5 Best Dyson Vacuums, According to Testing
Our cleaning pros have rigorously tested Dyson's most popular vacuums, and these are the top performers.
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Start talking vacuums with anyone, and Dyson is bound to enter the chat. Are the brand's vacuums are worth the steeper price tag? It's a valid question. Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning and Home Care Lab, we've tested dozens of Dyson's most popular vacuums and can confidently say they are, indeed, fantastic appliances — for the most part.
Dyson vacuums have set the standard with cutting-edge features like advanced batteries, self-adjusting power levels, tangle-resistant attachments and even laser beams that reveal hidden dirt. Dyson also pioneered the use of air cyclone technology for superior suction — and they even have an entirely bagless line of products complete with top-notch whole-machine filtration. To help guide you while you browse their offerings in search of the right one for your home, we've compiled a list of the best Dyson vacuums, according to our rigorous and extensive Lab testing.
Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum
Pros
- Automatically adjusts speed and suction according to how much dust it senses
- Laser beam makes it easy to see dust on bare floors
- Includes an assortment of innovative attachments
Cons
- Heavier than other stick vacuums
- Doesn't stand on its own
Weight: 6.83 lbs. | Cord length: N/A | Attachments: Fluffy Optic cleaner head with laser, digital motor cleaner head, hair screw tool, combination wide nozzle/brush tool, crevice tool, wand clip
This stick vacuum is undeniably pricey — even for a Dyson — but it's one we loved so much that it earned a spot in our GH Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards. The appliance excels in pickup, thanks to an innovative fluffy roller brush attachment that shines a laser on the floor to spotlight the tiniest bits of debris often invisible to the naked eye.
During evaluations, Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forté couldn't believe how well she could see the dust and specks lurking in the corners of her stair treads.
It automatically increases the suction and speed of the brush roll to match the floor type and amount of dust it senses during cleaning, too. It's also a great pick for allergy-sufferers, since the unit has a whole-machine filtration system that helps keep allergens from escaping.
Like many Dyson stick vacuums, this one comes with a unique hair-screw-tool attachment that excels at removing pet and other hair from upholstery, car seats and more — no tangling. Other attachments include a combination wide nozzle/brush tool and a crevice tool. All attachments are easy to swap on and off.
For quick touch-ups, the vacuum also converts to a handheld. No matter how you use it, the clear LCD screen shows you everything you need to know, including battery life, the number and sizes of the particles being picked up and when to replace the filter.
Overall, for a cordless stick vacuum, the V15 Detect is on the heavier side at almost 7 pounds and we wish it would stand up on its own, but all of its cool features make it a really standout for household cleaning.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Stick Vacuum
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Removable wand for hard-to-reach spots
- Equipped with an anti-tangle motorbar
- Maneuvers very well, despite its size
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
Weight: 17.3 lbs. | Cord length: 50 ft. | Attachments: Stair tool, combination tool
It's hardly a budget buy, but this is Dyson we're talking about — you have to consider best overall bang for your buck. While upright vacuums are heavier — they can weigh anywhere from 10 to over 20 pounds and this one is 17.3 pounds — they do the best job of removing ground-in, embedded dirt from carpeting. In tests, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 upright cleaner proved its prowess.
The machine maneuvers exceptionally well on both carpets and hard wood floors — especially given its size — and delivers outstanding cleaning performance. If your home is mostly wall-to-wall carpeting and you don't mind lugging it around, you'll be very happy to have this vacuum at your disposal.
Like other Dysons, this vacuum has a dust bin that's easy to remove and clean. It also has that same great anti-tangle motorbar the V15 Detect has to make tackling pet hair less of a dirty job. The detangling technology works to remove hair from the brush as you vacuum. It also boasts auto-adjusting suction and whole-machine filtration to trap pet dander and dust.
It doesn't have a “Lift-Away” feature — when you can detach the canister from the main body to target hard-to-reach areas like baseboards, ceiling fans, drapes and furniture — but it does have a removable wand that helps tackle those spots.
Finally, since this vacuum isn't battery-powered, it’s an excellent choice for large floor plans — especially if you have pets. Just make sure you have room to store the bulkier unit.
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum
Pros
- Excellent suction with both bare floors and edges
- Weighs just 5.2 pounds
- Runs for up to 50 minutes
Cons
- No backup battery included
Weight: 5.2 lbs. | Cord length: N/A | Attachments: Motorbar cleaner head, fluffy optic cleaner head, hair screw tool, crevice tool, combination tool, wand clip
You may think you're seeing double but the Dyson V15 — our top overall pick — and the Dyson V12 are different but very similar models. The V12 Detect Slim is a less expensive, smaller and lighter model that offers similar performance. In our latest test, its suction impressed our Lab pros and it aced our performance evaluations for bare floor cleaning, pet hair pickup and edge cleaning.
The cordless stick vacuum has the same innovative laser on the fluffy bare-floor roller attachment that shines a light in front of the vacuum to illuminate tiny specks of dust and hair you might otherwise miss.
The colorful LCD display shows the amount and size of the particles you're sucking up, plus the run time, power level and maintenance alerts like when to change the filter. It also comes with useful attachments, including a unique cone-shaped tool that picks up pet hair and spirals it into the bin without tangling.
This vacuum is also a bit lighter than the V15. It weighs just about five pounds, so it's a suitable option for those who want to avoid heavy lifting or feel more comfortable using a slimmer model. You can't beat the run time, either. This workhorse ran on Eco mode for just over 50 minutes. We only wish it came with a backup battery (though you can buy another if you choose!).
Dyson humdinger Handheld Vacuum
Pros
- Runs for up to 25 minutes
- Only weighs 2.1 pounds
- Two suction modes
Cons
- Expensive for something you won't use as a whole-house cleaner
Weight: 2.1 lbs. | Cord length: N/A | Attachments: Worktop tool, hair screw tool
Handheld vacuums are ideal for quickly sucking up small messes or getting into tight spaces like corners, under your kitchen cabinets or in your car. And while some of Dyson's larger models, including the V15 Detect, transform into a handheld, the brand also has a dedicated portable option. This one is cordless and weighs just two pounds — a great choice for small spaces that lack storage like apartments.
Despite its small footprint, it has plenty of cleaning power. The small but mighty vacuum comes with three attachments for various jobs. A worktop tool is designed for hard surfaces like kitchen counters, a combination crevice tool will help you reach all of the most tricky spots, and a hair screw tool sucks up pet and human hair without tangling.
It's pricier than the competition, no doubt, but we were pleased by the 25 minutes of consistent suction — longer than many of our top-tested handheld vacuums. It's also equipped with two different cleaning modes. Hit the "max" button for more suction power when you encounter a tough mess. Whole-machine filtration will keep all of that dirt and debris right where it should be — inside the machine.
RELATED: Best Handheld Vacuums
Dyson 360 Vis Nav
Pros
- Incredible suction power
- Better edge cleaning capabilities than competing robot vacuums
- Effortless setup and control with a user-friendly companion app, built-in LCD screen, and support for Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice controls and routines.
Cons
- Despite its expensive price, it lacks a self-emptying feature and built-in mop
- Shorter run time
Weight: 9.9 lbs. | Cord length: N/A | Attachments: N/A
Talk about sticker shock, right? But Dyson claims this robot vacuum is the world's most powerful, with double the suction power of any other robot vacuum (at 65 air watts). It also has an innovative design that directs suction power to edges and corners for a deeper clean alongside baseboards and furniture — something we've found other robots tend to struggle with. In tests, the Dyson also didn’t flick debris away from the vacuum path, scattering messes, like some traditional side brushes do.
In "auto mode," the vacuum automatically cranked up the suction when it encountered a mix of flour and crumbs our tester had embedded in carpet fibers, leaving their floors nearly spotless. It worked just as well on hardwood floors, thanks to its versatile cleaner head, which features an extra-large, soft roller with stiff nylon bristles. This robot vacuum also excels at picking up pet hair and boasts a HEPA filter that is removable and washable, eliminating the need for costly replacements. The dustbin is also larger than average, though it lacks a self-emptying base.
Overall, our biggest complaint surrounds run time. Though Dyson claims the battery lasts up to 65 minutes, exactly what you'll get is dependent on things like the size of your home, the amount of debris and power settings. Our tester only got 35 minutes in before the 360 Vis Nav needed charging, so larger homes will likely require multiple cleaning cycles with a 2-hour recharge in between.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Dyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum
How we test vacuums
In the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab, we've tested hundreds of different vacuum cleaners from a wide range of brands including the majority of Dyson's top-performing models. We're constantly running tests to evaluate new models.
We're also members of ASTM International's F11 Vacuum Cleaner Committee and meet twice yearly with engineers and technical representatives from all brands to help develop and shape the vacuum cleaner test standards we all use to assess performance, ease of use, durability and more.
All vacuums we evaluate in the Lab are tested exactly the same way for more accurate performance comparisons, and our tests are based on the ASTM International industry standard test methods.
We look at how well the vacuums remove large and small debris, like gritty sand and dried orzo pasta, from hard flooring, how well they clean along edges and how much suction they draw through the tools. We use industry-standard rayon fibers to simulate pet hair that we evenly spread on a carpet’s surface to see how well each machine cleans it up.
In addition to performance testing, we evaluate ease of use — maneuverability, battery run-time for cordless vacuum cleaners, how intuitive the controls are and how simple it is to empty and clean the dust cup or change the bag. We also consider the weight of each vacuum and assess whether the brand delivers on any special features and claims.
What to consider when shopping for a Dyson vacuum
✔️ Floor type: If you primarily have hard floors, a soft roller head that won't scratch the surface is ideal; for carpets or a mixture of both types, a vacuum with a bristled brush bar is better at removing deep-seated dirt in carpets and crevices. A few Dyson stick vacuums come with multiple cleaner heads that you can swap between based on floor type.
✔️ Size and weight: Weight is a big determinant of how comfortable it will be to lift and handle the vacuum. Handheld vacuums are smaller and lighter, while upright vacuums tend to be among the heaviest and hardest to store.
✔️ Attachments: These extras are crucial to a thorough clean. At minimum, you'll want a crevice tool, but many of Dyson's vacuums come with far more. They're known for the hair screw tool, which tackles hair without the tangles — great for pet owners.
✔️ Run time: Corded vacuums run for as long as you wish, but cordless models like robot vacuums, handheld vacuums and stick vacuums are beholden to their batteries. To figure out about how long you need your vacuum’s battery to last, measure the square footage of your home and divide it by 50.
Why trust Good Housekeeping
Contributing writer Brigitt Earley wrote this guide under the direction of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Executive Director of the Home Care and Cleaning Lab Carolyn Forté, who chose all of the products featured here.
Brigitt has nearly 15 years of experience testing and researching household products, including different categories of vacuums. She has four kids under the age of six and often pet sits for a family member's dog, so finding the best vacuum cleaners are top-of-mind.
Forté is constantly testing all types of vacuums — handheld, stick, upright, canister and robot vacuums — in the Lab. She has personally tested many Dysons, including all of the models on this list and recommends the brand's vacuums for their cleaning prowess, filtration, wide attachment offerings and innovative features.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
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