"Is it really that good though?" I ask every single person who tells me they own a Dyson.
And despite the resounding feedback that yes, Dyson cordless vacuums reign supreme for busy families, I still wasn't convinced.
Owning a Dyson product is a bit like being a vegan, you don't need to ask someone about it, they will tell you. But like veganism, the love of Dyson seems to stir debate.
"It's the price for me," shares one colleague who hears I have embarked on a journey to live my best and most efficient vacuum life.
And to be fair, it's the price for me too. When I purchased all of the three vacuums I now own, price factored into each one. My corded bagged vacuum, a now 9-year-old Hoover model, cost just $100. Which felt like an investment when I purchased it at university.
My robot vacuum, which I purchased in (essential) desperation during lockdown, cost $300.
And my dustbuster hand vacuum for cleaning up small spills cost just $50.
But the latest Dyson model, the V15 Detect, costs a whopping $1499. The same price as the car I was driving when I purchased my first vacuum. But, as an impulsive person, similar to cutting my own bangs with kitchen scissors, I had to try it to see what happened.
Dyson was kind enough to loan me one of their V15 models, so I could try it and share my experience - so I had nothing to lose.
Little did I know that this would change the way I cleaned my home forever, and force me to stare household dust in the eye.
My home
Before we delve into what vacuum is best, let me first paint a picture for you on why this was the case for me. I live in a three-bedroom home, with carpet as the majority stakeholder in the flooring department.
I have a toddler determined to ruin said carpet, and the ability to eat any item with the same gusto as someone driving over a crate of Nature Valley bars with a steamroller. Crumbs everywhere.
We generally vacuum the lounge and kitchen once a day and give the whole house a good run around once or twice a week.
Here's how four different vacuum styles held up in my busy family home
Corded bagged vacuum - Hoover
Pros
The price of an entry model corded vac like mine is relatively low, and the performance is pretty good. My son enjoys unplugging the cord and pushing the button to retract the cord, while it's in use. While this is fun for him, it's less fun for me.
It does the job it was made for and my corded vacuum has given me some serious bang for my $100 buck. Spread out across the nine years I have owned it, that is about $11 a year and 20 cents per week for something adequate.
That to me has been absolute value for money.
Cons
The set-up is a genuine wind-up. I get that in the scheme of things, plugging a pipe into a machine, and then a hose, then plugging it into the wall isn't that hard. But when you are juggling cooking, a toddler, a courier at the door, working from home and staying alive, it's enough to make you kick that bag of spilt rice under the fridge. Worry about that when you move.
The noise is also quite dramatic, as is the heat that comes from the machine. Granted my machine isn't new, but my trusty vac has started to emit a stale odour, which makes my home feel less than clean. I feel the end is nigh.
Robot vacuum - Hoover
Pros
On hardwoods and tiles, this vacuum works fine. It sucks up surface-level dust and does so with relative ease. Many parents swear by this vacuum for their homes and sanity. I am not one of those parents.
Cons
Hair gets stuck in the wheels and absolutely nothing can remove it. This vacuum also seems to hate carpets and detest rugs.
It doesn't clean in corners and occasionally just decides to spit out its contents if things get too tough. I get it, we all have bad days. But I have to follow this thing around with more care than I put into parenting. It bangs into stools, doors, walls, couches, coffee tables, toys, cats' tails, and I am utterly convinced this "robot" is not fully emotionally developed.
Hand dustbuster - Black & Decker
Pros
It's fine. It's honestly totally fine. It's pretty good for cleaning up a rogue obliterated muffin from a car seat, and it's super light and portable.
The noise level is relatively low and all in all, it does light jobs that it's tasked with. But this is not a memorable vacuum and for some reason I need it to be.
Cons
Popcorn is too heavy for this vacuum to pick up. Popcorn. I also hate cleaning the little filter system these vacuums contain and battery life is minimal.
Cordless stick vac - Dyson V15
Pros
Everything. It's powerful, it's efficient, it's a grab and go device, it's fast and easy to use and for me it's perfect. While me and the device are still in the honeymoon stage, I am genuinely excited to use it.
I have done the mattresses, the skirting boards, and the couch and I have frothed over all the different types of dirt I can see it picking up on the screen.
To put things into perspective, I vacuumed and professionally cleaned the carpets in my house, then used the Dyson and twice filled the canister up. Every time I have used it since, I feel like I am just vacuuming up the day's grub, not years of filth.
It also comes with a fun little laser head, which literally shows you where the dirt on hard surfaces is that you can't see with the naked eye. Germaphobes and those will allergies can rejoice, because the device also shows you the size and count of dust particles on the screen as you clean.
It also quadruples my ability to cope with niggles like spilt rice, which is something worthy of adoration.
Cons
The only con on this has to be that price tag. $1499 is a lot of money and out of reach for many, including myself if I want to make my mortgage payments. But there are similar models around half the price, that while not quite as powerful, are certainly worth the investment - according to all my vocal Dyson loving pals.
The verdict
For me, this particular Dyson model is truly in a league of its own - granted I didn't trial other brands in the stick vac format. However, I loved the experience and my home feels healthier because of it.
The process of using a cordless stick vacuum is so much quicker and I am more likely to want to pull out the vacuum and use it.
That being said, there is something to admire about a 9-year-old cord vacuum that has been loyal as they come. Let's not forget her in our parting words.
But if the past year and a half has taught us anything, it's that there is nothing more important than health and the health of your family. And while there are many great stick vacuums on the market these days, this particular much-hyped device offered me peace of mind in truckloads.
So will I be dropping $1499 on it? The zinger for me comes in that price tag, having just purchased a new house, it's just not feasible. Because of that, unless there is some fantastic sale, I will probably opt for one of their slightly lower level models when I do go purchase one. And I will be a happy little vacuumer once more.
