Although Dyson is a popular brand that manufactures high-tech and efficient tools (many of which our editorial team has tested and reviewed), the brand’s vacuums have a hefty price tag. The best Dyson alternatives are incredibly powerful, versatile and convenient, but they have a more accessible price. Our top pick, Black+Decker’s Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum, has consistently strong suction and converts to a handheld vacuum when needed—and it costs less than $200.
The best Dyson alternatives are incredibly powerful, versatile and convenient, but they’re also more … [+] affordable.
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When choosing the perfect vacuum for your home, consider the type, weight, portability, suction power and attachments included. Stick and handheld vacuums are the most portable options, but corded models offer a longer runtime. Below, we’ve rounded up the best Dyson vacuum alternatives to make cleaning days easier.
Dimensions: 12.2 x 6.6 x 27.8 inches | Weight: 10.6 pounds | Style: Stick | Attachments: Crevice tool with flip-out brush
Pros:
Converts to a handheld vacuum
Intuitive and low-maintenance
Works exceptionally well on rugs and carpets
Cons:
Shorter battery life when on higher suction
Feels top-heavy
If you’re looking for a versatile vacuum that tackles any room in the house but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars, we recommend Black+Decker’s Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum. Its cordless operation and 55-minute charge time (on a low-suction setting) let users tidy up an entire room, from floor to furniture, without staying near a wall outlet. The top half even detaches from the base and becomes a handheld vacuum, affording greater mobility when cleaning small areas. While the dust bin has some design flaws—namely, it has a limited 0.65-liter capacity, and attaching the piece is finicky—the vacuum’s overall performance is superior to others in this price range.
Dimensions: 9 x 13 x 46 inches | Weight: 16.7 pounds | Style: Upright | Attachments: Crevice nozzle, upholstery nozzle and dusting brush
Pros:
Durable
Has a lifetime belt warranty
Excellent suction strength
40-foot cord is conveniently long
Cons:
Pricier than most Dyson vacuums
Ongoing cost to replace vacuum bags
The German brand Sebo has long been one of the most trusted vacuum manufacturers in the world, and the X4 is one of its most popular products. Though expensive, the X4 is built to last and offers a longer lifespan than cheap vacuums, many of which need to be replaced every few years. The powerful brush roller glides across high-pile carpets, linoleum and wood floors, scooping up everything from food crumbs to pet hair. Since it uses disposable bags, the X4 is more hygienic and better at eliminating household allergies than a bagless vacuum.
Dimensions: 8.5 x 9.8 x 44.5 inches | Weight: 6.3 pounds | Style: Stick | Attachments: Long-reach crevice tool, combination tool and turbo action brush
Pros:
Lightweight and easy to maneuver
HEPA filter improves air quality
Optional wet brush attachment
Cons:
Battery doesn’t always last 60 minutes
Weighing a smidge over 6 pounds, the Jet 75 makes vacuuming feel like less of a chore. The cordless, lightweight design lets users reach nooks and crannies around the house, even when cleaning window shutters or removing cobwebs from ceiling cornices. The head also swivels 180 degrees to cover tricky angles underneath furniture. Despite its compact size, the Jet 75 offers powerful suction. It’s more effective on hardwood floors but also catches crumbs and pet hair in plush carpets.
Amazon
Bissell CleanView Rewind Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Dimensions: 14.3 x 15 x 44 inches| Weight: 13.5 pounds | Style: Upright | Attachments: TurboBrush tool, crevice tool and dusting brush
Pros:
Washable filter
Cord retracts at the touch of a button
Comfortable to hold
Cons:
Not the smoothest rolling on carpet
Doesn’t come with a HEPA filter
Due to its 25-foot cord, the Bissell CleanView Rewind sacrifices mobility for other features like a large dust bin, a wide brush roller, and, most importantly, increased suction power. It comes with three attachments, including a standard crevice tool, dusting brush, and the brand’s patented TurboBrush, which is well-suited for stairs and upholstered furniture. The affordable price also makes it a viable option for a range of budgets.
Target
Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal – IX141H
Dimensions: 15 x 10.25 x 46 inches | Weight: 7.63 pounds | Style: Stick | Attachments: Crevice tool
Pros:
Dust cup is easy to empty
HEPA filter to capture dander and allergens
LED lights on the front of the vacuum
Cons:
On the heavier side for a stick vacuum
Average battery life
The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is designed to eliminate hair and dirt left by cats, dogs and other four-legged friends. Once the floors are clean, it converts to a handheld vacuum, so you can spot clean smaller messes as needed and navigate harder-to-reach areas. The low profile lets users vacuum underneath the furniture, too. While bagged vacuums tend to be the most hygienic, this model comes with a HEPA filter to remove airborne particles and allergens.
Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.7 x 43.3 inches | Weight: 3.2 pounds | Style: Stick | Attachments: Pet tool and dusting brush
Pros:
Weighs less than four pounds
Great option for small living spaces
Reliable 50-minute battery
Cons:
Levoit’s LVAC-200 Cordless Vacuum offers versatility without a significant cost commitment. Since it’s cordless, you can freely vacuum an entire room—no need to rearrange tables and chairs to find an electrical outlet. It also has a handheld attachment to remove pet hair from the furniture and a crevice tool for hard-to-reach spots. It’s almost surprising how strong the suction is, considering the vacuum only weighs 3.2 pounds.
Dimensions: 18.7 x 4.6 x 7.3 inches | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Style: Handheld | Attachments: Mini motorized beater bar, crevice tool and dust brush
Pros:
Large dustbin
Cleans hardwood, carpet and upholstery
HEPA filter removes 99.97% of allergens
Cons:
Handle is slightly awkward to hold
Out of the many handheld vacuums we’ve reviewed, the Ryobi 18V One+ Powered Brush Hand Vacuum is the all-around best. Its performance rivals, if not surpasses, Dyson’s handheld vacuum, yet it comes at a fraction of the price. The suction is consistently powerful, and the three interchangeable heads accommodate any surface or fabric. With Ryobi’s updated battery pack, the vacuum has an impressive 45-minute run time—long enough to complete multiple cleanups.
Dimensions: 14.9 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches | Weight: 16 pounds | Style: Upright | Attachments: Upholstery tool and crevice tool
Pros:
Consistent suction on various surfaces
Cleans pet hair well
Comes with a HEPA filter
Cons:
Feels bulky
Difficult to repair
This two-in-one option combines the strength of an upright vacuum with the flexibility of a handheld one. The main brush is strong enough to clean hard and carpeted floors alike. Additionally, the hose detaches from the base for more effortless movement when vacuuming furniture, stairs and any narrow areas. Keep in mind that the vacuum has a 25-foot cord and a 0.9-liter dust cup; both are suitable but not stellar. Aside from that, the Shark NV360 saves hundreds of dollars compared to many high-end competitors while offering comparable suction power.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen editors have extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the best home products on the market. We’ve published scores of expert-backed roundups on cleaning tools and appliances, including the best cordless stick vacuums, the best car vacuums and more.
Author of this piece, Derek Rose, is a regular Forbes Vetted contributor with extensive experience covering home, lifestyle and outdoor topics.
To better understand the ins and outs of vacuums, we interviewed Ed Schultz, owner of Issaquah Sewing & Vacuum. Schultz has worked in the industry for over 35 years.
How We Chose The Best Dyson Vacuum Alternatives
To determine the best Dyson vacuum alternatives, we researched dozens of best-selling options, compared features and asked an industry expert—along with our team of experienced staffers—for insights.
Our home and kitchen editorial team focused on models from trusted brands and retailers, such as Bissell, Shark, Samsung and more.
We evaluated key specifications, including weight, battery life, suction power, cord length, ease of use and price.
We took customer reviews and average star ratings into careful account, sticking to models that have garnered at least an average rating of 4 stars and only a negligible amount of concerning reviews, if any.
The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writer and meticulous vetting by the editorial team.
What To Look For In The Best Dyson Vacuum Alternatives
Since Dyson vacuums are generally expensive, cost was a key consideration when choosing alternative options. Aside from that, the qualities to look for are similar, ranging from the type of vacuum to its functionality.
Type
When buying a vacuum, the best place to start is by deciding what type you want and narrowing down the options from there. Most vacuums are sorted into five categories: upright, canister, handheld, robotic and stick. Some are also labeled as “cordless,” but that can apply to any of the previous vacuum styles, so it’s more of an honorary sixth category. While there’s a lot of variance within categories, they indicate a vacuum’s size, shape and function. Upright and canister vacuums tend to be larger and more powerful. In contrast, handheld, stick and robotic vacuums are often smaller, lighter and more likely to be cordless.
Portability And Weight
Functionality is essential for an appliance that you have to maneuver throughout the house. Stick and handheld vacuums are the most portable options; however, there’s an increasing emphasis on portability for upright vacuums, too. That stems from lighter materials, longer cords, rotating floor brushes and more. A hefty vacuum isn’t a deal-breaker if you’re primarily focused on cleaning the floors. Portability is more important when vacuuming furniture, stairs, window shutters or any small, cramped areas.
Suction Power
Unfortunately, suction power, a vacuum’s most important quality, is hard to gauge without using the appliance firsthand. Aside from relying on reviews, you can estimate suction power based on the type of vacuum—upright vacuums are usually stronger than small handheld ones—and technical specifications like wattage, amperage, horsepower and air wattage. In particular, higher horsepower and air wattage indicate a strong vacuum, but manufacturers don’t always list these figures.
Attachments
Vacuums typically come with multiple attachments to suit different cleaning scenarios. The most common attachments include: high-suction hoses; roller brushes to cover large areas; crevice tools for hard-to-reach places; upholstery brushes for furniture; dust brushes for gentle suction; and extension brushes to vacuum the walls, ceiling and underneath furniture. It’s common for vacuums to include two or three of those attachments, and then other ones are available for purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Vacuum Is Most Comparable To Dyson?
Dyson manufactures many different vacuums, including stick, upright and handheld models. The one we most recommend as an alternative to Dyson is the Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme Cordless Stick Vacuum. Although it’s on the bulkier side, it measures up in suction power, durability and the number of attachments it includes. The top half even detaches from the base and becomes a handheld vacuum, which is helpful when cleaning tight areas.
Who Is Dyson’s Biggest Competitor?
“I think this industry has really circled into three manufacturers that make durable, quality vacuums that work,” says Ed Schultz, owner of Issaquah Sewing & Vacuum. “And that’s Riccar, Sebo and Miele.” While these brands are slightly more niche, they’re direct competitors in the high-end vacuum space, along with Dyson and the other brands highlighted in this guide.
Is Shark Or Dyson Better?
Shark and Dyson both feature a robust lineup of vacuum cleaners, with options available in different styles and prices. Given this variety, it’s more helpful to compare two specific vacuums than the brands in general. However, Shark and Dyson have some notable similarities and differences. Shark manufactures more low-priced vacuums, so it’s the better pick when sticking to a strict budget. Dyson may have a slight edge in terms of suction power and durability, but some Shark vacuums outperform Dyson competitors.
