Buying guide for best Dyson vacuums
When you think of a quality vacuum cleaner, several choice brand names jump readily to mind. One of those names is Dyson – a revolutionary leader that manufactures vacuums with powerful, groundbreaking technology aimed at making your housecleaning chores easier to accomplish. Many people would agree that there is no one “best buy” in the Dyson family because all of the company’s products are best buys. But with all the different Dyson models available, which is best suited for your needs?
Upright models are great for a quick cleanup of larger areas, while canister models offer more flexibility. A stick design is a lighter-duty solution for individuals living in an apartment or dormitory, but a handheld vacuum is the ultimate quick fix for unexpected spills and accessing to those hard-to-reach places. Indeed, it helps to read a comprehensive buying guide of all the specs offered by Dyson vacuum cleaners before making a purchase.
Types of Dyson vacuums
First, let's examine the specs of the four primary varieties of Dyson vacuum on the market: upright, canister, cordless, and handheld vacuums.
Dyson upright vacuums
Dyson upright vacuums are one-piece units with the suction head at the bottom and a handle at the top to push it around. On the plus side, these machines tend to have larger capacities, which makes cleaning up large areas a faster task. They are also usually the best choice for lifting pet hair from carpeting. On the downside, Dyson upright vacuums are heavier than other types. Thus, they are not always the best choice for cleaning stairs and accessing corners without a hose.
Price: These models cost roughly $300 to $500.
Dyson canister vacuums
Canister Dysons have the motor, filters, a dust bin (where the dirt is collected) located in the main body of the appliance, and a cleaning head on the end of a flexible hose. These machines are generally lighter and easier to maneuver than upright models. What’s more, they are fairly quiet and very good at removing dirt from nooks and crannies. On the downside, it can take longer to vacuum large spaces using a canister vac, and it can be more awkward to store the appliance due to its trailing hose.
Price: These models cost roughly $350 to $550.
Dyson cordless vacuums
Cordless Dysons are exactly what they sound like: They have no cord, instead running on a rechargeable battery, so you merely must grab the machine and go. This takes some of the hassle out of vacuuming, making it easier to vacuum automobiles and outbuildings. The light weight and maneuverability of a Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner is one of its biggest advantages. For example, one of our favorite models from the company, the Dyson V11 Torque Drive, is a cordless stick vacuum that is nimble, lightweight, and easy to wield. On the downside, cordless vacuum cleaners have limited battery life, and their suction power may not be as strong as corded vacuums.
Price: These models cost roughly $200 to $500.
Dyson handheld vacuums
Handheld Dyson vacuums are small "dustbuster" type units designed for small cleaning tasks. They are extremely portable and suitable for spot cleaning and vacuuming upholstery. On the downside, these machines have a small-capacity dust bin and are not suitable for long cleaning sessions or as a home’s only vacuum.
Price: These models cost roughly $150 to $250.
We consider a variety of Dyson vacuums in our research process, including handheld models that are ideal for spot cleaning and upholstery.
When comparing Dyson vacuums, we consider the purposes and floor types for which each model is best suited.
Some Dyson vacuums include unique features, such as self-adjusting cleaning heads and cinetic cleaning power. We take note of and research these features.
Many users opt for Dyson’s cordless models, which are lightweight and make vacuuming a breeze. For these models, we compare factors such as battery life and suction power to determine the top options.
Dyson vacuums come at varying prices depending on power, size, and type of vacuum. When researching different models, we look for a balance of value and performance.
In our research, we take note of any unique benefits a model has to offer, such as the ability to remove allergens and lift away pet fur.
Weight varies significantly depending on vacuum type. Some models are incredibly lightweight, whereas others are fairly hefty. We note the weight of each Dyson vacuum we assess.
While Dyson vacuums are known to be highly effective and powerful, they can also be noisy. We consider the amount of noise each produces while running.
Dyson upright models often have large capacities, making them great for cleaning large spaces. We compare a variety of these models, assessing their pros and cons.
Many people consider a Dyson vacuum to be a luxury due to its higher price and effective suction. In our research and consumer buying guides, we explore the unique features that make Dyson vacuums stand out from other vacuums.
Features unique to Dyson vacuums
We know Dyson offers exceptional cleaning performance, but what features in particular make Dyson vacuums unique and worth spending those extra dollars? The following Dyson features are patented and can't be found on any other vacuum cleaners.
Dyson Cyclone technology
You might notice a couple of rows of cones at the top of the dust bin of a Dyson vacuum. Air spirals — or "cyclones" — spin inside these cones, using centrifugal force to fling the dirt into the dust bin via a process known as cyclonic separation. While Dyson didn't invent this process, it was the first company to harness its power for use in its vacuum cleaners. Some vacuums from other companies now work in a similar way, but Dyson's Cyclone technology is patented and is often considered superior.
Ball design
You may have noticed that upright Dysons look unusual, as they have one big ball on which the cleaner head pivots rather than the small wheels that other upright vacuums have. This is known as "The Ball" and is designed to make Dyson's upright vacuums easier to maneuver. Dyson offers a line of Ball vacs, including the familiar Dyson Ball Animal 2 and 3, the Dyson Ball MultiFloor 2, the family of Dyson Ball Animal vacs, and the Dyson Ball Total Clean.
For many users, the convenience of a cordless Dyson vacuum outweighs the slight reduction in cleaning power. Plus, it's worth noting that the newest cordless Dysons could give most other corded vacuums a run for their money.
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Tangle-free turbines
Tangle-free turbines are found on all Dyson vacuums in the "Animal" series. This special tool is designed to lift pet hair from deep within a carpet without getting all tangled up, which is what generally happens with typical rotating brush bars.
Cinetic vacuums
Not all Dysons use cinetic cleaning power, but those that do have soft rubber tips on the ends of the cyclone cones. These tips oscillate while the vacuum is in use, filtering out even the tiniest dust particles and eliminating the need for an additional fine-dust filter. This means you never have to change or clean another filter.
Did you know?
The Ball on an upright Dyson houses the motor, which reduces noise and lowers the center of gravity, making the whole unit more stable.
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Features to look for in the best Dyson vacuum cleaners
Capacity
The dust bins of these machines tend to be relatively small, possibly to cut down on size and weight. The average capacity ranges from about 0.5 to 2 liters, with upright Dyson models usually having the largest capacity and handheld Dyson models having the smallest capacity.
Weight
Compared to other vacuum cleaners of similar sizes, Dysons are often fairly heavy. In fact, it's the only drawback that many owners mention about these appliances.
Noise
If noise is a consideration for you, be aware that Dyson vacuums can be quite loud. Essentially, it's the sign of a powerful motor (which equals good suction power), but that's not much of a consolation when you scare your cat or wake up your sleeping baby.
Cordless models are the quietest, followed by canister models, then uprights.
Cleaning heads
Many Dysons have self-adjusting cleaning heads that automatically adjust their brush height for different flooring types. This is an excellent feature if you have different flooring in different parts of the house, as you don't have to manually adjust the head when you move from room to room.
Did you know?
Some canister vacuums are inferior to upright models at sucking up animal hair, but Dyson makes a range of canister models that are specifically designed with pet owners in mind.
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Tips
- If you like to receive data as you clean, look for a Dyson model with an LCD screen. Depending on the model, you can get information from the LCD screen display about statistics like the machine’s battery life, run time, maintenance schedule, and blockages.
- If you’re looking for a Dyson robot vacuum, consider the Dyson 360 Eye. The company prides itself on the powerful suction offered by its robot vacuums, and the 360 Eye uses technology to “see” where it’s going for the ultimate effortless clean.
- Depending on the vacuum, you may select from different power modes when using your Dyson. For example, auto mode automatically adjusts the amount of power exuded by the vacuum based on flooring type. Eco mode preserves battery power for longer cleaning sessions. Boost mode is designed to spot clean particularly dirty areas.
FAQ
Q. Why should I buy a Dyson instead of another brand of vacuum cleaner?
A. While we're not suggesting Dysons are the only good vacuums on the market, they're popular for a reason. They have excellent suction power and a range of unique features, and they are durable, easy to use, and offer a good warranty. If you have the budget for one, a Dyson vacuum cleaner is definitely worth the money.
Another top contender in the vacuum world is Miele. In fact, Dyson and Miele products are often compared and contrasted side-by-side. If you’d like to learn more about Miele’s products, check out our Miele vacuum buying guide. We’re also fans of economically friendly vacuum cleaners from makers like Shark. In fact, Shark offers a range of versatile machines just like Dyson does, from the Shark Upright to the Shark Handheld.
Q. What's the difference between a Dyson "Animal" and a Dyson "Multi Floor?"
A. Most models of Dyson vacuum come in two versions: the Animal and the MultiFloor. The Animal series is designed to pick up pet hair and the extra dirt that comes with pets, and these vacuums have a tangle-free turbine attachment. A Dyson MultiFloor model is essentially the same as the Animal but without the extra attachments. So, if you have pets, go for the Animal, and if you don't, the Multi Floor will suffice.
Q. Can I use a Dyson to clean hard floors?
A. Some Dysons are particularly engineered to clean hard floors, especially those with soft roller heads. If you're interested in a stick vacuum with a soft roller head for this purpose, be sure to check out the Dyson Omni-Glide, which is designed for hard floors in particular.
A model like the Dyson Ball Multi Floor is adept at cleaning both hardwood flooring and carpeting. That said, not all Dysons should be used on hardwood. If in doubt, check the product specifications before you use your Dyson on your hardwood floor.
Q. Are Dyson vacuums suitable for allergy sufferers?
A. Due to their impressive suction power, these machines remove more allergens from your home than many competitors. Plus, they offer excellent filtration so that these allergens don't simply get blown back into the room with the air output.
