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Dyson V6 vs. V7 vs. V8 vs. V10 vs. V11

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

Over the years, Dyson has gradually improved upon its V-series of cordless stick vacuum cleaners.

The launch of the V10, V11, and V11 Outsize has pushed the model to new heights, but how does it compare to the older V6, V7, and V8?

This vacuum comparison review is going to dive into the similarities and differences of all six models.

It’s the ultimate six-way vacuum battle: Dyson V6 vs. V7 vs. V8 vs. V10 vs. V11 vs. V11 Outsize. Let’s go!

Dyson V6
Dyson V6
  • Suction: 100 AW
  • Run Time: ~20 mins.
  • Dustbin: 0.4 L
  • Weight: 5.1 lbs.
  • Cleaning: 95%
Dyson V7
Dyson V7
  • Suction: 100 AW
  • Run Time: ~30 mins.
  • Dustbin: 0.4 L
  • Weight: 5.45 lbs.
  • Cleaning: 99%
Dyson V8
Dyson V8
  • Suction: 115 AW
  • Run Time: ~40 mins.
  • Dustbin: 0.54 L
  • Weight: 5.75 lbs.
  • Cleaning: 99%
Dyson V10
Dyson V10
  • Suction: 140 AW
  • Run Time: ~60 mins.
  • Dustbin: 0.77 L
  • Weight: 5.8 lbs.
  • Cleaning: 99%
Dyson V11
Dyson V11
  • Suction: 185 AW
  • Run Time: ~60 mins.
  • Dustbin: 0.77 L
  • Weight: 6.68 lbs.
  • Cleaning: 99%
Dyson V11 Outsize
Dyson V11 Outsize
  • Suction: 220 AW
  • Run Time: ~120 mins.
  • Dustbin: 1.89 L
  • Weight: 7.85 lbs.
  • Cleaning: 99%

Review Scores

Dyson V6

93%

Dyson V7

93%

Dyson V8

95%

Dyson V10

96%

Dyson V11

96%

Dyson V11 Outsize

97%

Rather watch this review than read it? We’ve got you covered! Check out our Dyson V6. vs V7 vs. V8 vs. V10 vs. V11 video below.

YouTube video

Design

Considering design, there are a lot of similarities between these six models. Let’s tackle each element one by one.

Dyson V11 Torque Drive cordless stick vacuum cleaner review

TRIGGER | All six of these Dyson models use a trigger switch to run the vacuum; in other words, the vacuum only runs if you are holding down the trigger. This is great for battery conservation so you’re not wasting any precious battery power.

PARTS | All of these Dysons are also designed in a series of parts. Each vacuum consists of three main segments: the cleaning head, the extension wand, and the in-hand portion. In-hand, there is the dust bin, the cyclone system, the handle, and the trigger for powering the vacuum.

AIR FLOW | In the Dyson V6Dyson V7, and Dyson V8 the parts are oriented so that the dust bin is perpendicular to the extension wand. In the Dyson V10 and Dyson V11 there is an in-line configuration that improved airflow from the cleaning head all the way to the motor.

Dyson in-line configuration vacuum comparison

This redesign increases suction power by 21% in the V10 (vs. V8), 61% in the V11 (vs. v8), and 91% in the V11 Outsize (vs. V8), but it does make the V10 & V11 a little longer and more awkward to carry around as a handheld.

The V6, V7, and V8 have a center of gravity that is closer to the handle.

Motor Performance

Each motor spins well over 100K RPMs.

More RPM (revolutions per minute) equates to stronger suction, more power, and improved overall cleaning performance.

  • Dyson V6 motor: Spins at up to 110,000 rpm
  • Dyson V7 motor: Spins at up to 110,000 rpm
  • Dyson V8 motor: Spins at up to 110,000 rpm
  • Dyson V10 motor: Spins at up to 125,000 rpm
  • Dyson V11 motor: Spins at up to 125,000 rpm

How It Cleans

All six of these cordless stick Dyson vacuums have a similar approach to how they clean. They each use cyclone systems to fling debris into the dust bin, include a washable lifetime filter, and are powered by the same “Trigger” technology to turn the vacuum on and off.

Dyson V11 cordless vacuum - cleaning carpeted floors
Torque Drive cleaning head

CYCLONE TECHNOLOGY | The V6, V7, and V8 have a two-tier, 15-cyclone system that uses the power of cyclonic centrifuge to spin dirt, dust, and debris—collecting particles as small as 0.3 microns.

In comparison, the V10 and V11 models uses a two-tier, 14-cyclone system. The V11 Outsize steps up to 18 cycles.

The cyclones are also reoriented to be in-line with the dust bin, extension wand, and cleaning head, helping to produce better airflow and stronger suction.

The Dyson Motors

Dyson V6

Dyson V6 motor

Dyson V7

Dyson V7 motor

Dyson V8

Dyson V8 motor

Dyson V10

Dyson V10 motor

Dyson V11

Dyson V11 motor body

Dyson V11 Outsize

Dyson V11 Outsize motor

Size & Dimensions

Through the iterations and development of each model, the size has not drastically changed more than a couple inches and the weight, not more than about 2.75 pounds.

Dyson V6 vs V7 comparison review
Dyson V6 (left) vs V7 (right)

The smallest of the V stick family is the V6, weighing in at 5.1 pounds and maxing out at 47.5″ high.

Dyson V8 vs. V10 vacuum comparison review
Dyson V8 (left) vs. V10 (right)

By comparison, the largest Dyson V model is the V11, which weighs 6.68 pounds and is 50.6″ high.

Dyson V11 Outsize compared to the V11 Torque Drive
Dyson V11 Outsize (left) vs. V11 Torque Drive (right)

Naturally, the V7, V8, and V10 fall in between these two models.

Dyson V6

  • Length: 47.5″
  • Width: 9.8″
  • Depth: 8.2″
  • Weight: 5.1 lbs.

Dyson V7

  • Length : 49″
  • Width: 9.8″
  • Depth: 8.2″
  • Weight: 5.45 lbs.

Dyson V8

  • Length: 49″
  • Width: 9.8″
  • Depth: 8.8″
  • Weight: 5.75 lbs.

Dyson V10

  • Length: 49.2″
  • Width: 9.5″
  • Depth: 10.1″
  • Weight: 5.9 lbs.

Dyson V11

  • Length: 50.6″
  • Width: 9.8″
  • Depth: 10.3″
  • Weight: 6.68 lbs.

Dyson V11 Outsize

  • Length: 50.63″
  • Width: 12.5″
  • Depth: 11.7″
  • Weight: 7.85 lbs.

Accessories & Parts

Accessories is an area that Dyson sometimes uses as a springboard for new models.

For instance, in the case of the Dyson V10, there are three different models: the Dyson V10 AbsoluteDyson V10 Animal, and Dyson V10 Motorhead.

Dyson V11 cordless vacuum - accessories

The suction power, motor, and battery are all the same. Dustbin is the same on the Absolute and Animal model and slightly smaller (at 0.54 L) on the Motorhead version.

The only notable differences among each of these models are the cleaning heads and accessories included.

This is similar for the Dyson V6Dyson V7, Dyson V8, and Dyson V11 as well.

USABILITY | In the case of the six stick vacuum models, V6, V7, V8, V10, and V11 the accessories are similar. Most accessories can be used directly on the handheld unit for each in-hand cleaning or attached to the extension wand.

In-hand cleaning tools may include the soft dusting brush, upholstery tool, or mattress tool. Tools for extended-reach cleaning may be the crevice tool, the up-top adapter, or the multi-angle dusting brush for ceiling fans.

Dyson V6 handheld vacuum
Dyson V6 in handheld mode. Dyson V6, V7, V8, V10, and V11 can all be used in handheld mode.

QUICK RELEASE | The accessories with the V7, V8, V10, and V11 have quick release buttons on each accessory, allowing you to press the button and remove it quickly. On the V6 model, the release button is on the extension wand.

The table below breaks down exactly what is included with each model. Exact accessories may vary depending on retailer, so always double check what is included if you need a specific tool.

AccessoryV6V7V8V10V11
WandYesYesYesYesYes
Charger YesYesYesYesYes
Wall mountYesYesYesYesYes
Direct Drive brushrollYesYesYesMotorhead onlyNo
Fluffy brushrollSome modelsSome modelsSome modelsSome modelsSome models
Torque Drive brushrollNoNoNoAbsolute & Animal onlyNo
High Torque brushrollNoNoNoNoYes
High Torque XL brushrollNoNoNoNoOutsize & Outsize Origin only
Combination toolYesYesYesYesYes
Crevice toolYesYesYesYesYes
Dusting brushSome modelsSome modelsYesYesYes
Mini-motorized toolSome modelsSome modelsYesYesYes
Clickable BatteryNoNoNoNoOutsize only

Typically the accessories and floor cleaning heads included on each respective Dyson V6Dyson V7Dyson V8, Dyson V10, and Dyson V11 models are as follows:

  • Absolute – Includes multi-surface and soft roller cleaning heads and all cleaning accessories.
  • Animal – Includes multi-surface cleaning head and most cleaning accessories
  • Motorhead – The most barebones model, usually only includes multi-surface cleaning head and basic accessories.
  • HEPA – Another bare-bones model, usually only includes multi-surface cleaning head and basic accessories. Notably, includes a HEPA filter.
  • Fluffy – Includes the soft roller brush cleaning head (aka “Fluffy” cleaning head) and basic accessories.
  • Torque Drive – Includes the High Torque cleaning head and all cleaning accessories (only available on V11).
  • Outsize – Includes High Torque XL cleaning head and all cleaning accessories (only available on V11).
Dyson wand for stick vacuums

Wand – The wand is a rigid tube that is used to transport the debris from the cleaning head up into the dust bin canister. In many cases, Dyson varies the color of the wand to highlight the specific model.

Dyson charger for V-series vacuums

Charger – The charger does about what you’d imagine— it plugs into the vacuum and a standard wall outlet to recharge the battery before each cleaning cycle.

Dyson wall mount for V6, V7, V8, and V10

Wall mount – The wall mount installs into the wall and allows you to hang up the vacuum while it charges. This is especially handy since the Dyson V-series vacuums don’t stand up on their own particularly well (but you can lean them against a wall).

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

Direct Drive brushroll – This cleaning head is used on the V6, V7, V8, and V10 Motorhead models for cleaning carpeted floors or high traffic areas. It uses rotating bristles to agitate and suck up the dirt, dust, and debris. While it’s primarily for carpets, it is also safe for hardwood floors.

Dyson Torque Drive Cleaning Head for V10 vacuum

Torque Drive brushroll – This cleaning head is used on the Dyson V10 in place of the Direct Drive brushroll. It is also used for cleaning high or low pile carpet areas or other heavily used spaces. The V10 uses rotating bristles to agitate and suck up the dirt, dust, and debris. It is safe on hardwoods.

Dyson V11 Torque Drive cleaning head

High Torque brushroll – This cleaning head is used on the Dyson V11 Torque Drive and Animal. It is Dyson’s more advanced multi-surface brushroll.

V11 Outsize cleaning large debris from carpet

High Torque XL brushroll – This is Dyson’s largest and most advanced brushroll. It is used on the Dyson V11 Outsize, Outsize, & Outsize Absolute+. It’s the widest multi-surface brushroll, covering 12.5″.

Dyson Fluffy Soft Brush Cleaning head for V6, V7, V8, and V10 vacuums

‘Fluffy’ Soft Roller brushroll – This cleaning head is specifically designed for capturing large debris from hard surfaces like tile or hardwood floors. Instead of a rotating bristle, this brush uses two rotating foam brushrolls that spin in opposite directions.

Dyson combination cleaning tool

Combination tool – This tool serves as a short rigid hose attachment as well as a soft dusting brush. You can easily swap between these two tools by just sliding the brush forward or back.

Dyson crevice tool

Crevice tool – The crevice tool is a long narrow attachment that has an angled tip at the end. This design helps to reach narrow nooks and crannies or other hard-to-reach spaces.

Dyson dusting brush

Dusting brush – The exact design of the dusting brush varies by model, but the basic concept is the same. This brush uses soft bristles to help clean your furniture, accessories, appliances, or other items in your home that need a good dusting.

Dyson mini motorized brushroll

Motorized brush roll – This motorized brush roll uses two counter-rotating bristle brushes that spin like a turbine to collect dirt, dust, and debris from your surfaces. This tool is especially handy for cleaning pet hair from upholstered surfaces.

Country Specific Models

Not all Dyson models are available in all countries. For example, in the US the Dyson V11 is only available as Torque Drive, Animal, and Outsize. However, in Canada and the UK (and perhaps others) there is also an Absolute version of the V11.

In general, the accessory categories we included above are still accurate.

We base most of our data on models available in the US, but do our best to notate other country models. However, it’s still worth double checking the models in your country.

Optional Accessories

Some retailer and country specific models sometimes include additional accessories and tools. You can also purchase many of these as standalone accessories.

We’ve listed some of the common extras below:

  • Wand – Wands available in different colors, including: yellow, pink, red, titanium, blue / nickel, gold, purple, copper, black
  • Mattress tool – Used for cleaning the surface of a mattress
  • Up-top adapter – Acts as a joint between a cleaning head and the extension wand for hard-to-reach high spaces
  • Dyson tool bag – Stores all of the Dyson accessories in one spot with exterior pockets and an open top; handy to keep in the car
  • Multi-angle brush – Used to clean at a 90 degree angle from the extension wand; is useful for cleaning tops of furniture or ceiling fans
  • Dusting brush – Used for gentle dusting; the same brush as listed above.
  • Mini soft dusting brush – A smaller version of the traditional soft dusting brush with a long and narrow body.
  • Stiff bristle brush – Hard bristles are used to clean dried-in dirt or mud from surfaces

Cleaning Tests

These cleaning tests are designed to test a vacuum’s full range of cleaning performance, from large debris to small. We perform a total of 12 debris tests, using four different flooring types and four types of debris.

We test on engineered hardwoods, low pile carpet, and high pile carpet. The scores below indicate and average across all flooring types, by model.

Overall Cleaning Scores

Dyson V6

91%

Dyson V7

88%

Dyson V8

96%

Dyson V10

99%

Dyson V11

99%

On each of those floor types, we test rice, dry cereal, kitty litter, and sugar.

  • Rice – 3 ounces
  • Dry Cereal – 1 ounce
  • Kitty Litter – 3 ounces
  • Sugar – 3 ounces
Cleaning test debris types
Testing Debris – From left to right: Rice (3 oz.), Kitty Litter (3 oz), Cereal (1 oz), Sugar (3 oz)
TestV6V7V8V10V11
Hardwood87%77%89%100%99%
Low Pile Carpet94%99%99%99%100%
High Pile Carpet92%99%98%99%99%

Dyson V6 Cleaning Performance

The Dyson V6 had a solid cleaning performance of 91% across all floor types. It did an excellent job of cleaning rice, kitty litter, and sugar on all floor types.

It did struggle a bit with the cereal test, across the board, simply because the debris was too large to consistently fit through the Direct Drive cleaning head.

Dyson V6 stick vacuum hardwood cleaning test
Dyson V6 hardwood cleaning tests

For homes with small debris messes on either hardwood or carpeted floors, the V6 may be a good option, but if you have a lot of large debris, you might want to consider stepping up to the V7, V8, V10, V11, or buying a V6 model that includes a Fluffy cleaning head.

See our Dyson V6 review for our comprehensive cleaning test data, as well as before and after photographs.

It’s worth noting, we did not have a fluffy cleaning head for the V6 test.

Dyson V7 Cleaning Performance

On hardwoods, the Dyson V7 had a perfect score on small debris, like kitty litter and sugar, but struggled with the larger debris, even more than the V6 model did.

When collecting rice on hardwoods, it missed 44% of the debris and for the cereal test, the V7 collected 0%, leaving 100% of the cereal on the floor.

Dyson V7 stick vacuum hardwood cleaning performance test
Dyson V7 hardwood cleaning tests

That being said, the cleaning performance of all debris types on low and high pile carpet was nearly flawless. For carpeted spaces, the V7 may be a great option, but its performance on hardwoods left a little something to be desired.

As with the V6, if you do opt for the V7 and have many hard surfaces in your home, you’ll want to get the Fluffy cleaning head extra.

See our Dyson V7 review for our comprehensive cleaning test data, as well as before and after photographs.

Dyson V8 Cleaning Performance

The Dyson V8 performed like a champ on low or high pile carpet, against all four of the debris types we tested.

On hardwood, scores were equally as impressive for rice, kitty litter, and sugar. The one pitfall for the V8 was its performance against cereal on hardwood, where it only collected 58% of the debris dropped.

Dyson V8 hardwood cleaning performance test
Dyson V8 hardwood cleaning tests

For homes that are mostly carpet, or homes that rarely have large debris spills, the V8 could be an excellent option to consider.

Just like on the V6 and V8, if you have hardwood floors or tile, make sure you get the V8 Absolute so you can use the Fluffy cleaning head.

See our Dyson V8 review for our comprehensive cleaning test data, as well as before and after photographs.

Dyson V10 Cleaning Performance

The cleaning performance on the Dyson V10 was, in a word, perfect.

Dyson V10 hardwood floor cleaning tests
Dyson V10 hardwood cleaning tests

Virtually all debris was removed on all floor types for all debris types. The Dyson did excellent on both carpets and hardwoods. We tested the Dyson V10 with both the Fluffy soft roller and Torque Drive cleaning heads on hardwoods and both performed great.

See our Dyson V10 review for our comprehensive cleaning test data, as well as before and after photographs.

Dyson V11 Cleaning Performance

The Dyson V11 offered similar performance to the V10.

It dominated our carpet cleaning tests with the Torque Drive cleaning head, removing 100% of debris on low carpet and 99% of debris on high carpet.

Dyson V11 hardwood cleaning results
Dyson V11 hardwood floor cleaning tests

Perhaps the biggest issue with the V11 is it does not include the soft roller cleaning head (at least in most countries). While it did not suffer as much as the V6, V7, and V8 did, its performance still wasn’t as good as the V10 on hardwoods.

The V11 Torque Drive had a tendency to fling smaller debris around on hardwoods (most notably rice).

See our Dyson V11 review for our comprehensive cleaning test data, as well as before and after photos. Also, see our Dyson V11 Outsize review for detailed testing data.

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.

Usability

In terms of usability, there are some big differences between these six models.

Basic usability can be broken down into a few main parts:

  • Unboxing
  • Daily use
  • Swapping accessories
  • Emptying the dust bin

Unboxing

For the unboxing, the process is basically the same for the V6, V7, V8, V10, and V11 models. Each of these vacuums come with the parts individually wrapped in the box.

It takes some time to get all of the parts initially unboxed and ready to go. But that being said, you only have to do this step once—so in the big scheme of things, it’s not a huge hassle.

RELATED – Who is the best of the best? Find out in our best vacuum cleaners guide or see a full list of all our vacuum reviews.

Daily Use

Before beginning a cleaning cycle, be sure to charge up the vacuum using the provided charger.

The wall mount is optional, but it can make charging and storing your vacuum easier (since none of these Dyson models are able to easily stand on their own, though you can lean them against the wall).

One other note: the Dyson V6, V7, and V8 all include a lifetime washable filter that is easy to clean and keeps daily filter maintenance at bay. The V10 and V11 were designed to not need the washable central filter and only have a washable HEPA filter.

The filter on the V7 is located on the top of the radial cyclones
The filter on the V7 is located on the top of the radial cyclones

When you’re ready to clean, it’s time to find the trigger.

Each of these vacuums uses a trigger switch to turn the vacuum on and off. If your finger isn’t on the switch, the Dyson will not run.

While some users find this feature to be a tad bit annoying, it does help to conserve battery life, which is critical for a cordless stick vacuum.

Also, I think it’s worth noting that the position of the trigger is where your “trigger finger” would naturally fall anyway so you’re not stretching out of your way to press the button as you clean.

Swapping Accessories

Changing accessories with any of these models is fairly easy. The V6 has a button on the wand or the handheld canister that releases attached accessories.

The Dyson V10 can be used as a handheld vacuum
The Dyson V10 can be used as a handheld vacuum

Newer models, like the V7, V8, V10, and V11 have “quick release” attachments with a release button on the attachment itself.

Emptying the Dust Bin

Emptying the dust bin is another usability feature that went through an evolution for each model reviewed here. You can see the six different processes in the photos below.

Dyson V6

Dyson V6 dust bin

Dyson V7

Emptying the dust bin on the V7 is completed by pulling the tab on top of the canister

Dyson V8

Dyson V8 dust bin

Dyson V10

Dyson V10 dust bin

Dyson V11

Emptying Dyson V11 dust bin

Dyson V11 Outsize

Emptying Dyson V11 dust bin

As you can see, the oldest model here, the Dyson V6, has a release latch that is in front of the trigger. You slide it down and the latch opens up.

Some users find this position to be a little awkward and sometimes ends up getting a little messy. In addition, sometimes pet hair can get trapped in the bin, up by the filter.

Both the Dyson V7 and the Dyson V8 use a redesigned system that latches at the top of the canister, by the cyclones. When you pull the latch, the whole top of the canister lifts up forcing the contents of the dust bin to empty out.

While the position of this button is more accessible, it does take quite a bit more force to release the latch.

The Dyson V10 and Dyson V11 have the newest design strategy that rotates the dust bin completely for a “point and shoot” approach. In this design, the latch is on the side of the canister and simply slides down.

As it slides it unlocked the dust bin canister latch and the lid allows debris to fall out into the trash can below.

On-Vacuum Display

One feature that the Dyson V11 adds that none of the others have is an LCD on-vacuum display.

Dyson V11 on vacuum display
Dyson V11 on vacuum display

This display indicates the current mode, while also allowing you to monitor remaining cleaning time. It’s a feature we have not see anywhere else.

Notably, the Dyson V11 Animal does NOT include the LCD screen. Instead, it includes a more simple LED light indicators.

Maneuverability

I would say that the maneuverability between the V6, V7, V8, V10, and V11 is highly comparable.

Despite minute differences in size and weight, these are all basically the same size.

Dyson stick vacuum comparison maneuverability

They can lean all the way back to the floor without the cleaning head lifting up off the ground and have a slew of included accessories to make it easier to access hard-to-reach areas of your home.

Maintenance

Annual maintenance costs can make or break a good vacuum. In the case of Dyson, there are not many parts to maintain with any of these models, but proper maintenance is still a vital part of the process.

Dyson V6, V7, and V8 all have a central washable filter.
Dyson V6, V7, and V8 all have a central washable filter.

Maintenance is fairly straightforward.

The Dyson V6, V7, V8, V10, and V11 all have washable filters (a central filter or HEPA filter, or sometimes both). In the case of both filter types, you’ll want to wash them once a month in cold water and allow to air dry for 24 hours.

As long as it’s not damaged the filter is good for the life of the vacuum.

The only other maintenance you need to do is emptying the dustbin periodically and replacing the battery as needed.

  • Dyson V6: ~$18 / year
  • Dyson V7: ~$17 / year
  • Dyson V8: ~$32 / year
  • Dyson V10: ~$0 / year
  • Dyson V11: ~$0 / year

You might expect there to be a direct correlation between vacuum cost and annual maintenance costs. As it turns out, this was actually not the case. The maintenance costs of the V10 and V11 are considerably less than that of the V6, V7, and V8.

This is primarily due to the fact the Dyson V10’s battery will last 15 years (according to Dyson founder, James Dyson). Dyson has not given an estimated life for the V11, but I think it’s fair to assume it’s the same as the V10.

This compared to the V6, V7, and V8, which will probably need a replacement battery every 3-5 years, depending on use.

RELATED – Like the sound of a stick vacuum, but want something a little less expensive? Check out our review of the Shark IONFlex.

Because the Dyson V10 and V11’s battery lasts so long and it uses washable filters, its annual maintenance costs are effectively $0.

Battery

The battery is another pretty big difference between these six models.

Each model uses a progressively stronger motor and with that comes a stronger battery. Run time increases from 20 minutes on the V6, all the way up to 60 minutes on the Dyson V10 and V11.

Keep in mind, though, that if you’re using motorized tools or running in “Max mode,” the run time may be less.

BatteryDyson V6Dyson V7Dyson V8Dyson V10Dyson V11Dyson V11 Outsize
Capacity2,200 mAh2,100 mAh2,800 mAh2,600 mAh3,600 mAh3,600 mAh
Charging Time3.5 hours3.5 hours5 hours3.5 hours4.5 hours4.5 hours
Run Time20 minutes30 minutes40 minutes60 minutes60 minutes120 minutes
Click In BatteryNoNoNoNoYes; 1 includedYes; 2 included
Replacement CostCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck Price

One last notable difference between these models is the V11 models all include a click-in battery system. This makes replacement down the road easier (if required) and also allows you to keep multiple batteries for extra long run times.

Noise

We tested how loud each of these vacuums was using a decibel reader at 3′ away, while running the vacuums at the lowest power mode.

As you can see from the data below, the V11 & V7 were the quietest and the V6 was the loudest, with the V8 and V10 falling in between.

Dyson V6 vs. V7 vs. V8 vs. V10 vs. V11 noise comparison chart

QUIET – If you need a vacuum that prioritizes quiet, without sacrificing performance, check out our robot vacuum reviews. Most robots are considerably quieter than traditional upright or stick vacuums.

What’s the Best Bang for the Buck?

What determines a vacuum’s value?

While the exact value per person may vary, it is basically everything that the vacuum offers (features, design, run time, accessories, maintenance, usability, etc.) versus overall cost.

Depending on what exactly you’re looking for, we’ve highlighted some of these Dyson models under difference categories. And the award goes to…

  • BEST BUDGET | Dyson V7 Motorhead is the winner here for sheer budget reasons. The V7 performed great in most of our tests, really only struggling with sugar. Given the current price point it’s an obvious budget pick.
  • BEST VALUE BY PERFORMANCE | If we look at cleaning performance and suction vs. price there really is no beating the Dyson V10 as far as value. While you can find a variety of different accessories or small differences depending on the series and model you go with, you cannot deny the sheer suction power and cleaning efficiency of the Dyson V10. The V10 Motorhead model in particular strikes a compelling argument for price vs. performance.
  • BEST VALUE FOR PET OWNERS | The Dyson V11 Animal and V10 Animal are the best models for pet owners. These vacuums both have two filtration systems and a dust bin design that means less mess for you when it’s time to clean out the pet hair. You don’t get all the bells and whistles from the ultra-high end models, but you save money.
  • BEST SMART FEATURES | The Dyson V11 Torque Drive is easily the smartest of the V-series vacuums. With an LCD display featuring run time, maintenance videos, and mode switching, in addition to intelligent suction, the V11 packs a lot in.
  • BEST VALUE FOR ON THE GO | The Dyson V7 or Dyson V10 would be my top pics for the best models for “on the go”. The V7 is lighter than the V10, but the V10 has the longer battery. So there are pros and cons. The V8 could also be a good pick, provided it’s listed around the same price as the V7. If not, it’s better to just get the V10.

The V10 performance is similar, includes the fluffy cleaning head, and is less expensive. The V11 would be better in cases where you require more suction and/or you really want the smart features.

Specifications

SpecsDyson V6Dyson V7Dyson V8Dyson V10Dyson V11Dyson V11 Outsize
TypeStickStickStickStickStickStick
ManufacturerDysonDysonDysonDysonDysonDyson
ModelV6V7V8V10V11V11 Outsize
Length47.5"49"49"49.2"50.6"50.63"
Width9.8"9.8"9.8"9.8"9.8"12.5"
Depth8.2"8.2"8.8"10.1"10.3"11.7"
Weight4.5 lbs.5.45 lbs.5.75 lbs.5.8 lbs.6.68 lbs.7.85 lbs.
Floor TypeAll (indoor)All (indoor)All (indoor)All (indoor)All (indoor)All (indoor)
Dustbin Capacity0.4 L0.4 L0.54 L0.77 L0.77 L1.89 L
Click In BatteryNoNoNoNoYes; 1 includedYes; 2 included
CordlessYesYesYesYesYesYes
BaglessYesYesYesYesYesYes
ReturnsVaries by retailerVaries by retailerVaries by retailerVaries by retailerVaries by retailerVaries by retailer
Warranty2 Year limited2 Year limited2 Year limited2 Year limited2 Year limited2 Year limited
PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck Price
ReviewRead ReviewRead ReviewRead ReviewRead ReviewRead ReviewRead Review

Should You Buy the Dyson V6 or V7 or V8 or V10 or V11?

So you’ve made it this far— still not sure which model is right for you? See quick summaries below to help make your decision easier and get to cleaning.

I would recommend the Dyson V10 to people who: 

  • Want the best value vs. performance – The Dyson V10 brings top-of-the-line cleaning performance, a slew of accessories, and an extended run time. With a 60-minute run time and the best cleaning performance of any Dyson stick vacuum we’ve tested to date, the V10 is an excellent option for the consumer who wants it all.

Click here to check the Dyson V10 price.

I would recommend the Dyson V11 to people who:

  • Want bleeding edge tech features – The Dyson V11 does everything the V10 does, but more. It couples excellent performance with increased suction (up to 185 AW), intelligent suction adjustments, click-in battery, and real time cleaning time tracking. The V11’s advanced on-vacuum display screen is a feature we’ve only seen in one other cordless vacuum.

Click here to check out the Dyson V11 price.

I would recommend the Dyson V11 Outsize to people who:

  • Want the most powerful cordless vacuum on the market – the V11 Outsize is objectively the most popular cordless vac currently available anywhere. It has 220 air watts of suction and a 1.89 L dust bin. Those specs would be impressive on an upright, let alone a cordless vacuum. Couple that with a 2 hour run time the V11 Outsize is great for big homes that have lots to clean and need the best suction money can buy in a cordless form factor.

Click here to check out the Dyson V11 Outsize price.

I would recommend the Dyson V7 to people who: 

  • Want a good budget pick – Given the current price point, the Dyson V7 is the clear best budget pick. It performed well in our tests and has a good enough 30 minute run time. The Motorhead model in particular strikes a solid value.

Click here to check the Dyson V7 price.

What about the Dyson V6?

  • Not Worth It – The Dyson V6 is the oldest V-series vacuum. While you can still purchase it, typically it’s not as widely available and it’s also generally more expensive than the Dyson V7. It just makes more sense to get the V7 or another model.

What about the Dyson V8?

  • Weirdly Priced – Over the last many months the Dyson V8 has been strangly priced at a number of retailers. It’s notably more expensive compared to the V7, while not being much less than the V10. In our tests, the V8’s performance wasn’t that much better than the V7. So if you want to save money you’re better off going with V7, though for most consumers I think it’s worth upgrading to the V10 (even if it’s only the V10 Motorhead).

The Last Word

That’s it!

Got a question, comment, or need help deciding which model is best for you? Please drop us a comment down below.

We’re always happy to help.

Updates

  • April 6, 2020 – Added Dyson V11 Outsize to our recommendations and comparisons. Overhauled all of our recommendations based on current prices, available, relative performance, and our ever increasing experience with these vacuums. Fixed a number of other small errors and made formatting improvements.
  • April 16, 2019 – Added Dyson V11 to the mix of recommendations and comparisons.
  • March 31, 2019 – Updated layout and design templates.

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.