Handheld vacuums are great for offices, small rooms, cleaning up quick spills, and helping out with other odd jobs (like vacuuming a car, reaching hard to reach spots like the corners of a closet or underneath a bed).
Dyson handheld vacuums are some of the most well-made, easily portable vacuums on the market. They are slim, light, and powerful. But – in true Dyson fashion – there several different models of Dyson handheld vacuums to consider (from the high-end Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal to the more budget-friendly Dyson VG).
We love Dyson vacuums and think they make a great addition to any home. To help you choose the right model that suits your needs and budget, we put together this review of the best Dyson handheld vacuums.
1. Dyson V11 Torque Drive
The Dyson V11 Torque Drive is Dyson’s most powerful – and most expensive – handheld vacuum. It runs for 60 minutes on a single charge, traps 99.99% of particles as small as .03 microns (that’s small) in its fully-sealed filtration system, and Dyson says it has twice the suction of any cordless vacuum.
Like most Dyson handheld vacuums, the Dyson V11 comes with some really helpful accessories. There’s the main cleaner head (a high torque cleaner head with its own motor to really increase the amount of suction), a mini motorized tool (a heavy-duty cleaner head that works perfectly to deep clean car seats and couches), a crevice tool (for hard to reach places), a mini-soft dusting brush (for cleaning keyboards and other delicate surfaces), a stubborn dirt brush (for hard to clean surfaces) and a combination tool for everything in between.
One thing that the Dyson V11 series has that no other Dyson handheld vacuum has is a LED screen at the back of the vacuum (where you can easily see it while using) that tells you much time you have left on your battery and lets you know what power mode you’re running on (the Dyson V11 has three different power modes, the eco-friendly mode, the auto mode, and the boost mode for maximum suction).
What about the Dyson V11 Animal?
There’s also a Dyson V11 Animal, which is the same exact vacuum as the Dyson V11 Torque but it doesn’t come with all the same accessories (it’s should without the mini-soft dusting brush). So if you don’t need all the accessories, it’s a great way to save a little money.
2. Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal
The Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal is our favorite Dyson handheld vacuum. The V10 adapts into a handheld vacuum (making it perfect for cleaning couches, car seats, and mattresses). All the dirt is stored in a transparent Dyson hygienic bin which is easily emptied with a click of a button (so don’t worry about vacuum bags or taking the V10 apart anytime you want to empty it).
The V10 has three different power moods that are helpful when navigating different types of floors (from carpet to wood to tile). Plus, the V10 can run for 60 minutes on a single charge (closer to 35 minutes if you’re using the vacuum at full power).
One of the biggest benefits of a handheld vacuum is portability, and one of the biggest disadvantages is the lack of power. By being of a smaller build, of housing, a smaller motor, handheld vacuums are almost always going to be less powerful than upright vacuums or canister vacuums.
But if you’re looking for maximum power and maximum mobility at a more affordable price than the Dyson V11 than you should seriously consider the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal. It’s so powerful because Dyson’s cyclone technology (which creates a sort of tornado of suction that sends pollen and bacteria straight into the bin) is combined with the V10’s more brush bar. Whereas most handheld vacuums only have one motor, the Dyson Cyclone V10 animal has two.
3. Dyson V8 Animal
In case you haven’t noticed, the series (V11, V10, V8. .) indicate the amount of power of each Dyson handheld vacuum. When you’re at the V8 series, we’d say you’re right in the middle of what Dyson can offer.
The Dyson V8 Animal has a 40 minute run time with a full battery (though it only runs for roughly 7 minutes if you’re using high power).
When it comes to helpful accessories, with the Dyson V8 you’re getting a combination tool (which works for both hard and soft surfaces), a crevice tool (perfect for baseboards and hard to reach areas), a mini-motorized tool (perfect for car seats and couch cushions), and a mini soft dusting brush (which we like to use for vacuuming hard to reach dirt and dust off of our computer keyboards).
4. Dyson V7 Allergy
With the Dyson V7 Allergy, you’re getting 30 minutes of cleaning time and a HEPA filtration that captures as many allergens as possible so the V7 only puts clean air back into your room.
The Dyson V7, due to its smaller motor, is significantly lighter than the V11, V10, and V8. Those vacuums can weigh as much as 6 lbs, but the V7 weighs only 5.29 lbs.
What about the Dyson V7 Fluffy?
There is also a Dyson V7 Fluffy. It’s essentially the same vacuum except you get the Fluffy motorhead which is specifically designed for hard floors such a wood, tile, and granite.
5. Dyson V6
The Dyson V6 is the entry-level series to Dyson handheld vacuums. It can run for 20 minutes on a single charge, comes with a crevice tool (for annoying to reach places), a mini-motorized tool (for car seats and couches), and a combination tool (that works for both hard and soft surfaces).
The Dyson V6 is good for simple cleaning. We’ve seen it work great for offices and larger homes where the homeowner just wants to clean a small spill up at a time or have a vacuum handy that also works to help clear their car.
The Dyson V6 isn’t made to clean an entire home and it won’t be nearly as powerful as a traditional upright Dyson vacuum. Whereas the V10 and V11 models can be used as your main vacuum, the V7 and V6 models are really best to be as accessories to your main vacuum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Dyson handheld vacuum is best?
We like the Dyson V10 Animal because you get 60 minutes of powerful suction, plus amazingly helpful accessories such a mini-motorized tool (perfect for car seats and couch cushions and deep-cleaning your mattress). Plus, it has a near-perfect rating on Amazon.com and Dyson.com.
Are Dyson handheld vacuums worth it?
Dyson handheld vacuums are the best handheld vacuums on the market. However, handheld vacuums still have a long way to come before replacing an upright vacuum. Whether or not getting a Dyson handheld vacuum is worth it will depend on what you’re using it for.
If you live in a studio or small one-bedroom home or apartment, a high-end handheld vacuum will be perfect for you.
If you live in a larger home and are looking for a Dyson handheld vacuum to be your only vacuum, you may grow frustrated with the short brush bar and limited power.
How long do Dyson handheld vacuums last?
In terms of power, Dyson handheld vacuums range from lasting twenty minutes to lasting an hour on a full charge. There are variables depending on what power setting you’re using your vacuum on and what kind of surface (carpet requires more suction than hardwood floors, for example).
Dyson handheld vacuums or Dyson cordless vacuums come with a 2-year warranty. Dyson also has service centers throughout the country and you can take your vacuum in for routine checkups.
If taken care of, Dyson vacuums have been known to last 5+ years.
Which is better Dyson V7 or V8?
The Dyson V7 has less suction power and shorter battery life than the Dyson V8. To clarify, the V8 can last 40 minutes on one charger, while the V7 lasts 30 minutes on one charge.
If budget isn’t a concern, we’d recommend sticking with the V8 or up series.
Is Dyson V11 better than the V10?
The Dyson V11 is Dyson’s most powerful line of handheld vacuums. The V11 is a good substitute for a traditional vacuum (if you’re living in or cleaning a smaller home). It’s that powerful and it has a good 60 minute run time, which should give you plenty of time to do a deep clean on a one-bedroom home.
The V10, however, isn’t a major drop in suction power. It still has the same 60 minute vacuuming time and can do a deep clean on your floors. There is a price difference between the two. If you’re looking for the best, get the V11. If you’re looking for the best while factoring in price, get the V10.
