In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleHow We TestedThe ResultsNoteworthy FeaturesOthers To ConsiderIs the Dyson Gen5detect Worth it?6 Months LaterTake Our Word For It
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
How We Tested
The Results
Noteworthy Features
Others To Consider
Is the Dyson Gen5detect Worth it?
6 Months Later
Take Our Word For It
Photo:People / Dera Burreson
People / Dera Burreson
I’ve tested hundreds ofvacuum cleaners, and when friends and family ask me for my recommendations, my answer is always the same:Get one withlaser technology. In the vacuum world, a laser vacuum separates the boys from the men, so to speak, and Dyson’s latest cordless stick vacuum model, theDyson Gen5detect, has new and improved laser technology that really knocks it out of the park.
If you’re familiar with Dyson vacuums, theGen5 seriesis different in a few ways:the dust bin is larger, the cleaning head is wider, and the battery lasts longer.On top of that, the whole-machine HEPA filtration is the best it’s ever been, and the Fluffy Optic cleaner head (a.k.a. brush head with the laser light) illuminates more space than ever before, thanks to a lower placement of the laser light.
“This was a huge design challenge to fit the printed circuit board (PCB) and thermal solutions into a tiny space without compromising pick-up,” says Dyson engineer Asaph Ooi, Senior Design Manager, RDD Floorcare. Not only is the laser technology impressive, but Ooi also emphasizes that this is themost powerful vacuum yet, thanks to Dyson’s next-generation Hyperdymium motor that spins at up to 135,000 rpm (nine times faster than a Formula One engine).
Of course, I had to get my hands on this new, powerful vacuum as soon as it was released. Dyson sent the PEOPLE Tested team a sample to test in our lab alongside othercordless vacuum cleaners, and I’ve been personally testing the Gen5detect at home for three months.
Dyson Gen5detect Cordless HEPA VacuumPHOTO: Amazon$950$789 at Amazon$950 at Target$1,049 at QVC
Dyson Gen5detect Cordless HEPA Vacuum
PHOTO: Amazon
$950$789 at Amazon$950 at Target$1,049 at QVC
Noteworthy Features:Single-push power buttonImproved laser technologyAdvanced whole-machine HEPA filtration systemDetangling motor barDigital display screen with real-time cleaning updates280 AW of power70-minute runtimeWeight:7.72 poundsDimensions:10.87 x 9.8 x 50.2 inchesDust Bin Size:0.2 gallonsType of Vacuum:Cordless StickBattery Life:70 Minutes (4.5 hour charge time)Attachments:2 cleaner heads, 4 attachments
Noteworthy Features:
Weight:7.72 pounds
Dimensions:10.87 x 9.8 x 50.2 inches
Dust Bin Size:0.2 gallons
Type of Vacuum:Cordless Stick
Battery Life:70 Minutes (4.5 hour charge time)
Attachments:2 cleaner heads, 4 attachments
People / Erin Johnson
How We Tested the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum
We tested the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum in the lab and at home for three months (and continue to do so). During testing, we graded it on several attributes: setup, maneuverability, performance, and value. At home, I used this vacuum weekly to vacuum up crumbs, pet hair, my hair, and anything else that found its way onto my floor over a three-month period.
The Dyson Gen5detect cordless vacuum received5 stars across the board, with only a few cons detected during testing. It sucked up everything in its path and maneuvered easily around our obstacle course. Our lab testers loved the display screen that showed real-time cleanliness, and they loved that they could vacuum with only one hand.
While the battery didn’t last 70 minutes as advertised, it was still impressive.On low mode, the battery ran around 51 minutes; on high mode, it ran around 13 minutes. The noise level was between 75 and 87 decibels (87 was in “boost” mode), which is pretty standard, if not on the noisy side for a cordless stick vacuum. As for the dust bin, it was super easy to empty, requiring minimal interaction with the debris (only a few hairs needed to be pulled into the trash can when emptying).
During my three months of testing the Dyson Gen5detect at home, I loved how easy it was to maneuver, as well as the laser technology that illuminated pet hair and tiny debris all over my tile floors. When it came across these super dirty spots on my floor, it automatically kicked into “boost” mode and sucked up anything in its path with ease. This cordless vacuum is undeniably powerful and effective at cleaning floors.
If I had to complain about something, I would say that while you can maneuver it with one hand, it does get a little heavy after a few minutes of cleaning. I’m 5 feet tall, so I wish it had a telescopic wand so I could shorten the height; I feel like that would help distribute the weight of the motor head a little better.
It’s also important to note thatyou need to change the brush head when it’s time to vacuum carpeting andarea rugs. The regular no-tangle brush head is designed for carpeted floors, and the brush head with the laser light is only for hard flooring. It’s a bit annoying to switch between the two, but the precise cleaning that you get afterward makes it worth the effort.
Who It’s Good For:This is an expensive vacuum cleaner, so it’s best for people who are loyal Dyson fans and want the best and newest product available. Since it has a long battery life and a large dust bin, this would work well for those who need to clean large spaces without needing to stop to empty the dust bin or recharge the appliance. Its laser technology and no-tangle brush head (and clever attachments) also make this an excellent choice for pet owners who want a powerfulpet hair vacuumto clean up after their shedding fur babies.
Who It’s Not Good For:If you’re looking for a great deal or want a standard, basic vacuum cleaner, you can find a much cheaper but still effective option — there are even greatvacuum cleaners for under $200. If you’re not concerned with getting a super thorough clean that virtually eliminates all debris, you should probably opt for a cheaper vacuum.
People/Dera Burreson
One of the most impressive things about Dyson is that they are seriously invested in improving allDyson productswith innovative technology. The Gen5detect is no exception to that mission. Here are a few things that make the Gen5detect different from other cordless vacuum cleaners:
Coming Soon!We are currently testing theDyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum, and we can’t wait to share our findings with you. If it took Dyson this long to release arobot vacuum, we trust they were waiting until all the details were just right.
Coming Soon!
We are currently testing theDyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum, and we can’t wait to share our findings with you. If it took Dyson this long to release arobot vacuum, we trust they were waiting until all the details were just right.
Other Cordless Vacuum Cleaners to Consider
While someAmazon reviewers claimthat their cheap vacuum is just as good as their Dyson, I find that hard to believe. Of course, you can find greatDyson alternatives, but having tested so many vacuum cleaners myself, I can tell you that you’re going to need to pay around $400 or more to find anything slightly comparable to the Dyson Gen5detect. Even then, you’ll lose out on the laser technology and whole-machine HEPA filtration.
If you’re not worried about picking up every single speck of dust or if you’d rather save $500, then I would recommend the vacuums below. (Yes, I have personally tested all of these.)
Dyson Gen5Detect on the left; Tineco Pure One S15 Pet on the right.People / Erin Johnson
If I’m being honest, this is where I feel conflicted. If I had $1,000 in disposable income, I think I’d book a trip to Italy instead of buying a high-end vacuum cleaner,butif you want to invest in an amazingly effective, high-tech, easy-to-use vacuum cleaner, then theDyson Gen5detect cordless vacuumcleaner is certainly worth it.
I’ve used the Dyson Gen5detect one to two times a week for around six months now, and I still love the same things I loved about it before and still have the same drawbacks (my hand hurts after vacuuming for a while, and I find it a bit annoying to switch the brush heads, depending on whether I’m vacuuming my kitchen tile floors or living room carpet).
However, when I am done vacuuming, I am 100 percent confident that my floors are as clean as possible. Since Dyson cordless vacuums come with a2-year warranty, I also know that I’m protected in case of any operating hiccups. I’ll continue to update this story as any new findings or challenges arise, but again, if you have the money to splurge on this model and value a pristinely clean home, you won’t be disappointed.
Erin Johnsonis a senior shopping editor at PEOPLE, specializing in home and lifestyle content, with a particular focus on vacuum cleaners. She has tested and written about vacuums for Real Simple, Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, and The Spruce, where she led and conducted in-depth testing on cordless stick vacuums, robot vacuums, dustbusters, and uprights, with a specific focus on iRobot, Shark, and Dyson products.
Erin grew up in a home with a trusty upright Oreck vacuum but now believes that cordless stick vacuums are the way to go. She currently owns two Dyson models, a Tineco, and a Shark vacuum, but theDyson Gen5detecthas given her the most thorough clean yet. Aside from regularly cleaning with the Gen5detect, to prepare for this article, Erin attended in-person and virtual trainings before receiving the vacuum, and she also interviewed Dyson engineer Asaph Ooi, Senior Design Manager, RDD Floorcare, to learn more about the advanced features of the Gen5 series.
source: people.com
