Recommended Free Tools
For a lower-cost all-rounder, TechRadar recommends the updated Dyson V8 Cyclone. For vacuuming and wet-cleaning hard floors with one stored machine, it picks the V15s Detect Submarine. For a slim, easy-to-maneuver cleaner on hard floors, its choice is the PencilVac Fluffycones. These are recommendations by TechRadar writer Ruth Hamilton, who says she has used the featured models; they are not a uniform three-way benchmark.
How to choose among the three
The right pick depends less on a single ranking than on your home and the job you need a vacuum to do. Consider your purchase budget, the balance of carpet and hard flooring, whether you want a wet-cleaning function, and how much cleaning and maintenance you are willing to take on.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Dyson Ball Animal 2 Plus Corded Vacuum | $449.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Dyson Ball Animal Origin Upright Vacuum | $329.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Dyson V8™ Cordless Vacuum | $389.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Shark Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum, HEPA, Carpet and Pet Hair, Blue, NV360 | Lift-Away Pod, Carpet and... | $149.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Model | Best fit | Important trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Dyson V8 Cyclone | A lower-cost cordless vacuum for carpets and hard floors | RTINGS’ comparison found the V8 less capable overall than the V15 Detect, though easier to carry and with fewer parts requiring regular maintenance. |
| Dyson V15s Detect Submarine | Homes that want dry vacuuming and wet hard-floor cleaning in one stored machine | Wet cleaning uses a dedicated swappable head that needs regular care; it is not a conventional suction-based mop function. |
| Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones | Hard-floor homes prioritizing a slim, nimble vacuum | Its design and suction levels are not aimed at carpet-heavy cleaning. |
These recommendations come from TechRadar’s hands-on article, not a standardized test comparing all three models. RTINGS’ separate comparison covers the V8 and V15 Detect, not the V15s Submarine configuration or PencilVac.
Best budget Dyson vacuum: V8 Cyclone
TechRadar’s budget pick is the Dyson V8 Cyclone, an updated version of the V8. Hamilton says the update brings longer battery life, better suction, three suction levels rather than two, and one-press control instead of a trigger. In her tests, she found it handled large and fine debris as well as pet hair on carpet and hard floors. Those are the article author’s reported results, not fresh testing for this article.
#1 Best Overall
- Powerful Dyson Suction. Engineered for homes with pets.
- Ball technology helps you navigate around obstacles with a simple turn of the wrist. For easy, precise maneuvering around your home.
- The self-adjusting cleaner head has an active base plate that automatically raises and lowers to seal in suction across all floors. Combined with a powerful motorized brush bar, it deep cleans throughout the home.
- Engineered for larger homes with pets.
- Comes with 5 Dyson-engineered accessories. Combination tool, Stair tool, Reach under tool, Mattress tool and Tool holder enable you to clean up high, down low, and everywhere in between.
The distinction between the V8 Cyclone and older V8 versions matters when comparing listings. TechRadar suggests choosing the updated Cyclone over an older V8 when the price gap is modest, but prices and offers vary by market and date.
What the V8 trade-off looks like
RTINGS’ comparison of the V8 with the V15 Detect found the V15 Detect somewhat better overall, including longer runtime and more effective debris pickup across tested surfaces. It also found the V8 easier to pick up and carry, with fewer parts requiring regular maintenance. That comparison can help frame the handling-versus-performance trade-off, but it does not establish a direct result for every V15s Submarine variant.
Rank #2
- Dyson Ball Animal Origin upright vacuum
Best Dyson vacuum-mop combo: V15s Detect Submarine
The V15s Detect Submarine combines a V15 dry vacuum with a separate, swappable wet roller head for hard floors. TechRadar says the arrangement can save storage space for someone who wants both an electric vacuum and a way to wash floors. Hamilton reports that the wet head handled routine cleaning as well as tougher messes such as mud and dried-on food in her tests, though it could be a little drippy.
The wet-cleaning function is not suction-based mopping. Dyson says the Submarine head washes hard floors with clean water, and that wet debris or liquid spills should be picked up only with that dedicated wet roller head—not through the vacuum’s dry path. Dyson also says the Submarine head is incompatible with other Dyson vacuum models, including previously purchased V15s or other vacuums. Check that the exact model and head are included before buying.
Rank #3
- Lightweight for quick, versatile cordless cleaning.
- Up to 40 minutes of fade-free Dyson power.¹
- Power trigger helps maximize energy efficiency, only using power where you need it.
- Choose between two cleaning modes for the right power where you need it.
- Motorbar cleaner head deep cleans all floor types. De-tangles wrapped long hair and pet hair as you clean.
Wet-roller care and replacement
Dyson recommends cleaning the wet roller after each clean and replacing it every six months depending on use. The company says the Submarine wet roller head is not sold separately as an accessory because it is incompatible with other Dyson vacuums. Do not assume a third-party listing is a genuine or compatible replacement without checking the exact part and seller.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Best ultra-light Dyson vacuum: PencilVac Fluffycones
TechRadar’s lightweight pick is the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones. The article describes a slim handle that houses the motor, filters, battery, and dust cup, paired with fluffy cone rollers and lights that illuminate dust. Hamilton characterizes it as unusually nimble, making it the best fit of these three for maneuverability on hard floors.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SUCTION FOR CARPET & HARD FLOORS: Clean carpets and hardwood floors with strong multi-surface suction. This lightweight upright vacuum cleaner lifts dirt, debris, and pet hair for a complete home clean.
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY FOR ABOVE-FLOOR CLEANING: Detach the pod to clean stairs, furniture, and more—attach the upholstery or crevice tools to clean dust and debris from baseboards, curtains, blinds, tight spaces and other surfaces.
- PERFECT FOR PET HAIR CLEANUP: Powerful suction and a specialized upholstery tool removes pet hair from carpets, furniture, and stairs with ease—ideal for homes with pets and everyday messes.
- HEPA FILTER WITH ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL: Advanced HEPA vacuum technology traps dust and allergens* inside the vacuum, helping deliver a cleaner home environment. *Allergens refer to non-living matter.
- SWIVEL STEERING FOR EASY MANEUVERABILITY: Navigate tight spaces, corners, and around furniture with ease using smooth swivel steering for effortless control across floors.
This is a specialized choice rather than an all-surface recommendation: TechRadar says the PencilVac’s design and suction levels are not aimed at carpet. If carpet is a substantial part of your home, the V8 Cyclone is the more relevant pick among these three based on the cited recommendations.
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TechRadar’s article lists offers for the UK and US as of October 2026, but prices, stock, retailer listings, and product variants can change. Check a retailer in your country for the current price and confirm the precise model name—especially the V8 Cyclone generation and the V15s Detect Submarine head configuration—before ordering.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
