I do not often return to review purchase , but I do want to for this , because I do so much research myself . I think this model be exceptional for the class of vacuum that it represent . recently we household have migrate from a traditional push-vacuum to the combination of a Roomba and a handheld for corner dust bunny and misc . accumulation . it be a great evolution , my wife and I agree and the good old cannister vac that use to rule the roost be now , itself , collect dust in the closet . the point here be that the Roomba create a new need for we ; a need for a capable , powerful `` touch-up vacuum , '' and I think the Flex have get the position cover . people complain about the short battery life , and it be a legitimate complaint -- but realize that use this thing for much beyond `` touch-up '' be like use a weed trimmer to mow you entire yard -- it be miss the point . so , yeah , I wish the battery life be longer , but it be really not a problem , especially if you learn to switch the flex off as you roam from spot to spot . -lrb- see extended comment about this at the end of my review -rrb- the suction power be excellent , the noise level be fine -lrb- it be , after all , a vacuum -- so no it be not silent -rrb- . the dirt trap be a tad bit wonky , but I can live with it . -lrb- we have a lot of pet hair and it tend to get ball up in the dirt container , need to be pull out in a massive clump with two finder -rrb- where the Flex really win be with its wrap-around , uncoiling hose , a feature that I do not see on any of the competition . this feature rule the day , make the Flex basically a powerful miniature version of a full-size vacuum . and I tend to use it this very way -- with the motor\/base in one hand and the hose\/attachment head in the other hand , reach here and there , up and down , for rogue dust bunny . add to that the collection of attachment , and it be the current winner that I know of . one thing -lrb- besides battery life -rrb- that I would like to see change : Dyson be market a compete product -- the dc16 -- that have a power `` trigger '' instead of a switch . that concept , I think , be KEY to understand this new class of product . a power `` trigger '' would help conserve that precious battery life and that would be nice . -lrb- overall , though , I decide the Flex beat the Dyson hands-down , and I still hold that opinion , largely because of the rationale of the hose , -lrb- and a longer battery life , apparently -rrb- -rrb- in short , what some might call a portable or hand-held vacuum , I would call a `` miniature vacuum . '' and that be exactly what I be look for . update 10\/26\/2010 : I want to add a quick note that I be become somewhat increasingly anxious over the seemingly shorter-and-shorter battery life of the unit . be it just I ? I may do a test where I just turn it on and let it run down . I love everything else about the vac , but one need to be judicious and mindful of the short battery life . the biggest downside seem to be the long recharge time . basically overnight . I wish they would at least offer some sort of battery-replacement program . so far , I have find none .