Dyson Gen5detect cordless vacuum review

Dyson Gen5detect: Introduction

• Type: Vacuum only
• Docking: Plug in
• Bin: 0.77-litre

The Dyson Gen5detect cordless vacuum cleaner is no longer new – it launched in July 2023 – but it’s still the company’s latest and greatest cordless stick – and it’s about to get even smarter than it already is with the launch of the CleanTrace this summer.

You might also know that there is a version of the V15s that allows for wet cleaning in the Dyson Submarine, but that’s a slightly different proposition to the Gen5detect.

We’re talking the standard Gen5detect here. Perhaps needless to say, it’s an expensive cordless vacuum cleaner, and while it looks excellent hung up on the wall and when you’re moving it around your home, it can’t be just about looking pretty when it comes to a vacuum cleaner.

I’ve been cleaning my home with the Dyson Gen5detect since it launched in 2023, here’s my review on what it does well, what it could do better and how it performs overall.

Design and components

The Dyson Gen5detect offers everything you would expect from a Dyson. There are bright, vibrant colors that make a bold statement and will complement any modern décor, while the signature clear cylindrical bin makes the brand instantly recognizable – even though others have now adopted this design feature.

There’s a premium quality you won’t find in many cordless vacuums here though, and while that accounts for some of the hefty price tag, there’s plenty beyond the design too.

Sticking with the design for a minute however, there are two color options: Prussian Blue/Rich Copper (my review model) and Iron/Purple.

The Prussian Blue model features a lovely turquoise top that houses the HEPA filtration system that is claimed to capture 99.99% of particles down to 0.1 microns, including viruses (though untested by me), while the main body of the head is a rich Prussian Blue, protecting the powerful motor within.

The top of the clear bin has a ridged copper section incorporating the cyclones that are synonymous with Dyson and adding to the appealing design.

The bin itself meanwhile, is very easy to empty thanks to the rotary catch and ejection method – a mechanism that isn’t too dissimilar to the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum cleaner’s bin. It means you can just position the bottom of the Gen5detect’s bin in your trash and pull the catch to release all the dust and debris collected, without having to touch any of it.

Below the bin sits the attachment mechanism, where you can easily clip on various cleaning tools (more on those in a minute).

The handle rests comfortably behind the bin, along with the battery. You can charge the Gen5detect using the wall mount or directly plug it in. Unlike the Hoover Cordless Stick HF9, the Gen5detect can’t stand upright on its own so I opted for the wall mount to keep the Gen5detect off the floor and out of the way.

It also ensures the Gen5detect is always charged, as long as the mount is plugged in. The new, slimmer wall mount saves space, but it doesn’t have room for storing extra cable like previous models had so that would be something I’d like to see on any future wall-mounts.

When it comes to operation, the Gen5detect has a single power button at the top above the LCD display and it’s a surprisingly welcome change from the trigger operation of previous models. It means you don’t have to hold your finger down for continuous power, so moving it around one-handed – or switching hands – is much easier, delivering a comfortable cleaning experience.

A secondary button lets you switch between Eco, Auto, and Boost modes – more on those in a minute – while the LCD display offers helpful feedback. 

An LCD display isn’t a new trait of Dyson cordless vacuum cleaners – but the Gen5detect improves upon the V15’s Dust Detect display. It shows remaining battery life (which adjusts based on the selected mode) and features four bars representing different dust particle sizes (>10µm, >90µm, >180µm, and >500µm).

As you clean, color-coded bars appear next to each size, indicating the amount of those particles being sucked up. The display even shows you the final tally of each particle size collected, which is quite the eye-opener. Let’s just say I won’t be eating off my seemingly clean floor anytime soon.

Attachments

• 6 attachments including improved Fluffy Optic cleaner head
• Built-in dusting and crevice tool

Let’s talk about those attachments then, shall we? The Gen5detect has a toolbox of six clever attachments, designed to tackle a range of cleaning challenges.

My go-to is the Digital Motorbar cleaner head, which is one of the ones that is compatible with the CleanTrace software for those considering gamifying vacuuming in the summer.

This attachment automatically adjusts suction for different floor types and it features self-detangling hair removal vanes within the brush head, which is especially useful for those that live with people with long hair.

I have a Miele Cat & Dog corded vacuum that loves to retain my hair in its brush head, but the Gen5detect doesn’t hold onto a single strand, which is impressive.

For hard floors, the improved Fluffy Optic cleaner head shines (literally). It illuminates a pathway of green to reveal microscopic dust particles that are invisible to the naked eye and it too is compatible with the Dyson CleanTrace software.

Dyson claims it shows twice the dust compared to its V15 model and in use, it’s a wake-up call to see just how much dust and pet hair lurk on your floors even when you think they clean. Overall, the Fluffy Optic cleaner highlights areas needing extra attention, and when the CleanTrace arrives, it will ensure you really are performing a deep clean on your home rather than a quick run around.

Both the Digital Motorbar and Fluffy Optic heads cleverly transform into a handheld unit with the push of a button revealing a hidden built-in dusting and crevice tool within the wand, eliminating the need to constantly switch attachments.

The crevice tool offers strong suction and bristles and another press of another red button (signature for Dyson products) allow it to move up and down for cleaning skirting boards and corners.

The remaining attachments cater to specific cleaning needs. The Hair Screw Tool tackles stairs and furniture, while the Combination Tool tackles car interiors and blinds.

The Low Reach Adapter meanwhile, helps with hard-to-reach areas like under the sofa, but the Dyson Gen5detect already offers generous swivel movement so I haven’t needed this adapter for regular cleaning.

Performance

• 135,000rpm motor, 262AW suction
• Piezo sensor, whole-machine HEPA filtration

The Dyson Gen5detect offers impressive performance. The motor, boasting a very powerful 135,000rpm (supposedly nine times faster than an F1 engine), generates excellent suction overall.

So much so that since I started testing the Gen5detect back in 2023, my trusty corded Miele has ironically been gathering dust under the stairs and hasn’t come out for over six months.

The cordless convenience and cleaning power of the Gen5detect have made it my go to cleaning device and in a home with two kids and pets, there’s quite a lot to be said for that.

There’s a Piezo sensor on board the Gen5detect that utilizes sound to identify and categorize dust particle sizes, which are then reflected in the bars on the LCD display. The bars rise and change color based on the amount and type of dust being removed, helping determine your cleaning progress. It’s particularly evident on high-pile rugs.

Holding the Gen5detect in one spot initially keeps the bar blue, but it eventually it turns white as larger particles are removed and the rug is deemed clean by the vacuum cleaner.

In Auto mode – which I use most regularly – the Gen5detect adjusts power based on the cleaning area and that is arguably one of its most impressive features. It’s the same as what Auto mode does on the Vis Nav 360 robot vacuum cleaner, ramping up power for heavily dusty areas and reducing it for rugs or doormats.

When in this mode, you can just focus on cleaning, with the Gen5detect taking care of the rest (unless you prefer manual adjustments via the different modes). I find Auto mode offers sufficient power and extended use compared to Boost mode, but Boost mode is good for when the dog has been lying a little too long on the rug for example.

The only area I really have to complain about with the Dyson Gen5detect is the switch between the lowered power when the Gen5detect accurately recognizes my doormat – or when I remove the wand to use the built-in dusting tool – and full power resuming again.

When the Gen5detect reduces power automatically for a doormat for example, it also disengages the spinning function in the Digital Motorbar cleaner head. But when you move away from the doormat and back onto tiles or hard floor for example, the spinning doesn’t resume automatically – you have to turn the Gen5detect off and back on again.

The same applies when you reattach the wand after using the crevice tool. Suction remains – even if not full power, but the lack of spinning feels odd so it’s a minor inconvenience worth mentioning.

Battery

• Eco, Auto, Boost modes
• 70 minutes battery on Eco

Dyson promises a 70-minute runtime in Eco mode, where suction is slightly lower. As mentioned, I primarily used Auto mode, which delivers around 30 minutes.

Battery life depends on your home size and cleaning needs. In my four-bedroom house, I haven’t encountered a dead battery during eight months of daily cleaning thanks to the wall mount ensuring a full charge for each session.

Boost mode reduces runtime to around 20 minutes, but that’s still pretty decent. In my experience, Auto mode provides ample power for most cleaning tasks.

I occasionally switch to Boost for a few minutes when tackling specific areas like the dog bed, sofa, or under the table after meals. It’s not a mode needed for entire cleaning sessions however.

Helpfully, the LCD display conveniently updates runtime in real-time as you switch modes so you can make informed choices between higher power for tougher messes or longer runtime for general cleaning, unlike the Dyson V10 where battery anxiety on Max power was a concern.

Final thoughts

The Dyson Gen5detect boasts a stunning design, exceptional cleaning performance, and user-friendly features. Its comfortable, lightweight build and intelligent power adjustments make cleaning a breeze, while the informative LCD display provides valuable feedback on cleaning progress.

Battery life, power, and suction are all excellent and the array of attachments, particularly the hidden dusting and crevice tool, cater to diverse cleaning needs.

Not all are necessary and you’ll likely have a favourite, but the upgraded Fluffy Optic cleaner head has impressive illumination, and exposes a hidden world of dust, which will likely prompt a reevaluation of your cleaning routine.

The price tag is undeniably hefty and there is a minor drawback with the Digital Motorbar cleaner head not automatically resuming rotation when transitioning from the low-pile doormat back to hard floors, or when reattaching the main wand after using the crevice tool.

That said, the Gen5detect offers very little else to criticize. Embodying the classic adage “you get what you pay for”, the Dyson Gen5detect is a premium cordless vacuum cleaner that delivers a superb cleaning experience, justifying its cost and making it a worthy investment.

How we test

When we publish our reviews, you can rest assured that they are the result of “living with” long term tests.

Cordless vacuum cleaners usually live outside of an ecosystem since they aren’t robotic and require you to physically do the work. They are designed to offer a range of different cleaning options and some offer some smart functions but it’s their cleaning capabilities that are the most important.

Because we’re testing smart home devices all day, everyday, we know what matters and how a particular smart cleaning machine compares to alternatives that you might also be considering.

Our reviews are comprehensive, objective and fair and, of course, we are never paid directly to review a device.

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