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Dyson V15 vs. V7

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

If you’re in the market for a new cordless stick vacuum from Dyson, chances are that you’d stumbled across the new advanced V15 or possibly the budget-pick, V7 model.

Dyson V15 Detect
Dyson V15 Detect
  • Suction: 230 AW
  • Run Time: ~60 mins.
  • Dustbin: 0.77 L
  • Weight: 6.8 lbs.
  • Cleaning: 99%
Dyson V7
Dyson V7
  • Suction: 100 AW
  • Run Time: ~30 mins.
  • Dustbin: 0.4 L
  • Weight: 5.45 lbs.
  • Cleaning: 96%

Today, we’re going to be looking at a side-by-side comparison of the Dyson V15 vs. V7. Are the newer features with the higher cost worth it? Or does the value of the V7 silence the bells and whistles of the V15?

Let’s dive in and find out.

Table of Contents

🧪 Performance

To really test out the Dyson V15 vs. V7, we looked at three different aspects of performance. And honestly, price aside, the V15 was the clear winner here.

Dyson V15 (bottom) vs. V7 (top)
Dyson V15 (bottom) vs. V7 (top)

Let me explain the breakdown:

  • Cleaning Tests: how well the vacuum sucks up debris
  • Suction Power: much much suction is generated from each vacuum
  • Run Time: how long the vacuum runs (with a full battery)

Here is how each vacuum performed during each test.

Cleaning Performance

WINNER: Dyson V15

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

ModelOverallHardwoodsLow CarpetHigh Carpet
Dyson V1599%100%99%99%
Dyson V796%89%100%100%

We test on engineered hardwoods, low pile carpet, and high pile carpet and against 4 debris types:

  1. Cereal (dry)
  2. Rice
  3. Kitty litter
  4. Sugar (granulated)
Cleaning test debris types
Testing Debris – From left to right: Rice (3 oz.), Kitty Litter (3 oz), Cereal (1 oz), Sugar (3 oz)

Overall Cleaning Scores

V15

99%

V7

96%

Dyson V15 Cleaning Performance

On hardwoods, the Dyson V15 was great and scored between 99-100% for all floor types. Honestly, it’s hard to do much better than that.

Hardwoods

100%

Low Pile Carpet

99%

High Pile Carpet

99%

For these cleaning tests, we used both the soft Fluffy roller cleaning head and the High Torque cleaning head.

Dyson V15 hardwood floor tests
Dyson V15 hardwood floor tests

One quick note to mention about cleaning carpet. On our first test (results not listed), we used the High Torque cleaning head on Boost Mode and it was actually a bit too much suction.

What we noticed when running the V15 on carpet and Boost mode is that the suction was so strong, it pulled too much on the carpet, and in turn, had worse cleaning performance.

Essentially, the cleaning head tended to push large debris instead of being able to get on top of it.

Dyson V15 Low Pile Carpet Tests
Dyson V15 Low Pile Carpet Tests

The fix?

To remedy this problem, we ran the carpet cleaning tests in Eco mode which decreased the max suction and increased overall performance.

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

Dyson V7 Cleaning Performance

The Dyson V7 also had good performance, but did struggle with cleaning large debris from hardwoods (hence the reduced cleaning performance on hardwoods).

Hardwoods

89%

Low Pile Carpet

99%

High Pile Carpet

98%

On hardwoods, we noticed that the V7 tended to just push around the cereal as well as the rice debris, instead of getting on top of it.

It was able to clean smaller debris like kitty litter and granulated sugar without issue.

Dyson V7 stick vacuum hardwood cleaning performance test
Dyson V7 performance on hardwoods

When cleaning carpet, performance was much better and it was able to clean 99-100%, pretty on par with the performance of the V15 on Eco Mode.

Dyson V7 stick vacuum high carpet cleaning performance test
Dyson V7 high pile carpet cleaning tests

MORE: Click here to see full cleaning tests of the Dyson V7.

Suction Power

WINNER: Dyson V15

Regarding suction, both the V15 and the V7 use a cyclonic system, which uses the power of fast-spinning rotation to create strong suction. Strong suction, in turn, translates into good cleaning performance.

The V15 can spin at up to 125,000 RPM and the V7 can spin at up to 110,000 RPM.

ModelMax RPMsMax Suction (AW)
Dyson V15125,000 RPM230 AW
Dyson V7110,000 RPM100 AW

In terms of suction power, that means that the V15 has over 2X the suction power over the V7. But bear in mind, both vacuums had great cleaning performance so the extra power of the V15 didn’t really make a huge difference during our tests.

Dyson V15 (right) vs. V7 (left) motor body
Dyson V15 (right) vs. V7 (left) motor body

Where the suction power is going to make a difference is for deep cleaning thick carpets. If your home has lots of carpet and/or thicker carpets the added suction can help to make a difference in those environments.

Run Time Performance

WINNER: Dyson V15

Run time revealed some pretty big differences between the V15 and the V7. According to Dyson, the V15 and V7 have the following estimated run times.

Dyson V15

60 mins

Dyson V7

30 mins

That’s a 50% longer run time on the V15 than what the V7 can offer. Both of these vacuums come with one battery so you’ll need to charge up after the run time is exhausted.

Dyson V15 (right) vs. V7 (left) brushrolls
Dyson V15 (right) vs. V7 (left) brushrolls

The V7 plugs into a standard wall outlet and the V15 uses a removable battery that clicks into the underside of the vacuum.

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

In addition to the manufacturer run times, we also decided to setup a few run time tests where we ran each vacuum in-house on all available cleaning modes.

Here’s what we found out:

Dyson V15

  • Eco: 68:30 mins
  • Auto: 45:30 mins
  • Boost: 8:55 mins

Dyson V7

  • Normal: 27:45 minutes
  • Max: 7:10 minutes

V15 Cleaning Modes

The V15 offers three cleaning modes.

  • 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

V7 Cleaning Modes

The V7 offers two cleaning modes.

  • Normal Mode: uses less suction for a longer run time
  • Max Mode: uses more suction for a shorter run time

🧬 Design

The Dyson V15 and V7 have some design similarities, but also quote a few big differences as well.

Dyson V15 vs. V7 comparison
Dyson V15 (right) vs. V7 (left) comparison

Similarities include:

  • 2-in-1 stick vac or handheld
  • Quick-release attachment system
  • Trigger on/off system
  • Variable modes
  • Assortment of tools and attachments
  • Washable filter

Differences include:

#FeatureDyson V15Dyson V7
1Digital displayYesNo
2Piezo sensorYesNo
3Cleaning headsLaser Slim Fluffy + High TorqueDirect Drive (all) + Fluffy (Absolute / Fluffy model)
4Max Suction230 AW100 AW
5Click-in batteryYesNo
6Run TimeUp to 60 minsUp to 30 mins
7ConfigurationIn-LineTraditional
8Dust Bin Capacity0.77 L0.4 L

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

#1. Digital Display

Dyson V15

Yes

Dyson V7

No

There is a digital display on the back of the Dyson V15. This display is full color and shares some useful information about the vacuum as it cleans.

Shared info includes:

  • Cleaning mode
  • Estimated remaining run time
  • Maintenance alerts
  • Particulate data (more about this below)
Dyson V15 display screen
Dyson V15 display screen

What is particulate data?

Particulate data is a new feature, just launched with the V15. It uses a tiny on-board sensor to detect size and quantity of particles on the floor. Being able to detect these particles allows the vacuum to automatically adjust suction levels, depending on what type of particles are being cleaned.

The display on the back takes all of the super complex data from the sensor and displays it in an easy-to-read bar chat format.

Dyson V15 display
Dyson V15 display

The chart tells you particle size and quantitiy of each size as well.

The Dyson V7 does not have a digital display or any ability to communicate particulate size.

#2. Piezo Sensor

Dyson V15

Yes

Dyson V7

No

This sensor ties into the particulate data above. The Piezo sensor is a small device designed inside the vacuum that makes all of the particulate data possible on the V15. The V7 model does not have this sensor.

Dyson V15 particle sensor
Dyson V15 particle sensor

#3. Cleaning Heads

Dyson V15

Includes:

  • High Torque 2.0
  • Laser Slim Fluffy

Dyson V7

Includes:

  • Direct Drive (all models)
  • Fluffy (V7 Absolute / Fluffy only)

The V15 comes with two cleaning heads and the V7 comes with one or two, depending on which model you go with.

So what makes each cleaning head unique?

High Torque 2.0 vs. Direct Drive

Dyson V15 High Torque head
Dyson V15 – High Torque cleaning head
Direct Drive cleaning head
Dyson V7 – Direct Drive cleaning head

Both of these cleaning heads are designed to be multi-floor cleaners that use a hybrid brushroll design that makes it efficient for cleaning hard surface or carpeted floors.

The High Torque 2.0 head with the V15 has a row of polycarbonate teeth that help prevent tangles. The Direct drive cleaning head is a bit more basic, but still uses a spiral blend of bristles and composite paddles to agitate and sweep debris into the dust bin.

Laser Slim Fluffy vs. Fluffy (standard)

Dyson V15 laser
Dyson V15 – Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head
Dyson soft roller brush cleaning head
Dyson V7 – Absolute Fluffy cleaning head

The Fluffy cleaning head has two design iterations represented here—the Laser Slim Fluffy and the standard Fluffy.

The Laser Slim Fluffy head has a bit lower profile than the standard Fluffy and also includes a green laser light that shines on the floor.

The purpose of this light is to make it easier to see small debris as you clean. According to Dyson, it has no negative effect on battery life and can be turned on or off.

Dyson V15 laser under lit conditions
Dyson V15 laser under lit conditions
Dyson V15 laser in the dark
Dyson V15 laser in the dark

The Standard Fluffy head is a bit higher profile, but uses a similar design of soft roller brush to sweep the floor. As the name suggests, there is no laser light included with the Standard Fluffy cleaning head with the V7.

Also, as a quick note, not all versions of the Dyson V7 come with a Fluffy head at all. The Fluffy is only included with the:

  • Dyson V7 Absolute
  • Dyson V7 Fluffy

Both brushrolls are removable and washable for easier maintenance.

Allow it to air dry for 24 hours and then reinstall.

#4. Suction Power

We briefly discussed RPMs above and how the V15 and V7 compare. The V15 offers up to 125,000 RPMs while the V7 maxes out at 110,000 RPMs.

In terms of suction power, that translates to 230 AW of suction power with the V15 and up to 100 AW suction power with the V7.

Dyson V15

230 AW

Dyson V7

100 AW

The V15 is going to provide stronger suction and stronger pull against ground-in debris over the V7. But for cleaning hardwoods or low pile carpet primarily, I’m not sure the difference would be that noticeable. (See our cleaning performance data for V15 here and V7 here).

#5. Click-In Battery

Dyson V15

Yes

Dyson V7

No

The Dyson V15 has a click-in battery that is removable from the base of the vacuum. By comparison, the V7 model does not.

To charge the V7, you’ll need to plug the charger into the back of the vacuum and then plug the entire vacuum into a stadnard wall outlet.

Dyson V15

Click-in battery on the Dyson V15
Dyson V15 click in battery

Dyson V7

Dyson V Series charger
Dyson V7 wall charger

The V15 takes about 4.5 hours to charge while the V7 only takes about 3.5 hours.

#6. Run Time

Dyson V15

Up to 60 mins

Dyson V7

Up to 30 mins

The estimated run time of the V15 is about twice the estimated run time of the V7. Those numbers are according to the manufacturer.

When we ran both vacuums on their most efficient cleaning mode (Eco for the V15 and Normal for the V7) we found that the V15 could run for around 68 minutes and the V7 could run for around 27 mins.

#7. Configuration

Dyson V15

In-Line

Dyson V7

Traditional

Next on the list, let’s talk about the configuration. Older Dysons (pre-V10) have a more traditional configuration, while newer Dysons (V10 and later) shifted to an in-line configuration.

The redesign of the airflow means newer models can offer:

  1. Stronger suction
  2. Larger dust bin capacity
  3. A new way to empty the dust bin
  4. Digital display
Dyson in-line configuration vacuum comparison

The V15 has the in-line configuration (bottom of image above) and the V7 has the more traditional configuration (top of image above).

When using the Dysons in handheld mode, the in-line configuration can sometimes feel a bit more awkward since it’s longer, while the traditional configuration is a little easier to manage, but you give up the nicer features like the digital display on the back and larger bin capacity.

#8. Dust Bin Capacity

Dyson V15

0.77 L

Emptying the Dyson V15 dust bin

Dyson V7

0.4 L

Dyson V Vacuum How To Empty The Canister

The dust bin on the V15 is about 30% larger and can hold about 1 cup more dry debris than the V7.

Size & Dimensions

Dyson V15

  • Length: 49.6″
  • Width: 9.8″
  • Height: 10.3″
  • Weight: 6.8 lbs.

Dyson V7

  • Length: 49.2″
  • Width: 9.8″
  • Depth: 10.1″
  • Weight: 5.45 lbs.

The size of the V15 and V7 models are similar, with the only main difference being the weight.

Dyson V15 (left) vs. V7 (right) sizes
Dyson V15 (left) vs. V7 (right) sizes

The V15 weighs over a pound more than the V7. I think part of that is thanks to the larger dust bin capacity, more powerful motor, and digital display in the back of the unit.

Both vacuums use standard width cleaning heads. If you want an extra-wide cleaning head, you’ll need to opt for the Dyson Outsize.

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:

The Dyson V7 is offered in five different models, although some seem to be in the process of being discontinued, in lieu of newer model alternatives.

You can use the links below to check availability of each model:

Dyson V15

Dyson V15 tools, accessories, & attachments

Includes:

  • Wand (with wand clip)
  • 2.0 High Torque cleaning head
  • Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head (advanced)
  • Hair screw tool
  • Combination tool
  • Crevice tool
  • Soft dusting brush
  • Stubborn dirt brush
  • Wall Mount
  • Click-in Battery
  • Charger

Dyson V7

Parts and accessories included with the Dyson V7

Includes:

  • Wand
  • Direct Drive cleaning head
  • Fluffy cleaning head (Absolute / Fluffy model only)
  • Mini motorized tool
  • Combination tool
  • Crevice tool
  • Soft dusting brush
  • Wall Mount
  • Charger

Tools & Attachments Explained

Here’s a rundown of common parts and accessories:

Wand

Dyson wand for stick vacuums

The wand is the longest part of the vacuum and provides extended reach in handheld mode or brings the vacuum to a comfortable height for running as a stick vac.

*Included on all V15 and V7 models

High Torque 2.0

Dyson V15 High Torque head

The second version of the High Torque cleaning head has better performance than the Direct Drive head and also includes polycarbonate teeth to help prevent hair tangles.

*Included on the V15 only

Direct Drive

Dyson Direct Drive Cleaning head for V6, V7, and V8 vacuums

This is the most basic multi-floor cleaning head currently on the market. It uses a similar brushroll, but lacks other bells and whistles.

*Included on the V7 only (all models)

Laser Slim Fluffy

Dyson V15 Fluffy soft cleaning head

The newer Fluffy cleaning head has a more low-profile brushroll and the roll pops out of the head for easy maintenance if it needs washing. It also includes a laser that shines on the floor to help reveal particles that need to be cleaned.

*Included on the V15 only

Fluffy (standard)

Dyson V10 soft fluffy cleaning head

The older Fluffy cleaning head is a little less low-profile, but still has washable rollers for easy maintenance. This cleaning head also lacks the LED laser light for better visibility.

*Included on the V7 Fluffy and V7 Absolute only

Hair Screw Tool

Dyson V15 Hair Screw tool

As a replacement to the mini-motorized brush, the V15 includes a Hair Screw tool. This tool has the same basic function, but uses a tapered screw design to better pull hair into the system and prevent tangles.

*Included on the V15 only

Mini Motorized Brush

Mini motorized brush tool

This tool is made to snap into the V7 when using it as a handheld. It works well for cleaning upholstery, car interiors, and other textiles.

*Included on select V7 models only

Combination Tool

Dyson V15 combination tool

Both the V15 and V7 models have this combination tool. This add-in has a wide-mouth crevice tool as well as a soft dusting brush combined into a single tool.

*Included on all V15 and V7 models

Crevice Tool

Dyson V15 crevice tool

The traditional crevice tool is a bit narrower and with a longer neck for getting into more hard-to-reach spaces.

*Included on all V15 and V7 models

Dusting Brush

Dyson V15 dusting brush

A soft dusting brush comes standard with the V15 and with some of the V7 models. As you’d imagine, this tool is good for dusting hard surfaces or more delicate objects.

*Included on V15 and select V7 models

Dirt Brush

Dyson V15 Stubborn dirt brush

The stubborn dirt brush has much stiffer bristles than the dusting brush and is useful to break apart stubborn dirt from dense carpet fibers or ground-in debris.

*Included on the V15 only

Wall Mount

Dyson wall mount

The wall mounts between the V7 and V15 are similar, but not identical. That being said, they are both designed to allow hanging vacuum storage. You can also clip 2 cleaning tools into the bottom.

*Included on all V15 and V7 models

Click-In Battery

Dyson V15 battery

The V15 comes with a click-in battery, which makes it easier to charge the vacuum. The battery on the V7 is not removable.

*Included on the V15 only

Charger

Dyson V15 charger

The charger is designed to plug into the click-in battery directly or into the body of the unit. This is how you charge the V7 and is also an option on the V15 if you prefer to not remove the battery.

*Included on all V15 or V7 models

👍 Usability

In terms of usability, both the V15 and V7 have their perks and to some degree, they are similar. Both vacuums follow the same steps for initial setup.

Here are the steps you’ll need to follow:

  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 attach cleaning tools directly to the body of the vacuum. You can also use the extension wand if you want to clean hard-to-reach spaces.

For stick vacuum use, attach the extension wand and then select a cleaning head.

How to pick a cleaning head?

  • Hard Floor Cleaning: For hard flooring like hardwoods, tile, or vinyl plank, the Fluffy cleaning head is a great choice. This head is available with the Dyson V15 Detect, Dyson V7 Absolute, and Dyson V7 Fluffy. However, the multi-surface brushroll is also suitable for hard surface floors.
  • Multi-Floor Cleaning: For cleaning area rugs, carpet, etc., the Torque Drive (on the V15) or the Direct Drive (on the V7) are better options. These cleaning heads are designed to agitate debris for better performance.

Which model is more user-friendly?

Dyson V15

Winner

Dyson V7

Runner-up

Between the V15 and the V7, the winner has got to be the V15 for sheer usability. And honestly, it’s to be expected. You’ll pay a much higher price, but in return, you’ll get fantastic features that makes this vacuum one of the most user-friendly models on the market.

Here’s what you’ll get with each vacuum.

Usability Perks of the V15:

  • 2-in-1 design: use as a cordless stick vac or handheld
  • Long run time: runs for up to 60 minutes; 4.5 hours to charge
  • 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.
  • Washable parts: includes washable dust bin, filter, and Fluffy brushroll

Usability Perks of the V7:

  • 2-in-1 design: use as a cordless stick vac or handheld
  • Cordless power: runs for up to 30 minutes without power; 3.5 hours to charge
  • Easier to use as a handheld: traditional configuration is a little less awkward in-hand than the longer in-line configuration of the V15
  • Washable parts: includes washable filter and Fluffy brushroll (with select models)
  • Lighter body: over 1 pound lighter than the V15

🔧 Maintenance

Maintenance for the V15 and the V7 is basically the same. This short list of tasks 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

#1. Empty the dust bin

varies based on model

Emptying the V15 dust bin

#2. Wash the filter

wash about once a month

Washable HEPA filter

#3. Charge the battery

V15 = 4.5 hrs / V7 = 3.5 hrs

Click-in battery on the Dyson V15

#4. Clear the brushroll

of any hair or tangled debris

Dyson V15 High Torque cleaner head hair removal tests

#5. Wash the brushroll

on soft roller heads only

Dyson soft roller brush cleaning head

#6. Replace battery

as needed

Dyson V Cylone Motor

📰 Specifications

SpecsDyson V15Dyson V7
TypeStickStick
ManufacturerDysonDyson
ModelV15V8
Length49.6"49.2"
Width9.8"9.8"
Depth10.3"10.3"
Weight6.8 lbs.5.45 lbs.
Floor TypeAll (indoor)All (indoor)
Dustbin Capacity0.77 L0.4 L
Click In BatteryYesNo
Run TimeUp to 60 minsUp to 30 mins
CordlessYesYes
BaglessYesYes
ReturnsVaries by retailerVaries by retailer
Warranty2-Year limited2-Year limited
PriceCheck PriceCheck Price
ReviewRead ReviewRead Review

🥇 Which Dyson is Best?

For the best of the best, the V15 clearly takes the cake, but that’s not to say that the V7 isn’t good for some people.

If you don’t need all the bells and whistles (and don’t want to spend top dollar) the V7 can still check a lot of boxes and provide a quality clean.

Dyson V15 Detect

Dyson V Detect Tn

Read Review

Dyson V7

Dyson V7

Read Review

Should you buy the Dyson V15 Detect?

I would recommend the Dyson V15 Detect to people who:

  • Incredible Suction & Cleaning Power: the V15 dominated our cleaning tests, removing 99% of all debris by weight. It has the most suction of any cordless vacuum on the market at 230 AW. Truly a bleeding edge machine.
  • Want particulate data: If you’re really interested in what exactly you’re cleaning, the Piezo sensor makes that possible by breaking down a series of particulate data and putting that data right on the digital display.
  • Advanced digital display: In addition to particualte data, the digital display also can share info like cleaning mode, remaining run time, and maintenance alerts. This data is all displayed on 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 V7?

I would recommend the Dyson V7 to people who:

  • Want a less expensive Dyson: If you like the design of a Dyson, but don’t want to pay the high price, the V7 is a good option. Five years ago this model was top of the line and it still has great cleaning performance and cool features.
  • Excellent cleaning performance: The suction is certainly less than that of the V15, but the performance was still fantastic. The only area where it struggled was large debris on hardwoods, but honestly, it includes a crevice tool that would just as effective at cleaning large debris messes.
  • Don’t need the extended run time: The V7 can run for up to 30 minutes which, although less than the V15, is still a decent amount of time for a cordless vacuum cleaner. If you can’t see yourself cleaning for a solid hour then it may be worth the savings to go with a vacuum that has a shorter time and pocket the cash.

Click here to check out the Dyson V7 price.

🔰 Dyson Comparisons

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

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

The Last Word

We’ve made it to the end of the epic Dyson V15 vs. V7 head-to-head. Both of these vacuums offer good features, cleaning performance, and that classic Dyson design.

Depending on your budget and which features are most important to you, the V15 or the V7 could both fit the bill—really can’t go wrong with either of these machines.

ChangeLog

May 12, 2021 – Initial comparison published.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.