How to Compare the Dyson DC25 Animal to Other Vacuum Cleaners

Most consumers probably are first attracted to the wheel pattern directed by the "ball technology" employed by Dyson and the DC25. The "ball technology" construction gives the Dyson model greater maneuverability because it can circumnavigate furniture and other obstacles easier than cleaners with a standard set wheels that only roll forward and backward. However, some vacuums with a standard wheel configuration, such as the Hoover WindTunnel, are equipped with a self-propulsion mode for easier use.

Check to see whether a competing vacuum cleaner has the ability to turn on and off the brush roll. The Dyson DC25 has a switch on its handle to activate the brush roll function. The ability to stop the brush roll from spinning allows the user to clean hard floors as well as carpets and rugs. But canister vacuums often are equipped with this feature as well and attachments specifically designed for cleaning hard floors.

Find the unit weight of the other vacuum cleaners and compare them to the 16.12 pounds of the DC25 Animal. Competing cleaners such as the Boss SmartVac weigh more than 20 pounds, while the lightest full-featured cleaners -- such as the 9-pound Oreck XL Series -- weigh almost half as much as the DC25. A lighter vacuum cleaner would be more useful in homes with multiple levels where a cleaner must be carried up and down stairs and to clean the stairs themselves.

Measure the capacity of the vacuum's dirt collector (for bagless vacuums only). The DC25 has a .31-gallon clear bin collector. Smaller collectors require more frequent dumping, adding to the time it takes to vacuum. Bagged vacuum cleaners bring the cost of replacement bags. Vacuums with a bagless collection bin also might allow less dust and dirt to escape into the air.

Evaluate the filtration system. The DC25 uses filters "guaranteed for life" that also can be washed. Other cleaners require the use of replaceable filters that can't be cleaned and reused. The cost of replacement filters over the course of a vacuum's working life should be considered when evaluating the cost of buying a vacuum. Some Kirby vacuum cleaners, for example, offer similar competitive filtration performance in a bagged system and require no other filters.