After using it for 3 days i would say the speed was slightly less than if i were to wand the carpet. However this was negated by the fact that the zipper flushed the carpet much better than the wand and left the carpet much drier than a wand, even with the dollar bill sized clump of hair i pulled out. It also taxed my body differently. When i wand my legs, feet, and especially the balls and big toe are really sore and can have a hard time walking. With the zipper my lower back was the thing that hurt the most. I was able to streach it out fairly easily though. So over all i think it will be the tool i reach for on commercial jobs. I tried it on one residential job, but found it too cumbersom while cleaning arround furniture.