A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet, a handle, a cyclonic
cleaning unit comprising a plurality of cyclones and at least one dirt
collection chamber, each of the plurality of cyclones having an outer
wall, an interior, a fluid inlet downstream from the dirt inlet and a
fluid outlet, the at least one dirt collection chamber having an outer
wall and an interior, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is
constructed such that the interior of the at least one dirt collection
chamber is visible from a position exterior to the surface cleaning
apparatus and a fluid flow motor. The surface cleaning apparatus may have
a filter with a housing that is at least partially transparent.