My parents come to visit tomorrow and thus, I am vacuuming my apartment. But if I’m being honest, I usually walk around with socks on so that I don’t end up with dirty feet. It’s not that I’m unclean; I’m just really lazy, and vacuuming makes me work up a sweat that causes me to realize I’m embarrassingly not as fit as I once thought. Unfortunately, this extreme state of denial doesn’t change the fact that people I care about (and who, as family, have the right to openly criticize me) will be visiting tomorrow. With its patented Root Cyclone Technology, Dyson’s new Dyson Ball DC24 vacuum claims to have all the incredible suction power of a regular Dyson, with improved maneuverability to boot. With the hallowed hoover in hand, I took a swipe around both my apartment and my work to see just how great this little wonder is.

One of my mother’s favourite lines to me when I lived at home was that if I ever walked into a hotel room that looked anything like my hovel at home, I’d complain wholeheartedly to the concierge and immediately ask to switch rooms. Again, by nature I’m really not a dirty person; I just have a severe aversion to housework. I’ve gotten better over the years (I swear Mom), but vacuuming has remained my least favourite chore. My current vacuum is as loud as a bus and weighs a ton.

The Dyson Ball DC24 is the latest in a line of super vacuums. Not only is this puppy smaller and lighter than the competition (weighing in at 5.3 kg), but contrary to other vacuums out there, it also offers the ability to maneuver around a room with ease. It sits on a ball rather than having fixed wheels like a conventional vacuum, so it not only looks cooler, but they say it’s easier to use too. For $499.99 (SRP), its brushbar spins faster than a hummingbird’s wings, and sucks up dirt like it’s its job…Right. Moving right along.

The reason for the two test sites is to get the complete experience of this little wonder. At work we have carpet and at home laminate, so I really got the full spectrum. Upon removing it from the box, it took about ten minutes to assemble (so you’ll probably be up and running in about five). Relatively easy to put together and to get started.

Question number one with vacuums will always be suction. Dyson’s main claim to fame is that their brand doesn’t lose suction like others do, as evidenced by one of their incredibly creative tag lines: “Dyson. The vacuum cleaner that doesn’t lose suction.” Riveting. When it came to this category, the brand lived up to its rep and sucked just as well as the next guy. So many places that could go. But I digress.

Because the vacuum doesn’t have fixed wheels, it allows you to pivot and turn rather than having to pick the vacuum up to change directions. Now, I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m used to the crappy old vacuums, but I found it very difficult to get used to the way this thing moves. I got stuck in spots and ended up getting frustrated and picking it up anyways. I have a stubborn streak though, and I tend to resist change so I got someone else to try it out too. After a little practice and a housework dance à la Mrs. Doubtfire, we had our answer.

So, the verdict is in. It sucks just as well as the rest of them and has a snappy swivel and pivot to boot; maneuvers like a dream around corners and tends to cause seemingly perfectly sane people to channel Robin Williams if the right music is playing. So if you’re looking for a vacuum that will do the trick quickly and easily then the Dyson Ball DC24 is the one for you. Yes, it’s pricier than the competition but think about how long you’ve had your vacuum at home. I’ll be stuck with my tank of a vacuum for far longer than I care to be but I guess that’s just value for your money.

For this dirty apartment dweller, if Dyson’s making it this easy, you may just see me sauntering through my apartment without socks on sometime soon.