A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Nov. 22, 2024
There's a reason (or five) that Dyson is a household name in cleaning. These are the best Dyson vacuums, according to our Product Testing Team.
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Weight: 8.55 pounds | Charge time: 3 hours, 41 minutes | Runtime: 26 minutes | Bin size: 0.5 gallons | Modes: Eco, Auto, Boost | Converts to handheld: Yes | Power: 350 watts
The Dyson Gen5outsize is the brand’s most expensive vacuum to date, so naturally, our Product Testing Team was eager to put it to the test to see how it performs—and perform it did. Not only was it the best Dyson vacuum of the bunch, but for those with big houses (and big budgets), the premium cleaning tool is well worth the splurge.
This high-tech vacuum significantly reduces cleaning time with its supersized bin capacity, 25% larger head and generous 140-minute clean time, thanks to an included additional battery. Our team put it to the test against common household messes—cornflakes, glitter and human hair (yes, human hair!)—and were impressed with the Gen5outsize‘s ability to successfully suck up everything in its path, both on tile and low-pile carpet. While high-pile carpet proved more challenging, the machine still managed to tackle each mess with a little more effort, and hair proved to be no obstacle, thanks to the tangle-free head.
Not sure when your floor is clean? The intelligent light-emitting diode (LED) screen lets you know. The 8.6-pound cordless vacuum doubles as a handheld, too. It features an incredibly meticulous high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration system and headlights with increased brightness and range to spotlight microscopic dust, so you can identify all the places you should be vacuuming.
Our team noted that while the Gen5outsize’s larger head proved more challenging to maneuver around tight spaces and the clearance was the worst of all the vacuums tested, its suctioning power and spacious footprint effectively cut down the time it took to vacuum larger areas. We think this is a fair tradeoff for anyone with a larger home and a lot of cleaning that needs to be tackled in the shortest amount of time!
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Weight: 5.5 pounds | Charge time: 3 hours, 38 minutes | Runtime: 29 minutes | Bin size: 0.14 gallons | Modes: Low, Max | Converts to handheld: Yes | Power: 500 watts
You don’t have to spend the most to get the best Dyson vacuum. Our top pick for those on a budget is the Dyson V8, and we’ll be honest—it’s still one of the strongest cordless vacuums the brand offers. It easily transforms into a handheld vacuum and is lightweight enough (5.5 pounds) to maneuver around furniture and under beds and couches. An added bonus? It’s also the most quiet of the models we tested!
While it has a significantly smaller bin, it comes equipped with many of the same features as the Gen5outsize at about half the price—hair-detangling technology, four cleaning accessories and an efficient and effective HEPA filtration system.
During testing, the machine really exceeded our expectations. On Max mode, it effectively sucked up every bit of glitter and cornflakes on medium-pile carpet. Where it struggled, though, was tackling short and long hair. Since there’s only a Low and Max setting, we opted again for the Max mode, but the brush got jammed with hair and we had to stop to cut it out. That being said, it’s possible we threw too much hair its way, as it fared way better when picking up hair on high-pile carpet.
The crevice tool offered satisfactory performance at cleaning in between cushions, but we highly recommend using it on the Low setting; in Max mode, it quickly surged (possibly to protect the machine from overheating), and it smelled like it was burning.
With a smaller bin than the Gen5outsize, the V8 is is still a solid choice for households that don’t deal with tons of pet hair.
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Weight: 5.25 pounds | Charge time: 2 hours, 58 minutes | Runtime: 29 minutes | Bin size: 0.09 gallons | Modes: Eco, Auto, Boost | Converts to handheld: Yes | Power: 150 watts
If you live in a small house or apartment with less storage space, this seriously smart, ultralight V12 Detect Slim stick vacuum is the way to go. The latest model offers improved illumination and reveals invisible dust, making it also one of the best Dyson vacuums for hardwood floors. It features some of the same technology as more expensive models—such as adapting suction power based on dust volume—and it also transforms into a handheld.
During out testing, the hair screw tool performed exceptionally well—hair didn’t get tangled or wrapped, it was sucked right into the chamber. While the V12 has three settings, our testers found that it performed efficiently on just Auto/Standard mode when used on medium- and high-pile carpets. We even witnessed the “reactive suck power” in action when it was triggered by heavier messes (we could hear the power/level of suction increase).
Similar to hair, the machine did a fantastic job tackling glitter and cornflakes. While it admittedly kicked a very small amount of cereal bits around, it snagged everything for the most part. While a smaller bin means more frequent emptying, the ease of doing so made this task a breeze: Simply “point and shoot” the contents into a trash can and you’re ready to go.
While this compact machine is meant for light-duty jobs, we absolutely love the conveniently slim design. It’s the perfect match for smaller spaces.
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Fhma23 Dyson Outsize Plus Vacuum Nancy Snyder 01b KseditWeight: 17.5 pounds | Charge time: 4 hours, 30 minutes | Runtime: Up to 60 minutes | Bin size: 0.5 gallons | Modes: Eco, Auto, Boost | Converts to handheld: Yes | Power: 500 watts
In our testing of the best Dyson vacuums, the Outsize Plus was the clear winner for great vacuums for pet hair. To mimic the real experience of massive amounts of pet hair accumulating throughout the home, Nancy Snyder, our tester, personally tried this vacuum in her own residence. As the dog mom to a pit bull mix, she’s constantly surrounded by pet hair. To say he sheds is an understatement; his fur actually actually weaves deep into carpet and upholstery as if it were part of the fabric. Most vacuums and pet hair removers simply don’t discern between the two, but the Outsize Plus is no ordinary vacuum.
While the initial unboxing of this cordless vacuum and all its parts had Snyder overwhelmed, she quickly discovered that it came packaged with everything she needed (and better yet, didn’t even realize she needed) to completely de-fur her home. The Digital Motorbar XL head deep cleaned carpets and hard surfaces while clearing wrapped pet hair from the brush as it swept along. Snyder used it all over her hardwood floors and area rugs while quietly thanking Dyson for switching to an even larger canister bin than their previous models. And after clearing the floors of fur, the Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner Head illuminated microscopic dust and debris with a—you guessed it—green laser beam, so no trace went undetected.
Another favorite of Snyder’s? The Hair Screw Tool, which strongly gripped the furriest of surfaces, such as her dog’s bed and dog car hammock.
For those who don’t have pets, the Dyson Outsize Plus is still a solid choice, comparable to the Gen5outize in both performance and features. In addition to the plethora of handy attachments, it has the same large bin capacity as the Gen5outsize, and features a smart liquid crystal display (LCD) screen two rechargeable batteries for an even longer runtime.
While it’s admittedly heavier than the other Dyson models tested, Snyder feels it’s a fair tradeoff in exchange for a powerful, effective vacuum that picks up more hair and needs emptying less often.
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Weight: 6.61 pounds | Charge time: 4 hours, 30 minutes | Runtime: Up to 60 minutes | Bin size: 0.2 gallons | Modes: Eco, Auto, Boost | Converts to handheld: Yes | Power: 79 watts
The best Dyson vacuum doesn’t just eliminate dirt, debris and hair, it tackles allergens, too. Boasting a HEPA filter and a built-in Dynamic Load Sensor system, the Dyson V11 is a powerful vacuum machine and a convenient handheld cleaning tool in one.
Similar to how we tested the Outsize Plus with pet hair, senior shopping editor, Katie Bandurski, personally put this vacuum to the test in her own home. “I suffer from allergies, and there’s nothing more satisfying than picking up dust and placing it in the trash where it belongs,” she says. Bandurski was impressed (and she admits, slightly horrified), when she tested the vacuum on her “seemingly clean” hardwood floors. Not only did it uncover so much dust and hair, but she notes the machine had “so much more power” compared to the vacuum she previously owned.
To really stretch the vacuum’s legs, Bandurski took the vacuum to her parents’ house, which has carpet, hardwood and tile floors. The verdict: The V11 performed just as well on carpet as it did on hardwood, sucking up a full bin of dust, hair and dirt. Lastly, Bandurski tested the hand-vacuum attachments on her couch. In less than five minutes, it was crumb-free and just as clean as when she first bought it. (As an added bonus, she frequently uses the hand-vacuum feature in her car, too).
While the powerful performance and features were enough to sell Bandurski on this vacuum, she notes that the noticeably clean and fresh feeling her home had after just one use was priceless.
In general, Dyson vacuums offer strong suction and a lot of cleaning features. The trick is choosing one that meets your cleaning needs and comes with the necessary accessories and attachments for tackling the common messes and surfaces in your home.
Many models are cordless, allowing you to clean every room untethered. The tradeoff is that the battery might die before you’re done. Most models also convert to handheld vacs, giving you two appliances in one. Other important considerations include weight and ergonomics (on-board batteries can typically make cordless models heavier and bulkier), dirt capacity, noise, battery life (greater than 20 minutes is ideal) and easy emptying.
To further narrow down options, consider the unique aspects of your home. For example, do you have a big home that requires a larger bin, or a small apartment that calls for a compact machine? Also, take pet hair and allergies into consideration. HEPA filters are recommended for individuals with allergies and sensitivities.
When it comes to cleaning products, our editors aren’t just testers—they’re users, too! We all have homes to keep tidy, and when a product impresses us, we bring it home and make it a part of our regular cleaning routine. In addition to cleaning products, we’ve had our hands on every type of vacuum you can think of, from upright vacuums to vacuum-mops to car and robot vacuums from top brands like Dyson, Hoover, Bissell and beyond. We’ve tested these units on a variety of different surfaces, like hardwood, tile, carpet and stairs, and to clean up after pets, as well. With more than 20 rounds of testing under our belts, we’re more than familiar with the best vacuum brands.
In addition to the 40 hours we spent researching and testing various Dyson vacuum models, we also consulted with Kathy Cohoon, director of a franchise at Two Maids & A Mop for professional insight.
To find the best Dyson vacuum, our Product Testing Team conducted research, scoured reviews, consulted with an expert in the field and ultimately put popular models to the test. Over the span of 40 hours, we tested each machine side by side in our lab, sucking up glitter, dirt, cornflakes and hair from hard floors and carpet. We performed roughly 15 tests on each vacuum and collected 300 data points. We also personally tested two vacuums in our homes to see how well they tackled pet hair and everyday allergens.
While performance was a top priority, we also took the following important factors into consideration:
From there, we looked at the total scores of each and picked the best options for this piece, taking into consideration every household and budget. That’s how we found the five best Dyson vacuums on the market.
Until the latest model out, the Dyson V15 Detect had the highest suction power of any Dyson vacuum, with a maximum of 240 air watts, according to Cohoon. “This is significantly higher than other popular Dyson models,” she says. However, the Gen5outsize now offers even more suction power—an unrivaled 250 air watts.
The Dyson vacuums on this list all feature hair-detangling technology on the Digital Motorbar cleaner head to prevent hair from wrapping around the brush bar.
Dyson offers a two- to five-year warranty on its vacuums, depending on the model, “which is a good indication of the expected lifespan,” Cohoon says. “The lifespan of a Dyson vacuum can vary depending on the model, usage frequency and how well it’s maintained.”
“If a Dyson machine is used in the way it’s intended and it breaks down within the warranty period, Dyson will repair or replace it at no charge to the customer,” the brand told Reader’s Digest in a statement.
Each Dyson vacuum comes with a user manual that advises on how to clean that particular model. The brand also offers cleaning how-to videos on the Dyson YouTube channel. While Cohoon always suggests checking your vacuum’s user manual prior to cleaning, she offers the following general steps to clean a Dyson vacuum.
Empty the dustbin and use a soft brush to remove any dust or debris from the bin and surrounding area.
Clean the filters by removing them from the vacuum and washing them with cold water. Allow them to dry completely before replacing them. For some models, like the Dyson Cyclone V10 and V11, the filters can be washed in the laundry.
Use a soft cloth or brush to clean the exterior of the vacuum, including the wand, brush bar and other parts. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could damage the finish.
Check the brush bar for any tangles or clogs and remove any hair, string or debris.
Reattach the filters, dustbin and accessories and plug in the vacuum.
Dyson is considered a premium vacuum brand, so you really can’t go wrong with any of its models. However, because technology changes so rapidly, you should avoid older models if you want to take advantage of the latest and greatest technology the brand has to offer.
Additional reporting by Leah Groth.
