What's this? This score is based mainly on cleaning performance and ease of use. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
Price range:
$42.99 - $64.30
Summary:This lightweight, 14-pound bag-equipped vacuum cleaner has HEPA filtration and an easy on/off switch. The model lacks a full-bag indicator, manual pile-height adjustment, and brush on/off switch. The 25-foot manual-rewind cord is relatively short.
This bag-equipped upright lives up to its name at just 14 pounds, making it easier than many uprights to drag over carpets and floors. It has HEPA filtration, which blocks fine particles and may be helpful for people with respiratory problems (although some vacuum cleaners without HEPA also filter dust well). This model has an easy-to-reach power switch, but no option to turn off the brush to make it easier to vacuum wood, vinyl, or stone floors. Often, a rotating brush will scatter dirt on bare floors before the machine can suck it up. This model lacks a full-bag indicator or pile-height adjustment feature, and the manual-wind 25-foot cord is relatively short. Dirt Devil focuses on consumers who want a vacuum cleaner that is convenient and easy to use, but may not clean as deeply as some other models.
About This Brand
Dirt Devil is positioned for the when-I-can-get-to-it consumer who can accept surface cleaning. Marketing efforts focus on ease of use and convenience to make cleaning quick and effortless. Dirt Devil is available at a wide variety of discount stores and mass merchants, including Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart. Upright models range in price from $40 to $250. Dirt Devil also makes hand and stick vacuums, canister models, deep cleaners, and central vacuums. Dirt Devil has been focusing on design lately, teaming up with designer Karim Rashid to produce elegant, stylish cordless hand and stick vacuums.
Dirt Devil has just two entry-level compact canister models, priced at $80 and $150. They are sold through the same retail stores as their other vacuum products.
Features & Specs - Dirt Devil Featherlite Bagged M085590
Bag Denotes whether the model has a disposable waste bag. A growing number of vacuums, particularly upright models, use a container that can be emptied eliminating the bag. However, to capture the fine-dirt particles, these models must use a filter (such as a HEPA filter), which can need regular cleaning, or replacement. Replacement filters tend to be significantly more expensive than bags. While vacuums with bags may also use filters, the bag acts as a prefilter that helps to keep the fine-dirt filter cleaner thus extending its performance between cleaning or replacement. Another caveat: Emptying the dustbin and cleaning a filter can be messy, and handling it may expose you to dust and other allergens.
Bag
Yes
Brush on/off An on/off switch for the rotating brush lets you stop the brush from rotating when using tools or cleaning bare floors. That helps eliminate scattered dirt on bare floors and reduces the risk of injury if the vacuum tips over in use. It also reduces the risk of damaging a carpet or floor if the vacuum sits in place on the low-height setting.
Brush on/off
No
Easy on/off A switch that's located on the handle or where your foot can activate it is more convenient than one on the body of the vacuum.
Easy on/off
Yes
Manual-pile adjust This feature adjusts the height of the machine to a carpet's pile height to allow for easy movement and thorough cleaning. Adjustments are automatic on some models, but we prefer the manual control afforded by some models.
Manual-pile adjust
No
Weight (lbs.) The weight of the vacuum cleaner, to the nearest pound. If you expect to carry your vacuum up and down stairs, consider a lighter vacuum (under 20 lbs.)
I bought this Featherlite for a rental property, where an expensive vacuum might disappear. Motor is powerful and reliable, but noisy. Good for carpets, but don't rely on hose attachments for long-term use. The plastic end of the hose cracked and hose will not stay attached to vacuum. Definitely not strong enough for use by teenagers.
By
Anonymous
from
Hot Springs, AR
(12 of 12 customers found this review helpful)
4.0
great little vacuum
11/4/2009
Pros
Easy To Empty
Easy to Use
Efficient
Lightweight
Long Power Cord
Powerful/Good Suction
Cons
Noisy
Best Uses
Carpet
Hardwood Floors
Pet Hair
Stairs
Tile Floors
Comment:
This little darlin' will suck the chrome off a trailer hitch. Cheap, easy to use. Probably won't last forever, but then for [$], who cares? Have gone from Kirby to top of line Hoover and Kenmore. This vac is as good as the rest and lightweight.
2 people have reviewed this model.
Bag
