This handheld hit the streets running. Many people looked at it with a confused look as to what exactly it was. Handhelds typically have good suction until you actually use them, lose battery power as you use them, and are awkward to use. The DC16 is none of those things. Phenomenal suction, full battery power, and the design is ideal in your hand.
The cost on the Root 6 was a big draw back for most people used to spending no more than fifty or sixty bucks on a hand vac, and this one over double that; however, new technology always comes at a price. A complaint on the performance of the vacuum is the battery life is only about six minutes; which means you better learn to use it quick, otherwise you'll be waiting a couple hours for it to recharge. The battery on some of the units were acting up after about a year or two, and would randomly stop and start working when the trigger was pulled.
A redesign of the DC16 with a very important addition; the Dyson Digital Motor. The new motor gives it not only more power, but an option of full power or less for the job at hand. It's also a little smaller and lighter in your hand. The dual power mode, in addition to the new motor, helps boost the battery life longer than it's predecessor. You can run it full blast and have it go the six minutes or so (at nearly double suction power I will add), or drop it down and have it go ten minutes. In most peoples mind, that doesn't seem like a lot, but you can actually do quite a bit in that amount of time.
The cost on this unit is pretty pricey, but if you have the money to spend, go for it; or even better, save up some more cash and get the DC35 (below).
When I first saw this model, I was absolutely excited about it. I knew well the many advantages of it. It can be used as a hand vac just like the DC31 (and the battery lasts even longer), you can put the motorized cleaner head right on to the hand held part and use it for stairs, furniture, etc. Lastly you can use it as a stick vac for your bare floors (see you later broom). I've used some of these other stick vacs, and they are absolutely pathetic. This one has the goods, and I am thoroughly impressed by it. Dyson added carbon fiber bristles on the brush bar which keeps static electricity from building up on the floor making the dust get pulled off the floor instead of static keeping it there. It has a neat docking station that hangs on the wall where you keep and recharge the unit; the only bad experience I have had with it is that it was ripped off the wall because of all use it got from me taking it off and putting it on.
