This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:
US: SharkWandVac System Lightweight Cordless Vacuum WS642
UK: Lightweight 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum WV361UK AU: Shark WandVac System WS632
We tested the UK version. Be aware there may be minor differences between different countries' models. It's also available as a handheld vacuum only – see Alternatives section for more on that.
The Shark WandVac System (called the Lightweight 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum in the UK) is a lightweight handheld vacuum that converts in to a very lightweight and maneuverable stick vacuum. It packs a punch when it comes to power, offering impressive suction. I found it performed better on carpet than hard floors, although it's good at both. Because it's so lightweight, it's great for tricky areas, and the included attachments make it nice and versatile, too.
However, the small bin and short battery life mean it's really only for small cleanup jobs – if you want something to tackle your whole home, look elsewhere in our list of the best cordless vacuums. It’s best to think of the Shark WandVac as something you’d grab if you’ve just spilled flour all over the floor and needed to quickly clean it up.
If you don't need the floor head, then it is possible to buy this model as just a handheld. In the US it's the Shark WandVac Cordless Handheld Vacuum WV201, in the UK it's the Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum WV200UK, and in Australia it's the Shark Wandvac Handheld Vacuum WV203.
Shark WandVac System review: price & availability
List price: $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$499.99
The Shark Wandvac System is available in the US, UK and Australia, and at list price it'll set you back $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$499.99. That puts it into TechRadar's budget price bracket for cordless vacuums. It's decent value for money, and an especially good choice if you need something lightweight.
If you're primarily wanting to use it as a handheld, you can save by opting for the version without the stick and floorhead – that one costs $129.99 / £129.99 / $249.99 – or check out TechRadar's guide to the best car vacuums for some alternatives. If you need that versatility, though, you'd arguably be better off opting for something like the Shark Detect Pro. It's currently only a little more expensive than the WandVac System, and offers much more power.
Seasonal events like the Black Friday sales are often a good time to shop for a new vacuum, and it's worth keeping an eye out for Shark promo codes to take the price down, too.
Shark WandVac System specs
Shark WandVac System review: design
Very lightweight, and can be used as a handheld or a stick vacuum
Anti-hair wrap cleaner head
Small, easy-empty dust bin
The Shark WandVac has been designed for those times when you need to clean up a mess and you need to do it fast, and it can be used as a handheld cleaner with various attachments, or in stick mode with the 11.2-inch / 28cm-wide floor head to clean larger areas.
It weighs under 1kg in handheld mode, and is easy to maneuver in stick mode – in this mode, according to Shark, the US model weighs 5.9lbs, while the UK model is 3kg – that makes the US model a little lighter, which may be down to the slightly different head design.
Putting the vacuum together is simple, and you can add attachments by slotting them in until they click into place. If you're using the Shark WandVac as a stick vacuum, the anti-hair-wrap floor head has self-cleaning silicone 'Powerfins', rather than conventional bristles, which prevent pet or human hair from getting stuck.
(Image credit: Future)
To convert the WandVac to a handheld vacuum, all you have to do is remove the wand and floor head and you’re good to go. If you're cleaning your car or other awkward spaces, a crevice tool is included, and with the UK version I tested, there's also a fluffy brush head that's ideal for cleaning blinds or delicate surfaces. In the US and AU, that's replaced by a Pet Multi Tool.
The dust canister capacity on this Shark vacuum is just 0.25qts / 0.13 liters, which is more in line with what you'd expect on a handheld than a general cordless model (i.e. small). It means this vacuum is better suited to small spills rather than full-house cleaning.
Emptying the bin is simple – you just push down a lever with one hand and the dust cup cap opens at an angle to let the contents fall into your bin. It took me a few attempts to make sure the opening of the dust cup was right over my bin, but because the action is quite fast the dust cloud is minimal.
There are two ways to charge the Shark WandVac. The first is by simply plugging the handheld part of the vacuum into the charger. The second method is by using the charging dock, which comes as standard – this way you can simply finish cleaning and place the vacuum on the dock, and it’ll start charging.
Shark WandVac System review: performance
Noticeably loud in use
Good suction; performs better on carpets than hard floors
Lightweight and good to awkward jobs
Bin fills up quickly – not for cleaning a whole house
The first thing I noticed is just how loud this vacuum cleaner is. In its standard cleaning mode with the floor head on it hit 82 decibels – the average vacuum cleaner is around 75 decibels. And when you use the Boost mode the volume increases even more, so this is worth bearing in mind if you prefer a quieter model.
I tested the WandVac on hard floors with a flour mixture that resembled fine dust and dirt, and the vacuum sucked up everything in its path with ease, although it did cause some small crumbs to scatter further away. On carpet, the cleaner also coped very well with the mixture, and I didn’t need to use the Boost mode.
(Image credit: Future)
Next, I tested the Shark with larger debris on hard floors and found that the machine again did a good job, although it did take a few sweeps back and forth to scoop up all of the mess. I also noticed at this point that the dust cup filled up very quickly, which may have been impacting its ability to pick up.
(Image credit: Future)
I found the WandVac actually performed better on carpets – in standard mode it was able to pick up large pieces of debris, but it was even better in Boost mode, as you’d expect. I did notice that after cleaning up just one pile of larger debris (I used oats) the dust cup was pretty much full. This machine is designed primarily for cleaning up spills and other smaller cleaning jobs, so as long as you’re not expecting to be able to clean your whole home without a trip to the bin this shouldn’t be an issue.
I found the Shark WandVac was very light and easy to use with the crevice tool attached, and the suction was strong enough to provide a thorough clean, making it ideal for awkward jobs like cleaning your car or stairs.
Shark WandVac System review: battery life
16 minutes run time
Choice of charging options
Full charge takes approx 3.5 hours
Shark claims the WandVac can run for 16 minutes as a handheld vacuum cleaner, which is definitely on the short side as vacuums go, but should be long enough if you just need to clean up a spill of crumbs or give your car a quick spruce-up.
When you attach the floor head the cleaning time is reduced, which Shark does state, and I found that the battery only lasted 12.5 minutes, without using the Boost mode. For most people (myself included), that's not long enough to clean the entire home from top to bottom; however, that’s not what the WandVac is designed for.
The battery takes around three and a half hours to fully charge – you can either plug the charger into the handheld section, or use the charging dock that comes with the machine as standard. LED lights on the WandVac’s handle tell you how much battery you have remaining: three lights are illuminated when the cleaner is fully charged, and I found in my tests that one light signaled roughly five minutes of cleaning time left.
Should I buy the Shark WandVac System?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
How I tested the Shark WandVac System
I tested the Shark WandVac thoroughly, in each mode, on different floor types, and with all the supplied attachments. I ran the standard TechRadar tests to see how it performed across a variety of tasks, including cleaning up food debris and also finer dirt and dust. I also used the vacuum around the house as a general cleaner to see how it fared, and I was impressed with the amount of dust it picked up. Finally, I put the battery to the test to see if it lived up to the promised run time.
For this review, we tested a Dyson V15 Detect, and a Dyson V15 Detect Absolute. They are the same vacuum cleaner in different colorways.
The Dyson V15 Detect is a powerful, tech-packed cordless cleaner from perhaps most innovative vacuum brand in the world. The V15 (and the V15 Detect Absolute, which is the same vacuum in a different color) is able to sense the amount and size of particles it's sucking up, and adjust power in response. It'll even give you a real-time summary of this information, via the LCD screen on the main body of the vacuum. The other headline addition is a green laser on the hard floor floorhead, which illuminates dirt that might otherwise be missed. We're assuming that the new 'Detect' in the name is inspired by one or both of these additions.
Elsewhere, you'll find impressive suction power, even on the lowest 'Eco' setting. However, our favorite mode was Auto, which adjusts suction based on not only the floor type but also how dirty it is, to ensure a low-effort, efficient clean. In our tests, this vacuum sucked up everything we put in front of it, including handling tangled hair impressively well.
Both the regular V15 Detect and the V15 Detect Absolute (which is the same vacuum in a different colorway) ship with two floorheads: a Digital Motorbar head (the one that can be used with Auto mode) and a Fluffy Optic floorhead (the one with the laser, designed specifically for hard floors). There's also a selection of extra tools for different cleaning tasks. The exact tools included depends where you live and which iteration of the V15 you buy, but if you live with long-haired people or pets, it's worth seeking out the Hair Screw tool, which was new to this model, and great at getting hair out of furniture.
Runtimes are good – up to a full hour on one charge – although recharge is a little slow. If you need longer than that, you'll appreciate that the battery is removable, with additional batteries available to purchase separately.
It's not quite perfect. It's a little heavy, and especially so in handheld mode. It's also frustrating that it switches on via a trigger, which needs to be continually depressed, rather than the one-push button found on other Dyson vacuums. The jury's also out on whether the features like the laser illumination and real-time dust reports are genuinely useful, once the initial novelty factor has worn off.
As you might have guessed, it's also an expensive purchase. While the advanced features and meticulous engineering do help justify the price, there are plenty of cheaper options about with fewer bells and whistles, which will suffice for most people.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
For this review, we tested a couple of V15 vacuums – one in Australia and the other in the UK – to see how they compare to the rest of the best cordless vacuums on the market.
A bit of context so you know where this model sits in the wider Dyson range. The V15 Detect launched in 2021, at the same time as the (non-flagship) V12 Detect Slim. The previous flagship cordless vacuum was the V11 (read our Dyson V11 review for more on that one). The model to follow was the Gen5detect (see our Dyson Gen5detect review). That one features several upgrades to the V15, and at time of updating this review is the best Dyson vacuum available, based on specs.
There's also a sister model in the V15 range: the V15s Submarine, launched in 2023. This is similar the regular V15, but has a wet roller head to enable it to wash hard floors as well as just vacuuming. We've tested that separately, in our Dyson V15s Detect Submarine review.
That's the short version. Read on for our full Dyson V15 Detect / Dyson V15 Detect Absolute review, and to learn if it's the best vacuum cleaner for your needs.
Dyson V15 Detect review: price & versions
List price: $749.99 / £649.99 / AU$1,449
Launched: 2021
As with most Dyson cordless vacuums, there are a few different versions of the V15 Detect, with an extra word added onto the end of the name. Generally, it's the same base model, but sometimes there are differences in the range of tools included. That can make examining the pricing a little difficult, but to give us an idea, we'll be looking at what's available to buy direct from Dyson at time of updating this review. There may be other versions and different pricing available at other retailers.
In the US there's the Dyson V15 Detect, with a list price of $749.99. There's also the Detect V15 Detect Absolute for the same price (reduced to $599.99 at time of update). They're the same vacuum in two different colorways, and in this case even the tools included are the same.
The UK just has the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute, at a list price of £649.99, reduced to £549.99 at time of update. It's the same in Australia – just the V15 Detect Absolute, this time with a list price of AU$1,449.
Regardless of which iteration you go for, it's going to fall into the premium price category. It's generally a bit cheaper than its successor, the Gen5Detect (from $949.99 / £769.99 / AU$1,549 at list price). If you're hoping to score a discount, Dyson promo codes are rare, but we do sometimes see Dyson deals, especially around events like the Black Friday sales.
Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Dyson V15 Detect review: design
Upgraded motor compared to previous flagship model
LCD display shows info about dust collected and remaining run time
Wand can be removed to turn into a handheld
True to Dyson aesthetics, the V15 Detect is a beautiful machine to look at. Under the hood, the motor has been upgraded from its predecessor's (and was improved again for its successor), and generates 230 air watts of suction power. Other than that, it looks similar to the other modern V-range vacuums, comprising the motor, cyclone array and dust canister, in an in-line arrangement. We might have preferred a bigger dustbin on this model, but it's just the standard 0.2-gallon / 0.75L canister that's used in the Cyclone V10.
Inherited from the V11 is the swappable battery pack. This can come in handy if you've got a large home and would prefer to get the vacuuming done in one go instead of recharging at the mains – that can take a few hours (more on that later).
The V15 Detect looks similar to other modern V-range Dyson vacuums (Image credit: Dyson)
That battery, though, makes the weight distribution of the V15 Detect quite uneven. It weighs in at 3kg, but feels top-heavy, and it's tiring to use for longer cleaning stints. Our testers found their arms getting tired after using it for about 30 minutes, and they needed to keep switching hands regularly if they wanted to clean for any longer than that.
While later models (and, actually, the V12 Detect Slim that launched alongside the V15) switch on and off via a single-press button, but the V15 still uses a trigger that you need to keep continuously depressed. That, combined with the uneven weight distribution, makes the V15 even more of a workout for your arms. We found it less of an issue with the smaller and lighter V7 and V8.
The V15 can detect the size and amount of particles it's sucking up (Image credit: Dyson)
One headline upgrade on the V15 Detect and Detect Absolute is the addition of a tiny piezo sensor, housed within the vacuum's handheld unit, which can measure acoustic vibrations from microscopic particles as small as 10 microns. As dust and debris get sucked in, they reverberate off the sides of the vacuum, and the piezo sensor uses those changes in vibrations to measure not just the size of the particles, but also the number.
These are then graphically displayed on a one-inch circular digital screen. As you clean, you'll see the representation change in real time and, when it finally becomes static, you'll know there's nothing more for the vacuum to suck up.
A countdown clock shows you how much cleaning time you have left (Image credit: TechRadar)
Displayed below the graph is a countdown clock representing the remaining runtime, and it also displays the power mode you've chosen. There are three power levels, which can be selected using a silver button on the circular panel. Eco is a lower-suction mode, Boost is a more powerful mode for ingrained dirt, and Auto mode will intelligently adjust suction based on the floor type and how dirty it is.
All versions ship with two floorheads: a Digital Motorbar head (previously called the High Torque head) and a Fluffy Optic head (previously called the Laser Slim Fluffy head, and currently referred to as the Illuminated Cleaner Head in the UK... possibly because they couldn't trademark the 'Fluffy' name there).
The Digital Motorbar is a motorized head that features a couple of rows of 'teeth' that cut hair and fur into smaller pieces that get sucked up easily and thus prevent tangling around the bristles of the brush. Perhaps most exciting is the fact that this floorhead can monitor brush bar resistance to enable the vacuum to increase or decrease suction based on floor type, when used in Auto mode.
The Digital Motorbar head is designed to cut up hair and channel it straight into the bin (Image credit: Dyson)
The Fluffy Optic head is designed specifically for hard floors, and it has had a redesign from the one shipped with previous V-series models. The whole head has been slimmed down (although the footprint remains the same), but the major difference is that there's now an in-built laser diode (class 1, so it's safe for humans and pets). Thanks to a custom-designed lens (which is only marginally bigger than a grain of sugar), the laser emits light at an angle that reflects off solid particles to highlight them green. The light is activated via a small switch on the top of the floorhead, and the fluffy part is also washable, so you can keep it at peak performance.
The V15 easily transforms into a handheld (Image credit: TechRadar)
Like other Dyson cordless vacuums, you can convert the V15 Detect Absolute into a handheld cleaner by removing the main wand and attaching any of the other tools. Exactly which tools are included will vary depending on where you live and which iteration of the V15 you buy, but all are well-designed and useful.
The Hair Screw Tool designed specifically to tackle hair (Image credit: Future)
If you want to be able to deal with hair (human or pet) in upholstery or furniture, look out for the Hair Screw Tool. This uses the principle of an Archimedes screw, with a tapered design that directs strands of hair or fur (no matter how short or long) towards the narrow end. This is where the suction hole is, allowing whole locks to get sucked up into the bin. Even the bristles have been placed at an angle, to ensure there's no tangling at all. This tool was new with the V15, but is compatible with older models and available to purchase separately.
Design score: 4 out of 5
Dyson V15 Detect review: performance
Powerful suction; great on carpet and hard floors
Laser highlights dust that's invisible to the eye
Auto mode is an excellent, low-effort feature
Even though there are three power modes, the V15 Detect is just fine at its lowest setting. To see how it coped with different types of debris, our testers sprinkled fine dust, biscuit crumbs and cereal (separately) on both carpet and hard floor. We found that even in Eco mode, it sucked everything up with just one slow pass. It also did a pretty good job on a hair-entwined carpet in Eco mode.
During our testing, though, we found the Auto mode the best – it was like a set-and-forget option that handled hard floors and carpets alike. Additionally, when using the Digital Motorbar head, the suction changes reactively when surfaces change, increasing automatically when it senses a rug or carpet.
This graphical representation of what you're cleaning also works really well. All particles are divided into four categories, depending on their size, and as you clean a specific surface, you’ll find the bars rising. When they become static, you know that the area has been cleaned to the best of the V15 Detect’s ability. We're not sure this feature is strictly essential, especially after the initial novelty had worn off, although we did find it a good way to see when a floor had been cleaned properly.
The laser is great at illuminating dingy corners and edges (Image credit: Future)
The laser on the Slim Fluffy tool does exactly what it says on the tin, highlighting particles you normally wouldn’t see with your naked eye, either illuminating a bright green or creating visible shadows. One of our testers deliberately missed the edges of a room with hard floors, and then pushed the head towards these edges – with the green laser illuminated, they were shocked by just how much dust, which wasn’t previously visible, was on the floor.
Our other reviewer wasn't quite as sold on this feature, ultimately deciding it was a little superfluous. They found that dust tended to settle on the inside plastic of the tool, diminishing its ability to, well, shine a light. They had to repeatedly wipe down the inside of the Laser Slim Fluffy to get the best results, and after a while found themselves leaving it switched off, and relying on the display as an indicator of when there was nothing more for the V15 to suck up.
Even after what you think is a good clean, the laser tells you otherwise (Image credit: TechRadar)
Our second tester also found the floorhead a little tricky to swivel around. Because the Digital Motorhead can swivel a lot more, they found themselves using that one on hard floors as well – especially since it’s the only cleaning head that works with Auto mode.
(It's worth noting that the newer Gen5detect has a brighter laser, which is more visible in well-lit rooms, and the same tester was far more impressed with the upgraded version.)
Converting the vacuum to handheld mode and back again is simple – just remove the telescopic tube, clip on your desired attachment and you’re ready to go. However, the click-in battery pack does make the barrel feel heavier than older models like the V7, V8 and V10. Both of our testers found that holding aloft the V15 for more than a minute or two was quite difficult. The Gen5detect simplifies the process further by hiding a tool inside the wand, but that model is even heavier.
The V15 is a little heavy in handheld mode (Image credit: TechRadar)
We can't fault the V15 Detect's cleaning power in handheld mode, though. One tester used it to clean their car, and it sucked up all of the dirt and debris such as small stones and even a few leaves, along with human hair that had collected on the driver’s seat, with ease.
Unlike today's best car vacuums, which are designed specifically for this task, converted floor vacs like this one are typically quite bulky when used in handheld mode. Our reviewer struggled to fully clean under the driver and passenger front seats, as well in the storage areas on the center console, which frequently attract dust and debris.
The exact tools that are included with the V15 Detect and Detect Absolute varies by country and version, but you'll typically get a Crevice tool and a Combination tool, which we found were good for edges and narrow spaces.
Both of our review models came with a new-to-this-model Hair Screw tool. This works best as part of the handheld unit to remove pet and human hair off smaller surfaces like sofas, car seats or pet beds. It is possible to also use it on carpeted floors, but given it's small footprint, it's far more efficient to use the much larger Digtial Motorbar head for this task.
The tools included with one of our review models – note, these vary depending on which iteration you buy (Image credit: TechRadar)
Either way, the Hair Screw Tool is a marvelous piece of engineering. When testing it, we removed a clump of hair from a brush and placed it on a sofa – the anti-tangle tool sucked it all up without a single strand getting caught anywhere. It all curled up and got sucked right into the canister. However, we did find this tool could be a little less effective at collecting dust and dander from upholstery, when compared to the Mini Motorized head included with previous models.
Emptying the V15 Detect’s bin is easy. Once the wand and any cleaning attachments are removed, the red lever on the canister pushes open the lid and all that dirt comes right out in a single move.
One final performance element to discuss is noisiness. We were impressed with how much quieter the V15 Detect is in low-power settings as compared to some of the older V-series models. However, bump the suction mode to Boost and it hits 81 decibels – as loud as a truck trundling down a highway at 65kph.
Performance score: 4.5 out of 5
Dyson V15 Detect review: battery
Up to a full hour's cleaning on Eco mode; 18 minutes in Boost
Battery takes up to 5 hours to fully recharge
Swappable battery reduces interruptions to cleaning
On the lowest-powered, Eco setting Dyson claims the battery will last up to 60 minutes. That's the same as the V11, although because the suction power has been improved over that model, you should be able to clean more efficiently with the newer V15. On test, the claims were accurate – one of our review models managed a respectable 59 minutes, and the other clocked up nearly 61 minutes.
If you prefer the Auto mode, you'll get about 40 minutes of runtime per charge, which is enough for the general upkeep of a small two-bedroom house. However, because of the intelligent nature of this mode, runtimes will vary depending on the types of floors you have, and how dirty they are. Bump up to Boost and you'll only get about 18 minutes of power.
The Auto mode suited our testers best, but even the Eco setting has plenty of suction power to clean up a small mess. So the latter is your best bet to maximize on battery life. A countdown of how long you have left is handily available on the digital display.
If you want to be able to clean for longer than 60 minutes, then you’re going to need an additional battery pack. This would be handy in large family homes, because recharge times are long – our testers found a full recharge took between four and five hours.
The Dyson V8 first launched back in 2016, but at time of updating this review, it's still available to buy, both direct from Dyson and via third-party retailers. Although it's not as high-performing or tech-packed as its successors, it's still a very capable cleaner, and compares well against today's best cordless vacuums from other brands. It's also significantly cheaper than many newer models (but more on that in a sec).
Like all the other Dyson stick vacuums, there are a few different versions of the V8 available. They all share the same motor and battery – the only real difference between them all is the number of extra tools they ship with, so do double-check exactly what's included before you buy.
As you'd expect from Dyson, the design is slick and smart, and everything feels high-quality and well-engineered. Although it lacks the super-efficient in-line configuration of later models, the suction here is good. There are two modes – Standard and Max – operated via a toggle switch. We found it could pick up most debris on the lower setting with an occasional blast on the higher setting doing a good job of collecting anything left over. Battery life is decent on standard suction mode, although the seven minutes in Max mode is a touch short, and the recharge time is far longer than modern Dyson vacuums.
You won't get things like sensors that adjust suction based on dirt levels and floor type, nor is there an LCD screen to provide you with usage information, but the design is still perfectly functional and will suit most people's needs.
There's a wide range of compatible tools, which can attach to the vacuum wand or directly onto the motor unit for use as a handheld. All the tools are well designed and very effective – most are essentially the same designs as you'll find with newer Dysons. These tools mean the Dyson V8 isn’t just for floors; it can shapeshift to tackle a range of other cleaning tasks, such as getting hair off upholstery, sprucing up the interior of your car, and even getting into ceiling corners.
In terms of price, the V8 regularly attracts deals and at list price it's usually the cheapest Dyson cordless vacuum on the market. However, prices vary by retailer and version, and sometimes the newer (and better) Dyson Cyclone V10 and even the Dyson V11 aren't hugely more expensive, making the V8 worse value by comparison. It's worth checking what deals are available on those models before buying a V8. That's the short version: read on for my full Dyson V8 review.
(Image credit: Future)
Dyson V8 review: price & availability
Various versions with different tools and different prices
Available direct from Dyson in US / UK / AU, as well as third-party retailers
Cheapest option $349.99 / £329 / AU$397
As is the case with most Dyson vacuums, there are a few different versions available, with different words added on to the end of the name (Animal, Origin, Absolute, and so on). These are almost always the same vacuum but with a slightly different selection of accessories. Because the V8 is an older vacuum, there are plenty of deals available, and prices will vary depending on where and when you buy.
At time of update, in the US there's the V8 available direct from Dyson for $469.99. Alternatively, there's the V8 Absolute (with an additional floorhead specifically for hard floors) for $519.99 but reduced to $349.99. Finally, there's a V8 Origin Plus (with different tools again) for $419.99.
Based on TechRadar's price brackets, most of those are in the mid-range price bracket. The V8 is about the cheapest Dyson vacuum you can buy, and certainly far more affordable than the top-of-the-range models. If you don't have your heart set on a Dyson, there are cheaper options available from rival brands. Furthermore, depending on what deal you manage to find, it might not be much cheaper than a Dyson Cyclone V10 or even Dyson V11, and either of those would be a better pick for most people.
Versatile design can be used as a floor vacuum or a handheld
Reasonably lightweight, and easy to maneuver
Two power modes, controlled by a button
Dyson is known for its slick-looking products, and the V8 is included in that. The transparent 0.54L dustbin makes up the bulk of the handheld unit, with 15 small cyclone cones arranged in a two-tier flower shape in front of it. While the motor is powerful and well-designed, it's an older configuration that's not quite as efficient as later models, which place the motor, bin and cyclone array in a straight line to maximise suction.
The V8 weighs 3.5lbs/1.6kg with no attachments, and at its heaviest (with the wand and main cleaning head attached), it weighs 5.6lbs/2.6kg. For a household vac, that’s pretty lightweight, but it’s a little on the heavier side when considering comparable handheld vacuums for car cleaning.
The handle is broad and comfortable, even for people with small hands, and the power button – which resembles a trigger – is ergonomically placed just where your forefinger should be. You will need to keep your finger on the power trigger for the entire duration of your clean for the vacuum to run continuously, which can be annoying.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
There's a HEPA filter encased in blue/purple plastic, with air vents on the sides. Below the filter and air vents is a toggle switch to change suction power – there are just standard and max settings to choose from on the V8.
All later models have at least three suction modes, and the newest models even have a mode that responds to things like the floor type and how dirty it is, and adjust accordingly. The toggle switch is also replaced by a button on newer models, and from the Dyson V11 onwards there's an LCD screen to give information. However, in use, the more basic V8 methods of operation are perfectly functional.
(Image credit: Future)
When the dustbin needs emptying, you pull a large red tab on the handheld unit with a bin icon (a new feature on the V8, but redesigned again on later models). This pushes the cyclone part of the main unit to rise while forcing the base flap to open simultaneously. Lo and behold, dust, debris and hair fall out, with only a very thin layer of fine particles sticking to the interior of the bin.
The V8 comes with a bunch of accessories, although exactly which ones will depend on the version you buy and where you live, so do double check when making your purchase. The floorhead attaches via a telescopic tube that’s perfect for general use, and each tool can also be attached directly to the main handheld unit for use in handheld mode. However, there are no clips on the vacuum for storing spare accessories when they're not in use (this is a feature on later models).
(Image credit: TechRadar)
The standard direct-drive head is great on pretty much any surface, but if you buy the V8 Absolute, you’ll get a Soft Roller cleaning head that’s the best option for hard floors. Using soft fibers and carbon bristles on a rotating bar, the Soft Roller is designed to glide directly over floors, and this means that if you have larger debris (like kitchen spills) that need cleaning up, they’re not scattered willy nilly.
Our review model had a low-reach adaptor for getting under furniture (Image credit: TechRadar)
And, depending on which V8 model you opt for, you might get a low-reach adaptor that you can fit onto the end of the telescopic tube to get under couches and low tables (this is similar to the flexi-wand feature included on today's best Shark vacuum cleaners).
When using it as a car vac, we loved the crevice tool for getting into narrow spaces and mini motorhead tool for collecting bigger messes in the boot space.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Dyson V8 review: performance
Still powerful, although not as powerful as the newest models
Up to 40 minutes battery life
On the loud side for cordless vacs when on Max suction
Dyson tends to improve suction on its stick vacuums with each generation, so while the V8 isn't as powerful as newer models, it'll still be plenty strong enough for most people's needs. And while it's one of the noisier cordless home vacuums we have tested (at 80dB on max setting and 75dB on standard), it's not offensively loud.
No matter which cleaning tool you use, the V8 remains well balanced and, thanks to swiveling heads, moving the vacuum along hard floors and carpets is a breeze.
On carpets, the motorized direct-drive head does a fantastic job. It’s pretty good on hard floors as well, but if you can get the Soft Roller (or Fluffy) tool, there’s nothing like it on wood and tiles. Alternatively, you can use the mini motorized tool on hard floors, but its footprint is small, and you’ll need to go over the floor several times to finish a room. And that eats into the V8’s limited battery life.
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We found it to be great at picking up both large and finer dirt in our in-car tests, using the mini motorhead tool which was a great size for most debris on carpet and upholstery. The crevice tool also worked great for getting into tighter areas, like into door bins, behind pedals and in-seat folds, and is long enough to counteract the V8’s larger body than most other handheld vacs.
Back to home use, and as with the other Dyson stick vacuums, the V8’s edge-cleaning prowess is pretty darn impressive. The cleaner head designs means it can handle the 90-degree angle along the edges of rooms and in most corners as well. This is also helped by how well most of the cleaning heads swivel on their own axes.
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Dyson V8 review: battery life
There’s up to 40 minutes of fade-free power available with the V8 on a single charge, and that holds true even when using the motorized cleaning tools (like the direct-drive and soft roller heads) – which is not something we were expecting.
When the battery has drained, the motor just switches off, with no reduction in suction prior to that, so you get consistent power and performance for the full 40 minutes.
On the max setting, though, the V8 lasts for much less time – you’ll get no more than seven minutes of use. This renders the Max setting good for only spot deep cleans and great for quick car cleanups, but thankfully the V8's standard setting is more than enough for most debris.
40 minutes of battery life is usually enough for an average-sized one-bedroom apartment, but if you live in a larger space, you'll need to charge the V8 again, which is along process – a full recharge can take about five hours.
The Dyson V11 is a powerful cordless vacuum cleaner, offering up to 60 minutes of untethered cleaning time. There are three suction modes: a lower-powered Eco mode that gives the maximum cleaning time, a powerful and battery-sapping Boost mode for when you need a bit of extra oomph, and an Auto mode that detects what kind of floor you're on and adjusts suction accordingly.
On test, I found that even in Eco mode the V11 packed a good amount of power, clearing small and large-sized debris, and pet hair, with ease. I also found Auto mode worked reliably and effectively when moving between carpet and hard floors. The LCD screen – a new addition here, but ubiquitous from this model onwards – is useful for letting you know how much juice you have left, and alerting you of blockages.
The V11 comes with Dyson's usual range of versatile and well-designed cleaning attachments for various cleaning tasks – although exactly which ones will depend on which model you go for and where you live.
Dyson is widely considered to be one of the very best cordless vacuum brands around (and one of the best vacuum brands in general), and even though it's not the most recent model, the V11 is still well worth your consideration. This is the successor to 2018's V10 (read TechRadar's Dyson Cyclone V10 review), and at time of update, several newer and higher-spec options have been released – head to our Dyson Gen5Detect review for more on the latest model.
There are a few iterations of this model – at time of update, a V11 Extra and a V11 Advanced. The base model is the same; the difference is the selection of included tools. There were more when it was initially released, and not all configurations are available in every country.
The fact that you're not getting the very latest features is reflected in the price. Most versions were originally in the premium price bracket, but have been discounted into the mid-range, making it a good pick if you're looking for that Dyson engineering on a smaller budget.
Dyson V11 review: price & availability
US / AU: Dyson V11, list price $569.99 / AU$1200
UK: Dyson V11 Advanced, list price £429.99 (reduced to £359.99)
Other versions available with different tools
Dyson has released different packages in the US, UK, and Australia. While there were more options at time of first launch, at time of updating this review (June 2024), the standard Dyson V11 is part of the current lineup in the US and Australia, with a list price of $569.99 (discounted to $469.99) / AU$1,199 (confusingly, in Australia there's the V11 Advanced, also at AU$1,199, which seems to be identical including the tools included).
In the UK there's only one version available: the V11 Advanced, for a list price of £429.99 (discounted to £359.99). The tools included are not the same as you'll find with the Australian V11 Advanced. Finally, in the US there's a V11 Extra, which has a list price of $599.99 adds a load of extra tools, compared to the base model.
Note, here I'm talking about what's available to buy direct from Dyson at time of updating this review – there may be other versions available via third party retailers. Simple!
What does all that mean in terms of value for money? Well, most versions were originally in the premium price bracket, but have been discounted into the mid-range. It's not the cheapest cordless vac in the current Dyson lineup (head to our Dyson V8 review to find out more about the model that takes that spot), but it's also far from the priciest – the Gen5Detect is $950 / £750.
Although brands like Shark are looming increasingly large in the vacuum cleaner space, Dyson is still widely considered to be leading the way in terms of innovation. You're paying for that meticulous engineering (and yes, a little bit for the Dyson name). It's probably worth keeping an eye out for a Dyson deal around major shopping events like the Black Friday sales if you're hoping to score a discount.
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Dyson V11 review: design
Sleek and effective design, engineered to maximize suction
LCD display shows battery life, mode and any issues
3 power settings: Eco, Auto/Medium, Boost
The Dyson V11 looks very similar to most of its V-something siblings, with a sleek design that isn't an eyesore if you forget to stow it away in the cupboard. Because it's symmetrical, it's as easy to use left-handed as it is right-handed.
The mechanism is lined up so the air is drawn into the 14 internal cyclones in a straight line, to maximize suction. For this model, Dyson also re-engineered the motor to reduce turbulence, increase the overall airflow efficiency, and cut down on noise. It promises 20 per cent more suction power than the V10 and works in conjunction with the 80W High Torque cleaning head to collect significantly more debris.
(Image credit: Future - Joel Burgess)
The Dyson V11 has three different suction modes: Auto mode, Boost mode and Eco mode. Eco mode is best for long cleaning sessions. It's the lowest in power (although still packs a decent punch). At the other end of the spectrum is the ultra-powerful Boost mode, which is perfect for particularly stuck debris.
However, Auto mode is what you’ll use most often, according to Dyson’s user statistics. The V11 has sensors on the main cleaner head that measure brush resistance as an indicator of whether you're on carpet or hard floor. In Auto mode, it responds by raising or lowering suction accordingly. When I tested the Dyson V11, I tried alternating between a carpet and a wooden floor, and I could feel (and hear) the an instant shift in suction power as I moved between the two.
(Newer Dyson vacuums take this a step further by also monitoring how dirty your floor is and bumping up or lowering suction more precisely as required, but that's not included here.)
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Perhaps the biggest change to the design of the V11 in comparison with its predecessor is the inclusion of an LCD display. This shows the current mode of the vacuum, the estimated remaining battery life and any other warnings or alerts that might be relevant. For example, this screen displays a warning if there’s a blockage, and even shows you how to clear it, which is especially handy.
(Image credit: Future - Joel Burgess)
The High Torque cleaner head features a mixture of stiff nylon bristles, designed to drive out ground-in dirt from carpets, and soft anti-static carbon fiber filaments, which work to collect dust from hard floors. There's also a manual adjustment on the head that allows you to open and close valves to suit the depth and type of carpet surface in your home.
It comes with an array of attachments. Exactly which ones will depend on the version you go for and where you live, but roughly expect a Motorbar Cleaner Head, Hair Screw Tool, Crevice Tool and Combination Tool (but double check when you buy). These can be attached directly to the motor unit for use in handheld mode, or to the end of a wand for further reach. Where it improves on the V10's design is that here, the accessories can be clipped onto the vacuum itself – a useful touch for anyone who's found they need another head when on the far side of the house.
(Image credit: Future - Joel Burgess)
There's a 0.2 gallon (0.75 litre) bin capacity, with a pump-action sliding mechanism that projects the bin out away from the cyclonic cylinder to enable you to dispose of its contents quickly and easily.
The V11 also includes a fully sealed filtration system, designed to capture even the tiniest of bacteria. It's designed to minimize the amount of allergy-triggering dirt, dust and pollen particles getting stirred up and released into the air. Anyone with allergies will also appreciate the added collection provided by an easily cleanable filter.
Dyson V11 specs
Dyson V11 review: performance
At 6.68lb (3kg), the V11 is lighter than most corded vacuums (although a little heavier than the V10), but it does carry a lot of weight in its handle. I found the High Torque and Soft Roller heads counterbalanced most of this weight when used with the extension barrel on the ground, but that it became quite an arm workout when I wanted to use a non-motorized attachment. However, a fellow tester found that it felt light and easy to use in any mode.
The V11 moves around easily on both carpets and hard floors, whether you're using the High Torque cleaner head or the soft roller cleaner head, and the articulated design of the heads makes it easy to get under furniture (Shark has since taken things a step further on this front – today's best Shark vacuum cleaners have a hinge to its vacuum wands, so they can bend to 90-degrees from the motor unit).
I started by seeing how the V11 tackled an oat spillage. I used the soft roller cleaner head, which is designed for hard floors, with soft bristles and a velvet-like material covering the roller, on the Auto/Medium power setting. Just one slow pass picked up 100 per cent of the oats, and the V11 repeated the feat on the Eco setting.
I also tried it on talcum power and carpet freshener on carpet, using the High Torque cleaner head on the Auto/Medium setting. Again, one slow forward and back pass cleared the whole spillage.
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Pet hair was the next test, and again the V11 performed impeccably, cleaning the hair from the rug with little effort. The results were equally evident from looking at the amount of hair collected in the bin.
Switching out the High Torque head and wand for the mini motorized tool, I tackled the sofas. While this configuration looks a little ungainly with the tool connected directly to the cylinder, it feels well balanced and light at just over 2kg, and again it picked up the pet hairs with ease.
The V11 Absolute also makes light work of the normally onerous task of cleaning stairs, thanks to the mini motorized tool, which can get right into the corners with no trouble.
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During my tests, I occasionally found that the sticks and hair collected by the V11 would need to be dislodged from the airways and the spinning head later. Fortunately the V11's components are still easy to detach and clean when you need to, and a new motor sensor will now alert you to any blockages that may be reducing suction power (a surprisingly common support request).
In terms of emptying the regular bin, though, it was as easy as it initially appears. All the dirt and debris came out without any need to poke around and get my fingers dirty.
Dyson V11 review: battery
Officially, the Dyson V11 will last 60 minutes in Eco mode (with non-motorized tools attached), and just 12 minutes in Boost. In Auto/Med, the battery life will depend on how much suction is required (in this mode, it'll power up when on carpet) – I found it delivered just under 41 minutes with the soft roller cleaner head.
I found there was more than enough power to tackle a lightly soiled four bedroom house from top to bottom, crevices and all, but I would need to factor in a re-charge time if I wanted to embark on an intensive multi-hour spring cleaning sprees. Because the remaining battery life is clearly displayed on the LCD screen in terms of time, it's easy to see how much juice the vacuum has left, and adjust modes accordingly.
Cleverly, the remaining runtime will adjust depending on which attachment is connected – so it knows if it has a battery-sapping motorized tool attached, and this is reflected on the screen.
When Dyson launched the Cyclone V10 in 2018, it represented a compete rethink of its cordless form factor, and the point at which the brand waved goodbye to corded vacuum cleaners for good. It's now widely considered to be the brand behind the best cordless vacuums on the market – at least when it comes to innovation.
Compared to its predecessors, the V10 boasts refined cyclone technology for stronger suction, and a new V10 digital motor that's capable of 125,000 rpm (that's over 2,000 revolutions per second).
At time of updating this review – June 2024 – the V10 is one of the oldest models still included in the current Dyson lineup, and as such, these specs have been overshadowed a little by newer, fancier models. Its immediate successor is 2019's V11 (read about that one in our Dyson V11 review). There's now a V15 (read our Dyson V15 review), while the Gen5Detect offers even more advanced features (see our Dyson Gen5 Detect review for more on that). So is the Dyson Cyclone V10 still worth your attention?
On test, we were very impressed. It offers powerful suction, even on the lowest of the three settings, and is well designed and easy to use. The tools we tested are also excellent, although do note that the included attachments vary depending on which configuration you opt for (for this review, we tested the Absolute+ model, which has a wide range of tools).
The real issue is that the V11 seems to be available for a similar price, and is slightly better in almost every way (exactly how the two compare in our Dyson V10 vs V11 explainer). That makes the V10 hard to recommend outright, unless you spot a major deal. That's the short version; read on for our full Dyson V10 review.
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Dyson Cyclone V10 review: price & availability
Price varies by configuration, but generally in the mid/premium bracket
V11 available for a similar price
Not widely available direct from Dyson any more
As with most Dyson vacuums, there are a few different variations. An extra word is added to the name (e.g. Animal) but in the vast majority of cases, the base model is the same, but there is a different selection of tools included. We'll be focusing on the models available direct from Dyson here, but there will likely be more options available via third party retailers.
At time of update, a Cyclone V10 Motorhead, with a ticket price of of US$500, is listed on the Dyson US site, but it's out of stock. In the UK, it's the Cyclone V10 Total Clean for £449.99, but again that's out of stock. In Australia, there's the regular Cyclone V10 (AU$1,099 down to AU$694 at time of update), or the Cyclone V10 Absolute (AU$1,299, reduced to AU$744).
At those prices, the Cyclone V10 is at the top of the mid-range price bracket or into premium. Interestingly, the newer and more advanced V11 is actually available for cheaper in a few cases (although it's worth doing a compare and contrast on included tools to make sure you actually are getting a better deal). As you'd expect, it's pricier than the much older Dyson V8. Today's newest and highest-specced Dyson cordless vacs are far more expensive – the Gen5Detect is $950 / £750, for example.
Because it's a slightly older model, and based on the fact that it looks like Dyson might be phasing it out, it is worth keeping an eye out for Dyson deals – around major shopping events like the Black Friday sales in particular.
Dyson Cyclone V10 review: design
Powerful digital motor, but not as powerful as newer models
Operated via manual switch and indicator lights rather than an LCD screen
Array of useful accessories (vary by configuration and region)
The Dyson V10 looks very similar to most of the brand's cordless vacuums. It was the first Dyson cordless to organize all its various components in an in-line format, to achieve a more direct airflow path, and as a result, greater suction efficiency.
There's a front-facing barrel onto which all attachments connect directly. Behind the barrel sits the device's cyclone array (with 14 chambers in total), followed by a digital motor – at time of release, the smallest, and smartest, the company had engineered, and capable of 125,000 rpm (that's over 2,000 revolutions per second).
It's capable of 20 per cent more suction than its predecessor's motor (read TechRadar's full Dyson V8 review for a closer look at that one), despite being half the size, weighing only 125g (0.27lbs). In fact, it's said to be so intelligent that it can detect variables like altitude, air pressure and temperature and to adjust itself accordingly for increased efficiency. Dyson says it even knows the difference between a table and a floor.
Of course, when the V11 arrived, the motor had been improved again. But it's worth reiterating that even quite-old Dyson engineering is still very good engineering.
At the back end, you'll find the V10's filter, which you can remove with one simple counter-clockwise twisting motion. An LED indicator on the base of the unit will let you know when it's time for a wash (later models have an LCD screen that displays information like this, amongst other things). This filter is said to be capable of capturing 99.97 per cent of allergens in the air – even ones as small as 0.3 microns in size.
The front-facing bin is 0.77L, the same size as the V11 but significantly bigger than the V8. It has a 'point and shoot' emptying mechanism that makes it easier to transfer dust and rubbish directly into a trash receptacle or plastic bag.
The one downside to having a front-facing bin is that you'll now have to remove any attachments whenever you want to empty the device – although chances are you were already doing that anyway and never realized.
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Opening the bin is as simple as pushing down the red release valve under the unit, which slides the whole bin down in the process and expels any contents within. Admittedly, this plastic flap feels a little delicate, so we're hoping that it stands up to repeated use. A flexible rubber lip on the inside of the bin prevents almost all dust and debris from getting into the back of the bin, but we've found that even when dirt does slip past, it still gets pushed out during the emptying process.
Following the trend it started with the V8, Dyson has banished attachment release buttons from the V10, opting to place them on the accessories themselves. This makes it much easier to detach vacuum heads and extension tubes in one swift movement, though it does mean that all accessories released prior to the V8 will be incompatible.
Dyson Cyclone V10 specs
Dyson V10 review: performance
Powerful even on the lowest setting
Lasts 30 minutes on medium, or up to an hour on low power
Tools are well designed and easy to use
Thanks to its digital motor and 14-cyclone array, the Dyson Cyclone V10 sucks big time. We don't mean that in a negative sense – it's actually a huge compliment in the vacuum world. In the weeks we've had to put V10 through its paces, it has performed incredibly well in pretty much every dry vacuuming scenario.
There are three power settings available on the V10: low, medium and maximum. Your usage of each will probably be governed by the surface (or spillage) you're cleaning, and how much charge your unit is holding. You can gauge this using the LED indicator lights when the vacuum is in use. (From the V11 onwards, this system is replaced by an informative LCD screen.)
You can vacuum continuously for up to 60 minutes on the lowest setting. We found that setting was generally more than strong enough to lift any dirt we put in front of it.
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Maximum power offers incredible suction (this tester put their fingers up to the vacuum head and was amazed by how strong it was – enough so that we'd firmly suggest not trying this yourself). Unfortunately, this setting will completely drain the battery after roughly five minutes of usage... but it's still useful to have in an emergency.
It's our opinion that the V10's medium power setting, which will give you around 30 minutes of continuous usage, is the one you'll be using most of the time. During our reviewing time, we found that we only really needed to unleash the maximum setting for small vacuuming sessions and those occasions where we had really stubborn dirt trapped in our carpets or rugs.
In terms of recharge, it takes roughly 3.5 hours to go from a completely flat battery to a full charge.
Crumbs chief!
The Direct Drive attachment is is the standard vacuum head that you'll likely get the most everyday use out of, though our favorite tool has to be the Soft Roller Cleaner Head, which is capable of picking up bigger pieces of debris like pet kibble, cereal, cat litter and more.
Other notable attachments include the Mini Motorized Tool, which is great for vacuuming on stairs or upholstery, the pointed Rigid Crevice Tool, which lets you vacuum deep into corners and crevices, and the Flexi Crevice Tool, which features and extendable hose. This one's particularly useful for when you want to vacuum inside confined spaces, like the interior of a car. (Do note, different configurations of the V10 come with different tools, so make sure your model has the ones you need before purchasing.)
The Mini Motorized Tool in action
As is seemingly unavoidable with stick vacuums, we did experience a few blockages on occasion. We found that tissues and wrappers would frequently cause the V10 to jam up, with the only solution being the immediate removal of said obstruction.
