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Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute Vacuum Review

Tested using Methodology v1.3
Reviewed Sep 27, 2023 at 11:37 am
Latest change: Retest Aug 26, 2024 at 04:30 pm
Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute  Picture
7.9
Bare Floor
7.8
Low-Pile Carpet
7.8
High-Pile Carpet
7.9
Pets
8.6
Stairs
8.0
Cars
6.1
Workshop

The Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute is part of Dyson's 2023 flagship lineup of cordless stick vacuums. With a dustbin that the manufacturer advertises to be 150% larger than the bin on the Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute, it's essentially a higher-capacity version of that model, featuring the same improvements over older models like the Dyson Outsize. These include an on/off power button instead of a squeeze trigger and a built-in crevice tool that integrates into the vacuum's wand. Despite these welcome improvements, the vacuum's larger size still makes it harder to maneuver than your average stick vacuum.

Our Verdict

7.9 Bare Floor

The Dyson Gen5outsize is great for bare floors. It has little trouble clearing debris from hard surfaces like tile or hardwood, though larger materials like cereal can sometimes get clogged in the entryway to its dirt compartment. The vacuum feels slightly sturdier than older Dyson models, but some parts still feel flimsy. Thankfully, the vacuum has plenty of tools and attachments, including a soft roller head with an LED light to help you see dust and fine debris on hard surfaces. The vacuum is also easy to maintain and won't incur recurring costs as long as you regularly clean its HEPA filter. Its larger size makes it a bit cumbersome to maneuver and use for long periods.

Pros
  • Superb overall cleaning performance.
  • Bagless design incurs minimal recurring costs.
  • LED light on soft roller floorhead to help see fine debris.
  • Large-capacity dirt compartment.
Cons
  • Harder to maneuver than most stick vacuums.
  • Build quality feels a bit flimsy in areas.
  • Larger debris can clog entry to dustbin.
7.8 Low-Pile Carpet

The Dyson Gen5outsize is very good for low-pile carpet. It clears away debris on this surface type with ease, with a strong suction motor that can pull deeply embedded debris out of carpet fibers. The vacuum is well-built for the most part, easy to maintain, and doesn't incur recurring costs. However, its larger size and weight make it a bit harder to move around, especially during longer cleaning sessions.

Pros
  • Superb overall cleaning performance.
  • Bagless design incurs minimal recurring costs.
  • Large-capacity dirt compartment.
Cons
  • Harder to maneuver than most stick vacuums.
  • Build quality feels a bit flimsy in areas.
7.8 High-Pile Carpet

The Dyson Gen5outsize can clear away plenty of debris on high-pile carpets, but its powerful suction force makes it very hard to maneuver on this floor type. It takes a lot of force to push and pull it on thicker rugs and carpets, which, along with its heavier size and weight, gets tiresome fairly quickly. Its motorized brushroll can also get tripped up on shag carpet or rug tassels.

Pros
  • Superb overall cleaning performance.
  • Bagless design incurs minimal recurring costs.
  • Large-capacity dirt compartment.
Cons
  • Harder to maneuver than most stick vacuums.
  • Build quality feels a bit flimsy in areas.
  • Hard to push around on thicker carpets.
7.9 Pets

The Dyson Gen5outsize is great for households with pets. It has no issues clearing away pet hair on bare and carpeted floors and upholstered furniture. It also comes with a HEPA filter to trap allergens like pet dander. It has a large dustbin capacity for a stick vacuum, though its larger size can make it a hassle to maneuver, especially when getting pet hair out of hard-to-reach areas like the crevices in your couch.

Pros
  • Superb overall cleaning performance.
  • Does a superb job of clearing pet hair on a variety of surfaces.
  • HEPA filter traps fine allergens.
  • Large-capacity dirt compartment.
Cons
  • Harder to maneuver than most stick vacuums.
  • Build quality feels a bit flimsy in areas.
8.6 Stairs

The Dyson Gen5outsize is excellent for cleaning stairs. Its cordless design makes it easy to clean up and down stairs. However, it's less portable than most stick vacuums, with a larger dirt compartment and heavier weight that can make it a bit tiresome to maneuver, especially in tight spots like staircases. Thankfully, it delivers excellent debris pickup performance on a variety of surface types.

Pros
  • Superb overall cleaning performance.
  • Large-capacity dirt compartment.
  • Cordless design.
Cons
  • Harder to maneuver than most stick vacuums.
  • Build quality feels a bit flimsy in areas.
8.0 Cars

The Dyson Gen5outsize is great for cleaning the inside of your car. Its cordless design means you don't have to worry about finding an outlet, and you can easily reconfigure it into a handheld vacuum. It even has an integrated crevice/dusting tool that fits inside the main wand. Aside from that, however, there's no onboard storage for other attachments. The large size of its dustbin can also make it hard to maneuver in tight spots.

Pros
  • Superb overall cleaning performance.
  • Large-capacity dirt compartment.
  • Cordless design.
Cons
  • Harder to maneuver than most stick vacuums.
  • Build quality feels a bit flimsy in areas.
6.1 Workshop

The Dyson Gen5outsize isn't designed for workshops. While it has no trouble cleaning household messes, it isn't meant to be used on heavy-duty debris like wood, metal shavings, or liquids.

Pros
  • Superb overall cleaning performance.
  • Large-capacity dirt compartment.
Cons
  • Harder to maneuver than most stick vacuums.
  • Build quality feels a bit flimsy in areas.
  • Isn't designed for heavy-duty materials.
  • 7.9 Bare Floor
  • 7.8 Low-Pile Carpet
  • 7.8 High-Pile Carpet
  • 7.9 Pets
  • 8.6 Stairs
  • 8.0 Cars
  • 6.1 Workshop
  1. Updated Aug 26, 2024: We've updated the scores in the Hard Floor Pick-Up, High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up, Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up, and Pet-Hair Pick-Up tests to align with a broader data set. For more information about the reasoning for this update, you can look at our forum post.
  2. Updated Jul 02, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3. We've overhauled our floor performance tests and added new 'Hard Floor Pick-Up,' 'High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' 'Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' and 'Pet-Hair Pick-Up' tests. You can see the full changelog here.
  3. Updated May 24, 2024: Following user feedback, we've modified the text in this review to mention that newer versions of this vacuum come with an updated Fluffy Optic cleaner head that incorporates a built-in LED instead of a laser.
  4. Updated Mar 06, 2024: We've added a link to the Miele Triflex HX2 in the 'Noise' section of the review to provide a quieter alternative.
  5. Updated Feb 09, 2024: We've added a link to the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine​ in the 'Stains' section of the review to provide an alternative that offers mopping capability.
  6. Updated Dec 14, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update builds on our previous 'Suction' test with a new 'Airflow' test that more accurately measures a vacuum's ability to generate air movement. If you'd like to see an in-depth look at the reasoning and methodology behind this change, you can see our full changelog here..
  7. Updated Sep 27, 2023: Review published.
  8. Updated Sep 20, 2023: Early access published.
  9. Updated Sep 14, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
  10. Updated Sep 01, 2023: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  11. Updated Jun 08, 2023: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Dyson Gen5outsize comes in two main variants, the Gen5outsize and the Gen5outsize Absolute, though they differ only in color. You can buy either variant of the vacuum with either the regular-sized Digital Motorbar™ cleaner head or the Digital Motorbar™ XL cleaner head, which is a bit wider. The variants with the XL motorhead also come with a second battery. We tested the Gen5outsize in Nickel/Blue with the Digital Motorbar™ XL; you can see our unit's label here.

Model Name Tools Included Color Notes
Gen5outsize Fluffy Optic™ cleaner head, Digital Motorbar™ cleaner head, Hair screw tool, built-in crevice and dusting tool, combination tool, Wall dok™, charger Iron/Purple  
Gen5outsize Absolute Fluffy Optic™ cleaner head, Digital Motorbar™ cleaner head, Hair screw tool, built-in crevice and dusting tool, combination tool, Wall dok™, charger Prussian Blue/Copper Exclusive to Dyson.com
Gen5outsize Fluffy Optic™ cleaner head, Digital Motorbar™ XL cleaner head, Hair screw tool, built-in crevice and dusting tool, combination tool, Wall dok™, additional battery, charger Nickel/Blue  
Gen5outsize Absolute Fluffy Optic™ cleaner head, Digital Motorbar™ XL cleaner head, Hair screw tool, built-in crevice and dusting tool, combination tool, Wall dok™, additional battery, charger Prussian Blue/Rich Copper Exclusive to Dyson.com

 If you come across another variant, let us know, and we'll update the review.

Compared To Other Vacuums

The Dyson Gen5outsize is a high-end cordless stick vacuum. It performs very similarly to its regular-sized stablemate, the Dyson Gen5detect, with a powerful suction motor, class-leading debris pickup performance, and plenty of useful tools and attachments. That said, while its larger-capacity dustbin means less frequent emptying, it also comes at the cost of maneuverability—arguably the main advantage of choosing a cordless stick vacuum over other types. That aside, it also doesn't offer enough improvements over the Dyson Outsize to justify its substantially higher price.

For more options, check out our recommendations for the best cordless stick vacuums, the best vacuums for hardwood floors, or the best vacuums overall.

Dyson V15 Detect

The Dyson V15 Detect is better overall than the Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute. While the Gen5outsize does feature some improvements over the V15, like a on/off button instead of a standard trigger and a larger dustbin, it doesn't offer enough to justify its significantly higher price. It's also less portable and maneuverable.

Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute

The Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute and the Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute perform very similarly overall. But unless you need the larger-capacity dustbin of the Gen5outsize, the regular Gen5detect is better for most people, with a more maneuverable design.

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
7.0
Design
Build Quality
Vacuum Type
Stick/Handheld

The Dyson Gen5outsize feels decently well-built. Like the Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute, the body feels slightly sturdier than previous Dyson models, with a slightly thicker grade of plastic. It incorporates many of the same elements as the Gen5detect, including an on/off button rather than a trigger and an integrated crevice tool that slots into the wand. The crevice tool includes a plastic barrier to prevent the bristles from bending backward, which is a nice touch. That said, there are still a few components that feel a bit cheap. Just like the Gen5detect, the rubber gasket around the cyclone peels and breaks down very easily, as you can see here.

Out-of-the-box assembly is easy, with parts that attach using easy-clip mechanisms. When you first turn the vacuum on, you simply need to choose a language on the LED display to complete the initial setup.

7.5
Design
User Maintenance

The Dyson Gen5outsize is pretty easy to maintain. Although many parts require regular maintenance, they're very easy to access.

  • Dirt compartment: You can empty the dirt compartment, which is attached to the main body, by pressing the release button. However, you need to remove the wand first, which is inconvenient. You can also detach the dustbin completely by pressing the red release button on the spine of the main body. That gives you access to the lint screen, which you should wipe periodically with a damp cloth to clear any stuck-on debris.
  • Fluffy brushroll: You can rotate the indentation on the left side of the Fluffy Optic™ vacuum head to release the fluffy brushroll from its housing. You should regularly clean it under cold water when needed, but remove the bearings inside first. Overall, it's very easy to clear away any stuck-on dirt or tangled hair. You should also wipe down the LED with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth periodically.
  • Motorized head brushroll: You can access the brushroll of the motorized vacuum head by using a coin to remove the side cover and then sliding the brushroll out. While this floorhead has 'detangling vanes' to trap hair, some can still get stuck around the brushroll. That said, once you remove the brushroll, it isn't that hard to clean.
  • Hair screw tool brushroll: You can access this part by pulling a release latch on the back of the turbo brush and clearing it of stuck-on debris as needed.
  • HEPA Filter: The HEPA filter is at the top of the vacuum, and you can release it from its housing by twisting it counterclockwise. You should wash it under cold water at least once a month or whenever the maintenance light indicates it needs cleaning. Note also that the vacuum doesn't turn on if the HEPA filter isn't mounted in place.

You should leave any parts that you wash under cold water out to dry for at least 24 hours before re-installing them.

10
Design
Recurring Cost
Bag Part Number No bag
Filter Part Number Unidentified
HEPA Filter Part Number Unidentified

The Dyson Gen5outsize incurs virtually no recurring costs. As long as you regularly clean the HEPA filter, it won't need replacing.

Unfortunately, replacement filters, in case of damage or loss, are currently unavailable. That isn't unusual for a new vacuum, however. Once this part is in stock, we'll update this review. On the upside, you can purchase a replacement battery from Dyson's website, seen here. It's worth noting that the Gen5 models use a different battery than older Dyson models, so you can't use the battery from the original Dyson Outsize on this model or vice versa.

6.6
Design
Storing
Height
45.87" (116.5 cm)
Width
12.60" (32.0 cm)
Depth
12.60" (32.0 cm)
Cord Storing
Not Needed
On-Board Tool Storage
No
Vacuum Rack/Station
Yes

The vacuum is fairly easy to store. It's the same size as the Dyson Outsize and a bit bigger overall than the Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute. It comes with a wall-mounted docking station for easier storage. While there's no place to store attachments on the vacuum itself, the docking station can hold two of the included accessories.

If you choose to mount the docking station to the wall, letting the floorhead dangle, the full height of the vacuum is just under 52" (131cm).

8.0
Design
Dirt Compartment
Bagless
Yes
Volume
0.40 gal (1.52 L)
Full Indicator
Yes
Bag Included
No Bag Needed

The Dyson Gen5outsize has a large dirt compartment for a stick vacuum, though its size impacts maneuverability. When filled to the Max fill line, the dust bin holds 1.52L (0.40 gal), which falls short of the 1.9L (0.50 gal) capacity that Dyson advertises. When filled completely, it's more in line with the advertised capacity, but you aren't supposed to fill it past the Max fill line. Still, it's significantly larger than the Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute, and you shouldn't have to empty it too frequently. The clear plastic also makes it easy to monitor how full it is.

Design
In The Box

  • Dyson Gen5outsize vacuum
    • Vacuum body/dirt compartment
    • HEPA filter
    • Fluffy Optic™ vacuum head
    • Digital Motorbar™ vacuum head
    • Wand
    • 1x Battery
    • User Guide
  • Tools and brushes
    • Integrated crevice tool/soft-bristle brush
    • Upholstery brush/Hard bristle brush combination tool
    • Conical turbo brush
  • Wall Dok™
    • Docking station
    • Docking station backplate
    • Installation manual with mounting screws
    • Charging cable

10
Design
Range
Cordless
Yes
Cord Length
N/A
Hose Length
N/A
Minimum Wand Length
1.25 ft (0.38 m)
Maximum Wand Length
3.28 ft (1.00 m)
Total Range
N/A

Since this is a cordless vacuum, its range is limited only by its remaining battery life and the room left in its dirt compartment.

7.4
Design
Portability
Total Weight
8.44 lbs (3.83 kg)
Weight In Hand
5.45 lbs (2.47 kg)
Carrying handle
Yes

The vacuum is fairly portable but notably bigger than most cordless stick vacuums. It's almost a pound heavier than the Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute, which itself is heavier than its predecessor. Though these are slight differences, and it's still far from being the heaviest vacuum on the market, it makes it harder to carry around and maneuver for long periods than other stick vacuums.

7.9
Design
Battery
Minimum Battery Life
14 min
Maximum Battery Life
154 min
Recharge Time
447 min
Recharge Dock
Yes
Battery Life Indicator
Yes
Removable Batteries
Yes

The Dyson Gen5outsize has very good battery performance, partly because it comes with two batteries, so you can quickly swap to the second battery while the first charges. It's on par with the Dyson Outsize, with over two and a half hours of runtime when using two fully-charged batteries in the energy-conserving 'Eco' mode. With a single battery, the vacuum has a maximum runtime of just over 75 minutes in 'Eco' mode. Using the more powerful 'Boost' mode gives you just under 15 minutes of runtime with two batteries, or around seven minutes per battery. That's enough for spot-cleaning stubborn messes since you likely won't clean entire rooms in 'Boost' mode. It's also worth noting that battery life can vary drastically in its self-adjusting 'Auto' mode depending on the surface you're cleaning as well as the debris type. Thankfully, you can easily check the estimated remaining battery life at a glance on the LED display. That said, it takes a little under four hours to recharge each individual battery, which is quite a long time.

Design
Quality Of Life Features
Rotating Head
Yes
Power Adjustment
Yes
Self-Propelled
No
Headlights
Yes
Easy On/Off
Yes
Head Surface Type Adjustment
Manual

The Dyson Gen5outsize has several quality-of-life features. You can choose between three different power modes: the energy-efficient 'Eco' mode, the high-suction 'Boost' mode, and the 'Auto' mode, which automatically adjusts the suction power depending on the amount of debris and the surface you're cleaning. There's a suction gate on its motorized head to help you further tweak its suction force on different surfaces. Like its predecessor, it also has an LED display that gives you a rough estimate of particle quantities sucked into the dustbin. Instead of a regular trigger, this vacuum features an on/off button, similar to the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, so you don't have to keep holding down a trigger throughout longer cleaning sessions. The Fluffy Optic™ vacuum head features an integrated LED light to help you see finer debris on hard surfaces.

It's worth noting that older versions of the vacuum had a floorhead with a Laser light, not an LED. This Laser Fluffy Optic head would get noticeably brighter than the Laser Slim Fluffy head that also used to be bundled with the Dyson V15 Detect. You can see how the two lights compare here and here.

Design
Tools And Brushes
Brushroll
Yes
Brushroll On/Off
No
Removable Brushroll
Yes
Turbo Brush
Yes
Crevice Tool
Yes
Upholstery Tool
Yes
Soft Bristle Brush
Yes
Hard Bristle Brush
No
Extension Wand
Yes
Ceiling Fan Tool
No
Pet Grooming Tool
No

The Dyson Gen5outsize comes with a wide range of tools and accessories. It has unique tools, like the Fluffy Optic™ head, which helps you see small particles on bare floors. There's also a conical turbo brush, which can clean pet hair from fabric-lined surfaces, as well as a combination tool that features an upholstery tool and a sliding hard bristle brush. Like the Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute, it also features a crevice tool/soft-bristle brush that slots into the wand, making it easy to remove the wand to quickly use as a handheld vacuum. You can see how that works here. That tool features a plastic bracket that surrounds the bristles to protect the bristles, which you can see here.

Design
Alternative Configuration
Blower Mode
No

You can reconfigure the Dyson Gen5outsize into a handheld vacuum by removing its wand. Unlike many previous Dyson models, there's an integrated crevice tool/soft-bristle brush that fits inside the main wand, making it much easier to quickly switch into handheld mode.

Performance
8.0
Performance
Hard Floor Pick-Up
7.0
Performance
High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
7.0
Performance
Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
9.5
Performance
Pet-Hair Pick-Up
7.8
Performance
Suction
Maximum Hose Suction
84.9 inH₂O (21.14 kPa)
Maximum Head Suction
9.8 inH₂O (2.44 kPa)
Normal Head Suction
3.3 inH₂O (0.82 kPa)
Setting Used For Normal "Auto", (Fluffy Optic™ Cleaner Head)
Hose Diameter
1.3" (3.2 cm)

The vacuum's suction force is very strong, particularly in its high-power 'Boost' mode. Its advertised suction power of 250 AW is a bit lower than the 262 AW advertised for the Dyson Gen5detect, but in practice, they're not far off. Overall, the vacuum has enough suction force to pick up debris embedded in carpet fibers, cracks, and crevices.

7.8
Performance
Airflow
Maximum Hose Airflow
71.8 CFM (2.0 m³/min)
8.4
Performance
Noise
Bare Floor
73.3 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
70.4 dBA

The Dyson Gen5outsize isn't too loud, especially when using the Fluffy Optic™ floorhead on bare floors in 'Eco' or 'Auto' mode. With the motorized multi-surface floorhead, it gets a bit louder, especially when 'Boost' mode kicks in on carpets. Still, if you want something quieter, you could always consider the Miele Triflex HX2.

7.0
Performance
Maneuverability

The Dyson Gen5outsize isn't the most maneuverable stick vacuum. Its larger size makes it harder to maneuver than the Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute, with a wider vacuum head that requires wider turns when maneuvering around corners or obstacles. While the handle includes some padding above the grip for comfort, it doesn't help much with the vacuum's weight, which can cause fatigue in the hand and wrist during longer sessions. Because of its suction power, the vacuum is also very difficult to maneuver on high-pile rugs and carpet. Shag carpeting and rug tassels can get caught in the brushroll and stop the vacuum from operating, as well, though the vacuum doesn't give you an indication that the brushroll has stopped spinning. The large dirt compartment can be awkward maneuvering under couches and low tables. Still, the vacuum's cordless design makes it easy to move from room to room, easily switch into handheld mode, and change out attachments to clean furniture.

7.5
Performance
Pet Hair Furniture Performance
Sofa Pickup Post Test

Like the Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute, the vacuum does a great job of dealing with pet hair on upholstered furniture when used with its Hair Screw Tool in its 'Auto' power mode. However, like the original Dyson Outsize, its larger size makes it harder to maneuver, and the dirt compartment can get in the way when trying to get inside the crack of a sofa arm, for instance.

Performance
Air Quality
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes

The Dyson Gen5outsize has good air filtration performance. The manufacturer advertises its HEPA filtration system as being able to seal in particles measuring as small as 0.1 microns.

8.5
Performance
Cracks
Wood Cracks Post Test

The Dyson Gen5outsize does an excellent job of cleaning debris from cracks and crevices on hard floors using its soft roller head. It's slightly better than the Dyson Outsize at clearing fine debris like baking soda out of cracks.

3.0
Performance
Stains
Stain Pickup Post Test

This vacuum isn't meant to clear away stains on hard floors with either of its included floorheads. Consider the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine if you want a cordless stick vacuum that's compatible with a dedicated mopping head for clearing away stains.

0
Performance
Water
Wet Compatible
No
Water Pickup Post Test

This vacuum isn't designed to clear away liquid spills.