Latest news with #vacuum
Motor Trend
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2025 Toyota Sienna Platinum First Test Review: It Sucks and It's Freezing
Pros Very efficient Improved interior build quality Snappy infotainment and sharp cameras Cons Slower than competitors Ride quality Buzzy engine The season of road trips is upon us, and the 2025 Toyota Sienna Platinum minivan makes a strong case to haul your precious cargo. Its spaciousness, practicality, and efficiency make for a combination that's simply unmatched by the ubiquitous three-row crossover. Oh, and the 2025 Sienna's built-in fridge and vacuum cleaner are sure to make your neighbors with the Grand Highlander trip over their Shop-Vac with envy. 0:00 / 0:00 The vacuum and fridge are just some of the new additions to the refreshed 2025 Sienna. Available as options on the Limited trim, they're standard on the top-of-the-line Sienna Platinum tested here. Unfortunately, we can't tell you how well the vacuum tackles Cheerios or dog fur because the hose went missing before Toyota dropped off the vehicle, and a replacement didn't reach us in time. That said, the power unit, dustbin, and controls are all nicely integrated into the center console, just ahead of the second-row seats—a more useful location than the rear-mounted units in the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica—though we wish Toyota could've figured out a way to store the hose near the power unit instead of separately way back in the cargo area. After all, messes don't wait for the cargo area to be unpacked—and a full load back there could hinder quick access to that critical tube. The fridge, however, is placed perfectly right atop the center console for easy access. It'll easily store six standard-sized cans of soda and offers two levels of cold. In our unofficial test of the fridge set to its low setting, it cooled room-temperature cans of Spindrift from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to a refreshing 55 degrees in about 2.5 hours. It's Built Better! Our 2025 Sienna Platinum was also fitted with Toyota's latest infotainment system, which is a huge improvement over the previous version. The screen is on the smaller side, but it's sharp, snappy, and easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board. Certain trims, including the Platinum, also get Toyota's new digital instrument cluster that we've seen roll out on other vehicles like the Tacoma, offering an impressive amount of customization and clear graphics. In addition to tech improvements, Toyota addressed some of the minivan's general fit and finish, which we've noted as one of the pre-2025 Sienna's weakest qualities. Important touch points like door grabs and HVAC vents feel much more buttoned down, while the dashboard and center console trim pieces appear better aligned. Still Super Efficient The Sienna's standard hybrid powertrain carries over unchanged, still pushing 245 horsepower to the front wheels like in our test vehicle. (All-wheel drive, via an extra electric motor powering the rear axle on demand, is optional on every Sienna and carries only a minor 1-mpg combined fuel economy penalty.) Our 2025 Sienna Platinum test van isn't exactly quick, with a 0–60-mph time of 8.4 seconds, though we should note that our straight-line testing of this generation Sienna has seen some wild swings in results. A front-drive 2024 Sienna XSE, for example, put down a 0–60 time of 7.8 seconds, while a 2022 Sienna XLE Woodland AWD needed 8.5 seconds. Your results may vary, literally. Bringing this 2025 Sienna Platinum to stop from 60 mph requires 134 feet, which is longer than some of its competitors. The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige, for example, needs 7.9 seconds to reach 60 mph and just 118 feet to come to a stop, while a 2025 Honda Odyssey Elite is more athletic with a 6.8-second 0–60-mph time and a handy 123-foot stop from that speed. That said, neither the Kia nor Honda can match the Sienna's efficiency, with an EPA rating of 36 mpg across the board (city, highway, and combined; again, the AWD model dips those figures to 34/36/35 mpg). The Kia and Honda are rated at 34/31/33 mpg and 19/28/22 mpg, respectively. Although it doesn't wow at the racetrack, that's not where this Toyota will ever spend any time. The Sienna's powertrain is otherwise more than adequate for routine minivan duties. The electric motors help the gas engine provide a good amount of oomph from a stop, and the powertrain never feels underpowered on the highway, despite the buzzy engine note under wide-open throttle. The Sienna is also fairly nimble, with quick steering, a good turning radius (39.2 feet), and decent body control. Good visibility and top-notch backup and 360-view cameras come in clutch while piloting the Sienna through the chaotic parking lot at your local Trader Joe's. Ride quality and road noise aren't the greatest, no doubt exacerbated by the Platinum's fancy 20-inch wheels. Smaller 17- and 18-inch wheels with taller-sidewall tires might help, and the good news if you're looking to save some bucks is that the smaller rims are only fitted on lower-priced models. The Sienna Platinum's seven-seat configuration includes a pair of second-row captain's chairs that are easy to access from either side of the van. (An eight-seat setup is also available.) The seats are easy to adjust and super comfortable, though enjoying them in their fully reclined position makes the third-row seat unusable. And although the captain's chairs are hefty, moving them forward to access the back seats is as easy as pulling one latch on the backrest. Third-row egress and ingress are also good, and normal-sized adults should have no issues with legroom or headroom. Each row has no fewer than four cupholders (there are eight up front for some reason), though unfortunately none of them can accommodate girthier Hydro Flasks or Big Gulps. Out back, the Sienna provides a generous 33.5 cubic feet of cargo room. And with a simple, single-arm pull of a couple straps, the third-row seats fold neatly into the floor, boosting cargo volume to 75.2 cubic feet. Looking to move a friend using the Sienna? Those second-row captain's chairs can't be removed like the seats in an Odyssey (or folded flat like in a Pacifica), but they fold and tumble forward so that they stand vertically against the front seatbacks, arguably a nice compromise between lifting out the Honda's chairs and the Chrysler's clever Stow 'n Go arrangement that opens up a huge area for cargo. In this configuration, the Sienna Platinum can swallow 101.0 cubic feet of stuff behind the first row. Compare those numbers to the Grand Highlander (20.6, 57.9, and 97.5 cubic feet) just further solidifies the Sienna as the champ of practicality. With a price tag ringing in at $58,634, the range-topping Sienna Platinum is pricier than the nicest Chrysler, Kia, and Honda minivans. While it can claim efficiency supremacy over those vans (not counting the Pacifica plug-in hybrid variant, though the fanciest Pacifica Hybrid is pricier than the Sienna), it doesn't do any one thing much better than the Honda or Pacifica. On the other hand, the Sienna is nicely updated, and the 2025 changes address some key concerns—namely the old model's build quality—while adding in a few useful new minivan-specific features, even if it doesn't change the Sienna's position relative to our segment favorites. If you don't need the nifty fridge or vacuum, lesser Siennas are nicely equipped and cost far less while delivering the same high mpg and road-trip-ability.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
New Dyson PencilVac vacuum does ‘what others can't do'
A British tech-giant has just unveiled the 'world's slimmest vacuum' - and it solves arguably one of the most annoying issues faced in every home. The Dyson PencilVac is just 38mm in diameter - about the size of a 20-cent coin - and has the first ever conical brush cleaner head that 'ejects hair' for easy disposal. The brand's CEO, James Dyson, recently announced the new feature on its newest addition to the brand's fleet of cordless vacuums at an event in Japan, describing the PencilVac as a device that was created to 'go where others can't'. 'We're talking about the problem of hair, as you can see, it wraps around the brush bar and is very difficult to clean, the only way to really get it off is to cut it,' the 78-year-old told a room full of tech-experts. 'So what we've developed are these cones that go into the cleaner head and the point is that it's a phenomenon, that hair wraps around here [points to the cone-shaped brush heads], migrates to the smaller end of the cone and just falls off, so you can then pick it up.' The secret to the tiny vac's abilities lies in the PencilVac's new 'fluffycones' cleaner head which features four rotating cones, two moving backwards and two moving forwards, that easily eject long hair and clean in all directions. Mr Dyson became visibly excited when demonstrating the device, describing it as 'floating on the floor' and providing an 'absolutely effortless' clean. 'I can go in any direction, sideways and backwards, it's just very, very easy,' he raved. 'The other thing we've done is expose the edges of the cleaner head so that you can go right up to the edge of the wall and clean up close because all that touches the wall are the soft, fluffy edges of the brush head.' Inside the stick handle is the brand's Dyson redeveloped Hyperdymium 140k motor which has somehow been made to teeny weeny, measuring at just 28mm, while still being able to provide the top notch suction the tech brand is famous for. 'The good thing about very small motors is they are very efficient, and of course, they use fewer materials,' he said. 'But the speed is interesting, because a Formula One car goes at about 16,000rpm [rotations per minute], a jet engine is about the same, but the PencilVac is 140,000rpm. 'This is a complete breakthrough.' The dirt that is sucked up by the PencilVac is also stored in the vacuum's thin handle, so considering Dyson are billing it as the 'smallest vacuum in the world', it's reasonable to assume it won't hold onto much. In order to combat this, the brand has created a new 'hygienic syringe bin ejection system' which claims to dump dirt deep into the bin in one simple motion. Its battery will last about 30 minutes, but unfortunately it will take about 4 hours of charging to fully charge. But Dyson said spare rechargeable battery packs can be purchased to help tackle this potential customer issue. While no date for the release of the 1.8kg vacuum in Australia has been shared, it is definitely coming Down Under, and is set to be priced at about $949. 'The ideal customer for the PencilVac is someone seeking quick, effective cleaning solutions without the bulk of traditional vacuum cleaners,' Nathan Lawson McLean, a senior design manager who worked on the product's launch, told 'It's perfect for urban dwellers with limited space, busy households that need frequent spot cleaning, and anyone who values design-led, functional tools. 'Whether you live in a compact apartment, have kids dropping crumbs constantly, or just appreciate having cutting-edge tech at your fingertips, the PencilVac is engineered for you.' Following the announcement, social media users have been quick to weigh in on the product, with many divided over the 'incredible' new vacuum. 'HOLY MOTHER OF DUST!!!' one excited consumer wrote on Instagram. 'This fixes the hair tangling problem,' another shared. However some reasoned the PencilVan wasn't a device that could clean a whole home, but instead something that could be used to quickly clean up small messes. 'I guess this is more a broom for smooth surfaces rather than a true vacuum with enough suction for carpets, etc?' one said. 'Now I have a perfect 'last minute' vacuum for all those quick little jobs,' another agreed.
Digital Trends
3 days ago
- Business
- Digital Trends
Dreame H12 Pro FlexReach Wet and Dry Vacuum review: a quicker way to clean your floors
Dreame H12 Pro FlexReach Wet and Dry Vacuum review: a quicker way to clean your floors MSRP $550.00 Score Details 'The Dreame H12 Pro FlexReach handles all kinds of messes with ease, though it doesn't feel quite as premium as some competitors.' Pros Lie-flat design Fantastic cleaning skills No-tangle technology Self-cleaning dock Cons Missing a few premium features Self-propulsion is a bit too aggressive 'Why you can trust Digital Trends – We have a 20-year history of testing, reviewing, and rating products, services and apps to help you make a sound buying decision. Find out more about how we test and score products.' The Dreame H12 Pro FlexReach Wet and Dry Vacuum is a do-it-all sort of product. Packing in 18,000 Pa of suction, it's an excellent vacuum. A self-cleaning roller is constantly rinsed during operation, resulting in excellent mopping chops. A lie-flat design lets you slip under most furniture. And when you're done cleaning, the dock will handle just about all your maintenance chores — keeping your hands clean and eliminating the need to muck around with dirty water. Recommended Videos But as great as the Dreame H12 Pro is, there are a few issues preventing it from being an easy recommendation. For one, its price of $550 is quite hefty, and the competition is quite robust. I also noticed a few tiny annoyances during testing that gave me pause, especially given its lofty price tag. The Dreame H12 Pro FlexReach is a solid choice for cleaning your hard floors, but you'll have to live with a few quirks if you decide to add it to your home. A versatile wet and dry vacuum Before I get nit-picky, it's worth noting that the Dreame H12 Pro FlexReach is fantastic at cleaning hard floors. Like all wet and dry vacuums, this is designed specifically for use on hard floors such as tile, wood, and laminate. It churns out up to 18,000 Pa of suction, which I've found to be more than enough for daily cleaning needs. Whether you're tackling a dried stain of unknown origins or a million grains of rice that spilled out of a torn bag, it'll handle whatever you throw its way. It also comes bundled with detergent, though you'll need to manually mix this in with your clean water reservoir, as the H12 doesn't offer an auto-dispensing feature. One of my favorite features of the Dreame H12 Pro FlexReach is Smart Mode. Four different modes of operation are available (Turbo, Suction, Quiet, Smart), though I often just left the gadget in Smart Mode. This allows the vacuum to automatically adjust its suction and water output based on its sensors, eliminating the guesswork from your chores. If that doesn't work, Turbo Mode usually gets the job done. Most shoppers will also appreciate its 180-degree lie-flat design. You can essentially rest the vacuum completely flat on the ground, giving it a total height of just 14 cm — which is short enough to reach under all sorts of furniture. It's also equipped with a rollerball halfway up the vacuum, providing you with impressive maneuverability while flat on the ground. Regardless of what you're cleaning, a large LED display lets you see the remaining battery life and the current operating mode. It gives the H12 a premium look, and it's certainly useful to help time your cleanings. Once you're done, the included docking station will handle most of your maintenance tasks. This includes washing and drying the roller mop, and doing the same for the piping within the vacuum. All you have to do is empty the dirty water tank and refill the clean water tank. The dirty water tank is easy to empty, and it does an excellent job of separating solids and liquids — preventing any clogs and dirty hands. Two drying modes are offered — Quiet Mode and Super-Speed Mode. The former runs a four-minute heated wash followed by a 30-minute drying cycle. The latter runs a longer seven-minute heated wash followed by a blistering five-minute flash drying cycle. The dock also charges your vacuum, and you can expect to get around 50 minutes of cleaning on a single charge. Minor quirks keep it from greatness While there's much to love about the Dreame H12 Pro FlexReach, I noticed a few pinch points during my testing. For one, the self-propulsion system on the vacuum is a bit aggressive. The device will automatically push itself forward, negating the need for you to manually push it along your floors. However, it moves a bit too fast, and I often found myself fighting against it to stay put on difficult stains. It also only propels itself forward. So if you decide you want to move the mop forward and backward like many people do with a traditional vacuum, you'll be battling against the H12 Pro. This is especially noticeable, having just tested the Roborock F25 ACE, which provided a smooth movement system whether you're pushing or pulling. Something I didn't expect to have an issue with was the water reservoir. Detaching the reservoir requires quite a bit of force — and because there's no latch or lock to manually depress, I thought I broke the vacuum the first time I pulled the tank off. Some competitors use a simple lock mechanism, where you slide a latch up and pull out the tank. That's not the case here, and I found it to be quite clunky for a $550 product. Instead of a single smooth movement, it's more of an awkward pulling that takes a few different motions. It loosened up a bit as time went by, but it's certainly not something I expected to worry about in this price bracket. You also won't find an auto-dispensing detergent system. These types of systems will automatically mix water and detergent, as they're contained in two separate reservoirs. With the H12 Pro FlexReach, you'll need to manually combine water and detergent when filling up its only clean water reservoir. It's not a big deal — but when you're spending $550, these little luxuries should be considered. Verdict On its own, the Dreame H12 Pro FlexReach Wet and Dry Vacuum is a solid product. It cleans remarkably well, it looks quite nice, and its ability to lie flat to reach under furniture gives it excellent versatility. Its self-cleaning docking station is wonderful, too, allowing you to skip the worst parts of mopping. However, competition is fierce in this segment, and the H12 Pro FlexReach is lacking too many niceties to rise above the pack. If you can find it on sale, then it's no doubt worth consideration. But when listed at its regular price of $550, you'll find other wet and dry vacuums to be more enticing. You might also consider shopping for the best robot vacuum and mop combos, as these are even more automated — and some are just a bit more expensive than the Dreame H12 Pro FlexReach.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Pet owners 'absolutely love, love, love' Dyson V12 cordless vac now £150 less in stunning QVC deal
DYSON fans are rushing to QVC to get their hands on one of the brand's coveted vacuums for a bargain price. The cost of the V12 Detect Slim Absolute has been slashed by £150 and it's now just £399. BUY FROM QVC This Dyson deal at QVC sees a neat 27% hoovered off the usual price of £549. What's more, you can get an extra £5 off your first order if you enter the promo code FIVE4U. Dyson discounts aren't that frequent, so this is definitely a deal to look at if you're in the market for a new vacuum - especially if you've got pets. The V12 is designed for homes with animals, so it makes short work of that pesky, ever-present dog and cat hair. You can use the Motorbar head to deep-clean debris and hair from carpets (it detangles as it goes, so the brush doesn't end up clogged). Alternately, there's the Fluffy Optic head for hard floors and a handy (if strange-looking) hair screw tool for ground-in pet hair and debris. This cordless wonder gives up to 60 minutes of cleaning on a full charge, and offers spin speeds up to 125,000rpm. What's more, the vacuum automatically adjusts suction depending on what it's picking up, and increases power where it's needed. And the filtration system seals in up to 99.99% of allergens and microscopic particles: perfect if you're suffering from hay fever this summer. The Sun Shopping's Aaron Dowler put this big-brand vac to the test, and in his Dyson V12 Detect Absolute Slim review, gave it an 8-out-of-10 verdict. "The Dyson V12 Detect Slim impressed me with its performance, especially its lightweight design," Aaron says. "The laser detection technology worked beautifully on hard floors, and the attachments were versatile enough to tackle pet hair and upholstery." QVC shoppers are smitten too, with one customer writing: "It is incredible what it collects. "We have two short-haired dachshunds, two adults, wool carpets and rugs in our house. "[It's] so easy and lightweight to hoover stairs compared to [the] Dyson Ball Upright we also have, which now never gets used." Another says: "I absolutely love, love, love it! It's so easy to use, easy to empty and clean, and I can do the whole house so quickly. "I use it every day and am gobsmacked at what it picks up... Even my husband said the house smells clean. It really is wonderful." All reasons this handy household tool made it into our pick of the best cordless vacuum cleaners. If you're keen, just be sure to jump on this deal before it comes to an end. Owner of a hungry kitty? Shoppers are rushing to that's now 44% cheaper. For more options from the likes of Shark, Halo and Gtech, head to our best vacuum cleaners article.
CNET
4 days ago
- General
- CNET
This Cordless Dyson Vacuum Is My Ultimate Spring Cleaning Sidekick, and It's $150 Off
I've got a full-time job, two messy toddlers, a shedding dog and a husband who occasionally tracks in dirt. I think you can see where I'm going with this. Like all busy parents, I find keeping a clean house to be rather challenging. Enter the Dyson V15 cordless vacuum cleaner, a purchase that's been practically life changing. I've tried out a lot of different vacuums at different price ranges, and this model outperforms every single one. The Dyson V15 was awarded a CNET Editors' Choice Award, is on CNET's best cordless vacuums list, and out-suctioned all its stick vacuum competitors in our laboratory testing. That's a whole lot of power and performance, which is what I love about it. And yes, all that performance also comes with a pretty hefty price tag. But right now you can get it for $150 off, which brings the price down to $600. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. This is two days' worth of dog hair, which my Dyson can suction up on its highest suction setting from a 500-square-foot section of carpet. Katie Collins/CNET Why I love my Dyson V15 vacuum My Dyson V15 works great for quick clean-ups or deep cleans. Because it's cordless, I appreciate not having to constantly plug and then unplug it when cleaning the upstairs and downstairs in my home. It doesn't take up storage space because the charging docking station is mounted in our garage. It's no surprise to me that the Dyson V15 outperformed most of its competitors during CNET's lab testing. It is now rated as having the best suction performance for a cordless vacuum. My Dyson also cleans my car well My kids' and pets' messes aren't contained to my house so I love how the Dyson easily converts to handheld mode, which comes in handy for suctioning up loose toddler snacks from car seats and car floors. The crevice attachment can reach those in-between spaces in my car and couch cushions. The Dyson V15 converts into a handheld for easy car cleanup. Dyson Washable HEPA filter is a plus I love the washable HEPA cloth filter too. No more running out of replacement filters. Simply wash it and let it dry. I also bought a backup replacement filter to use so I don't have to wait for the original filter to dry before using my beloved Dyson on another mess. I love how easy it is to clean my Dyson HEPA filter. I have two replacement filters on deck in case one is still wet from washing it. Dyson High-performing vacuum with one flaw My one complaint is its battery life when using it on its best suction setting: boost mode. Dyson's boost mode works well picking up my dog's pet hair, but it drains the battery quickly. To clean two stories in boost mode, it needs to recharge to finish the job, and that can take a few hours. Dyson has three power modes for different tasks. The overall battery run time varies based on power mode. I find Boost mode to work best on pet hair but will drain the battery quickly. Dyson/CNET In the middle setting -- auto mode -- I can clean the upstairs and downstairs of my 2,000-square-foot home on a single charge, and it works well on hard floors and pretty well on carpet. Auto mode is fine for in-between cleanings, but boost mode works best for a deep carpet clean. To find some other top-rated vacuums, check out our editors' list of the best vacuums you can buy. We also think this vacuum would make a great gift for a new graduate moving into their first place. For other gifting inspiration, check out our picks for the best gifts for grads.
