What Does Dyson’s Terminology Mean?

Dyson doesn't stick to chronological order when naming its stick models. Sometimes it skips numbers, and sometimes it'll introduce a lower number as a later model than a higher number. For example, Dyson introduced the V15 immediately after the V11, and then the V12 after the V15. In the broadest sense, the numbers seem to loosely grow larger with each passing release—the V11 is newer than the V10, and the V10 is newer than the V8. But Dyson's naming system is cryptic enough that even I can't predict what the subsequent model will be.

Dyson also has a lot of sub-models, because its naming scheme isn't confusing enough. Each one has a different number of included tool attachments and accessories. Every model (V7, V8, V10, V11, V15, etc.) seems to introduce new sub-models, so the list just keeps growing, and then there are discontinued sub-models that show up as old stock on websites, typically on sale.

Detect isn't exactly a sub-model, but rather part of the name of the V15 Detect and V12 Detect Slim. It refers to the laser detection system that measures particle size and count to customize suction power.

Absolute is usually the king-of-the-hill version with the most attachments. I can't list them all, because they vary based on parent model, but expect a variety of brush nozzles, crevice attachments, and motorized roller heads to scrub tough grit off hard floors and out of deep-pile carpets.

Allergy used to mean that it came with an upgraded filter that traps 99.99 percent of bacteria and dust, so it expels cleaner air than regular models, but after the V7, all Dyson stick vacs started including the upgraded filters. It's largely a legacy designation now, and it hasn't been used on newer models.

Motorhead sounds fancy, but it's the low-end sub-model that comes with a motorized head, a couple of basic brush and crevice tools, and that's about it. It's mostly a holdover from the V7 days. Dyson has found other names for basic sub-models.

Origin, Fluffy, and Animal come with relatively few attachments. The Fluffy and Animal don't come with any unique attachments particular to usefulness in cleaning up after pets; it's just become shorthand for "base model with fewer attachments." The same is true for the Origin, although its name makes more sense.

Fluffycones is a new variation introduced by the PencilVac that describes the unique cone-shaped fluffy rollers in the head. So far it's only in that vacuum, but I'm curious if Dyson will include it in future models.

Dyson isn't above combining sub-model names. The more names Dyson slaps onto a model, the more attachments it comes with. For example, the V8 Animal Pro comes with more stuff than the Animal, but the Animal Pro+ comes with even more than that.

What Are the Dyson Accessory Bundles?

You will also notice that we mention the different accessories in each model, which vary depending on the model you buy. These make your vacuum more versatile, making it easier to tackle specific parts of the house. If your vac doesn't come with an accessory you want, you can always purchase it separately. But it can be tough to discern which one does what, especially if this is your first Dyson. (Save on top Dyson vacuums and accessory bundles with our exclusive Dyson promo codes.)

Below, we break down some of the most common accessories Dyson offers and what each one is specifically designed for.

For cordless vacuums:

• Motorbar cleaner head: This one comes equipped with 43 detangling vanes that automatically wrap hair from the brush bar as you clean your floors. That way, you don't have to worry about it getting stuck on the cleaner head itself. It's compatible with the Dyson V8 and Dyson Cyclone V10 range.
• Fluffy Optic cleaner head: This one comes with an angled blade of light that Dyson says shows you “twice the amount” of invisible dust on hard floors as its predecessor (which is compatible with the V15 Detect and V11). It's ideal for darker flooring where dust can be hard to spot. It's compatible with the Gen5Outsize and Gen5Detect.
• Combination tool: This is a mix between a wide nozzle and brush, so you can easily switch between cleaning and dusting with one tool. It's compatible with Dyson Gen5detect, Gen5outsize, V15, V12, V11, V10, V8, and V7​. A version of this tool is also available for upright models including the DC41, DC47, Dyson Ball, Cinetic Big Ball, and Light/Slim Ball.
• Rotating combi crevice tool: This is a new attachment designed for the PencilVac cleaners. It's similar to the combination tool you'll find on the V15 and Gen5Detect with a sliding brush that covers a nozzle, but this one is a slim crevice nozzle instead of a wide one.
• Hair screw tool: Similar to the motorbar cleaner head, this is an anti-tangle conical brush that picks up both long hair and pet hair. But it's designed for small spaces—I use it on the couch and my sheets to pick up loose strands. It's compatible with the Dyson Cyclone V10, V11 (including the models with click-in battery), V15 Detect, V15 Detect Submarine, and V8 (with star pre-filter).
• Crevice tool: This is great for areas that are narrow and hard to reach, like corners or in between car seats. It's compatible with the Dyson Outsize, V15, V12, V11, V10, V8, and V7.
• Mattress tool: This tool is for removing dirt, dust, and allergens from mattresses and upholstery—including couches and chairs. It's compatible with the Gen5Detect, Gen5Outsize, V15, V12, V11, V10, V8, and V7​. It's currently out of stock but you can sign up to be notified via email when it's back. A version of this tool is also available for an extensive list of upright models, which you can see here.

For upright vacuums:

• Tangle-free turbine tool: This one has a counter-rotating brush that removes hair from upholstery and carpets. It's also free of a brush bar, so you don't have to worry about hair getting wrapped around it. The full list of compatible vacuums can be found here.
• Groom tool: The pet groom tool is great for medium- and long-haired dogs. The flexible bristles capture loose hair and dead skin cells. You can see the full list of compatible models here.
• Flexi-crevice Tool: Similar to the Crevice tool for cordless vacuums, this one is designed for hard-to-reach places. But it also extends and bends. It's compatible with a lot of different upright models including the Animal 2, Big Ball, Multi Floor, and more (as well as the cordless V6 and V11). You can see the full list here. It's currently out of stock, but you can sign up to be notified via email when it's back.
• Carbon-fiber soft dusting brush: This brush is built to pick up fine dust on more delicate surfaces like blinds, lampshades, mirrors, and more. It also has a self-adjusting brush plate that automatically adjusts suction to maximize the amount of dust it picks up. It's compatible with the Dyson DC47, Ball Animal, Ball, Ball Animal 2, and Multi Floor 2.
• Multi-angle brush: This brush is ideal for high-up areas in your home (like the tops of cabinets or light fixtures). It twists and locks at different angles. It's compatible with a long list of upright models (as well as the cordless V6 and V11), which you can see here.
• Reach-under tool: The reach-under tool bends, extends, and twists to remove dust and debris from awkward spaces (like between car seats, behind radiators, and in tough corners). It's compatible with the DC47, Ball Animal, Ball Animal 3, Ball, Ball Animal 2, Multi Floor 2, Big Ball, Light/Slim Ball, and Small Ball. It also works with the Dyson V11 cordless.

For more options, you can check out Dyson's official site, which lists accessories for both cordless and upright vacuums.

What About Replacement Parts?

When unboxing your new vacuum, I recommend downloading Dyson's companion app—MyDyson (iOS, Android)—and registering your device to activate your warranty, which is two years for cordless models and five years for corded. The coverage goes into effect on the day you buy it, so long as you have proof of purchase. If you don't, the warranty will kick in 90 days after the manufacture date. The warranty covers replacement parts (including batteries and certain parts), repairs (Dyson will collect the machine free of charge, or you can visit one of its Service Centers), and replacements. If the repairs can't be done, Dyson will fully replace it for you. You can check here for a full list of what it does and doesn't cover.

When your warranty is up, you'll have to buy the replacement parts. Dyson offers spare filters, batteries, chargers, specific parts (V-ball wheels, axles and rollers, and rear edges), and accessories for purchase. You can go directly through Dyson's site (which is accessible via the app), but stock fluctuates depending on the specific part you're looking for. You can also purchase them through authorized sellers like Amazon and Walmart. If you're looking elsewhere, it's important to make sure these parts are genuine Dyson parts (you can do this by checking that Dyson is the retailer through the third-party seller you're purchasing from). Dyson offers a 12-month warranty on its genuine parts, and those sold by other brands may not be covered. Inauthentic parts may not fit or work properly either—regardless of whether the seller claims they're compatible—and could damage the vacuum entirely. I made the mistake of ordering new filters through a third-party seller for the Dyson V15 I was testing at the time, only to find they were too small.

How Do You Clean a Dyson Vacuum?

Dyson vacuums are expensive, so it's important to maintain yours—this helps to increase its longevity and maintain its powerful suction. If you have a cordless model, the company suggests cleaning the filter once a month (at least).

You can clean the filter (on both cordless and upright models) by removing it, tapping lightly on the side of your garbage bin or sink, and rinsing it with cold tap water (Dyson says not to use any detergents). Then, fill the filter with warm tap water, cover the open sides with your hands, and shake it firmly to remove dirt. You should repeat these steps until the water runs clear, at which point you can then shake the filter to get rid of any excess water. You should then let the filter dry for at least 24 hours in an area that has airflow (like near a fan or open window). Once it's fully dry, you can place it back into the body. To clean the canister, use a damp microfiber cloth.

You can also clean the roller cleaner head by cutting away any hair using scissors (depending on the Dyson you have, you might need to use a screwdriver to remove the plate on the cleaner head). If your model comes with a soft brush bar, you can clean that too. Remove it from the cleaner head (take the end cap off too), hold it under running water while gently rubbing it to remove dirt and lint, and let it dry for 24 hours. If you're using an upright vac, you can also clean the hose by running it under warm water. As with the rest of the parts, you should let it dry for 24 hours before reattaching it.

How Do You Set Up a Dyson Wall Mount?

Some of Dyson's cordless vacs, like the V15 Detect and Gen5Detect, don't stand upright. The battery has a flat back so that you can rest it against a wall, but it's not the most stable. The company includes a wall dock with these models, and there's also a spot to place the charging cable so the device stays charged on the dock. It's simple to install (you may need a drill), but it's the ideal storage solution.

Here are the steps on how to install it:

1. Make sure you have all the proper accessories: the front casing, back plate, screws, charger, and wall plug.
2. Drill two holes in the wall based on the recommended measurements in the manual.
3. Grab the backplate and secure it with the screws.
4. Place the jack plug on the front casing and make sure the charging cable is secured behind the front casing.
5. Push the jack cover down to make sure the jack plug is secure.
6. Clip the front casing onto the backplate and push it in to secure it.
7. Plug the wall plug into an outlet and you're all set.

From there, you can attach the vacuum to the wall dock. For visuals on how to install it, you can also watch Dyson's step-by-step video.

Dyson is launching more and more models with freestanding docks, including the PencilVac and the Clean+Wash, and the Dyson Piston Animal is due to have a docking station that it can self-empty into. If you'd be more interested in a freestanding dock instead of a wall-mounted stand, check out Dyson's newest vacuums.

Does Dyson Come Out With New Models Every Year?

Not always. There's no cycle to when Dyson will release new products or whether a new model will replace something in the lineup or just add to the existing one. Some of Dyson's newest vacuums don't launch in every market right away, either—the Digital Slim and PencilVac, for example, were available only in Asia at first. This year has had several new Dyson launches, including the Spot+Scrub AI robot vacuum and PencilVac, which came to North America, and there are a couple more new models still due to arrive.

What's the Cheapest Dyson Vacuum?

If you're looking for even more of a budget buy, Dyson moves older models down the product lineup, so the top model from three years ago might be today's value option. You can even usually find discontinued Dyson vacs at a steep discount as old stock sells out. Dyson's official eBay outlet occasionally has exclusive deals on outgoing models, too.

How Does WIRED Test Vacuums?

WIRED tests vacuums within home environments to see how they'd work for day-to-day messes and buildup. We test them on carpets, rugs, staircases, and hard floors like hardwood, vinyl, and tile to see how well they do at picking up dust, dirt, and debris. We also make sure to test every attachment for its intended use, but the main focus is using the vacuum itself like a normal person would to see if it's worth investing in.

How Does WIRED Acquire Its Review Samples? What Happens to Them After Testing?

WIRED acquires review samples in a handful of ways: they can be provided by a company (though if provided, WIRED doesn't promise coverage or what that coverage will be) or purchased by WIRED. Writers can also write about items they've purchased themselves. For this guide, all of these picks were all provided as review samples for WIRED staffers to test.

After we're done testing, samples are either returned, donated, or held onto for long-term testing. Dyson vacuums are a category I like to long-term test since there isn't very much turnover in the lineup, making it possible for us to spend longer testing a Dyson without needing to move on to the model that replaced it.