How do I empty a Dyson vacuum?

As soon as your model's dust cup reaches its maximum capacity, usually denoted by a line on the cup, it's time to empty it. Waiting and operating your vacuum with a full dust cup will diminish its overall efficiency and cleaning power. If you have an upright or canister model, lift the cup away from the body of the vacuum by its handle. Hold it over the trash and press the catch or button on top of the cup to empty it. If your model is a stick vacuum, hold it over the trash by the handle and pull the release lever to empty the built-in cup.

How do I clean a Dyson vacuum?

After emptying your Dyson's dust cup, rinse it out with water. Dyson's reusable filters should be cleaned the same way, with nothing more than cold water. The rest of the interior can be cleaned with a dry dust rag and can of compressed air, and don't forget to remove any hair from the brush bar (manually or with a pair of scissors). Make sure all parts are dry before reassembling your Dyson.

How long do Dyson vacuums last?

All Dyson machines come with a warranty , but its length will depend on which machine you choose. Cordless Dysons are covered for two years, while corded models are covered for five. Under this warranty, Dyson will repair your vacuum and replace parts for it as needed, which will help ensure its continued performance for years after you purchase it. Warranty aside, your Dyson's lifespan will depend on how much you use it and what you do to maintain it.

The 6 Best Dyson Vacuums of 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Commerce Photo Composite — The Spruce / Chloe Jeong

Aesthetically, Dyson vacuum cleaners are sleek, distinctive and stylish, as pleasant to look at as they are to use. And, speaking of their performance, few brands are as consistently satisfying as Dyson. It's no surprise, then, that some of The Spruce's best-reviewed vacuums, ranging from stick models to canister varieties, happen to be Dysons.

Of course, knowing which Dyson vacuum is right for you comes down to what you want in terms of model type, feel, and intended use. Apartment dwellers, for example, might prefer a lighter-weight canister vacuum, while large households with pets will likely need a heftier, more powerful upright model.

Here, the best Dyson vacuums available now.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Dyson Small Ball Multi Floor Upright Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon

This upright model is easy to use and impressively powerful.

Read Review

Best Stick:

Dyson Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon

This stick model provides up to 40 minutes of powerful suction per charge and boasts a HEPA filtration system.

Read Review

Best for Pets:

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum at Amazon

This powerful vacuum comes with a tangle-free turbine tool to help you remove pet hair from carpets and furniture.

Read Review

Best Cordless:

Dyson V7 Motorhead Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon

While it doesn't boast as long a runtime as the newer V8, the Dyson V7 still performs incredibly well in a variety of situations.

Read Review

Best for Hardwood Floors:

Dyson Cyclone V10 at Amazon

This Dyson will help you keep the hardwood, tile, and other hard floors in your home sparkling clean.

Read Review

Best for Carpet:

Dyson V11 Outsize Cordless Vacuum at QVC

From its large cleaner head to its impressive suction, this model's innovative features are perfectly suited for carpet cleaning.

Read Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
Why Trust The Spruce

Dyson Small Ball Multi Floor Upright Vacuum Cleaner

View On Amazon View On Walmart

Weight: 12.15 pounds | Bin Volume: 26.88 ounces | Cord Length: 31.4 feet | Included Accessories: Combination tool, stair tool

What We Like

Self-adjusting cleaner head
Relatively lightweight

What We Don't Like

Expensive

For a powerful Dyson vacuum cleaner that does it all , your best bet is the Dyson Small Ball Multi Floor Upright Vacuum Cleaner. This upright model is easy to use and impressively powerful.

Weighing just over 12 lbs, the Dyson Small Ball upright vacuum is easy to carry, yet still delivers powerful suction. It has an advanced, self-adjusting cleaner head that seals in suction whether you're on hard floors or carpet, and the cleaner head features carbon fiber filaments to catch fine dust particles. The vacuum's ball technology lets you easily steer it into tight corners, and the retractable handle makes it more compact for storage.

Users love how lightweight this vacuum is, writing that it's easy to move around multi-level homes. Many note that easy to maneuver and empty, and it picks up dirt and debris that other vacuum cleaners would likely leave behind.

4.6

View On Amazon View On Dyson.com

Weight: 5.75 pounds | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Bin Volume: 18.26 ounces | Included Accessories: Motorized tool, brush tool, combination tool, crevice tool

What We Like

Long battery life
Converts to handheld vacuum

What We Don't Like

Trigger must be held down continuously
Expensive for a stick vacuum

Dyson V8 Absolute Cord-Free Vacuum Review

If you're looking for an incredibly lightweight, portable vacuum cleaner with impressive suction power, you can’t go wrong with the Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner.

This vacuum’s cordless design provides up to 40 minutes of powerful suction per charge, and it boasts a HEPA filtration system to remove allergens from your home. Its cleaner head drives bristles deeper into carpet to remove as much dirt as possible, yet the stick vacuum is still safe for hard floors, thanks to its soft roller cleaner head.

The main downside of this model is the canister only holds around 2 cups of debris, so you may have to empty it frequently if you're vacuuming a large area. Despite this, this stick vacuum is incredibly convenient, lightweight, easy to maneuver, and performs wonderfully.

"The machine is weighted nicely so it was easy to push around the floor and dust up high. We found that you can also easily transform it into a handheld model by removing the neck. Emptying the dustbin is as easy as pulling a lever—there’s no need to take the machine apart or touch the contents you’ve vacuumed up."—Camryn Rabideau, Product Tester

The 9 Best Cordless Stick Vacuums of 2021

4.5

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Bed Bath & Beyond

Weight: 17.4 pounds | Bin Volume: 70.4 ounces | Cord Length: 35.1 feet | Included Accessories: Combination tool, stair tool, brush tool, flexible hose, wand, turbine tool

What We Like

Extremely effective at removing pet hair
Versatile attachments

What We Don't Like

Difficult setup

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Review

It can be tough work to keep your home clean if you have one or more pets, which is why Dyson has a special line of vacuums just for animal owners. One of the best options available today is the Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum.

Weighing in at just 15 pounds, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is an upright vacuum cleaner that delivers both in terms of power and efficiency. It features a self-adjusting cleaner head that switches between carpets and hard floors with ease, and it has the strongest suction of any vacuum, so it can easily pull dirt and hair from carpets. Plus, it also features an instant-release wand and long-reach hose to clean under furniture and even up walls.

This Dyson vacuum comes with a tangle-free turbine tool to help you remove pet hair from carpets and furniture, and pet owners say it's absolutely worth the price. The suction is unparalleled and the machine is incredibly durable, even if you clean your home multiples times per week.

"The 'ball' base (made of glass-reinforced polypropylene) that contains the motor makes it easy to maneuver with minimal effort, letting you steer around furniture easily. We also liked that there’s a designated spot on the vacuum body to store the various attachments (except the 'tangle-free turbine'), saving you the hassle of finding a box or bag to keep them in.."—Camryn Rabideau, Product Tester

View On Amazon View On Home Depot

Weight: 5.3 pounds | Battery Life: 30 minutes | Bin Volume: 17.9 ounces | Included Accessories: Brush tool, crevice tool

What We Like

Relatively inexpensive
Converts to handheld vacuum
Extremely lightweight

What We Don't Like

Shorter battery life

Cordless vacuums provide unparalleled portability, as you don't need to search around for a nearby outlet to clean up messes. If you're looking for an affordable cordless vacuum, consider the Dyson V7 Motorhead Cordless Stick Vacuum. While it doesn't boast as long a runtime as the newer V8 model, it still performs incredibly well in a variety of situations.

This cordless stick vacuum weighs just a few pounds and provides up to 30 minutes of suction per charge. The cleaner head features stiff nylon bristles to remove dirt from both carpets and hard floors, and the high-speed motor is designed for powerful suction.

This particular Dyson is lightweight, easy to maneuver, relatively quiet, and picks up an impressive amount of dirt.

The 9 Best Handheld Vacuums of 2021

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Lightweight Cordless Stick V

4.7

View On Amazon

Weight: 5.9 pounds | Battery Life: 60 minutes | Bin Volume: 25.6 ounces | Included Accessories: Motorized tool, brush tool, combination tool, crevice tool

What We Like

Soft roller cleaning head
Cordless

What We Don't Like

Expensive for a stick vacuum
Not very effective on carpet

Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Vacuum Review

If you live in a home without much carpet, you may be worried about scratching up your hard floors with an unwieldy vacuum. Luckily, there’s the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, which will help you keep the hardwood, tile, and other hard floors in your home sparkling clean without scratching them in the process.

This exceedingly lightweight vacuum cleaner features a soft roller cleaning head that's designed to capture both large debris and fine dust in one pass. It provides around 40 minutes of run-time when using the soft roller head, but it can run for as long as an hour when using a non-motorized tool. Thanks to its impressive performance, this vacuum all you need to get your home clean if you mostly have hardwood or laminate floors in your home as the suction is powerful and it's easy to operate.

"The filtration system traps bacteria so that it expels clean air no matter what you’re sucking up through the nozzle. Engineered to absorb vibrations and keep sound levels down, this vacuum was quieter than any we’d ever used." — Deanna McCormack, Product Tester

The 7 Best Hardwood Floor Vacuums of 2021

View On QVC

Weight: 7.85 pounds | Battery Life: 120 minutes | Bin Volume: 64 ounces | Included Accessories: Motorized tool, combination tool, brush tool, crevice tool, stubborn dirt tool

What We Like

Large cleaning path
Long battery life

What We Don't Like

Expensive

One of Dyson's latest models is a souped up stick vacuum with a fitting name. This version of the V11 gets its "outsize" label for its cleaner head, which covers 25 percent more floor than Dyson's regular V11. This additional coverage works in tandem with the brush bar's stiff bristles and Dyson's signature suction technology to ensure faster cleanups overall, even on carpeting. Tracked-in dirt and debris that isn't removed by the regular cleaner head is dredged up by the attachable stubborn dirt brush and mini motorized tool. Other attachments include a soft dusting brush, crevice tool, and combination tool.

This machine weighs less than eight pounds, features a half-gallon dust bin, and can run for up to 120 minutes. A unique combination of agility and power, the V11 Outsize allows you to clean entire rooms with wall-to-wall carpet without breaking a sweat.

The 10 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2021

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick goes to the Dyson Small Ball Multi Floor Upright Vacuum Cleaner (view at Amazon) for its powerful suction, multi-surface capabilities, and lightweight maneuverability. For a little more money, the Dyson Ball Multi Floor Vacuum (view at Amazon) is a workhorse of a canister vacuum with a spacious dust bin, perfect for tackling major messes.

Type

Dyson's product line is relatively wide ranging, offering upright, canister, handheld, and cordless stick options. Each type is naturally well-suited to a particular cleaning job. For example, handheld and stick vacuums are great for quick messes, while upright vacuums are powerful enough to clean carpets. Depending on the kind of cleaning you hope to accomplish with your new Dyson, one type might be a better pick for you.

Intended use

Some Dysons are designed to clean specific areas around the house, like hardwood floors, tight spaces, or carpets. Others are equipped with features made to handle specific messes, like pet hair or smaller dry spills. You can expect powerful suction and reliable performance from Dysons across the board, but paying attention to these specialized capabilities and intended uses will help you determine which model is best for your cleaning needs.

Feel

In the same way that different varieties of Dysons have different cleaning strengths, they also have different user experiences. A powerhouse upright vacuum might not be as nimble or maneuverable as a cordless stick vacuum, which, in turn, might not be as lightweight as a handheld model. If you plan on using your vacuum for extended periods at a time or across multiple floors of your home, you might be better off with one that's easy to lift and move from room to room. If you vacuum is likely to stay on the same floor, you probably don't have to look as closely at its weight while shopping.

FAQ

How do I empty a Dyson vacuum?

As soon as your model's dust cup reaches its maximum capacity, usually denoted by a line on the cup, it's time to empty it. Waiting and operating your vacuum with a full dust cup will diminish its overall efficiency and cleaning power. If you have an upright or canister model, lift the cup away from the body of the vacuum by its handle. Hold it over the trash and press the catch or button on top of the cup to empty it. If your model is a stick vacuum, hold it over the trash by the handle and pull the release lever to empty the built-in cup.
How do I clean a Dyson vacuum?

After emptying your Dyson's dust cup, rinse it out with water. Dyson's reusable filters should be cleaned the same way, with nothing more than cold water. The rest of the interior can be cleaned with a dry dust rag and can of compressed air, and don't forget to remove any hair from the brush bar (manually or with a pair of scissors). Make sure all parts are dry before reassembling your Dyson.
How long do Dyson vacuums last?

All Dyson machines come with a warranty, but its length will depend on which machine you choose. Cordless Dysons are covered for two years, while corded models are covered for five. Under this warranty, Dyson will repair your vacuum and replace parts for it as needed, which will help ensure its continued performance for years after you purchase it. Warranty aside, your Dyson's lifespan will depend on how much you use it and what you do to maintain it.

This article was written by Sara Coughlin, a freelance writer and The Spruce’s small appliances expert. From canister models to dustbusters, she’s researched what it takes for a vacuum to stand out in a vast and broad market—and what to look for in up-and-coming models.