Dyson has officially launched the V6 Fluffy handheld vacuum in the UK, promising the most effective and convenient way to clean hard floors without having to reach for a mains-powered machine. Originally released in Asian markets last year, today marks the first time the V6, previously known as the DC74, has been available in other countries, and we've already seen it in action.
Unlike traditional vacuum heads, which use strips of hard bristles to collect dust, the Fluffy uses a full-width roller covered with a soft nylon material, interspersed with carbon fibre filaments. According to Dyson, the soft material will envelop large debris and suck it up the vacuum hose, rather than all over your floors, while the carbon fibre removes fine dust. The full-width roller creates a tighter seal between the vacuum head and the floor, meaning better suction - even on crevices and cracks.
It certainly proved effective in a demonstration at Dyson's London HQ, picking up sugar and rice quickly without scattering debris across the floor. It even coped with fine baking powder, which can give any vacuum, let alone a cordless cleaner, a hard time. We weren't shown how it performs on carpet, as it has been designed purely for hard floors, although we'd be interested to see if it could be used on small rugs rather than forcing you to change the cleaning head to a more suitable design.
Otherwise, the V6 Fluffy matches the rest of the V6 cordless vacuum range in terms of bin capacity, battery life and performance. It uses the V6 digital motor, which spins at up to a colossal 110,000rpm, and a battery that should last for up to twenty minutes on a single charge - typically more than long enough to complete a full sweep of a flat or apartment. A boost mode for stubborn spots and washable filters designed to prevent dust from escaping into the surrounding air are also included as standard.
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A vacuum designed specifically for hard floors might have made a lot of sense in Asia, where they are far more common, but here in Britain a large proportion of the population is still emotionally attached to carpets and rugs. Whether a machine like the Fluffy will prove popular over here remains to be seen, although new research from the Freedonia Group does suggest the market for hard floors is on the rise. A 73% increase in wood, ceramic, laminate and vinyl purchased for the home compared to 20 years ago will surely be good news for Dyson. However, at a price higher than most plug-in cleaners, we'll keep a close eye on the Fluffy to see how well UK customers take to it.
The Dyson V6 Fluffy will be going on sale from today onwards directly from www.dyson.co.uk and from John Lewis on the high street.