If you want better Scratch resistance
Choose Bissell CleanView Swivel Vacuum. It scores 4.0 vs 1.5 for Scratch resistance, with a 3.8 overall score.
Dirt Devil Multi-Surface Upright Vacuum Review
Bottom Line
Choose it if you want strong budget carpet suction and a sturdy upright around $100. Skip it if hard-floor safety, premium filtration, long cord reach, or polished attachments matter more.
Best for
Best for shoppers who can buy it around $100 and mainly need a carpet-focused upright with strong suction, pet-hair help, and a sturdier feel than older Dirt Devils. It also fits users who do not mind routine filter care and some tool compromises.
Not for
Not for delicate bare floors, low furniture, allergy-sensitive homes needing sealed filtration, or users who want premium attachment compatibility and long cord reach. It is also a weak fit at higher prices where reviewers preferred alternatives.
Verdict
Across the supplied reviews, the Dirt Devil Multi-Surface earns its strongest praise as a budget carpet vacuum: reviewers highlight strong suction, a sturdier build than recent Dirt Devils, light handling, and useful onboard reach. The tradeoff is refinement. Assembly can be frustrating, the tool fitting is proprietary, some accessories feel compromised, and the aggressive brushroll creates real bare-floor caution. Value is also price-sensitive: the detailed review frames it as solid around $100 but not at $130, while the included CNET Dash review is strongly negative on performance and value. Overall, the evidence supports a capable low-cost carpet-focused upright with noticeable design compromises.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
51 reviewed features-
Positive 3.5-4.421 (41%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.422 (43%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.47 (14%)
-
Very negative below 1.51 (2%)
Pros
-
Reviewers most often praised suction and airflow, especially on the newer Multi-Surface Total Pet, though that strength did not rescue every hard-floor or tool scenario.
-
Weight evidence was mostly positive: the vacuum was described as light or easy to carry, though the newer model traded some weight for sturdier build.
-
The newer model's build quality received strong praise for sturdiness, thicker plastic, and feeling less cheap than prior Dirt Devils.
-
Ease of use was generally good once assembled, with simple operation and disassembly, though filter condition affected cleaning performance.
-
Versatility was a strength for floor types and above-floor use, but bare-floor safety and custom tools limited the otherwise broad use case.
-
Carpet hair pickup was generally favorable in newer reviews, but CNET found the older Dash comparatively weak despite a 92 percent pet-hair result.
Cons
-
Hard-floor hair pickup was weak in the CNET test and the detailed review remained cautious about bare-floor use despite some pickup ability.
-
Tool changes and fittings were a recurring weak spot, with reviewers criticizing awkward attachment installation and proprietary/custom hose fittings.
-
Bare-floor scratch resistance was a serious concern in the detailed review because of the aggressive spinning brush and lack of brushroll shutoff.
-
Hair-removal channel evidence was negative, with CNET finding hair wrapped around the rollerbrush rather than fully entering the bin.
-
Hair-wrap/tangle resistance was poor in CNET's human-hair test, where hair tangled and wrapped around the rollerbrush.
-
Packaging and out-of-box setup were criticized because filters were not preinstalled and reviewers had to warn buyers to check packaging.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Upright Vacuums, this product is above average in Build quality and durability, Storage footprint and upright-stand stability, Weight, near average in Hose length, Clogging and debris prevention, below average in Hair Pickup — Hard Floors, Scratch resistance, Assembly and Setup.
Comparison summary
51 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher5 (10%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts14 (27%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower32 (63%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Pickup — Hard Floors | 1.2 | 4.2 | -3.0 |
| Scratch resistance | 1.5 | 4.1 | -2.6 |
| Assembly and Setup | 2.0 | 4.4 | -2.4 |
| Packaging quality | 2.5 | 4.5 | -2.0 |
| Tool-change simplicity | 2.0 | 3.8 | -1.8 |
| Hair‑Wrap / Tangle Resistance | 1.8 | 3.4 | -1.6 |
| Emptying and Mess Control | 2.8 | 4.2 | -1.4 |
| Under-Furniture Pickup | 2.0 | 3.4 | -1.4 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Hair Pickup — Hard Floors
Choose Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum. It scores 5.0 vs 1.2 for Hair Pickup — Hard Floors, with a 4.1 overall score.
If you want better Assembly and Setup
Choose Shark Rotator Lift-Away Vacuum. It scores 5.0 vs 2.0 for Assembly and Setup, with a 4.1 overall score.
If you want better Tool-change simplicity
Choose Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum, NV752. It scores 4.5 vs 2.0 for Tool-change simplicity, with a 4.2 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
Bissell
- Better: motor longevity The reviewer likes this Dirt Devil's improved motor but still gives Bissell the longevity edge.
Bissell clean view
- Better: stair reach The reviewer prefers this Dirt Devil on stairs overall, but notes the Bissell CleanView has more reach.
Bissell PowerGlide Deluxe Pet Vacuum
- Better: budget vacuum performance and value The reviewer says the Bissell is a better sub-$200 buy because it performs better by a wide margin.
FAQ
Is it good on carpet?
The newer Multi-Surface reviews are mostly positive on carpet suction and brush agitation, especially at the $100 price. However, carpet height and contact can be finicky, and the CNET Dash evidence was much weaker.
Is it safe for hard floors?
Evidence is cautious. One detailed reviewer said it can pick up some bare-floor debris, but did not recommend it for bare floors because the aggressive spinning brush can scratch delicate surfaces.
How does it handle pet hair?
Pet-hair evidence is mixed but often positive on carpets and with newer pet tools. CNET's older Dash review found weak hard-floor pet-hair pickup and a turbo tool that clogged on upholstery.
Is assembly easy?
Not always. The unboxing reviewer found the handle and screws surprisingly difficult and said the tutorial might be necessary for many buyers.
Is it worth the price?
The strongest value case is around $100. Reviewers criticized higher prices around $119-$130, and the detailed review specifically warned not to buy it for $130.
What maintenance does it need?
Reviewers emphasized keeping filters clear and emptying the bin properly. CNET criticized brush access as tedious, while the detailed review recommended monthly filter washing depending on use.
Does it reach under furniture?
Low-profile reach is a weakness. The unboxing reviewer said the cyclone assembly takes up enough space that it will not get under low furniture.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 3.5
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 3.1
Article Reviews
cnet.com
- Review score
- 2.3
Top Upright Vacuums to Consider
Choose the Eureka OmniVerse for strong value, versatile floor and above-floor cleaning, pet pickup, and under-furniture reach. Skip it if you want premium-feeling tool changes, a larger bin, or the...
Pros: Suitability for heavy-duty use, Surface safety with attachments
Cons: Onboard tool storage, Cord management
Choose the Shark Stratos for powerful upright cleaning, sealed HEPA filtration, Lift-Away versatility, and strong hard-floor or low-pile carpet pickup. Skip it if you need a lightweight vacuum or mainly...
Pros: Packaging quality, Low-profile design
Cons: Storage footprint and upright-stand stability, Hair-removal channel issues
Choose the Shark PowerDetect for strong whole-home suction, pet hair pickup, smart modes and Lift-Away reach. Skip it if you need a lightweight, quiet vacuum with a long hose or...
Pros: Floorhead design, Innovation compared to competitors
Cons: Suitability for small spaces, Hose length
Choose the Simplicity S20EZM for strong carpet suction, bagged HEPA containment, and pet-hair pickup. Skip it if you need quiet operation, easy hard-floor debris control, or a brush roll that...
Pros: Assembly and Setup, Innovation compared to competitors
Cons: Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake, Airflow blowback