Best Dyson Vacuums (2026): V15 Detect, Gen5Detect, PencilVac
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Shopping for the best Dyson vacuum can feel like you’ve been sucked into one.
Shopping for the best Dyson vacuum can feel like you’ve been sucked into one. Between Dyson's massive new lineup and the dizzying array of models you can find on sale, it feels exhausting to keep up with which model is worth the price tag. But as someone who tests vacuums for a living, I can tell you getting a Dyson is well worth the splurge for several homes and use cases.
I've tested all the latest Dyson models side by side to find out which ones are worth investing in. After all the new models arrived earlier this year, the best vacuum turns out to be the Dyson Gen5Detect ($949) followed by the Dyson V16 Piston Animal ($850) . If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, the Dyson V10 Konical ($500) has less power but scored above other models with similar or more power in my tests.
Read on to find out how each Dyson vacuum did in tests against sand on my rug, piles of litter on my hard floors, and overall results of vacuuming the three stories of my home. Don't miss my other vacuum guides if you don't find the best one for you here: I also cover cordless vacuums , robot vacuums , car vacuums, and the best vacuums ever.
Updated July 2026: I've updated this guide with a new top pick, the Dyson Gen5Detect, and the V10 Konical and V16 Piston Animal as additional picks. There are also new notes on the V8 Cyclone and the V15 Detect after the latest round of testing.
Dyson's most powerful stick vacuum is the Dyson Gen5Detect. It's been our top pick for pet hair since it does a fantastic job deep cleaning and has a HEPA filter that Dyson says traps 99.99 percent of particles down to 0.1 microns. After side-by-side testing against Dyson's new vacuums and our longtime favorite, the V15 Detect, the Gen5Detect came out with the best score.
The Gen5Detect scored the highest out of all five Dyson vacuums I tested it with (the V16 Piston Animal, V15 Detect, V10 Konical, and V8 Cyclone) in vacuuming up Cheerios on carpet, cat litter on hard floors, and general vacuuming in both vacuum mode and handheld mode. It didn't do as well vacuuming sand on a thin rug, but when I moved to a thicker rug, it got all of the sand in a single sweep. You can really feel the suction in action on this vacuum—it packs 262 air watts (AW) and has a motor that reaches 35,000 revolutions per minute (rpm).
It comes with the Digital Motorbar cleaner head for carpets, and you can use it on hard floors too, but Gen5Detect also comes with the Fluffy Optic cleaner head that has fluffy roller bars made to pick up dust and debris off wood and similar flooring. The Fluffy Optic head has a bright laser, too, making it easy to spot debris you need to vacuum over. Gen5's laser is twice as bright, so it's easier to spot dust and debris. Overall, it's a fantastic, powerful vacuum and worth investing in if you've got pets or want to get the overall best experience when shopping for a new Dyson vacuum.
The only thing it doesn't have that Dyson's newer models will is compatibility with the new docking station, nor compatibility with a Submarine wet roller head, which newer models will have.
If you want to spend less but still get a great Dyson vacuum, the V10 Konical did much better than I expected. It has 150 air watts of power, three cleaning modes, a HEPA filter, and a new cleaner head called the All Floor Cones head. It's similar to the new head you'll find on the V16 Piston Animal, though without the sensing technology. Still, it's designed for both hard floors and soft carpet, and uses dual rotating conical brush bars to keep hair from getting tangled in it as it vacuums. There's a built-in light, which is nice for vacuuming hard floors to spot dust you might miss, though the green laser on the Fluffy Optic head is better for that.
The V10 Konical did a good job in my overall testing of Dyson vacuums. It did slightly better than the more powerful V15 Detect when vacuuming sand on a rug, and it did a good job picking up Cheerios. It felt similar on rugs and carpets to the V15 Detect, though it has a lower power level and cheaper price point. It didn't impress me as much on hard floors, but since it doesn't have the Fluffy Optic head option, this vacuum is at a disadvantage. The V10 can still get it clean, it just needs a couple passes to clean up particularly dirty areas (e.g., areas where I have intentionally dumped a handful of cat litter).
Overall, if you're set on a Dyson but don't want to spend close to a grand, this is a great option. It's on sale for the same price as the cheaper V8 Cyclone, but it did better in all my side-by-side tests than the V8. It also works with the new Auto-empty Dok, a self-emptying docking station that doubles as a charger and accessory storage. The V10 is available with the Dok for $650 .
The V16 Piston Animal is Dyson's new top-of-the-line vacuum, with 315 air watts of suction, 70 minutes of run time, a new cleaner head (plus the Fluffy Optic head for hard floors), and some quality-of-life design upgrades. There are two built-in crevice tools (one on the motor, one on the end of the long wand) so you can do targeted cleans without needing to grab an accessory, and there's a release on the top of the wand you can pull to switch out the vacuum cleaner head without bending over. A compressor in the dust bin helps get the dust and hair out, though I usually still need to manually remove some stragglers.
The suction on the V16 works fantastically on carpet and rugs alike, and it did well in all of my tests except for vacuuming on a thin rug. The V16 Piston Animal scored right behind the Gen5Detect after vacuuming sand, Cheerios, cat litter, and general vacuuming and handheld mode around my three-story townhouse. The suction is excellent at getting cat hair and debris out of my carpets, and the HEPA filtration will keep pet dander from circulating back into the air.
But the biggest gain is this vacuum's compatibility with not just two great vacuum heads, but a third. The V16 has a Submarine variant ($1,100) to let you use it as a wet floor cleaner and is eventually slated to get its own self-emptying docking station like the V10 has. But you'll have to spend a pretty penny to get that third vacuum head, and the docking station price is a mystery (as is its arrival timing). Still, if your home is full of hard floors, it might be worth it for you.
If you're looking to spend less but still get two vacuum heads, the V15 Detect is often on sale for around $600 these days and comes with both the Digital Motorbar and Fluffy Optic cleaner head. That's more than you'll get with the new cheaper Dyson vacuums like the V10 and V8, but I also wouldn't buy this vacuum at full price anymore since it's five years old and didn't perform better than the cheaper V10 Konical in my side-by-side tests.
Still, it's a good vacuum. The Fluffy Optic head has the green laser light to spot dust, but it's a weaker light than newer models have. There are other versions you might spot, like the V15 Detect Plus, which just means there are different attachments (the Plus has a dusting brush instead of a combination tool, but everything else is the same), or the Submarine version that comes with the Submarine wet mop roller head.
You don't get a power button with this model; instead, you have a trigger control you have to hold down while you're using it. It's fine, but I don't love it for longer vacuuming sessions. There is an LCD screen that tells you the number of particles the V15 is sucking up, and it tells you the particle sizes. It's fun if you love data, but not a feature I look at often; I usually just use the screen to check battery life and which mode I'm on.
The name of Dyson's latest robot vacuum, the Spot+Scrub AI, makes it easy to guess its marquee feature : artificial intelligence that promises to identify stains and scrub them away. More interesting, in my opinion, is the fact this is Dyson's first robot vacuum that can also mop. I'm not sure what took Dyson so long, but if you're going to get a Dyson robot vacuum, I'd recommend this model that can both vacuum and mop over one that vacuums only. It does a good job both vacuuming and mopping, and has solid suction that left my carpet and rugs feeling great after a run of the vacuum.
The navigation could use a little work, particularly in the height department. While the Spot+Scrub didn't struggle on rugs or around chair legs like the older Vis Nav did for WIRED reviewer Chris Haslam, it did struggle to notice when it was too tall and would bump into my cabinets or even wedge itself under spots it then couldn't get itself out of. It struggled the most with the builder-grade lower kitchen cabinets and IKEA pieces around my house, so if your home is full of low furniture (particularly if it's from IKEA, which seems to be at the perfect height to thwart this vacuum), I'd consider a different model so that you don't have to watch it run into furniture over and over.
The Spot+Scrub comes with a massive base station that has a distinctly Dyson look and features a translucent dry debris canister. Because of this, I do like that I never had to wonder when to empty it, and it'll remind you to empty both the dry and wet debris regularly.
If you already have a stick vacuum, then you don't need a handheld vacuum like this one. But if you're looking for a handheld vacuum to complement your upright vacuum or a robot vacuum, then the best Dyson handheld is the Car+Boat . It's small but mighty, with a spin speed of 110,000 RPM, and works particularly great for vehicles like cars and boats, as the name suggests.
It's an affordable way to get into the Dyson ecosystem and a good way to expand your home vacuum options if you currently have a bulky upright and nothing else. It comes with a couple of tools and features a trigger-power design like the V15. There's no display on this handheld, but instead just a switch for the two modes (standard and max) and the trigger to activate the vacuum. The dustbin is small compared to most of Dyson's lineup, but actually larger than the cheap Digital Slim. It's much larger than most other handheld vacuums you'll try, and has a great long battery life.
We've tested a variety of Dyson vacuums, both corded and cordless. The vacs below are still worth buying, as long as you don't pay full price.
Dyson Ball Animal 3 for $420 : If you really, really, want an upright vacuum instead of a cordless stick vacuum from Dyson, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is the way to go. We've tested the Ball Animal 3 Extra , which has more attachments, but the regular is just as powerful. Former WIRED reviewer Jaina Grey found it performed well against the rabbit hair in her home. The downside is that it's loud and heavy.
Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene Wet and Dry Floor Cleaner for $500 : This wet-dry cleaner’s claim to fame is its lack of an “unhygienic” filter, and WIRED reviewer Kat Merck has experienced no off smells in her three months of consistent use. The device is similar to the previous Wash G1, with a self-propelled design that's easy to push. It has a screen to show battery life and mode and a dock for self-cleaning. Dyson’s new probiotic floor cleaner ($24) is also a nice product on its own that's odorless and does an impressive job on Merck's Coretec LVP floors, leaving them both feeling and looking cleaner than when she sanitizes them with a steam mop . The Clean+Wash is not great for detritus like hair and leaves, though, since it has no suction and just a microfiber roller. She found it best for spot-cleaning stains and spills, but at that point, you might prefer to get a cheaper wet mop with more suction power.
Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones for $600 : I liked this vacuum a lot more than I expected I would. It's easy to maneuver, and packs both its motor and the dustbin into the handle, so it's much lighter and easier to use than classic cordless vacuums. But it's pricey for only being good for hard floors. That being said, if your home is hard floor only, this is a fun one to choose. It's also nice for anyone with strength or mobility challenges who struggles with a top-heavy cordless vacuum, since it feels closer to pushing a Swiffer mop than a vacuum. The original price of $600 is a little steep for its limited capability, but when it's on sale or listed for under $500 (like it is right now!) it's a much better buy.
Dyson V12 Detect Slim for $650 : Dyson's V12 Detect Slim is excellent for small spaces like a studio or a one-bedroom apartment since it's compact, lightweight, and a great size for hard-to-reach spots and minimal storage. There's an LCD screen, 150 air watts of power, a run time of up to 60 minutes, and a charging time of up to 4.5 hours. But for $650, you could get one of Dyson's newer vacuum with HEPA filtration and newer heads, though only the PencilVac is slimmer than this model.
There are a lot of Dyson models out there, even if they're on the older side.
Dyson 360 Nav Vis for $1,000 : The 360 Vis Nav isn't Dyson's previous robot vacuum that had a powerful spin speed, but it can only vacuum and needs some work on its navigation. WIRED reviewer Chris Haslam found that it struggled around chair legs and on rugs, something similar vacuums didn't have a problem with. It doesn't have a base station, either, but it is pretty cheap now that it's an older Dyson model.
Dyson Big Ball Multi Floor Vacuum for $339 : This was originally one of our top picks for tight spaces. But Dyson no longer sells it, and it's often out of stock at third-party retailers—unless you're OK with purchasing a used model (however, you shouldn't spend more than $250 to $300 on it). It's a good option if you're looking for more maneuverability than a stick can offer. You only have to wield a thin suction tube, as long as you don't mind periodically repositioning the canister. Dyson's Cinetic technology means there are no filters to wash or replace, and it still has HEPA-grade filtration for capturing allergens and most particulates. If you find a new model, I suggest waiting until it's on sale between $300 and $400.
Dyson V11 for $550 : When WIRED reviewer Adrienne So reviewed the V11 , she called it the “dream vac.” However, that was in 2019, and many updated models have come out since then, though it does have 185 air watts, making it stronger than some of the new, similarly priced models. If you can find a V11 for under $350, it’s worth it; otherwise, I recommend going with a later (or cheaper) model. If you're looking into the latest V11 Dyson offers, it's important to note it doesn't come with Dynamic Load Sensor technology (a feature that allows it to automatically adjust suction across different floor types).
Dyson V8 Cyclone for $400 : I wanted to love this vacuum, but the V10 Konical costs only a little more (or already seems to be on sale for the same price) and cleans better, has HEPA filtration, and a new cleaner head that has a built-in light. It's an affordable option with 150 air watts of power, but I'd recommend the V10 Konical over it any day.
Dyson WashG1 for $399 : The WashG1 is Dyson's first dedicated wet floor cleaner. It comes equipped with two very absorbent microfiber rollers that rotate counter to each other and a pump that distributes water evenly from a 27-ounce tank via 26 pulse-modulated water outlets. It's fantastic for cleaning floors, but the tray is gross and messy to clean, and mine grew mold at one point. I'd recommend checking out the newer Clean+Wash Hygiene , above, if you want a cleaner like this.
Dyson doesn't stick to chronological order when naming its stick models. Sometimes it skips numbers, and sometimes it'll introduce a lower number as a later model than a higher number. For example, Dyson introduced the V15 immediately after the V11, and then the V12 after the V15. In the broadest sense, the numbers seem to loosely grow larger with each passing release—the V11 is newer than the V10, and the V10 is newer than the V8. But Dyson's naming system is cryptic enough that even I can't predict what the subsequent model will be.
Dyson also has a lot of sub-models, because its naming scheme isn't confusing enough. Each one has a different number of included tool attachments and accessories. Every model (V7, V8, V10, V11, V15, etc.) seems to introduce new sub-models, so the list just keeps growing, and then there are discontinued sub-models that show up as old stock on websites, typically on sale.
Detect isn't exactly a sub-model, but rather part of the name of the V15 Detect and V12 Detect Slim. It refers to the laser detection system that measures particle size and count to customize suction power.
Absolute is usually the king-of-the-hill version with the most attachments. I can't list them all, because they vary based on parent model, but expect a variety of brush nozzles, crevice attachments, and motorized roller heads to scrub tough grit off hard floors and out of deep-pile carpets.
Allergy used to mean that it came with an upgraded filter that traps 99.99 percent of bacteria and dust, so it expels cleaner air than regular models, but after the V7, all Dyson stick vacs started including the upgraded filters. It's largely a legacy designation now, and it hasn't been used on newer models.
Motorhead sounds fancy, but it's the low-end sub-model that comes with a motorized head, a couple of basic brush and crevice tools, and that's about it. It's mostly a holdover from the V7 days. Dyson has found other names for basic sub-models.
Origin, Fluffy, and Animal come with relatively few attachments. The Fluffy and Animal don't come with any unique attachments particular to usefulness in cleaning up after pets; it's just become shorthand for "base model with fewer attachments." The same is true for the Origin, although its name makes more sense.
Fluffycones is a new variation introduced by the PencilVac that describes the unique cone-shaped fluffy rollers in the head. So far it's only in that vacuum, but I'm curious if Dyson will include it in future models.
Outsize is a larger version of a Dyson model. There's a Gen5Detect and a Gen5Detect Outsize, for example, and the Outsize version has bigger bin, wider vacuum head and weighs more. There's no Outsize version so far of any of Dyson's newer models after the Gen5Detect.
Dyson isn't above combining sub-model names. The more names Dyson slaps onto a model, the more attachments it comes with. For example, the V8 Animal Pro comes with more stuff than the Animal, but the Animal Pro+ comes with even more than that.
You will also notice that we mention the different accessories in each model, which vary depending on the model you buy. These make your vacuum more versatile, making it easier to tackle specific parts of the house. If your vac doesn't come with an accessory you want, you can always purchase it separately. But it can be tough to discern which one does what, especially if this is your first Dyson. (Save on top Dyson vacuums and accessory bundles with our exclusive Dyson promo codes .)
Below, we break down some of the most common accessories Dyson offers and what each one is specifically designed for.
For more options, you can check out Dyson's official site, which lists accessories for both cordless and upright vacuums .
When unboxing your new vacuum, I recommend downloading Dyson's companion app—MyDyson ( iOS , Android )—and registering your device to activate your warranty, which is two years for cordless models and five years for corded. The coverage goes into effect on the day you buy it, so long as you have proof of purchase. If you don't, the warranty will kick in 90 days after the manufacture date. The warranty covers replacement parts (including batteries and certain parts), repairs (Dyson will collect the machine free of charge, or you can visit one of its Service Centers ), and replacements. If the repairs can't be done, Dyson will fully replace it for you. You can check here for a full list of what it does and doesn't cover.
When your warranty is up, you'll have to buy the replacement parts . Dyson offers spare filters, batteries, chargers, specific parts (V-ball wheels, axles and rollers, and rear edges), and accessories for purchase. You can go directly through Dyson's site (which is accessible via the app), but stock fluctuates depending on the specific part you're looking for. You can also purchase them through authorized sellers like Amazon and Walmart . If you're looking elsewhere, it's important to make sure these parts are genuine Dyson parts (you can do this by checking that Dyson is the retailer through the third-party seller you're purchasing from). Dyson offers a 12-month warranty on its genuine parts, and those sold by other brands may not be covered. Inauthentic parts may not fit or work properly either—regardless of whether the seller claims they're compatible—and could damage the vacuum entirely. I made the mistake of ordering new filters through a third-party seller for the Dyson V15 I was testing at the time, only to find they were too small.
Dyson vacuums are expensive, so it's important to maintain yours—this helps to increase its longevity and maintain its powerful suction. If you have a cordless model, the company suggests cleaning the filter once a month (at least).
You can clean the filter (on both cordless and upright models) by removing it, tapping lightly on the side of your garbage bin or sink, and rinsing it with cold tap water (Dyson says not to use any detergents). Then, fill the filter with warm tap water, cover the open sides with your hands, and shake it firmly to remove dirt. You should repeat these steps until the water runs clear, at which point you can then shake the filter to get rid of any excess water. You should then let the filter dry for at least 24 hours in an area that has airflow (like near a fan or open window). Once it's fully dry, you can place it back into the body. To clean the canister, use a damp microfiber cloth.
You can also clean the roller cleaner head by cutting away any hair using scissors (depending on the Dyson you have, you might need to use a screwdriver to remove the plate on the cleaner head). If your model comes with a soft brush bar , you can clean that too. Remove it from the cleaner head (take the end cap off too), hold it under running water while gently rubbing it to remove dirt and lint, and let it dry for 24 hours. If you're using an upright vac, you can also clean the hose by running it under warm water. As with the rest of the parts, you should let it dry for 24 hours before reattaching it.
Some of Dyson's cordless vacs, like the V15 Detect and Gen5Detect, don't stand upright. The battery has a flat back so that you can rest it against a wall, but it's not the most stable. The company includes a wall dock with these models, and there's also a spot to place the charging cable so the device stays charged on the dock. It's simple to install (you may need a drill), but it's the ideal storage solution.
From there, you can attach the vacuum to the wall dock. For visuals on how to install it, you can also watch Dyson's step-by-step video .
Dyson is launching more and more models with freestanding docks, including the PencilVac and the Clean+Wash, and the Dyson Piston Animal is due to have a docking station that it can self-empty into. If you'd be more interested in a freestanding dock instead of a wall-mounted stand, check out Dyson's newest vacuums.
Does Dyson Come Out With New Models Every Year?
Not always. There's no cycle to when Dyson will release new products or whether a new model will replace something in the lineup or just add to the existing one. Some of Dyson's newest vacuums don't launch in every market right away, either—the Digital Slim and PencilVac, for example, were available only in Asia at first. This year has had several new Dyson launches, including the Spot+Scrub AI robot vacuum and PencilVac, which came to North America, and there are a couple more new models still due to arrive.
If you're looking for even more of a budget buy, 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. Dyson's official eBay outlet occasionally has exclusive deals on outgoing models, too.
WIRED tests vacuums within home environments to see how they'd work for day-to-day messes and buildup. We test them on carpets, rugs, staircases, and hard floors like hardwood, vinyl, and tile to see how well they do at picking up dust, dirt, and debris. We also make sure to test every attachment for its intended use, but the main focus is using the vacuum itself like a normal person would to see if it's worth investing in.
How Does WIRED Acquire Its Review Samples? What Happens to Them After Testing?
WIRED acquires review samples in a handful of ways: they can be provided by a company (though if provided, WIRED doesn't promise coverage or what that coverage will be) or purchased by WIRED. Writers can also write about items they've purchased themselves. For this guide, all of these picks were all provided as review samples for WIRED staffers to test.
After we're done testing, samples are either returned, donated, or held onto for long-term testing. Dyson vacuums are a category I like to long-term test since there isn't very much turnover in the lineup, making it possible for us to spend longer testing a Dyson without needing to move on to the model that replaced it.
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