Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute Vacuum Review

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

• 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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