SHOP $779 amazon.com
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In the vacuum universe, Dyson needs no introduction. Still, everyone falls into one of three camps: You’re either a fan, or you think it’s overpriced, or you’re not sure if the brand’s sought-after products are worth the hype. I’m here to address the undecided, as I’ve tested every cordless model Dyson has released.
So what’s the best model? For Dyson it will always be the newest model. (That is how technological advancements typically work, right? When is the last time the latest iPhone failed to outshine its predecessor?) While it might seem simple, there’s a reason why that’s the case. Over the years, Dyson has taken every single customer complaint and piece of feedback into consideration. And using it, they’ve finally made the perfect cordless vacuum: The Gen5.
The Science Is Real.
Dyson employs scientists and specialized engineers to study everything you vacuum up and every particle of air you breathe. There are serious decisions and discussions about the difference between dog fur, cat fur, and human hair, and how each machine can differentiate them to clean your surfaces properly. That’s the way it should be.
Let’s talk about the motor first—because for some, this used to be a problem. Corded models (you know, the ones you plug in) always held a reputation for being more powerful, for the simple reason that they plug into the wall which makes them stronger. That’s old news now, and Dyson is the brand that changed that. The Gen5 model spins at 135,000 rpm—early models started at 110,000 rpm—meaning these perform better than most plug-in models.
Sure, the motor can suck up anything, but it also has a smart sensor that runs at what Dyson calls “eco level” all the time and it knows when to ramp things up. It can sense whether your floor is hardwood or carpet and if it should run at a lower or stronger speed accordingly. It doesn’t stop there, though. It also can sense how much dirt it’s picking up in that exact moment. So when I’m vacuuming my house, if I suddenly run the machine under the table where there are a bunch of crumbs, the motor will pick up speed and I can hear it running faster and louder. There’s something satisfying and reassuring about that. Also, the LED screen will show you how clean your floors are based on the sensor. Another satisfying indicator that you’re getting the job done.
SHOP $779 amazon.com
The Satisfying Laser.
The feature everyone unanimously loves on newer Dyson models is its signature lasers. The Gen5 emits a green light and illuminates how much dust is in front of you, so you know precisely where to turn next. And it’s addicting. You will have to use an additional (included) head attachment to use this feature—a super soft fine roller made to pick up the tiniest particles. So with the combination of this brush and laser light, even the finest pieces of dust—the ones you never even knew existed—are now being vacuumed up.
While the laser feature has been out on Dyson models for more than a year now, the Gen5 has the most sensitive one to date. Having used the previous model, I can confirm this isn’t B.S. It’s “minor” changes like these that I’ve seen in every model upgrade that prove to me Dyson is doing their homework, taking feedback, and fixing the issues customers write about.
The Biggest Upgrade of Them All.
I could go on about the small things forever, but by far the biggest upgrade of the Gen5 is the new attachment feature. We can all agree that one of the biggest hangups on cordless vacuums is how annoying it is to unplug and replug in all the little attachments, but they are so necessary you can’t avoid it. Now you can.
The Gen5’s smaller “thin attachment” (you know, the one that can clean under small spaces or vacuum up your dust-boards) is now under the main shaft of the device, meaning storage and handling is so much easier. Now, I can quickly click a red button, the main shaft comes off and the thin attachment I love so much is right there. It’s a Russian nesting doll for vacuumers. This itself justifies the price for me, because using the vacuum just got so much easier and having less attachments to store is a major plus.
SHOP $779 amazon.com
A Little Thing Called HEPA.
The world of HEPA is complicated, why do we need it in vacuums and WTF is it? Our homes are filled with dust that contain allergens and germs that contain viruses. Having a HEPA filter helps trap these to filter them out properly. A lot of brands claim to do this, and don’t get me wrong, they do, to some degree, but no one does it better than Dyson.
The fully sealed filter can trap microscopic particles as small as pet dander, meaning if you’re allergic to your pets this is something very important to consider. The vacuum has a filter inside of the device (you replace over time) that traps these, so when you let out the dust bin, you don’t breathe them in again.
Dyson Will Always Reign Supreme.
Now you know all about the specs, but let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Price. This is my favorite argument to make on behalf of Dyson, because sure there are competitive vacuums out there for half the price. But they simply do not work as well in my experience. I believe the difference is Dyson’s dedication to improvement and innovation.
Spend this money once and you likely won’t have to spend it again for at least five years. I know a lot of people who have owned and loved their Dyson for over a half decade, and you can because the tech is so advanced, it remains ahead of its time even after it’s aged. Buy something else on Amazon for $200 and trust me, it’ll burn out.
From where I stand, nothing looks better, nothing performs better, and nothing stores better. And if you’re vacuuming without a laser, what’s even the point?
P.S. I would also do you a major disservice by not letting you know that it’s currently on sale for Black Friday.
SHOP $779 amazon.com
Photography by Joe Lingeman. Prop styling by Heather Greene.
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