Welcome to Vacuum Wars’ definitive guide to the best Dyson cordless vacuums of 2024! Since the V7, we’ve purchased and tested nearly every Dyson cordless model available. Our selections are based on our in-depth, independent and non-sponsored evaluations, focusing on cleaning performance and the specialized features that have made Dyson renowned over the past decade.
We also consider customer satisfaction scores to help you find a cordless vacuum that meets your needs and offers great value. Our recommendations are updated regularly to reflect the latest evaluation results and industry insights, so you can easily find the right Dyson cordless vacuum for your home.
Products that have been discontinued or are frequently out of stock are removed from the rankings.
The V15 Detect excels at picking up a wide range of debris sizes, thanks to its adaptable cleaner head and improved brush design. Moreover, its auto-adjustment capabilities for suction, combined with a dirt sensor, optimize cleaning efficiency and battery use, making it a top choice for those seeking a powerful, yet agile cleaning tool. See full review
- Powerful cordless
- Improved suction over previous models
- Effective on both carpets and hard floors
- Fluffy roller head for fine dust
- Laser highlights invisible debris
- Auto suction adjustment optimizes battery
- Informative LCD battery life display
- Versatile attachments, including a new motorized tool
- Anti-tangle technology for minimal hair wrap
- Higher price point
The V12 also features a digital motor bar cleaner head with adjustable gates for handling larger debris, making it versatile across different floor types. Notably, it has a green laser on the soft roller head, significantly improved from earlier models, to illuminate and capture hidden dust particles effectively. With a handle weight of just 3.2 pounds and a convenient on/off button replacing the traditional trigger, the V12 offers ease of use without sacrificing the robust cleaning performance Dyson is known for. This model is particularly suited for those valuing a lightweight vacuum that still packs a punch in power and features.See full review
- Great balance of suction power and weight
- Excellent debris pickup
- Helpful Laser Slim Fluffy head
- Long battery run time
- Power button operation
- Whole machine filtration
- Active hair removal
Cons:
- Expensive
- Bin is somewhat small
Despite its similarities to other high-end models, it stands out with its unique Fluffy optic cleaner head that uses a green laser to enhance visibility of dirt and dust on hard floors, highlighting areas that might otherwise be overlooked. The vacuum excels in surface debris pickup on both carpets and hard floors, with a design that balances power with efficiency. Its combination of a hyperdymium motor, advanced filtration, and versatile attachments makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a premium cleaning experience. See full review
- Uses fifth-generation hyperdymium motor
- New HEPA filter media
- LCD screen shows real-time data
- On/off button replaces trigger
- Impressive 70-minute battery life
- Includes motorized and combo tools
- Built-in brush and crevice tool
- Fluffy optic head with laser
- Active hair removal system
- Heavier on the wrist in handheld mode
Tailored for homes with pets, the V11 features a Motorbar cleaner head that deep cleans carpets and hard floors while automatically detangling long and pet hair from the brush bar. Its advanced filtration system captures fine dust and expels cleaner air, enhancing overall indoor air quality. With a versatile design that smoothly transitions from floor vacuum to handheld device, an LCD screen for real-time updates, and up to 60 minutes of run time, the Dyson V11 Origin is a powerful and convenient cleaning solution for any home. See full review
- Versatile, cordless design
- LCD maintenance alerts
- Motorbar detangles hair
- Hygienic bin emptying
- Long 60-minute run time
- Superior suction power
- High-quality HEPA filtration
- Long battery runtime.
- Efficient hair removal
- Versatile attachment set
- Effective on carpets and hard floors
- Heavier handle
- No auto suction adjustment
- Dust bin requires wand removal
With up to 60 minutes of run time, it's ideal for larger homes with pets, ensuring deep cleaning without interruption. The advanced filtration system traps 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, promoting a healthier environment by capturing dust, allergens, and bacteria. The inclusion of four Dyson-engineered tools—like the mini-motorized tool for pet hair removal—adds versatility for cleaning upholstery, tight spaces, cars, and stairs. Converting it into a handheld device enhances its convenience, making the Dyson V11 Animal indispensable for a spotless home.See full review
- Powerful suction
- Intelligent features
- Automatic adjustment
- Long runtime
- Advanced filtration
- Versatile tools
- Handheld conversion
- Pet-friendly design
How We Test Dyson Cordless Vacuums
We have purchased and evaluated nearly every Dyson vacuum released since Vacuum Wars began and have found that Dyson’s consistent innovation is pretty enjoyable to review. Here’s what we focus on when evaluating their cordless vacuums.
Whole Machine Filtration
Some things apply to every Dyson cordless model. For example, every Dyson in this best Dyson cordless guide has fully sealed or whole machine filtration. This ensures that the microscopic dust and particles that the vacuum sucks up don’t leak back out of the vacuum.
It’s not something that you find on cheap cordless vacuums, and Dyson is one of the best in the business at it. That being said, the new Gen5 models have an upgraded HEPA filter which far exceeds the normal HEPA rating in America, offering even better filtration.
Automatic Suction Adjustment
One feature that Dyson helped to pioneer is the auto suction adjustment feature. When set to its auto mode, the vacuum will automatically adjust the power level, giving you more power when you need it but also less power when you don’t, saving battery life and improving performance.
The V12 Detect, V15 Detect, and both Gen5 models have this feature. They adjust the suction based on how dirty the floor is, which they can determine thanks to their built-in particle counter—hence the “detect” in the name.
In terms of the basic job of picking up debris off the surfaces of hard floors and carpets, Dyson’s cordless vacuums are about as good as it gets, no matter which model you choose.
LCD Display
Another significant feature on Dysons is the LCD display, available on the V11 through Gen5 models. This shows which power setting the vacuum is on but, more importantly, how much battery life remains in real-time.
This can change depending on which attachments you’re using or which power level you’re on. We found this to be both very accurate and very useful.
The models with a particle sensor also display real-time information about the amount and size of the particles you’re picking up, which is cool but less useful.
On the Dyson V8 and V10, which lack a display, the vacuum simply shuts off when the battery is emptied.
See Also:
Cleaner Heads
One of the more important differences is regarding their cleaner heads. All the Dyson cordless vacuums we’re including come with some type of combo head, meaning it can be used for hard floors or carpets.
However, some Dysons also come with a soft roller head, known as a Fluffy Head, which is primarily for hard floors but excels in this capacity.
The Detect models have a green laser on their soft roller which illuminates debris that you might otherwise miss. While this feature existed on the V12 and V15 Detect, it became much brighter for the Gen5 series, and we genuinely noticed the difference.
The combo heads have undergone changes as well. They are now all termed “Motorbars.” There are at least three types: the regular Motorbar cleaner head, the Digital Motorbar cleaner head, and wider versions for the Outsize models called the Digital Motorbar XL.
A significant change is that all Motorbars now have Dyson’s anti-hair wrap removal system, which uses plastic comb-like structures to remove hair as you vacuum. In our tests we’ve found this to work extremely well. The combs help both pet hair and human hair make its way into the dust bin as opposed to being wrapped around the brushroll.
The V8 through V11 all utilize the new Motorbar cleaner head, while the V12 through the Gen5 series employ the upgraded Digital Motorbar. The primary difference between them is the three-level adjustment gate on the front of the Digital Motorbars, making them superior for vacuuming larger debris.
Attachments
Dyson provides a variety of unique tools and attachments, which vary depending on the package. We’ve listed several tools below.
- Combination Tool (standalone or in-handle)
- Crevice Tool (substituted in-handle on Gen5 models)
- Hair Screw Tool
- Motorized Screw Tool
- Wand Clip (V12, V15)
Always verify which tools and attachments come with the specific Dyson cordless package you’re considering as not every vacuum has every tool.
Some of our favorite Dyson attachments include the new Motorized Screw Tool, a powered brush that is excellent for upholstery or furniture. Almost every Dyson cordless vacuum now comes with this tool, offering exceptional anti-tangle technology. We’ve tested it all sorts of ways with hair, and it does very well with human and pet hair, short and long.
Most also come with a Combo Brush Tool, which we’ve often noted as one of our favorite brush designs on a vacuum. It has large bristles that make it perfect for dusting.
The Dyson V8, V10, V11, Outsize, V12, V15 and Gen5 models all come with a Crevice Tool and a wall mount.
Built in Dusting Tool
Some V15 Detect models and all Gen5 (Gen5 Detect and Gen5 Outsize) have something new: a brush tool hidden inside the wand. This is a nice feature as these models essentially always have a dusting tool handy without having to carry one around separately.
One accessory that would make even the best Dyson cordless even better would be a flexible extension hose. Dyson sells one that works with the Dyson Gen5detect, Gen5outsize, V15, V12, V11, V10, V8 and even the V7. There are third-party options, too. We think it adds a lot of convenience when using any of these cordless models as a handheld.
Performance, Suction Power
Suction power spans from the V8’s 115 airwatts up to 262 airwatts for the Gen5 Detect model. Higher suction power is a good thing, but it isn’t always the best indicator of real-world cleaning performance.
Still, every Dyson cordless vacuum listed here has above-average power. In terms of airflow, Dyson holds many top positions out of over 90 cordless vacuums we’ve tested.
This impressive power probably stems from Dyson’s in-house Hyperdymium motor. This power advantage also makes them better than average in our other cleaning performance tests, such as the Crevice Test or our Carpet Deep Clean Test.
Cleaning Tests
Our Carpet Deep Clean Test is designed to see how good vacuums are at picking up deeply embedded dirt in carpets. Our test results showed the Gen5 Detect, V15 Detect, Outsize, and V11 as receiving a perfect score (100 out of 100).
The Gen5 Outsize, V12 Detect Slim and V8 models were close behind, all scoring 96 out of 100. For comparison, the average score of all cordless stick vacuums we’ve tested is a 92.75.
In terms of the basic job of picking up debris off the surfaces of hard floors and carpets, Dyson’s cordless vacuums are about as good as it gets, no matter which model you choose.
Earlier we’ve talked about Dyson’s soft roller performance, but we wanted to note that their 2-in-1 Motorbar combo heads are also quite good for hard floors. The only real difference to be aware of is that the V8, V10, V11 and V12, the models which don’t have the Digital Motorbars with the adjustable front gates, are not as good with larger debris. The difference is minimal, however.
Dyson Cordless Specs: Suction & Run Time
| Suction | Battery Life | |
|---|---|---|
| Gen5outsize | 250 AW | 70 min x2 |
| Gen5detect | 262 AW | 70 min |
| V15 Detect | 230 AW | 60 min |
| V12 Detect | 150 AW | 60 min |
| Outsize | 220 AW | 60 min x2 |
| V11 | 185 AW | 60 min |
| V10 | 150 AW | 60 min |
| V8 | 115 AW | 40 min |
Handle Weight
When discussing weight and ease of use, handle weights vary from the V12’s 3.2 pounds to the Gen5 Outsize’s 5.7 pounds. That is a pretty significant difference. Every pound counts with cordless vacuums, as you need to support them with your forearm while cleaning.
Dyson Cordless Specs: Handle Weight & Bin Capacity
| Handle Weight | Bin Capacity | |
|---|---|---|
| Gen5outsize | 5.7 lbs. | 1900mL |
| Gen5detect | 4.9 lbs. | 750mL |
| V15 Detect | 4.5 lbs. | 880mL |
| V12 Detect | 3.2 lbs. | 440mL |
| Outsize | 5.3 lbs. | 2200mL |
| V11 | 4.3 lbs. | 880mL |
| V10 | 3.6 lbs. | 760mL |
| V8 | 3.3 lbs. | 540mL |
Bin Capacity
Bin capacities vary across models, and the mechanism to empty them has remained consistent after the V8, utilizing a “trombone-like” mechanism. An additional ease-of-use factor is the presence of either a trigger or an on/off button, depending on the model.
Models with the trigger only run when the trigger is held down. The Dyson V8, V10, V11, Outsize and V15 Detect are trigger-equipped.
The V12 Detect and both Gen5 models (Outsize and Detect) have an on/off button. It works as you’d expect: you press the button once to turn on the vacuum motor and again to stop it.
Official Battery Life – Low Power
Dyson makes some of the most efficient batteries in the industry in our opinion.
Battery life, ranging from 40 to 70 minutes on a single charge (on the lowest power setting), is well above industry average. The Outsize and Gen5 Outsize both come with a second battery, doubling their cleaning time.
The V12, V15, Gen5detect and Gen5outsize models have particularly efficient battery management thanks to their particle detection-based auto-suction adjustment feature.
For those familiar with older Dyson models, the V11 and Outsize used to have automatic suction adjustment, but this appears to no longer be the case.
Removable Battery
For those wanting more runtime, the V11, Outsize, V12, V15, and Gen5 series all have clickable or removable batteries, allowing the option of purchasing additional batteries if desired.
That leaves just two current Dyson cordless models, the V8 and V10 with permanently attached batteries. If the battery in one of these models fails, a replacement battery can be purchased and replaced with tools found in any home.
Dyson Cordless FAQs
What about Dyson Animal, Absolute, Origin and Plus?
Dyson Animal, Absolute, Origin and Plus models are packages which come with different accessories.
Do Dyson accessories work across cordless vacuum models?
Some do, and some don’t. For example, the Dyson V12’s attachments do not work with other Dyson models. But, attachments are interchangeable between the Dyson V7, V8,V10 and V11.
Do Dyson cordless vacuums have HEPA filters?
While all Dyson cordless models have some a whole-machine filtration seal of some sort, only select models include HEPA level filtration.
What is the most powerful Dyson cordless vacuum?
Currently the most powerful Dyson cordless vacuum is the Gen5detect. The Gen5detect delivers 262 AW (airwatts) of suction power, 12 airwatts more than the Gen5outsize and 22 airwatts more than the V15 Detect.
