Dyson V15 vs. V8

Table of Contents

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

🧪 Performance

So right out of the gate, let’s talk about the performance. The performance of a Dyson (or really any cordless stick vacuum) is rarely one factor alone.

Instead, we look at multiple factors that work together to create a final performance score.

The three different factors we test for include:

• Cleaning Performance — how well it cleaned 4 different types of debris on three different floor types
• Motor Performance — how strong is the suction
• Run Time Performance — how long the battery lasts

Let’s run through the results and see how these two vacuums compare.

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.

Model	Overall	Hardwoods	Low Carpet	High Carpet
Dyson V15	99%	100%	99%	99%
Dyson V8	95%	89%	99%	98%

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

Testing on all three floor types, the Dyson V15 did fantastic. The scores were between 99-100% of all of the debris we tested.

These strong scores are likely a combination of high suction power, improved cleaning heads, and in-line configuration.

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

One quick note to mention about cleaning carpet. On our first test, we used the High Torque cleaning head on Boost Mode and it was actually a bit too much suction.

Having too much suction can create an excessive amount of pull on the carpet fibers and made it difficult for the cleaning head to get on top of large debris like cereal and rice.

The solution?

Running the V15 in Eco Mode solved this problem entirely, without sacrificing any performance.

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

Dyson V8 Cleaning Performance

The Dyson V8 also had good performance with one caveat—cleaning large debris from hardwoods.

It’s important to note that not all versions of the V8 include the soft Fluffy head like the V15. In fact, only the Dyson V8 Absolute & Fluffy includes it. For the sake of consistency, we used the Direct Drive cleaning head for all tests.

As I mentioned above, cleaning performance on carpet was fantastic—between 99-100% for both tests, but it did struggle a bit with cereal on hardwoods.

The Direct Drive cleaning head tends to push larger debris around instead of being able to get on top of it. This is especially true on hardwood floors, where it only removed 89% of debris.

If you do have a Dyson V8 version that includes the soft roller head that will resolve most of the hardwood floor cleaning issues that we experienced.

MORE: Click here to see full cleaning tests of the Dyson V8.

Motor Performance

WINNER: Dyson V15

Both the V15 and the V8 use rotational motors that spin quickly to generate suction power.

The V15 can spin at up to 125,000 RMP and the V8 can spin at up to 110,000 RMP.

Model	Max RPMs	Max Suction (AW)
Dyson V15	125,000 RPM	230 AW
Dyson V8	110,000 RPM	115 AW

Run Time Performance

WINNER: Dyson V15

Run time is another area where there are pretty substantial differences between the V15 and the V8.

According to Dyson, the V15 and V8 have the following estimated run times.

That’s about 30% more run time on the V15 compared to the V8. In addition, both of these vacuums come with one battery. The V15 battery is a click-in style, but the V8 battery is not.

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

What about other cleaning modes?

The V15 and V8 have a couple of different cleaning modes that operate at different suction levels. Modes with stronger suction will drain the battery faster, while modes with less suction will have extended run times.

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

V8 Cleaning Modes

The V8 offers two cleaning modes.

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

We put each of these modes to the test by running each vacuum in each mode with a full battery. The test is completed when the battery has no charge left.

Here are the results of our tests:

🧬 Design

The Dyson V15 and V8 have a lot of similarities that overlap between the two models, even though there’s about a 5-year gap in launch date.

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
• Dust bin capacity

Differences include:

#	Feature	Dyson V15	Dyson V8
1	Digital display	Yes	No
2	Piezo sensor	Yes	No
3	Cleaning heads	Laser Slim Fluffy + High Torque	Direct Drive (all) + Fluffy (Absolute / Fluffy model)
4	Max Suction	230 AW	115 AW
5	Click-in battery	Yes	No
6	Run Time	Up to 60 mins	Up to 40 mins
7	Configuration	In-Line	Traditional
8	Dust Bin Capacity	0.77 L	0.54 L

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 body, but the V8 does not.

On the V15, the digital display can be used to display:

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

What is particulate data?

Sensors that can detect particle size and quantity are designed into the body of the V15 and the result of those readings are shown on the digital display on the back of the unit.

The display takes some really complicated data and simplifies it into four color-coded bar charts.

Not only can the Dyson V8 not do this, but the V15 is actually the only model of all of the Dysons currently on the market that can.

If you really want to know what exactly is on your floor, the V15 is the machine that can tell you.

RELATED – Dyson V15 vs. Outsize vs. V11 vs. V10 vs. V8

#2. Piezo Sensor

A piezo sensor designed into the body of the V15 is the piece of technology that makes particulate data possible. The V8 does not have this sensor, which also makes it unable to automatically adjust suction power based solely on particle size.

#3. Cleaning Heads

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

It comes with two cleaning heads and both heads are obvious improvements over the head(s) provided with the V8 model.

Let’s talk about the differences.

High Torque 2.0 vs. Direct Drive

Both of these cleaning heads use the hybrid design of a spiral bristle brushroll with rubberized components, but the V15 has another advantage.

Polycarbonate teeth on the front of this brushroll help to prevent tangles around the roller.

This is only on the V15 Detect model. The Direct Drive cleaning head is a more basic version of the High Torque head. It is still designed for multi-floor cleaning, but it sips some of the nicer bells and whistles.

Laser Slim Fluffy vs. Fluffy (standard)

The Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head comes with the V15 Detect and is an advancement over the standard Fluffy cleaning head, like what you’ll get with the Dyson V8 Absolute.

The V15 laser fluffy cleaning head is more low profile than the standard head. It also has an integrated laser that shines a green light onto the floor as it cleans. This light can make it easier to see tiny particles as it cleans.

By comparison, the Fluffy cleaning head on the V8 is a bit thicker, but uses the same general materials for hard surface cleaning.

Also, both Fluffy heads on the V15 and V8 have a removable brushroll that you can wash with warm water.

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

#4. Suction Power

The motors on the V15 and V8 are capable of generating a maximum suction power of 230 AW and 115 AW.

While these numbers are pretty far apart, I wouldn’t say that there was a huge performance gap due to suction (at least not on our 12 cleaning tests).

Where the V15 is really going to pull ahead is pulling ultra-fine debris out of carpets. The added suction power and improved brushroll both work together to make that possible.

#5. Click-In Battery

The V15 uses a click-in battery, which is easy to charge up and swap out (if you purchase an extra battery). By comparison, the V8 just comes with a charger that plugs into the back of the vacuum.

#6. Run Time

I mentioned run time up above, but it feels relevant to talk about it again here. Generally speaking, the V15 has about a 30% longer run time than the Dyson V8.

There are a number of different factors which can affect battery life. Some of which include:

1. Flooring type
2. Suction level
3. Cleaning mode
4. Debris type
5. Attachments

#7. Configuration

There was a major shift in the airflow of the V Series Dyson vacs between the V8 and the V10. Older models have a more traditional configuration (shown at the top of the image below), while updated Dysons have a more in-line configuration (shown at the bottom of the image below).

This design update allows for:

1. Stronger suction
2. Larger dust bin capacity
3. A new way to empty the dust bin
4. Digital display

The V15 is newer and hence has the in-line configuration, while the V8 uses the older, more traditional configuration.

#8. Dust Bin Capacity

The dust bin on the V15 is larger and can hold about 1 cup more dry debris than the V8.

Size & Dimensions

The V15 and V8 are comparable in terms of size, nearly identical. But The V8 is slightly lighter, which is due to the smaller dust bin and lack of digital display.

The cleaning heads are the same width, although slightly different designs and profile heights.

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 V8 is offered in three different models:

• Dyson V8 Absolute — comes with the most tools and the Fluffy cleaning head
• Dyson V8 Animal — comes with tools designed for homes with pets
• Dyson V8 Motorhead — most basic version with simple tools (and generally lowest cost)

Tools & Attachments Explained

Here’s a rundown of common parts and accessories:

👍 Usability

The usability of the V15 and V8 is basically identical between both models. Out of the box, it only takes about 5 minutes before you’re ready to start cleaning.

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.

• With the V8 Animal or Motorhead, you’ll have to stick with the Direct Drive cleaning head.
• If you have the V8 Absolute, you can use the Fluffy cleaning head, which may be nicer for cleaning hard surfaces like hardwoods or floor tile. Cleaning carpets would be easier with the Direct Drive cleaning head.
• The Dyson V15 Detect comes with both the High Torque cleaning head and the Laser Slim Fluffy. High Torque is preferred for carpet, while the Fluffy head is good for hard surfaces.

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 V8:

• 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 Fluffy brushroll: soft roller is washable with cold 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
• Lighter body: it’s not a huge difference, but the V8 is technically lighter than the V15

Despite the nice list of usability bonuses that the V8 has, it’s just not enough to offset the advancements on the V15. Also, the V15 also has washable filters and brushroll as well.

🔧 Maintenance

Maintenance for the V15 and the V8 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

📰 Specifications

🥇 Which Dyson is Best?

So the V15 Detect is certainly top-of-the-line. It is about 5 years newer than the V8 and has an abundance of technology to show for it. But are all those bells and whistles worth the hefty price tag?

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 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 V8?

I would recommend the Dyson V8 to people who:

• Want a less expensive Dyson: If you want a Dyson, but don’t want such intense sticker shock, the V8 is still a great cordless stick vacuum. By skipping out on the particle sensors, digital display, and offering a shorter run time, the V8 is able to come in as a more budget-friendly alternative.
• Excellent cleaning performance: Despite its lower suction levels, the cleaning performance of the V8 is still fantastic. The only area where it kind of struggled was cleaning large debris from hardwoods (and only when using the Direct Drive brushroll).
• Don’t need the extended run time: The V8 can still run for approx. 40 minutes on a single battery charge, which is twice the run time of the V6. For many homes, 40 minutes is more than enough time to get the job done.

Click here to check out the Dyson V8 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

Well that’s all we’ve got for today. Both the V15 and V8 have solid performance, long run times, and a handful of special features. They are cordless, stick vacs that also double as a handheld when needed.

You really can’t go wrong with either of these models. For higher budgets, the V15 is certainly a worthy splurge or for a better value, the V8 would probably check all your boxes too.

ChangeLog

May 7, 2021 – Initial comparison published.