DC41MKII or DC55 or Small Ball

[NWDave]

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First of all my apologies to the sites moderator - I have posted this on the wrong thread (Im new here!) so please delete the other one and again my apologies!

Hello everyone - I guess getting straight down to it as the title suggests - which is the better of the three models for us to consider to replace our current DC25 machine?! We have a mixture of carpets and tiled floors with the carpets being your standard type of affair! Naturally like most people, one would assume its all about suction but after reading some threads its clear the brush rollers are equally important for the carpets.

Our outgoing DC25 has all the original paperwork including instruction booklets and also all of the accessories in the bag that looks like it came with the machine from new, which if anyone has a machine for us to upgrade to, we would be happy to have a deal with this machine going back the other way. I will say the DC25 is in working order with only a catch missing from the extension pole that locks in the attachments. However it appears the better half had been running the hoover without the top filter for 3 months or so (she threw the old filter out and forgot to replace the thing) so I'm actually shocked that its kept going and still works even today!

But the time has come to retire this machine for an upgrade. We want to run with a corded upright as in our opinion you don't get the same power and 'weight' from a hand held cordless when hoovering and of course the constraints in battery life. I do however respect views on cordless vacuums that owners have - so please be gentle on that moot point!!

I have noted the advice on other brands but the boss wants to stay with Dyson - so on the basis that a happy wife equals a happy life whom am I to argue!

So troops over to you - I look forward to replies and recommendations on which will be the best model to suit our needs, from a short list of the DC41MKII or the DC55 or the Small Ball, which being honest has derived from reading the excellent posts on this site and I wanted to gauge your input as to which one should we or I be aiming for!

PS - We also have a DC16 again with all its original paperwork should anyone wish to have a deal with the above upgrade which was in use until recently until the battery gave up the ghost!

A huge thank you in advance and please keep up the excellent work!

[dysondestijl]

Hi Dave; welcome to the forum, hope you enjoy it here.
Now out of those three models you have mentioned, only the Small Ball Allergy is still currently available, and can be had for the bargain price of under £200. A great choice if you ask me, it will be noticeably quieter than your DC25, and should give better performance on both carpets & hard flooring. Backed up with a 5 year guarantee. That’s the best value choice to be honest.
The other two models you mentioned, the DC41 & DC55, were discontinued approx 3 years ago in favour of the Small Ball (or “Light Ball” as it was initially called). So if you did go for either of those, you’d be looking at a second hand or refurbished machine.
If this is to be the case, make sure to choose your seller wisely. The DC41/DC55 is an immensely complicated machine for someone who is inexperienced with taking these apart. It may be listed as “refurbished” but that might just mean a wiped out bin and a washed filter. There could be any number of issues within. Make sure to buy from someone who offers back up, and generally speaking, you get what you pay for- (a £40 “refurbished” DC55 will most definitely be asking for trouble). Speak to Manchester Vacs Direct if you want a machine that has been reconditioned properly, with proper guarantee and service.
Hope this helps Dave, give us a shout if you have any more questions!

[bluebumble485]

this only my opinion .i would stick with dc25 buy new filters keep running it i am not a fan of dc40 or dc55 what do other repairers think

[NWDave]

dysondestijl  - once again thank you ever so much for taking the time in getting back to me!

Could not agree more with what you have advised within your post!

So with your words ringing in my ears and assuming I have the choice of solid refurbished machines - which one is going to perform best out of the 3 models (Suction, Aggregation and Reliability)?

I will say I dont expect anything to last forever and accept to have to service or fix things from time to time but I also know that some models are built better than others!

Once again thank you in advance for any views and advice that will steer my purchase!

[dysondestijl]

Hi Dave,
The DC41 MK2 and DC55 are the same machines spec wise, just finished in different colours, so there’s nothing really to choose between there.
Those models use the same tool fitting as your old DC25 so if you wanted to hang on to your spare tools, they may come in useful.
The Small Ball Allergy however uses a different tool fitting so your existing tools will not be compatible. However, it is a quieter machine, a touch more solid / better built if you ask me, doesn’t have the same flimsy soleplate as the DC41/55, and it gives all round decent performance.
That’d be my choice.
I see you are also contemplating refurbishing your existing DC25. If you decide to go down this route, a new brushroll, brush end cap (yours may look ok but believe me a new one will make the machine run quieter), new filters, and new cyclone gasket are almost essential, but can be had for a very reasonable price, so bear those in mind. It will buy you a couple more years out of the machine I’d expect. The DC25s do suffer with slightly weak brushroll pivot wiring looms and sticky hose changeover valves, so look out for those cropping up in future.
Hope this helps?

[NWDave]

Absolutely and once again thank you for taking the time to assit!

[MVacs]

If the main motor on the DC25 sounds okay as it has been run with no filter, I’d been looking at refurbishing that personally. A good DC25 remains a very good machine.

The DC41/55 as mentioned above are OK, but likely to have issues if they come from a questionable or unknown seller (don’t use eBay, FB etc). We’ve never sold the DC41 online for reasons of guarantee. We sell very few refurbished Dysons online nowadays (by choice), but the ones we do sell are models that we know don’t come back. If you want one of those, I’d get one from dysondestijl above if he has one, he knows what he is doing.

The small ball is a facelifted DC50. They’re not bad but they are smaller than your DC25 so you should regard them as a bit lighter duty. The newer Light Ball is a facelifted DC40. Not bad machines but they won’t last as long as the DC25. I’ve got one new one @ £199.

If you want a newer ball Dyson, consider the DC75. I find them quite robust and we don’t get that many of them in for repairs. Others may disagree. As usual, you need a good seller who has rebuilt it properly.

For me, the best Dyson is the DC14 or DC33. Built like a tank and go forever. As they are long discontinued, you need a good seller who has rebuilt it properly.

The newer Dysons tend not to be as robust as the older ones. Many people believe that to be built in obsolescence. That’s one reason many people moved over to Sebo. And why we started selling Sebo maybe six years ago alongside Dyson.

I’ll tell you what I have at home: a now discontinued Sebo X4 black Pet with the Boost button. It’s about five years old and works as new. I expect I’ll still have it in 10 years. If not 20. I can’t imagine wanting anything else. It’s one of those products that ticks all the boxes, like a Range Rover V8, a Rolex, a tin of Heinz beans or an iPhone. You consider everything else and then get one of those. I’ve got two or three of them we haven’t refurbished yet. They do £199 fully refurbished with extra hoses and tools as supplied when new.

[NWDave]

MVacs - thank you for such a comprehensive reply - my apologies for not getting back sooner but ended up in A&E last night - so not the way I envisaged spending my evening!!!

So the 'Boss' wants a Dyson Ball - I did my best to convert her to Sebo but the lady ain't for turning!

After a read of your response and speaking to the better half - it now looks like a refurb of our DC25 or upgrade to the DC75... She really wants a change from the DC25 so that may be going... along with the DC16.

Next question is - will our existing tools work with the DC75 and the final question is around carpet cleaning performance... Suction and Aggregation - which is the most powerful out of these two models i.e. which one of those machines is going to lift more out of the carpet piles?

Once that is known its a case of sourcing a refurbished machine/ refurbing our own - anyone have one? The other thing is any advice or pointers in part ex-ing ours the other way?

Once again thanks for getting back to me and know you have been a great source of information!
 

[Halcyon]

Next question is - will our existing tools work with the DC75

Yes, it's the same fitting.

The small ball is a facelifted DC50

I believe he's on about this machine. Basically Light Ball with different tools.
https://www.dyson.co.uk/vacuum-cleaners/uprights/dyson-small-ball-upright/dyson-small-ball-allergy

If you want a newer ball Dyson, consider the DC75. I find them quite robust and we don’t get that many of them in for repairs. Others may disagree.

I honestly can't believe you said that about Cinetic.  Don't they leak dust into motor and post motor filters even with normal household dust?

[NWDave]

Halcyon - my thanks to you also for your input!

Thanks ref the fitting of our tools!

Yes that's the Small Ball I was referring to - one of the other regular legends thats posts - swears by them although I realise this is an emotive topic and is subject to personal opinions, however in my view there are no better people to ask than those that fix and sell em!

Ref the DC75 I had read that somewhere else in this site that they leak dust into motor and post motor filters even with normal household dust. So thats cast a doubt but note they are the newest of the bunch and well built?


So its back to the drawing board??!! 


So to sum up I am specifically after a powerful corded, upright 'Ball' machine with good suction, as naturally that has to be a factor and then as I have learned it has to have a good brush as that helps get the dirt out of the carpets!
Id like a buy reliable model - something that will last, but I do except that having to purchase a used/reconditioned machine that it may need some attention/ looking after from time to time and being fairly handy I am happy to get down and dirty with the machine with my torx drive set with of course the help of you chaps!

So sorry to be a pain but having CDO I want to make sure I buy the right one!

[Halcyon]

https://www.dyson.co.uk/vacuum-cleaners/uprights/dyson-small-ball-upright/dyson-small-ball-allergy

Dyson has a 35 days return policy if you're not happy.

I do believe that things last longer if looked after and let's be honest, who looks after vacuums?

Sebos might have a better build quality, but I've used X series and Felix and find them not very user friendly. X series has a brushroll that cannot be turned off ever. Anniying when you vacuum sofa or anything with hose. Felix has really short hose and despite its flexible neck, it doesn't move as easy as Dyson Ball. You twist the handle but head doesn't move. It's a different kind of swivel.

Anyway, newest Small Ball/Light Ball would be my advice.
It can be a bit tricky if you've got low profile furniture. Dyson doesn't provide much tools to vacuum under furniture with this model. There's only hard floor tool.. You can always get an adapter and use your old tools with it.
It does have noticeably less hose suction but cleans well.

[dysondestijl]

Considering all of the above,
I think either a refurb of your DC25, or a new Light Ball / Small Ball Allergy is the way to go for you. The DC75 pretty heavy as they go. Good machines and one of the more solid of the 2012-2017 range, but heavy. Heavier than your DC25, it would be quite a change from what you’re used to.
I genuinely think given everything you have discussed, a Light Ball / Small Ball Allergy will suit you down to the ground. They’ve been on the market for just under 4 years and are proving pretty reliable thus far, I sell them from my shop and typically don’t have any trouble with them. Obviously nothing is perfect but they don’t suffer from any of the usual issues of Dysons of previous generations- the brush bars don’t get rattly, the wiring yolks don’t break, the brushes don’t fall out, and the cyclone unit is pretty effective, so constant filter washing isn’t necessary. I think you’ll appreciate the upgrade. Give it some thought!

[NWDave]

dysondestijl once more thank you for that advice and time taken in getting back to me! I know I am being a pain!!

Dyson really dont help themselves with rebranding the different models!!

I think I have found the Small Ball here https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/home-appliances/floorcare/vacuum-cleaners/dyson-small-ball-allergy-upright-bagless-vacuum-cleaner-iron-10200135-pdt.html

I guess my CDO kicking in I have become obsessed almost with a suction... oh errr matron... but in a nutshell the Small Ball (am I correct in saying this is the replacement for the DC50?) produces 90aw where as other earlier models produce 240aw? That has to be some kind of typo (I cant find the dam link now)?

Anyway I have also spotted the DYSON UP24 Ball but having looked through the excent guide to all Dyson models elsewhere in this site I cant see much info on it or where is sits in the pecking order (likely I am not looking in the right place!)
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/home-appliances/floorcare/vacuum-cleaners/dyson-ball-animal-2-upright-bagless-vacuum-cleaner-grey-red-10178718-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR
This one enjoys 92aw?


I know the brush bar is key too now thanks to this forum and another point made is the weight of the machine - well as long as its not like hauling a bag of cement around I am not adverse to considering all options - the main point for me is getting as much out of the carpets as possible!

So what are your thoughts on AW comparisons and the other question is I dont really want to go too narrow with the brush bar which appears the small ball has derived from the DC50?

Thanks in advance!

[MVacs]

If you want a newer ball Dyson, consider the DC75. I find them quite robust and we don’t get that many of them in for repairs. Others may disagree.

I honestly can't believe you said that about Cinetic.  Don't they leak dust into motor and post motor filters even with normal household dust?

I did say others may disagree. We see the odd motor burn out for sure, but not that many.

[dysondestijl]

Dave, there are two versions of the Small Ball. One WAS derived from the DC50, and should be avoided, unless you just want a lightweight upstairs vac. Which is not what you’re looking for I’m sure.
The other version of the small ball is the Small Ball Allergy, which is not a DC50. Far more robust / far better suction. That’s the one to get. It’s available from all retailers currently for £199.