the Cinectic machine is a bit of a beast. That’s not surprising; it’s built to tackle a family home without having to empty the bin several times. Not so the DC49, which was more suited to apartments and had the dialled-down acoustics to prove it. Its compact frame had the advantage of being easily stored in a small cupboard, but chances are if you need this machine to tackle a family home, you’ll find the space to stash it. Because despite it being bigger than the DC49, it’s still not exactly a massive machine. It has Dyson’s ball technology, which makes it easy to drag around the room.

The problem with bagless cleaners is that dust and dirt can get trapped between the wall of the bin and the cyclone. With previous Dysons, you sometimes had to separate the bin from the cyclones to make sure you got a the fluff and dust out; the DC54 still allows you to do this, but it also adds a clip on tool that can be used to rid the bin of any lingering crud in the crevices. So thumbs up for that, it makes the entire experience a little less

...the bad:

It’s difficult to criticise the Cinetic cleaner. It does exactly what you expect: picks up more dirt and dust than you thought your home was harbouring. It can be a little too enthusiastic at times - one run in with a piece of paper and the carbon fibre brush head resulted in some shredded confetti - but it’s not the the worst complaint to have.

The weight may be an issue - at 7.6kg it isn’t exactly light - but it’s still easy enough to wrangle it up the stairs.

The price is probably what will give most people pause for thought - at almost €550 for the animal version reviewed here and €480 for the multifloor version before trade-ins, it’s a little on the expensive side. In comparison, the DC47 multifloor is €380, with the DC39 Animal costing €480, which means you are paying for that little extra convenience.

…the rest:

With the animal version, there’s a few extras. You now get the tangle-free turbine in the box, the cleaning head that Dyson launched last year that promises not to clog because it has two counter-rotating heads. That’s useful if you have long haired pets - or humans - living in your home, and will vastly reduce the amount of time you spend having to clean brush bars of dust and hair. There’s also a carbon fibre turbinehead and a hard floor tool that makes it easier to get in and under furniture, into corners and the like.

The verdict:

The DC54 lives up to Dyson’s standards as a vacuum cleaner, and that little extra convenience may be worth investing a little more if you’re in the market for a new machine.

Dyson.ie