When we talk about powerful cordless vacuum cleaners, one word always pops up- Dyson. Since its inception in 1991, the company has produced some of the best devices that have completely changed the world of vacuum cleaners, case in point its iconic V-series. In this article, we trace the origin of the V-series models looking at how they have improved over the years, starting with the V6 up to its latest offering the V11. Dyson is always at the forefront when it comes to the development of cutting edge technology that sees most of its competitors, like Tineco “copying” its designs. Here is a comparison list of all V-series models.
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Dyson V6
The Dyson V6 is the first model of the V-series and includes several versions: standard model, Fluffy, Motorhead, Animal and Absolute. However, in this article, we will be highlighting the V6 Absolute as it comes with the most accessories. Picking up from where the DC59 left, the V6 is an improvement of the previous Dyson cordless vacs.
It comes with an upgraded filtration system and multiple cleaning accessories for various surfaces. It has a sleek, colorful and lightweight design at just 2.3kg and its ergonomic design with the center of gravity concentrated at the handle makes it easy to handle and carry around. It includes the same Dyson motor as the DC59, with the motor producing up to 100AW of suction power at 110,000RPM.
The V6 has one lithium ion battery with a runtime of up to 20 minutes when using a non-motorized cleaner head on its lowest setting. With the motorized brush, you can get 15 minutes of runtime on the lowest setting, while the boost mode can drain a full battery in less than 6 minutes.
While this runtime may seem short and unreliable in the prevailing circumstances, the semi-automatic trigger action ensures that V6 only runs when the trigger is pressed. This helps preserve the battery when it is not in use. It takes about 4 hours to fully charge a flat battery on the docking station that also doubles as a storage facility for the vacuum.
The V6 Absolute comes with the complete set of attachments for various cleaning needs. It features two motorized brush rolls: the Direct Driver cleaner head has tough bristles that agitate debris on carpets, while the soft roller cleaning brush is used to clean hard floors. In addition, it comes with a soft dusting brush, a combo tool, and a crevice tool.
It also features a 0.4L bin that is easily emptied by a simple push of a button located in front of the trigger and is the first Dyson vacuum to include a HEPA grade filter system. The filter system boasts of the patented 2 Tier Radial cyclones (15 cyclones in total), a post-motor filter and a thoroughly sealed system that ensures the air released is 99.99% cleaner. The filter is washable and is designed to last a lifetime.
Dyson V7
Next on the line is the Dyson V7, which is an upgraded version of the V6. Like the V6 and all other V-series models, it also comes in various versions: Absolute, Animal, Motorhead and the HEPA. Since each version comes with its own set of attachments, we will be highlighting the V7 Absolute, which comes with a full set of attachments. One of the major improvements of the V7 is that it has a longer runtime than the V6.
Although it comes with the V7 motor, it still produces the same 100AW maximum suction power as the V6. At its lowest setting, the V7 can only produce 21AW of suction power, which is less than V6’s 28AW. However, the V7 produces 75% more agitation than the V6, which means that the V7 is a more efficient cleaner than the V6 in spite of having the same suction power.
The V7 has a maximum runtime of 30 minutes when using a non-motorized cleaner head on its lowest setting. With the maximum power, this vacuum can only deliver 6 minutes of fade-free suction. It also features the same two power mode options as the V6the power mode button has been replaced with a switch that is conveniently placed at the top of the main unit.
To select either modes, you simply push the switch. Another notable improvement is the dust bin that is slightly larger and features a new emptying technique. Unlike the V6 which relies on gravity to empty the container, the V7 comes with a top handle that is pulled upwards. This yanks the cyclone out of the bin, which opens the bottom flap allowing the bin to empty. It is a better disposable technique and is the reason why Dyson decided to maintain it in its subsequent V8 model.
Another major difference between this vac and its predecessor is that the V6 has a dual filter system that includes a pre-motor and post-motor filters, while the V7 has only one filter placed at the center of the dust bin. The filter is also washable and designed to last a lifetime. Due to the absence of the post-motor filter, the V7 features the least effective filter system of all the Dyson V-series models.
The V7 Absolute also comes with the same cleaning accessories as the V6, but it produces 75% more agitation and is a better cleaner than the V6. They include a Direct Drive Cleaning head, Fluffy cleaning head, Mini-Motorized tool, crevice tool, and a Mini Soft Dusting brush.
Dyson V8
The Dyson V8 borrows heavily from the V6 design, although there are slight adjustments that make the V8 the superior vacuum cleaner. It is a larger and powerful version of the V6 that it has come to be described as a “V6 on steroids”. One of the key improvements is the suction power of the V8 digital motor, which can produce up to 115AW – 15% more power than the V7 and V6. With its motorheads, the V8 can produce 150% more brush bar power than the V6 or twice the power produced by V7, making it highly efficient when it comes to agitating and clearing debris on any surface.
Dyson also improved battery performance on the V8. It is slightly larger than the V6 battery and has a longer runtime. When using non-motorized accessories, the V8 can last up to 40 minutes, which is twice as long as the V6. However, the runtime drops to 25 minutes when using the motorized cleaner heads. In the max mode, the V8 can last 7 minutes, which is also an improvement from the V7/V6’s six minutes. The battery takes about 4 to 5 hours to recharge fully. The V8 also maintains the same dirt ejector system of the V7, which utilizes a pull-up lever located on top of the main unit right behind the cyclones.
This disposal design is so much effective than the V6’s as it does not require pocking your finger into the bin or tapping it to get rid of stuck hairs and debris. It comes with a 0.54L container, which is the same capacity as the V7 but slightly larger than the V6. Unlike the V7 however, the V8 has a dual filter system that includes a pre-motor and post-motor filter. It features the same cleaning attachments as the V6 Absolute and V7 Absolute. They include: a Direct Drive cleaner head, Combination Tool, Soft Roller cleaner head, Mini Motorized tool, a Crevice Tool and a Mini Soft Dusting brush.
Dyson V10
The Dyson V10 Absolute is one of the best cordless vacuum cleaners, period. Due to the cutting edge technology of the V10 and its subsequent success, Dyson decided it no longer needed to develop any corded vacuum cleaners. This is because the V10 is so powerful that it can compete with most of the corded vacuum cleaners.
It radically deviates from the previous V-Series models’ and includes a new and improved design that has a longer battery life and more suction power. One of the key changes you notice about the V10 is the new position of the dirt bin. Instead of the underslung or vertical position used in the previous versions, it is line with the motor in this new design with the cleaning tools directly inserting into the bin.
The bin is also 40% larger than the previous V8 model and also features a new “point and shoot” style of dust disposal, instead of the drop flap release in the previous models. It is very effective, but has one mishap: you have to remove the cleaning attachments before emptying the bin. Another innovative improvement is the V10 digital motor that provides up to 150AW of suction power, which is 20% more than the popular V8.
It also features a newly designed impeller with overlapping vanes that allows the motor to spin at an amazing 125,000RPM. In addition, Dyson decided to upgrade from a six-cell battery pack that runs at 21.6V/400W in the V8 to seven cells Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum (NCA) battery pack that runs at 25.2V/525W. The result is a longer runtime of up to 60 minutes of fade-free suction when using a non-motorized cleaner head on its lowest power setting.
Another difference from the V8 is that it comes with three power modes that are activated by a top-mounted slide control. The max-mode is highly efficient, but it quickly drains the battery and can only last for 8 minutes. The V10 also utilizes the radial cyclone filtration system in the V8 and V6 that is HEPA grade and captures 99.97% of allergens from the air.
The V10 takes it a notch higher by including a safety feature that prevents it from running when the filter is not in place. Also, the dirt ejector system is very different. It has a plastic lever that latches the bin away from the main unit, which forces the bin flap to open automatically allowing the debris to come out. When it comes to accessories, the V10 is identical to the V8. However, instead of the Direct Drive cleaner head, it comes with the improved Torque Drive cleaner head that removes 25% more debris than the Direct Drive on the V8.
Dyson V11
The Dyson V11 is the first next-gen cordless vac, after the company decided to end production of its corded models. It still retains the basic design of the V10 with the large bin conveniently placed in line with the motor for improved suction power and filtration process. However, this vacuum cleaner features a more powerful V11 digital motor that delivers 185AW of suction power, which is 20% more powerful than the V10 motor. In addition, it also features a new impeller design and an efficient diffuser that straightens airflow, which further improves suction and airflow.
What makes the V11 standout from the rest of the V-series models is the inclusion of an LCD screen, which gives a visual representation of the vacuum’s functions. For instance, the screen has a countdown timer for the battery that allows you to know how much charge is left. It also alerts you when there is a fault in the system, such as a dirty filter or lack of suction and then provides an easy to comprehend video to show you how to rectify the problem. It also comes with three power modes, although they are renamed- the Eco mode conserves battery life, the Medium mode is for general use and the Boost mode is for those extra tough tasks like cleaning deep carpet fibers.
The V11 also includes the unique Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) feature that allows the vacuum to quickly monitor resistance on the brush bar 360 times per second, which allows it to adjust suction power between hard floors and carpets automatically. This takes away the need to adjust the power modes manually. It also comes with the same set of cleaning accessories as the V10.
However, the V11 comes with the High Torque Drive cleaner head, which has been upgraded to change suction power according to the floor’s surface automatically. Dyson also decided to include a larger battery for the V11, which provides up to 60 minutes of runtime on eco mode with or without a motorized cleaner head. When used with a motorized head on the Boost mode, the V11 can only last for 12 minutes, which is 4 minutes more than the V10.
There is no telling what Dyson is planning next. However, we are certain that the company is not about to slow down any time soon. Being the market leader, its choice to cease the production of corded vacuums may be the final nail in the coffin for corded vacuums as other players mostly look up to Dyson. We are waiting with bated breath to see what the company is cooking up next and we can only hope that Dyson does not drop the ball in its future offerings.
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