Vacuum (in Hg) of Dyson Root 6 and Black & Decker Pivot with Clean Canisters

Hmm... An engine vacuum gauge. I wonder if I could use it to measure the vacuum strength created by the Black and Decker Pivot and Dyson Root 6...

I was able to observe measurable differences in vacuum drawn between the Black and Decker Pivot and Dyson Root 6 using my automotive engine vacuum gauge when both handheld vacuums are clean, i.e., both have clean filters and empty canisters. For comparison, I also measured the vacuum drawn by my corded 8.3 amp Miele Red Star canister vacuum cleaner.

• The Dyson Root 6 drew 2 inches of Mercury of vacuum.
• The Black & Decker Pivot drew approximately 1 inch of Mercury of vacuum.
• For comparison, I tested our Miele Red Star canister vacuum. As one would expect, the Miele drew a comparatively large 4.5 inches of Mercury of vacuum.

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Clean Flow Rate of Black and Decker Pivot and Dyson Root 6

To measure clean (when canisters are fully cleaned and empty) flow rates of the Black and Decker Pivot and Dyson Root 6 handheld vacuums, I timed how long each vacuum took to deflate the same clear 30 gallon trash bag.

The results were as follows:

• Black and Decker Pivot: 43s
• Dyson Root 6: 36s
• Miele 8.3A Red Star Canister: 23s

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Vacuuming Test Debris

And now it was time for the dirty stuff and to use Black and Decker Pivot and Dyson Root 6 to actually vacuum up stuff. Both handheld vacuums did well with an edge towards the Root 6 for vacuuming carpet because of its bigger vacuum and flow rate numbers.




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Vacuum (in Hg) and Flow Rate (gal/s) Re-tested when Black and Decker Pivot and Dyson Root 6 Canisters Are Dirty

Next, it's only natural to wonder if the vacuum performance or flow rate performance for either handheld vacuum changed after vacuuming up our test "dirt". Hence, I repeat the earlier tests for a before and after comparison. Here are the results:

Clean Vacuum and Flow Rate

	Vacuum	Flow Rate
Black & Decker Pivot	1 in Hg	0.70 gal/s (30 gallons in 43 seconds)
Dyson Root 6	2 in Hg	0.83 gal/s (30 gallons in 36 seconds)

These results show that the static vacuum (in Hg) for both the Pivot and Root 6 remain the same before and after dirt is picked up. And that while the pivot's flow rate drops from 30 gallons in 43 seconds to 30 gallons in 54 seconds, the Root 6's flow rate does not drop! And, hence, I confirm Dyson's claim that its vacuum cleaners suffer "no loss of suction" applies to the Root 6.