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9 Best Dyson Vacuums & Reviews

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

In today’s guide, we’re going to breakdown the full lineup of Dyson vacuum reviews, models, types, and more to help you get the info you need.

What is the best Dyson vacuum?

It depends on your needs, budget, and other preferences. Our cleaning tests, comparisons, and analysis below can help you decide which Dyson to buy.

The Top Dyson Vacuum

Dyson V Animal

Dyson V11 Torque Drive

The Dyson V11 and one of the best vacuums Dyson has ever built. It’s equipped with a 60 minute run time, click-in battery, uses intelligent suction, and is loaded with cleaning accessories. The V11 generates up to 185 AW of suction power. It performed extraordinarily well in our cleaning tests, removing 99% of all debris we tested against.

Below we’re listed what we think are the 9 best Dyson vacuum models on the market. These were chosen based on our real world Dyson reviews, cleaning tests, price, availability, and features.

Table of Contents

Dyson Vacuum Comparison Chart

PRODUCT DETAILS

BEST OVERALL

Dyson V11
Dyson V11 Torque Drive
  • Type: Cordless Stick
  • Suction: 185 AW
  • Weight: 6.68 lbs.
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BEST HIGH-END

Dyson V15
Dyson 15 Detect
  • Type: Cordless Stick
  • Suction: 230 AW
  • Weight: 6.8 lbs.
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BEST CORDLESS

Dyson V10
Dyson V10 Animal
  • Type: Cordless Stick
  • Suction: 140 AW
  • Weight: 5.9 lbs.
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BEST FOR BIG HOMES

Dyson V11 Outsize
Dyson V11 Outsize
  • Type: Cordless Stick
  • Suction: 220 AW
  • Weight: 7.85 lbs.
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BEST FOR PETS

Dyson Ball Animal 2
Dyson Ball Animal 2
  • Type: Upright
  • Suction: 306 AW
  • Weight: 17.35 lbs.
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BEST UPRIGHT

Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2
Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2
  • Type: Upright
  • Suction: 250 AW
  • Weight: 15.6 lbs
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BEST FOR HARDWOOD

Dyson Omni-Glide
Dyson Omni-Glide
  • Type: Cordless Stick
  • Suction: Strong
  • Weight: 4.2 lbs.
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BEST VALUE

Dyson V8 Animal
Dyson V8 Animal
  • Type: Cordless Stick
  • Suction: 115 AW
  • Weight: 5.75 lbs.
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BEST BUDGET

Dyson V7
Dyson V7 Motorhead
  • Type: Cordless Stick
  • Suction: 100 AW
  • Weight: 5.45 lbs.
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Rather watch this guide? See our Best Dyson vacuums video guide below:

YouTube video

Best Dyson Vacuums

In the guide below, we take a deep dive look at virtually every major Dyson vacuum cleaner on the market.

Best Dyson Vacuums

Below, we are covering in-depth the 9 Best Dyson vacuum models. We’ll cover the top variants, their features, performance, and why we think they are best in their respective categories.

The 9 Best Dyson Vacuums on the Market

  1. Best Overall – Dyson V11 Torque Drive
  2. Best High-End – Dyson V15 Detect
  3. Best Cordless – Dyson V10 Animal
  4. Best for Big Homes – Dyson V11 Outsize
  5. Best for PetsDyson Ball Animal 2
  6. Best Upright – Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2
  7. Best for Hardwoods – Dyson Omni-Glide
  8. Best Value – Dyson V8 Animal
  9. Best Budget Dyson V7 Motorhead

The following table lists what we think are the Best Dysons. The table also indicates their respective type, price, features, and a cleaning score based on our individual Dyson reviews (see review links below).

VacuumCleaningPriceBest ForFeatures
Dyson V11 Torque Drive99%$$$$OverallCordless
60 minute run time
185 AW of suction
Dyson V15 Detect99%$$$$High-EndCordless
60 minute run time
230 AW of suction
Dyson V10 Animal99%$$$CordlessCordless
60 minute run time
140 AW of suction
Dyson V11 Outsize99%$$$$Big HomesCordless
120 minute run time
Most suction in any cordless vacuum (220 AW)
Dyson Ball Animal 296%$$PetsIdeal for pets
Most suction in any vacuum
Dyson Ball Multi Floor 298%$$UprightGreat for multi-use
Highly versatile
Dyson Omni-Glide100%$$HardwoodsCordless
20 minute run time
Ideal for hard surface flooring
Dyson V8 Animal95%$$ValueCordless
40 minute run time
2-in-1 design
Dyson V7 Motorhead96%$$BudgetCordless
20 minute run time
2-in-1 design

*The cleaning rating is based on our cleaning tests.

Best Dyson Overall – Dyson V11 Torque Drive

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive joined Dyson’s V-series family March, 2019. It offers high suction power, generating up to 185 AW of suction power and can run for up to an hour.

Dyson V11 Torque Drive cordless stick vacuum cleaner review
Dyson V11

What’s To Like?

  • Run Time. It’s able to run for up to 60 minutes, which is more than sufficient for most homes.
  • Smart Features. On the back of the vacuum is an LCD screen that indicates remaining cleaning time, cleaning mode, and provides short maintenance videos.
  • Intelligent Suction. The V11 automatically adjusts suction depending on the floor and debris type. With this feature, you’ll always have the right amount of suction.
  • Raw Power. The Dyson V11 is able to generate up to 185 AW of suction power on Boost mode, which is fantastic suction compared to other models currently on the market.
  • Click-In Battery. In late 2020, Dyson updated the design of all V11 models to include a click-in battery. While the V11 only includes 1 battery, you can always add another to extend run times even further.

What’s Not So Good?

  • Expensive. The V11 is one of the most expensive vacuums on the market. It’s pricey, so you really have to want / need the intelligent features and/or raw suction power to make it worth it.

See our full Dyson V11 review and tests here.

What Dyson V11 Model is Best?

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive definitely has the most features and accessories, but in terms of raw performance, suction, and functionality the Torque Drive and V11 Animal are similar.

Dyson V11 Torque Drive

Dyson V11 Torque Drive

The V11 Torque Drive is the top end version of the V11. It includes an extra dusting brush compared to the Animal. More notably, it includes the full LCD screen on the back of the vacuum. This screen lets you change cleaning modes, monitor run time, and watch maintenance videos.

Dyson V Animal

Dyson V11 Animal

The Dyson V11 Animal is similar to the V11 Torque Drive. The only major difference is that it does not include the LCD screen on the back of the unit. Instead, it has a more basic LED icon system. Additionally, the Animal does not include the mini soft dusting brush. Suction power, battery, dust bin size, and other accessories are all the same.

Best High-End – Dyson V15 Detect

The Dyson V15 Detect launched in 2021. It is easily the most high-end, featured packed vacuum Dyson has ever launched. While its usability features exceed that of the V11, it’s quite expensive, while the raw cleaning power doesn’t change all that much.

Dyson V15 Detect
Dyson V15 Detect

Even so, it’s an absurdly powerful vacuum. As the price drops over time this will unquestionably be the Dyson cordless to buy.

What’s to Like

  • Crazy suction power. The V15 has an astounding 230 AW of suction power. This is the most suction of any cordless vacuum cleaner on the market. Stealing the title from the Dyson Outsize / V11 Outsize at 220 AW.
  • Laser cleaning head. The new slim fluffy cleaning head has a green laser that helps illuminate dust on hard surface flooring so you can better see hard / impossible to see debris and dust.
  • Bleeding edge sensor tech. The V15 has a piezo sensor that measures the ultra fine particulates you’re vacuuming. The amount of debris removed is then displayed to you on the rear display, alongside run time, maintenance alerts, cleaning modes, and more.
  • Long run time. Dyson says it will run for up to 60 minutes. In our tests on Eco mode it ran for 68.5 minutes. That’s more than sufficient for most homes.

What’s Not So Good

  • It’s expensive. That really is the V15’s only con. If you’ve got the money and want the bleeding edge tech, this is it.

See our full Dyson V15 review and tests here.

Best Cordless Vacuum – Dyson V10 Animal

The Dyson V10 launched in 2018, but still remains a fantastic option for strong suction and good cleaning performance. It’s part of their V-series line, which includes the legendary Dyson V8, as well as the newer Dyson V11.

Dyson V10 cordless vacuum
Dyson V10 cordless vacuum

Since it’s a few years older the V10 has really hit a nice sweet spot in terms of price vs. performance, which is why we think of it as an ideal choice for the Best Dyson cordless vacuum.

What’s To Like

  • Raw cleaning performance. The Dyson V10 performed effectively flawlessly on all our cleaning tests, removing 99-100% of debris across 3 different floor types.
  • It’s highly versatile. It can be configured as a stick vacuum or a handheld vacuum. Additionally, it comes with a slew of different accessories to handle different cleaning scenarios (high up, under furniture, mattresses, upholstery, etc.)
  • The ultimate convenience. It’s cordless and is powered by a sizable lithium-ion battery capable of running for up to 60 minutes (on low power). It’s the perfect vacuum whether you need a quick or ultra-deep clean.
  • Includes 3 variable suction levels (adjustment button on a handle). Great to have the extra suction power when you need it, but also nice being able to use less power and extend the battery life when you don’t.

What’s Not So Good

  • Certainly, the price has to be the biggest con for the V10. It’s not the most expensive Dyson, but it’s definitely towards the top. It’s an amazing vacuum, no doubt, but it’s still a lot of money. That said, it’s still cheaper than the V11 and arguably the best value of any Dyson vacuum.

See our full Dyson V10 review and tests here.

What Dyson V10 Model is Best?

The Dyson V10 is available in 3 different versions, the Dyson V10 AbsoluteDyson V10 Animal, and Dyson V10 Motorhead. But, which V10 variant is the best Dyson cordless for you?

Dyson V10

Dyson V10 Absolute

The V10 Absolute is the most premium version of the V10. It comes with the most accessories and largest dust bin. Most notably it includes both the multi-surface cleaning head (Torque Drive), in addition to Dyson’s soft roller cleaning head (aka Fluffy head), which is ideal for hard surfaces. You should get the V10 Absolute if you simply want the best, you have lots of hard surfaces and carpets in your home, and/or you have pets.

Dyson V10 Animal cordless stick vacuum

Dyson V10 Animal

The V10 Animal is the 2nd best version of the V10. It comes with all the same accessories and features as the V10 Absolute, including an equally large dust bin. The biggest difference is it does not include Dyson’s soft roller head. However, you still get the Torque Drive cleaning head (and also save money). You should get the V10 Animal if you have pets and/or you have mostly carpets in your home.

Dyson V10 Motorhead

Dyson V10 Motorhead

The V10 Motorhead is the most basic version of the V10. It only includes basic accessories and has a slightly smaller dust bin (however, battery, power, and suction are all the same). The biggest difference is it does not include the Torque Drive cleaning head, and instead includes the slightly worse Direct Drive cleaning head (which is what the Dyson V8 includes). You should get the V10 Motorhead if you have mostly carpets and don’t have pets.

Best Dyson for Big Homes – Dyson Outsize

The Dyson V11 Outsize and Dyson Outsize are the largest cordless vacuum cleaners Dyson has ever built. The V11 Outsize launched in 2020 and the Outsize in 2021. While the names are different, functionally they are identical.

Dyson V11 Outsize
Dyson V11 Outsize

They both generate an incredible 220 AW of suction power, which is the most of any cordless vacuum on the market. In addition, they are equipped with 2 batteries, giving a combined run time of 120 minutes.

What’s to Like

  • Long Run Time. The Outsize has a clickable battery system. When one battery runs out, just click in a new one and keep cleaning. Each battery runs for up to 60 minutes, giving it a combined 2-hour run time.
  • Tons of Suction Power. The Outsize creates 220 air watts of suction power on boost mode. This is the 2nd most of any cordless vacuum on the market and it’s on par with many high-end upright vacuums.
  • Large Dust Bin. The re-designed dustbin is bigger than ever at 1.9 L (or the equivalent of 0.5 gallon.) The bigger size allows you to clean longer before needing to empty.
  • Wide Cleaning Head. The head is 25% larger than previous V-series vacuums at 12.5″. The larger head allows you to clean big areas more quickly.
  • Great for Big Homes. With a 2-hour run time, the suction power of an upright, bigger dust bin, and bigger cleaner head the Outsize is well equipped to handle big messes and big homes.

What’s Not So Good

  • Super Pricey. It’s the most expensive vacuum cleaner Dyson makes and it’s also the one of the most expensive vacuum cleaner we’ve ever seen. With such a high price point you really need to love the bleeding edge to make it worth it.

See our full Dyson V11 Outsize review and tests here.

What Dyson V11 Outsize Model is Best?

The Outsize is only available as the V11 Outsize, Outsize, and Outsize Absolute+.

Dyson V11 Outsize stick vacuum

Dyson V11 Outsize

The V11 Outsize is the biggest and baddest cordless vacuum Dyson sells. It has a full size dust bin, big 12.5″ cleaning head, 2-hour run time, and 220 AW of suction. It includes all the normal accessories and tools you expect from Dyson, in addition to 2 clickable batteries.

Dyson Outsize

Dyson Outsize

The Outsize has everything the V11 Outsize has. In fact, functionally they are identical. The Outsize has the upgraded mini motorized tool and new polycarbonate teeth on the cleaning head. But beyond that, they are the same.

Dyson Outsize Absolute+

Dyson Outsize Absolute+

The Outsize Absolute+ has everything the Outsize has. In terms of suction power, run time, batteries, dust bin, and other major functionality factors, they are the same. However, The Absolute+ does include the new laser slim soft roller cleaning head.

Best Dyson for Pets – Dyson Ball Animal 2

The Dyson Ball lineup is one of the most well-known and popular vacuum cleaner series ever created. Dyson and “Ball” are almost synonymous with each other for many consumers.

Dyson Animal 2 upright vacuum review
Dyson Animal 2 upright vacuum

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright is a well-rounded vacuum that is exactly what you’d want in an upright.

What’s To Like

  • Raw suction power. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has great suction, up to 306AW, which is just a huge amount of power. The Animal 2 has the highest suction of any vacuum cleaner currently on the market.
  • As with any high-end upright vacuum, versatility and adaptability are strong features. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright includes a variety of attachments and tools to help make cleaning easier. Many of these tools store on-board the vacuum.
  • A 5-year warranty is nothing to scoff at. In a world where many vacuums only include a 1-year warranty, having something as long as 5 years is a nice change of pace.
  • Dominates pet hair. Suction power, the instant-release wand, a self-adjusting cleaning head, and powered mini brushroll all combine to give the Dyson Ball Animal 2 everything you need to deal with pet hair (and basically every else) in your home.
  • Washable filters. These will last the life of the vacuum and help to reduce maintenance costs.

What’s Not So Good

  • The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has so much suction that it isn’t always great for super thick carpets. It will suck so hard into the carpet that it can be difficult to move and / or put extra strain on the motor.

For more information, you can find our full Dyson Ball Animal 2 review here.

Other Dyson Vacuums for Pet Hair

While the Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright crushes it for pets, it’s not the only Dyson that’s a strong contender for the best Dyson for pet hair. Below are a couple of other choices worth considering if you have a home with pets.

Dyson V10 Animal cordless stick vacuum

Dyson V10 Animal

As we discussed above, there is a litany of reasons to like the V10. Lengthy 60-minute run time, variable suction, cordless convenience, and the ability to adapt to a variety of cleaning situations due to a ton of tools, attachments, and accessories. Having variable suction on the V10 is a huge pro, especially if you’re concerned about having too much suction on the Dyson Ball Animal 2.

Dyson V Animal

Dyson V11 Animal

The V11 Animal offers the convenience of a cordless 2-in-1 vacuum, while still maintaining impressive suction at 185 AW. If you have thicker carpets, but still need a deep clean, the V11 Animal is a good compromise between power and usability compared to the Animal 2.

Best Upright Vacuum – Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2

The Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 is a great multi-use vacuum, making it a solid choice as the best upright Dyson. It offers an incredible 250 AW (air watts) of suction, a lengthy 31′ cord, and self-adjusting height.

Dyson Ball Multifloor 2 Vacuum Value
Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2

One of the biggest complaints about the higher suction Dyson Animal 2 is that it can sometimes be hard to push, a product of excess suction. Since the Multi Floor 2 has a little less suction it really hits a nice balance of power and why we think it’s the preferred Best Dyson upright vacuum.

What’s To Like

  • 250 AW of suction power. There’s not much the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 isn’t able to suck up. It doesn’t have quite the insane 306 AW that the Animal 2 has, however, it’s still more than enough for most homes.
  • The vacuum is on the moderately heavy side at 15.6 pounds. However, the Ball design allows for easier mobility around your home.
  • This is one of the more affordable Dyson upright vacuums. It’s not cheap, but it still packs quite a lot into the vacuum at this price.
  • Washable filters will last the life of the vacuum and help to reduce maintenance costs.

What’s Not So Good

  • Much like the Dyson Animal 2, the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 has so much suction it’s almost too much. If you have thick carpets the Dyson can suck so hard into the carpet that it can be hard to push around and also put more strain on the motor. However, this issue is far less of a problem on the Multi Floor 2 compared to the Animal 2.

See our complete Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 review and tests here.

Other Great Dyson Upright Vacuums

The following vacuums didn’t quite make the #1 pick as the best Dyson vacuum for the upright category. However, they are still worthy of an honorable mention.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright vacuum

Dyson Ball Animal 2

If this vacuum wasn’t already so great for pets, it would have been a close call for best upright. That said, I do like that the Multi-Floor 2 has a little less suction compared to the Animal 2, as most cases you don’t need it (and you can avoid potential issues on high carpets). However, if you 1) want a great upright and 2) also have pets, you may want to go with the Dyson Ball Animal 2.

Dyson Ball MultiFloor upright vacuum

Dyson Ball Multi Floor

The original Ball Multi Floor (1st generation) is still a solid option, only made more so that it’s usually notably less expensive than the Ball Multi Floor 2. It has many of the same features as the Ball Multi Floor 2, including self-adjusting head, extendable wand, ball turning, and HEPA filtration.

Best for Hardwoods – Dyson Omni-Glide

The Dyson Omni-glide launched in 2021. It’s the first vacuum from Dyson that is designed exclusively for hardwoods and other hard surface cleaning.

Dyson Onmi-Glide hard floor cleaner
Dyson Onmi-Glide hard floor cleaner

It’s ultra lightweight, easy to maneuver, and highly specialized at being the ultimate vacuum for hardwoods.

What’s to Like

  • Perfect cleaning performance. In our cleaning tests the Omni-glide removed 100% of debris across 4 different debris tests.
  • Omni-directional cleaning head. The cleaning head cleans both on the front and backside, but it can be rotated 360 degrees. It easily glides along the floor and you can spin, twist, and position it in virtually any direction.
  • Lightweight. It’s super lightweight at 4.2 pounds and incredibly easy to maneuver around. The slender form factor makes it an easy vacuum to want to use for cleaning.
  • 2-in-1 design. Like most Dyson cordless vacuums, it has a 2-in-1 design that can also be used as a handheld. The longer and leaner profile of the vacuum body makes it great to use as a handheld. The extra reach is nice whether you’re dusting, vacuuming a car, or even cleaning with the full-sized head up on counters.

What’s Not So Good

  • Price. Like most Dyson vacuums, the most significant con is the price. The Omni-glide is a high-end machine and has a high-end price.
  • Can’t use on carpets. The Omni-glide is only designed for cleaning on hard surface flooring.

See our full Dyson Omni-glide review here.

Best Value – Dyson V8 Animal

The Dyson V8 Animal hits the sweet spot of price point, features, and performance, earning its spot as the best value Dyson.

Dyson V8 cordless vacuum
Dyson V8

The V8 has almost the same type of legendary status as the Dyson ball line-up. It has been a popular choice for many years for its balance of power vs. price.

What’s To Like

  • As with just about every vacuum on this list, cleaning performance is quite impressive. The V8 cleaning scores were similar to what we saw on the V10.
  • The Dyson V8 has two power modes, regular and MAX mode. It’s a great option when you need more power, or less and want to conserve battery life.
  • Like other stick vacuums, it’s incredibly easy to use and convenient. The battery run time isn’t quite as long as the V10 and V11, but it’s still long enough for most jobs at 40 minutes.

What’s Not So Good

  • At 115 AW, the V8 doesn’t have the same level of raw suction power that newer Dyson vacuums have. Ex: Dyson V10 (140 AW), Dyson V11 (185 AW), and Dyson Animal 2 (306 AW).

See our full Dyson V8 review and tests here.

Other Great Dyson Value Vacuums

When it comes to cordless vacuums, Dyson continues to up their game every year. The Dyson V-series, which includes the V6, V7, V8, V10, and V11 are all worthy contenders for the best cordless Dyson vacuum.

If you want to see an ultra in-depth comparison, see our Dyson V6 vs. V7 vs. V8 vs. V10 vs. V11 comparison guide. 

Below we’ve listed 3 other Dyson vacuums that we think strike a nice balance of price and performance.

Dyson V Animal

Dyson V11 Animal

In terms of sheer power, cleaning, suction, and features, the V11 is the best cordless vacuum that Dyson makes. However, it’s also on the more expensive side. That said, if you opt for the V11 Animal you can get many of the features and save a few bucks, making it a good value choice.

Dyson V10 Motorhead

Dyson V10 Motorhead

The V10 Motorhead is the most basic version of the V10. It only includes basic accessories and has a slightly smaller dust bin (however, battery, power, and suction are all the same). The biggest difference is it does not include the Torque Drive cleaning head, and instead includes the slightly worse Direct Drive cleaning head (which is what the Dyson V8 includes). You should get the V10 Motorhead if you have mostly carpets and don’t have pets.

Dyson V7 Motorhead

Dyson V7 Motorhead

The V7 Motorhead has many of the same features as the V8 Animal, except no HEPA filter, 30 minute run time (instead of 40), and only 100 AW of suction power (instead of 115). But it’s also less expensive. So if those features aren’t important you can save some money with the V7.

Best Budget Vacuum – Dyson V7 Motorhead

The Dyson V7 is a few years old, but remains a popular choice, especially for budget shoppers. It doesn’t have all of the features and power of the newer Dyson V10 and V11. Nevertheless, it has 100 AW of suction power and a solid 30-minute run time.

Dyson V7 Motorhead
Dyson V7 Motorhead

What’s To Like

  • The best thing to like is the price. The V7 Motorhead is priced well for the features and performance offered.
  • Solid cleaning performance. It scored a 96% overall in our cleaning tests. The only areas it struggled with were cereal and rice on hardwood floors. If you don’t have hard surface flooring to clean these issues probably aren’t a deal-breaker. That said, if you do have lots of hardwoods see our best hardwood floor vacuum guide here.
  • It’s convenient. Like all Dyson V-series vacuums, it’s cordless, has tons of accessories, and can convert to a handheld. It’s got a lot of versatility and convenience for the price point.

What’s Not So Good

  • No HEPA filter. The biggest con is simply the lack of a HEPA filter. More expensive versions of the V7, as well as the V8, V10, and V11 all include the HEPA filter. If you don’t struggle with allergies this might not be as big of an issue to you.
  • Relatively short run time. When comparing the Dyson V7’s 30-minute run time to the 60-minute run time of the V10 and V11 it can look a little lacking. If you have a large home you may find that 30 minutes just isn’t enough.

See our full Dyson V7 review and tests here.

Other Budget Vacuums from Dyson

When it comes to the Dyson name, most people (myself included) really don’t think of them as a “budget” brand. This is true to a large degree, however, there are definitely a few good options that can keep the budget in check.

Dyson V Allergy Tn

Dyson V7 Allergy HEPA

The Dyson V7 Allergy HEPA is the same as the V7 Motorhead in every functional way. The big difference is the Allergy HEPA includes a HEPA filter. This change makes it even better at removing ultra fine particulates from your home, at a price that’s not much more.

Dyson V Animal Pro

Dyson V7 Animal

The V7 Animal is the same as the V7 Allergy HEPA, except it includes more accessories. This makes it a slightly more versatile package.

Dyson Cordless Stick Vacuums

Arguably the most popular type in the Dyson line-up is their V-series of cordless stick vacuums. Founder, James Dyson, was quoted in 2018 saying:

[The Dyson V10] is the reason why I’ve stopped developing full-size vacuums.

Sir James Dyson
Dyson V8 vs V10

The new technology and micro-motors that the engineers at Dyson have developed are so small and efficient, that in the eyes of Dyson, corded vacuums are on their way out the door.

Dyson V-Series Models

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive offers up to a 1-hour run time, click-in battery, and 185 AW of suction power. It comes with a ton of accessories and cleaning tools, giving it great versatility.

The V11 uses intelligent suction, so it can automatically detect floor / debris and adjust suction accordingly. Additionally, the rear LCD screen allows you to monitor run time and cleaning modes. The Dyson V11 Torque Drive is easily one of the most advanced and smart vacuums that Dyson has ever built.

The Dyson V11 is also available in the Outsize variant. The Dyson V11 Outsize has all the same tools and features as the Torque Drive, but also includes: a 2-hour run time (2 batteries), 150% larger dust bin at 1.9 L (or 0.5 gallons), 25% larger cleaning head at 12.5″ wide, and 220 AW of suction power.

The Dyson V10 offers a 60 minute run time. The V10 also has the biggest change to the overall body style compared to previous generations.

With the V10 there is an in-line configuration between the cleaning head, wand, dust bin, and cyclone suction system. This redesigned body allows for stronger suction (up to 140AW, compared to the V8’s 115 AW) and makes it easier and more hygienic to empty the dust bin.

As a potential downside, it does make it longer and a little awkward to use as a handheld.

The Dyson V8 is one step below the Dyson V10 model. It has a 40-minute run time, wall-mounted docking station, and includes the standard Direct-Drive cleaning head.

The V8 uses the same large dust bin with emptying design as what you’ll see with the V7. Aside from run time, perhaps the biggest difference that separates out the V8 from earlier models is suction power. The V6 and V7 models offer 100AW of suction power and the V8 offers 115AW.

The Dyson V7 is a nice middle-ground between the nearly antiquated V6 and the powerful features of the V8. It comes with the same enhanced battery and quieter operation.

The V7 can run up to 30 minutes versus the Dyson V6, which tops out at about 20 minutes. The V7 also includes an improved cleaning head (Direct Drive), which allows for stronger cleaning power.

The Dyson V6 many years old now, but still available at some retailers. The V6 has a run time of about 20 minutes.

Additional accessories include a wall-mounted docking station for easy charging and a combination tool (which functions as a small dusting brush and crevice tool).

Advanced sub-models, like the V6 Fluffy or V6 Absolute, would have additional accessories. The Dyson V6 Cord Free is the most basic cordless stick vacuum that Dyson currently manufactures.

Want to see how the various Dyson cordless stick vacuums compare to each other? See our mega 4-way in-depth comparison review. It’s Dyson V6 vs. V7 vs. V8 vs. V10 vs. V11.

Emptying the Dust Bins

One important difference between all of the Dyson V-series cordless stick models is how the dust bins empty. This is something that has been developed and designed more and more, with each iterative model.

  • With the Dyson V6, you release a latch by the trigger, a little awkward to get your hand in that tight space.
  • On the Dyson V7 and V8, you pull a latch (up by the cyclones), which is a little difficult to pull, in my opinion.
  • With the Dyson V10 and V11, you slide a latch on the side of the dust bin, by far the most hygienic and easy to use. Still requires a decent amount of force.

Dyson V6

Dyson V6 dust bin

Dyson V7

Emptying the dust bin on the V7 is completed by pulling the tab on top of the canister

Dyson V8

Dyson V8 dust bin

Dyson V10

Dyson V10 dust bin

Dyson V11

Emptying Dyson V11 dust bin

Dyson Absolute vs. Animal vs. Motorhead vs. Allergy HEPA

Each of these V-Series models are available in a variety of sub-models / variants. Not all of these sub-models are offered by each V-series model—you can see which sub-models are included under each larger model (V6, V7, V8, V10, or V11) in the table below.

The main difference between these sub-model distinctions is the included accessories.

So for example, if you like the V7 Animal, but want a longer run time, you could get the Dyson V10 Animal, which has the same accessories… but twice the run time.

Or if you like the V11 Torque Drive, but have all hardwood floors and would like to save some cash, you could get the Dyson V10 Absolute, which includes the hardwood floor cleaning head and is priced less than the V11.

The table below indicates the various popular sub-types for each model:

AnimalMotorheadHEPA AbsoluteFluffyTorque DriveOutsize
Dyson V6YesYesYesYesYesNoNo
Dyson V7YesYesYesYesYesNoNo
Dyson V8YesYesNoYesNoNoNo
Dyson V10YesYesNoYesNoNoNo
Dyson V11YesNoNoNoNoYesYes

Animal

Includes the Torque Drive cleaning head with V10, High Torque cleaning head with V11, and Direct Drive cleaning head with older models. Also includes charger and wall-mounted docking station. Accessories include a combination tool (crevice tool and dusting brush), a larger crevice tool, a mini-motorized tool, and a larger soft dusting brush.

Motorhead

Includes the Direct Drive cleaning head, charger, and wall-mounted docking station. Accessories include a combination tool (crevice tool and dusting brush) and a larger crevice tool. Motorhead typically has the most basic accessory package.

HEPA

Includes the Direct Drive cleaning head, charger, and wall-mounted docking station. Accessories include a combination tool (crevice tool and dusting brush) and a larger crevice tool. Only available with the Dyson V7 (has been available on the V6 in the past).

Dyson V11 Outsize washable HEPA filter
Dyson V11 Outsize washable HEPA filter

Absolute

Includes the Torque Drive cleaning head (with V10) or Direct Drive cleaning head (with any older models), the soft roller “Fluffy” cleaning head, charger, and wall-mounted docking station. Accessories include a combination tool (crevice tool and dusting brush), a larger crevice tool, a mini-motorized tool, and a larger soft dusting brush.

Fluffy

Includes the soft roller “Fluffy” cleaning head, charger, and wall-mounted docking station. Accessories include a combination tool (crevice tool and dusting brush), a larger crevice tool, a mini-motorized tool, and a larger soft dusting brush.

Dyson soft roller brush cleaning head
Dyson soft roller brush cleaning head

Torque Drive

This is a top-end model equivalent to the Absolute. It is only available on the Dyson V11. It’s unclear why Dyson named it the Torque Drive instead of just as the Absolute. Notably, it does not include the soft roller head included with previous versions of the Absolute variant.

Outsize

The Outsize is only available on the Dyson V11. It is a larger version of the V11 including a bigger dust bin, wider cleaning head, longer run time (due to 2 batteries), and more suction power. It’s unclear if the Outsize will be a new common variant or if it will exclusively be available for the V11. It includes a single multi-surface brusholl, the High Torque XL cleaner head.

For more Dyson comparison charts and information see our series here:

Dyson Handheld Vacuums

While Dyson pushed the development of their cordless stick vacuum models, they were seemingly phasing out exclusively handheld vacuums. The apparent reason, that their new stick models served the purpose of a stick vacuum and a handheld.

As of March, 2021, it’s incredibly difficult (and impossible in many cases) to find Dyson’s handheld vacuums both available for sale and being sold at a fair price.

By any reasonable standard, it seems Dyson has effectively discontinued their handheld vacuum lines.

Dyson V6 Trigger best small handheld vacuum review
Dyson V6 Trigger

However, if you want a handheld Dyson there is still an option.

All Dyson V-series cordless vacuums are convertible 2-in-1 vacuums. Any V-series model and variant can turn into a handheld. So the best option for Dyson handhelds is to simply buy the V-series vacuum that’s closest to your budget.

Dyson Upright Vacuums

With more power and dust bin capacity than a stick or handheld vacuum, Dyson upright vacuums are excellent options for whole-home cleaning.

The Dyson Ball on the Animal 2 upright
The Dyson Ball on the Animal 2 upright

Upright models include traditional uprights, compact uprights with a retractable wand for easier storage, or Cinetic uprights.

Cinetic uprights use no filter and instead have advanced cyclones that filter the dust.

This means no replacing or washing dirty filters.

Dyson Traditional Upright Vacuums

Traditional uprights in this category have strong suction, a variety of on-board accessories, and range in weight from 15-18 pounds.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 includes mini-motorized turbine tool, stair tool, and combination tool; includes a 2-liter dust bin capacity and 306 AW of suction power.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean includes all the tools from the Dyson Ball Animal 2 listed above, as well as a few extras.

In addition, it also includes: the reach-under tool, multi-angle brush, carbon fiber soft dusting brush, mattress tool, articulating hardwood floor, turbine tool, and a tool bag.

The Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 is lighter than the vacuums listed above, the Multi Floor 2 includes a combination tool and stair tool; offers a 1.6-liter dust bin capacity, and 250 AW suction power.

RELATED – See our Dyson Animal vs. Multi Floor comparison for an in-depth comparison guide on 5 different Dyson upright vacuum cleaners.

Dyson Compact Uprights

Compact uprights in this category have a bit less suction that the traditional uprights listed above, but their lighter weight may make it easier to maneuver around your space and store when you’re done.

Dyson Ball Compact Animal Upright - compact size

Of course, with the lighter weight also comes a bit less suction power and less dust bin capacity, compared to the full-size models.

The Dyson Ball includes a carbon fiber soft dusting brush, mattress tool, crevice tool, and small upholstery tool; weighs only 11.6 pounds (5.7 pounds lighter than the full-size Allergy Ball model) and has HEPA filtration.

The Dyson Small Ball Multi Floor Includes combination tool and stair tool, 0.8-liter dust bin capacity, is only 12.15 pounds, and has 150 AW of suction power.

Technically, it’s still available, however, it’s weirdly priced for the specs. You’re better off getting the Multi Floor 2, which is newer, more powerful, and less expensive.

The Dyson Compact Animal (DC50) is the predecessor to the Small Ball Multi Floor. The DC50 weighs only 11.9 pounds, can compact down to 30″ for easy storage, and offers 128 AW of suction power.

Like the Small Ball Multi Floor, the DC50 is more expensive than it should be. Most consumers will be better served by the Animal 2, which has more suction for less money.

Dyson Cinetic Uprights

Dyson Cinetic upright models use an advanced cyclone technology named “Dyson Cinetic Science” that allows these vacuums to function without any filter. Filterless and bagless, the Cinetic line of vacuums contains lower maintenance full-size upright vacuums.

The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal includes a turbine tool, combination tool, and stair tool; also has a 2.1-liter dust bin capacity, and 180 AW of suction power. This vacuum is a little heavier than even the traditional upright models weighing in at 19.2 pounds

The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal + Allergy includes everything that the Cinetic Big Ball Animal has plus the allergy package (reach under tool, multi-angle brush, mattress tool and HEPA filtration)

The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Multi Floor includes a combination tool and stair tool; as well as a 2.1 liters of dust bin capacity, with 180 AW of suction power. This vacuum also weighs 19.2 pounds so it’s a bit heavier than the other upright models.

Dyson Canister Vacuums

Between the world of handhelds and upright vacuums, there are a couple of Dyson canister vacuums (although many have been discontinued.)

Canister vacuums offer the power of an upright vacuum without having the carry the weight of the whole unit.

Canisters are lightweight for the user since the part that you carry is basically equivalent to the Dyson stick vacuums.

Dyson Big Ball Multi Floor Canister Vacuum
Dyson Big Ball Multi Floor Canister Vacuum

canister vacuum has the motor and dust bin body on small wheels at the base of the unit for easy maneuverability and the stick and roller head fit in your hand.

Dyson canisters have a foot-operated on / off switch, incorporate the Dyson ball, have a 360° articulating wand handle, and an XL dust bin (compared to the other Dyson models).

Dyson Ball vs. Big Ball

The Dyson canister vacuums come as standard Ball or Big Ball. The biggest differences between these two models are:

Size

As you might imagine, the actual ball itself is a bit smaller on the standard Ball vs. the Big Ball model, but they’re not that different in overall size.

The Ball Multi Floor canister vacuum is 14.2″ x 19.5″ x 10.2″ while the Big Ball Multi-Floor canister vacuum is 13.6″ x 17.1″ x 12.1″.

Adaptability

The Big Ball models are equipped with a feature that allows the vacuum to right itself if it topples over.

This model provides a solid 250 AW of suction power. In addition, it includes a sizable bagless dust bin, advanced carbon fiber turbine head, combination tool, and stair tool.

The Dyson Big Ball Musclehead includes the carbon fiber turbine head, the musclehead floor tool (for cleaning under low furniture), the combination tool, and the stair tool.

The Dyson Cinetic Animal canister vacuum requires no filter, can right itself if toppled over, and includes the carbon-fiber turbine head, the turbine tool hose attachment, the combination tool, the stair tool, and the stiff bristle brush.

RELATED – See our Miele vs. Dyson comparison and see how the two vacuum cleaners stack up against each other in a head-to-head comparison review.

Which Dyson to Buy?

Overall Dyson takes its unique cyclone technology and really covers the territory with a wide range of products and options. 

Whether you need a small portable vacuum to keep in the car or a powerful upright for a whole home clean, Dyson likely has an option that would work well for you.

That being said, there are a lot of choices, which is great for versatility. So the question really isn’t what Dyson vacuum cleaner is best overall? Best rather, which one is the best for you!

Here’s a few summaries to help you figure out which Dyson to buy:

If we look at all of the factors holistically (including price), here are the best Dyson vacuums:

  • The Best Dyson Uprights – if you like the power of uprights the choice really comes down to the Dyson Ball Animal 2 and the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2. Between those two I think it’s a question of high pile carpets…if you have high pile carpets go with the Multi Floor 2. This is because the Animal 2 has so much suction that it can be hard to push through high pile carpet. Multi Floor 2 has a bit less suction (250 AW vs. 306 AW), so it’s less likely to be an issue there.
  • The Best Dyson Cordless – if money is no object, go with the Dyson V15. It has the highest suction of any cordless vacuum on the market, in addition to tons of other amazing features. Closely behind it is the Dyson V11 Torque Drive and Dyson Outsize. V11 Torque Drive has many of the same features, just trailing behind a bit in terms of suction, dust bin size, and run time.
  • The Best Value Dysons – if you’re trying to save money go with either the Dyson V8 or Dyson V7. Both of these models are a few years old, so they lack the bleeding edge features. Nevertheless, they are solid vacuums that both performed well in our cleaning tests.

What is your budget?

Dysons range from $$ (moderate) to $$$$ (very high), depending on what exactly you’re looking for.

What features are you looking for?

Whether you need corded or cordless, strongest suction, or a slew of add-ons and accessories, Dyson likely has an option for you.

For cordless stick vacuums, some of the top models include:

For corded uprights, you may like the following models:

That’s it! We hope you found this review of the best Dyson vacuums on the market helpful.

Still can’t decide? Please use the comment form down below. We’d be happy to help!

ChangeLog

  • June 6, 2021 – Added Dyson V15 and Omni-glide to the list. Updated a few links and cleaned up some structural elements. Updated table of contents.
  • March 15, 2021 – Major page overall. We reassessed and updated many of our recommendations based on updated info, pricing, and availability. Removed info / recommendations for many models that are now discontinued or are difficult to find. Fact checked the page. Updated links in many cases. Improved formatting. Clarified info and corrected errors where we found them.
  • December 1, 2020 – Dyson recently updated the design of the V11 so that all models include a click-in battery system. We have updated the page to reflect that change.
  • March 26, 2020 – We added new information on the Dyson V11 Outsize and Outsize origin. We have also updated our existing recommendations to reflect this addition to Dyson’s line up.
  • January 29 / 30, 2020 – We’ve re-analyzed the full Dyson product line and our testing data, making updates to our recommendations based on our analysis, price changes, and availability. We also made a few changes to formatting and layout.
  • July 24, 2019 – Added information from our Dyson Ball Animal 2 test and review. Also a few photographs from those tests.
  • April 12, 2019 – Added new information around our Dyson V11 reviews. Updated old content and references to bring everything up to date. Also improved formatting and images in a number of places.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.