Hands-On: Dyson Root 6

I often eat when I'm working, so crumbs find their way around my desktop and on the floor. Since my workspace is small, I prefer not to clutter it up with a big, clunky vacuum cleaner. So I usually opt for compact and quick handvacs for most small jobs.

But handy as handvacs are, they can't handle the bigger stuff (coins, messy food like egg whites). For years, I've used a small Bissell handvac that has managed to pick up everything from the spilled contents of ashtrays to sawdust, but I wouldn't trust it with a broken glass.

Today Dyson launches the Root 6, which is the first handvac from the iconic-vacuum-cleaner manufacturer. It uses the same root-cyclone technology found in the upright models. The root-cyclone method uses a spinning cone (called a "root cyclone" in patented Dyson-speak) that creates a centrifugal force to spin dirt and air. The dirt (and other crap you're vacuuming) is separated by a sieve-like shroud and dumped into a see-through plastic bin, which can then be removed and emptied or even washed (great for slimy stuff). There's no bag and the filter isn't used to separate the dirt, which reduces clogging and suction-loss.

I've had the chance to use the Root 6 around my workspace for the past couple of weeks. This thing doesn't even compare to the Bissell. First of all, it looks like some kind of futuristic weapon from a sci-fi movie or video game, which adds some fun to the housecleaning process (in fact, you have to pull a trigger to get it started).

But it delivers in the all-important suction department: Not only has it picked up broken glass without a hiccup (and without a trace), but it gets dirt and dust stuck in corners and other small spaces on the first try (helped by the inclusion of various small-space and brush-attachments). And suction is constant until the bin is full (which is obvious since I can see what I've cleaned).

Unless you want to stay in a constant gun-shooting position as you sweep across the floor, you won't want to ditch your regular vacuum cleaner any time soon. But in a pinch, for a small room, this could honestly do the trick.

And most Dyson vacs are pricey, but the Root 6 is only $150, a bargain considering this can double as your vacuum cleaner in a pinch.

Now my Bissell is going in the garbage can, but maybe others know of some excellent handvacs that could give the Dyson a run for its money? If so, let me know.