Cordless vacuum runtime: eco vs boost explained

How makers measure runtime

Runtime claims are usually measured in the lowest power mode with a tool that has no motor, such as a crevice tool. Shark says so directly: the Stratos Pet Pro's up to 60 minutes is in ECO power mode with a non-motorised tool, and the PowerPro's up to 50 minutes is on the same basis. Dyson's listings give 40 minutes for the V8 range and 60 minutes for the V10 Animal, V11 and V15 Detect. Dyson's V8 Origin listing notes the 40 minutes is with a non-motorised tool.

That is a fair way to compare one machine with another, as long as everyone uses the same method. It is not a guide to how long you will clean a carpet. A motorised floor head has its own motor drawing power, and higher modes run the main motor faster. Both shorten runtime.

Listed runtimes for popular models

The table below uses figures from the product listings. Boost or max runtime is rarely listed, so where it is not stated we say so rather than guess. Dyson's V8 Animal listing is a useful exception: it gives 40 minutes overall and up to 25 minutes with the motorised floor tool, which shows how much a powered head takes.

Eco, auto and boost: what each costs

Eco runs the motor at its lowest setting. It is fine for hard floors, light dust and quick tidy-ups, and gives the longest runtime. Boost or Max runs the motor at full power. It helps on deep pile carpet, doormats and ground-in dirt, but power draw rises steeply, so runtime falls to a small fraction of the eco figure. On many machines boost lasts only a matter of minutes. Check your maker's specification for the exact figure.

Auto modes sit between the two. Dyson's V15 Detect uses a piezo sensor that counts dust particles and raises suction when needed, and its High Torque head monitors brush bar resistance 360 times a second to adapt power across floor types. Shark's Clean Sense IQ adjusts cleaning power when it senses dirt, and Dreame's Z30 Ultra uses a lit brush that detects floor type. These modes aim to keep the motor in a lower setting most of the time, which usually stretches runtime compared with constant boost.

How long does a Dyson V8 or Shark battery last?

On a single charge, a Dyson V8 is listed at up to 40 minutes, with less when the motorised head is fitted and much less on Max. Dyson's V8 Advanced listing describes Eco as balancing suction and runtime to extend the life of the battery, with Max for short, intensive cleaning. If your V8 now runs for far less than it used to on the same mode, the battery may be worn; see our guide to replacing a Dyson V8 battery.

Shark lists up to 60 minutes for the Stratos and up to 50 minutes for the PowerPro, both in ECO with a non-motorised tool. Both have removable batteries, so a second pack, where your model supports one, doubles available time. Over the years, any lithium-ion battery holds less charge, so runtime gradually shortens. Our article on how long cordless vacuums last covers this.

Planning a whole-house clean

Work out roughly how many minutes each room takes and how much of that time needs boost. A small flat might need 15 to 20 minutes, mostly on eco or auto. A three-bedroom house with carpets and stairs may need 30 to 45 minutes, with boost on hallways and rugs. Our runtime planner does the sums: enter rooms, minutes per room, stair flights, the share of time on boost and your vacuum's eco and boost runtimes, and it tells you whether one charge covers the job or how many batteries you need.

If one charge is not enough, you have three options: choose a model with a longer listed runtime, use auto rather than boost, or pick a model with a swappable battery. See our best long runtime cordless vacuums and cordless vacuums with swappable batteries guides.

1. 1

   List the rooms and stair flights you clean in one go.

2. 2

   Estimate minutes per room and per flight.

3. 3

   Decide what share of the time needs boost, such as rugs and entrances.

4. 4

   Enter these with your vacuum's eco and boost runtimes in the runtime planner.

5. 5

   If the result is over one battery, plan a charge break or a second battery.

Open the runtime planner →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Dyson V15 runtime? Dyson lists up to 60 minutes for the V15 Detect Animal. That is a best case figure; with the High Torque head on carpet and in boost it is much shorter. Auto mode adjusts power to stretch runtime.

What is the Dyson V8 normal runtime? The V8 range is listed at up to 40 minutes, measured with a non-motorised tool. With the motorised floor head the V8 Animal listing gives up to 25 minutes, and Max mode is shorter again.

Why is my runtime much shorter than the box says? Most likely because you are using a motorised head or a higher mode, both of which draw more power than the test conditions. If runtime has fallen over time on the same settings, the battery may be ageing.

Does boost damage the battery? Using boost as designed should not damage a healthy battery, but it does drain it faster and generates more heat. Dyson suggests Eco for daily cleaning partly to extend battery life. Follow your maker's guidance.