The Best Dyson Vacuums in 2021: Buying Guide & Reviews

Dyson is one of the most recognizable vacuum brands on the market, thanks to the company’s multitude of highly popular products in terms of performance and design. With each model better than the last, we think it’s only fair that we have an in-depth review for the best Dyson vacuums.

In this article, we will show you all there is to know about Dyson vacuums and why you should seriously consider picking one up. In the review section, we have a few notable models for you to look through.

What Makes Dyson a Noteworthy Brand

History is, first and foremost, the allure behind Dyson’s brand name. The company was founded in 1991 by Sir James Dyson who, a few years prior, had patented the cyclonic vacuuming tech that the company still uses today. 

Dyson’s cyclonic tech has revolutionized the vacuum industry with many variations and adaptations of the same tech from other businesses today. But as the original brain behind it, Dyson and his company know better than anyone about how to design a cyclonic vacuum that can satisfy customers.

Aside from modifications to the original cyclonic vacuuming tech whose performance improved drastically over the years, Dyson has also embraced a variety of other technological trends. Dyson’s innovative mindset has bolstered its reputation as a vacuum manufacturer, from cordless technology to digital control systems.

The company’s emphasis on balancing performance and design has further helped its case among consumers. Dyson’s products are often sleek and eye-pleasing, netting them points in the aesthetic department.

Things to Look For in the Best Dyson Vacuums

Design

At Dyson, there’s always something for everyone. Their assortment of vacuums is rather diverse: cordless 2-in-1 sticks, handheld models, canister vacuums, and corded uprights. 

However, among all the products, the V-series detachable vacuums receive the most positive remarks. High performance aside, the V-series vacuums also entice customers with their flexible design. Fully assembled with a suction wand attached, the vacuum looks and works pretty much like a stick vacuum.

 The twist is that the motor body can be removed and used separately as a handheld vacuum. In this reduced form, the vacuum is much lighter and maneuverable, allowing you to clean unreachable and uncomfortable places such as the ceiling or the top of shelves.

But if you need more power than what a cordless can offer, Dyson also has corded uprights and canister vacuums that kick into high gear and give you an extra power boost.

Accessories

Dyson vacuums typically come with a wide range of accessories. You can get a hint of what you would get in the box by looking at the description following the model’s name (V11 Torque Drive, V10 Animal, V7 Motorhead, etc.).

Each model has a couple of extra tools, such as a pet hair tool for the Animal version. The Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 and Animal 2 have a stair-cleaning tool, which only stands to reason since a good portion of these uprights’ mission is to clean stairs. The same applies to other Dyson vacuums as well.

The Motorhead version tends to have the least accessories, while the Absolute and Outsize versions offer users a wider selection of these add-on tools. 

Pricing

It is an indisputable fact that Dyson vacuums can set you back at least a few hundred bucks. Boasting an impressive range of features, a Dyson vacuum can convincingly and, from our perspective, deservedly, cost north of $200. Fortunately, Amazon regularly set up excellent deals and discounts for both new and old models, so with some smart planning, it’s entirely possible to get a Dyson for less, especially around the holidays.

Warranty

All Dyson vacuums are under a 2-year warranty, a policy that covers buyers who unfortunately encounter “original defects in materials and workmanship.”

Additionally, as we mentioned before, the company has a 30-day return period. Be mindful of the terms and conditions, though: you must have the original packaging, all of the accessories, and the proof of purchase to apply for a full refund. So, to be safe, keep everything that you got in the box— including all paperwork— for at least 30 days from purchase. You never know if you might need them.

Reviews of the Best Dyson Vacuums

You will find here a list of all Dyson products that will be mentioned in the article.

1. Dyson V11 Torque Drive – Best to Buy Dyson Vacuum
2. Dyson V7 Motorhead – Best Value Dyson Vacuum
3. Dyson V11 Outsize – Best Dyson Cordless Vacuum
4. Dyson V10 Animal – Best Dyson Stick Vacuum
5. Dyson Ball Animal 2 – Best Dyson Vacuum for Pet Hair

Name	Battery Life	Filtration Type	Dust Cup Capacity	Warranty
V11 Torque Drive	~60 min	HEPA	0.76 l (25.6 oz)	2-year limited
V7 Motorhead	~30 min	Non-HEPA	0.4 l (13.5 oz)	2-year limited
V11 Outsize	~30-40 min (~120 min for two batteries)	HEPA	1.89 l (63.9 oz)	2-year limited
V10 Animal	~60 min	HEPA	0.76 l (25.6 oz)	2-year limited
Ball Animal 2	N/A (Corded)	HEPA	2 l (67.6 oz)	2-year limited

1. Dyson V11 Torque Drive – Best to Buy

The main attraction of the Dyson V11 Torque Drive isn’t the powerful suction, the flexible 2-in-1 design, or the long battery life. Most customers are willing to spend big bucks on the V11 just for all of the smart features, including an LCD screen for displaying data and a computerized control system that automatically adjusts suction power depending on your home’s floor type.

The Dyson V11 is one of the rare vacuums on the market that seamlessly fits in a 21st-century household.

Performance

The V11 Torque Drive has excellent overall performance across the board thanks to the powerful suction and the high brush strength coming from the “Digital Motor” and what they’ve termed a Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS).

Dyson’s Digital Motor is a new generation of switched reluctance motor that the company claims to be 40 times more efficient than those found in traditional vacuums. Although the new design makes the motor much more sophisticated since it’s loaded with more electronics and sensors (which explains the premium price and the “Digital” moniker), the performance boost is worth it.

To further improve performance, the vacuum also has a two-tier radial cyclone system to boost suction and dust-capturing performance.

What the Dynamic Load Sensor does is simpler. It detects the amount of resistance that the brush bar faces (such as being on thick carpet piling) and adjusts suction power accordingly. The sensor not only improves the vacuum’s performance on carpeting, but it will also save a significant amount of battery life.

Considering how this vacuum performs beyond expectations on carpets, it’s not surprising that the V11 can do a great job on uncovered floorings too. It can pick up dust, dirt, and debris of various sizes with relative ease. 

As for carpeting and rugs, the vacuum can do a better job than most cordless according to many customer reviews. With its high suction working in tandem with the Torque Drive cleaning head’s sturdy brush, the vacuum can clean even the thickest carpets and rugs from the top down to the base.

You can also alternate between the three cleaning modes: 

• Eco: extended battery life, but the suction will drop noticeably.
• Auto: the vacuum automatically adapts its suction strength based on information from its sensors. 
• Boost mode: maximum power (though battery life will take a hit.)

For other cleaning tasks such as vacuuming the upholstery or pet hair, the V11 Torque Drive comes with several useful tools to make the job easier. Included with the vacuum is a mini motorized tool, a crevice tool (which can reach into hard-to-reach places like house corners and tight spots between furniture), stubborn dirt brush, and more.

Design

The vacuum weighs 6.68 pounds (3 kilograms), which is surprisingly light considering all of the features it has. It also helps that the cleaning head is quite maneuverable, being able to swivel up to 90° and fit itself into tight corners without much effort from the user.

If you have used a Dyson Cyclone vacuum before, the V11 won’t feel too strange with the general design. It still has a detachable stick vacuum design that allows you to fluently convert the vacuum into a handheld just by detaching the suction wand. A transparent in-line dust cup houses all of the waste the vacuum picks up and an ergonomic handle with a power trigger drives the motor.

The power trigger is a contentious design among consumers. For the vacuum to run, it must be held down at all times. While it promises longer battery life and higher power efficiency, it can be a bother for those who expect a click-and-done button or dial.

But the most remarkable feature of the V11 is the LCD screen at the back-end of the vacuum. Aside from giving you what cleaning mode you’re on (Eco, Auto, and Boost mode), the screen will also display the remaining power in real-time. You can even watch instructional videos on the screen, showing you how to maintain the vacuum properly.

Battery Life

The V11 Torque Drive uses a Li-ion battery pack, which can give the vacuum roughly 60 minutes of run time depending on the cleaning mode you have on. Although the battery is replaceable at some point in the future when the cell gives out, it’s not designed to be swappable and is locked firmly behind a screwed-in panel.

Battery swapping is a feature on many vacuums, which allows the user to replace the drained battery with another fully-charged one quickly. You can continue using the vacuum without having to wait for it to recharge.

If you want to swap your vacuum’s battery on the fly, you will have to look to the V11 Outsize version. Fortunately, we also have a detailed review of this model further down the list.

Dust Cup & Filtration

The dust cup has a maximum capacity of 0.76 liters (25.6 ounces). For such a premium vacuum, the meager capacity is quite disappointing.

Because the dust cup is in-line (meaning it forms a straight line with the suction wand and the motor), you must remove the suction wand to access the dust cup. Once that’s done, you point the dust cup downward and press the dirt ejecting tab to the side. That way, you will never have to touch the dirty contents like you would with many other vacuums.

The V11 uses a lifetime HEPA filter that can last throughout the vacuum’s lifespan. You should wash it once every month with cold water and let it air dry for 24 hours. Once that’s done, replace it inside the vacuum and use it as usual.

Accessories

Coming along with the V11 Torque Drive are a bevy of accessories, including:

• Extension wand
• Torque Drive cleaning head
• Mini motorized brush roll
• Combination tool
• Crevice tool
• Mini dusting brush
• Stubborn dirt brush

You will also get a docking station and a power charger.

Warranty

The V11 Torque Drive includes a 30-day return period and a 2-year limited warranty.

2. Dyson V7 Motorhead – Best Value

Although the V7 Motorhead is an older vacuum without all of the novel features of the V11- namely the LCD screen and DLS— it is still an excellent vacuum to have. The V7 Motorhead feels like a bargain, considering how much cheaper it has become since launching. 

At a fraction of the V11’s price tag, you can still expect the high performance of Dyson’s iconic cyclonic motor, the versatility of a cordless 2-in-1 design, and a comprehensive warranty policy.

Performance

The V7 has a powerful electric motor that can generate respectable suction flow. However, the key to its impressive performance lies in the two-tier radial cyclone system. The cyclones’ effects are especially notable when the vacuum is used against fine dust and dirt on both hardwood and carpeting. Everything is sucked into the vacuum with relative ease.

You can switch between two cleaning modes with a physical switch on the vacuum’s body: a Low mode for day-to-day cleaning and a Max mode for when you need the motor to kick into a higher gear.

But as great as it is against dust and dirt; when it comes to trickier debris like rice or cereal on hardwood, the V7 shows signs of struggle (especially with the default motorized brush roll attached.) Because the brush roll sits very close to the ground, it tends to fling grains like cereal and rice away from the vacuum instead of scooping them up. A few customers reported it is virtually impossible to pick up larger debris on hardwood for this very reason.

Instead, the V7’s specialties on hardwood are smaller debris like cat litter and finer particles like flour and sugar. 

If your floor is hardwood, we recommend getting the optional soft roller cleaning head alongside the V7. With an open front design, this cleaning head is far more effective on hardwood.

Albeit having lackluster performance on hardwood, the V7 works just fine on carpeting (low and high-pile alike.) The suction itself, in combination with the brush roll, will dig deep into the piling and drag out even the most stubborn specks of dust and debris. For houses with a lot of carpeting and rugs to go through, the V7 Motorhead will yield satisfactory results.

Design

The V7 is markedly lighter than the V11, weighing in at only 5.45 pounds (2.4 kilograms). The lightweight vacuum, coupled with the maneuverable floor head, makes the V7 easy and intuitive to use.

The Dyson V7’s design is not all that different from older models in the V-series. The same detachable stick vacuum design can be quickly converted into a handheld when reaching shelves, cupboards, and countertops. The same applies for the transparent plastic dust cup and power trigger design (you have to hold the trigger for the motor to work continuously.)

Although the V7 doesn’t have an LCD screen to display the battery life like that in the V11, it has a strip of light that acts as a battery indicator. The light will gradually fade as the battery level drops.

Battery Life

Speaking of the battery, the Li-ion battery pack that the V7 uses can power the vacuum in Low mode for about 30 minutes. On Max mode, you will be lucky to even squeeze out 10 minutes.

Once depleted, it will take the battery 3.5 to 4 hours to recharge. You can replace the battery when it dies, but there’s no way to take out the cell and swap with a new one since it is firmly screwed in place. Also, the battery isn’t supposed to be taken out by users, either.

Dust Cup & Filtration

The dust cup can hold 0.4 liters (13.5 ounces) worth of dust, dirt, and debris. Because the dust cup is small, you will find yourself emptying it more often if you have a large house to clean.

To make up for the rather limited capacity, emptying the dust cup is straightforward. The release tab on the vacuum will open up the bottom of the dust cup. Just make sure when you do this, you hover the dust cup close to the top of a trash can so everything will fall neatly inside.

Filtration-wise, the cyclonic array does an excellent job separating dust particles from the airstream and traps them inside the vacuum. But unfortunately, the V7 Motorhead has a conventional central filter (non-HEPA.) 

Despite being less effective, the filter still promises lifetime usage. Unless it is severely damaged or lost, you don’t have to replace this filter continually. But remember to wash it with cold water occasionally to keep things from getting clogged.

Accessories

Like previously mentioned, the Motorhead variant has the least accessories compared to its Dyson siblings. Only three tools come with the unit, including: a motorized brush roll, a crevice tool, and a combination tool.

Warranty

The V7 Motorhead has the standard warranty package that comes with every Dyson vacuum: 30-day return period and a 2-year limited warranty.

3. Dyson V11 Outsize – Best Dyson Cordless Vacuum

The Dyson V11 Outsize is a great vacuum that stands out in many ways, all of which are good: the cordless design gives you the freedom to move around, in addition to immense suction power and a wide array of smart features to boot. Sure, the price is rather outrageous, but it will be worth every dime.

It is the most premium vacuum in Dyson’s portfolio as of now and also the most powerful. Compared to the V11 Torque Drive, the Outsize has a larger motor, thus offering greater suction strength. Additionally, the dust cup is almost twice as large, and the cleaning head is widened to give you a bigger cleaning path, like ones you’d find in some upright models.

Performance

The Outsize is equipped with Dyson’s new Digital Motor and the Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS). As the name suggests, the motor has been outsized to double the Torque Drive’s performance.

It has little to no problems dealing with common dust, dirt, and various kinds of debris on hardwood. On carpeting and rugs, the DLS automatically increases cleaning efficiency by ramping up suction power when it detects these surfaces, then throttling back once the vacuum reaches bare floor. But unfortunately, this also creates a brand-new problem for the vacuum.

Since the vacuum’s power is so high, the carpet can clog up the cleaning head’s nozzle, up to the point where there’s no clearance between the vacuum and the piling. While small debris and fine particles like dust and dirt can be sucked in, larger grains such as cereal and rice are merely pushed away.

Though you can still remedy this by placing the cleaning head directly on top of the debris (the vacuum will suck everything up in short order), it is still inconvenient.

There are three cleaning modes to choose from: Eco Mode for power efficiency, Auto Mode to let the vacuum’s sensors make adjustments as needed, and Boost Mode for a quick burst of high-suction cleaning in a few minutes or when dealing with stubborn residues.

Design

Considering all features in this Dyson model, the Outsize only weighs one pound heavier than the Torque Drive at 7.85 pounds (3.5 kilograms).

Narrow spaces and tight corners can be deftly navigated with the 90° swiveling head. However, because it is heavier and bulkier with all of the extras, the Outsize may feel a little bit uncomfortable to hold for a long time, especially in its handheld configuration.

The dust cup is still made from transparent plastic for you to inspect the content, and this vacuum remains faithful to the power trigger design.

The LCD screen is mounted at the bottom end of the vacuum. You can read the real-time battery counter, switch between cleaning modes, and watch instructional videos on the vacuum’s maintenance.

Battery Life

Since the Outsize requires even more power to run than other models, Dyson has understandably given its battery a power boost. One Li-ion battery pack can fuel the motor for roughly 30 to 40 minutes on Auto mode, an hour on Eco mode, and 10 to 15 minutes on Boost Mode. 

But unlike other Dyson models where the battery cell isn’t to be meddled with, the Oversize allows you to do battery swapping. When your first battery pack runs out of charge, disconnect it from the vacuum and switch in a fully-charged one. You will be able to pick up where you left off without having to wait five hours for the current battery to recharge.

The Outsize is shipped with two battery packs in the box. As long as you keep both of them charged, you can get about 120 minutes of cleaning per session.

Dust Cup & Filtration

The dust cup can store 1.89 liters (63.9 ounces) of dirt. Unless you have a large house, you can clean for several days before the cup is filled (though we still recommend you empty it after every session.)

Emptying is simple. Remove the front portion consisting of the cleaning head and suction wand, tip the opened dust cup into the trash, and press the dirt ejecting tab to force everything inside to fall in the awaiting trash can right below.

The vacuum’s filtration system includes a lifetime HEPA filter that can be washed and reused.

Accessories

This vacuum is shipped with an extensive range of accessories, including:

• Mini motorized brush tool
• Crevice tool
• Combination tool
• Two dusting brushes (a soft brush and a stiff brush)

Warranty

As always, you get a 30-day return period and 2-year limited warranty.

4. Dyson V10 Animal – Best Dyson Stick Vacuum

The Dyson V10 Animal sits in-between the V7 and V11 in terms of overall value. 

It has some of the newer features of Dyson that our value pick (the V7) doesn’t have, such as the Digital Motor and higher cleaning power and efficiency. It is quite similar to the newer and costlier V11 in performance and design. The deal-sealer for the V10 Animal is that it costs far less than the V11 for pretty much the same package.

If you need a cordless Dyson with decent overall performance, featuring multiple features but also doesn’t cost an arm and leg, the V10 Absolute ticks all the boxes.

Performance

According to customers, the V10 Absolute can perform well on all floor types; from hardwood to thick carpeting and rugs. The high suction of the Digital Motor working in tandem with the cyclonic array can effortlessly collect common dust and dirt. 

The vacuum also works well against most debris. All small debris are promptly cleaned up, but some customers have noted that it struggles slightly when it comes to large debris. Cleaning grains like rice and cereal in large amounts can cause the nozzle to clog up briefly, though it can often be cleared up in no time.

Design

The vacuum weighs 5.9 pounds (2.6 kilograms) and is just as maneuverable as the rest of the line-up with the swiveling cleaning head.

The V10 Absolute has the same 2-in-1 convertible design you often find in Dyson’s vacuums, though it is the first model to feature the in-line dust cup and the point-and-shoot dirt ejecting mechanism.

You will also find a physical clean mode switch on the vacuum’s body, which will allow you to adjust the vacuum’s performance level. 

The Low mode with the lowest suction (but highest power efficiency) is denoted by one dot. Two dots indicate medium mode. And the last, most potent mode— the Max mode— is written in full as “MAX“.

Battery Life

The V10 Absolute’s Li-ion battery can run for approximately 60 minutes on Medium mode. Though the battery is replaceable, you cannot swap it halfway through a session like you would with the Outsize.

Dust Cup & Filtration

The dust cup has a capacity of 0.76 liters (25.6 ounces), which is barely acceptable. Emptying is hygienic and straightforward with the dirt ejecting mechanism within the dust cup.

The V10 Absolute comes with a lifetime HEPA filter to handle air filtering.

Accessories

The Animal version comes with a slew of accessories, including:

• Torque Driver cleaning head
• Mini motorized tool
• Mini soft dusting brush
• Crevice tool
• Combination tool

Warranty

The V10 Warranty has the standard Dyson warranty package: 30-day return and 2-year limited warranty.

5. Dyson Ball Animal 2 – Best Dyson Vacuum for Pet Hair

Pet hair is one of the toughest challenges that a vacuum must face. Because of its small size and fibrous nature, pet hair can quickly form into balls and clog up the suction nozzle or tangle inside of the brush roll. If you are a pet owner, you must carefully consider what kind of vacuum you will use to clean up after them.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is designed to tackle pet hair and other pet-related debris like cat litter. With strong suction and a wide variety of tools that are all pet hair-proof, it will be a great tool in your daily cleaning chore.

Performance

According to Dyson, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 has one of the strongest suctions on the market. Aside from the standard suction motor, Animal 2 is also equipped with a sizable cyclonic array on top to boost its suction performance further. 

And it’s not marketing gimmicks; there’s actual legitimacy to Dyson’s claim. You can see how the Animal 2 can sweep hardwood floors as well as low-pile carpeting and rugs with satisfactory results. No matter what is on these surfaces: dirt, dust, debris of various sizes, and pet hair, Animal 2 has little problem dealing with them.

The problem only starts when you pitch it against high-pile carpets. 

Some users felt uncomfortable with the excessive suction as the piling would get stuck inside the cleaning head, and it takes a while to remove it. As such, users whose houses have carpets and rugs may have a hard time pushing the vacuum around. 

The cleaning head usually won’t be able to pick up large debris. Instead of collecting these residues, the vacuum only pushes them around since there’s no clearance between the head and the carpet.

Because of this, we only recommend this vacuum to you if your home’s floor is mostly hardwood or low-pile carpeting.

Design

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a corded upright vacuum weighing 17.5 pounds (7.9 kilograms). Thanks to the unique Ball design— with the heaviest electronics and the suction motor situated near the bottom of the vacuum— the Animal 2 is relatively easy to maneuver around.

The power cord— at 35 feet (10.6 meters)— is very long. You won’t have to continually be on the lookout for electrical outlets when moving from room to room. Regrettably, the Animal 2 doesn’t have a cord retracting mechanism or on-board storage for the cord, so you will have to wrap it around the vacuum’s body.

Dust Cup & Filtration

The large dust cup (2 liters or 67.6 ounces) is made from transparent plastic, and right on top of it is the distinctive stacked radial cyclone array. The dust cup and the cyclonic array are built together into a canister.

When the dust cup’s filled up, you can remove the canister from the vacuum and hover it over the trash can. Press the release button at the top of the canister to open up the cup’s bottom flap and everything inside will fall neatly into the trash.

For filtering, the vacuum has a lifetime HEPA filter. Clean it regularly, and it should last for the entirety of the vacuum’s lifespan.

Accessories

The Animal 2 comes with three accessories: a turbine tool, a stair tool, and a combination tool.

Warranty

Dyson’s default warranty package still applies to the Animal 2: a 30-day return period and 2-year limited warranty.

Should You Get a Dyson Manufacturer Refurbished Vacuum?

While browsing through the listings on Amazon, you may sometimes stumble upon a Dyson that’s sold for a suspiciously cheap price tag. Most likely, it is a refurbished vacuum you are looking at.

There are two reasons why a brand-new Dyson vacuum could become a refurbished model.

Dyson has a 30-day return policy. If, for whatever reason, customers are not satisfied with their Dyson or the model doesn’t live up to their expectations in any way, they can choose to return it to the company for a full refund. That vacuum would then go on to become a refurbished model after being thoroughly reevaluated for damages and manufacturer’s flaws 

Either that or the vacuum somehow malfunctions and is brought to the company’s repair center by the original owner. If it is too impractical for the company to fix the problematic vacuum, Dyson will give the original owner a brand new unit in exchange for the flawed one. 

That old vacuum will then be fixed up with new components in the company’s workshop and thoroughly tested. Once it’s met the quality standard of a new vacuum, Dyson would box and sell it for a fraction of the original unit price.

Having a refurbished Dyson vacuum to call your own seems like the right choice if you’re shopping on a limited budget. However, beware of the underlying risks associated with a damaged unit. You’re always better off with a brand-new one if it’s within your reach.

Conclusion

With Dyson’s reputation as one of the top vacuum manufacturers, you can shop with confidence, knowing that your Dyson will be worth every single penny. We hope the buying guide and reviews have been of use to you in finding the vacuum that ticks as many of your boxes as possible.