"The most fun you will have since the Swiffer was invented scooping up debris on hard floors."
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Compact design
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The swivel head ensures effortless sweeping
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Can get under most furniture
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Good suction for its size
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Shorter battery life
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Comes with few accessories
Dyson is back with another new cordless vacuum cleaner. While it may seem like a never-ending cycle, this latest one is actually something else. Yes, it's an upright cordless vacuum, but it's specially designed for hard floors. That makes it more of a specialty cleaner than the all-purpose models the company is known for.
The Dyson Omni-Glide is one of three new models the company is introducing this year. As it stands, the Omni-Glide is positioned as a permanent replacement for the tried and tested Swiffer. At a whopping $ 400, however, it takes really serious substance to convince people to let go of their beloved sweeper.
Iconic Dyson design
Dyson's designs are iconic and as instantly recognizable as Apple and its iPhones. The Omni-Glide does not differ from other newer offerings like the mighty Dyson V11 series by the turbine-like shape, which makes Dyson's vacuum cleaner so naturally distinguishable. It also helps that it has the same bright purple and red accents that give its look a more approachable look.
Most notable here is how light and compact it is over previous Dysons. When you tip the scales to 4.18 pounds, the 6.68 pound weight of the V11 Torque Drive feels heavy in the hand – trust me, it'll catch your eye! This makes pushing the Omni-Glide around a breeze, while vacuuming up dirt from high spots with the splitting tool is also an almost effortless process.
John Velasco / Digital Trends
If there is one persistent complaint I have about Dyson's cordless vacuum cleaners, it must be that you have to wall mount all of the included chargers. Again, with the Omni-Glide, it is no exception, and it is only a pain that it takes to do so. I'd rather have a standalone, free-standing base, similar to the LG CordZero A9 or Samsung Jet 90, both of which come with charging stations in the box that house some of the included accessories. Unfortunately, the splitting tool with the Omni-Glide requires a home of its own because there is no built-in storage space when it is not in use.
A swiffer with a permanent pad
With its omnidirectional Soft Roller Cleaner head, the Omni-Glide acts effectively like your traditional Swiffer sweeper without the need to purchase replacement pads. Instead, the soft roller gently combs hard floors while the vacuum is used. And since it sits on a poseable neck, there is no wrong way to move it around floors, furniture, edges and corners. The Omni-Glide is actually a lot of fun vacuuming because the articulation is so smooth – you can even move it back and forth without affecting the speed of the soft brush.
John Velasco / Digital Trends
The advantage over a traditional Swiffer is, of course, that you don't have to constantly buy replacement pads. The soft roller cleaner head neatly collects small bits of dirt and debris, but I've found that large clumps of material or pet hair can be a challenge to pick up. Although there are few tangles visible on the rollers, I have found that hair can still collect on the ends. Fortunately, there is a latch on the roller head that makes it easy to remove the rollers, making it easier to access the ends where hair is piling up. I also appreciate how it can get into tight spaces, including under furniture.
The suction power of the eight radial cone system is not quite as high as that of the V11 torque driveThat's what I expected, as nothing has yet to outperform this model, but the Omni-Glide is still a sufficient cleaner for quick on-site mess.
Only for light daily cleaning
Because of its size and lightweight feel, the Omni-Glide doesn't have nearly as long battery life as some of the more complete, all-purpose cordless vacuums. In fact, the battery is designed to last up to 20 minutes before discharging and must be returned to the charging station. You can swap out the lithium-ion battery for another for continuous use, but a replacement costs a staggering $ 150.
The Omni-Glide is actually a lot of fun vacuuming.
Another reason it's not intended for heavy-duty cleaning is because of the 0.05 gallon dust bin, which is far smaller than other cordless vacuums. This small volume requires frequent emptying. Speaking of which, I'm happy to say that you don't have to worry too much about blowing dust back when emptying the container, as pressing the latch will safely eject the container's contents.
For the cost, it would have been really nice to get more specialized accessories with the Omni-Glide. The included splitting tool is cleverly designed – the brush attachment can be easily attached over the splitting tool – but you don't get anything else. I would have liked additional attachments that could help mop floors, or even some other type of roller to clean furniture, but you only get the combined splitting tool in the box.
John Velasco / Digital Trends
Considering the short battery life, small dust bin, and few accessories that are most effective for daily cleaning. It's the kind of thing best for everyday after-dinner use just because it's not intended for heavy, once-a-month chores.
Our opinion
In true Dyson fashion, the cost of the Omni-Glide will probably be the most challenging quality. The $ 400 price tag will surely make anyone hesitate to buy it, especially given the fact that you can get a Swiffer road sweeper kit for less than $ 20. That's a big gap, but the Omni-Glide's advantage is that it can collect larger and heavier debris than a Swiffer. It also functions as a handy handheld due to its compact design.
How long it will take?
Like all Dysons, the Omni-Glide is characterized by a robust build quality, although it is mainly made of robust plastic. I dropped it a couple of times and there is no indication of a performance compromise. It comes with a two year limited warranty that covers defects.
Is there a better alternative?
Absolutely! The Dyson V11 series performs much better and comes with more accessories. This makes them a far more versatile package – if you're willing to spend a few hundred more. If cost is a primary concern, that is Samsung Jet 90 and LG CordZero A9 are both wonderful solutions.
Should you buy it?
Yes, only if you live in a place that's mostly filled with hard floors and don't want the hassle of buying disposable pads.
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