Dyson vacuums are known for their powerful suction, sleek designs and innovative attachments—all of which help simplify upkeep around the house. After rigorously testing seven of the most popular models, our editors have collectively ranked the as the best Dyson vacuum overall, thanks to its powerful suction, laser dust detection and intuitive features. Below, find the pros and cons of the most popular Dyson models to narrow down the best option for your home.
Why We Named It Best Overall
The Dyson V15 Detect is a superb cordless vacuum that excels at tackling everyday messes, big and small. Tester Sholeen Damarwala has owned this vacuum for over two years, and she notes that it still functions just as well as the day she bought it. “It has incredible suction on both short-pile rugs and hardwood floors and is easy to clean and maintain,” she says.
When working in its element—like on hardwood, tile and low-pile rugs—it picks up dust and debris flawlessly. It’s also a joy to use. “Since bringing the Dyson V15 Detect into my home, my husband and I have become mildly addicted to it,” says home and kitchen editor Monica Petrucci. “I owe that mostly to the FluffyOptic cleaning head, which uses a green light to illuminate invisible pet hair, dust and small debris. It’s very satisfying.”
The V15 delivers impressive suction power in all cleaning modes: Eco, Auto and Boost. While Eco mode is ideal for everyday cleaning, Auto mode adjusts power and suction based on floor type—whether carpet, hardwood or tile—and Boost mode delivers maximum power for stubborn dirt. (Keep in mind that Boost mode does drain battery life fairly quickly.)
Lastly, the point-and-shoot bin emptying mechanism makes trash disposal mess-free and easy. And despite its compact 0.2-gallon capacity, it holds a surprising amount of dust and debris—we didn’t find ourselves emptying it very often during testing.
Several Useful Attachments And Features
In addition to the FluffyOptic cleaner head, this model comes with four other attachments: a Digital Motorbar to go from hard floors to carpets, a hair screw tool for upholstery, a combination tool for dusting surfaces and a crevice tool for reaching tight areas. Without feeling overwhelming, the array of attachments all seem to have their place; Petrucci says she finds herself using all of them on a semi-regular basis.
The vacuum also features a HEPA filtration system, capturing 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. If you’re curious to see how much dirt you’ve captured, the sleek LCD screen provides real-time updates on particle size and quantity in addition to battery life and maintenance alerts.
Better Suited To Hardwood And Low-Pile Rugs
One downside we noticed is that this vacuum isn’t well suited to high-pile rugs. During testing, we found that the thick fabric typically gets stuck in the vacuum head and, even on the lowest setting, is unable to move through to pick up dirt and debris.
Also keep in mind that the FluffyOptic attachment (and corresponding green laser light) doesn’t work on low-pile rugs, either—you’ll have to switch to the Digital Motorbar for all rugs and carpeted surfaces.
Why We Named It Best Value
While it lacks features like the LCD screen, FluffyOptic accessory and Detect technology of the V15 (meaning it doesn’t adjust power and battery usage based on particle size), the Dyson V8 is a reliable and easy-to-use vacuum for everyday cleaning. And it comes at a much lower price.
The V8 effectively tackles smaller debris like dust, dirt and pet hair without leaving a trace. It also offers two cleaning modes: Standard for everyday messes and Max for deeper cleaning in crevices and cracks (though Max mode only lasts seven minutes). While it comes with fewer attachments than Dyson’s higher end models, the included tools are efficient and practical for daily use.
Lightweight And Ideal For Short Clean-Ups
This vacuum weighs in at just over five and a half pounds, making it fairly ergonomic to use. “The first thing I noticed was how lightweight and compact the vacuum is,” says senior deals editor Elsie Boskamp, adding that it’s very comfortable to hold.
She notes that the canister is noticeably small and fills up quickly, though, which means it may not be suited for full-home deep-cleans—especially given the short battery life. “I found it most useful for cleaning up after dinner time and doing nightly resets,” she says.
Power And Performance Is Limited
In addition to a lower battery life, this vacuum also offers a lower suction power when compared to other models—it clocks in at under half the air watts of the V15. That means that it doesn’t deliver the same flawless clean-up. “As a general note, this vacuum does tend to leave behind larger debris, like dog food, leaves [and] bigger crumbs,” says Boskamp.
Why We Named It Best Upright
The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra prioritizes suction power and dust capacity over a lightweight, maneuverable design, making it a great pick for deep-cleaning carpets and keeping up with shedding pets.
It features multiple filtration systems, including a washable post-motor filter that traps 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, making it a great option for allergy sufferers. The bin holds nearly 0.45 gallons of debris, offering a larger capacity compared to smaller cordless models.
Effortlessly Moves From Hardwood To Carpet
With automatic adjusting suction, the Ball Animal 3 easily transitions from hardwood floors to carpets, excelling on both high-pile and low-pile carpets by pulling up deeply embedded dirt and debris in a single pass.
“The Animal Ball 3 can really give rugs and carpets a deep clean—especially for those with pet hair,” says senior updates editor and heavy-shedding dog owner Karen Tietjen. “The suction is extremely strong and the main head, as well as the tangle-free turbine tool, include spinning brush heads that almost ‘scrub’ soft surfaces.”
Plus, the vacuum’s nifty ball joint design allows for seamless navigation around obstacles, making it easy to clean corners, crevices and under large furniture like couches and tables. This is especially helpful due to the weight of this machine, which Tietjen notes is heavy—the ball design helps assist in movement.
Several Helpful Accessories—Especially For Pet Owners
The Ball Animal 3 Extra comes with several handy accessories. Tietjen’s favorite is the tangle-free turbine tool, which features two rotating brush heads to pick up embedded pet hair and other debris from soft surfaces like sofas. The stair tool is also helpful for keeping up with small steps without struggling to hold the full bulky vacuum, and the combination tool is ideal for sneaking into tight areas.
This model also comes with a pet groom tool—designed to come into direct contact with medium- and long-haired pets for grooming. But Tietjen says this may be difficult to use on any dogs or cats who are afraid—or apprehensive, at best—of loud vacuums getting near them.
Why We Named It Best Upgrade
Although this vacuum comes with the highest price on this list, it also comes with several upgrades to make light work of regular vacuuming. It features Dyson’s fastest motor yet, spinning at 135,000 RPM with 300AW of suction power—the highest of all the models we tested—which translated into virtually flawless vacuuming during testing.
“It delivers exactly what you’d expect from a premium Dyson,” says deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, who tested it in her home over several weeks. “It handled everyday tasks well. It's a great model.”
One of her favorite features is the built-in dusting and crevice tool, which makes for seamlessly switching from cleaning floors to dusty surfaces without having to fidget with multiple attachments. Plus, it works well on both low-pile carpet and hardwood, and it comes with the FluffyOptic attachment that illuminates invisible dust.
Increased Battery Life And Comfortable Grip For Longer Cleaning
With up to 70 minutes of runtime—10 minutes more than the V15 Detect—you can clean larger spaces in a single session. Lowin notes that she’s typically able to clean her entire 2,000-square-foot first floor with battery to spare. The built-in sensors automatically optimize suction and runtime based on floor type, while an adjustable bleeder lets you modify suction manually.
Another upgraded feature of this model is the single-button power control, which means there’s no need to press down on a trigger for the entire time you’re cleaning—a major upgrade when it comes to comfort.
Heavier Than Other Cordless Models
Keep in mind, though, that this is a relatively heavy vacuum for a cordless model. “The first thing I noticed was how heavy it feels,” says Lowin. “Grip is comfortable and it doesn’t strain the wrist, but it is heavier and more substantial than the other Dyson [model] I have owned for a few years.”
This is definitely something to consider, especially if you plan to use this model frequently for whole-home cleaning.
Why We Named It Best For Pet Owners
If you need a vacuum built for tackling pet hair—but prefer a cordless option over an upright like the —the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal is a great pick. It delivers powerful suction, even on the lowest of its three settings, and is excellent at removing fur and dander from both low- and high-pile rugs.
This is thanks to its main brush head, which features 3D vanes to prevent hair from wrapping around the roller, along with comb-like teeth that help pull hair into the canister. Another plus: This model is lighter than some other Dyson vacuums, making it easy to push and carry to clean your pet’s favorite spots. Its swivel design also makes maneuvering around corners and crevices a breeze.
Better Suited To Carpet Than Hardwood
Because the Cyclone V10 Animal only includes the hair-detangling head, not the soft brush roller, it’s not ideal for hardwood or other hard floors. “I’d consider it a great pick for someone who has shedding pets and lots of carpet, rugs and upholstery throughout the home,” says our tester. “On smaller surfaces, like an upholstered chair or couch, the vacuum’s hair screw tool (a nozzle you have to attach to the end of the canister) powerfully sucks in fur clumps, and faster than the other Dyson vacuums I tried.”
Why We Named It Best Lightweight
At just 4 pounds, the new Dyson Pencilvac is the lightest option on this list, solving the all-too-common problem of hand fatigue that comes with these vacuums. “Right away, the ergonomic design stands out,” says director of off-platform content and strategy Spencer Dukoff. “The handle is comfortable and well-balanced, making it easy to maneuver one-handed without fatigue.”
Despite its slim design, the Pencilvac has several helpful features to get the most out of its function, including a cleaner head with four conical brush bars to tuck into corners, and LED illumination in two directions so debris never get left behind.
Not Designed For Deep Cleaning
Of course, a lightweight design comes with the trade-off of less power, bin volume and battery life. “It's not going to be a vacuum you'll want to use for bigger messes,” Dukoff says. During testing, he says he noticed minimal scattering when trying to pick up debris like coffee grounds and cereal, and sometimes several passes were needed. He also notes that it doesn’t seem to provide a deep clean for carpets and rugs.
“However, I really like being able to grab this while I'm tidying up the kitchen or cleaning the bathroom, and it works really well for getting under bookshelves and my dining room table.”
Other Dyson Vacuums We Tested
- (8.5/10): This mid-range vacuum is another solid choice from Dyson. In terms of features, functionality and price, it sits between the Dyson V8 and the Dyson V15 Detect. Assistant deals editor Jordan Thomas says it’s very powerful and has the ability to “tackle some of the most frustrating hair traps in my home with ease.” However, it falls short when picking up larger debris, and it doesn’t come with the FluffyOptic attachment that helps track down invisible dust and hair with the built-in laser. The attachments that are included, though, help it tackle corners, carpets and upholstery, making this model a solid mid-range pick.
How We Tested The Best Dyson Vacuums
To find the best Dyson vacuums of 2025, we researched and compared vacuum styles, runime, bin sizes, included accessories and overall weight while evaluating Dyson's top-rated models.
Research
- Selection: We focused on Dyson’s latest and most popular releases, which feature the brand’s most advanced technology and are designed for user-friendly operation. We also prioritized models with the most positive feedback from owners.
- Variety: We made sure to feature both cordless and upright Dyson vacuums, as well as models with a range of prices and features.
Testing Procedure
- User experience: We recruited several Forbes Vetted staffers to bring these Dyson vacuums into their homes. We all used them for at least a month-long period for regular upkeep around the house, taking note of the unboxing and set-up process, as well as any issues that came up. In some cases, staff members have owned these vacuums for years and could speak to longevity.
- Cleaning performance: We developed and performed several cleaning tests for each Dyson vacuum to evaluate how well they can tackle different kinds of debris, from small coffee grounds to larger pieces of cereal as well as dust and pet hair.
- Battery life: We compared the brand’s battery life estimate to real life performance, taking note of any major discrepancies.
- Ergonomics: Given that most of these vacuums are cordless, we considered their weight and how comfortable they were to hold for long periods of time, taking into account features like trigger buttons.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has years of experience reviewing cleaning products for the home and kitchen space, extensively testing, researching and publishing dozens of vacuum roundups.
- At Vetted, we’ve tested dozens of vacuums in virtually every category—from cordless stick vacuums to robot vacuums—totaling well over 100 models from all the major brands. Each Dyson vacuum on this list was rigorously tested by our editors.
- This story was written by Forbes Vetted home and kitchen editors Sholeen Damarwala and Monica Petrucci. Collectively, they have personally used several of the vacuums on this list in their own homes.
- We regularly review this story for accuracy and timeliness; it was last updated in March 2026.
Our Experts
- , home organization expert and long-time Dyson vacuum user