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Dyson V6 Review

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

The Dyson V6. It’s a great vacuum, but is it worth your money?

Today we’ll examine the Dyson V6 review and put it through the ultimate test.

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Continue reading below to discover if the Dyson V6 cordless is the best stick vacuum for you.

A Powerful Dyson Handheld Option

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Dyson V6

If you can foot the bill, the V6 offers very powerful suction for a cordless vacuum. Vacuum can run for 20 minutes on normal power mode and 6 minutes on max power mode.Check Price

Pros

  • The Dyson V6 cordless has two levels of suction power.
  • This vacuum has a good level of extension from the wand.

Cons

  • The motorized brushroll has a tendency to fling lighter debris around
  • The V6 has a short battery life when on MAX mode.

Contents

  1. Accessories
  2. Cleaning
  3. Maintenance
  4. Value
  5. Specs
  6. Summary

Dyson V6 Design

The Dyson V6 cordless vacuum is designed much like the Dyson V6 Trigger handheld; but this version includes a removable stick / wand. With this stick users have the ability to use this vacuum on both the ground and above ground.

On the handle of the V6 is a power button, which turns on the motor when pressed.

There is no on / off switch, just a button that turns the vacuum off as it is released. 

Near this button is a “MAX” mode button. By turning on max mode, the power of the vacuum increases, but the battery life decreases.

The motorized brush roll head has a clear, plastic covering that allows users to see what is being sucked up through the vacuum. Additionally, the head of the unit has a ball that swivels allowing users to turn the vacuum.

Dyson V6 cordless vacuum - motorized brushroll
D yson V6 cordless vacuum – motorized brushroll

How Dyson V6 Cleans

The Dyson V6 cordless vacuum is driven by a digital motor spinning up to 110,000 rpm. It’s capable of creating up to 100 Air Watts of suction power.

Like other Dyson vacuums, the V6 cordless stick uses a cluster of 15 small cyclones (the stacked cones towards the middle of the handle) to generate cyclonic suction power.

The cyclone cluster spins debris to the outside, filtering small particles into the filter, which is located in the center, while larger particles are funneled into the dust bin below.

The Dyson V6 vacuum can be used as either portable handheld vacuum or full reach stick vacuum. To use as a stick vacuum, the extension hose is simply removed and the handheld cleaning head attached.

The Dyson V6 cordless stick has two cleaning modes; standard and max power

Max cleaning mode button on the Dyson V6 cordless vacuum

How big is the Dyson V6?

The Dyson V6 cordless is a skinny vacuum, only weighing a total of 4.5 pounds. That said, this is not a short unit by any means. This Dyson stands 47.5″ tall and is 9.8″ wide at its widest point.

  • Weight – 4.5 pounds
  • Height – 47.5″
  • Width – 9.8″
Dyson V6 cordless stick vacuum size and dimensions

What accessories come with the Dyson V6?

This Dyson vacuum includes a good number of parts and accessories:

  • Wand
  • Motorized brush roll
  • Crevice tool
  • Dusting brush
  • Charger
  • Mattress tool
  • Dirt brush
Parts and accessories included with the Dyson V6 cordless
  1. Motorized brushroll
  2. Wand
  3. Charger
  4. Advanced tools
  5. Extra tools / wall mount

Dyson V6 Absolute vs. Animal vs. Motorhead vs. Fluffy vs. HEPA vs. Cord Free

Over the years the Dyson V6 has been offered in a widey variety of different versions. The 6 most common versions of the Dyson V6 are:

All 6 of these vacuums are more similar than they are different.

In terms of functionality all 6 of these different Dyson V6 versions have the same motor, same battery, and same suction. The various models offered simply indicate the respective accessories, attachments, floor cleaning heads, and filters that come with the vacuum.

See the Dyson V6 comparison chart below. We’ve indicated the specific differences for each vacuum so you can find the right set of cleaning tools that’s right for you:

TABLE

If the above table is a little overwhelming I’m going to break it down into a few summary points. The major differences between the Dyson V6 Absolute vs. Animal vs. Motorhead vs. Fluffy vs. HEPA vs. Cord Free are:

  • You want it all – If you want the biggest and best Dyson V6 you need to go with the V6 Absolute. It has all of the accessories, and most notably includes both the direct drive cleaning head, fluffy cleaning head, and HEPA filtration.
  • You have mostly carpets – if you have mostly carpets in your home the V6 Animal or Motorhead are going to be the best choices. They include the direct drive cleaning head, as well as most attachments. If you want to save a little money you can go with the Motorhead over the Animal, which excludes the mini dusting brush and mini motorized brushroll
  • You have pets at home – go with the V6 Animal or V6 Absolute. If you don’t have hard surface floors in your home I’d suggest getting the V6 Animal. You’ll save yourself a few bucks by excluding the Fluffy cleaning head, which you really don’t need unless you have hardwood floors.
  • You have mostly hard surface floors – if your home is mostly hardwoods, tile, or other hard surfaces you should go with the V6 Absolute or V6 Fluffy. Both include the fluffy soft roller cleaning head, which offers better performance on hardwoods and other hard surfaces.
  • You suffer from allergies – if you’re an allergy sufferer and are trying to do what you can to remove particulates from your home you’ll want a version that includes HEPA filtration. The only 2 models on the V6 that have a HEPA filter are the V6 Absolute and V6 HEPA. Unfortunately, the HEPA isn’t widely available, so it can be hard to find. But if you can find it and want to save yourself a few bucks it’s a great value. Otherwise, go with the Absolute.
  • You want the best value – go with the V6 Cord Free. It’s the most stripped down version of the V6. It includes the fewest accessories, no HEPA filtration, and a basic brushroll, but you still have the same suction, battery, and overall unit. It’s a great value at this price point.

If you’d like to see how the Dyson V6 compares to other Dyson stick vacuums see our Dyson vacuum reviews page or the individual vacuum comparisons below:

Cleaning Tests

The following vacuum cleaner tests are designed to show how the Dyson V6 cordless vacuum performs on different surfaces, picking up a variety of debris types.

Overall

91%

Hardwood

87%

Low Carpet

94%

High Carpet

92%

We test on three different floor types, including hardwood floors, low pile carpet, and high pile carpet. For each floor type we test the vacuum cleaner against:

  • Rice – 3 ounces
  • Dry Cereal – 1 ounce
  • Kitty Litter – 3 ounces
  • Sugar – 3 ounces

Each of the aforementioned debris types was spread across our testing lane. The base surface of our testing lane is an engineered hardwood floor. For our carpet tests, we slide in a low pile and high pile carpet insert on top of the hardwood floor.

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

Our vacuum cleaning process strives to be as consistent, fair, and true to real world use as possible. Our tests utilize the following procedure:

  1. Measure the weight of the testing debris and the weight of the empty vacuum debris container.
  2. Spread the respective debris type evenly across the central portion of the testing lane.
  3. Run the vacuum cleaner over the testing lane.
  4. Measure the weight of the now filled container and take notes on the cleaning performance.

Hardwood Floor Cleaning

The Dyson V6 cordless vacuum did a fine job on the hardwood floor tests, for the most part. Kitty litter, rice, and sugar all received scores of 99% or higher, whereas cereal fell behind the pack, only being cleaned up at a level of 50%.

The reason behind the low score was a clogging issue. As the vacuum tried to suck up the cereal, it would clog up in the wand as well as inside the floor head tool. This resulted in the Dyson V6 shutting itself off, meaning no more cereal could be cleaned up.

Cereal

50%

Kitty Litter

100%

Rice

99%

Sugar

100%

Dyson V6 stick vacuum hardwood cleaning test

Low Pile Carpet

The low pile carpet test showed results similar to the hardwood floor tests, but there was an improvement in the amount of cereal cleaned up. Rice, kitty litter, and sugar all stayed at that 99% and up tier while cereal moved up to 76%.

The friction between the carpet and the head of the vacuum prevented too much cereal from entering the cleaning head too quickly, allowing the V6 to suck up more cereal before clogging. Once it did clog, the issue was identical to the hardwood floor tests.

Cereal

76%

Kitty Litter

100%

Rice

100%

Sugar

99%

Dyson V6 stick vacuum low carpet cleaning test

High Pile Carpet

Lastly, the high pile carpet tests. This test was virtually identical to the low pile carpet tests, as cereal was cleaned up at a level of 70% compared to 76% on the low pile carpet test. Once again, the three other debris types saw identical results to the low pile carpet test.

Cereal did clog on the high pile carpet, which is the reason for the 70% score.

Cereal

70%

Kitty Litter

100%

Rice

100%

Sugar

99%

Dyson V6 stick vacuum high carpet cleaning test

How Easy is the V6 to use?

Learning how to use the Dyson V6 cordless vacuum is not a tough task. But before using the vacuum, there is a short setup period.

Although the main power unit and motorized brushroll come assembled, you do have to insert the remaining  pieces to ensure proper functionality.

CONVENIENCE – Usability doesn’t get much easier than a robot vacuum. The Roomba 890Samsung POWERBot, and Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum are a few popular options.After removing all pieces from the box, it took me just a few minutes to snap in the brushroll to the wand and the wand to the main power unit.

The setup is not difficult, but there are a good number of accessories included with this Dyson vacuum, so the time spent unboxing is probably the longest part of the setup. Once you’ve got everything pieced together, all that’s left to do is charge the V6 and you’re good to go.

Dyson V6 cordless vacuum
Dyson V6 cordless vacuum

Once you’ve got a fully charged Dyson V6 cordless vacuum, using it is simple. Press the trigger to engage the motor and create suction. From there, you simply have to decide what tool you’re going to use for cleaning.

In addition, users have the option of clicking the “MAX” mode button on the V6 cordless to increase the power at which the V6 sucks up dirt / debris.

Both of these modes are easy to use and controlled by the press of a button (or trigger).

Emptying the dust bin is also quite straightforward; press down on the red latch located on the main unit and the base of the dust bin will open, releasing all of the dirt and debris.

Dyson V6 Maneuverability

Maneuverability of the Dyson V6 cordless vacuum is certainly one of the biggest pros. The lightweight design allows users to move it on and above the ground with ease. Additionally, the extra cleaning tools and accessories make getting into those hard to reach places much easier.

MORE – If you’d prefer a standalone handheld check out the Dyson V6 trigger. Or if you want a standalone + something less expensive, you’ll like the Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip and Shark Pet Perfect 2.

When fully assembled into a stick vacuum, the length of the unit and swivel of the head creates a great degree of maneuverability. One of the nice features about this vacuum is its ability to breakdown into a handheld unit.

The center wand that connects the motorized brushroll and the main vacuum cleaner can be removed. Therefore, users have the ability to use the Dyson V6 cordless as a handheld or a stick vacuum.

  • Weight: 4.5 pounds
  • Power: Li-ion battery
  • Height: 47.5″
  • Modes: 2

As with most handheld vacuums, the Dyson V6 cordless stick can be maneuvered every which way when broken down into a handheld.

Again, the V6 is not a heavy vacuum cleaner, so carrying it around for cleaning sessions shouldn’t be an issue.

Between the stick and the handheld configurations, this Dyson vacuum does offer a great deal of flexibility in terms of maneuverability. 

How much does it cost to maintain the Dyson V6?

The following table indicates the frequency at which you will likely want to replace the various parts and components of the vacuum. The following replacement frequencies are what the manufacturer recommends. However, your individual experiences may vary.

Accessory / PartReplacement FrequencyReplacement Cost
Central FilterOnly if damaged or lostCheck Price
HEPA FilterOnly if damaged or lostCheck Price
Battery~24 months Check Price

Users can expect to pay $0 a year before the warranty expires. Once the warranty has expired, users could end up spending closer to $18 annually, which covers the cost of a battery every 2 years.

Our estimated annual maintenance costs are based on replacing the central filter and HEPA filter only if you damage or lose them (since they are lifetime filters that are washable).

And then replacing the battery as it dies, which should be every 2-3 years (but it does highly depend on use).

Maintaining the Dyson V6 cordless is crucial. That said, there is not a whole lot that goes into maintaining this Dyson vacuum. The main focus areas should be:

  • Wash filters – wash both the central filter and HEPA filter every month in cold water and allow to air dry for 24 hours before putting it back into the unit.
  • Replace the battery – Although there is no set time frame for replacing the battery, Dyson’s warranty is 2 years long, which includes the battery. Therefore, if you have any battery issues in the first 2 years it should be covered by Dyson. Outside of the warranty period, the battery should be replaced as-needed (in most cases every 2-3 years).
  • Clear the brushroll of tangles – The motorized brushroll included with this Dyson vacuum should be cleared of any tangles on a regular basis to ensure the unit is performing to the top of its ability.

How loud is the Dyson V6?

All vacuum cleaner reviews on Modern Castle are put through our standard noise test. For this test, we use a sound meter to measure noise in terms of decibel level approximately 3′ away from the vacuum.

Dyson V6 stick vacuum noise test

How long will the V6 battery last?

All cordless vacuum reviews on Modern Castle are put through a standard assessment of battery size, run time, life, and replacement cost.

BatteryDetails
Size2,200 mAh
Charging Time3.5 hours
Run Time6-20 minutes, depending on the cleaning mode
Replacement CostCheck Price

Replacement batteries play a large role when it comes to servicing the Dyson V6 cordless. Luckily, Dyson has made finding a replacement battery quite easy.

There are several replacement battery options available here for a reasonable price. This seems like a fair price giving that it has a 1-year warranty.

Is the Dyson V6 a good value?

The Dyson V6 cordless offers a good value, but there are some detractors that keep it from being great, in my opinion.

First off, the price and performance. For the high price of this vacuum, I would have liked to see better cleaning performance.

Although the Dyson V6 vacuum did great with the finer debris types, the larger ones, such as cereal, became a real issue. Repetitive clogging kept this vacuum from scoring higher in our cleaning tests, which also impacted the overall value.

RELATED – Like Dyson, but not sure about the V6 Stick? See more Dyson reviews here, or check out other popular brands including RoombaShark, and Bissell.

With regard to warranty and returns, Dyson falls into the middle of the pack. It offers a 2 year warranty on the V6 with a 30-day return policy. 2 years is a solid warranty time frame, but once again, for the price you pay I would like to see maybe 3-5 years under warranty.

Dyson V6 Specifications

Below is a complete list of important specifications and features included on the Dyson V6 cordless stick vacuum:

Specifications
TypeStick
ManufacturerDyson
ModelV6 Cordless
Length (inches)47.5
Width (inches)9.8
Weight (pounds)4.5
Floor TypeAll (indoor)
Dust Bin Capacity0.4 L
CordlessYes
BaglessYes
ReturnsVaries by retailer
Warranty2-Year limited
PriceCheck Price

Who Should Buy the Dyson V6 Vacuum?

The Dyson V6 cordless vacuum is a two-in-one unit designed to give users powerful suction both on and above ground. The lightweight build and strong suction makes for a versatile vacuum. Users who are in need of a stick vacuumhandheld vacuum, or even both, and don’t mind paying the higher price tag could find this Dyson V6 to be a suitable option.

I would recommend the Dyson V6 cordless if you’re looking for the following features in a stick vacuum:

  • Can be broken down into a handheld – This Dyson vacuum can be fully assembled into a stick vacuum or broken down into a handheld vacuum. Both options do a great job in terms of convenience and maneuverability.
  • Options for cleaning modes – The V6 cordless has two cleaning modes; regular and max. The max mode simply increases the suction power of the vacuum. That said, it does decrease the battery life from 20 minutes down to 6 minutes.
  • Multiple accessories – Included with the purchase of this vacuum is a motorized brushroll floor head tool, a crevice tool, a dusting brush, a mattress cleaning tool, and a dirt brush.
  • Lightweight build – The Dyson V6 cordless only weighs 4.5 pounds.

For more information on the Dyson V6 cordless see here.

Excellent Suction, Lightweight
  • Design - 93%
    93%
  • Performance - 95%
    95%
  • Quality - 95%
    95%
  • Usability - 94%
    94%
  • Value - 97%
    97%
95%

Summary

The Dyson V6 cordless vacuum is a solid machine from Dyson. It’s lightweight, cordless, portable, converts to a handheld, and has excellent suction power (especially considering it’s battery powered). This model is now a couple years old, which makes it notably less expensive compared to the Dyson V8. Never-the-less, it’s still on the pricey side. The only major cons are the price and clogging on larger debris types.

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.