Dyson Gen5detect Review

Our Dyson Gen5detect Experience

After testing many vacuums over the years, it was obvious that this is a top-of-the-line model by Dyson. The extra-strong suction was noticeable from the first time we turned it on. This strong suction, combined with the Fluffy Optic brush head, meant our hardwoods were left immaculately clean. The same was true for our carpets, though we had some trouble on shag carpets.

The variety of attachments was another major plus for us. We had everything we needed to get our floors, upholstery, and cars clean. The Gen5detect effortlessly transforms into a handheld vacuum with a crevice tool in the wand. We loved this for quickly grabbing pet hair wedged in the stairs. There was no need to switch attachments, just grab and go.

The Gen5detect features a button to turn it on and off, as opposed to other Dyson models that have a trigger. We prefer the on/off button on the Gen5detect as it prevents fatigue that the trigger models can cause. However, the weight was its biggest drawback. The larger canister means it's not as easy to wield as the smaller Dyson options. After vacuuming a 4-bedroom home, our lead tester was fatigued, but we still think this is a fair tradeoff for its powerful cleaning.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Carpet Performance

For those who have low pile carpets and are obsessed with sucking out every bit of sand or embedded piece of dirt, the Gen5detect is the most effective vacuum for this purpose. The drawback is the cost, as it's one of the most expensive vacuums we have tested.

When we ran this vacuum on our low-pile carpet test, it picked up 96% of the debris and did it quickly, making it a great choice for anyone who values efficiency. The cleaning head has relatively low gates, so it sometimes pushes Cheerios to the sides instead of rolling over them. Still, because this vacuum is so powerful, we were able to move faster and had extra time to go back for any larger debris.

“The suction on this bad boy is crazy,” one tester said. We measured the suction for every vacuum, and at 2,388 pascals, it's about three times the average of the group. While suction isn't everything, it does show to be helpful for this cordless vacuum.

Interestingly, this vacuum didn't take the lead in our high pile test like it did in our low pile test. Its strong suction is biased toward small debris penetrating deep into carpet fibers. It's not as effective with larger debris, likely because its suction pulls the head down deep into the carpet, not giving much clearance for bigger material.

Hardwood Performance

We were left with almost nothing but positive notes on this model's ability to clean all debris on hardwood surfaces. The fluffy roller consistently delivers a stellar performance on all debris. We were amazed at how easily it rolls over any mess on a hard floor.

When the Gen5detect missed something, it only seemed to occur when we happened to push a stray Cheerio or grain of rice off to the side on a glancing reverse blow.

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Because of its excellent performance cleaning along the walls, this vacuum is easily recommended for homes with many hard-floor rooms and hallways. It can also be helpful for stairs and tight areas that require a vacuum to pick up debris along edges.

Pet Hair

For households with dogs or cats that shed constantly, the Gen5detect is a game-changer for tackling the endless shedding season.

We were pleased to see this vacuum perform well on low-pile carpets. We were impressed by how well this Dyson grabbed dog hair and sent it to the dustbin. There were a few fuzzy clumps left behind, but we believe an extra pass would have grabbed the rest up completely.

For thicker rugs and carpet, you'll need to go slower to be as successful, but regardless, the Gen5 does a good job of grabbing the matted fur. A note that you'll also need to check the roller for long hair, as extensions tend to get caught around it. Luckily, there's an easy pull tab to dislodge the roller for easy maintenance cleaning.

Filtration

With a low reading of just 37 small particles in the air, this vacuum is a great pick for anyone worried about poor filtration.

Why does that matter? If someone in your home is sensitive to allergens or pet dander, a vacuum with strong filtration can make a big difference in keeping the air cleaner and healthier. Incidentally, while the Gen5detect has a true HEPA filter, other Dyson vacs without HEPA-certified filters were also excellent in our tests.

Ease of Use

The main issue with this Dyson shows up on the carpet when in use. Because it generates so much suction, even on lower power settings, there's a noticeable amount of resistance while pushing. We had to use more effort to move the head with each pass compared to vacuums that offer less suction.

At 5 pounds, it's also one of the heaviest in the group. One of our review analysts noted, “The Gen5detect would easily be my favorite vacuum if not for the weight.” Where every once can be felt on the forearm, we often get fatigued early on in our cleaning routine. Since it's tougher to push and didn't do well in our obstacle course test, it ended up with a below-average score. We don't recommend this product for older adults or kids who might have trouble handling the weight.

While it wasn't the easiest to push around the house, other aspects, such as maintaining the product and using the separate attachments, were definitely a positive contrast. We really like the built-in pictograms that show how to orient and connect the parts.

The mini motorized tool worked skillfully on furniture, easily picking up pet hair from stairs and pet beds. Altogether, this vacuum equips you with a generous set of tools to help reach every nook and cranny of the house, going well beyond the mediocre crevice or dusting tool that many vacuums come with.

Battery

The downfall of cordless vacuums is battery life, but this cordless machine delivers a respectable 66 minutes on its lowest power setting.

Its relatively short 7 minutes of runtime on high might be a bit disappointing. However, this vacuum is so effective in its lower settings that few people will likely experience runtime issues for typical household cleaning sessions.