I'm a big fan of Dyson vacuum cleaners. They are agile, powerful and constantly pushing the boundaries when it comes to innovation. However, the one area where they seem to consistently fall down is comfort.
The latest flagship vacuum cleaners are some of the heaviest cordless models on the market. And while older, less high-tech Dyson options may be lighter, there's nothing to stop you from shaping or padding around the handle, which could increase user comfort.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Dyson engineer Steph Parker to reflect on how the company designs its vacuum cleaners, and I started by asking her about the question of the weight of its flagship models.
Steph explains that when designing the new flagship, the V16 Piston Animal, keeping weight down was “a key goal” and specifically it was “a goal not to go heavier than a [previous flagship] Generation 5”.
At the end of this process, Dyson appears to have succeeded: the V16 weighs 7.5 lbs/3.4 kg with its wand and main floor head attached, and the Gen5detect weighs almost exactly the same. Plus, if you remove the temples and heads, the newer option is lighter (and slimmer in shape) than the previous model.
Unfortunately, Dyson models are still significantly heavier in the context of the overall market. This is one of the reasons why it is the model below the Gen5, the V15 Detect, at 6.8 lbs / 3 kg, that takes first place in my ranking 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 over the handle to provide some cushioning to that area. “It's designed to sit comfortably on the top of your hand, because that's where most of the weight goes,” Steph explains. Ideally, I'd also like to see similar padding on the cheaper models, because while they may be lighter, I still tend to feel like they rub uncomfortably on my thumb joint when wearing them for long periods.
Get in shape
The other comfort issue I found with Dyson vacuums is that all of their handles have straight edges, while other brands mold theirs to make them more ergonomic. A shaped handle would be especially welcome on Dyson's heavier flagship vacuums – the elongated configuration of the top section means they can be especially unwieldy when used in handheld mode, and users benefit from being able to achieve a more secure grip. However, Steph says this is not in the cards.
“We adjust the sizes of that handle depending on our 95th percentile [so 95 per cent of hand sizes can hold the handle comfortably]. We would do multiple tests with user testing, just to make sure it's as comfortable as possible,” he assures me. “But in terms of molding it, that's basically as far as we'll go to try to make it as comfortable as possible.
I ask if it's a style choice; After all, Dyson has a distinctive and established design aesthetic, which leans heavily towards clean lines. However, Steph clarifies that it's more about ensuring the handle is nice and sturdy.
“I think it's probably mainly focused on structural issues. [aspects] and simply making sure that the products are as robust as possible while still being comfortable for the majority of our users,” he continues. “It will undergo rigorous testing, so it must be structurally sound. And we don't want a visual type of design. [decision] compromise that at all.”
It seems that, at least for now, if you want the flashiest Dyson in town, comfort will have to be a sacrifice you'll have to make.
The best Dyson vacuum cleaners
