A Comprehensive Breakdown—and Ranking—of Every Dyson Vacuum

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If you own a Dyson vacuum, you love it—and you tell everyone you love it. If you don’t own one, you probably look at their website and wonder what the fuck it all means. And are they really worth all that money?! I have been testing the vacuums for many years, and I have lots of thoughts and conclusions.

To start, the brand offers a handful of vacuums with confusing names at a wide range of price points, and the specs all vary. Some have lasers, some don’t. Some are always on sale, some are never on sale. So which is the one for you? Like I said, I've had every make and model in my home at one point, and as result, that's the most asked questions I field as a home tester. Because I can’t scream about it in a bar anymore, I will now be forwarding this link to all prospective Dyson buyers. I'm sad to report the answer isn’t as simple as this or that, but more of a question for yourself and your home’s needs—and your budget.

How Dyson Makes Vacuums

Before I break down the specs, I have to address the obvious elephant in the room, these vacuums are known for being expensive. But they are not overpriced—there’s a difference. In years of testing products, I can tell you that in this case, you get what you pay for. Dyson employs a team of scientists that study everything from the difference between fur follicles from your constantly-shedding golden retriever to your fluffy cat, and your own human hair tangled into your rugs, and how to suction up each precisely and effectively. Aside from the (gross) topic of hair, they’ve thoroughly vetted how to clean up dirt vs dust all while trapping allergens for decades. They've most recently added lasers and soft tools to their devices, so you literally won't miss a single speck.

Of course when you're vacuuming dirt off your floor, you could care less about the science behind it, but you should, because home purchases are real investments. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself the question, “how many times do you want to begrudgingly buy a new vacuum?” Because these are made to last longer than your average run-of-the-mill Amazon bestseller. They look sleek, move easily, go the distance, and store like a dream, solving most traditional vacuum cleaners' biggest hangups.

What Dyson Should You Buy

Are you a true techie who wants the most advanced laser-enhanced one? Are you a traditional cleaner who wants an upright model that plugs into the wall (weird, but sure, you still exist)? Or do you want the cheapest Dyson cordless vacuum that will just do the job? And hey, there's even a mop now, called the v15 Detect Submarine, and you already know I'm on board. So here’s a full breakdown and how they differentiate in their own unique ways.

Gen5 Detect Cordless Vacuum

The most useful way to rank Dyson is in order of what's new, because when it comes to Dyson, what's new, is what's best. This is the current model in my apartment and the one that has impressed me the most in my years of testing. As you'll see as I break down the models below, older models were always missing something from run time to chamber size, there was room for improvement.

I'm not sure how Dyson will improve this one, because it's simply the best it has ever been. It can run up to 70 mins, collect 0.2 gallons of dust (that's a lot), and most importantly, it has the coveted laser system. Built into a soft brush it shows you every tiny piece of dust and dirt on your floors directing you exactly where to clean. The soft head can be washed, and the whole usability of the machine is great for just about anyone. Small apartments, homes with lots of square footage, you will be happy.

For a little more of an in-depth breakdown, this is the base model of the Gen5 Detect that you can buy on Amazon. Then there's the Absolute versions on Dyson's site have more attachments and come in exclusive colors. And the Outsize that's perfect for larger households holds with a bigger waste bin.

V15 Detect Submarine

Don't let the name v15 confuse you with the model below (that's a little older), the submarine is brand new. I'm dubbing this one "Best Wet/Dry Vacuum" and that's because it's the only one they offer. This doesn't take away from its innovation though.

It's the brand's newest and most long awaited product, one that Dyson loyalists have been long hoping for. I am weeks into testing now, and it doesn't disappoint by any means. It vacuums just as strong as anything else I own, it runs at 240aw, which is ideal for someone like me, living in a city apartment, and the wet mop system had made cleaning my bathroom and hardwood floors a million times easier.

I won't bore you about how clean my floors looked after, but I will tell you it's beyond easy to use. And where this model really shines is the storage. If you're short on space and you want one small vacuum and mop combination product, this is it. Apartment dwellers this is the choice for you. A two-in-one model that's made to last won't disappoint.

V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum

The V15 was released about a year ago, and even with the recent arrival of the Gen5 Detect above, this is still one of the most advanced models that Dyson offers. The best thing about it? Because it's a little older now, Dyson has it on sale many places, so realistically you can get one of the best models for a more affordable price tag.

Plus, it doesn't lack on features. It has the technology to adapt suction on its own by automatically detecting if it’s hard floor or carpet. Of course, the laser tech we love. Lastly, its smart LCD screen digitally displays you how much run time you have left and what rate it’s suctioning at. Trust me, all these features will change your life. You can score it in another color here.

V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum

You know Dyson will do a good job no matter the model, but if you’re in it to save space, the V12 is the brand’s slimmest and lightest cordless vacuum for both carpet and hard floors.

To get technical, it weighs 5.2 pounds, which is much lighter than the Gen5 Detect that comes in at 9 pounds (heavy specs equal a lot of hardware). While it might not seem like a lot, the size comparison is very noticeable IRL, making the v12 easier to store and even scoot around the house. All the same specs are on the newer side, including the laser, de-tangling head, and LCD screen.

If you don't care about the latest motor or you're living in a small space the small V12 is sleek, effective, and it has a single touch on/off button which some older models don't have.

Outsize Cordless Vacuum

If you’ve been steering clear of wireless upright models because you have a larger home and you’re afraid the chamber isn’t big enough or the run time isn't long enough, then the Outsize might be for you.

This model is a couple years old at this point and going to be phased out. Dyson is moving in the direction of offering all its models, like Gen5 the Detect, with an Outsize version for those who want a larger bin.

That said, this is still a killer deal to snag. It might not be the newest model, but it's updated hair de-tangling technology that won’t clog your cleaner head, 60 minute run time, and best of all, a bigger bin. The new 0.5 gallon bin is 150% larger than the V15 detect, so you can clean your whole house (maybe even a few times), without having to empty it right away.

V10 Cordless Vacuum

Referring back to my original statement that Dyson’s technology is made to last, the V10 is the prime example of this. Released in 2018, it was so ahead of its time, it’s still considered one of the best on the market five years later, which is ancient in tech years.

If you aren’t worried about having the latest specs of the laser and LCD screen, then the lower price point here is a great way to start. Even without the newest bells and whistles, it's the power that speaks for itself, and a 60 minute run time that still makes it a winner. The original model is still available and there’s also a choice made for pet-owners that was specifically engineered to clean up fur in an effective way that won’t ruin your vacuum.

V8 Cordless Vacuum

The V8 is the oldest model still on the market, and it’s the most affordable. Don’t you hate how it works like that? Released in 2016, this was the model you probably heard your Dyson-loving friends rave about back when it owning one was a status symbol.

Since the time when the world was a happier place, Dyson has given its products some much needed upgrades. And for me, the hangup on this model is that the chamber is from its old design that isn’t as easy or seamless to clean out as the newer models. Plus, the suction is less than impressive, and probably comparable to a $200 model you can buy on Amazon right now. While yes it comes in under just under $400, if that’s the price you really want to hit, then ok, do it. But for $100 more, you can get the V10 model, which I’ve already told you is the best buy from the brand.

Omni-Glide Vacuum

The omni-glide is another favorite of mine, but I have to flag, it's a unique purchase. Made for only hard floors, its smaller and lighter design features two smooth brush heads, and it truly glides like a dream, fitting to its name.

Because I only have hardwood floors and tile in my apartment, I admit I'm a little obsessed with how cute (for lack of a better word), effective, and fun it is to use. It almost feels like a toy, but it actually gets the job done. The small size makes it easy to tuck away and grab anytime of the day for a quick cleanup.

While I do love it, I’m also a cheater who just really needs that big powerful model too. Where this really lacks is in cleaning my rugs. Sure, I could run it over the top, but it barely sucks up anything. I would recommend this to someone who is looking for a second vacuum that specifically works great for hardwood floors. Or even someone who lives in a small studio apartment and has minimal cleanup.

Ball Animal 3 Extra Upright Vacuum

So you have a lot of pet hair in your home? Then I’m sorry to tell you, the best one is an upright model. Engineered with a specific Motorbar head, it was made to suction up even the most fine hair— fun fact, that's cat fur, which is much thinner and harder to suck up than any other type of pet or human hair.

What makes this upright model really stick out is its filtration system, that comes into play with pets and allergens. The motor also has a filter that sucks up 99.97% of particles as tiny as 0.3 microns—if you want to google that, go for it, but it basically means small bacteria or particles—holds it in the washable filter, and then only dispenses clean air. Who knew an upright model could be so impressive? Plus, it even comes with a pet grooming tool, that yes, you can brush, groom, and vacuum your pet with. SOLD.

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