Dyson 360 Vis Nav: POWERFUL SUCTION, WITH CAVEATS

Upon first glance, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav is a statement piece. However, the absence of bumpers raised eyebrows - this design choice, while sleek, seemed to invite scratches and scuffs, which indeed became evident during testing.

The build of the 360 Vis Nav diverged from the typical disc shapes of its competitors. It's flat-fronted, with a broad brush bar that spans its entire width (and actually bigger than the one on the V12 Detect Slim) and is versatile enough to navigate both carpets and hard flooring. This was a welcome departure from the usual spinning sweepers, as it promised a thorough clean right up to walls and into corners.

Dyson also claims the brush bar design does not kick up dust as much as vacuums with spinning sweepers do, which kind of makes sense if you think about it. The side duct, a novel addition, was Dyson's solution to edge cleaning, diverting some suction power to ensure no nook was left unattended.

A notable high-tech feature was the full-colour touchscreen atop the vacuum. It displayed current actions and detailed troubleshooting information so you don't have to second-guess what to do if the machine stops working.

The easy-access filter and bin, both removable from the top, added to the user-friendly experience. The cylindrical bin, complete with a carry handle, can be opened through a slider.