Pound for pound, probably the best vacuum around.

Author's Rating:

Pros: Small, compact, relatively lightweight, easy to use, and very, very powerful.

Cons: Cost. Short cord. Could stand to be a bit lighter and quieter.

The Bottom Line: 
A compact, highly powerful, albeit expensive vacuum, purposefully and thoughtfully designed and built to do what vacuums do best--pick up dirt.

Author's Review
By now Dyson vacuums have solidified their reputation as powerful, highly effective vacuums. And while that reputation is well deserved, it does not come inexpensively.

This is my first Dyson vacuum. I purchased it in March 2007, intent upon finding a smaller vacuum with the power of the bigger models. In this model, I believe Dyson has struck a wonderful balance between small size and good power.

There are really no major flaws to be found in the Dyson Slim. Durability has not been a problem, at least in the first six months of use. It still suctions up as much dirt now as it did then. And if something does go wrong, I have confidence in the company's five-year warranty. I've heard nothing to doubt the integrity of the maker.

The Slim is relatively lightweight and easy to use. One can move from carpets to hardwood floors to furniture (unhooking the hose and using one of two nozzle attachments) with relative ease. And upon finishing, the vacuum stands smartly on its own, away in a closet.

The bagless canister is very handy; it can be detached, emptied without much fuss, and reattached in a matter of seconds.

Of course, the Dyson Slim (and I'm sure these remarks apply to the line as a whole) does what vacuums do best--suction up dirt. Its power is simply remarkable. I echo what others have said before me: the amount of dirt vacuumed up each week is disturbingly impressive; and afterward, not only the carpets and floors, but the air as well, truly feels cleaner.

One of the more arresting aspects of the Dyson is its cost. I paid about $500 for the Slim. And while it felt incongruous to pay $100 more for a model that is smaller and comes with fewer gadgets than other Dyson models, one quickly realizes that the Slim, with its greater agility and comparable power, is worth the slightly higher price. Furthermore, $500 is not so expensive for a machine whose performance should continue without significant drop-off for many years to come.

If one had to name a few of the Slim's drawbacks, they would include a cord that is a few feet too short and a motor that could stand to be slightly more quiet. Moreover, even though the Slim is, I believe, the smallest Dyson floor model, I couldn't help but wish that it was just a pound or two lighter, which would make it less unwieldy.

In short, one vacuum might have more power than the Dyson Slim, while another might come with more features or attachments. A third might be quieter and lighter. Certainly, there are a slew of more affordable vacuums on the market. But taking into account all factors, I feel that the Dyson Slim probably the best vacuum to be had.