What to Look For
Suction Power & Real-World Performance
Pa (Pascal) suction ratings are measured in lab conditions. Real-world performance depends on brush design, airflow path and filter quality. Dyson's laser dust detection is a genuine innovation — it shows you what you're actually picking up.
Battery Life (cordless vacuums)
Manufacturer battery claims are on Eco mode, not Max. Real-world max-mode runtime is typically 40-60% of the advertised figure. A Dyson V15 claiming 60 minutes gets about 25 minutes on Boost. Plan for real usage, not spec sheet usage.
Robot Vacuum Navigation
Older robot vacuums bump around randomly. Modern LiDAR or camera mapping creates a floor plan, avoids obstacles and cleans systematically. The difference in effectiveness is enormous — don't buy anything without mapping.
Air Purifier Coverage Area
CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) is the metric that matters — it tells you how much air volume the purifier cleans per hour. Divide your room area by 1.5 to get the minimum CADR you need. Marketing 'suitable for large rooms' claims are frequently overstated.
Filter Type & Running Costs
True HEPA filters (H13 or H14) capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and above. HEPA-style filters are not the same. Factor in replacement filter costs — some models charge £60+ per year in filters.
Noise Level
Cordless vacuums are loud at max power. Robot vacuums run unattended but can wake people. Check dB ratings: below 65dB is genuinely quiet for a vacuum, below 55dB is near-silent for a robot.
Understanding the Price Ranges
Budget tier. Basic cordless vacs, entry robot vacuums without mapping. Functional but limited.
Mid-range. Shark cordless, iRobot Roomba entry, Levoit air purifiers. Good daily performance.
Premium. Dyson V11/V15, Roomba j7+, Dyson air purifiers. Near-professional quality.
Luxury. Dyson V15 Detect Absolute, Ecovacs X2, whole-home systems. Diminishing returns but real advantages.
Our Top Recommendations
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute
Laser dust detection reveals hidden debris. Piezo sensor counts particles. The most intelligent vacuum made.
iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum
PrecisionVision obstacle avoidance. Self-empties into Clean Base. Learns your home over time.
Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP09
Heats, cools and purifies. HEPA H13 + activated carbon. Air quality sensors with real-time display.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a robot vacuum without mapping capability — random-bump models miss large areas and waste time
- Choosing a cordless vacuum based on suction Pa rating alone — brush design and filtration matter as much
- Buying an air purifier too small for the room — check CADR against your square footage, not just 'large room' claims
- Ignoring ongoing filter costs — some 'cheap' air purifiers cost more in annual filters than premium alternatives
- Buying a Dyson without checking the correct model for your home — the range from V8 to V15 is enormous and often misunderstood
Browse by What You Need
FAQ
Is a Dyson worth the money vs cheaper alternatives?
For cordless vacuums, yes — Dyson's engineering genuinely produces better real-world performance than alternatives at equivalent prices. The V8 at £250 beats everything else at that price. The V15 Detect's laser dust detection is a genuine innovation. For corded uprights, Miele offers equivalent quality at lower cost.
Do robot vacuums actually work?
Modern mapping robot vacuums (iRobot j7+, Ecovacs X2, Roborock S8) genuinely maintain floor cleanliness between manual sessions. They don't replace a deep clean but dramatically reduce how often you need one. Budget models without mapping are much less effective — avoid anything under £200 without LiDAR mapping.
What air purifier do I actually need?
Calculate your room's floor area in m². Multiply by the ceiling height (typically 2.4m) to get volume. You want an air purifier that exchanges the air 5 times per hour — so divide volume by 5 and that's your minimum m³/hour airflow requirement. Most manufacturers overstate coverage area by 40-60%.
Dyson V8 vs V11 vs V15 — which should I buy?
V8: smaller homes, hard floors, lighter use — great value. V11: larger homes, carpets, everyday use — the sweet spot. V15 Detect: laser dust detection, piezo sensor counts particles — only justified if you have allergies or large carpeted areas and want data on your cleaning.