Why You Can Trust CNET My Dyson V15 Cordless Vacuum Is Still My Favorite Gift Ever
I'm a mother, a house cleaner, a pet owner, a wife and a tech editor. My favorite gift is one where technology helps me manage it all.
I'm a working mother with two messy toddlers, a constantly shedding dog and a husband who sometimes tracks in dirt. And I like to have a clean house. My Dyson V15 cordless vacuum cleaner helps me clean up life's messes faster, better and more conveniently than before -- and just as important, helps me keep a sane household.
Some commenters on Reddit seem to think you shouldn't buy a practical gift like a vacuum cleaner for your loved one. I disagree.
Before the Dyson V15 was awarded a CNET Editors' Choice Award, before it out-suctioned its stick vacuum competitors in CNET's laboratory testing and before it made CNET's best cordless vacuums list, the Dyson V15 was just a gift-wrapped box under my decorated tree at holiday time. That was two years ago, and it's still my favorite gift.
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This is only two days worth of dog hair my Dyson can suction up on its highest suction setting from a 500 square foot section of carpet.
Why I love my Dyson V15 vacuum
My Dyson V15 works great for quick clean-ups or deep cleans. Because it's cordless, I appreciate not having to constantly plug and then unplug it when cleaning the upstairs and downstairs in my home. It doesn't take up storage space because the charging docking station is mounted in our garage.
It's no surprise to me that the Dyson V15 outperformed most of its competitors during CNET's lab testing. It is now rated as having the best suction performance for a cordless vacuum.
My Dyson cleans my car too
My kids' and pets' messes aren't contained to my house so I love how the Dyson easily converts to handheld mode, which comes in handy for suctioning up loose toddler snacks from car seats and car floors. The crevice attachment can reach those in-between spaces in my car and couch cushions.
The Dyson V15 converts into a handheld for easy car cleanup.
Washable HEPA filter is a welcome plus
I love the washable HEPA cloth filter too. No more running out of replacement filters. Simply wash it and let it dry. I also bought a backup replacement filter to use so I don't have to wait for the original filter to dry before using my beloved Dyson on another mess.
I love how easy it is to clean my Dyson HEPA filter. I have two replacement filters on deck in case one is still wet from washing it.
A high-performing vacuum with one flaw
My one complaint is its battery life when using it on its best suction setting: boost mode. Dyson's boost mode works well picking up my dog's pet hair, but it drains the battery quickly. To clean two stories in boost mode, it needs to recharge, which can take a few hours.
In the middle setting -- auto mode -- I can clean the upstairs and downstairs of my 2,000-square-foot home on a single charge, and it works well on hard floors and pretty good on carpet. Auto mode is fine for in-between cleanings, but boost mode works best for a deep carpet clean.
Dyson's three power modes are Eco, Auto. Medium and Boost are designed for different tasks. The battery's overall run time will vary based on power mode selection. I find Boost mode to work best on pet hair, but will drain the battery quickly.
Pro tip
I found that if I use Dyson's boost mode on the downstairs floor and then put the Dyson back on the charger, it will recharge enough to finish the upstairs while I mop the downstairs hard floor.