UK home appliance maker Dyson seems bent on shrinking its cordless vacuum cleaner and its latest Omni-glide is the proof.
For your information, there are two models – Omni-glide and Omni-glide +. The only difference is the “+” version comes with an additional light pipe crevice tool and sports a gold hue. We reviewed the “normal” Omni-glide model with the usual purple shade.
SPECS
PRICE: S$649, available exclusively on Dyson Store
WEIGHT: 1.9kg
Out of the box, you get the Omni-glide vacuum cleaner, an extension wand, a mini-motorised tool, a worktop tool, a combination tool, a removable battery, a charging dock and the highlight of the product – an omni-directional fluffy cleaner head.
DESIGN
Designed for hard floors, this omni-directional cleaner head has two fluffy brush bars instead of the usual one found on other Dyson vacuum cleaners.
Both brush bars come in soft nylon to suck in large particles, while anti-static carbon fibre filaments capture fine dust along the way.
The cleaner head sits on four 360-degree stabilising castors that allow it to move easily in all directions and into tight spaces. In addition, sealed ball bearings allow for a smooth change of direction and minimise build-up of dirt.
And unlike Dyson’s other cordless vacuum cleaners, the Omni-glide does not have a grip and a trigger. It is as straight as a stick, apart from the cleaner head. Literally a stick vacuum cleaner.
FOR
+ Very manoeuvrable
+ Lightweight
+ No trigger mechanism
+ Super easy to use
AGAINST
– Expensive
– Short battery life
– Small dust bin
– Omni-directional cleaner head ideal for hard floors only
In fact, I see the Omni-glide as a mechanised broom with its thin profile and light weight at only 1.9kg.
On its top is a long handle where you pop in the battery. On the handle, there are only two button. One to turn the Omni-glide for Eco mode and the other button is to switch to maximum suction.
One of the pet peeves I have with previous Dyson vacuum cleaners is the need to keep pressing the trigger when vacuuming.
So I am really glad that I can turn the Omni-glide on and vacuum away. Plus, no more vacuuming stoppage when you switch hands.
PERFORMANCE
As the chief floor cleaner of the house, vacuuming is my weekly ritual (sometimes mid-week too). So, I am excited to see how I can include Omni-glide into my cleaning procedure.
Usually, I used either my $3,000 industrial-grade corded vacuum cleaner or my Dyson V11 cordless vacuum cleaner.
The first thing is I notice when holding the Omni-glide is how lightweight it is. Granted that I have been using the heavyweights mentioned above, the Omni-glide still feels lighter than the Dyson Digital Slim – reviewed three months ago.
Maybe it is the ease in moving the Omni-glide around due to the cleaner head that helps to alleviate the strength required. I was truly amazed by the ease in which it can move around corners, under cabinets and cupboards and even under legs of my gaming chair.
Indeed, the Omni-glide is easily the most manoeuvrable Dyson vacuum cleaner I ever tested. Scratch that. It is most manoeuvrable vacuum cleaner I ever reviewed.
So, manoeuvrability is superb. But is it good in vacuuming up stuff?
Dyson was so confident about Omni-glide that it even sent over small bottles of “debris”, including cereals, flour, coffee powder and chips, for me to sprinkle in tight corners or under legs of a chair. And the Omni-glide passed all the tests with flying colours.
On the downside, I find the 0.2L dust bin to be too small. Merely sucking up three bottles of the “sent” debris means having to empty the bin.
BATTERY LIFE
As mentioned earlier, I used either my industrial-grade corded vacuum cleaner or Dyson V11. It usually take around an hour to clean my 4-room HDB flat using the corded vacuum cleaner and about 45 minutes with the Dyson V11.
On paper, the Omni-glide is supposed to last 20 minutes when not using motorised head. If you turned on the maximum mode, it can only last for 4 minutes.
Using the omni-directional cleaner head, I found the Omni-glide only lasting around 18 minutes. Given the size of the battery, this is probably expected.
The bigger irritant is the lack of a battery indicator to tell you. You just have to keep on going until the battery goes flat.
Thankfully, you can buy extra batteries for you to continue vacuuming. However, this battery’s local pricing and availability have yet to be confirmed. In the US, each Omni-glide battery is priced at US$149.99.
In short, I cannot use the Omni-glide for the major weekly vacuum. Probably only for a quick mid-week vacuum.
VERDICT
Despite its superb manoeuvrability, the Dyson Omni-glide’s short battery life and small dust bin means it works better as an emergency vacuum cleaner to clean off those accidental spills of cereals or flour.
And it is probably not going to be your main vacuum cleaner if you are living a 4-room flat or larger apartment. As such, its price of $649 might be a tad hefty.
But if you are staying in a small studio apartment where manoeuvrability is all you care, you will not go wrong with the Dyson Omni-glide.
RATINGS
DESIGN: 9/10
PERFORMANCE: 9/10
BATTERY LIFE: 6/10
VALUE FOR MONEY: 7/10
OVERALL: 8/10
