The Bottom Line
With amazing suction, super handling and a durable construction, the Dyson DC23 Stowaway is an excellent buy in either the Motorhead or Motorhead Animal, but I'd recommend the Animal model for pet owners.
Pros
- Amazing suction and cleaning power
- Compact and quick to store
- Durable construction of canister and attachments
- Great handling
- Lots of attachments
Cons
- Handle is bulky for dusting
- Price is high
Description
- Constant suction power - suction does not diminish with use or bulk of dirt; bagless model
- Washable HEPA filter - no filters to replace
- Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly - is better for those with asthmas and allergies
- Tools store on it; has guides so hose can wrap around canister; push-button to empty dirt bin; retractable wand
- DC23 Motorhead attachments include motorized brushbar, hard floor and dusting brushes, crevice and stair tool
- DC23 Motorhead Animal model has the same features, with additional tools - mini turbine head, flexi crevice and stiff brush
- MSRP: DC23 Motorhead $649.99 and DC23 Motorhead Animal $749.99 (same features plus additional attachments noted above)
- 5 Year Warranty
- Compare price of Dyson DC23
Compare prices of canister vacuums - More detail: Dyson DC23
Guide Review - Dyson Stowaway DC23 Motorhead Animal Canister Vacuum Review
March 10, 2009 The quality of the Dyson DC23 was evident right out of the box. It has durable plastics and super fit and finish. The vacuum has a small footprint and the hose wraps on it for storing. Loaded with tools, it's heavier but still very portable. The canister shape makes cleaning stairs easier, compared to bulkier models.While the whole vacuum is impressive, its best feature overall is the better-than-average suction power. The DC23 excelled in cleaning tests which included various flooring types, carpets and furniture. It surprisingly restored an entrance mat to like-new condition with only one pass, even though the mat had embedded sawdust which had been resistant to previous cleanings. Because the powerbar has a stiffer brush, it's best for carpets while the hard floor tool has softer bristles for wood and hard surfaces.
Handling is excellent - the canister follows well and the powerbar has a swivel caster that makes it react quickly to wrist action. The wand retracts into the handle making it bulkier and heavier than most canister handles. While you can dust with this model, it's more cumbersome with this handle design. The hard floor tool has a nice bristle pattern that's better for dirt and dust pick-up - no left-overs. The dirt bin removes quickly and empties with a push-button that drops open from the bottom, which should be directly over the trash bin to contain dust. The washable HEPA filter removes easily. The cord re-wind worked fine with no hesitation.
The DC23 Stowaway comes in Motorhead and Motorhead Animal models. The Animal has additional tools that includes a mini turbine head - well worth the extra cost. It proved most effective for cleaning dirt from furniture, stairs and my daughter's car upholstery which was covered with hair from three dogs. It sucked it up in mostly one pass, no problem.
