The Dyson vacuum models V6, V7, V8, V10, and V11 share the same design philosophy, but they also differ in many important aspects, such as operating time, suction power, size, provided cleaning attachments, and so on.
But before we start comparing the cordless Dyson V6 vs V7 vs V8 vs Dyson 10 vs Dyson 11 vacuums, it is also very important to state which models are actually being compared (Trigger, Motorhead, Animal, Absolute, etc.) and what their main differences are…
Updated: October 17, 2019.
Since they’re lightweight upright vacuums, thanks to the lithium ion batteries, advanced cleaning heads, and other similar state-of-the-art cleaning tools, the Dyson V6, V7, V8, V10, and V11 cordless vacuums can easily play the role of the main vacuum cleaner in smaller homes and apartments.
However, for such role, some people may still prefer a corded upright vacuum, which offers stronger suction and longer run time, without the frustrating limitations of onboard batteries. Fortunately, with the advent of Dyson V10 and V11, which have an operating time of around 60 minutes each, much of that inconvenience is now gone.
For more info on Dyson’s best-selling upright vacuums check out our Dyson Small Ball, Ball and Cinetic Big Ball Upright Vacuums – Comparisons and Reviews article (link opens in a new window).
Dyson V6, V7 and V8 models are relatively similar units and share the same design philosophy, but the main differences between them consist in dust bin capacity, suction power, operating time, and of course, price. The V10 and the V11 come with a revamped body, stronger suction, and an insane battery run-time for a cordless vacuum cleaner.
| Vacuum Model | Dyson V6 | Dyson V7 | Dyson V8 | Dyson V10 | Dyson V11 |
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| Dirt bin volume | 0.4 liters | 0.5 liters | 0.5 liters | 0.77 liters | 0.77 liters |
| Suction Power (boost mode) | 100 Air Watts | 100 Air Watts | 115 Air Watts | 140 Air Watts | 185 Air Watts |
| Battery Run-Time (normal mode) | 20 minutes | 30 minutes | 40 minutes | 60 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Battery Run-Time (boost mode) | 6 minutes | 6 minutes | 7 minutes | 6 minutes | 12 minutes |
Note: Battery run-time depends not only on the power mode but also on the attachments used.
About the Dyson V6
Dyson V6 Handheld Cordless Vacuum Cleaner comes in several variants, with the Dyson V6 Standard Cordless Vacuum model replacing the older Dyson DC35 vacuum and with the Dyson V6 Motorhead Cordless Vacuum model replacing the Dyson DC44 vacuum cleaner.
Dyson V6 vacuum cleaner is (or was) available in 10 or so models, which differ in the provided cleaning tools, level of air filtration, intended purpose and of course, price.
Note that, at the moment, the Dyson V6 models are no longer offered on Dyson’s official website, but you can find plenty of matching spare parts for them instead. Dyson has reportedly discontinued the entire ‘budget’ V6 cordless series, because the V6s are technologically obsolete. Dyson V6 Standard Cordless’s uncrowned successor is the Dyson v7 Motorhead (check its current price below).
The complete list of the ‘old’ and ‘new’ Dyson V6 models included: Dyson V6 Trigger, Dyson V6 Mattress, Dyson V6 Car + Boat, Dyson V6 Top Dog, Dyson V6 Cord Free Vacuum, Dyson V6 Baby + Child, Dyson V6 HEPA, Dyson V6 Motorhead, Dyson V6 Animal, Dyson V6 Fluffy, and of course, Dyson V6 Absolute.
For a comparison review of the Dyson V6 Cordless Vacuum models versus its cordless predecessors, feel free to check our Dyson DC35, DC44, DC59 And V6 Handheld Cordless Vacuums Comparison post.
Also, many of the Dyson V6 models can still be found for sale on Amazon
Dyson V7 Models – Absolute, Motorhead, Trigger …
Just like the V6, V8, V10, and V11 series, the Dyson V7 cordless vacuum cleaner can be used as handheld cordless vacuum cleaner or as stick/upright vacuum. It comes with an improved lithium-ion battery, which provides fade-free suction for up to the 30 minutes in the normal mode and for up to the 6 minutes in the maximum power mode.
Thirty minutes of continuous use is generally more than enough to cover a rather large area and thoroughly clean it even though some people may disagree.
The Dyson V7 is a bit pricier than the V6, but the extra cost translates into longer battery operating time (30 minutes versus 30) and a complete redesign of the emptying system (you no longer need to touch the dirt to get it out). The V6 is a great cordless cleaner for smaller homes and emergency cleaning (with its paltry 20 minutes of continuous run-time).
As another big plus, the V7 is lightweight and easily carried around even by the elderly. When not in use, it is best left plugged in its docking station, which also charges it, if you want to have the vac ready for use at a moment’s notice.
The V7’s dirt bin capacity is 0.5 liters, which is enough for most sweeping tasks in a home. Since the dirt bin is easily emptied, it is recommended to empty it after each use.
Another piece of good news is that the bin is transparent, enabling the user to monitor the type and amount of vacuumed stuff (missing socks anyone?) while vacuuming. Like the Dyson V6, V8, V10, ad V11, the V7’s air filtration system is based on strong cyclonic action and mechanical filtration.
At the moment, the Dyson V7 cordless vacuum is available in 7 models:
- Motorhead
- Absolute (exclusive to Dyson.com)
- Animal HEPA
- Allergy (exclusive to Dyson.com)
- Fluffy (for hard floors)
- Trigger
- and Car+Boat.
Dyson V7 Motorhead
This basic model includes the Dyson V7 Motorhead main unit, a Direct-Drive Cleaner Head (to remove hard-to-reach dirt from carpets), a Docking Station, a Combination Tool and a Crevice Tool.
Dyson V7 Absolute
Dyson V7 Animal HEPA
This model includes: the Dyson V7 Animal HEPA main unit, 1 x Direct-Drive Cleaner Head, 1 x Docking Station, 1 x Quick Release Combination Tool, 1 x Quick Release Crevice Tool, Quick Release 1 x Mini Motorized Tool, 1 x Quick Release Mini Soft Dusting Brush, 1 x Quick Release Stubborn Dirt Brush, 1 x Hard Floor Tool, and the Dyson tool bag.
Dyson V7 Allergy
This model, also known as the Motorhead HEPA, includes: 1 x Motorhead, 1 x Crevice tool, 1 x Combination Tool, 1 x Docking Station, and whole machine filtration (for expelling “cleaner air than the air you breathe,” according to Dyson)
Dyson V7 Trigger
This model includes: the Dyson V7 Trigger main unit, 1 x Mini Motorized Tool, 1 x Combination Tool, and 1 x Crevice Tool.
Dyson V7 Car+Boat
This model includes: Dyson V7 Car+Boat mani unit, 1 x Car Charger, 1 x Mini Motorized Tool, 1 x Extension Hose, and 1 x Combination Tool.
The Dyson V7 series offers excellent operating times, large number of cleaning attachments for various tasks and plenty of power when required. To avoid significantly shortening of the battery run-time time, don’t ‘play’ with maximum power mode too much 🙂
More on cleaning heads and other attachments – later in the article.
Dyson V8 Models – The Animal and Absolute
As said before, the Dyson V8 follows the same design philosophy just like Dyson V6. It can be used as handheld cordless vacuum cleaner or as cordless stick/upright vacuum cleaner. It comes with high capacity lithium-ion battery, being able to provide fade-free suction of up to 40 minutes and in the MAX power mode, up to 7 minutes.
At 5.75 lbs., this unit is heavier than the Dyson V6 (5.1 lbs.) or the Dyson V7 (5.43 lbs.), but still lighter than the V10 (5.8 lbs.) and the V11 (5.68 lbs.) so it can be easily carried around. It is also stored and charged in docking station, waiting to be used at a moment’s notice.
Dirt bin capacity is 0.5 liters and it is enough for most tasks at home. Considering the price, features, and 40 minutes of operating time on a single charge, the dirt bin could have been larger. Dyson V8’s dirt bin is also transparent and easy to empty (no need t touch the dirt while you’re at it).
At the moment, Dyson V8 cordless vacuum is available in two models: Animal and Absolute.
Dyson V8 Animal
Dyson V8 Absolute
Model on the left – Dyson V8 Animal with Direct-Drive Cleaner Head. Model on the right – Dyson V8 Absolute with Soft Roller Cleaner Head mounted on the wand.
Dyson V8 offers excellent operating time, double of the Dyson V6 and 33% better than the Dyson V7. It also comes with a large number of cleaning attachments for various tasks and surfaces. Note that it is also possible to order other Dyson’s attachments later, if needed. Plus, Dyson V7′ and Dyson V8′ attachments are fully interchangeable.
Although it has the best lithium ion battery when compared to its predecessors, Dyson V8 still has rather short operating time on maximum power setting – just 7 minutes. However, during those 7 minutes, its suction almost matches that of large corded units.
Dyson V8 cordless’ price depends on the model and it can be found on Amazon
The Dyson V10 and Dyson V11 Models – What’s New
With the V10 and V11 series, Dyson has completely redesigned its popular line of cordless vacuum cleaners. Unlike previous V series models, whose dust bin had a vertical orientation, the V10 and V11 series have a more straightforward horizontal orientation, which maximizes suction since the airflow resistance from the cleaning head or tool to the exhaust point is almost zero thanks to the thoughtful redesign (see below image).
In other words, the extension wand, bin, and motor are perfectly aligned so that the air circulates in a straight line which boost the suction pressure by up to 20% when compared to the V8.
Dyson v6, v7, v8 series dust bin design (left) versus Dyson v10 and v11 series redesign (right)
The Dyson V10’s and V11’s suction prowess is 20% and 40% respectively greater than the Dyson V8’s and the newer models’ effectiveness at collecting dust is 20% greater than that of the said previous model.
The battery life has been also greatly expanded from 40 minutes on a single charge (the V7 and the V8) to a whopping 60 minutes (the V10 and the V11).
The dust bin capacity is also greater than that of previous models: 0.77 liter versus 0.4 liters (the V6) and 0.5 liters (the V7 and the V8). What’s more, the prices of the Dyson V10 and the Dyson V11 have doubled and respectively more than tripled when compared to the V6, so do your research thoroughly before buying any of them.
The Dyson V10 is available in four variants:
The first three models include the same attachments as the V7 and V8 variants with the same name do. The new entry is the Dyson V10 Total Clean, which comes with a whole-system filtration, one crevice tool, one combination tool, one mini motorized tool (for stubborn ground-in dirt), one mattress tool, and one up-top tool (a revolutionary tool connector for the cleaning of above-ground and hard-to-reach areas like the ceiling).
The Dyson V11 is the more powerful and smarter cousin of the V10, with a hefty price tag ($700 on Dyson.com and $600 on Amazon.com).
The Dyson V11 is available in 3 variants:
- The V11 Torque Drive
- The V11 Animal
- The V11 Absolute (not available in the U.S., but widely available in Canada and the U.K.)
The Torque Drive comes with the brand’s most powerful cleaner head to date (see pic to the right) and the most long-lasting battery. It runs on the Dyson Digital motor V11, the strongest in the series, which paired with the new design delivers 20% more suction than the V10 and 40% more suction than the Dyson V8.
The tools provided for the Torque Drive are 1 x mini motorized tool,1 x Combination tool, 1 x crevice tool, 1 x mini soft dusting brush, 1 x mini motorized tool, and 1 x wand storage clip.
The V11 series also comes with a smart LCD screen that beams colorful reports on power mode, run-time available, obstructions, along with handy filter maintenance alerts.
Another plus of the V11 is its unique Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) system, an sensor-based system, that automatically adjusts motor speed when switching from hard floors to carpets and back, for optimal suction and extended battery run-time.
Dyson V6 vs. Dyson V7 vs. Dyson V8 vs. Dyson V10 vs. Dyson V11 Vacuums: Side-by-Side Comparison
Just like Dyson V6 Cordless, the Dyson V7, V8, V10, and V11 vacuums can be used as lightweight cordless stick/upright vacuum cleaners, or due to dimensions and weight, as handheld vacuum cleaners. By removing the extension tube/wand they convert from uprights into handheld cordless vacuum cleaners in a matter of seconds.
Thanks to their suction and available tools, all these vacuums can be used for cleaning of various surfaces, as emergency vacuums for spot cleaning at home and apartments. Thanks to the generous battery run time, the V10 and V11 can be used even as main vacuums in small-to-medium-sized homes, apartments, dorm rooms, etc. without worrying about tripping over the wires when cleaning the floor or ceiling.
From left to right: Dyson V6 Absolute with Soft Roller Cleaner Head, Dyson V7 Absolute with Soft Roller Cleaner Head, Dyson V8 with Direct-Drive Cleaner Head, Dyson V10 Absolute with soft roller cleaner head, and Dyson V11 with the Stubborn Dirt Tool on Boost mode
Note: All these units are powerful and not-so-cheap vacuums, so if you plan to teach your children how to, for example, keep their room clean, IMHO, get a cheaper cordless vacuum (Check out our complete Buying Guide for cordless vacuum cleaner here). Anyway, you get what you pay for in this case too, so if you need high-performance cordless vacs, consider one of these top-selling units by Dyson.
The following chart shows the main similarities and differences between the Dyson V6, V7, V8, V10 Absolute and the V11 Torque Drive vacuums.
| Vacuum Model | Dyson V6 Absolute | Dyson V7 Absolute | Dyson V8 Absolute | Dyson V10 Absolute | Dyson V11 Torque Drive |
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| Motor Type | Dyson Digital Motor V6 | Dyson Digital Motor V7 | Dyson Digital Motor V8 | Dyson Digital Motor V10 | Dyson Digital Motor V11 |
| Cleaner Head Type | Direct Drive Cleaner Head | Direct Drive Cleaner Head | Direct Drive Cleaner Head | Direct Drive Cleaner Head | Direct Drive Cleaner Head |
| Soft Roller Cleaner Head | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No* |
| Post Motor Filter | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Combination Tool | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crevice Tool | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mini Soft Dusting Brush | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Additional Pet Tool | Mini Motorized Tool | Mini Motorized Tool | Mini Motorized Tool | Mini Motorized Tool | Mini Motorized Tool |
| Battery | 2,200 mAh Lithium-ion (6 Cell) | 2,100 mAh Lithium-Ion (6 Cell) | 2,800 mAh Lithium-ion (6 Cell) | 2,600 mAh Lithium-ion (6 Cell) | 2,600 mAh Lithium-ion (7 Cell) |
| Operating Time | Up to 20 minutes | Up to 30 minutes | Up to 40 minutes | Up to 60 minutes | Up to 60 minutes |
| Max. Power Mode | 6 minutes | 6 minutes | 7 minutes | 6 minutes | 7 minutes |
| Motor | 350 W | – | 425 W | 450 W | 450 W |
| Max. Suction Power | 100 Air Watts | 100 Air Watts | 115 Air Watts | 140 Air Watts | 185 Air Watts |
| Bin Volume | 0.11 gal | 0.14 gal | 0.14 gal | 0.20 gal | 0.20 gal |
| Charge Time | 3.5 hours | 4 hours | 5 hours | 3.5 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs | 5.3 lbs | 5.75 lbs | 5.8 lbs | 6.68 lbs |
| Dimensions (LxWxD) | 47.5 x 9.8 x 8.2 inches | 49 x 9.8 x 8.8 inches | 49 x 9.8 x 8.8 inches | 49.2 x 9.5 x 10.1 inches | 50.6 x 9.8 x 10.3 inches |
| Dyson V6 Cord Free Brush Bar Comparison | 75% more power | 75% more power | 150% more power | 170% more power | 190% more power |
| Amazon Link | Dyson V6 Absolute |
Dyson V7 Motorhead |
Dyson V8 Absolute |
Dyson V10 Absolute |
Dyson V11 Torque Drive |
*The V11 no longer comes with a soft roller cleaner head since it has been replaced with a torque drive cleaner head for maximum suction and in-depth reach.
Note: At the moment, some models, such as the Dyson V7 Absolute and the Dyson V11 Absolute, are available only via Dyson’s official website. All Amazon links in the table open in new windows, so feel free to check them.
Dyson V6 Cord Free Vacuum (mentioned in the table for comparison) has Motorized Cleaner Head, while Dyson V6 Absolute, V7 Absolute and V8 Absolute have Direct Drive Cleaner Head, with V6 Absolute and V7 Absolute having 75% and V8 Absolute having 150% more brush bar power. When combined with stronger suction (115 vs 100 Air Watts), Dyson V8 Absolute cleans better than V6 or V7.
As one can see in the table, Dyson V8 is slightly heavier than V6 and V7, but it has larger dirt bin than V6, stronger motor, more durable battery and it cleans better. Dyson V7 sits right in the middle with its performances, weight and price, often having certain features just like V6 and some like V8.
Dyson Absolute V6 and V8 are true HEPA vacuum cleaners with excellent air filtration – very important for people with issues like asthma and allergies. Dyson V7 Absolute does not come with Post Motor Filter and it is not true HEPA vacuum, but nonetheless, its air filtration is still very good.
They also come with practically same additional cleaning tools, that help them to clean various dry surfaces and to clean hard to reach areas and tight spaces, corners and stairs.
Being powered by fade-free lithium battery, maximum operating time of V8 Absolute is up to 40 minutes, using attachments like crevice tool or dusting brush. If powered cleaning attachments are used, then operating time is decreased – up to 30 minutes with the Soft Roller Cleaner Head, and up to 25 minutes with the Direct Drive Cleaner Head.
Dyson V7 Absolute operating time is up to 30 minutes in normal operating mode using cleaning tools like crevice tool or brush tool. When using cleaning attachments like Soft Roller Clean Head or Direct Drive Cleaner Head, operating time is decreased. In the burst mode (maximum power mode), operating time is up to 6 minutes.
Other main Dyson V7 and V8 improvements are reduced noise levels, up to 50% compared with V6, and improved hygienic dirt ejector.
Dyson V6, V7 and V8 Attachments
Most important cleaning attachments are Direct Drive and Soft Roller cleaner heads and they are used mostly for floors.
Direct Drive Cleaner Head uses built-in motor inside brush bar. Stiff nylon bristles help in removing dirt and pet hair from carpets and rugs.
Soft Roller Cleaner Head is optimized for cleaning both dust and large debris from hard floors – soft nylon bristles pick large debris, while carbon fiber filaments remove fine dust and dirt.
Other attachments are designed for specific cleaning tasks in mind:
Combination Tool combines two tools in one: debris tool and brush tool. It is suitable for cleaning crumbs and similar debris from sofas, upholstery, stairs etc.
Crevice Tool is suitable for cleaning dirt and debris from narrow spaces, like between seats and cushions, along the edges and corners etc.
Mini Soft Dusting Brush is optimized for removing dust and dirt from more sensitive surfaces.
Mini Motorized Tool thoroughly cleans smaller areas from various dirt, including human and pet hair. When using Dyson cordless vacuums as handheld vacuums, Mini Motorized Tool can be used as excellent cleaning tool for cars, boats, sofas, smaller carpets and rugs etc.
Stubborn Dirt Brush is used for removing hard to remove dirt off the floors and other surfaces. It has much stiffer bristles than Soft Dusting Brush, which help remove the stubborn dirt – hence the name.
Hard Floor Tool is used for cleaning hard floors like tiles, laminate, and other bare floors. It is smaller and lighter than Soft Roller Cleaner Head. Also, it can be even used on low-pile carpets, but Direct Drive Cleaner Head does much better job on all carpeted surfaces.
Note that many Dyson’s attachments are available in the form of various cleaning kits – for example, Dyson Asthma and Allergy Kit, which contains three Dyson’s vacuum attachments:
– Soft Dusting Brush,
– Mattress Tool,
– Flexi Crevice Tool.
Such cleaning kit is designed to clean dust, dirt, allergens, hair, fibers and other debris from hard-to-reach places around the home using, in this case, all Dyson upright, canister and cordless vacuum cleaners.
Price – Dyson V6, V7 and V8 are high-end cordless vacuum cleaners with many, very useful features and they dictate the price.
If you need just a second or third vacuum cleaner at home, for a small and quick cleaning, Dyson V6, V7 and V8 are, IMHO, overkill and waste of money.
If you need cordless vacuum cleaner which can be used as an emergency vacuum cleaner in the kitchen or in the kids’ room, but also can be used to vacuum entire home or apartment, from floor to ceiling, then consider Dyson V7 or V8 Absolute vacuum cleaner – when compared with V6, they are newer and improved units. Dyson V6 is still a great cordless vacuum, cheaper than V7 or V8 and it does its job well. So, if the V7 or V8 are slightly over the budget, consider Dyson V6, new or certified refurbished.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check:
These Amazon links open in new windows.
To Wrap It Up
Get the Dyson V6 cordless if you are on a tight budget but need a cord-free vacuum for fast spot cleaning and vacuuming of a small home or dorm. The Dyson V7 is great for people with small homes that prefer a cordless vacuum over a classic upright. It is also a great option for traveling due to its longer batter run-time and lower weight when compared to the V8, V10, or V11.
The V8 is also a great cordless cleaning tool for cars, small homes and traveling. The V8 Absolute is a versatile vacuum cleaner as it packs in tons of accessories such as the Direct Drive cleaning head and the Soft Roller Cleaner Head plus a mini motorized tool for pet hair and a double filtration system (for people with allergies and households with pets).
The V10, we believe, it is a great choice for the user that wants a quality cordless that closely matches the performance of an upright around the house, with tons of accessories, and which does not break the bank.
The V11 is for the high-tech enthusiast that wants a cordless vacuum with top-of-the-line tech features, such as smart sensors, intelligent LCD display, and automatic power suction adjustment, paired with extreme suction power and hard-to-beat run-time.
Which one is best for you? That is up to you to decide.
Sure, the comparison shows clearly that in general one do not need to spend more for later models when the best value is V6 Absolute with one practically disadvantage if any – allergy maybe free release of the accumulated trash.
20 min usage for V6 Absolute is long enough for an average and intelligent individual to be able to vacuum 2 Bedroom quarters, which the customer input shows.
What tools and wands are useable between the different V Dyson cordless models? I’m thinking of buying a handheld for increased battery power and bigger bin but would like to continue using the V6 attachments.
excellent website
very well laid out and good comparisons thank you