Get at Shark. They are small, very powerful, and work very well. They are often on sale at Target for under $150.
You don’t need a Dyson. Period.
I have a Dyson and like it, but I have a 3200 square foot house. I would not want one in a tiny dorm room, it’s way overkill and would take up half your closet space.
Assuming this is a legit ask…
- Will you have a roommate? Maybe they have a vacuum they are planning to bring. Or you should at least consult with them for this extra item that will take up space.
- You bring a Dyson and everyone on the floor will ask to borrow it. And maybe, abuse it. Or it “disappears”. All good reasons not to get a Dyson.
A stick vac is fine. Aren’t there other things you want to spend your $$ on than a vacuum?
Well, to answer your question @abasket
- I will not have a roommate because I would be living in a single for the year.
- I plan not to lend it out anyway if I get the Dyson. Plus, I learned that my renter's insurance covers theft so in case someone does steal it, I'll just file a theft claim and the insurance company goes after the school which what I was told by the insurance agent. I got coverage since I have a lot of high-value items in my room (like the audio system that I mentioned before and my TV which doesn't like being exposed to dust).
OP, while it’s smart to think of an investment, this is not the time. Dysons are awesome, yes (although our other brand name vacuums have been just as awesome when they are new, Dysons last longer). Anyway, a Dyson or other quality full size vacuum is just too big for a dorm room, and overkill in terms of quality. Right now, the Dirt Devil 3 in 1 mentioned upthread is $12.95 at Marcs. I really don’t think a Dyson is worth the space it will take in your closet, and even effort (and possible damage) when you are moving it in and out. No one is going to steal it. Lastly, do you really want to be the guy who doesn’t let anyone borrow his vacuum? Sure, you can say yes or no to any borrow request, and protect your stuff, but a vacuum doesn’t seem worth it to have to tell people no to because you have such a nice one!
Son took our Dirt Devil 3 in 1 stick vac, and it really is perfect for a dorm.
A vacuum cleaner is never an “investment”
A vacuum is never a status symbol either. I can guarantee that no one is going to notice the brand name of your vacuum. At all…ever.
If you are dying for a Dyson, you certainly don’t need the most expensive model. Get the least expensive one…if you must. It will do the dorm room just fine. But then…so will a Dirt Devil or Shark…for a fraction of the cost.
I have a Dyson and don’t really like it. It’s heavy and awkward and I can never remember how to empty it.
@mathmom
I completely agree with you. But I feel like we are in the minority here! I think Dyson vacuums are overrated and I’m sorry I bought into the hype. Give me an old school Hoover any day!
Sounds like you really just want the Dyson and $$ seems to not to be a problem and you plan to be able to say “no” to ALL the dorm mates who ask to use it…so just get it!
No deductible on that renters insurance? Cause a deductible may likely be higher than the cost of a replacement.
Also in a single room how much carpet mess are you going to have?
Suggestion for a really solid vacuum at 1/6 the price of the Dyson is a Eureka Mighty Mite. It’s a canister vacuum so works on all surfaces, not just floors (I do the couch and blinds with it too), weighs less than 10 lbs and is surprisingly powerful. It was a gift from my folks, and is the same as one that’s been in their home for as long as I can remember. It’s loud and our old one was nicknamed “stinky” after a while, but something like 18 years later it’s still kicking as far as I know. Small enough to shove under a desk and can do a 1 bed apartment in 30 minutes tops. Super smooth action on hard floors and carpets and the head is the perfect size for getting in corners and under furniture.
When DS went off to college, we stopped in the Goodwill store and found a used Hoover upright for $10, and a used Red Devil stick vac for $5. He took the Red Devil to college and we kept the Hoover for DD - with her long hair she needed something with more suction
Here’s what we bought. It comes apart and doubles as a hand-held dust buster. It’s small enough to fit in the closet and takes up little space.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/BISSELL-3-in-1-Lightweight-Corded-Stick-Vacuum/55566580
I would seriously rethink having a lot of high priced items in your dorm. Please don’t seal yourself up in your room - join clubs and make new friends. That will make you much happier than all of your “stuff.”
So it seems many of you are new to @MrThatcher. We will just say he lives in the world of excess and seemly doesn’t know it.
But
Go to Costco and get the Dyson Animal Ball. With Costco it comes with all the attachments they make and I use it for my car etc
It’s really great. I am actually beginning to really like you since I gotta know what type of Audio system you have and if playing “records”, I have a new appreciation for you. ?.
As a hobby I used to sell Cary tube audio with VMPS Ribbon Speakers etc. I won’t even get into what wires you are using
??.
@abasket The deductible is nowhere near the replacement cost for either model so I’m covered there.
@Knowsstuff Well, this is going to be quite the long read lol!, I currently run a Optimus Professional Series Receiver (Basically a late-90s rebadged Pioneer sold by RadioShack, found it in an antique sale and fell in love with the Gold and Black theme.) which powers the following speakers: a pair of Bose 501 Series IV, a pair of Bose 301 Series III, and a pair of satellite Acoustic Design speakers. I have an AYC Graphic Equalizer connecting my Audiotechnica LP-60 (I know, it’s a cheapo but it was a gift, I plan to upgrade soon), my Yamaha Dual-Head Cassette Player, and finally, my TV connects to the final ports. I also run an active Sony Subwoofer through the Pre-Sub output on the Optimus. I just gotta be careful with the Optimus since it runs 100 watts per channel and the Bose equipment normally handles only half of that as what my research has unveiled.
Yes, I do in fact play records in my spare time, from ABBA to Bee Gees to my favorite Carpenters album.
It looks like I’m definitely leaning towards the V11 for the functionality and portability however those cheap vac sticks look tempting though however with the constant replacement of them they might just add up to the price of the Dyson.
@MrThatcher. Nice old gear but it works and most likely sounds decent. The 501 should handle the Optimus just fine. It’s a classic set up and surprisingly Optimus (radio shack) made some good stuff that floated under the radar.
Enjoy!
@Knowsstuff it definitely works and sounds decent. It can belt out Whitney Houston if I’m in the mood or rock the room with some Joan Jett. I definitely love the system… my neighbors… not so much lol!
Your system will kick out 100 watts in 4ohms (the 501s) BTW. But wattage is never configured correctly and most manufacturers basically lie about their ratings. I have heard 10 watt systems that would blow anything you ever heard away.
Just enjoy what you have for now.
My daughters into vinyl and I put a basic system together for her with spare stuff I have. When she graduates college I am going to get her a system for her apartment as a graduation gift. It will be a jump into Hifi (name from the past… Lol.)
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Perhaps the lovefest about audio components can be taken to PM.