If you're in the market for a top-of-the-range vacuum cleaner, you might well find yourself trying to decide between the Dyson V15 vs Gen5detect. At time of writing, these are the two best Dyson vacuums on the market, based on specs. Both are tech-packed high performers; this guide is here to help you figure out which one will suit you.
The Dyson V15 – officially, the V15 Detect – is the older of the two, released in 2021. It was the first of Dyson's vacuums to be able to sense the number and size of particles being sucked up and provide that information in real time via a screen on the main vacuum body. It was also the first to add a dirt-illuminating laser to its fluffy floorhead. One or both of these features are perhaps the reason behind the 'Detect' part of the name. Head to our full Dyson V15 Detect review for a full, in-depth look.
The Dyson Gen5detect also has 'detect' in its name, and includes both of those features from the V15, but with some tweaks and improvements. This model launched in 2022 in Australia, and in 2023 in the US and UK. It has a new motor, and introduced a new naming convention – all the previous models are V-somethings. Our Dyson Gen5detect review has all the details.
Overall, the better vacuum is the Gen5detect. It has had some welcome usability improvements over its predecessor, the redesigned motor means better suction, it's quieter and there are longer runtimes too. However, the payoff for some of those changes is that it's heavier (and the V15 isn't especially light in the first place). It's also significantly more expensive, so it's worth weighing up whether the improvements are worth the extra outlay based on your needs – the Gen5detect might be overkill for many people's needs.
That's the short version. To help you figure out which is the best cordless vacuum for you, read on for a more in-depth breakdown of how these models compare...
Dyson V15 vs Gen5detect specs
Dyson V15 vs Gen5detect: price & value for money
For this section, we'll compare list pricing based on what's currently available direct from Dyson. Note that both the V15 and Gen5detect are available as 'Absolute' models. In this case, it's exactly the same machine and tool selection, just in a different colorway, so don't be thrown by the slightly different name.
In the US the Dyson V15 Detect has a list price of $749.99, while the Gen5detect is $949.99. Both are available as an 'Absolute' version, too, for the same price.
The UK just has the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute, at a list price of £649.99, and the Gen5detect with a list price of £769.99.
In Australia, it's the V15 Detect Absolute at AU$1,449, and the Gen5detect Absolute for AU$1,549.
In terms of alternative versions, in the US and Australia there's also a Gen5outsize, which is a little different from the standard model. It comes with a wider floorhead, more cyclones and a larger dust cup (0.5 gallons vs 0.2 gallons). At list price, it's $1,049.99 / AU$1,649. In Australia, there's also 'Complete' versions of the Gen5Detect and Gen5outsize, with a wider selection of tools compared to the regular versions.
Whichever version you go for, both the V15 and Gen5detect are firmly in the premium price bracket for vacuum cleaners. However, there's generally a significant price bump to get you the newer model. Dyson promo codes are rare, but we do sometimes see Dyson deals around events like the Black Friday sales.
- Winner: Dyson V15 Detect
Dyson Gen5detect vs V15: design
There are slight differences in proportions, but in terms of the main components, the Dyson V15 and Gen5detect look pretty much the same. You've got the dust bin, cyclone array, motor and wand all in a straight line, to maximize suction efficiency.
Both have the same three power modes: Eco (a lower-power mode), Auto (which adjust based on floor type and dirt levels) and Boost (a powerful mode for ground-in dirt). The dust bin is the same size on both, too. Thanks to a different battery and motor, the Gen5detect is heaver, clocking in at 3.5kg, compared to just under 3kg for the V15.
On significant design difference is that the V15 is operated by a trigger, which needs to be depressed as you vacuum. On the Gen5detect, that's replaced by a one-touch button.
Both vacuums use an LCD screen to provide any necessary info. When used with the Digital Motorbar floorhead, this includes remaining battery life, blockage info, and if the filter needs cleaning. It will also provide a real-time summary of the particles being sucked up.
The filter has been improved on the Gen5detect – it's a HEPA filter, and washable, so there are no ongoing costs. Dyson claims this filter can capture particles as small as 0.1 microns, compared 0.3 microns with the V15 Detect. In reality, both have excellent filtration. The V15's filter will be effective enough for most people, although those who struggle with allergies may wish to opt for the Gen5detect.
Both come with two floorheads as standard. First is the Digital Motorhead, which is the one that contains the sensors that can detect how dirty the floor is, and is compatible with Auto mode (where suction adjusts based on dirt levels and floor type).
Second is the Fluffy Optic floorhead, for hard floors. The V15 Detect was the first to introduce the laser to this attachment, and it has had a slight redesign on the Gen5detect. The newer vacuum's Fluffy floorhead has a brighter laser and a broader beam. The fluffy part is washable on both versions.
With both vacuums, you can remove the wand and attach a tool directly to the motor unit for use as a handheld. However, with the Gen5detect, there's an integrated crevice/dusting tool hidden within the wand, for you can convert it really easily. The tool selection is largely the same between the two vacuums, but which ones get included will depend on where you live and what configuration of vacuum you go for.
- Winner: Gen5detect – The integrated crevice tool, button operation and better laser fluffy make the newer model the winner, although we don't love the fact it's heavier.
Dyson Gen5detect vs V15 detect: performance
Officially, the Gen5detect is the more powerful of the two vacuums, with a maximum suction of 280AW compared to the V15's 240AW. However, they're both excellent suckers. Both aced our suction tests, offering impressive cleaning on even the lowest Eco level.
Our reviewer said she'd be hard pressed to see the difference between the V15 Detect and Gen5detect in the Auto mode, but that the newer model was noticeably more powerful in Boost mode. The V15 will be plenty powerful enough for most people's needs, but if you're dealing with ground-in dirt, you might be better with the Gen5detect.
Where the upgraded motor really comes into its own is with noise levels. The newer model is quieter, clocking up 60dB on Eco mode, 64.5dB in Auto and 78.6dB in Boost mode. In comparison, the V15 reached 73dB in its Auto mode in our tests, and 81dB in Boost.
Our testers found the Auto mode, which adjusts suction based on dirt levels and floor type, the most useful. It's the same across both models. The way the real-time dirt reports are displayed on the screen is different, but essentially they're showing the same thing. We don't think this feature is strictly necessary on either model, but it can be a useful indicator of when you're done cleaning.
Both models struggled a little was with large debris, pinging corn kernels about the room rather than sucking them up. We also found that the floorheads weren't especially good at getting close up to the edges of rooms. Neither is an issue that's exclusive to Dyson.
The extra weight on the Gen5detect is noticeable, and makes it particularly unwieldy to use as a handheld. It's not just the weight, but the weight distribution, that's the issue – it feels awkward and top-heavy. In fact, we had a similar complaint with the V15, but it's exacerbated on the heavier Gen5detect.
One thing the Gen5detect has going for it is that it's switched on with a single button press, whereas you'll need to compress the trigger on the V15, which is particularly annoying when you're also dealing with a heavy machine. If you're going to be vacuuming for long periods, the Gen5detect will be a better choice.
If you're going to be swapping between handheld and floor modes a lot then it might be worth opting for the Gen5detect, as the integrated crevice and duster tool really does make this process super straightforward. However, it's still pretty simple on the V15.
Our tester who had used both the Gen5detect and V15 Detect was far more enamoured with the Laser Fluffy on the newer model. The brighter, broader beam of light is much easier to see, even in a well lit room, making it much more useful overall.
- Winner: Gen5detect – the newer model has more suction in Boost mode and is quieter, although in reality the V15 will be plenty sucky enough for most people's needs.
Dyson Gen5detect vs V15 detect: battery life
The battery has been upgraded for the Gen5detect, meaning a boost in runtimes. This newer model can manage a maximum of 70 minutes in Eco mode (and actually, ran to 75 minutes in our tests), compared to 60 minutes on the V15.
On test, we got about 18 minutes of power from the V15 on Boost mode. When testing the Gen5detect, we got 15 minutes of cleaning time in Boost mode on a hard floor, but just eight miniutes on carpet. Note that the Boost mode is more powerful on the newer model, which means it should be more efficient at cleaning.
Times in Auto mode will vary, based on how dirty your floors are and whether you're cleaning mostly hard floors or carpet.
Recharge times also vary. Dyson quotes 4 hours 30 mins for both machines, but on test we found the V15 could take up to 5 hours, whereas charging the Gen5detect from flat took just three hours. Both have the option to remove the battery, and you can buy extra batteries and hot-swap them to extend cleaning times.
Both vacuums display a countdown timer on the screen, which shows how long you have left based on the mode you're currently using.
- Winner: Gen5detect
