The Strategist Guide to Shopping at Dyson

Strategist senior writer Michael Zhao calls Dyson’sGen5detectthe easiest to use and the longest-lasting of the countless cordless vacuums he’s tested. That’s largely in part due to its attached laser, which helps you see the dirt on your floor and allows the vacuum to adjust its suction power based on the amount of dirt. “Being able to see precisely what needs to be cleaned and confirm when it is done is quite satisfying,” he says, “like watching a Zamboni at work.” It also has a unique, built-in tool for reaching crevices and brushing surfaces that automatically reveals itself when you remove the floor-extension tube.

While Zhao says the Gen5detect is the most satisfying vacuum to use, he says Dyson’s V16 is themost powerfulcordless model he’s tested — in fact, it’s the first one that comes close to the strength of a corded vacuum. It generates 315 air watts of suction, compared to the Gen5detect’s 280, and it can last up to 17 minutes on its highest suction setting, while the Gen5detect lasts only eight. Additionally, Zhao says that the V16’s All Floor Cones Sense attachment does a good job of adjusting its brush speed when on hardwood floors versus carpet. “If you want your home to feel clean in addition to looking clean, and you don’t want to bother with a secondary corded vacuum, the V16 is worth the premium,” he says.

To get even more out of the V16, Dyson also sells a version with a Submarine floor-washing attachment that Zhao says does a fairly good job of scrubbing your floors.

For those who turn to a broom more often than a vacuum, Zhao says the PencilVac is more than enough. In fact, he says, it’s “quickly become my weapon of choice in my ceaseless battle against the clay granules coating the floor of the room where my cats’ litter boxes reside.” Its lower suction power means it won’t be replacing a more powerful vacuum, but even so, Zhao says it’s a spot-cleaning tool that can really make your life easier. “It could very well become your most-used vacuum, even if it can’t be your only vacuum.”

Dyson also makes a dedicated hard-floor cleaner that’s had my housecleaner than eversince I started testing it a month ago. It’s a great mop replacement — it works with plain water or non-foaming cleaning solution — but also has a built-in dry-cleaning function that does a good job of picking up debris an actual vacuum may have left behind. The cleaning head has a motorized mopping pad that’s covered in microfiber and scrubs with enough force to leave floors feeling as good as after a manual mopping. There’s also a self-cleaning function that ensures the pad never gets filthy, making maintenance a mostly hands-off endeavor.

While not yet available for purchase, this collaboration with Supreme caught my eye while researching for this article. It’s an all-red version of the V12 vacuum cleaner with that signature Supreme aesthetic. What better way to make cleaning a bit more enjoyable than satisfying your inner hypebeast?

While not the cheapestair purifierwe recommend, it’s the most low-maintenance option — you’ll hardly have to think about it once it’s set up. “All you need to do is vacuum or dust the exterior every once in a while,” Zhao says, as its filter is designed to last up to five years (most promise up to a year at most). There’s also a display on the front that’ll tell you the room’s current air quality, but, Zhao notes, “the Hushjet’s real value comes from not having to maintain it.”

If you live in a home with a gas stove, you may be worried about indoor air pollution. If you want to lower your NO2 levels, Zhao recommends the Cool PC2 De-NOx purifier. Its filters use potassium carbonate, which improves both its performance and longevity and better traps NO2. According to Dyson — and backed by the findings from a2015 studypublished in theJournal of Hazardous Materials— that removes up to 50 percent more NO2 than standard carbon-filtration systems.

According to Strategist senior editor Ailbhe Malone, this is the most luxurious cooling experience you can get. “You get a huge waft of air, rather than the little slats from a regular fan,” she says. And, because it doesn’t have any exposed blades, it’s a safe option for households with children or pets.

While not the most powerful fan you can get, this is one of the nicest-looking options available. “Its petite frame means you can put it practically anywhere you want, from your coffee table to the floor,” Zhao says, adding that he found it especially useful to place on a kitchen island while using the oven or cooking on high heat.

I split my time between two desert cities, so this summer I’ve been extremely grateful for Dyson’s travel-friendly fan that’s nearly as good as a personal desk fan. It has five settings, the lowest of which feels like a gentle breeze, while the highest setting is strong enough to cool you down after a run. And because it’s only slightly larger than an electric toothbrush, you could easily drop it in acarry-onfor travel or a tote for a day trip to the park.

Dyson offers three models of the Airwrap, ranging in price from a jaw-dropping $550 all the way up to $750. While the high-end model is quite pricey, Strategist senior writer Dominique Pariso says “if you’re investing in your very first Airwrap, go big or go home.” It comes in straight-to-wavy and curly-to-coily models; each includes the appropriate attachments to accommodate your hair’s texture. “While the main criticism of the Airwrap has always been the relatively short life span of the curls it creates,” Pariso says, “I found that the Co-anda2x’s last the longest by far.” She does note, however, that you should never buy an Airwrap full price; instead, wait for a good sale.

If you’re looking to straighten your hair with as little damage as possible, Pariso recommends Dyson’s Corrale Styler Straightener. Compared to the company’s other straightener, the Airstrait, she says the cordless Corrale is more effective thanks to intelligent heat control and flexible copper plates, which reduces how much heat and pressure gets applied to your hair. “In the battle royale of the straighteners, the Corrale beats the Airstrait every time,” she says.

Consider this the now-discontinued Supersonic’s younger sibling. It’s smaller and lighter, making it more portable, and it comes with five attachments, including a diffuser, a wide-tooth comb, a flyaway attachment, and two concentrators. And they snap on magnetically, adding a bit of fun to every accessory swap.

Even more portable is the company’s travel version of the Supersonic. It’s 32 percent smaller than the original model — compact enough to fit in a weekender bag — and weighs less than a pound. Despite having only two heat and speed settings, Pariso says it can still dry your hair in roughly ten minutes. And, if you’re traveling abroad, it has universal voltage compatibility, so it can truly follow you everywhere.