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SHOPPING FOR A Dyson vacuum can feel like you’ve been sucked into one. There’s a dizzying array of models on sale at any given time, and every new model tries to outdo the last one by packing in more features. The newest machines have features such as lasers and LCD screens, making it hard to figure out exactly which model is worth your hard-earned cash.
For anyone who’d rather snag a deal than pay out for all the bells and whistles, Dyson moves older models down the product lineup, so the top model from three years ago might be today’s value option. You can even usually find discontinued Dyson vacs at a steep discount as old stock sells out.
The Best Dyson Vacuum: Dyson V15 Detect
Stick vacuums get all the attention, and in most cases, they should. Cordless and weighing under 7 pounds, they’re easy to maneuver and handle, and they convert into handheld models in seconds. The V15 Detect is the best in Dyson’s lineup with a reasonable (if still high) price and mix of features.
Its claim to greatness is a green laser that shoots out the front of the motorized head, which illuminates the dust particles in your path. A sensor inside the vacuum counts the number of particles the V15 is sucking up and tells you the particle sizes on the LCD. The same sensor automatically adjusts the power level to match how gnarly your floors are. It also has a 60-minute run time and the battery should take up to 4.5 hours to fully charge. WIRED senior associate reviews editor Adrienne So tested the V15 and says not every user needs to know dust particle size down to the micron, and that the dust bin is more finicky than other Dyson stick vacs. But if you have severe allergies or just want a high-performing stick vac, it may be the right vacuum for you.
The Upgrade Pick: Dyson Gen5 Detect
This is Dyson’s newest top-of-the-line cordless vacuum. It’s not all that different from the V15 Detect, but there are a few new notable features. The Gen5 Detect has a single power button instead of a trigger, a built-in dusting and crevice tool (my favorite since I use that tool often), and a Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head that shoots out a laser twice as bright as the one on the V15 Detect. It has a run time of up to 70 minutes (and takes up to 4.5 hours to fully charge), so you’ll get 10 more minutes than with the V15 Detect.
Internally, Dyson added a HEPA filter the company claims traps 99.99 percent of particles down to 0.1 microns. The company also says the Gen5 comes equipped with its fastest motor yet—spinning at 135,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) with a suction power of 262 air watts (AW). The V15 Detect, on the other hand, spins at 125,000 RPM, delivering 240 AW of suction power. While we didn’t see a major difference in suction while vacuuming, it’s worth noting the Gen5 Detect is noticeably louder than the V15. Having used both, I’d say the experience isn’t singular enough to justify spending an extra $200 for the Gen5 Detect. If you’re between the two, try to buy it only when it’s on sale for around $750 (the V15 Detect’s MSRP). But if money is no object, and you want the latest and greatest, this vacuum is an excellent choice.
Best on a Budget: Dyson V8
Dyson updated its V8 vacuum in 2022 with its hair-detangling technology with the Motorbar cleaner head plus the hair screw tool, and it also has improved filtration that traps 99.99 percent of fine dust. This is our budget Dyson vacuum recommendation but the price fluctuates from $300 to $400. It’s physically hard to say “$399” and “budget” in the same breath but, like all Dyson stick vacs, it converts into a hand vac, so you save space and money by not needing two separate vacuums.
The V8 is slightly more powerful than the older, lower-end V7, which also goes for around $300 to $400 these days, and it has up to a 40-minute run time versus the V7’s 30 minutes. The battery should take up to 5.5 hours to charge. If you can find them, Dyson has also put out a myriad of sub-models over the years—Animal Pro+, Absolute, and Absolute Pro to name a few. These include different accessories like the crevice, wide brush, dusting brush, directly-driven roller head, and motorized brush attachments.
Best for Small Spaces: Dyson V12 Detect Slim
Dyson’s V12 Detect Slim (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is excellent for studio or one-bedroom apartments. At just over 5 pounds and 4 feet long, it’s compact, lightweight, and nimble. It’s great for hard-to-reach crevices and is easy to store away in a tiny closet. It has an LCD, which you can use to switch between cleaning modes, check battery life, and view filter and blockage information. It also has a single power button—meaning you no longer have to hold down a trigger while vacuuming. It has a run time of up to 60 minutes too and a charging time of up to 4.5 hours.
The V12 Detect comes with a variety of attachments, including a crevice tool, a combination tool, a wand tool, a hair screw tool, a docking station, and a charger for the removable battery. As with the V15 Detect, you’ll also get a Motorbar cleaner head and a Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head—the latter shoots out a green light to help you spot and catch microscopic dust. If you need extra accessories, like an extension hose, mattress tool, or mini dusting brush, you can opt for the V12 Detect Absolute for the same price.