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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Dyson vacuums have a reputation for offering substantial suction, innovative design, and a fully-sealed system with washable filters for easy maintenance. However, Dyson's emphasis on capturing dust and allergens is what really makes them stand out.
Dyson design manager Josh Mutlow points out that all Dyson models "are engineered with a six-layered advanced filtration system that captures the dust you can see and 99.97 percent of the microscopic elements of dust you can't see." The filters are designed to capture dust as small as 0.3 microns. This is an important feature to consider since you don't want to breathe in what you're vacuuming up. We put a selection of Dyson vacuum cleaners through a series of rigorous yet realistic tests in The Lab and in our homes to find out which ones are the best. We rated each cleaner's assembly process, effectiveness, noise level, maneuverability, and emptying process.
Our favorite Dyson that's currently available is the Dyson v8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner because it is extremely easy to store and assemble, has two powerful suction modes, and a motorized cleaning head for deep cleaning carpets and rugs.
Here, the best Dyson vacuums on the market, backed by our testing and thorough research.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
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Best Overall
Dyson v8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Buy at AmazonThe v8 Animal is lightweight, easy to use, and includes a motorized cleaning head for capturing dirt and debris.
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Best for Large Spaces
Dyson Outsize Vacuum Cleaner
Buy at Best BuyThanks to a pair of interchangeable batteries and powerful suction, you can use this vacuum to clean your entire living space.
More To Consider
Reviews
Best Overall: Dyson v8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
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Amazon
Lightweight design
Includes mini motorized tool
Compatible with hard floors too
Short battery life on max mode
Must hold trigger down while cleaning
Even though Dyson keeps coming out with new technology to better their appliances, the Dyson v8 Animal is still a popular choice. It's our top pick because it blends powerful suction with a slightly more affordable price tag (when compared to other Dyson models). It's also extremely easy to assemble as well as break apart and store away in a closet or laundry room.
This model's motorized cleaning head and a brush bar suck up dirt, dander, hair, and other debris from the fibers of carpet and area rugs, ensuring you get a deep clean. Its included direct-drive cleaner head is designed with carpeted floors in mind. It pairs the stiff nylon bristles with up to 115AW suction power to deep clean even high-pile carpets or area rugs. While the Dyson Omni-glide is the go-to pick for hardwood floors, the Dyson v8 performs well on hard surfaces, too, making it an excellent pick for anyone with multiple floor types in their home.
As a cordless stick vacuum, this pick is also convenient to use and ideal for daily maintenance or quick cleaning sessions before company arrives. It has a built-in rechargeable battery that provides up to 40 minutes of runtime in standard mode. However, be forewarned that the max mode delivers more power, but shortens battery life to under 10 minutes—save it for spot-cleaning especially dirty areas. Like many Dyson cordless stick models, we didn't love that you have to hold down the trigger the whole time you're vacuuming, so this wouldn't be a great pick for a large home.
In typical Dyson fashion, the design is stunning, and it comes with a wall-mount so you can hang it up when not in use. We are confident this is a Dyson vacuum you'll enjoy using daily.
Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Upright Vacuum Cleaner
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Courtesy of Best Buy
Design makes it easy to maneuver
Great at picking up pet hair
Head self-adjusts to carpet height
Hair and dust get stuck in canister
Struggles on high-pile carpet
Can be pretty noisy
The Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Upright Vacuum offers reliable performance and powerful suction at a price that won’t break the bank. It doesn’t feature innovations like a laser for counting captured dust particles and it lacks the ability to convert into a handheld vac, but these innovations aren't always necessary for basic, everyday cleaning jobs. It offers a respectable 196AW of suction power and is well-suited for most types of flooring. Our product tester found it was a chore to use this vacuum on high-pile carpet, noting it required lots of muscle to keep the vacuum moving. However, all the effort paid off with a canister full of cat hair, earning the vacuum a 5-star rating for its cleaning effectiveness and a 4.5-star rating for its maneuverability.
Notably, the upright-style vacuum is quite heavy, but our tester noted that the design keeps the weight from being too problematic. While it's quite loud, you'll enjoy the whole-machine filtration, as well as the motorized brush bar and self-adjusting cleaner head for effective cleaning on both bare floors and rugs. The washable filter and quick-release dust bin make for easy maintenance, too. Overall, it's a great pick at a great price.
Best for Large Spaces: Dyson Outsize Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
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Target
Has an interchangeable battery
Performs well on high-pile carpet
Wider cleaning path width
Handheld version is too heavy
Doesn't stand on its own
Cordless vacuum cleaners have become popular for their convenience, but have often been limited by their battery life and smaller dust bins. The Dyson Outsize Cordless Vacuum Cleaner solves all of these problems and is a high-power cleaning machine worthy of the hype. This vac impressed our tester with its ability to adjust suction power and motor performance depending on floor type. It’s like it does most of the work for you, requiring very little “elbow grease,” according to our insights from The Lab. This can be credited to Dyson’s DSL technology that increases cleaning effectiveness while conserving battery life.
Digging into the technical specs, you’ll find that the max suction power (220AW) of this cordless model nearly matches Dyson’s powerful upright vacuum, the Ball Animal 2, which is no small feat considering this vacuum weighs less than half. If you’re comparing cordless vacuum cleaners, you’ll also note that, true to its name, the Outsize upsizes its cleaner head. It measures 12.5 inches wide for faster coverage of floors. It also features interchangeable battery packs, and an LED display helps you keep tabs on the life of the battery you're currently using. Notably, it took our tester under three minutes to assemble it, despite the instructions being entirely text, and the vac performed really well on high-pile carpet. While it's fairly top-heavy and doesn't stand up on its own, it received a solid 4.5-star rating for its emptying process and maneuverability.
Best for Hardwood: Dyson Omni-glide Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
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Dyson
Pivoting head for easy maneuvering
Push-button operation
Dual soft roller cleaner heads
Small dust bin
Only suitable for hard surface floors
Equipped with dual soft roller cleaner heads, four 360-degree casters, and an articulating neck, the Dyson Omni-glide Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner was engineered to do one thing exceptionally well: clean hard surface floors. Whether you push or pull the vacuum cleaner, the Omni-glide will just slide along, capturing debris and dust in its path.
Our tester was impressed with how easily this vacuum maneuvered under couches, along baseboards, and around kitchen table legs. The flexible neck and in-line design of the vacuum mean this model can lie flat for cleaning areas with low clearance. You don’t want to underestimate this feature, since dust and hair tend to accumulate under furniture, and most upright vacuums have a bulky design that makes it hard to reach underneath. The only downside to this vacuum is that it doesn't perform well on carpet. Our tester reported that on max mode it managed to suck up debris from small area rugs, but you wouldn't want to use this on wall-to-wall carpet.
Now, while this Dyson vacuum for cleaning hardwood floors is an expensive option for a single purpose, it’s an excellent choice for homes with many square feet of tile, wood, or laminate flooring. The dust bin on this stick vacuum is rather small and it’ll require regular emptying, but the push-button operation is quite a standout feature. Instead of holding a trigger down to activate suction, simply select the button you'd like to control the operation and mode of this cordless vacuum.
Best Upright: Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum
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Amazon
Large dust bin
Great at picking up hair
Swivel steering
Very heavy and bulky
Difficult to assemble
Upright vacuums are often a go-to option for whole-house cleaning, because they offer larger dust bins and don't run out of power. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum will be your favorite sidekick on any cleaning adventure, as it features nimble steering, a 30-foot power cord for plenty of reach, and a 0.55-gallon dust bin to capture dirt and debris. At 17.5 pounds, it's definitely heavier than some other full-size vacuum cleaners on the market but makes up for it with maneuverability. Swivel steering allows the vac to move with you as you tackle messes in every room of your home.
Now, we didn't test this pick in The Lab, but the Dyson Ball Animal 2 has impressive specs and our home tester found that its effectiveness could not be beat. The vac offers 227AW of suction power in its boost power mode and can be used on any surface. The active base plate will adjust to maintain suction with solid surface floors or a plush carpet. One downside is the handle can be tricky to lock into place. When putting together this vacuum, our tester noted that it's best to watch an online video and not rely on an unclear set of instructions. However, you'll ultimately find that it gets the cleaning job done, especially in the case of picking up hair. Our tester gave it 5 stars for effectiveness, maneuverability, and emptying.
Compare
Overall Rating | Effectiveness | Maneuverability | Ease of Emptying | Portability | Noise Level | ||
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Best Overall:
Dyson v8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
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Amazon | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 4.5 | |
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null:
Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2
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Amazon | ||||||
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Best for Large Spaces:
Dyson Outsize Vacuum Cleaner
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Best Buy | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | ||
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Best for Hardwood:
Dyson Omni-glide Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
|
Home Depot | 3.8 | 5 | 4.5 | 5 | 4.5 | |
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Best Upright:
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum
|
Amazon | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Our top pick for a Dyson vacuum is the Dyson v8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner which is lightweight, easy to use, and handles all types of flooring surfaces well. If you don't need the features and functions of a cordless pick or are sticking to a budget, the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Upright Vacuum delivers an efficient clean, too, thanks to high-power suction that won’t quit. It also has a quick-release dust bin.
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The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
Other Options We Tested
Dyson v15 Detect+ Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: Anyone obsessed with cleaning, technology, or both may be tempted by the power and technology of the Dyson v15 Detect+. However, in our testing, it received the lowest score for its effectiveness and its maneuverability, with a rating of 3.5 stars for each. It was louder than similar cordless Dyson models and the small dust cup reached capacity so quickly. Equipped with a high torque cleaner head and soft nylon cleaner head for treating all types of surfaces the right way, we expected it to handle large and small debris easily. However, we found it necessary to engage boost mode to capture debris on hardwood floors, and it had an erratic drag pattern on medium and high-pile carpet, making the floor head skip along. Testers were not phased by the LCD display screen that reports on dust particle metrics, and we suspect that the novelty of this feature will be short-lived for most people. It is worth noting that the vacuum uses this data to automatically increase suction power as needed, giving you increased cleaning performance while balancing battery life. The assembly process was given a 2-star rating by testers, though, and we'd ultimately expect much more at the hefty price point of this vacuum.
Dyson Humdinger Cordless Handheld Vacuum: Dyson’s smallest vacuum uses the same radial root technology and whole-machine filtration as the brand's larger vacuums. It did make a positive first impression on our testing team, who found it easy to hold and a nice size. However, when put through its paces, the buzz of this cordless handheld vacuum faded fast. It earned a disappointing 3-star rating for effectiveness since it would only suck up debris when pulled backward. This was a major pain point for our product tester. It spewed larger debris, like the popcorn kernels and cereal, on both bare floors and carpeted surfaces. Emptying the dust bin was far from easy, and hands-on help was required to clear debris from the vacuum and brush roll, too. Like the Dyson v15 Detect+, we expected better performance considering the expensive price tag of this handheld vacuum.
How We Tested the Dyson Vacuums
During our vacuum test, we tested 28 vacuums side-by-side in The Lab in Industry City, Brooklyn—six of which were Dyson picks. When we discovered we wanted to test more Dyson models, we tested additional picks in our studio space in New York City. To start, our testers unboxed and set up each vacuum, timing how long it took to complete this process, and rated how helpful the instructions were. Next, testers evaluated each vacuum's effectiveness by using it on low, medium, and high-pile carpet and hardwood. Each vacuum was tasked with cleaning up measured amounts of hair, popcorn kernels, and Cheerios. During this test, we noted how many passes it took each vacuum to clean up the materials, whether materials got caught in the brush roll, and considered the vacuum's weight and portability. In our follow-up test, we also tested durability by dropping the vacuums and taking note of any damage.
For cordless models, testers noted how long they stayed charged and how much charge they came with straight out of the box. In addition, we gathered insights on how each vacuum navigated our living room-inspired obstacle course, and whether their bins were difficult or easy to empty. Some picks were tested at home, either before or after this vacuum test, and were brought through real-world environments and situations. They were rated on the same attributes as the vacuums in The Lab. When all was said and done, our editors and writers took the consistently applied testing data, as well as additional research, and boiled it down to the Dyson vacuums we believe are the best.
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The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
What to Look for in a Dyson Vacuum
Type
The type of Dyson vacuum you pick depends on your cleaning preferences and lifestyle. The brand keeps things simple with a wide selection of upright and cordless stick vacuums, and a few options for canister and handheld models. When deciding on the type for your household, keep in mind that upright vacuums typically offer the most suction and dust bin capacity. Some cordless models offer as much suction as a full-size upright vacuum, and can be better for getting into the tight spots in your home. Usually, lightweight stick vacuums are most ideal for everyday clean-ups, though, while a handheld vac is ideal for spot cleaning.
Corded vs. cordless
Perhaps the biggest factor to consider when researching a Dyson vacuum is whether you prefer a corded or cordless vacuum cleaner. Corded vacuums are great for deep cleaning sessions—where you want a seemingly endless supply of suction power. Dyson’s corded, upright vacuums also have larger dust bins, resulting in fewer trips to the trash can. In addition, most models have cords that measure a generous 30 feet in length, so you won’t have to switch outlets over and over.
However, the brand’s cordless vacuums have skyrocketed in popularity and are worth considering. Improvements in battery life—along with the transition to a click-in battery pack on specific Dyson models—have made the cordless vacuum significantly more appealing and realistic.
Compatible floor types
Dyson’s upright vacuum cleaners are generally recommended for all floor types, while the cordless vacuum cleaners have various cleaning heads that are optimized for specific types of flooring. The soft-bristled roller is usually the best choice for hard surface floors, like wood, tile, or laminate. Any rugs and carpets will benefit most from a motorized cleaning head with bristles that'll extract hair, dirt, and debris. If your space has a combination of flooring types and you're set on a cordless vac for its convenience, look for a model that includes interchangeable cleaning heads.
Included accessories
The accessory package of each Dyson model varies, but most include standard attachments, such as a crevice tool or combination duster. However, pay attention to specialized accessories included with each vacuum, like a mini motorized tool. Pet owners will appreciate the new hair screw tool, an accessory specifically designed to capture pet fur and long hair. This tool ensures the hair does not wrap around the brush roll.
You can get a quick idea of what accessories are included with a Dyson vacuum based on its name. Vacuums with the "Motorhead" designation are usually basic and include minimal accessories. The "Animal" version includes additional accessories, though these may vary by the specific model. For newer product releases, Dyson has switched up its product designation to include a "+" symbol for models that include additional accessories or features. For instance, the v15 Detect+ includes nine tools and accessories, in comparison to just eight for the v15 Detect.
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The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
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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 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.
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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. Don't forget to remove any hair from the brush bar—either manually or with a pair of scissors. Once you've finished cleaning your vacuum, make sure all parts are dry before reassembling the machine.
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How long do Dyson vacuums last?
All Dyson machines come with a Dyson warranty, but its length will depend on which machine you choose. Cordless Dyson vacuums are covered for two years, while corded models are covered for five. Under this warranty, Dyson will repair your vacuum and replace its parts as needed. This 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.
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The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
Why Trust The Spruce
Erica Puisis has been a writer for The Spruce since 2017, specializing as a product researcher for large and small appliances. For this piece, she researched the complete lineup of Dyson vacuums, comparing the features and benefits of a dozen cordless, upright, canister, and handheld models. Each was evaluated based on its features, cleaning modes, battery life, and accessories. Research included reports from The Lab—along with observations from at-home product testers and trends among customer reviews. She also spoke with Josh Mutlow, Dyson design manager, to learn more about the technology and thought behind Dyson's products.
Marisa Casciano is a senior commerce editor for The Spruce, and was in The Lab for the entirety of our vacuum test. She has first-hand knowledge of how our vacuum tests were both developed and performed, as well as where each product excelled or fell short. Before conducting lab testing, she scoured brand and retailer websites, and considered price, verified customer reviews, features, and design when selecting the vacuums to test. She also considered the latest technology, practicality, and real-life cleaning situations.