A surface cleaning apparatus having an outer surface and comprises a dirt inlet, a handle, a cyclone separator having a cyclone separator interior and an outer wall having an inner surface, the cyclone separator comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber, the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone chamber each having an outer wall, the surface cleaning apparatus is constructed such that the cyclone separator interior is visible from a position exterior to the surface cleaning apparatus, an illumination member positioned to provide illumination to at least a portion of the cyclone separator interior, and a fluid flow motor.