Dyson WashG1 Review 2024 - Forbes Vetted

Achieving spotless hard surface floors traditionally involves a two-step cleaning process: vacuuming up dirt and debris, followed by mopping to address spills and stains. However, wet-dry vacuum cleaners aim to streamline this method by performing both actions simultaneously. They effectively pick up solid debris while washing the floor, providing a quick, efficient clean. I recently tested the Dyson WashG1, the latest entrant in the wet-dry vacuum market. This model promises to save you time and effort while leaving hard floors spotless. Here’s my experience using the Dyson WashG1 to clean various surfaces in my home over the course of a month.

During testing, I found that the Dyson WashG1 excels at both vacuuming up debris and washing floors.

The Dyson WashG1 effectively handles two critical cleaning tasks: vacuuming up debris and washing floors. In my testing, it excelled in both areas. When used on laminate floors scattered with everyday dirt, dust and hair, the WashG1 performed impressively, effortlessly picking up debris. But the real standout feature was its mopping capability—after just one pass, my hard surface floors felt noticeably smoother and cleaner compared to previous attempts with other combination machines, such as a robot vacuum and mop. Even with just water in the cleaning tank, the results were excellent, though the instruction manual allows for using a mild household cleaner if preferred.

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Water tank capacity: 0.26 gallon (clean water tank); 0.21 gallon (dirty water tank) | Battery life: Up to 35 minutes | Smart features: No | Warranty: 2 years | Price: $699

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Big messes are inevitable, and having a wet-dry vacuum like the Dyson WashG1 can be a real game changer. Instead of cleaning up by hand, this device offers an efficient solution. I put the WashG1 to the test with some of the toughest kitchen spills I could think of: damp coffee grounds, sticky syrup, fine flour and small bits of granola cereal. Impressively, it handled each mess in just one or two passes. The coffee grounds did take three short passes to fully clear, and there was some residual staining from the grounds, but the overall performance was stellar. One downside is the lack of a built-in light to brighten dark or shadowy areas, which could be useful, though it wasn’t a major drawback for me.

The Dyson WashG1 effectively picks up even sticky spills, like maple syrup.

Watching the dirty water tank fill up on the Dyson WashG1 can be equal parts fascinating and horrifying—because it’s hard to believe your floors could be that dirty. However, the real innovation is happening under the hood. Unlike other wet-dry vacuums, the Dyson WashG1 doesn’t rely on the brand’s iconic suction power. Instead, it takes a unique approach to handling debris, using motorized rollers to lift and deposit dirt into a separate solids tray, while dirty water flows into the tank through a mesh screen. This clever system keeps the water tank free from gritty messes like pet hair and dirt, eliminating the need for intensive cleanups after use. To maintain the cleanliness of the tank, simply remove the solids tray, tap out the debris into the trash and rinse it in a utility sink. Additionally, the roller-based design minimizes noise, making this wet-dry vacuum surprisingly quiet during operation.

If you’re considering investing in a wet-dry vacuum, it’s important to understand that these machines do require regular upkeep. Proper maintenance is key to ensuring effective performance and preventing odors. However, Dyson has clearly engineered the WashG1 with user-friendly maintenance in mind. The device features intuitive, easy-click components that make disassembly for cleaning a straightforward process, similar to other Dyson products. This thoughtful design minimizes the hassle typically associated with cleaning and maintaining wet-dry vacuums.

The fluffy rollers and brush rollers remove easily for cleaning.

At a minimum, you should run the wet-dry vacuum's self-cleaning cycle after each use. Start by emptying the solids tray and dirty water tank. Then, ensure there is water in the clean water tank and select the 'Self-Clean' function from the digital display on the handle. The vacuum will automatically clean its rollers in about 140 seconds. Once the cycle is complete, you'll need to empty the dirty water tank one final time. Overall, the process felt quite hygienic, as it minimizes the need to touch wet, dirty debris.

Where your commitment needs to shine is in the regular maintenance for the machine. Ideally, after every three uses, you should remove the rollers and brush assembly for a thorough wash and rinse. It's also a good time to snip away any hair wrapped around the brush rollers. While the extra maintenance step adds a bit of work to the convenience, Dyson has designed the process to be as simple and streamlined as possible.

To test the Dyson WashG1, I used it in my home under both routine conditions and specific spill scenarios. My home has slightly textured laminate floors, which means that spills or stains often linger in the grooves of the floorboards.

I started by testing the Dyson WashG1 with a general sweep of my entire house, including the kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom. I purposely skipped vacuuming first to see how well the machine could pick up everyday debris like dirt, dust and hair. Throughout the process, I paid attention to the noise level and observed the digital control screen for useful information such as cleaning modes and the countdown for battery life.

Next, I tested the machine with common household spills: damp coffee grounds, maple syrup, flour and granola. I wanted to see how the Dyson WashG1 handled more significant messes, counting how many passes it took to fully clean each spill.

Even coffee grounds (and their residual stain) disappeared with just a few passes of the Dyson ... [+] WashG1

Finally, I evaluated the cleaning process for the machine—including the self-cleaning cycle and the more in-depth routine maintenance called for in the manual.

I’m a product reviewer and writer with six years of experience specializing in researching and testing home products and appliances. My work often focuses on the latest innovations in gadgets and appliances for publications such as The Spruce, MyDomaine and U.S. News & World Report. For Forbes Vetted, I’ve evaluated items like tower fans and electric toothbrushes, examining their functionality, efficiency and smart features. I’m particularly passionate about devices that keep my home spotless, with years of research and writing dedicated to vacuum cleaners. In my cleaning closet, I have a trusty Dyson that has lasted nearly 15 years, though I rely most often on a robot vacuum for daily cleaning and a mop and bucket to keep my laminate floors gleaming.

The cleaning time for the Dyson WashG1 is influenced by both its water tank capacity and battery life. The battery offers up to 35 minutes of use, and since it’s a click-in battery, you can swap it out with a replacement if you purchase an extra one.

The water tanks each hold about a quarter-gallon. How long this lasts depends on the cleaning mode selected—levels 1, 2, 3 and MAX. While Dyson claims the tanks can cover approximately 3,000 square feet of hard surface floors, I was able to clean about 800 square feet on level 3 before needing a refill. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to cover large areas without having to recharge or refill the tanks during regular use.

Dyson recommends replacing the soft rollers after approximately 25 hours of use. If you’re using the Dyson WashG1 for two, 30-minute cleaning sessions per week, this would give you about six months of use before needing a replacement. Replacement rollers are available for purchase directly from Dyson for $60.

If your home mainly features hard surface floors rather than carpeting or rugs, the Dyson WashG1 is a worthwhile investment. While it costs more than other popular vacuum mop combos, it offers excellent build quality and cleaning performance, along with a superb ability to separate debris from dirty water. From my experience, it lives up to its promise of thoroughly cleaning hard floors.

When compared to vacuuming alone, my floors feel noticeably cleaner, with fine dust disappearing. I also prefer it over using a manual mop, as it’s less messy, lighter and saves time. The maintenance required for this wet-dry vacuum is straightforward and no more involved than with other models. Dyson has incorporated smart design elements, like a solid tray for catching debris and an easy-to-remove roller and brush assembly, making it as quick and painless as possible. During testing, it only took a few minutes to complete the cleaning maintenance.