Dyson V15 Detect vs V15s Detect Submarine

What is the same and what is different

Listing figures are below. The Submarine listing gives a heavier boxed weight because it includes the wet head, so treat weights as a guide rather than an in-hand figure.

How the Submarine head works

The Submarine head has a roller that is fed with clean water from a small tank in the head. As it spins, it wipes the floor and a plate scrapes dirty water off the roller into a separate tray. You vacuum first with a dry head, then swap to the Submarine head to wash. It is designed for sealed hard floors such as tiles, vinyl, laminate and sealed wood.

It is not a carpet washer and should not be used on rugs or unsealed wood. Check your flooring maker's advice on water before you start, and follow Dyson's manual for how much water to use and how to dry the roller after use.

Note:Do not use any wet head on unsealed wood, waxed floors or carpets. Empty and dry the roller and tray after each use to stop odours.

Who should pay for the Submarine

The Submarine makes most sense in homes with large areas of hard floor, such as open-plan kitchens and hallways, where you would otherwise mop by hand. Having the wet head on the same machine means one charger, one storage spot and one battery.

It makes less sense if you already own a mop you are happy with, have mainly carpet, or want a single pass that vacuums and washes at once. A dedicated wet and dry cleaner does both in one go and has larger tanks. Our wet and dry guide lists those machines.

See wet and dry cordless vacuums →

Running time, weight and upkeep

With the Submarine head fitted, the machine is heavier at the floor end, which some people find steadies the head on large floors. Runtime depends on mode; the wet head does not need Boost, so a charge goes a long way for washing.

Upkeep is the main extra job. The clean water tank, the dirty water tray and the roller all need emptying and rinsing after each use. Leaving water in the head is the most common cause of smells. Our vacuum smell article covers how to keep any machine fresh.

The alternatives

If you like the idea of washing floors but not the price, a standard V15 plus a separate spray mop is cheaper. If you want one machine that vacuums and washes in a single pass, look at wet and dry cleaners from Dreame, Tineco or Hoover. If you mainly want a lighter Dyson for hard floors, the V12 Detect Slim has a laser head and costs less. Our V12 vs V15 comparison covers that choice.

Questions to ask before you buy

Start with your floors. Walk round the house and roughly split it into carpet and hard floor. If hard floor is less than a third, the Submarine head will spend most of its life in a cupboard. If it is more than half, and much of it is in a kitchen or hallway that gets muddy, the wet head earns its place.

Next, think about storage. The Submarine head needs to dry fully between uses, ideally standing in its tray, so you need somewhere to leave it out for a while after each wash. Finally, compare the price gap with the cost of a decent separate mop. If the gap is large and you are happy mopping by hand, the standard V15 Detect is the sensible choice.

Frequently asked questions

Can the Submarine head be used on carpet? No. It is designed for sealed hard floors only. Use the dry vacuum heads on carpets and rugs.

Does the Submarine vacuum and mop at the same time? No. Vacuum first with a dry head, then swap to the Submarine head to wash.

Can I add the Submarine head to my V15 later? Dyson has sold wet heads as accessories in some markets. Check Dyson UK's site for current compatibility before buying.

Is the Submarine heavier? The listing gives 3.71 kg against 3 kg for the V15 Detect Animal, mainly because the wet head carries water.