In a hurry?Best Budget Choice:Light Ball Multi Floor | Best Overall Choice: V11 Absolute Cordless
Dyson has long been the king of the vacuum cleaners.
While there are other brands that are taking a larger share of the vacuum market, such as Shark, you can’t quite beat the quality and prestige of a Dyson.
With the release of the V10 Cyclone, Dyson announced that it would no longer manufacture corded vacuum cleaners, instead focusing on cordless vacuums.
With the improved suction in the later models, along with ever-improving battery life, the two sticking points that kept the masses from adopting cordless cleaning technology are slowly being removed.
Of course, the last sticking point for many people is the price. Dyson vacuums are not cheap, but then again they have been referred to as the Ferrari of vacuum cleaners. If you want the best performance, latest features and a machine that will stand the test of time, you have to be prepared to pay the price.
In this guide, I will be taking a closer look at four of the best Dyson vacuums on the market today. There are two cordless models, and two corded models. While the corded models are still available now, they are no longer being produced so once the stock has run out, I will update this page.
Contents
- 1 Best Dyson Vacuum Cleaner Reviews and Recommendations For 2020
- 2 Why Is A Dyson Vacuum Cleaner So Good?
- 3 Final Thoughts
Best Dyson Vacuum Cleaner Reviews and Recommendations For 2020
Dyson V11 Absolute – Best Overall
Dyson Recently announced that they would no longer produce corded vacuum cleaners. Instead, they are focusing on cordless models, and with the arrival of the V11 Absolute, that looks to be a sensible decision.
This is a cordless vacuum that will have no issues as your main vacuum cleaner, and the suction power, improved battery life, and intelligent cleaning sensors mean that it gives most corded vacuums a run for their money.
DESIGN
The V11 Absolute has the same design as previous generations, with two colour variations available. The traditional nickel/blue colour has been used once again, along with a new gold colour.
The V11 has the same inline design as the V10 Cyclone, which means the motor, cyclones and dust bin are all perfectly aligned. This allows air to flow through the vacuum in a straight line, increasing the suction power.
The main design change in the V11 is the addition of an LCD screen. We will explore this exciting new feature further down.
POWER MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEM MONITOR
One of the best pieces of new technology in the V11 Absolute is the Torque Drive cleaner head, which has a power management system built in. This basically takes the guesswork out of cleaning and saves battery life at the same time.
In previous Dyson cordless models, there are different suction modes, usually low, medium or high. These have been renamed to eco, medium and boost, and they work just fine should you wish to use them.
Read a full review of the Dyson V11 Absolute here
The magic happens when you fit the Torque Drive head onto the vacuum, and the medium mode becomes auto. In auto mode, the Dynamic Load Sensors (DLS) in the brush bar monitor resistance up to 360 times per second.
If the DLS senses that the vacuum is on a carpet, it will increase suction to give a better clean. If it senses that the vacuum is on a wooden floor, it will decrease suction, protecting your hard floor and saving precious battery life.
The mode that you have selected is displayed on the new LCD screen that sits atop of the Dyson V11. This screen also features a system monitor, which actively monitors the performance of the vacuum 8,000 times per second.
It will alert you to any problems, such as a blockage or a filter that needs to be changed, and will even show you a short video so you know how to fix the problem.
The LCD screen also shows you a running countdown of how much battery is left, and changes depending on the mode selected.
RUN-TIME AND FILTRATION
The V11 Absolute battery needs 4.5 hours to fully recharge and will last 60 minutes when in eco mode. In medium or auto mode this drops to around 40 minutes, and boost mode gives you 12 minutes of cleaning time.
This is a 50% increase over the V10, and because the suction power has been improved you really shouldn’t need to use boost mode all that often.
The Dyson V11 Absolute features whole machine filtration, which has a HEPA filter at the heart of it. This is essential if you or anyone in your home suffers from allergies, as it means the dust and allergens stay in the vacuum, rather than being dispelled back into the air.
The HEPA filter can be washed and is designed to last the whole life of the vacuum, saving you money in the long term.
While the Dyson V11 Absolute is on the expensive side of the pricing spectrum, the range of new features and increased suction, as well as improved battery performance, all add up to make this a cordless vacuum that you can’t afford to live without.
Pros
- Up to 60 minutes of fade-free suction power
- 40% bigger dust bin than previous Dyson cordless models
- Intergrated LCD screen – battery, filter and blockage alerts
Cons
- Very expensive
- Trigger operation may not be suitable for some
Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Cordless
I am not going to lie. When I was told that I was getting the chance to check out some of the top Dysons, I was really hoping that the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute would be one of them. As of right now, this is the most powerful and most recent of all their vacuum cleaners.
If Dyson says that it is high tech, you can bet that they have shoved it inside here. This is like the Ferrari of hoovers. I know that the price tag seems a little high, but this is the best of the best!
DESIGNED FOR CLEANING ALL SURFACE TYPES
The Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute really got put through its paces at my house. I tested it on carpets, hardwood floor, really thick carpet, the kid’s bedrooms and where the dogs sleep.
I do not think there was a surface, wall or objects I did not try it on and that is exactly what Dyson want you to do with it. This vacuum is designed to clean the whole house from top to bottom.
The brush that this vacuum uses is driven by the most powerful Dyson motor yet. No other vacuum on the market offers the suction power that this one here does. Dyson is proudly stating that this sucks up 25 percent more dust than their previous model, the V8, which is crazy when you consider how good that was.
As I have said I have kids and dogs, so my house has a good mix of things like chocolate, biscuits, dog hair, mud from the garden and all other kinds of stuff. The Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute did not care what was in front of it, it sucked it all up
We have a hardwood floor hallway and people are always dragging in little stones from the path outside. They are a pain to get rid of, but this vacuum cleaned them right up.
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CORDLESS STICK FOR FLEXIBLE CLEANING
What makes this one of the best Dyson vacuums is the fact it has that stick design. Even with the powerful motor, you can lift this up and clean the corners of a room, do the kids beds and get right under the sofa.
It is fully cordless so there is not a single nook or cranny in your house that you cannot work this into. If you are like me and every once and a while like to really blitz the house clean, you can certainly do that with this vacuum.
I think that many people will just use the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute in its standard form and be happy with it, but you can play around with its design. For example, you can turn it into a handheld vacuum.
This is great if you want to give the car a clean or get up on the beds, the sofa or any other place that you need to be closer to.
As well as the handheld vacuum, you can attach a little nozzle that is great for cleaning the corners of the room, both on the floor and the roof. Being able to do this not only lets you clean the house more thoroughly, I think that it drastically reduces the amount of time you spend vacuuming which is always a bonus.
HEPA FILTER AND EASY EMPTY DIRT CANISTER
Once you have filled the canister, which takes longer than you would think, you literally hold it over your bin and empty it all out.
Dyson has made cleaning the V10 as easy as possible and thanks to the HEPA filter capturing 99.97 percent of dust, you do not have to worry about sneezing and coughing as you are using this as the air it is pumping out is actually cleaner than the air you are breathing which is crazy.
Sure the price tag of the Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute is much higher than the other two vacuums below. However, you really do not get a more powerful vacuum cleaner than this one right here.
So if the very best performance is what you are after, maybe you should think about saving for an extra month or two to get this rather than buying a cheaper vacuum cleaner now.
Pros
- Up to 60 minutes of fade-free suction power
- Torque drive cleaner head removes 25% more dust from carpets
- Whole machine filtration captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns
Cons
- Very expensive
- Trigger operation may not be suitable for some
Dyson Light Ball Multi Floor Upright – Best Budget
The Dyson Light Ball Multi Floor upright vacuum is the lowest priced vacuum cleaner on this list. That is right, you can actually buy a brand new cheap Dyson!
I think that the reason they have managed to keep the price so low on this model is that it is not wireless and has a power cord. Do not worry though as this power cord is 9.4 meters long which is one of the longest power cords that I have come across. I know that it looks like it weighs a ton, but this is actually very light.
DYSON BALL MAKES STEERING A BREEZE
The first room I wanted to test with this is the living room. Our living room sees a lot of action as the kids and the dogs seem to think anything goes in here. As this is part of the Dyson Ball family it is designed for rooms that are pretty busy with furniture.
That ball allows you to get round chair legs, coffee tables, plants and even annoying and awkward dogs that will not move. It is a great feature and once you have used it, you will struggle to go back to a regular vacuum.
It is not just the ball that makes the Dyson Ball Multifloor so easy to use. It also comes with some very handy attachments which hang onto this upright vacuum so they are always on hand.
The stair tool is fantastic. I hate vacuuming the stairs, our carpet seems to let dog hair weld to it, but with this attached to the hose, I gave it a quick run over each step and it picked up everything.
LOTS OF ATTACHMENTS FOR ALL SITUATIONS
The reach under tool is like a wand that you can use to get under the sofa and those other hard to reach places. I also used it for vacuuming the curtains. The best tool though is the combination tool.
This thing is awesome. It lets you clean up a specific mess, such as the kids morning cereal or clumps of pet hair. Dyson calls it a debris nozzle and it is made for picking up those more awkward messes.
One other thing I love about these tools is that while they are attached to the body of the vacuum, they are very quick and easy to get off and put back on.
You may be thinking that as this is one of the lower priced vacuums, Dyson might have cut corners when it comes to power. That is not the case at all. Thanks to being corded, they did not have to sacrifice any of that famous “Dyson Power”.
Read More: Dyson Light Ball Multi Vs Henry Hoover Compact
POWERFUL AND EFFICIENT CLEANING
What this vacuum features is Dysons Epicyclic Drive technology. This gives the vacuum a ton of suction power which is made even more efficient thanks to the brush in the head.
It has three cleaning modes that you can play with and this is something you will want to do. I went from our living room which is carpeted to the hallway which is hardwood and changed from the highest to the lowest setting and found that worked best.
It is very easy to empty the bin. Not only that the filtration system that they have used is top of the line, even at this price point. This means that you not only do not have to touch what you have vacuumed up, but you also do not have to breathe it in either.
I think that the Dyson Light Ball Multi Floor well and truly deserves to be on any best Dyson vacuum list. It is affordable and while at first glance it may look like it lacks the bells and whistles of some of their more expensive models, I think that it cleans the floors and the rest of your house incredibly well.
If you want a Dyson, but do not want to spend a ton of money you should take a closer look at this one here.
Pros
- Lightweight design and Ball technology makes it easy to manoeuvre
- Dyson’s root cyclone technology creates excellent suction
- Whole machine HEPA filtration – great for allegies
Cons
- Can be awkward cleaning hard to reach areas such as stairs
- Smaller dust capacity than a bagged vacuum – may need to empty more often
Dyson Big Ball Animal 2 Cylinder
Last, but not least we have the Dyson Big Ball Animal 2. I have tested out one of the other Dyson Big Ball models so I was excited when this showed up. I know that when you see a picture of this you must think it weighs a ton, but this is actually much lighter than you would think.
This is not a cordless vacuum cleaner, but it does have a very long power cord. I was actually able to do the living room and the whole hallway without changing sockets. One thing I do like is that Dyson has put a cable return system on this vacuum. I really like this as it saves me getting it all tangled up.
DYSON BALL TECHNOLOGY FOR EASY STEERING AND STABILITY
Let’s not waste any time and talk about what makes this one of the best Dyson cylinder vacuums and that is the huge ball. To start with this ball makes it very easy to drag around the house while you are vacuuming.
The real draw though is the way that it can pop back up when it falls over. I had an older vacuum that when I would use the hose would fall on me every single time which resulted in a lot of bad language coming out of me!
You do not have that with this. The design is very, very smart and it makes vacuuming a million times easier.
Powering the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is 2 tier radial cyclones. I will not lie and pretend that I know what this means. However, I can tell you that the suction this provides is great.
It sucked up everything that got in its path even really annoying stuff like the kid’s breakfast that seems to find its way onto the carpet more often than not. One of the features that is new to this particular model is the actual head of the vacuum.
SELF-ADJUSTING HEAD FOR DIFFERENT SURFACE TYPES
Dyson has a head on here that self-adjusts to the surface it is on. So it can go from carpet to hardwood floor and you do not have to change any settings at all. It is very easy to use and the level of suction is very impressive. Of course, as this is a Dyson, you do have some tools that you can play with.
There is a Turbo Brush that can be used for extra stubborn spills. For example, my Daughter dragged a load of mud in from the garden so that extra power of the Turbo Brush came in really handy.
The crevice tool is great as you can use it to vacuum the sofa, under the table and other parts that the regular head cannot. Which by the way is not as many you would think as Dyson has put a nice long hose on here.
SMART FILTRATION SYSTEM IDEAL FOR ALLERGY SUFFERERS
The canister is nice and large and when you have filled it up, you hold it over the bin and push it all out. Thanks to this and the smart Dyson filtration system, you never have to worry about any mess or dust getting where it should not.
I actually have pretty bad dust allergies and I never sneezed or anything while using this.
I think the Dyson Big Ball Animal 2 is one of the more underrated Dysons on the market right now. If you are not bothered about having a cordless vacuum, I think that this is actually one of the best that Dyson does. The asking price is great and the way it does not stay down when it falls over makes your life so much easier.
Why Is A Dyson Vacuum Cleaner So Good?
All of these Dyson vacuums could make a claim for being the best one in its own way.
While there are many other great models on the market, there is something extra special about a Dyson and that is why I want to try and show you why they tend to have a bit of a higher price tag.
You Can Clean The Whole House
Each of the vacuums that I have reviewed today has been very different, but they all have one goal in mind and that is top to bottom cleaning.
They come with tools or they are designed so that they can get into those awkward areas most other vacuum cleaners cannot. Sometimes they do this with attachments and sometimes the design itself simply allows you to clean a room from top to bottom.
Next Level Technology
I am not a scientist and I do not actually understand most of the technical mumbo-jumbo when it comes to Dyson. However, I do know that they are the market leader for a reason and that is mainly because of the way that they are constantly reinventing the vacuum cleaner.
Many use the same kind of technology, but no matter if you get one of their more high-end vacuums like the Dyson V11 Absolute or something a little more modest, you can be sure that you are purchasing a vacuum cleaner that has some serious power.
Read More: Dyson V8 vs V10 vs V11: what’s the difference?
No Need To Touch The Dirt
I am a bit of a germophobe and we once had this older vacuum cleaner that must have cost about £20 and I swear that thing spat out more dust and pet hair than was on the floor to begin with! Not only that, emptying the thing would result in me having to get my hands dirty.
Not only do Dyson vacuums have some of the most sophisticated filtration systems around, but they are also designed with the idea that once you have cleaned up the mess you should never have to touch it.
Some have a button that opens the canister and then all the mess falls out. Others have a push system where you push it out. No matter what it is, you will not need to get your hands dirty.
Corded And Cordless
It is my understanding that in the coming years as battery technology improves, Dyson intends to make all of their vacuum cleaners cordless. As of right now they still have a few corded versions on the market.
A cordless vacuum does make your life a lot easier, but the two corded vacuums that I got to test out the Dyson Big Ball Animal 2 and the Dyson Light Ball Multifloor give you a nice long power cord that wraps up very easily.
Cleaning Has Never Been Easier
One of the best things about a Dyson and I am not saying this as a sales pitch but as a parent, partner and pet owner! I am talking about how much easier it is to keep the house clean. That extra power means that it takes far less time to vacuum the floors. You do not have to go over the same spot time and time again.
Plus with the extra tools, you can clean a room from bottom to top in no time at all. Once you get the hang of how to get the best out of your Dyson, like which attachment works best where and so on, you will find that you can take care of a room in no time at all.
Read More: Gtech Vs Dyson, who is the best?
Dysons Are Like Tanks!
Do not mistake this for me saying that a Dyson is heavy. What I am talking about here is that Dysons are the best-made vacuum cleaners on the planet right now. I have tested and loved some other brands, but Dyson is a cut above the rest when it comes to the build quality.
They cleverly keep all of the moving parts and brains of the vacuum out of harm’s way. This protects them from getting bashed into things or the kids messing with them.
Not only that, you usually get a five-year warranty with a Dyson which is something not many other manufacturers offer. Dysons may be more expensive than their rivals, but they are built to give you years and years of service.
Read More: These vacuums are the top-rated in the UK
Final Thoughts

While we have only looked at four today, I know that you have no doubt realised that Dyson has lots of different vacuums out there.
However out of the four that I got the chance to test if I had to just pick one it would be the Dyson V11 Absolute. Not only is this the best Dyson, the best cordless and the best stick vacuum, I would go as far to say that right now it is the best vacuum cleaner money can buy.
On the flip side of this, I get that the asking price is out of most people’s range. Still, if you can afford it or maybe if you are willing to save I assure you that you will be blown away by it.
As far as a more modest priced model goes. I liked both the corded ones I tested, but I feel that the Dyson Big Ball Animal 2 is the way to go. It is only slightly more expensive, but it is worth the extra money as the long hose and those attachments let you clean the whole house and not just the floors.
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