The Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal Bagless Upright Cyclonic Vacuum Cleaner is a machine with the advanced Dyson Cyclone technology that is intended to ensure that the unit never loses suction power throughout the lifetime of the vacuum cleaner. It includes many of the features found on most of Dyson's models including a washable lifetime HEPA filter, hygienic bin emptying system and fingertip brush-bar control. This Dyson model was manufactured with the pet owner in mind and also includes a quick-draw telescopic reach wand and is meant for all floor cleaning applications.

One of the nice things about this machine is the 51 foot reach that is achieved with a 35 foot power cord and the generous hose and telescopic wand. There are also 3 tools that store onboard for easy retrieval when needed. The 2/3 of a gallon refuse bin is able to tackle a lot of extra dirt and can handle a fair amount of pet hair. The bin is released with the press of a finger and is a fairly hygienic system, but not as absolutely dirt free as Dyson advertises. With any bagless system, the cleaner can't help but produce a small cloud of dust when emptying the bin. Bagged systems are the only virtually dust-free method for disposing of collected debris.

The Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal Bagless Upright Cyclonic Vacuum Cleaner is intended especially for people who are pet owners and need a machine that is geared toward a variety of applications. Pet hair has a tendency to become interwoven with carpet fibers, fabric upholstery and draperies. The pet dander that is produced and accumulates in the air and on surfaces can create allergies and intensify asthma for some people. The washable lifetime HEPA filter is able to filter out virtually all airborne dust, mold and dander to the degree that it has been certified as asthma and allergy friendly.

The Dyson D17 is a good vacuum cleaner but it is a bit on the pricey side for some, retailing for around $450. The price would be justified if there were some features that truly made this unit stand out, but there really weren't any. The tools for the telescopic wand were on the flimsy side and are held on with friction by pushing them on. This makes it difficult to secure tightly without having to hassle with prying them back off and can be hard for people who lack the strength or wrist-twisting capability that is required. The motorized upholstery tool is okay, but the brush slows down considerably if it is used on anything with a pile to it like velvet, brocade or carpeting. This makes the claim that it is intended for pet owners misleading because this tool isn't any better than a static brush tool when it comes to lifting pet hair off of surfaces like stairs or furniture.

The 5-year warranty on the Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal Bagless Upright Cyclonic Vacuum Cleaner is a generous warranty, but the parts for Dyson's are expensive and can be difficult to locate readily. The suction on this machine is wonderful but the price is awfully steep for a model that has such cheap extra parts. The additional carpet kit with absorbent powder is a nice touch, but ended up being something that was never used and took up extra storage space. It would have been better to make the attachments clip into the wand rather than hold by friction and the special motor brush tool could have been better designed in order to be more effective on pet hair. A decent machine overall, but there are vacuum cleaners on the market that cost less and have the exact same power and better features.