Trying to decide between the Dyson Gen5detect and Gen5outsize? In this article, I'll run through exactly how the two machines differ to help you decide which one is right for you.
At the time of writing, the Gen5 is the newest and best Dyson vacuum based on specs. You can read all about it in depth in our Dyson Gen5detect cordless vacuum review. The Gen5outsize is essentially the same vacuum with the same features, but scaled up to make it more suitable for bigger homes. It's available in specific territories, including the US and Australia, but not the UK. Dyson has offered 'Outsize' versions of other stick vacuums in the past.
I'll get into the exact differences below, but the short version is that the Gen5outsize has a bigger dust cup and a wider main floorhead. Some listings advertise longer runtimes, but that's a little misleading because it's based on you swapping in a second battery pack (which is also possible with the Gen5detect).
If you have a wide expanse of floor to clean, you'll be able to do it more quickly and without having to stop so often to empty your bin if you opt for the Gen5outsize. However, scaling things up also means adding weight and bulk, so you'll have to consider if it's worth the inconvenience of that.
That's the short version; read on for a closer look at how the Gen5detect vs Gen5outsize compare.
Dyson Gen5detect vs Gen5outsize: price & availability
- Outsize costs $100 / AU$100 more at list price
- Gen5detect available worldwide, Outsize is more limited
- Both premium vacuum cleaners
The Dyson Gen5detect is sold widely around the world, whereas the Gen5outsize is more limited in availability (presumably to places that tend to have bigger homes). It's currently available in the US and Australia but not in the UK.
Head to Dyson US and you can pick up the Gen5outsize Absolute with a list price of $1,049.99, or the Gen5detect Absolute for $949.99. In Australia, it's the Gen5detect Absolute for AU$1,549 or the Gen5outsize for AU$1,649. Both models can also be found at various third-party retailers.
Wondering what that 'Absolute' means? Honestly, I'm not quite sure. 'Absolute' models are often only available direct from Dyson, and sometimes it indicates an extra floorhead is included (not the case here; there's always two), a more advanced level of filtration (again, doesn't seem to be the case here; both have HEPA), or just a different colorway. If you can spot the difference, please let me know in the comments section.
Dyson Gen5detect vs Gen5outsize: specs
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Gen5detect | Gen5outsize |
|---|---|---|
Weight: | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg | 8.6 lbs / 3.9 kg |
Dimensions (H x L x W): | 50.2 x 10.9 x 9.8in / 127.6 x 27.6 x 25cm | 50 x 11.4 x 12.6 in / 127 x 32 x 29cm |
Filter: | Whole-machine HEPA filtration | Whole-machine HEPA filtration |
Bin capacity: | 0.2 gallon / 0.8L | 0.5 gallon / 1.9L |
Max suction: | 280AW | 250AW |
Cyclones: | 14 | 18 |
Max runtime: | 1hr 10 | 1hr 10 per battery |
Charge time: | 4hrs 30 | 4hrs 30 |
Dyson Gen5detect vs Gen5outsize: design
- Outsize is heavier and has a much bigger dust cup
- Outsize has more cylinders and slightly less suction power
- Outsize comes with an extra-wide main floorhead
Unsurprisingly, the Outsize is both bigger and heavier overall. The weight difference is 14oz / 400g – roughly a tin of tomatoes. That might not sound like much, but I'd imagine it quickly becomes noticeable when you're holding it, and especially if you need to clean up high. The Gen5detect is already one of the heaviest cordless vacuums on the market.
In terms of dimensions, the Outsize is only a tiny bit taller (which makes sense, because big home doesn't = taller inhabitants). The main difference is in the width of the main cleaner head and the size of the dust cup.
The dust cup on the Gen5detect can hold up to 0.2 gallons / 0.8 liters, whereas the Gen5outsize' can hold up to 0.5 gallons / 1.9 liters. That's a 150% bigger bin. The Outsize's capacity is closer to the size of bin you'd expect on an upright vacuum.
Scaling up also means the main mechanics of the vacuum are a little different. The Gen5outsize has 18 cyclones compared to the 14 on the Gen5detect. The maximum suction is a little lower on the larger vacuum: 250AW versus 280AW on the regular Gen5detect. That's still a more-than respectable amount of power, though – these are the two suckiest cordless vacuums in Dyson's range (the Dyson V15 Detect, which is the second-best stick vacuum by specs, offers up to 240AW of power).
Both vacuums come with two floorheads. The main one is the Digital Motorbar cleaner head, and the version supplied with the Gen5outsize is 25% larger than the one included with the regular Gen5detect. Both versions can be used on any floor type, and include hair detangling features.
You'll also get a Fluffy optic floorhead, for use on hard floors. This hasn't been scaled up for the Outsize; it's exactly the same on both.
There are various detail tools to round out the package. These can vary depending on the country you live in and the bundle you opt for, but expect a Hair screw tool for furniture, a Combi tool for general dusting of nooks and crannies, and a Crevice tool for getting into small gaps. Both version of this vacuum have a supplementary crevice tool hidden in the main wand.
Some listings for the Gen5outsize promise up to 140 minutes of battery life, but that's based on 'consecutive use of two battery packs' (in this case, a spare battery will almost certainly be bundled in). The battery itself has the same capacity as the Gen5detect's, and can manage up to 70 minutes of cleaning on one charge in Eco mode. You can also hot-swap the battery on the Gen5detect, if you have a spare.
Dyson Gen5detect vs Gen5outsize: features
- Same special features on both vacuums
- Automatic suction adjustment and real-time dust reports
- Fluffy floorhead with laser to illuminate hidden dirt
The special features are the same across both vacuums. With both, you'll get automatic suction adjustment based on how dirty the floor is. This feature is powered by sensors within the floorhead that measure exactly what's being sucked up at any given time. It'll also report this information back, via a colorful graph on the vacuum's screen, in real time as you clean.
The Fluffy optic cleaner head comes equipped with a vivid green laser that's precisely angled to create big shadows on whatever's on your floor. This means even the tiniest specks of dust become visible and available to be sucked up.
Should I buy the Dyson Gen5detect or Gen5outsize?
Buy the Gen5detect if...
Buy the Gen5outsize if...
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