Dyson was criticized a lot over their big heavy designs. The Cinetic Big Ball which I’ve reviewed a while ago was a great success, but it’s still far from being perfect. One of the problems was size. Changes are tough, but necessary. Luckily, Dyson understood this, with their latest unit. Designed to serve homes that have pets, the Dyson Small Ball is a lightweight vacuum cleaner with high suction power. This new appliance packs Dyson’s best technology and unparalleled craftsmanship into a small yet powerful package that weights 12 pounds only. To get the right feel of what you’d expect from this vacuum cleaner, I’ve made here a comprehensive review of the product, which contains:
- information on all the product’s specs
- a brief comparison with Dyson’s other upright models
- a place where you can find a good deal for the Dyson Small Ball
The looks
Specifications
Suction power | This vacuum cleaner has been built using the Radial Cyclone technology which ensures that you are graced with uniform suction power all through the cleaning exercise. This patented technology from Dyson spins air at incredibly high speeds thanks to the 19 cyclones inside the vacuum cleaner. This results in centrifugal forces higher than the force of gravity, to help fly dirt and dust out of the airflow system, into the bin. The motor used in this Dyson is versatile and powerful, providing 150AW. Compared with other units from its class, the Small Ball comes out as one of the most powerful lightweight vacuum cleaners out there. |
Input power | Works on 120 V. Dyson is estimating a consumption rate of 25kwh per year, which is very low compared to other units from the same class. |
Dust capacity | It has a bin capacity of 0.21 gallons. This ensures you can vacuum up to 1000 sq ft. before you need to empty the container. Dyson created an easy-to-empty system, so you won’t need to get your hands dirty. However, you’ll still need to manually clean the bin from time to time. |
Filtration system efficiency | Dyson Small Ball doesn’t come with the classical HEPA filter. Luckily, the washable lifetime filter coupled with the cyclonic system eliminate most of the airborne particles. However, this vacuum cleaner might not be the best choice for people with allergies. You’ll be required to rinse the washable filter with cold water, at least once a month. Before placing it back in the unit, don’t forget to allow it to dry. |
Weight and Dimensions | This is one of the lightest and most compact vacuum cleaners that you will come across. It weights about 12 lbs. Besides lifting, its size makes it easy to be stored. It measures just under 32 ” in height, 14″ in width and 11″ length. |
Warranty | An impressive warranty comes from Dyson with prove of purchase. You will be treated to an exclusive 5-year warranty, which takes care of any defects that may arise from the vacuum cleaner’s craftsmanship and any other malfunction related to the original materials. While normal wear and tear is not taken care of in this package, it is such an impressive offer depicting the kind of confidence that Dyson has in its products. |
Accessories | Upon opening the package, you will find it rather spartan. Unlike the Big Ball which carries an assortment of attachments, the Small Ball only comes with a combined crevice tool, a brush tool and a stair tool. Regardless of this, however, the accessories are enough to handle all cleaning scenarios you have in mind. The brush tool will take care of curtains and all forms of upholstery while the crevice tool hits the corners and all the areas that are rather hard to reach. The main brush head is enough to handle all floor-cleaning needs while the stair tool takes care of all the stair surfaces in your home. These can all attach to the wand, which makes the Small Ball easy and convenient for use. |
Special features | 2-tier radial cyclones – The Small Ball is made of 19 cyclones that are organized across two tiers where they work in a parallel manner to increase airflow and therefore capture all the particles from your floor. The air inside the cyclones rotates at a very high speeds, to produce the kind of centrifugal force that will not allow any clogging of the appliance. Latest ball technology – This is the most recent release in the ball-line series. Consequently, it has improved stability, which makes it easy to move the appliance across different rooms, around furniture and other obstacles that are rather difficult to move. Reduced noise levels – This appliance has been acoustically engineered to produce a reduced noise level. Dyson claims it makes 30% less noise compared to other upright vacuum cleaners. I’ve measured the noise to 75 db, which is still much IMO. |
Usability | If you live in a home with multiple floors, this is the vacuum cleaner that you should give a try. Weighing only 12 pounds and with the right assortment of tools, it is relatively easy to move the appliance up and down the stairs. It has a 31-foot cord (42 ft. maximum reach), which is long enough to allow you to clean an entire room without the need to replug. Dyson Small Ball boasts of a retractable wand, which saves up to 30% of the storage space which you can use for something else. It can be used by both short and tall persons, as the handle is telescopic. |
Price | This is one of the cheapest Dysons available. Check out this offer, which will hopefully help you to save even more. |
Dyson Small Ball vs Dyson DC50 vs Dyson Ball Multi Floor vs Dyson Cinetic Big Ball
In order to get the bigger picture, I’ve made a comparison table with the previous compact upright version from Dyson, the DC50, the Ball Multi Floor and the top of the line, the Cinetic Big Ball Animal+Allergy:
Dyson Small Ball | Dyson DC50 | Dyson Ball Multi Floor | Dyson Cinetic Big Ball | |
Suction power | 150 AW | 128 AW | 245 AW | 180 AW |
Weight | 12.15 lbs | 11.6 lbs | 17.3 lbs | 19.2 lbs |
Dust capacity | 0.21 gallons | 0.21 gallons | 0.55 gallons | 0.57 gallons |
Power cord length | 31 ft | 25 ft | 30 ft | 35 ft |
Color | Gold Yellow | Purple | Light Yellow | Silver |
Filters | Washable lifetime filter | Whole-machine HEPA filtration | Whole-machine HEPA filtration | Dyson Cinetic + Whole-machine HEPA filtration |
Warranty | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
Price | around $300 | around $400 | around $400 | around $600 |
Pros
- quality built, good materials, transparent plastic
- long cleaning radius
- lightweight, compact, easy to store
- powerful uniform suction
- lower noise levels (but still not low enough)
Cons
- Can’t reach under furniture (due to the ball)
- Just a few accessories
The verdict
Dyson Small Ball is not only light and compact but rather an appliance with unique technology which really serves its purpose. Besides offering an unwavering suction power, you will benefit from an unique blend of tools, efficient suction and improved maneuverability. Unfortunately, in the process of tuning up suction, Dyson lost the HEPA certification, which I really hope they’ll gain in the near future. That being said, this is definitely one the best upright vacuum cleaners for people who live in small apartments or in houses with multiple floors. Here’s my VGM:
If I’ve missed anything or you have questions about this new Dyson, don’t hesitate to use the Comments Form. I would love some feedback from you guys.
, https://www.vacuumsguide.net/dyson-small-ball/