Introduction

Featuring Dyson's highest suction technology, a unique "ball" design and some trick features, it's one of the most advanced vacuum designs we've ever seen. With an MSRP of $450, it's also among the priciest canister vacuums available. But Dyson devotees will likely pay the price, especially if they've got a home with lots of hardwood floors.

Front

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Handle

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Hose

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Cleaning Tools

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Controls

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Dirt Container

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Underside

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Side

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Handling

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Dyson engineers on-site at the International Home + Housewares Show told us that the new DC39 is designed to follow the user and remain stable. Rolling on a ball and with the weight of the motor placed low in the vacuum's body for ultimate stability, it was quite difficult to tip over. An articulated undercarriage with casters made turns easier. There's no stair grip, however, which means users will probably have to hold or prop up the DC39 while cleaning stairwells.

Cleaner Controls

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Power controls are located on the unit itself, while the turbine head is controlled by a unique actuator on the wand handle that uses the vacuum's own suction to switch the brushroll on and off.

Cleaning Tools Use

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In its most basic form, the DC39 comes with a turbine brush head and a multi-tool for cleaning upholstery and crevices. Upgrade to the $500 DC39 Animal trim and you'll get an additional pet tool. All other Dyson accessories will fit the DC39.

Power Cord

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The power cord retracts into the vacuum's body.

Hose Use

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In addition to the hose's reach, the vacuum wand can also extend for cleaning under furniture or towards the ceiling.

Dirt Holder

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The two liter dirt holder detaches from the vacuum's body and is emptied by a touch of the button at the top of the holder.

Filter

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There's a lifetime filter in the ball itself, and a washable prefilter inside of the cyclone that can be wrung out by hand for faster drying. A new cyclone design uses a mesh filter that can capture particles as small as 40 microns.

Overall Verdict

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Customers in Europe, Asia, Australia and even Canada have had access to the Dyson DC39 canister vacuum for about three months now. It's just about to go on sale in the US, and we got a sneak preview at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago. We're looking forward to putting a DC39 through our scientific testing regimen. If it's as powerful and effective as Dyson's engineers claim, it could be a major player among high-end canisters.

Performance

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We can't comment on the DC39's performance until we test one in our lab. The lack of a motorized brushroll's heavy agitation is worrisome for high pile carpet cleaning, but Dyson's engineers claim that the unit's suction is so powerful that the DC39's turbine brush is strong enough.

Usability

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Like Dyson's upright vacuums, the DC39 rolls on a ball. In addition, articulating wheels make it easy to pull the vacuum along. It may be a little difficult to balance on stairs, but the unit is lightweight enough to easily be carried.

Noise

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We couldn't measure the DC39's sound output on the show floor, but it wasn't loud enough to drown out the other sounds in the convention center.