Dyson DC07 Cyclone Animal Upright Vacuum, Purple

Named for both its power and its ruthless approach to pet hair problems, the Dyson DC07 Animal upright is a piece of engineering wizardry designed by James Dyson, the inventor of cyclonic vacuums. A hit in Europe for years, Dyson vacuums are new to the American market. At the center of the machine's innovation is the Cyclone air path design, an eight-section chamber that creates powerful, consistent suction. The conical chambers generate 100,000 g of centrifugal force, pushing dust and dirt out of the airflow into the vacuum's 1-gallon collection cup. With no bag to clog, the vacuum's 270 air watts of suction remain steady. The large, transparent collection cup is easy to check and empties tidily--pop it off, hold it over a trash bin, and pull the trigger to release dirt without having to touch it. The DC07 also comes equipped with a multipart filtration system to improve overall air quality in the home. The HEPA filter, measuring 412 square inches in surface area, traps microscopic particulates and allergens. Expertly built, the filter is designed to last the lifetime of the machine.

Suitable for bare floors and carpets, the Dyson upright features a 14-inch cleaning path and edge-cleaning bristles. A foot pedal switches off the brush roll for bare floors, and the nozzle automatically adjusts for various carpet heights. For above-floor cleaning, the vacuum also comes with a cleverly stowed, 17-foot quick-release hose with a reversible extension-wand handle. Onboard accessories include a crevice tool, a dusting brush, an upholstery attachment, and the Animal turbo tool. Designed for lint and stubborn pet hair, the turbo tool features an air-powered brush bar to extract hair from furniture, stairs, pet beds, cars, and other tight spaces.

Made from the same material used in crash helmets, the vacuum is unquestionably durable. Plus, the design only puts 4 pounds of weight on the handle, so pushing and turning is easy. This model comes with a 35-foot power cord and a limited two-year household warranty. It also includes a carpet care kit--a canister of Groom Zorb odor-absorbent carpet cleaning powder and a bottle of Dyzolv spray for spills and stains. Furthermore, Dyson upright vacuums are the first and only vacuums certified asthma friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.--Emily Bedard