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Whether you want a cordless model or a mop-and-vacuum hybrid, Dyson has the machine for you
Since its first mass-produced vacuum in 1993, Dyson has changed the way we clean our homes, with bagless, cordless machines, cyclonic technology and even lasers deployed for maximum dirt-busting.
Though they come with a high initial price, Dyson vacuums are renowned for next-level cleaning capabilities. Cyclonic technology means the machines can capture 99.97 per cent of microscopic dust particles as small as 0.3 microns, while the fully sealed system keeps dirt inside the machine, drawing airflow through a whopping six layers of filtration. This is paired with a small but powerful motor that spins on average five times faster than a jet engine, while every vacuum cleaner is rigorously tested for at least five years before it goes on sale, including running the motors for more than 20,000 hours.
Yet it’s not all good news. Buying a Dyson vacuum can be nothing short of baffling, with new models emerging all the time, packed with ever more space-age features, improved cleaning power and extras you didn’t even know you needed. Most are now cordless, but it’s also still possible to pick up some corded models – although, Dyson has said it will not be developing new versions in future.
There are still plenty of other factors to consider before splashing the cash on a Dyson vacuum. Think about whether you have mainly carpet or hard floors, whether you live with pets or someone with long hair, or if it’s important that your vacuum is as light as possible. You might want every possible accessory thrown in with the machine, or prefer to keep things simple. You may even prefer a robot to do the cleaning for you.
Though we have compiled our guide to the best Dyson vacuums, it’s also worth taking Dyson’s own quiz, to help you choose the right model for your needs. Your house will be spick and span in no time.
We tested all these Dyson vacuums in our own home, where we have a mixture of hard floors and carpet. We purposely spilled rice grains, soil and flour, to check the suction of every machine, but also used each one for general cleaning, to check how each handled everything from dried mud to long hairs. We considered how easy the vacuums were to handle, whether they really cleaned into corners, how well any included accessories worked, the battery life, and we even weighed up how straightforward it was to empty the machines. Keep scrolling to find out how each vacuum fared.
Dyson’s latest cordless model is a slight upgrade of the company’s previous v15 model, so, you can expect bang-up-to-date technology from this seriously powerful machine.
That does mean this vacuum is one of Dyson’s heaviest, so, it may not be best suited to anyone with mobility issues. However, we didn’t find it at all difficult to manoeuvre, even with the extra weight, and we were shocked by the amount of invisible dust revealed by the improved laser as we cleaned (don’t say we didn’t warn you).
Other impressive tweaks include an extra 10 minutes’ run-time – a small but significant amount – and a new single-button power control, which means you don’t have to continually hold down a trigger while cleaning. There’s also a built-in crevice tool, so you can switch to a handheld in a flash and get into corners without adding an extra tool.
Cleaning power is downright astonishing, and our carpet looked like it had been deep cleaned after a quick once-over with this vacuum. Hair never tangled around the cleaner head, either – quite an achievement in our home. Auto mode is especially good and boosts power when the vacuum senses extra oomph is needed, plus a HEPA filter is a real bonus for allergy sufferers.
It’s definitely not cheap but, if you want to get your hands on the best Dyson vacuum out there, this is the one for you.
We did a double take when we saw the price tag on this vacuum, which has all Dyson’s distinctive style and hi-tech features for significantly less cash than the brand’s more recent vacuums.
Just like the priciest models, you won’t have any problem with this machine’s power, thanks to a digital motor that spins at up to 110,000rmp, and Dyson’s standard cyclone technology. It will also trap 99.99 per cent of microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns, and is by far the quietest Dyson vacuum we tested, which would be ideal in a flat or for anyone who needs to clean when the kids are asleep.
Of course, this model does lack some of the most space-age extras – such as digital screens or lasers – that appear on the more expensive vacuums. You will also need to adjust the power manually between two modes, rather than it happening automatically as you go. For this price, however, it’s well worth such a minor inconvenience.
Even if you’ve invested in a pricey Dyson in the past, there’s been no avoiding tedious mopping if – like us – you also have hard floors in your home. Luckily, Dyson has answered our prayers by recently releasing this wet-and-dry vacuum, so you can finally chuck out your smelly old mop.
As a vacuum, it works as well as any other Dyson cordless, with a fluffy optic cleaner head that reveals hidden dust with its laser, a hair screw tool to blitz ground-in hair and a sensor to measure microscopic particles and increase suction power as needed. Battery life is especially impressive, and we found it kept cleaning for nearly an hour in eco mode, without ever losing power.
The mopping function is the really exciting bit, though. It’s simple to fill the tank with water and clean, and you can even add a drop of detergent, if you prefer. Cleaning power is excellent – better than any mop – and the vacuum will even suck up any stray crumbs along the way. Better still, floors dry almost immediately.
Just be aware you will likely need to change the water as you go, if you have a lot of hard floors. The LED screen also only shows the clean water level, not the amount of dirty water inside the tank, so, it can spill if you’re not careful. We’d imagine Dyson’s next version of the vacuum-mop will eliminate this problem, but this is still a heck of a lot better than a mop, in our book.
If you don’t fancy lugging a huge weight around the house each time you clean, this is the Dyson vacuum to choose.
Powerful but fairly lightweight at 2.2kg, it’s significantly less heavy than other vacuums from the brand, and it’s a dream to handle. It doesn’t skimp on nice-to-have features, though, with impressive de-tangling technology, a cleaner head with a laser to reveal dirt, and a screen that shows exactly what has been sucked up. The battery is also excellent, with up to 60 minutes run-time, without any loss of power.
We particularly liked the single-button power control, which is a game-changer for anyone with mobility issues, as there’s no need to hold a trigger continually while cleaning. It’s also a good option if you prefer a smaller vacuum for quick cleaning sessions between intense cleans – although, the dust bin does need to be emptied regularly.
Before Dyson’s gen5detect came along, there really was no better cordless vacuum than this v15 detect absolute, in our opinion. Even now, if you want to spend a little less and won’t miss the upgrades that have been made, this model is still worth considering.
It was the first Dyson vacuum to come with an eye-safe green laser on the front – though, if you’ve not used one before, be prepared for the horror that is revealed on hard floors you previously thought were clean. There’s also a screen to show exactly how much dirt has been collected, so you’ll know when your house is scientifically clean.
The anti-tangle technology is jaw-dropping, too. Nothing tangles around the cleaner head and, after several weeks of using it, we never once had to pick out long hairs. The digital motorbar brush also moves smoothly between hard floors and carpets, adjusting the power accordingly, for a speedier overall clean.
The only downside is you do have to press a trigger the whole time you clean, which may not suit some people, but it’s a very minor gripe, as this is a truly excellent machine.
It doesn’t get much better than letting someone (or something) else do the vacuuming for you. This model is currently the only robot vacuum Dyson sells on its website and it’s certainly one of the most stylish gizmos on the market.
There’s so much that makes sense on this machine. Unlike almost every other robot vacuum cleaner around, it’s D-shaped rather than circular, which means it can actually get right into the corners of rooms. It also uses a long front-mounted brush bar with an extending side duct to get right up to a wall, rather than scattering debris as it cleans, as so many other models do.
We did find the robot vac took a bit of work when it came to setting it up, to ensure our house was mapped correctly – it’s worth double checking it hasn’t missed anywhere on the app. On auto mode, the battery doesn’t quite last a full hour, but the vacuum will return to its station, recharge and continue the job without prompting.
Of course, sadly, it’s still not an entirely hands-free experience. You do still need to empty the vacuum’s bin between cleans – or possibly during a clean, if you have a larger home or pets that shed hair – though this is very easy to do.
There’s still no better Dyson vacuum for the unbeatably smug feeling of not doing your own housework.
Although many people opt for cordless vacuums, if you have a long-haired pet or a large house, using a corded machine means you won’t need to worry about constantly recharging the vacuum, and it will never conk out mid-clean.
This version has real heavy-duty cleaning power and sucks up everything in its path, including cornflakes and ground-in hair during testing. We especially liked the “flat out” head, which can reach under beds and furniture, so you won’t have to move them during cleaning – a major bonus, in our book. Meanwhile, the soft dusting brush makes it easy to suck up dust from skirting boards and shelves, without scratching them.
Don’t worry about changing plugs every few minutes, either. The cable is a whopping 10m long, so, we easily cleaned more than one room without having to unplug. Use the telescopic handle and the vacuum actually has a total reach of 14m. We also loved the huge dust bin, which meant we didn’t have to empty it mid-clean.
If you’re keen for a corded machine, this is a no-brainer – and one of the most affordable Dyson vacuums on the market.
This cordless vacuum is a great all-rounder, but is an especially good choice if you have lots of carpets in your home. The specialist soft roller cleaner head still makes light work of dirt on hard floors – powering through flour and cereals on ours – but doesn’t have the all-important laser that later models have, which we think is worth the extra cash.
However, it really does work wonders on carpets. The motorbar cleaner head whips away even ground-in dirt but there’s also a hair screw tool, if you need to tackle smaller areas such as car seats, stairs or even pet beds. There’s a whole host of other accessories, including a mattress tool and even a stubborn dirt brush, making this vacuum a one-stop spring-cleaning machine that’s not as expensive as some other Dysons.
We were impressed by every Dyson vacuum we tested but which one you choose has a lot to do with how much cash you have to spend. If money’s no object and you want the best technology the brand can offer, the Dyson gen5detect is unbeatable for its dust-revealing prowess, serious suction and hair detangling talent. Spend less and you’ll barely notice the difference if you opt for the Dyson v15 detect absolute instead, which is just as remarkable. However, if you want excellent cleaning with no frills, the Dyson v8 absolute is still a solid buy.
For more vacuum recommendations, read our guide to the best cordless vacuum cleaners