Verdict

Pros

• Impressively powerful suction
• Easy to manoeuvre
• Simple bagless cleaning

Cons

• Limited 0.58 litre dust capacity
• Heavy
• Expensive

Introduction

Famed for making some of the most powerful, attractive and effective vacuum cleaners around, Dyson has added to its high-end range of compact cylinder vacuums with the Dyson DC47.

Packing 2 Tier Radial cyclone suction technology and a roller ball base for improved handling, the Dyson DC47 is no ordinary cylinder vacuum cleaner, nor does it come with any ordinary price tag. Partnered with a selection of performance enhancing accessories to handle all manner of surface types and dirt related issues, the Dyson DC47 will set you back a hefty £319.99, a sum that, although fitting with the brand’s premium appeal, will no doubt put many off this luxurious household item.

Far from a damming case of style over substance, Dyson, with the DC47 has paired surprisingly good looks for a cleaning appliance with impressively strong and simply performances to form a device that is practical and appealing in equal measures, if still a little on the expensive side. Helping justify this premium price tag, the high-end Dyson DC47 is partnered with a 5 year guarantee, offering longstanding peace of mind against your pricey purchase.

Dyson DC47 Design

Although vacuum cleaners as a whole are a range of devices that are not famed for their aesthetically appealing, desirable designs, Dyson has become renowned for creating arguably some of the most visually impressive machines on the market, and things are no different with the Dyson DC47.

Compact, colourful and oozing a high-end appearance, the Dyson DC47 has taken the standard compact wheeled vacuum design and turned it on its head. Crafting the appliance around a centralised navigation ball and bringing the suction components, in this case 2 Tier Radial cyclone technology, to the fore instead of being hidden away within the belly of the device, Dyson has created a vacuum that looks as good as it sucks.

Whilst Dyson has given the cyclone suction pride of place, all other unsightly components are hidden out of view within the ball system, helping create a finish that is smooth and unblemished. What’s more, despite being a largely plastic crafted affair, the Dyson DC47 feels surprisingly sturdy and robust with little worrying flex to components when putting the device under serious amounts of pressure.

Lining up at a tiny 44.8cm long by 22.1cm wide and just 29.2cm high, the Dyson DC47 is a space-saving, compact affair that is sure to appeal to those in properties where storage space is at a premium. These sub-size dimensions do not tell the whole story, however, with the vacuum’s cleaning arm, handle and hose adding considerably to the device’s otherwise minimal form factor.

Although transforming the Dyson DC47 into a more cumbersome being, the essential added elements are made as small a storage inconvenience as possible. Featuring a discreet clasp on the rear of the unit, the suction head can be attached to the vacuum’s body with minimal fuss to create a freestanding collaboration.

Dyson DC47 Handling

Thanks to the Ball technology at the centre of the Dyson DC47, the device is easy to manoeuvre. Allowing for a free flowing vacuuming experience that can considerably lower cleaning times, the latest model is halted only by the need to move rooms.

Enabling smooth navigation of even the tightest and most furniture cluttered of rooms, the central steering mechanism found within the Dyson Ball allows for on the spot turning, a feature that is an obvious omission from its wheeled rivals and one which is perfect for when you spot a previously missed area.

With an overall maximum reach of 8.3 metres, the Dyson DC47 performs above its size with the 5 metre power cord adding considerably to this single socket cleaning scope. Although easy to unravel, the Dyson DC47 power cable can, at times, feel somewhat intrusive, falling under the centralised steering ball, snagging on chair legs or sliding under loose rugs. That said, these are issues that affect most compact wheeled vacuum cleaners too and are far from limited to the Dyson model.

Regaining some praise, the vacuum cleaner’s auto retracting cable works well and can be triggered by a single button location on the device’s top. Striking a performance appeasing balance, unlike some rival machines, the automated power cord retraction on the Dyson DC47 is neither so fast as to become a plug-wielding danger, or so slow as to become a time wasting irritant. In practise, it is a very much a Goldilocks and the three bears-esque offering – just right.

As easy as the Dyson DC47 is to move during use, when setting the vacuum up or putting it away the device can prove a bit heavy. Weighing in at 6.08kg when empty, the Dyson DC47 is far from the heaviest cleaner on the market, but nor is it the most comfortable in the hand. Whilst for many this weight issue will be more of a noticeable niggle than an experience depleting catastrophe, if you are particularly weak wristed or suffer from considerable back problems then this might not be the vacuum for you.

Dyson DC47 Performance

If the Dyson DC47 hadn’t ticked enough boxes in its design and handling, it is the machine’s cleaning performances where it really stands out. The 2 Tier Radial cyclone technology utilised within the model produces staggering suction power with the two layers of air revolving cyclones claimed to capture microscopic dust particles down to 1/5,000th of a pin head in size.

Whilst we can’t prove the accuracy of these lofty claims, what we can tell you is that the Dyson DC47 produced hugely impressive results with the machine able to tackle everything from a mud and leaf caked doormat to dust and hair covered tiled floors, via rugs that had accumulated the fluff and dirt of daily life.

Paired with the dual channel floor tool that comes boxed with the Dyson DC47 and boasts two separate airflow channels for improved and more direct dirt capture, the vacuum was able to handle multiple surfaces with ease. Transitioning from a hardwood to carpeted floors and vice versa the Dyson DC47 lost not suction or cleaning ability, tackling each surface type with equal aplomb.

Where the dual channel floor tool did encounter a slight issue, however, was when faced with deep, plush rugs. Due to the high power nature of the vacuum’s suction abilities, the Dyson DC47 with almost clog its airflow channels with the deep rug fibres, causing suction to decrease and cleaning ability to diminish, although only briefly.

At times a victim of its own success, the Dyson DC47 is limited by its mere 0.58 litre dust capacity with the device’s impressive suction meaning this compact waste holder will need to be emptied on a regular basis. Whilst the frequency with which you empty the bin will depend on the regularity and area you vacuum, during our tests, we found that two circuits of a two bedroom flat were enough to demand an emptying.

Having stuck with its transparent dust container despite the obvious visual implications, although watching dirt rapidly circle the see-through drum isn’t the most enjoyable or appealing setup, in practice the Dyson DC47’s dust container is brilliantly easy to empty. Removing the need for fiddly, expensive and less than environmentally friendly replacement bags, the dirt receptacle is pleasingly simple to detach and empty thanks to a single button offering.

Not too noisy despite the high powered suction, although vacuum cleaners in general are far from  whisper quiet, the Dyson DC47 surprises with its relatively moderate noise levels, something that is not expected from such a powerful machine.

Dyson DC47 Accessories

Helping improve the all-round cleaning ability of the Dyson DC47, the compact vacuum cleaner is paired with a selection of performance boosting tools ensuring no stair, corner or stubborn stain is left untackled. On top of the main dual channel floor tool, the Dyson DC47 comes boxes with a ‘Combination accessory tool’, ‘Stair tool’ and ‘Stubborn dirt brush’ as standard.

With handy quick release clasps making switching between the Dyson DC47’s collection of performance enhancing, dirt removing accessories fast and easy,  just a simply press of a button is needed to remove one tool and create space for adding another. Uncomplicated and easily accessible, these clasps can even be used one handed.

With each accessory filling its own purpose, the combination accessory tool proves a brilliant addition for removing cobwebs from the top corners of a room. That said, due to the soft bristles that prevent the tough plastic body scratching your walls, the add-on can quickly become tangled with dust, dirt, fluff and hair.

On to the stair tool and this accessory proved itself a specific delight. Useful for getting deep into small areas such as stairs, corners or tricky, harder to reach areas, thanks to its compact size, it is also a good option for going over some upholstered items such as certain sofas and chairs.

Finally, although the bristles of the stubborn dirt brush are a bit stiff for use on standard carpets or laminate floors without leaving marks, for tackling more course areas such as entrance hall matts or the inside of a car this accessory works a treat.

Dyson DC47 Verdict

With the Dyson DC47 price tag seeing wannabe owners having to part ways with a not inconsiderable £319.99, this is a vacuum cleaner that requires some serious investment. For that initial outlay, however, you do get a device that is a leader of the pack and one that will pick up dirt you didn’t realise was even there.

Trading a somewhat disappointing 0.58 litre dust capacity for a compact, easily stored form factor, the Dyson DC47 will not only improve your cleans, but thanks to its easily manoeuvrable form it will cut down the amount of time you will need to spend both vacuuming, and tidying up the path of destruction caused by rival wheeled machines.

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