You probably don’t need me to tell you that Dyson is considered the crème de la crème of the vacuum cleaner world. But does a high-quality reputation always result in a high-quality product? Well, that’s why I wanted to test whether the bestselling Dyson Gen5detect is as good as everyone says it is.
I’m afraid to report that… it is. After rigorous testing, I can confidently say that the Dyson Gen5detect is the best vacuum cleaner you can buy right now. Here’s why.
In a nutshell
Offering a generous 70 minutes of run time (which is more than double that of some of the best cordless vacuum cleaners out there) and the sleek design you’d expect from this vacuum cleaner brand, the Dyson Gen5detect looks the part and is suitable for homes of all sizes. But it’s the power and technology behind this vacuum that really makes it stand out from the crowd.
With a dust detection sensor that counts up to 15,000 particles a second, this vacuum automatically detects the dirtier areas of the home – adapting its power to optimise suction and run time as a result. All of this information is then readily available on the LCD screen, providing you with real-time cleaning feedback. As a result, every corner of your home gets the deep clean it deserves.
The long and short of it? The Dyson Gen5detect is simply better than the rest at picking up debris and getting the job done fast. No need to revisit the same spot with six or seven do-overs, and controls that feel (verging on) enjoyable to use. I know, vacuuming and enjoyment should not be seen in the same sentence, but using a Dyson is the closest you’ll get to it.
Don’t just take my word for it, though. The DysonGen5detect has even since been re-tested by Lauren, Ideal Home’s Content Editor and Certified Expert for Vacuums, and she agrees with me that no other vacuum – Dyson or otherwise – can come close to the power of this particular model. It really is the best you can buy. For a rather hefty price, of course.
Dyson Gen5detect review
Specifications
- Max. run time: up to 70 minutes
- Bin volume: 0.77 litres
- Weight: 3.5kg
- Dimensions: H127.6 x W25 x D27.6 cm
- Modes: auto, boost, eco
- Noise level: up to 80dB
- In the box: fluffy optic cleaner head, digital motorbar cleaner head, built-in dusting and crevice tool, combination tool, hair screw tool, low-reach adaptor, charger and wall dock
- RRP: £749.99
Unboxing, setting up and first impressions
If it’s a crime to enjoy something as boring as unboxing a vacuum then lock me up and throw away the key, because I always like setting up a new one. My favourite part of the task is laying out the parts and looking at the attachments, especially with a Dyson. The Gen5detect is the brand’s slickest yet, with the blue HEPA filter and the continuation of the purple and gold look from the V8 and V15.
The box is all cardboard with all-cardboard scaffolding. The whole experience is akin to unboxing a new iPhone and all feels very slick.
Here’s what you get in the box: the body of the vacuum (where the LED panel and dust bin are), the stick (which is home to a built-in dusting and crevice tool very cleverly), a Fluffy Optic cleaner head, a Digital Motorbar cleaning head, a hair screw tool and a charger. There’s also a connector which twists in different directions and allows you to get under particularly low furniture.
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Slot everything together and you’re good to go. Remember that you will need to store whichever rollerhead you’re not using in a convenient place as if you live in an intermittently carpeted and hard-floored place, you’ll be chopping and changing those out quite a bit.
Depending on which retailer you buy this vacuum from you should also receive a stand or have the option to wall-mount a holder for it. As I rent, I unfortunately have to just keep mine in a nearby cupboard, but it’s light and manoeuvrable enough for this not to be an issue.
Performance
Charging the Dyson Gen5detect takes four and a half hours to charge fully, and once it is there you should get 70 minutes of use out of it. I live in a two-bedroom flat so one full charge tends to last a while, but even if you live in a house, 70 minutes at a time should suffice if you don’t need to use the Boost mode the entire time.
On my first try with the Dyson Gen5detect, I was impressed by the overall finish of the vacuum. Every part of it fits seamlessly together, and I was bowled over by the reveal of the hidden crevice tool when you unclip the stick section. It means that you don’t need to seek out another attachment to get into a tight space or vacuum up high.
The haptics with this vacuum are top-notch. The satisfying ‘boing’ motion to turn it on and the button to switch between the modes feel very polished, and the screen also displays how many minutes you have left to zoom around.
All of this together means that if you’ve got anyone cleaning-shy in the house, one try with the Gen5detect might just convince them that vacuuming is the superior household chore out there.
I’ve used the Dyson Gen5detect for over six months now, so I’ve had time to see how it’s held up when it comes to cleaning my flat, as well as that great first impression.
Of the two heads, the carpet-specific one is by far my favourite. I have a rug and carpet in my bedroom, and I use the Gen5detect every day to keep on top of dust and other fluffy bobbly bits. With just one sweep around the room I can pick everything up, and the hair never ever gets tangled in the brushroll.
I think that’s due to the anti-tangle tech and the angle of the vanes, which cut away any hair that does get stuck. The other great thing about it is that it amps up the power in areas where it senses more dirt, which for me is when I get to the rug under my desk. You can hear the power shift up, and my bedroom floor is noticeably cleaner after every once-over.
The swivel of the carpet floor head is very far reaching, and the lightweight feel of the vacuum means it’s just generally good to push around, with not too much exertion needed on your side.
Another major change from the generation before this is the removal of the trigger button to operate, as was the case with the Dyson Omni-Glide. Instead there’s just one single button to operate, which is a lot less strenuous on your hands. The ergonomic handle is also great, meaning that that heavier top part of the vacuum feels nice in your hand.
On the controls front, the LCD touchscreen is a point of contention between my partner and me. I previously tested a vacuum that had a colour-coded system to tell you when an area was clean or dirty, and he was so enthused about it that he took to vacuuming as a pastime.
Unfortunately, he’s not so impressed with the LCD screen on the Dyson, which instead has bars which denote the number and size of dust particles the vacuum is picking up. It’s probably a bit more technical than it needs to be, but I still enjoy the gimmick of it. I do think on the whole however that an easier-to-understand graphic might be a bit more useful.
Though my heart lies with the floor head for carpets, the real star of the show with this vacuum is the Fluffy Optic cleaner head. Dyson claims that it can reveal twice the amount of dust than you can usually see on hard floors, and stretches 30cm in whichever area you’re cleaning.
It is so impressive, and it’s so great to be able to see how clean your floors really are. It gives me a great indication of the areas I need to go back over with one of the best steam cleaners too.
On the whole, I do think this vacuum’s performance on carpets surpasses its performance on hard floors, especially after trying out the Dyson OmniGlide, which is built strictly for carpets.
You’ll still find that on hard floors this vacuum impresses you more than any other you’ve tried, and the head itself is also large enough to deal with chunkier bits of debris too.
The more technical aspects of this vacuum are also worth mentioning here, with Dyson claiming that the HEPA filtration system can capture up to 99.9% of particles down to 0.1 microns in size.
During a trip to Dyson’s HQ in Malmesbury, I got to see the attention to detail that goes into crafting vacuums like this, and though I can’t speak to the effectiveness of the HEPA filter with scientific analysis, I do find the suction on this vacuum to be better than any other rival I’ve tried.
Another insight that I got at Dyson’s facility was to see exactly how each attachment works and why they were designed. The hair screw tool, which is whizzing away in the video, is by far my favourite. The hair intake on it is phenomenal, which means that for those with pets, this is a must-have.
It’s also the perfect size for properly vacuuming your mattress, which is an essential step in my cleaning routine and makes my sleep space feel much more hygienic. I love it for my sofas, too.
Another stand-out feature is the in-built crevice and dusting tool, which is conveniently hidden within the main stick of the model. To use it, all you have to do is press the red button at the top of the stick and pull.
In fact, this Dyson has a few hidden tricks up its sleeve, as the docking station also comes with space to store a couple of your tools. As someone with limited storage space, this is a nice touch.
Cleaning and maintenance
The dust-bin emptying mechanism is something that Dyson has perfected on all of its vacuums. With one touch the entirety of the canister is pushed out into your waste, meaning there’s no need to deal with the resulting cloud of dust or stick your fingers in the bin yourself.
The dust bin itself however is quite small, as is to be expected with cordless vacuums to keep the weight of the unit down. When using this vacuum in my flat I need to empty it every few days, which is fine by me, but if you prefer to go longer between emptying, you might want to look elsewhere, like the Dyson Outsize, which is equipped with a 1.9-litre tank instead.
How has it held up over time?
I initially tested the Dyson Gen5detect in January 2024, and it’s still my go-to vacuum for cleaning my home. I still use it every week, and despite testing other vacuums since then, I haven’t found another vacuum that compares in terms of power, ease of use, and overall performance.
However, to provide a well-rounded update on the Dyson Gen5detect’s longevity outside of my own love for the vacuum, our Certified Expert in Vacuums, Lauren, decided to re-test this model when she went on a mission to see which type of vacuum cleaner is best.
As a long-time fan of Dyson vacuums, Lauren previously used the no-frills-attached Dyson V8 Absolute as the main vacuum in her home, preferring impressive suction power over LCD screens and other bells and whistles that come with modern vacuums. But that all changed when she took the Dyson Gen5detect for a spin.
‘Although I’ve always been somewhat of a vacuum purist and dubious of the more tech-focused models (as sometimes I think they can take away from the actual purpose of the appliance), I can’t deny that the Gen5detect is worthy of its place at the top of our best vacuum cleaner guide. I’ve recommended it to everyone I know, as I truly don’t think any other vacuum compares.’
She adds, ‘Its suction power is unlike any other cordless vacuum cleaner I’ve tested, and the auto-detect functionality means that I feel confident my floors are as clean as can be – an impressive feat in my house, which is covered in pet hair. I’d even say it competes with the best vacuums for pet hair in terms of pet hair pickup, and I’ve tested everything from the best Shark vacuums to Miele and Gtech vacuums.’
‘While I do appreciate that the Dyson Gen5detect is at the more expensive end of the spectrum, I do believe that if you buy cheap, you buy twice. And you get what you pay for, which is why I’d always lean towards an impressive investment vacuum like the Dyson Gen5detect rather than a cheaper model that you may need to replace after a year or two – or one that doesn’t give you the results you’re after,’ Lauren concludes.
How does it compare to other vacuums?
In terms of performance, the Dyson Gen5detect is in a league of its own – but there’s no doubt about the fact that it’s a lot pricier than others on the market. And if budget is the thing holding you back, then the Dyson V8 Absolute is an affordable alternative at just £399.
However, I understand that even that can be expensive for some, in which case I’d suggest the Beko Powerclean Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, which you can pick up for just £299 (although, as it’s a much older model, it’s often on sale for much less).
Of course, it’s also worth weighing up the Shark vs Dyson debate when it comes to vacuum cleaners – especially cordless models. And the best Shark vacuum cleaner, and the only other vacuum to share the same 70-minute run time as the Dyson Gen5detect is the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. It’s also significantly cheaper than the Dyson Gen5detect. Around £300 cheaper, to be exact.
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But while the self-emptying aspect of the Shark vacuum may be incredibly appealing to those who struggle with allergies, it’s both heavier and bigger than this Dyson vacuum. This makes it more difficult to manoeuvre and store, which may be a struggle for those with smaller homes or dexterity issues.
If you want a cheaper (yet still impressive) vacuum, the Shark should suit you well. But if you have the spare cash to spend, I still think the Dyson is worth the investment – especially when you take into account the brand’s rich engineering history.
Should you buy the Dyson Gen5detect cordless vacuum cleaner?
I’m well aware that £749.99 is a lot of money to spend on a vacuum cleaner, no matter how great it is, but even the eye-watering price isn’t enough to mark this vacuum down even by half a star – that’s just how good it is.
It’s great on hard floors, even better on carpets, and is the closest you’ll come to enjoyment while vacuuming. After 18 months, it works just as well now as the first day I used it, and though it’s hard to call anything with that price-tag value for money, there’s no doubt it’s massively improved the overall cleanliness and hygiene levels in my home.
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