Dyson V12 Detect Slim vs V15 Detect

V12 Detect Slim vs V15 Detect at a glance

The V15 figures come from the V15 Detect Animal listing on Amazon UK. The V12 Detect Slim Absolute listing gives the runtime, power levels and filter type, but its bin and weight figures are clearly wrong, so we use Dyson's widely published figures for those and suggest you confirm them on Dyson's site.

Weight and handling

Weight is the main reason to choose the V12. Dyson has quoted about 2.2 kg for the V12 Detect Slim, against 3 kg on the V15 Detect Animal listing. That difference is very noticeable when you lift the machine to clean stairs, shelves, curtains or the car, and when you carry it between floors. The slimmer body also feels easier to steer under furniture.

The V15 is heavier but feels planted on the floor, and its motorised head does more of the work on carpet. If you clean mostly at floor level in a larger home, the extra weight is less of an issue. If you do a lot of above-floor and stairs cleaning, the V12 is kinder on the arm. Our lightweight cordless vacuum guide has more light options.

Head width and floor types

The V12's heads are narrower than the V15's. A narrower head is easier to steer around table legs and into tight spaces such as small bathrooms and kitchens, but it covers less floor per stroke. In a flat or a small house that hardly matters; in a big open plan room it adds passes.

On hard floors, both use the Laser Slim Fluffy head on Absolute editions, which lights up fine dust at a low angle so you can see what you missed. On carpet, the V15's High Torque head with DLS, which the listing says monitors brush bar resistance 360 times a second in Auto mode, gives it a clear edge on thick pile and rugs. The V12's motorised head is designed for lighter carpet work and everyday cleaning. If your home is mostly hard floors, our hard floor guide is worth a look.

Bin size and runtime

Dyson quotes a 0.35 litre bin for the V12 Detect Slim, less than half the V15's 0.76 litres. In a flat or with hard floors, that is usually enough for one clean. In a family home with pets and carpets, you may need to empty the V12 once or twice during a full clean, and the V15 bin will save those trips.

Both quote up to 60 minutes in the lowest mode. With the main motorised head in Auto, both run for less, and the V15's more powerful motor uses battery faster at higher settings. Both use a click-in battery, so a spare is an option on either. Our runtime planner estimates whether one charge covers your floor area.

Note:Use only the Dyson charger or a compatible one for your model. Do not use or charge a battery that is swollen, damaged or smells of burning, and recycle old packs at a battery recycling point, never in household waste.

Detect features on both

Both machines have the piezo sensor that sizes and counts particles as they pass through and raises suction when it detects more dust, and both show the results on the LCD screen with the mode and remaining runtime. The V12 Detect Slim Absolute listing gives a HEPA filter, as does the V15 Detect Animal listing. We describe this only as the filter type the maker states.

So you are not giving up the smart features by choosing the V12. You are giving up suction headroom, bin capacity and head width in exchange for lower weight. Our Detect features explainer explains how the sensor and laser head work.

V8 vs V12: the other common comparison

Many people choosing a V12 are upgrading from, or comparing with, a V8. Both are relatively light. The V8 Advanced listing gives 130 AW, up to 40 minutes, a 0.54 litre bin and 2.5 kg, with a battery fixed by screws and no screen. The V12 adds a longer quoted runtime, the particle sensor, the screen, a lit hard floor head and a click-in battery, with a smaller bin.

If you want Dyson's smart features in a light machine, the V12 is the step up from a V8. If you simply want a light, dependable stick at a lower price, the V8 still covers small homes well. See our V8 vs V15 comparison for the fuller picture.

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Dyson V12 or V15? Buy the V12 Detect Slim if you live in a flat or smaller home, have mostly hard floors or want the lightest Detect model. Buy the V15 Detect for larger homes, thick carpets and pets, where its suction and bigger bin help.

Is the V12 strong enough for carpet? For everyday cleaning of short and medium pile carpet, yes. For deep pile carpet and rugs with embedded pet hair, the V15's High Torque head and higher suction do better.

Does the V12 have the laser head? The V12 Detect Slim Absolute edition comes with the Laser Slim Fluffy head in most UK bundles. Check the box contents, as editions differ.

Is the V12 bin too small? Dyson quotes 0.35 litres, which is fine for flats and hard floors but means more frequent emptying in large homes or with pets.