The Dyson Outsize is a cordless stick/handheld vacuum. It's based on the Dyson V11 but boasts a higher-capacity dustbin, a wider cleaning head, and an upgraded 220 AW suction motor. Like its smaller sibling, it also features a surface detection system that enables it to automatically adjust its suction power setting to suit different floor types. It also comes bundled with a pair of batteries, which is helpful for longer cleaning sessions.
The Dyson Outsize is very good for bare floors. It easily clears pet hair as well as small and bulky debris without an issue. The vacuum itself feels rather plasticky, and there are quite a few parts that require regular maintenance, but as long as its allergen-trapping HEPA filter is regularly maintained, you won't need to worry about recurring costs. It also features a docking station to hold it in place and comes with a wand clip to hold two additional tools, so it isn't too much of a hassle to store. However, maneuvering under low-lying furniture is a bit of a hassle due to its large dirt compartment.
The Dyson Outsize is a satisfactory option for cleaning low-pile carpets. It clears pet hair and larger material without too much difficulty but struggles quite a bit with finer debris on this surface type. Its large dirt compartment won't need emptying very often, while its bagless design and washable filter result in a near-total absence of recurring costs. Unfortunately, quite a few parts need regular cleaning, and the vacuum's primarily plastic construction doesn't feel especially sturdy.
The Dyson Outsize does a decent job of cleaning high-pile carpets, but its high suction force can make it difficult to maneuver on this surface type. Thankfully, it sucks up pet hair and is decent at clearing away large debris. Thanks to the included second battery, its total runtime will be sufficient for cleaning most large spaces without too much difficulty.
The Dyson Outsize is very good for cleaning up after your pets. It does an exceptional job of sucking up pet hair on a wide variety of surface types. Most of its included tools feature removable brushrolls, making it easier to clear hair wraps, including its conical turbo brush that's well-suited to cleaning pet hair from upholstered surfaces. It also has a washable HEPA filter that traps allergens as you clean.
The Dyson Outsize is amazing for cleaning messes on stairs. It's heavier and bulkier than most stick vacuums, though its cordless design and long total battery life will allow you to clean large staircases with little difficulty. Its large dirt compartment will also ensure you don't need to empty it midway through a cleaning session. Unfortunately, its plastic construction doesn't feel especially robust.
The Dyson Outsize is a great option for cleaning the inside of your car. Despite being relatively bulky and heavy, you can still use it in its handheld configuration to clean hard-to-reach areas. It has a wide selection of tools and accessories, including a turbo brush to clean debris from automotive upholstery and a crevice tool to clean messes in tight spots.
The Dyson Outsize is mediocre for workshop cleaning, though this isn't what it's designed for. It's more than powerful enough to tackle all kinds of household debris, but you can't use it to clean up liquid spills, and using it to suck up material like wood or metal shavings is likely to result in damage.
There are a few variants of the Dyson Outsize. We tested the Absolute+ variant; you can see its label here. They vary in terms of included equipment, but we expect the other variant of this vacuum to perform similarly overall when using common attachments.
Model Name | Tools Included | Wand Color | Notes |
Outsize | High Torque XL cleaner head, Hair screw tool, hard bristle brush, wand clip, soft dusting brush, combination tool, crevice tool, docking station, 2x batteries, and 2x chargers | Nickel | |
Outsize Origin | Digital Motorbar XL cleaner head, Hair screw tool, Crevice tool, Mini soft dusting brush 1x battery, and 1x charger | Red | |
V11 Outsize | High Torque cleaner head, extension hose, wand clip, mini turbo brush, combination tool, crevice tool, Quick-release flexi crevice tool docking station, 2x batteries, and 2x chargers | Red | Only available in some markets |
Outsize Motorhead | Digital Motorbar XL cleaner head, Hair screw tool, Combination tool, 1x battery, and 1x charger | Red | Only available from Costco retailers |
Outsize Extra | Digital Motorbar XL cleaner head, Light pipe crevice tool, Reach under tool, Hair screw tool, Crevice tool, Combination tool, 1x battery, and 1x charger | Nickel | Only available from Costco retailers |
Outsize Absolute+ | Laser Slim Fluffy™ cleaner head, High Torque XL cleaner head, Hair screw tool, hard bristle brush, wand clip, soft dusting brush, combination tool, crevice tool, docking station, 2x batteries, and 2x chargers | Gold |
If you encounter another variant of this vacuum, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
The Dyson Outsize is a full-featured cordless stick/handheld vacuum. It comes with a wide variety of tools and accessories and has a larger dirt compartment than many other alternatives, like the Dyson Cyclone V10, but it's also heavier and more difficult to maneuver.
If you're looking for alternatives, check out our list of recommendations for the best cordless stick vacuums, the best cordless vacuums for pet hair, and the best multi-surface vacuum cleaners.
The Dyson V15 Detect is better than the Dyson Outsize. The V15 is easier to store and maneuver and delivers superior cleaning performance on low- and high-pile carpets. However, the Outsize has a larger dirt compartment that doesn't need emptying as often. It comes with an extra battery, which extends its total runtime and allows you to keep cleaning for longer.
The Dyson V11 is a little more versatile than the Dyson Outsize. The V11 is easier to maintain and maneuver, slightly more portable, and delivers superior performance on low-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the Outsize has a larger dirt compartment that doesn't need to be emptied as often and has a longer total runtime thanks to its extra battery. It also comes with a larger selection of tools and accessories.
The Dyson Cyclone V10 and Dyson Outsize each have their advantages, meaning one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The V10 is noticeably lighter, more maneuverable, and delivers superior performance on low-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the Outsize has a larger dirt compartment that doesn't need to be emptied as often and has a longer total battery life thanks to its included second battery. It also has a docking station with room for two accessories and a wand clip that can hold two additional tools, which makes it a bit easier to store.
The Dyson V8 is slightly better than the Dyson Outsize. The V8 has fewer parts that require regular maintenance and is notably lighter and easier to maneuver. Meanwhile, the Outsize has a larger dirt compartment that won't need emptying as often, comes with more tools and accessories, including a wand clip, and has a more powerful motor. It also comes with a second battery, allowing you to quickly swap one out if you run out of charge and virtually doubling the vacuum's total runtime.
The Samsung Bespoke Jet is better than the Dyson Outsize. The Samsung weighs less, feels sturdier, and performs noticeably better on carpeted floors. Its turbo brush attachment is also far more effective for dealing with pet hair on furniture. The Samsung also comes with an accessory rack that allows you to charge both its batteries at the same time. While it does have a smaller dustbin than the Dyson, the Cleaning Station accessory lets you empty the Bespoke Jet's dirt compartment quickly and hygienically. However, the Dyson does a better job clearing away debris on bare floors and in cracks and crevices when used with its fluffy floorhead.
The Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute is better than the Dyson Outsize. The Gen5Detect is smaller and more maneuverable, especially when using the vacuum in its handheld configuration. The Gen5Detect also comes bundled with newer iterations of both their multi-surface and soft-roller floorheads—the latter has built-in vanes to trap hair, while the latter has an integrated light to help see fine debris on hard floors. The Gen5Detect also features a particle detection system, which can be handy for monitoring allergen quantities inside your home. Conversely, the Outsize has a higher-capacity dustbin and comes bundled with a pair of batteries to extend its overall runtime.
The Dyson Outsize and Dyson Ball Animal 3 are differently designed vacuums with different intended uses. The Outsize is a cordless vacuum with a large dustbin meant to bridge the gap between a more maneuverable cordless stick vacuum and a traditional upright with a higher overall debris capacity. It's easier to store and carry around than the Ball Animal, and it features a larger dustbin. Since it comes with two batteries, you can continue using the Outsize for quite a while without running out of charge, though the Ball Animal is still a better fit for long cleaning sessions thanks to its corded design. The Ball Animal also delivers significantly stronger performance on carpeted floors, even if it lacks the Outsize's automatic power adjustment capability.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean/Origin and Dyson Outsize are differently designed vacuums that suit different uses. The Ball Animal 2 is a corded upright vacuum that delivers better performance on low- and high-pile carpets. It's also easier to maintain and has a virtually unlimited runtime courtesy of its corded design, though the Outsize has a long overall battery life if you keep its second battery charged. The Outsize feels slightly better built, is easier to store, has a larger dirt compartment, and has a virtually unlimited range. However, both vacuums are hard to maneuver on high-pile carpets due to their high suction force.
The Shark Rocket Pet Pro is a slightly more versatile cordless stick/handheld vacuum than the Dyson Outsize. The Shark feels slightly better-built, less demanding in terms of maintenance, and maneuvers easily because of its lighter design. It also delivers better performance on low-pile carpet. Conversely, the Dyson has a longer total runtime thanks to its second battery, a larger dirt compartment that doesn't need to be emptied as often, and incurs virtually no recurring costs.
The Dyson Outsize and Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight each have advantages, meaning one might suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The Dyson incurs virtually no recurring costs, has a much larger dustbin, and comes with two batteries, allowing you to keep one charged while using the other, resulting in a much longer maximum runtime. The Dyson also has a wider assortment of attachments, including a miniature turbo brush. However, the Shark clears more debris on high-pile carpet, is considerably easier to maneuver, feels better-built, and has fewer parts that need regular cleaning.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is a better vacuum than the Dyson Outsize. The Miele is better built, is less demanding in terms of maintenance, offers superior performance on low-pile carpets, and is easier to maneuver. It also has a unique three-in-one design that makes it a little more versatile. Meanwhile, the Dyson has a larger dirt compartment that doesn't need to be emptied as often and comes with more tools and brushes, not to mention a second battery, which gives it a significantly longer total runtime.
The Samsung Jet 90 Complete is better for most uses than the Dyson Outsize. The Samsung is more portable, easier to maneuver, and delivers superior performance on low and high-pile carpet. However, the Dyson has a larger dirt compartment that doesn't need to be emptied as often, incurs virtually no costs, is less demanding in terms of maintenance, and has a longer total runtime by virtue of its included second battery.
This vacuum is reasonably well-built. It looks fairly premium, with easily accessible controls on top of the vacuum and a prominent display screen on top of the body that displays maintenance alerts, estimated battery life, and the current power mode. There's also a rubber strip near the top of the vacuum that lets you rest it against a wall so that it doesn't slip and fall over. Unfortunately, the vacuum's primarily plastic construction isn't especially robust. While its clear plastic dirt compartment gives you a rough estimate of remaining capacity, it also feels fragile and could crack if you drop it. The vacuum's wheels are made of plastic, not denser rubber. Thankfully, the vacuum itself is very easy to put together or reconfigure thanks to the easy-clip mechanisms, with assembly being a quick process.
This vacuum has a fairly high number of parts that require regular maintenance, but they're all easy to access.
All parts that you can wash under cold water should be left to dry for at least 24 hours before being re-inserted.
This vacuum incurs minimal recurring costs. Its main filter won't need replacing as long as you regularly maintain it. That said, you can buy a replacement unit from the manufacturer's website, seen here.
This vacuum is reasonably easy to store. While it's visibly larger and heavier than the Dyson V11, its overall footprint, when stowed upright, isn't that much bigger. It comes with a wand clip that allows for onboard storage of two tools and also has a wall-mounted docking station with slots for two other additional accessories.
This vacuum's dirt compartment is very spacious. It's significantly larger than that of the standard Dyson V11, comparable to some smaller upright models. As such, you won't need to empty it very often. It's made of clear plastic, too, so you know how close it is to max capacity at all times.
This is a cordless vacuum, so the range is really only limited by the remaining battery life.
The Dyson Outsize is decently portable. It's a little heavier than the Dyson V11 and doesn't feel as light in your hand, but its integrated carrying handle makes it reasonably easy to pick up and move. If you'd prefer a more portable vacuum, check out the Dyson Micro 1.5kg.
This vacuum delivers impressive battery life. Since it comes with two batteries, you can quickly and easily swap one out for a charged unit. Using two fully charged batteries results in more than two and a half hours of runtime in its energy-efficient 'Eco' mode, which will be more than enough for cleaning most large spaces. Using its more powerful 'Boost' mode drops its total runtime to just under 20 minutes, though that will be sufficient for dealing with smaller, more stubborn messes.
The Dyson Outsize has a couple of quality-of-life features. Like the standard Dyson V11, it has an 'Auto' power mode that automatically adjusts the vacuum's suction to different surface types. However, you still need to rotate the gate on its head to make it easier to push around on surfaces like rugs or carpeting. That said, unlike the newer Dyson Gen5outsize, it lacks a particle sensor and an on/off power button; instead, it uses a more conventional trigger.
The Dyson Outsize comes with a broad selection of tools and accessories. It has a few unique tools, including its conical hair screw turbo brush, which cleans pet hair from different surfaces. It also has a Laser Slim Fluffy™ tool with a soft roller and an integrated laser light to help see small particles from bare floors. The combination tool cleans messes on upholstery and features an all-surface dusting brush. There's also a brush with very hard bristles for dislodging especially stubborn dirt and another with softer bristles for dusting off delicate surfaces. You can also use its crevice tool to tackle messes in tight spots. While it doesn't have a dedicated extension wand, all of the included accessories can fit the main wand to help you clean hard-to-reach places.
You can use the Dyson Outsize as a rather bulky handheld vacuum by removing its main wand and fitting the tool of your choice in its place.
This vacuum delivers great performance on hard floors with its Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head. The soft roller collects larger debris like rice or cereal with little issue. However, like the Dyson V15 Detect, which comes with a similarly designed hard floor head, finer material like sand can be caught at the back of the head and dragged around when pulling it backward.
This vacuum delivers passable performance on high-pile carpets when used with its multi-surface High-Torque XL head. It doesn't have too much trouble dealing with large- or medium-sized debris like cereal or rice, though some can be pushed forward. However, its floorhead doesn't provide enough agitation on carpets to work out finer debris like sand that has been embedded deep within carpet fibers, especially compared to the multi-surface Digital Motorbar floorhead bundled with the Dyson V15 Detect.
This vacuum's performance on low-pile carpets is mediocre. As with its performance on high-pile carpets, it's decent when it comes to clearing away large- and medium-sized debris, but you'll need to make another pass or two to fully clear away any remaining material.
The vacuum's pet hair pickup performance on low-pile carpets is exceptional when fitted with its High Torque XL floorhead. This attachment's brushroll has stiff enough bristles to thoroughly agitate carpet fibers and lift away both long and short strands of hair.
This vacuum has good suction power. The manufacturer advertises it as having a 220 AW suction motor, slightly up on the 185 AW Dyson V11. In the real world, the difference is negligible, and it generates good sealing on a variety of surface types, helping to suck up debris wedged deep within crevices. If you want a similar vacuum with an even stronger suction force, check out the Dyson Gen5outsize/Gen5outsize Absolute.
The Dyson Outsize delivers good airflow performance. It gets pretty close to the Dyson V15 Detect in this regard, the latter being one of the more potent cordless models on the market. It won't have any trouble dealing with most kinds of household debris.
This vacuum isn't too loud. It makes a slightly less high-pitched noise than the Dyson V8, which won't be especially noticeable if you run the vacuum in an enclosed room.
This vacuum is decently maneuverable. It's heavier and bulkier than other Dyson stick vacuums, like the Dyson V8, which makes it a little harder to move around, though it can still navigate fairly cramped spaces. Since its handle is underneath the main body of the vacuum, you need to crouch very low to the ground to thoroughly clean under couches, tables, and other low-lying furniture. The vacuum itself is also a little on the tall side, so shorter users may find themselves lifting their shoulders when cleaning close to themselves. Cleaning on top of furniture is a little easier, though its bulky size can make it challenging for some to carry handheld for extended periods. Unfortunately, due to its very high suction force, it's difficult to push around on high-pile carpets and can even drag them around if you don't stand on them to keep them in place.
This vacuum does a good job of handling pet hair on upholstered surfaces when used with its turbo brush attachment. It clears long strands of hair without too much difficulty but leaves some shorter strands on the very edges of the path of its tool. Its bulky form factor makes using it as a handheld vacuum very awkward.
Air filtration performance is good. Like most of Dyson's other vacuums, the manufacturer advertises the Outsize's whole machine filtration system as able to trap 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
This vacuum does an excellent job of clearing away debris in crevices. Its relatively powerful suction motor, combined with the fact that its fluffy roller floorhead generates a tight seal with hard floors, enables it to clear away debris in both shallow and deep cracks.
This vacuum does a terrible job of scrubbing away stains on bare floors when used with its Laser Slim floorhead, which isn't surprising since this isn't what it's intended for.
This vacuum can't be used to clean liquid spills.