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Buying guide

Dyson cordless vacuums compared

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all

  • Best overall

    Dyson V15 Detect Animal: piezo sensor and LCD readout

    A piezo sensor sizes and counts dust and raises suction automatically, with the result shown on the LCD screen.

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  • Best value

    Dyson V10 Animal: 60 min, mini motorised tool

    The torque drive head drives bristles deep into carpet to remove ground-in dirt, says Dyson.

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  • Most features

    Dyson V11: LCD screen, 3 power levels, 60 min

    The LCD screen and three power levels are listed, so you can see and choose the mode.

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Dyson sells several generations of cordless stick at once, and the names do not make the differences obvious. Broadly, each step up adds runtime, a bigger bin or smarter features: the V8 is the light, simple entry point with up to 40 minutes, the V10 and V11 move to a larger 0.76 L bin and up to 60 minutes, the V12 Detect Slim is the compact, lighter option, and the V15 Detect adds a piezo dust sensor and an LCD particle readout. The Submarine versions add a wet roller head for hard floors. This guide lines up seven Dyson listings on maker runtime, bin capacity, listed weight, suction claim and the main extra each model brings. Some Dyson listings on Amazon are thin or contain obvious errors, so where a figure is missing or not credible we mark it Not stated.

All products compared

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

The products in detail

Best on rugs and pet hair

No. 1 · Dyson

Dyson V15 Detect Animal: piezo sensor and LCD readout

Dyson's sensor-led flagship stick, with a piezo dust sensor, an LCD particle readout and a High Torque head that adapts power to the floor. It suits larger homes with mixed floors and hair.

In its favour

  • A piezo sensor sizes and counts dust and raises suction automatically, with the result shown on the LCD screen.
  • The High Torque head checks brush bar resistance 360 times a second in Auto mode to adapt to carpet or hard floor.
  • A Hair screw tool with a conical brush bar is included for sofas, stairs and pet beds.

Good to know

  • At a listed 3 kg it is one of the heavier sticks here, which you notice when cleaning overhead.
  • The listing gives one maximum runtime and does not break it down by power mode or head.
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Listing title: Dyson V15 Detect Animal Cordless Stick Cleaner

Best on rugs and pet hair

No. 2 · Dyson

Dyson V10 Animal: 60 min, mini motorised tool

A V10 with Dyson's torque drive cleaner head, which drives bristles deep into carpet to lift ground-in dirt, plus a large bin and up to 60 minutes. Strong carpet value at 2.66 kg.

In its favour

  • The torque drive head drives bristles deep into carpet to remove ground-in dirt, says Dyson.
  • A 0.76 L bin and up to 60 minutes suit larger carpeted homes.
  • A mini motorised tool is included for stairs and rugs.

Good to know

  • Power modes are chosen by hand, with no automatic carpet sensing.
  • Runtime with the torque drive head on carpet will be well below 60 minutes.
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Listing title: Dyson Spotless Cleaning Cyclone V10 Animal, Long, 226319-01

Best on rugs and pet hair

No. 3 · Dyson

Dyson V11: LCD screen, 3 power levels, 60 min

The V11 sits between the V10 and V15, adding an LCD screen and three power levels to a 60 minute runtime and 0.76 L bin. It suits larger homes that do not need the dust sensor.

In its favour

  • The LCD screen and three power levels are listed, so you can see and choose the mode.
  • Up to 60 minutes of runtime and a 0.76 L bin match the V15.
  • A HEPA filter and hair detangling are listed in the title.

Good to know

  • The listing is thin: no weight in use, no suction figure and only an accessory kit named.
  • It lacks the piezo dust sensor and particle readout of the V15 Detect.
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Listing title: Dyson Blue V11 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, HEPA Filter, 60 Min Runt...

Best on carpet pile

No. 4 · Dyson

Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute: the compact Detect

The slimmer, lighter member of the Detect family, aimed at smaller homes and people who find the V15 too heavy. This listing is short on detail, so check the box contents before buying.

In its favour

  • Up to 60 minutes of runtime is listed, the same as the bigger V15.
  • Listed noise of 70 dB is the lowest figure among the Dysons here.
  • A HEPA filter type, crevice tool and dusting brush are listed.

Good to know

  • This listing gives an implausible bin and weight, so we treat both as not stated.
  • The Slim models have a smaller bin than the V15, which suits smaller homes better than large ones.
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Listing title: Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute 394167-01, 5025155069233

Best on carpet pile

No. 5 · Dyson

Dyson V8 Advanced: 130 AW, 2.5 kg

The stronger V8 version, rated at 130 AW, with a Motorbar head and a combination tool. It suits smaller homes that want a familiar Dyson at a manageable weight.

In its favour

  • Dyson lists 130 AW, which it says is 10% more suction than earlier V8s.
  • Two modes: Eco for everyday cleaning and Max for short, intensive spots.
  • A fully sealed filtration system and a washable filter are listed.

Good to know

  • 40 minutes of maximum runtime is the shortest of the complete sticks here.
  • Listed noise is 82 dB and the charge takes 4.5 hours.
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Listing title: Dyson V8 Advanced Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Silver/Nickel)

Best on carpet pile

No. 6 · Dyson

Dyson V8 Origin: the entry Dyson at 115 AW

The entry point to Dyson cordless cleaning, with 115 AW, two power modes and a De-tangling Motorbar head. A sensible pick for smaller homes on a tighter budget.

In its favour

  • Two power modes: Eco for everyday cleaning and MAX for spot cleaning.
  • Radial Root Cyclone with 15 cyclones is designed to avoid loss of suction.
  • It is usually the lowest-priced Dyson stick in the range.

Good to know

  • 115 AW is the lowest suction claim among the Dysons with a figure.
  • A charge takes up to 5 hours according to the listing.
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Listing title: Dyson V8 Origin Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, 115 AW, up to 40 min runtime,...

Best on planks

No. 7 · Dyson

Dyson V15 Detect Submarine: wet and dry in one

A V15 Detect with a wet cleaning head, so a full Dyson stick can also wash hard floors. It suits homes that already want a V15 and have hard floors to wash.

In its favour

  • Wet and dry cleaning is listed, with the V15's high-precision sensors.
  • A HEPA filter type is listed for dry vacuuming.
  • Crevice, combination and dusting tools are included.

Good to know

  • The listing is thin, with no water tank volume or self-clean details.
  • At a listed 3.71 kg it is heavy for a stick.
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Listing title: Dyson V15 Detect Submarine Vacuum Cleaner

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Wand and Floor chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.