Dyson Omni Glide vs. Dyson Micro 1.5KG

In my previous piece, I did a detailed review on the Dyson Micro 1.5KG stick vacuum, and now, we’ll be comparing it with another Dyson hard floor vacuum – the Omni Glide.

Dyson marketed these two products as hard floor vacuums, but which one is the better option?

I’ve tested both products extensively and have used them for daily cleaning tasks to help you decide which is best for your needs.

Please note that this isn’t a sponsored post, as I purchased both vacuums for this test and future comparisons.

A quick glance at the Dyson Omni-Glide and Dyson Micro 1.5KG

The figures you see below are just a snapshot of the myriad of tests I did with both products.

Scroll down to see the complete results and, better yet, read the individual review to get a grasp of each model’s strengths and weaknesses.

I used an anemometer to check airflow, and the results you see below are taken from the highest setting at the want.

I used one hundred grams worth for the hard floor test to check how well it picks up sand.

For the noise level test, I used a sound meter from a few feet away to check loudness, and the result is from the highest setting.

Run time experiments are done by running the vacuum from a full charge to empty with the main nozzle attached.

Introduction to the Dyson Omni-Glide and Dyson Micro 1.5KG

After unveiling the V15 Detect, I wasn’t really sure what Dyson would do next.

But the subsequent reveals a slight detour to what I initially thought they were focusing on, which was more powerful cordless vacuums.

The Dyson Micro 1.5KG and Omni-Glide are hard floor cleaners that emphases maneuverability over sheer power.

These vacuums aren’t as bulky as Dyson’s full-sized V-series variants and prioritize agility over suction and extended run time.

360-Degree Steering: Dyson Omni Glide

The Omni Glide is perhaps the most unique Dyson cordless vacuum I’ve tested.

It looks nothing like Dyson full-sized Dyson stick vacuum, except for the cylindrical dustbin.

Instead of a gun-like handle and trigger, it has a straight broom-type handle with two buttons in place of the trigger.

This design shift creates a sleeker cylindrical shape, going down to the cleaning nozzle that houses not one but two roller bars.

There are four caster wheels underneath the twin soft roller nozzle, enabling it to steer 360-degrees.

Hence the term “omnidirectional” steering.

It’s a unique design that I’ve never seen before, and after using it for my daily cleaning chores, I’m a big fan.

The multi-directional steering and the narrow nozzle allow it to fit through areas a bulkier head won’t.

Its ergonomic feel is more akin to a broom than a stick vacuum. Imagine carrying a broom with a vacuum motor – that’s how the Omni Glide feels at times.

You can still move it like a traditional stick vacuum, but the added side to side and 360-degree steering adds a dimension that other vacuums can’t match.

The thin cylindrical body also enables it to reach deep under furniture and yet not sacrifice steering.

However, the Omni Glide is purely a hard floor vacuum.

I tried it on carpet, and the rollers stalled. It wouldn’t spin no matter how many times I tried.

Lightweight and More Versatile: Dyson Micro 1.5KG

After the Omni Glide, Dyson launches the Micro 1.5KG, and as the name implies, it weighs 1.5 kilograms.

It’s currently Dyson’s lightest cordless stick vacuum and probably their best handheld to date.

While the Omni Glide prioritized steering, the Micro 1.5KG prioritized lightness by shedding as much weight as possible.

Put it side-by-side with a full-sized Dyson stick vacuum; you can see the size difference. It’s a massive variance.

And excellent news, it utilizes a push-button switch instead of a trigger.

If you’ve used a Dyson product, you’re familiar with its ergonomic issues, especially with bulky models like the V11 Outsize and V15 Detect.

The use of a button in place of the trigger combined with its lightweight frame makes it the best handheld in terms of usability.

It retains the same form factor as a full-sized Dyson cordless stick but is much smaller.

Shedding this much bulk makes the Micro 1.5KG much lighter, not just with weight but also with steering.

Handle weight is a fraction of the Dyson V8 at only 0.85 kgs.

This variant is also more versatile as it utilizes the same framework as the V-series models, meaning it’s easier to use as a handheld.

Out of the box, it also has more practical tools for handheld use like the light pipe crevice tool, workshop tool, and mini turbo brush.

The more compact frame also allows it to fit in cramped zones better than the longer Omni Glide.

Similarities of the Dyson Omni Glide and Dyson Micro 1.5KG

While these vacuums have vastly different design cues, there are plenty of similarities if you look closely.

And we’ll look at each one in this section.

1. Only for Hard Floors

Dyson specifically markets these products for hard floor use as each only has a soft roller attachment best used on this surface.

The small dustbin also makes it impractical on carpet since it won’t hold much dirt.

However, one surprise doing the Dyson Micro review is it has enough torque to pick up (at least) surface debris on carpet.

I wouldn’t recommend it on carpet, but for light-duty cleaning or vacuuming light area rugs, it’s a nice bonus feature to have.

2. Dustbin capacity and shape

The Dyson Micro and Omni Glide have the same dustbin volume at 0.05 gallons or 0.18 liters.

Not a lot by any means, but for spot cleaning tasks, it’s more than enough.

It’s big enough inside our small townhouse (around 330 square feet), and it’s something I’d recommend if you live in a small space with only hard surfaces.

3. Push-button switch

Both vacuums utilize a push-button power switch.

It’s understandable for the Omni Glide to have this feature since it has a wand-type handle.

But for the Dyson Micro to have it is something for me.

Perhaps a change in heart for Dyson to utilize this in their future V-series releases? We’ll find out soon.

There are two switches – the default/power button and another for the max setting.

4. Lightweight and compact design

These hard-floor-only vacuums are lightweight and compact, which was a priority for both.

The Dyson Micro is a touch lighter than the Dyson Omni Glide without any attachments (2 pounds and 0.9 ounces vs. 2 pounds and 4.6 ounces).

Both use the same connector points, so the tools for the two variants are interchangeable.

5. Suction and power

Looking at the Dyson website, the power figures for the Dyson Micro and Omni Glide are the same at 50 air watts.

Wikipedia says that an air watt is a unit of measure that checks the “effectiveness of vacuum cleaners which refers to airflow and the amount of power (watts) it produces.”

The definition is quite vague for me, so I had to use two tools to check suction, and it’s a water lift gauge and a Y vacuum gauge commonly used for central vacuums.

You can see in the table above that both vacuums have precisely the same suction figures with the water lift and Y vacuum gauge.

This confirms the air watt figures from Dyson.

Some reviewers I’ve seen on YouTube frown upon using just the water lift gauge because the result won’t be consistent.

That’s why I bought a Y vacuum gauge as a secondary testing tool for suction.

6. Sealed system

The Dyson Micro and Omni Glide have sealed systems that didn’t leak during the fog test.

So it’s an excellent sign for allergy sufferers looking for a cord-free product.

Both utilize a 2-in-1 pre, and post-motor filter Dyson started to use in their V-series line-up, but only smaller.

Dyson claims these vacuums have whole machine filtration that captures 99.99% of microscopic dust as small as 0.3 microns.

Differences between the Dyson Omni Glide and Dyson Micro 1.5KG

Next, we’ll look at the differences between these two products.

1. Form factor

The most significant difference between the Dyson Micro and Omni Glide is the design framework.

As I’ve said earlier, the Omni Glide is the most unique Dyson cord-free vacuum I’ve seen with the wand-style handle.

It’s by design since it also has 360-degree steering. Having the want amplifies its omnidirectional steering capabilities, so it’s possible to use it like a broom.

In comparison, the Dyson Micro retains the traditional stick vacuum design of the V-series with the handle underneath the motor.

It retains the horizontally aligned dustbin but at a much smaller scale.

Emptying the Dyson Micro will be similar to a full-sized V-series vacuum with its trombone-styled lever.

But you’ll notice an immediate difference with how it handles, which I’d say is exceptionally light.

Shedding all the excess weight makes the Micro one of the best Dyson vacuums in terms of ergonomics.

2. Battery design and detachability

While both vacuums utilize the same 2500 mAh lithium-ion battery, the design and utilization are different.

The Omni Glide has a detachable battery with a release lever behind it, so it’s easy to replace.

In contrast, the Micro’s battery is similar to the Dyson V10 and V11. It’s bolted on the handle.

You’ll need a Torx screwdriver to unfasten the three screws that hold it to replace.

I’m was hoping Dyson put in a detachable battery, but that wasn’t the case.

3. Cleaning head

Next to the form factor, the next significant variance is the cleaning nozzle.

Yes, both have the soft roller, but the Omni Glide has two of them.

The twin roller system is a first and Dyson incorporated it to maximize its 360-degree steering ability.

Two rollers allow it to clean efficiently in both directions, whereas the Micro nozzle utilizes the slim roller framework.

It has the same steering mechanism as Dyson’s slim attachment, but it feels much lighter due to the weight reduction and the use of a button in place of the trigger.

However, it won’t have 360-degree steering, which isn’t a problem since the Omni Glide nozzle will fit in the Micro if you want that functionality.

4. Dustbin lever

The Dyson Micro retains the same trombone-style lever in the V-series, while the Omni Glide has the push-button lever.

Users will still need to push the Omni Glide dustbin forward to open and empty the contents.

5. Length

Between the two, the Dyson Micro has a longer frame, measuring around 47.5 inches, while the Omni Glide is a few inches shorter, at approximately 44.5.

The lengthier reach, along with its handheld-friendly ergonomics, makes the Micro better at vacuuming the ceiling or vents up high.

Ergonomics comparison

Choosing the better stick vacuum (ergonomically) will boil down to preference.

The Omni Glide is the better option since it can steer in every direction when it comes to steering and maneuverability.

If this feature is a high priority, go with the Omni Glide.

While the Dyson Micro doesn’t have this much flexibility with movement, it has better handheld usability with its very light handle weight.

The Micro 1.5K is a far better handheld option because of this and its shorter body.

Interface comparison

You won’t see any fancy LCD screen or real-time battery status for any of these stick vacuums.

Both have a minimalist design with two buttons for the default and max settings.

There won’t be any LED battery indicator light, so there’s no way of knowing how much charge it has left.

It’s all part of Dyson’s efforts to keep the weight as low as possible as these screens and lights will add extra baggage.

I’d suggest you keep these vacuums plugged in so it’s ready to go if needed.

Battery and run time comparison

These stick vacuums utilize the same (capacity) 2500 mAh lithium-ion battery with a rated run time of 20 minutes each.

But the test results vary.

The Dyson Micro has a longer run time on both power settings, but the difference in the max setting is minimal.

Please note that I did these tests with the cleaning nozzle attached.

Airflow comparison

While both stick vacuums have the same suction test results, there’s a slight variation in the airflow scores.

The Dyson Micro had higher overall airflow numbers, particularly on the nozzle.

However, the difference isn’t much and is pretty much in line with what the suction tests reveal.

It could be the margin of error in play.

Cleaning performance comparison

Next, we’ll look at how well these stick vacuums clean.

Even if the Dyson Omni had a much better overall score, the results are skewed since you have to factor in the Dyson Micro’s carpet cleaning results.

Looking only at the hard floor results, the Dyson Micro is actually better (99.58% vs. 99.42%), but not by much.

The most significant difference is how well the Dyson Micro picks up on carpet.

It’s something that the Omni Glide is incapable of since the rollers won’t spin on this surface.

Which is better on hard floors?

I wouldn’t put much stock on the hard floor results since both did exceptionally well.

The difference is so tiny that it really won’t matter for daily cleaning tasks.

It’s a matter of preference if you want the Omni Glide’s 360-degree steering or the handheld ergonomics of the Micro.

Sand on hard floor test

One barometer I use to determine the effectiveness of a vacuum on hard floors is how much sand it picks up.

Both variants did well despite the low airflow, picking up in the high 90s (99.5% vs. 99.7%).

Here’s a before and after shot for the Omni Glide.

And Dyson Micro.

So there’s not much difference in this category.

Edge cleaning

Again, it’s close as both cleaning nozzles did an exceptional job at picking up debris with efficiency.

Here are the results for the Dyson Micro.

And Omni Glide.

No clear winner here as the Dyson Micro and Omni Glide will clean these areas well.

Hair wrap comparison

The DysonMicro wins this category as it resisted tangles from the five and seven-inch tests better than the Omni Glide.

One significant downside of the Omni Glide’s twin roller system is the higher risk of hair wrapping on the axles since it has four.

And that’s what happened during the five-inch test, so I didn’t do the seven-inch experiment.

One thing to note is these hair wrap tests I do are extreme, and I doubt you’ll have to clean this much hair.

I’ve used the Omni Glide for several months now as a daily driver and rarely does hair wrap on the roller, but it does on the filter piece inside the dustbin.

This wasn’t an issue with the Dyson Micro, as it did well for both tests.

It picked up a high percentage for the five and seven-inch experiments.

Nonetheless, I wouldn’t recommend these vacuums heavy pet hair cleaning since most will stick on the filter piece in the middle.

Which is better for vacuuming carpet?

It’s a no-brainer. The Dyson Micro is the better option for carpet since it is the only one that can pick up debris on this surface.

I tried using the Omni Glide on carpet, but the rollers wouldn’t spin as they lacked torque.

Dustbin and filter comparison

The Dyson Micro and Omni Glide have the same capacity dustbin at 0.05 gallons (or 0.18 liters)

Put these containers side-by-side and you’ll see the similarity in volume.

But each has a different lever for emptying.

The Dyson Micro has a trombone-style lever, while the Omni Glide utilizes a button, but you’ll still to push it forward to open and empty.

So how users empty the contents are similar.

Noise comparison

Despite the low airflow and suction, these vacuums are noisy, breaching 70 decibels!

The Micro is a touch louder on both settings and rivals high-airflow V-series options like the Torque Drive and Outsize.

High noise is a negative consequence of squeezing out more power from a smaller motor, which is the case for these vacuums.

Maintenance comparison

There’s not much difference between the Dyson Micro and Omni Glide with maintenance, which we’ll discuss in detail.

Don’t forget to check the Dyson maintenance section in my blog for links to all the articles retailed to this topic.

1. Filter: One item you need to check and clean for these stick vacuums is the filter. Debris and dust will accumulate on the pre-motor section, so rinse it under cool running water. Dyson doesn’t recommend using detergents as it could degrade the filter lining. Wash it at least once a month and make sure it is thoroughly dry before reattaching.
2. Dustbin: Empty the dustbin after every run to prevent dust mites from breeding. You may need to detach the exterior container to dislodge the hair wrapping on the middle filter piece inside.
3. Nozzle: Hair and dust will accumulate on the roller and axles. Check this component once a week (more if you have pets) to clean any build-up, especially on the axles, to prevent unnecessary friction and wear.
4. Cyclones: Not something you’ll clean regularly, but once the vacuum reaches a few years, cleaning this component may be necessary.

Tools out of the box

Let’s look at the tools out of the box for the Dyson Omni Glide.

1. Combination crevice and brush attachment
2. Omni cleaning head (twin roller system)
3. Extension wand
4. Dyson Omni Glide vacuum
5. Charger

And Dyson Micro 1.5KG

1. Dyson Micro vacuum
2. Extension wand
3. Combination tool
4. Mini turbo brush
5. Charger
6. Wall mount
7. Micro roller

Realize that the Dyson Micro attachments you see above are from the Asian market version.

It doesn’t come with tools like the light pipe crevice tool, workshop tool, and wand clip that’s only available in the North American market.

Are the Dyson Micro and Dyson Omni Glide tools interchangeable?

Yes, the tools for both variants are interchangeable.

So let’s say you want to get the light pipe tool for the Omni Glide or the Omnidirectional nozzle for the Micro; you can purchase it separately and use it.

Only the dustbin and filter aren’t interchangeable since both use different connection points for these parts.

Can you replace the Dyson Omni Glide and Micro Battery?

Yes, the batteries for both products are removable, but only the Omni Glide battery has a release latch, while the Micro battery does not.

Consumers must purchase a Torx screwdriver to remove the Dyson Micro battery.

More Dyson Comparison Articles

• Dyson V6 vs. V8
• Dyson V6 vs. V10
• Dyson V7 vs. V8
• Dyson V7 vs. V10
• Dyson V7 vs. V12
• Dyson V8 vs. V10
• Dyson V8 vs. V12
• Dyson V8 vs. V15
• Dyson V10 vs. V11
• Dyson V10 vs. V12
• Dyson V10 vs. V15
• Dyson V11 vs. V12
• Dyson V12 vs. Micro 1.5KG
• Dyson V12 vs. Omni Glide
• Dyson V12 vs. V15
• Dyson V12 vs. Outsize
• Dyson V15 vs. Outsize vs. V11 vs. V10
• Dyson Micro vs. Omni Glide
• Dyson Micro vs. V15 Detect
• Best Dyson Vacuum [Detailed Guide]

Dyson Versus Other Brands

• Tineco A11 vs. Dyson V15 Detect
• Tineco Pure One S12 vs. Dyson V15 Detect
• LG CordZero A9 vs. Dyson V12
• LG CordZero A9 vs. Dyson V8
• LG CordZero A9 vs. Dyson V10
• LG CordZero A9 vs. Dyson V15
• Miele Triflex HX1 vs. Dyson V15
• Miele Triflex HX1 vs. Dyson V12
• Shark vs. Dyson
• Shark ION P50 vs. Dyson V10 vs. V11

Spec comparison

Where can I buy the Dyson Omni Glide and Micro?

These vacuums are available in online stores like Walmart or direct from Dyson.

• Dyson Micro on Dyson.com
• Dyson Omni Glide on Walmart

Disclaimer: I will earn a commission if you purchase through any of the links above, but at no extra cost to you, so it’s a win-win for us!

Which offers the better value?

Currently, these vacuums are priced similarly, so it shouldn’t be a deciding factor unless you’re considering other cheaper-priced options.

To help you decide, I’ve enumerated possible reasons for each variant below.

5 Reasons to choose the Dyson Omni Glide

1. Better steering: The Omni Glide’s 360-degree steering is a first and makes it the most maneuverable.
2. Reaches deep under furniture: Its cylindrical frame lets it go deeper under fixtures than the Dyson Micro.
3. Broom-like feel: Using this vacuum is akin to using a broom, thanks to its wand-styled handle.
4. Effortlessly goes around furniture: Its biggest pro is how easily it moves around chair legs, even in tight zones.
5. Detachable battery: Replacing the battery is easy with the release latch. Users can double the run time by purchasing an extra if they choose.

4 Reasons to choose the Dyson Micro 1.5KG

1. Better handheld usability: The Dyson Micro’s handle position and compact frame make it the better handheld option.
2. More tools for above-floor cleaning: The US version comes with more tools for cleaning various areas in your home.
3. Better at cleaning ceiling fixtures: Its longer wand and handle position is an idea for cleaning areas high above (like the ceiling).
4. Vacuums carpet: Only the Dyson Micro can clean carpet and does it at an above-average clip.

The Verdict: Equally Good But Choosing One Will Boil Down To Your Priorities

Choose between the Dyson Micro and Omni Glide is a matter of preference.

Cleaning performance and price shouldn’t be a deciding factor since both are even in these categories.

Consumers who value floor cleaning above anything else feature should strongly consider the  Dyson Omni Glide.

It’s the only vacuum (so far) with 360-degree steering that’s the best I’ve tested in terms of maneuverability.

The Omnidirectional nozzle can move north, south, east, and west, so you can easily turn it in any direction.

For me, the clincher would be its ability to clean under furniture better than any Dyson product I’ve used.

If this is also high on your priority list, go for the Dyson Omni Glide.

The Dyson Micro has better handheld usability and feather-light steering, much lighter than the Dyson V7 or V8.

It’s a better option than the Omni Glide for folks who plan on using it as a handheld extensively.

This variant has more tools and will do better in cramped spaces with a more compact body.