Dyson V15 vs. V10

Table of Contents

• 🧪 Performance
• 🧬 Design
• 👍 Usability
• 🔧 Maintenance
• 📰 Specifications
• 🥇 Which Dyson is Best?

🧪 Performance

For starters, lets hit on one of the most important aspect of any vacuum cleaner—how well does it perform?

To fully assess performance we look at a number of different factors and separate performance into three distinct tests.

• Cleaning Performance — how well it cleaned a mix of debris on three different floor types
• Motor Performance — how strong is the suction
• Run Time Performance — how long the battery lasts

Cleaning Performance

For cleaning performance tests, we perform a total of 12 tests using a mix of four different debris types and three different flooring types.

Model	Overall	Hardwoods	Low Carpet	High Carpet
Dyson V15	99%	100%	99%	99%
Dyson V10	99%	99%	99%	100%

We test on engineered hardwoods, low pile carpet, and high pile carpet and against a mix of the following debris types:

1. Cereal (dry)
2. Rice
3. Kitty litter
4. Sugar (granulated)

Overall Cleaning Scores

Dyson V15 Cleaning Performance

The Dyson V15 did great on all three floor types, collecting between 99-100% of the debris we tested. Overall, these results were fantastic and a great show of the power of the V15.

For all tests, we used a mix of the soft Fluffy roller cleaning head and the High Torque cleaning head.

One observation we noticed when cleaning carpet is that the suction power of the V15 was too much in some cases. Too much suction makes it difficult for the V15 to get on top of certain debris, mainly dry cereal and some of the rice.

By switching between Eco Mode and Boost Mode, we were able to vary the suction enough to achieve that optimal clean.

MORE: Click here to see full cleaning tests of the Dyson V15 Detect.

Dyson V10 Cleaning Performance

The Dyson V10 was also a strong performer on all floor types, ranging between 99-100% for all debris types.

For our hardwood floor tests we used the soft roller head. And for the carpet tests we used the Torque Drive cleaning head.

And as a special note, we did not notice the same suction power issue that we noted on the V15. Max suction power is notably less (140 AW max compared to 230 AW max), but was still more than sufficient to clean the area we tested

MORE: Click here to see full cleaning tests of the Dyson V10.

Motor Performance

Both the V15 and the V10 have strong motors, which spin at up to 125,000 RPM. This is more than the V8’s 110,000 RPM.

While the RPMs are the same, the suction is different. The V15 is capable of generating 230 air watts of suction power. While the V10 caps out at 140 AW.

Run Time Performance

The manufacturer puts run times for the V15 and V10 to be around 60 minutes. Each of these models comes with a single battery.

MORE: If you want an extra battery and twice the run time, splurge for the Dyson Outsize.

In addition to the battery, there is another big factor that comes into play here and that’s the cleaning mode.

Both the V15 and V10 have 3 different modes they can operate in:

1. Eco
2. Auto
3. Boost

How are they different?

• Eco Mode: uses the least amount of suction and generates the longest run time
• Auto Mode: varies the suction as needed, depending on floor type
• Boost mode: uses the most suction and generates the shortest run time

To further test the run time, we ran each vacuum until the battery was fully drained on each cleaning mode. Here is how long each vacuum lasted on all three modes:

These run time tests were completed using all available suction levels and using the primary multi-surface cleaning head.

When the battery is depleted, both models will take about 4.5 hours to fully charge.

🧬 Design

The Dyson V15 and V10 have a number of similarities concerning design, but also some pretty big differences as well. For starters, let’s talk about the similarities.

Similarities include:

• 2-in-1 stick vac or handheld
• Quick-release attachment system
• Trigger on/off system
• 3 Modes: Eco, Auto, and Boost
• Assortment of tools and attachments
• Washable filter
• 60-minute run time
• Dust bin capacity

Differences include:

• Digital display
• Piezo sensor
• Cleaning heads
• Suction power
• Click-in battery

Let’s dive a little deeper into these differences between these two Dyson models.

#1. Digital Display

The Dyson V15 comes with an advanced digital display on the back of the in-hand unit, but the V10 does not have any digital display at all.

There are a few LED lights on the side of the V10 that can display simple alerts like blockages, filter replacement status, and three lights to indicate battery charge.

The display on the V15 communicates the following:

• Cleaning mode
• Estimated remaining run time
• Maintenance alerts
• Particulate data

What is particulate data?

The information about particulate size and count is included on the back of the display. It uses an onboard sensor to determine what size of particles are on the floor and need cleaning.

Particles are organized into four different color columns.

The Dyson V15 Detect is the only Dyson model currently on the market that offers this feature.

#2. Piezo Sensor

The display is able to show this particuate date thanks to an onboard Piezo sensor. This sensor looks for data on particle size as it cleans.

As larger or smaller particles are detected, the V15 can send signals to the cleaning head, which automatically adjusts the suction power to accommodate variable debris types.

The V10 does not have this onboard Piezo sensor feature.

#3. Cleaning Heads

When it comes to cleaning heads, the V15 is the clear winner.

While both models come with two cleaning heads, the V15 has improvements on both cleaning heads.

How do they compare?

High Torque 2.0 vs. Torque Drive

The High Torque cleaning head uses a dual-rubberized and bristle spiral brushroll with anti-tangle polycarbonate teeth on the front of the brushroll.

This is only on the V15 Detect model.

The Torque Drive cleaning head is a less advanced version of the High Torque head. It lacks the polycarbonate teeth for resisting tangles, but does use the combination of soft bristles and rubberized roller.

This is only on the V10 Animal and V10 Absolute model.

Lastly, the Direct Drive cleaning head is an even more basic multi-floor cleaning head than the Torque Drive. This is only included on the V10 Motorhead model.

Laser Slim Fluffy vs. Fluffy (standard)

The Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head is a more low-profile head designed for sweeping hard surface flooring, like hardwoods, tile, or vinyl flooring.

It includes a laser, which reflects a green light onto the floor, making it easier to see small debris and particulate.

This is included with the V15 Detect model.

The Fluffy cleaning head on the V10 is more basic, but still great for cleaning hard surface flooring. It lacks the laser light and isn’t quite as low profile as the head on the V15 Detect.

This is included with the V10 Absolute only (not on the Animal or Motorhead).

#4. Suction Power

The motors on the V15 and V10 are capable of generating a maximum suction power of 230 AW and 140 AW, respectively.

Even though the V15 offers more suction, it wasn’t better in terms of cleaning performance. The V10 still had plenty of suction to clean up all of the debris we tested and end up with virtually identical testing scores as the V15.

Size & Dimensions

Size-wise, the V10 is slightly smaller and lighter than the V15, but the differences are honestly negligible.

Accessories & Parts

The exact list of parts and accessories can vary depending on exactly which sub-model you go with.

There is currently only one version of the Dyson V15:

• Dyson V15 Detect

The Dyson V10 is offered in three different models:

• Dyson V10 Absolute – comes with the most accessories
• Dyson V10 Animal – comes with accessories designed for pet owners
• Dyson V10 Motorhead – comes with a basic set of accessories

Tools & Attachments Explained

Here’s a rundown of common parts and accessories:

👍 Usability

The usability of the V15 and V10 is pretty similar between both models. Setup out of the box is quick and painless, taking only about 5 minutes to complete.

1. Unbox the vacuum and all parts.
2. Charge the battery prior to first use.
3. Assemble the vacuum into the desired configuration.

For handheld use, you can attach cleaning tools directly to the in-hand portion of the vacuum or use the extension wand for cleaning areas from a distance.

For stick vacuum use, attach the extension wand and then select a cleaning head. Cleaning hard surface flooring is best with the Laser Slim Fluffy on the V15 or the Soft Fluffy (standard) on the V10 Absolute.

For cleaning carpet or area rugs, I like the High Torque cleaning head on the V15, the Torque Drive on the V10 Absolute or V10 Animal, or the Direct Drive if you go with the V10 Motorhead.

Aside from the similarities during setup, there are some differences to note about each model’s overall usability.

Which model is more user-friendly?

Usability Perks of the V15:

• Click-in battery: battery snaps into the base of the vacuum for easier charging
• Piezo sensor: on-board sensor, which detects particulate data like amount and size of particles
• Digital display: shows cleaning mode, estimated remaining run time, maintenance alerts, particulate data, etc.

Usability Perks of the V10:

• Point & shoot dust bin: easy to empty; just slide the lever, release the latch, and empty debris into the trash
• Washable Fluffy brushroll: soft roller is washable with cool water, let dry for 24 hours before using again
• Washable filters: wash once a month in cold water and allows to air dry to extend the life of the filter

While this is a nice list of perks for the V10, I do have to add that the V15 has all of these same features as well (in addition to the separate items listed on the V10 perks list).

🔧 Maintenance

Maintenance for the V15 and the V10 is similar between both models.

Basic tasks would include:

1. Empty the dust bin
2. Wash the filter (about once per month)
3. Charge the battery
4. Clear the brushroll of any clogs or tangles
5. Wash the Fluffy cleaning head
6. Replace the battery as needed

📰 Specifications

🥇 Which Dyson is Best?

So here we are. At the end of the day, which Dyson is right for you? Should you buy the Dyson V15 Detect or go for the Dyson V10?

Should you buy the Dyson V15 Detect?

I would recommend the Dyson V15 Detect to people who:

• Want particulate data: If you’re really interested in what exactly you’re cleaning, the Piezo sensor enables amazing detail in particulate data. You can see exactly what size particles you’re cleaning and how much.
• Advanced digital display: The V15 organizes the particulate data and other details like cleaning mode, remaining run time, and maintenance alerts into the back of the vacuum itself.
• Laser brushroll: The Laser Slim Fluffy brushroll includes the green laser light that shines on the floor and makes it easier to see small debris. For more visibility, this is a pretty unique feature to have included with a brushroll.

Click here to check the Dyson V15 price.

Should you buy the Dyson V10?

I would recommend the Dyson V10 to people who:

• Want a good value: The price of the Dyson V10 is quite a bit lower than the price of the V15. While it does skip out on a handful of bells and whistles the V10 is still a fantastic vacuum.
• Excellent cleaning performance: Even though the V10 has less overall suction power, the cleaning performance was still great. I was pleased to see the solid performance across all floor types and think it’s a good option for varied use.
• Want multiple cleaning heads: Despite the lower sticker price, the V10 still comes with two cleaning heads (unless you opt for the V10 Motorhead or V10 Animal). Including multiple heads helps to bridge the gap in features between the V15 and V10.

Click here to check out the Dyson V10 price.

🔰 Dyson Comparisons

Looking for more in-depth side-by-side Dyson comparisons? See our complete list below:

• Dyson V6 vs. V7 vs. V8 vs. V10 vs. V11
• Dyson V11 Torque Drive vs. Outsize vs. Animal vs. Outsize Origin
• Dyson V15 vs. V11
• Dyson V10 vs. V11
• Dyson V8 vs. V11
• Dyson V7 vs. V11
• Dyson V6 vs. V10
• Dyson V7 vs. V10
• Dyson V8 vs. V10
• Dyson V6 vs. V7
• Dyson V6 vs. V8
• Dyson V7 vs. V8
• Dyson V6 vs. V8
• Dyson Animal 2 vs. Multi Floor 2

Also see our Best Dyson vacuums guide for a broader overview of Dyson vacuums and popular models.

The Last Word

That’s all folks!

If you’re looking for a solid Dyson cordless stick vac, both the V15 or V10 are solid choices. Still have questions or comments? Just need some help deciding which to go for?

Please drop us a comment down below and we’d be happy to help you out.

ChangeLog

April 28, 2021 – Initial comparison published.