Vacuum cleaners: our tests of 46 uprights and canisters reveal several top choices. But a growing number of models trade performance for pizzazz.(Product/Service Evaluation)

You'd think that a competitive market would spawn a better breed of vacuums--models that clean both carpets and bare floors more competently, handle tools more effectively, and do their work without spewing out what they pick up. As the Ratings on page 40 show, several top-scoring vacs, including one CR Best Buy, do all three key tasks well. But our testing also suggests that some of the latest models are pushing style over substance.

An example is the flashy new Dyson DC07 upright, $400, an English-made model making its North American debut. The yellow-and-silver Dyson has the see-through styling you'll find on a growing number of vacs. It also has a series of ...