Quite the compact vacuum, if I do say so myself.

Author's Rating:

Pros: Excellent, consistent suction for the price. Excellent build quality.

Cons: Small form factor. Short cleaning hose length. Small dustbin.

The Bottom Line: 
Innovation, testing, and versatility make this little vacuum a prime candidate for smaller living spaces requiring a deep, thorough cleaning.

Author's Review
Having used my mother's Dyson in years past (a DC15) and being completely impressed by it's performance I figured it was time to make a well-meaning investment of my own. My girlfriend and I quickly decided upon the DC24 "Ball" Blueprint Special Edition vacuum on sale at an online vendor for the unbelieveable price of $299.99 (no tax included). This vacuum retails on the Dyson website for 399.99 + tax, but finding a good deal is easy if you do some searching or harness the power of coupons. Coming to my decison was quick but arduous. There are so many competitors to consider including but not exclusively, Kenmore, Hoover, Meile, Electrolux and a few others. The proceeding text highlights some features I found to set the Dyson apart from similarly priced competitors.

I came to my decision in part because of my own past experience with the Dyson product. Dyson considers the consumer in almost every aspect of its machine. The brushbar, for instance is easy to maintain. The user can quickly remove and reset its electronic function in an instant should the brushbar seize with unruly, tangling matter. Dyson didn't spare the small details either. For instance, the brushbar features small grooves on the surface along which scissors can glide, freeing the brushbar of hair and string. The "Ball" design makes this vacuum a rather attractive and nimble competitor in comparison to other vacuums in the same price range; this said, it negotiates sharp turns with ease, and does it smoothly. The dustbin is easy to empty, and although (on the DC24) the dustbin is quite small, the sacrifice is made in weight and form factor. Coming in at little more than 12lbs all together, it is easy to move and store compared to larger size vacuums. "Suction" as a feature is touted as Dyson's main focus, and the DC24 is no exception to the claim, that Dyson's simply "doesn't lose suction." At half the power of Dyson's most powerful machines, suction remains no concern. The DC24 Ball effortlessly maneuvered through our 1,300 square-foot apartment, tackling bare floors medium-pile carpet, edges, and corners with finesse. Further, air quality is ne'er compromised seeing as the DC24 features two filters that process and safely expel air to the living environment; both filters, it must be mentioned, are easily washed and do not need to be replaced. 

Apart from it's use as an upright machine, the DC24 can be converted almost effortlessly into a canister-like vacuum for more meticulous cleaning. I must say, my only gripe with this mode of function is in regards to the hose length. The hose in it's entirety is about 3 feet long, hardly the reach or span needed to clean an automobile with ease, for instance. This flaw is understandably due to the aforementioned fact that the DC24 is just too small for greater tasks. This may prove no matter for small apartments and living spaces, but quite the issue for buyers seeking to utilize the Dyson's  secondary cleaning devices (like the brush attachment and the stair cleaning tool). Stepping up a size to the DC25, or the older DC15 would not be a bad idea if these features are a must.

The Dyson DC24 is without doubt, an excellent cleaning device. However, a compromise is to be made when considering the vacuum's size over other's of greater stature and power. The dustbin is simply too small for large spaces while the diminuitive hose length limits this vacuum to light cleaning tasks. This said, I'm going to recommend this device nonetheless. It was just too good to pass up for the price (stay on the look out for bargains...) and delivered exceptional performance.

(Updated: March 17, 2010) HJ