Customer Reviews

Dirt Devil Power Stick Bagless Vacuum Cleaner, 10 Amps, M084100RED

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(24)
1 star:		(42)

 

 

I purchased this 12 amp Dirt Devil after my 6 amp Eureka broke from 3 years of weekly use. I was very happy with my original 6 amps of power. However, I decided it was time to double up since I live with two cats that constantly shed. The DD does a great job at picking up furballs, sand, dirt, crumbs, small pebbles and many more from my hardwood and tile floors. Besides a great suction power, the DD is also light weight and stands up on its own. However, there are many drawbacks:

1) Too LOUD!! I wear ear plugs every time I use this machine (seriously!!). We already know it has 12 amps of power... we don't need to hear it!

2) The handle is too short. I am 5 feet 6 inches and I honestly feel that the handle is about 2-3 inches too short. I constantly find myself bending my back while using this machine.

3) The vaccum head does not swivel. I loved the fact that my old Eureka had the ability to swivel. It definitely made vaccuming easier.

4) Air shoots out of the side vents, which blows away what I need to suck up from the floor. This is really annoying since I have to "chase" what I want to vaccum.

5) Too big to go under my sofa. I can only get the vaccum head underneath. The entire body will not fit because is too big. I have to clean the remaining 2-3 feet of space with a swifter.

Although the DD does have excellent suction power, I prefer my old 6 amp Eureka, which cleaned just as well, without the loud engine! If you don't want to run around chasing your dirt while wearing ear plugs, then pass up this DD and buy another vaccum.

I live in a dorm room, therefore I have very thin carpet in a very small living space. Nonetheless, I would still like it to be clean. So, I came to dilemma of whether to buy a full size vacuum or go for something smaller. My family has always bought Dirt Devils - from a full size vacuum down to the small handheld Scorpion, and we've always had excellent results. Great power, long life, sturdy, etc.

So, in my quest for the perfect vacuum, I found the Power Stick. What caught my eye was the specified use for dorm rooms. I figured the price was right, free shipping, and ordered it right away.

Dang is this vacuum powerful! It's as powerful as a full-size vac, yet only half the size and weight. Granted it is really loud, but I don't mind that as it takes no time whatsoever to get hte vacuuming done. I got my entire room done in less than a minute, but my floor is extremely clean. I couldn't believe how much it picked up! There's a huge mouse-sized hair ball in the cup, and I didn't even see hair on the carpet! So, although I was a bit anxious about not having a roller bar, I know it's not going to be a problem because of the powerful suction. The cup is easy to remove and empty, and it even has a filter in the cup to help. The cord's length is perfect for my room, but I think it would be just fine for any room. It's also very maneuverable, which makes up for the lack of attachments. I was able to get the nozzle in all cracks and corners, and it was incredibly easy to turn around while vacuuming

The only problems I have with the vacuum (but not enough for me to give it 4 stars) is its noise and the weight. The weight is good for vacuuming as you don't have to put much muscle into pushing it around. But, as far as standing it up in a corner, I foresee it falling. If you hang it up on a door with the hook that shouldn't be a problem, but if you're going to stand it up, I recommend standing it near a wall. It's a lot of weight on the bottom and just the stick on top. It can stand up on its own, but it's also easy to knock down.

I bought this unit because it had a "reasonable" 12 amp motor. I figured it would actually pick up dirt even without a beater bar. I was right more than I ever expected, in fact thats my only complaint. It is so powerful, that the outbound air often hits your legs with a high velocity blast of warm air and bounces around your work area moving the dirt and dust devils around. Other than that it is great. Light, extremly powerful, and easy to maneuver into corners. Be aware however, the motor is so powerfull that ocasionally you will feel like you have a bucking bronco in hand when you turn it on.

Summary Pro and Con.
Pro:
1. Extremly powerful
2. Light
3. Easy to maneuver.
4. Easy to store using a hook on the wall
5. No bags to buy
6. Outstanding price
Con:
1. Startling when started (trys to twist out of your hand)
2. Loud
3. Small dirt holder
4. Head of unit hangs down with "detents" to hold in your desired position
5. No beater bar.

I give it 4.75 stars.

This is the first review, good or bad, I have ever written about any product. I have been compelled to write it by the reviews of the whiny, middle-aged, housewives (& husbands) who obviously clean house everyday and think vacuuming is a therapeutic exercise that revolves around soothing, ocean-like noises that lull one into comforting subliminal thought patterns. I am a 27 year old professional and I just want to get the place clean. I would not even have noticed the noise had I not been waiting to be blown away. Totally acceptable. Ear-plugs. Give me a break. I was shocked to see the dust this thing pulled out of my rug (though rugs are a little difficult unless you place furniture on them to hold them down!) As for not sucking up larger objects; utter waffle. Read the instructions and clean the filter. By the way, the thing is so easy to use and empty it's ridiculous. I have very little storage space but it hangs on a hook on the back of a door closet. awesome. Thank you dirt devil. I am going to buy 2 more of these in case, god forbid, the whiners have a sufficient stranglehold on the vacuum-market to subject us all to vacuums that assuage their pitiable critiques. People that vacuum to clean - get this "beast"!

I just purchased this vacuum and I'm quite disappointed. I'm generally hard to disappoint too. I bought the vacuum b/c it was 12 amp - "as much power as a full size upright!" I figured it would be nice to have that much power in a lighter vacuum that I could easily use for quick pick ups and stairs.

It's powerful all right! Hold on tight when you start it up. The torque nearly pulls it right out of your hand!

Then there's the noise... You'd think that a jet engine was taking off in your living room! I'm certain I lost some of my hearing - my ears were aching afterwards (no kidding!). If I keep this thing, I'll definitely be wearing earplugs everytime I vacuum! Certainly couldn't get any vacuuming done while the kids are asleep!

There's also the problem of the amount and velocity of air coming out of the motor compartment. It's quite a problem b/c if you're not careful, the dirt you intended to vacuum up ends up blown across the room before you can get to it!

I was surprised to notice, too, that it seemed to have a hard time picking up the larger stuff (1/4 - 1/3 inch). I was surprised b/c of the apparent power that it has. I had to run the vacuum over it several times to get it. On the plus side, little stuff and pet hair were sucked right up (provided the air coming out of the little monster didn't stir it up before I got to it!).

The 20 foot cord is nice. I was able to easily do the stairs with plenty of cord left over.

All in all, a big disappointment. I'm now going to look into returning it. I think I'll go for the quieter, less powerful vacuum next time!

If the almost painful noise was anything to go by this machine would rip up the nails fastening the carpet to the floor. Instead, it leaves the carpet almost as it was before I vacuumed it. It seems to get rid of the dust, but everything bigger than a breadcrumb is above its capability. I regret the day a exchanged my mini Black & Decker for this underperformer.

I can not say enough about this little thing. I searched for hours for a great vacuum for bare floors, especially Pergo. I was torn about reviews and what brand to choose. I narrowed it down to this one and could not be happier. First, we were using the dirt devil Swiffer vac. We have had it for about 8 months and never abused it but the motor is not running right and it NEVER picks up everything, only pushed it around. You would have to vacuum the house several times, buy all those expensive pads (wet and dry), and wait for the thing to charge and when you cleaned it only sucked up hairballs and left the `dirt' on the floor. It was just one continuous cycle. I wanted something that cleaned/vacuumed the bare floors then I would only have to wet Swiffer them once without having to pick up what the dry part left behind. I researched and came across this baby. Went to the store to buy it and I was still comparing it to others, the fact it was a 12 Amp and so light I knew it would be loud. But after comparing it I am so glad we bought it for the house. If you have cats, you need this vacuum! I am a bit obsessive about cleaning, I LOVE to clean, the floors are never really dirty per say but when I plugged this sucker in, it literally took off out of my hands! It took one minute to put together too! I have read it is too loud, maybe it is just me but compared to a standard vacuum like the Eureka Boss for regular floors this is nothing. I did not think it was too loud, I actually could speak to my husband while it was running and we are both hard of hearing. I love the fact that the bottom has a clean, economical design. It has a small opening for suction and even wanted to suck up the pet toys but the small input prevented that. I also read people have had dust bunnies fly around they have to catch. Quite the contrary; this thing is so powerful that the motor vents will literally blow any dust bunnies lose for you to vacuum, I was not chasing them around, it found them and then sucked it right in. The thing I really liked was when vacuuming a baseboard/wall close up this sucker will get everything. It holds on to the baseboard and really picks up what other units can't. Again, pet owners, this is the vacuum for you or even if you drop a crumb or two and need to vacuum it up. I was surprised it even picked up the loose cat liter the cats might have dragged out of the box, which I thought I had swept! If you though the floors were clean this will prove you wrong! They say you get what you paid for but I can not tell you what a bargain this is! I have heard people complain about the cord, I went from a cordless stick to this and knowing it is always fully charged and at the highest voltage, I do not mind plugging the sucker in. Ignore the negative reviews, people will always find something to pick on, but for the money, it is really hard to say anything bad about this baby besides SWEET!

I bought this vac to replace an older Dirt Devil stick vac that I had for about ten years. I really liked the old one and thought I was getting a more powerful version of the it. The new one is more powerful alright, but all the power is situated in one tiny section of the floor brush. If you don't aim that section right onto what you are trying to pick up - forget it!

I agree with some of the other reviewers on the noise level. It's so noisy I feel I should be wearing ear plugs. Also, I can't figure out what's with all the air that blows around while you're trying to focus on your one little area. I think that's where all the power goes. Dust, debris and hair blow all over the room.

I'm going this weekend to buy a new stick vacuum that works. Maybe I can sell this one in a garage sale.

My advice to others is DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!! I only rated it with one star because I had no other option.

I cannot emphasize how LOUD this tiny vac is! It could really wake the dead, in addition to scaring any small children and annoying all of your neighbors!

I about had a heart attack when I turned it on~ it was SO loud it felt like my eardrums were going to burst. My toddler, who was in the opposite end of the house, freaked out and started screaming (she has NO fear or problem with our full sized Eureka vac). Unfortunately my daughters screams were no match for this vac~ it looked like a 'silent scream' because there was no way I could hear her over this thing~ anything that outdoes a screaming toddler is not good in my book! I have never vacuumed a floor so fast in my life~ just to be able to shut the thing off and have some quiet!

Aside from the noise, the fans in the vacuum blow away the dirt/fur you are trying to vacuum! I have pets and it was pointless chasing after the hair, hoping to suck it up before the fans blew it to the other side of the room. I will say it worked well on sucking up other stuff and the only real positive, it is light and easy to maneuver around.

Still, those small things cannot make up for the noise~ I returned it today and will look for something else.

I agree many of the other reviewers -- this product is dangerously loud! I frequently attend concerts and like my music louder than anyone I know and still find this product painfully loud -- so much that my ears ring for hours after use. Aside from this, this vacuum only sucks things up in the 2-3 inches straight down the center of its path. Sweeping along the edge of a wall is useless unless you approach the wall perpendicularly, going back and forth incrementally down the length of the wall. A piece of junk. It gets 1 star for not breaking during the 11 months that I used it.