mySimon Vacuums Shopping Picks

Introducing the latest Dyson vacuum, the Dyson DC24 bagless upright, the lightest (under 12 pounds) and most compact (collapsible handle) Dyson vacuum yet, and ideal for people who live in small spaces. Instead of wheels at the corners there's a ball in the middle, which makes it really easy to maneuver - no more 15-point turns as you try to get in and out of corners! The vacuum works on all kinds of floors, has a combination accessory tool and washable lifetime HEPA filter, and like all Dyson vacuums, never loses suction. If space and size are not an issue for you, check out the larger, even more powerful Dyson DC25.

If you're celebrating Christmas with a real tree in your living room, chances are you've got pine needles all over your floor. We suggest leaving them there, next to a prettily wrapped Black & Decker Pivot Vac. When your favorite gadget hound/home fixer-upper opens it, tell him/her that in a test of handheld vacuums, Popular Mechanics found the Pivot Vac to be much more powerful than the (much more expensive) Dyson Root 6 or the Dirt Devil Kone. They'll be impressed and then (hopefully) test their new gift out on all those pine needles.

Rather than paying someone a fortune to clean all the leaves, dirt, and other junk our of your gutters, get the iRobot Looj gutter cleaning robot. The winner of a Consumer Electronic Showcase Best of Innovations Award, the Looj makes gutter cleaning fast and easy. You still have to get up on a ladder, but since the Looj cleans an entire stretch of gutter from one location (you control it with a wireless remote), it reduces the number of times you have to climb down the ladder, move it, and climb back up again. Prices start at $100.

We think every day should be Labor Day when it comes to housework. Which is why we so desperately want the new iRobot Roomba 560. Like its predecessors, you can program this robot vacuum to clean your floors while you're out (or push "Clean" and watch it go, while you sit on the couch with a cocktail), and it automatically adjusts for wood, tile, linoleum, carpets, and rugs. But the new Roomba is a lot more powerful - it picks up more dirt, pet hair, dander, cat litter, crumbs, leaves, and other debris than previous Roombas, and covers every area an average of 4 times. See all iRobot products.

If you've been thinking about buying a Dyson vacuum, but have been put off by their enormous size, we have good news. Dyson just released the Dyson Slim vacuum, a lighter-weight vacuum that works on all floors and never loses suction. The Dyson Slim has the same patented Root Cyclone technology, as well as a HEPA filter, brushbar that turns off to protect rugs/delicate floors, and a quick-draw hose that extends more than 40 feet.

Got a mess in the basement? The iRobot Dirt Dog will take care of it for you. The Dirt Dog workshop robot has high-speed counter-rotating brushes that pick up nuts, bolts, sawdust, dirt, and other debris from shop/garage floors. It's getting pretty good user reviews ("it's amazing how much stuff it can vacuum up before the tray needs emptying") but it sounds pretty industrial - you probably don't want to let it near your antique rugs. More robot vacuums.

Clean up small messes fast with the powerful Dyson Root 6 handheld cordless vacuum. The Root 6 uses the same technology as Dyson upright vacuums; it won't lose suction and it won't clog. Granted, it's slightly heavier (and much uglier) than the Dirt Devil Kone, but the motor in the Root 6 is 3 times as powerful and it charges 3 times as fast. Extra features include one-touch emptying - so you don't have to touch any dirt with your hands - and a nozzle that converts to a brush tool for dusting.

New from Dirt Devil and Karim Rashid: The Dirt Devil Kone vacuum. This cordless handheld vacuum looks more like a lamp or piece of pottery than a vacuum, but that sleek exterior hides a 7.2-volt motor, easy-to-empty bagless dirt cup, charging cradle, and soft-glow light. The top of the Kone is the handle of the hidden vacuum; simply twist it to remove the vacuum from the charging base. The Kone stands 18" high, weighs less than 2 pounds, and comes in 6 colors. More handheld vacuums.

Look out, Dyson: The latest Dirt Devil vacuum, the Reaction, uses the same cyclonic technology to pick up dirt, but costs a lot less than The Ball. The Reaction upright bagless vacuum has 2 cyclones, so air moves faster, causing better dirt separation for cleaner floors and carpets. The Reaction has 12 amps of power, a lifetime HEPA filter to trap allergens and dust, a headlight (for night vacuumers, we presume), and a 32-foot cord. More vacuums.

From the people who brought you the Roomba robot vacuum comes the Scooba, a robot that preps, washes, scrubs, and dries your floors all by itself. It's designed to clean under tables, chairs, and other hard-to-reach places, and it's safe to use on most hard floor surfaces (sealed hardwood, linoleum, tile, marble). Just fill the tank, press the "clean" button, and get out of the way. And apologize to the cat.

According to the September 2005 issue of Consumer Reports, the Eureka Boss Smartvac Ultra Upright is one of the best all-around upright vacuums. It's got a 15-inch wide cleaning path, 12-amp motor, and HEPA filtration that catches 100% of dust mites, grass and ragweed pollen. Plus it's fairly quiet. The other best all-round upright is this Hoover WindTunnel, which propels itself, but costs a lot more.

The much-hyped, long-awaited Dyson Ball vacuum is now available. It's called The Ball because the conventional wheels have been replaced by a ball. The days of multiple 3-point turns while vacuuming are over. Now a simple turn of the wrist lets you maneuver freely. And like other Dysons, it really sucks. In a good way.

Building on the success of the Roomba, iRobot has just released the Roomba Discovery. This new robot vacuum returns to its Home Base to charge itself when it's done vaccuuming, charges faster than its predecessor, and holds up to 3 times as much dirt and dust. Let the Discovery do the work for you. It will make your floor "barefoot clean."