We try: Dyson DC41 Animal vacuum cleaner:

For years, friends have been telling me to buy a Dyson vacuum cleaner and I’ve resisted because they seemed expensive and an indulgence.

But our old vacuum cleaner – something we’d had for about 18 years – finally bit the dust (if you’ll excuse the pun) the other week and I was forced to look for something new.

“You’ve got to get a Dyson!” everyone advise me.

So I decided to take a look at what was on offer and ended up with the ‘DC41 Animal’. The salesperson assured me it’s good for allergy sufferers, pet owners, is easy to empty, light and easy to manoeuvre.

With not a lot of change from $1,000, there was a lot riding on whether she was right or not. Of course, I did some research before I committed to spending that much and as well as my friends, all the tests seemed to be saying the same thing: yes, this brand is the brand for vacuum cleaners and this particular model would suit me fine.

And I have to tell you – everyone is right!

What have I been doing all these years without one?! Admittedly, my former vacuum cleaner was an antique by the time it was ‘retired’ but this little Animal is relatively lightweight (under 8kg) and so easy to use.

I’m not sure what feature I like best about it: the ease of emptying it (no bag required), the fact that hair and fur and bits and pieces don’t get tangled-up in anything because of the special ‘tangle free turbine tool’, the ease with which stairs can be vacummed because of the long cord or just how amazingly and easily it cleans.

It would be going to far to say it’s made housework a pleasure, but it truly has made it easier and quicker.

Yes, it cost us more than I ever thought I would pay for a vacuum cleaner at just under $940, but so far I’m not at all unhappy about the expense. As time goes by, it will prove to be a wonderful investment. I give it 5 stars.

The Dyson DC41 Animal also comes with a two-year guarantee from Dyson.

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