Skip to main content

Hands on: Dyson Hard vacuum-mop hybrid is better in theory than in practice

Dyson sucks and blows, and we mean that in the nicest way possible. Now, it’s getting ready to wipe with the latest addition to its home cleaning product line: The DC56 Dyson Hard ($330). The oddly-named Hard is a mop and vacuum hybrid designed for use on “hard” floors (hardwood, linoleum, tile, etc.), which complements Dyson’s existing line of vacuums. Will the Dyson Hard give wet mop pioneer Swiffer a run for its money? Well, let’s not jump to conclusions.

Look and feel

Much like recent Dyson vacuum models, the Dyson Hard is designed to be more functional, portable, and thinner than the classic ball-bodied Dyson cleaners. When you open the box, you’ll find three main parts: The handheld vacuum, pole, and mop head. A mounting attachment also comes with the package so you can easily rest the machine on the wall when you’re done cleaning.

Dyson Hard vacuum mop hybrid
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Root Cyclone digital motor part of the Dyson Hard looks nearly identical to the DC44 Animal Slim – it also uses a 104,000-rpm motor – although the company insists the parts were not repurposed. You can still use the vacuum without the pole to clean cars or upholstery – the only major differences are the Hard’s white color scheme and a reinforced neck to allow you to scrub harder.

Recommended Videos

On the other end is Dyson’s wet mop attachment, which has a wide, textured, rubberized surface sandwiched between two strips of vacuum openings. The idea is that users can attach a wet cleaning sheet to the rubber part of the mop and clean as they normally would. The special integration of the vacuum strips help to pick up larger pieces of dust and debris while the wet mop wipe the smaller grains in one fell swoop.

As with all Dyson equipments, the Hard looks and feels good to use. Everything from the Chrome finish to the glossy vacuum handle screams class, but that alone doesn’t make for an effective cleaning device, so we charged up our Hard to put it through some paces.

Performance

The Dyson Hard package comes with a few proprietary wet wipes, although you can use any brand you wish. Push the two red buttons on the mop head to detach the vacuum so you can wrap the wet cloth over the rubber surface. When it’s all tucked in, hover the vacuum back on top of the mop, and push down until the red buttons click to set everything in place.

Here, you can choose to clean your house san-vacuum if you wish, but that would defeat the purpose of your investment. Fire that 104,000-rpm motor up with a push of the button right at the top of the handlebar.

Compared to the DC44, the noise level is about the same. However, because the Dyson Hard has a smaller vacuuming surface, it isn’t quite as effective on our floors as the DC44.

Dyson Hard vacuum mop hybrid bottom right
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While the wet mop is able to clean like a regular Swiffer, Dyson’s vacuum effect actually makes the cloth dry faster than usual. Within a couple of minutes, we found ourselves needing to rewet the mop. Dyson told us this was done on purpose, as to avoid getting too much moisture into the vacuum. While the ridges in the textured rubber under the mop head is supposed to help scrub the floors, we found that this design got the mop stuck a few times, interrupting what should normally be effortless long strokes.

We found the cloth effective in picking up dust, dirt, and dried liquid, and the vacuum handled larger debris like leaves, food, or hair. However, the only way the two worked well together was if we used very slow, deliberate strokes. These strokes feel natural when using a vacuum on a carpet, but wet-mopping a hardwood floor is usually an … ahem … swifter affair. We found it a little unsatisfying, not to mention slow.

Should you buy it?

The idea of combining Dyson’s strength – vacuums – with a wet mop is genius in theory but, in reality, the product could use a bit more work. If the vacuum openings had larger bristles to help feed miscellaneous grime up the suction motor, the device might do a better job vacuuming while mopping. Perhaps a little more space between the vacuum strips and mop would the mop stay wet longer, eliminating the need to rewet or change the cloth as often. That, or Dyson should look into combining a spray to help the mop rewet itself without needing to stop, flip the device over, and pour in the cleaning solution.

Dyson-Hard-mop-vacuum
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The DC56 Dyson Hard is cheaper than the DC44 Animal Slim, and, once you detach the mop, the handheld vacuum still boasts the impressive Root Cyclone motor that gives Dyson that prestige, with more power to boot. It will work well in smaller areas of your home, and if the particular drawbacks to the mop function don’t bother you, it’s a more versatile device.

Still, if vacuuming is your main concern, we think the extra $70 for the $400 DC44 is worth the investment for vacuum attachments that are superior to what’s included in the Dyson Hard package. This is Dyson’s first foray into the mop market and we don’t doubt it improve on the DC56. With a few design tweaks, we believe that it has the potential to be a great addition to a home cleaning arsenal.

Natt Garun
An avid gadgets and Internet culture enthusiast, Natt Garun spends her days bringing you the funniest, coolest, and strangest…
Samsung Memorial Day sale: The best washer, dryer, and refrigerator deals
Samsung front-load washer and dryer set in chapagne finish in a laundry room.

The Samsung Memorial Day sale is finally online, so now's the perfect time to make some upgrades in your home. The brand, which is known for making some of the best phones and best TVs, is also a reliable name in the world of appliances, including washer, dryers, and refrigerators. No matter your budget and the amount of space you have, something will surely catch your eye in this year's Memorial Days deals for Samsung appliances.

You can take a look at all the home appliances that are on sale for Memorial Day from Samsung through the link below, but we've also highlighted our recommendations below if you want to finish your purchase quickly. That's actually a good idea, because we're not sure how much longer stocks will remain available. You shouldn't wait until the last minute of these Samsung Memorial Day deals before you proceed with your transaction, as you'll be in danger of missing out.

Read more
How to use the robotic arm of the Roborock Saros Z70
The Saros Z70 picking up a sock.

While the Roborock Saros Z70 didn’t exactly live up to the hype, there’s no denying its robotic arm is still a cool piece of technology. Capable of picking up small objects in its path, moving them to a new location, then continuing its cleaning process, the Saros Z70 and its robotic arm might be the coolest feature we’ve ever seen in a robot vacuum. But how exactly does it work? And what are the robotic arm’s limitations?

Here’s a closer look at how to use the robotic arm of the Roborock Saros Z70 and ways you can improve its performance.
Limitations of the Roborock Saros Z70’s robotic arm

Read more
The new Blink Video Doorbell offers two-year battery life, person detection
Close up of Blink Video Doorbell

The Blink Video Doorbell is a popular choice for frugal shoppers, and its next-generation successor is looking to follow in its footsteps. Available today, the new Blink Video Doorbell offers a remarkable two-year battery life, an improved field of view, a reworked design, and the low price of just $70.

If you’ve ever been shopping for an affordable video doorbell, you’ve probably stumbled upon the old Blink Video Doorbell. Available for just $60, it was a great alternative to premium devices from Nest and Ring. Blink is looking to build on that success with the new Video Doorbell. Its price has crept up $10, but it also picked up some nice new features. The biggest improvement is its field of view -- it’s been enhanced to a 150-degree head-to-toe perspective, compared to the 135-degree horizontal view of its predecessor.

Read more