There’s a lot to love about Dyson vacuums – until it comes to the price tag. Dyson has been our go-to vacuum brand for years, making some of the best vacuums in the world with their patented, market-leading cyclone engineering, but there's no denying the cost.
Alternative vacuum brands often claim high-quality designs and premium, useful features – but without the steep cost. However, without testing them for yourself, it's tough to know which ones live up to their claims.
That's why, after our roundup of the best vacuums on the market, we called on our team of testing and in-house consumer experts to assemble the strongest alternatives to Dyson. We've fully tested almost the entire Dyson lineup, so we know what we're looking for in an alternative. Dust detection, easy pet hair pickup, boosted suction modes and lightweight builds are some of the big features, but the main one is unrivaled suction power.
Right now, our favorite Dyson alternative is the Shark Vertex Pro and our favorite upright Dyson alternative is the Shark POWERDETECT. Shark have been making some of the best vacuums for a long time, and while Dyson are famous for offering the most powerful tech, Shark has crafted their own excellence with truly helpful features, multi-purpose floor heads and strong suction - all at a more affordable price.
To come to this conclusion, we try, test, and assess each vacuum to see how closely they can match the power of a Dyson vacuum. If you want a clean home at a lower price, or just want something a little different, these are your best options.
The quick list
If you're after the quick headlines for every Dyson alternative, here's a summary of what you need to know. There's lots more in-depth detail further down this article. If you see one you like, click on the jump links to take you to the right place.
The best Dyson alternative
Unrivalled in suction power, this is still one of the most compact and straightforward vacuums on the market. It performs like a Dyson for a couple hundred dollars less.
The best upright Dyson alternative
The unrivaled suction power from the Shark POWERDETECT is perfect for big homes with pets. The corded, upright vacuum can tackle any surface and any mess. It performs like it should cost twice the price.
The best cordless detect Dyson alternative
This is Shark's entry into the world of 'detect' vacuums that Dyson's at the forefront of. It boasts dust volume detection, boost mode, and automatic power adjustment.
The best budget Dyson alternative
If you're looking for a brilliant basic model, this is the one. The standard suction power is exceptionally good, although it does falter with the automatic suction mode and when cleaning some debris.
The best smart Dyson alternative
Equipped with dust-sensing technology and a clever LED screen, this smart vacuum gives plenty of cleaning feedback, though it has some quirks to bear in mind.
The best Dyson alternative for pet hair
For a more affordable price than most of Dyson's bests, this Tineco absolutely excels on hair with an added bonus you won't find from Dyson: a self-cleaning station.
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The best Dyson alternative for allergies
An elegant, ergonomic, and lightweight model, this is a vacuuming dream. The base station will effortlessly charge and empty your vacuum.
The best bagged Dyson alternative
The industrial aesthetics of this vacuum might not appeal to everyone, but this cleaner is powerful and effective, if expensive.
The best robot Dyson alternative
Super smart and convenient, this robot vacuum is the cleverest, most efficient model on the market. It's easy to use and looks stylish on display. Dyson don't yet have an equivalent.
The best Dyson alternatives in 2024
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The best Dyson alternative overall
The Shark Cordless is the perfect example that lower prices don’t always mean worse quality. With a DuoClean head and PowerFins technology, on test we found a deep clean of carpets and hard floors. With vast amounts of dust collected, the Shark Cordless needs a large dustbin capacity. At one quarter gallon, slightly bigger than Dyson V15 Detect’s relative 0.2 gallon capacity, this cordless needs emptying much less often, even though it's picking up lots of dust from the floor.
The nimble, lightweight body is a match for Dyson’s V15 and certainly much smoother to use than upright vacuums. The additional Multi-Flex head means that moving around and accessing those hard-to-reach areas is effortless with the Shark. Moreover, it features a HEPA filter and Anti-Allergen Seal, to offer pet owners and allergy sufferers more effective protection from rogue dust and dirt particles.
Due to the larger dust bin, the Shark weighs a little more than Dyson’s V15 Detect. The Shark claims to have a 60 minute battery life, as opposed to the Dyson which can run for an extra ten minutes (70 minutes in total). The Multi-Flex head makes for easy storage, but isn’t the easiest to handle, especially when unfurling the vacuum back up to full height.
There's more detail in our Shark Vertex Pro review
The best upright Dyson alternative
The POWERDETECT is Shark's latest upright vacuum, making the most out of Shark's most advanced motor tech and design features in this absolute powerhouse of a vacuum cleaner.
The first (and best) thing our seasoned tester James Holland noted was the suction power. 'It’s able to suck everything up in its path efficiently and proficiently, no matter the debris. And, it’s equally capable regardless of the surface I used it on.'
This suction power works excellently on pet hair, too, as James learned on a carpet that required some deep vacuuming thanks to a particularly shedding cat. 'With one pass, the Shark POWERDETECT had basically picked up every visible piece of hair (as well as litter near the litter box) from the carpet, filling the dust bin with an amount of hair equal to a second cat.'
It also matches Dyson's detection tech (as seen in the Dyson V12 Detect Slim), identifying floor type, dust volume and floor edges to adjust suction power (can boost up to 3x) whenever it's needed. It doesn't share Dyson's signature green laser however, but it does feature bright LED lights to better illuminate the floor.
It's no surprise that this is one of, if not the most powerful upright vacuum cleaner we've ever tested. This power may come at a sacrifice in weight (it's also one of the heaviest we've tested at over 17lbs), but the vacuum has Shark's famous Lift-Away feature that enables you to carry just the main component, leaving the heavier parts behind, which is ideal for when you need more mobility (like on stairs or reaching above the head).
The hose offers more reach but unfortunately it's a little limited in length (it's only two feet long). This is also where you clip on any attachment tools – depending on whether you buy the vacuum alone or the TruePet upgrade, this could include a duster crevice tool, multi-angled dust brush, anti-allergen dust brush, pet multi tool, and HairPro self-cleaning pet power brush.
All in all, the POWERDETECT is a thorough, comprehensive vacuum cleaner - and perhaps even more capable than some of Dyson's best upright models, like the Dyson Animal Ball 3. Its 12-inch floorhead means you're covering a lot of ground with each pass, leaving your floors 'spotless and smelling ever-so-slightly fresh thanks to the odor neutralizer cartridge.' But don't forget: like any upright vacuum, it's loud.
Read more in our full Shark POWERDETECT review.
The best cordless Dyson alternative
Dyson's latest cordless vacuums, the Dyson Gen5detect and the Dyson V15 Detect, are the best vacs we've ever tested. The Shark Detect Pro Cordless is Shark's entry into this 'detect' genre of vacuums, offering similar features at a much lower price.
Like the Dysons, the Shark Detect Pro Cordless can detect the dust volume on your floor and adjust suction power accordingly on auto mode, and you can manually switch between boost mode or eco mode. It also has lights on the floor head to reveal dust on the floor, which is a feature Shark have used for a while, but it doesn't work as effectively as Dyson's. Still, it's helpful at illuminating dimmer areas and under furniture.
But while it shares these similar features, the real compromise here is the suction power. I was excited to test the Detect Pro as it looked like a genuine alternative (and a stylish one) to Dyson's market-leading vacuums, but it still fell short. It cleans better than other cordless vacuums out there, but there's a noticeable difference compared with even the Dyson V12 Detect Slim - Dyson's entry-level detect vac. I found it excelled on carpets, the boost mode was great for hard floors, but it struggled with large clumps of hair.
Being able to accurately count picked-up particles (a feature that's present in Dyson's vacuums) isn't here but, in all honesty, this isn't essential. It's insightful to know how much exists on your floors and furniture but it doesn't do too much in the name of improving how you clean.
This is a great alternative to Dyson's best cordless vacuums, but it's worth considering that the lower price does in fact reflect a lesser feature set. But when compared to other vacuums (even the ones in this list), this is a strong choice.
Read our full Shark Detect Pro Cordless review.
The best budget Dyson alternative
One of the most satisfying vacuum cleaners on the market, the Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum performs simple tasks with the thoroughness of vacuums four times the price. When we challenged it on more complex debris and suction settings, it struggled a little, but for $200, this is incredible.
If Levoit sounds familiar, it’s because they established themselves by making some of the best air purifiers on the market. This model is an extension of the thoroughness of their air purifiers, offering four-stage filtration which can trap at least 99.9% of particles 0.3 microns in size, which is great for allergy sufferers.
Offering considerable battery life, this is a robust investment that will impress even the most snobby vacuum cleaner enthusiasts. Whilst the 130 AW of suction is less than most Dysons, it was still successful across a range of surfaces.
We thought the user experience was better when we could manually adjust between the five suction levels. AUTO was just missing the mark where we would expect the power to ramp up, such as going from hard floor to carpet.
Read more at our Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum review.
The best smart Dyson alternative
Designed for agility and repeatedly consistent vacuuming, the Tineco Pure ONE S15 is easily one of the most nimble vacuums we’ve tested. It transforms from a stick vacuum to a handheld model in a few deft movements, perfect for efficient cleaning. We particularly love that there’s no need to constantly hold a trigger down, which you would on most Dyson models.
Our experts were sceptical about the smart features: the iLoop Dust Detection feature and LCD screen are designed to provide practical feedback on your vacuuming results. On test, we found they genuinely help you vacuum by showing dirtier areas of the floor that need special attention.
If you’re looking for smart storage options, this vacuum and all of its accessories store neatly in a stand and floor dock. You won’t need to affix anything to a wall, so there’s no concerns for renters or those who just want to keep their walls pristine. It takes some careful manoeuvring to insert it into stand's crevice, but once it’s in, the vacuum cleaner will be secure.
Given that this is a vacuum for pets, we were surprised at how much it struggled with large pieces of debris, such as cereal and kibble. This is better on basic tasks, as a lightweight, casual cleaner.
There're more detail in our Tineco Pure One S15 Pet review.
The best Dyson alternative for pet hair
No Dyson vacuum has a self-empty station, so the Tineco Pure One Station isn't a like-for-like alternative. It's instead a more affordable alternative that actually brings features you can't find in a Dyson.
There are a few variations of the Tineco Pure One Station, including the Tineco FurFree edition that comes with a pet grooming kit, but I found that the vacuum itself (without any pet attachments) did an outstanding job at vacuuming hair. Even when it came to large, dense clumps, the Tineco sucked them all up like it was nothing.
The different models range from aroud $450 to $550 which is close to some of the more affordable Dyson options. The Dyson V8 is available for around $460 at Dyson and the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, one of the bests, sells for $650 at Dyson.
Both of these Dysons have more powerful and reliable suction power, even on pet hair. But for a similar price, you can get this Tineco vacuum cleaner that excels on pet hair regardless, with the added bonus of a self-cleaning station. With a HEPA filter to trap all allergenic pet dander, the station brings a lot more convenience to your cleaning, and it has a three liter capacity so you can won't have to empty it for weeks or months at a time.
Plus, the Tineco still has features found across Dyson's best vacuums, like lights on the floor head, dust volume detection and automatic or manual power adjustment (boost mode).
Read the full Tineco Pure One Station review.
The best Dyson alternative for allergies
If I could see into the future of vacuum cleaners, I think it would be this. It’s sleek, statuesque, and would blend seamlessly into modern interiors. The smart station will empty, charge, and clean your vacuum, ensuring that it always performs at its best. Many of the smart features are reminiscent of the best robot vacuums.
If you suffer with allergies, the self-emptying system and HEPA filter will make cleaning a delight, rather than a tedious chore. The telescopic wand excels at picking up even the finest stands of hair, helping those who are easily irritated by vacuuming. The wand is also useful if you’re particularly tall or short, because it adjusts to the perfect height of the user.
We’d also like to shout about the smart features. The sleek digital display will track your vacuuming capabilities, notifying your phone of any and every important detail.
However, we didn't want to put this too high in the list because of the high price. If you're looking for a Dyson alternative, chances are that you need something under $500. This isn't the choice if you want to save money, as it usually goes for around $600. That's especially true of the 'AI' version of this vacuum I tested, as it costs an extra $300 with few extras to show for it.
There's more information in our Samsung Bespoke Jet Vacuum review.
The best bagged Dyson alternative
We were intrigued to test this old-school bagged Dyson. Dyson have never made a bagged vacuum, and while that saves you from the ongoing cost of buying vacuum bags, it means you're exposes to dust and dander every time you empty out your vacuum.
But this isn't good just because it's bagged. Many professional carpet cleaners told us that this is the industry’s worst kept secret. We tested it on lots of hair and it easily picked up every strand, with none in the rollers. Any pet owners will love how thorough this is, especially because the bag will seal in dust and dander.
Don’t let the industrial façade fool you into thinking this is a brutish, strong vacuum, it’s also incredibly sensitive. The vacuum detects different floor types and automatically adjusts, offering the perfect suction. You can move seamlessly around your home without any frustrations. If you place one of the subtle scent cartridges in too, your home will smell as fresh as if you had all the windows open.
But I would caution that this 22 lbs vacuum is not nimble. It’s heavy to push, let alone carry up stairs. It steers smoothly, but when it comes to tight turning, you’ll need to use some vigour. Our testers also felt that some small details stopped this vacuum from knocking the Dyson Ball out of our top spot. The carry handle is awkwardly placed, making it difficult to take up and down stairs. While the 40ft cord is fantastic, it often falls off the back of the machine, which is irritating to bear in mind as you clean under sofas. The price is also close to Dyson models, so we’d recommend waiting for a sale.
There's more detail in our SEBO Automatic X4 Boost Upright review.
The best robot Dyson alternative
If you want a robot Dyson, you're out of luck. Dyson have discontinued their robot vacuums in the US for now. They're currently only available in the UK or Asia, and in our review of the Dyson 360 Vis Nav (the robot vac that's soon to be available in the US), our expert reviewer found that they still needed to tidy up after it.
The Roomba is instead a great choice, with its Precision Vision Navigation: a detection feature which recognises cables, pet waste and toys, avoiding collision, tears, and time spent cleaning up.
It’s compact and has a reasonably sized bin and self-emptying function. Compared to other vacuums, it is low maintenance and more independent. The HEPA filter is a bonus for allergies and pet-owners, too.
Regardless of price, we prefer the iRobot Roomba j7+ to the Dyson 360 Vis Nav and the discontinued 360 Heurist. However, it’s worth noting that our expert tester Jaclyn found the app a little slow. She also spotted that it wasn’t perfect at cleaning edges and needed hair to be untangled from the axles in the Multi-Surface brushes.
There's more detail in our iRobot Roomba j7+ review.
How to choose the best Dyson alternative for you
Sometimes, choosing which vacuum to buy can feel like you’re being spun around inside one. Here are the important things to consider:
Design and structure
Every vacuum is different and specialized for different tasks. Here are some of the most common types you might come across:
Dust bin
This is the part where dust collects. It comes bagged or bagless, ranging in capacity. Bagged bins seal in dirt and debris, great for pet owners and allergy sufferers, but replacing bags is an ongoing cost. Bagless designs are often easy to track for fullness and can be emptied into the garbage, but don’t guarantee neat emptying. You will need to consider how often you want to empty your vacuum when looking at capacity.
Weight
A lighter vacuum will be easier to use and move around the house. An appropriate vacuum weight is around 10lbs. In some instances, heavier vacuums will be more powerful, so you will need to find a balance between the two.
Floor Type
Some vacuums are made to cover a range of terrain, but if you have a specific and consistent type of flooring, be it hard floors or carpets, you can select a vacuum which is specialized to handle the surface.
Cord Length
How many plugs you have and how willing you are to switch around will affect the length of the cord. Generally, vacuums which have cords between 25 and 30 feet are fine to use without frustration. If you don’t want to deal with cords at all, then go for cordless.
Run Time
If you read cord length and decided that cords aren’t for you, then you’ll need to consider cordless designs. After testing, we have decided that 45 to 60 minutes is an adequate amount of time for cleaning. Runtime depends on power and what you’re doing. Often, more powerful vacuums will be more expensive.
Extra Features
Manufacturers are always innovating and adding extra features. For pet owners, there’s anti hair wrapping technologies and HEPA hair filtrations. This might not be in the special features of a vacuum, as brands like Shark and Bissel are known for their pet-friendly vacuums.
How we tested
At Homes & Gardens we will only review those vacuums with which we have had personal, hands-on experience. You can learn more about the process in our guide to how we test products. We want to vouch for every product we feature, so that you can trust us to be truthful and critical, where necessary.
We rigorously test each vacuum on different floors and household challenges over a number of weeks, sometimes months. This means that we can pick up on quirks, extra features and the longevity and durability of each product. We want to know about the practicalities: how easy it is to maneuver around small spaces, how long it runs for, and how easy it is to empty.
We also understand that experts need to take into account other users, so we look out for what people are saying online and make sure we thoroughly assess their feedback too.
Meet the team
Dan is our home tech editor, covering everything from vacuums and floor care to sound and air purifiers. They've been testing and reviewing home products for years now, and can offer expert insight into what makes a product great.
Laura is an eCommerce editor and has previously worked for luxury retail brands, reinforcing the importance of quality and style over quantity and fads. She’s a cleaning enthusiast, with experience using lots of different vacuums, so is well placed to offer critical and considered perspectives for Homes & Gardens.
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer who has been testing home goods, including cleaning tools, for several years. She tested the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Vacuum from her small homestead in Rhode Island. As the owner of two dogs and a cat, she’s always looking for the best products to help keep her home (at least somewhat) free of pet hair.
Midwestern product tester and writer Courtney Irwin is a working mom of three who loves nothing more than a good deal. Courtney has spent years curating home renovation and appliance content, and has tested a range of products for Homes & Gardens, including various vacuums.
Jaclyn was the US eCommerce editor for Homes & Gardens. She tested a number of vacuums, including Dyson and their competitors. She's well-placed for direct comparisons between Dyson, Shark, and the other names in this list.
FAQs
Why do people still buy Dyson?
Dyson is an iconic and trusted brand. Don’t get me wrong, we still love Dyson vacuums. They're number one in a number of our guides for a reason, as they produce innovative and top-quality products. It’s still worth considering Dyson, because, as you will have seen, they might have longer battery lives, better power, more ergonomic looks, or more useful features. We have collated a list of alternatives, because Dysons can cost up to a thousand dollars and not everybody is ready or able to spend that money.
Are other vacuums as good as Dysons?
It sounds noncommittal, but yes and no. As an example, we’ve compared Dyson vs Shark before and felt Shark was better value with better suction, but Dyson was more powerful. If you’re looking to save money, work out your non-negotiables and there’s bound to be a Dyson alternative that can still deliver for a fraction of the price.
The reason we look for Dyson alternatives is because their vacuums tend to top all of our lists, whether it's the best cordless vacuums or the best vacuums for pet hair. Feel free to check out our guides to see what else is out there.
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