Don't like the idea you have to take the "head" off in order to empty the basket - way too cumbersome. My old one (a Royal brand) I was able to remove the basket from the front head stayed in place. This one is also very noisy - much more so than the Royal.
Wasn' sure about this purchase. But after unpacking it and reading the directions we are very happy withthe performance and the safty feature of covering the shedding blades after use. Glad we got it!