Dyson V7 vs. V11

The Dyson V11 is the newest model on the block, but are you curious with how it compares to older models in the Dyson V Series?

This guide is going to highlight the Dyson V7 vs. V11. Which one is right for you? Find out today as we dive head first into this cordless comparison.

Can’t bear the suspense? Click here to jump right to the key differences and summaries!

Prefer to watch rather than read? We’ve got our Dyson V7 vs. V11 video review below:

What is the Dyson V7 & V11?

The Dyson V7 and Dyson V11 are cordless stick vacuums in the Dyson V-Series lineup. The V11 is the newest model (and most expensive), while the V7 has some similar features at a lower price point and arguably a better overall value.

Both vacuums use a multi-surface brushroll powered by a small digital motor, one of the signature features of a Dyson.

The Dyson V7 released in 2017 and the Dyson V11 launched in March, 2019.

The Dyson V7 is available in Absolute, Animal, Motorhead & HEPA versions. For comparison, the Dyson V11 is available in Torque Drive and Animal versions.

In late 2020, Dyson updated the design of the V11 so that all model variants now include a click-in battery system. The V7 does not use a click-in battery.

Dyson V7 vs. V11 Design Differences

Let’s hit the basics first and talk major design differences. These vacuums look pretty similar from afar, but there are some pretty significant differences.

The biggest design differences between the Dyson V7 vs. V11 includes:

• Configuration
• Dust Bin Capacity
• Digital Motor
• Run Time
• Cleaning Modes
• Cleaning Heads
• Click-in Battery
• Digital Screen (available on V11 Torque Drive only)
• Intelligent Suction (available on V11 only)

Configuration

When you first pick up both of these vacuums, you’ll likely notice an immediate difference between how it feels in-hand.

This is due mainly to the difference in the overall configuration. The V7 has a dust bin that intersects with the extension wand in a “T” shape, while the V11 uses more of an in-line configuration.

This change in configuration happened with the release of the Dyson V10, when Dyson stated that the new configuration resulted in increased suction power and air flow.

Dust Bin Capacity

The dust bin capacity is another difference. As you can see in the diagram above, the redesigned configurations also allows for a larger dist bin capacity on the V11.

The max capacity of the V7 is around 0.4 liters (a little over 1.5 cups) while the V11 can hold up to 0.76 liters (about 3 cups). Especially for cleaning higher traffic or larger areas, the extra space in the dustbin of the V11 may be a nice upgrade.

RELATED: See our full list of Dyson vacuum reviews.

Digital Motor

The V7 model uses the Dyson V7 digital motor which has a max spin speed of up to 107,000 rpm.

By comparison, the V11 model uses the Dyson V11 digital motor which has a max spin speed of 125,000 rpm.

This faster spin speeds results in a more powerful motor with improved suction.

Run Time

The V7 can run for up to 30 minutes before needing to charge up, while the V11 can run for twice that time, up to 60 minutes.

The V11 has a couple other upgrades that help to increase the run time, like intelligent suction and the run time countdown (mentioned below.)

In addition, the V11 includes a click-in battery. This allows you to swap in fully charged batteries to further extend run time.

Cleaning Modes

The Dyson V7 has two cleaning modes, Auto and Max. Max mode is an optional
suction increase that you can use when deep cleaning difficult areas. To run in Max mode continuously would drastically limit the run time of the V7.

The Dyson V11 has three cleaning modes, Eco, Auto, and Max. You can easily switch back and forth between modes using the digital screen on the back of the vacuum or you can let Dyson do the thinking for you.

With the V11’s new intelligent suction, the V11 can automatically decide which cleaning mode is necessary for each floor type and adjust as needed. This helps to promote a longer run time and save battery life.

Cleaning Heads

The Dyson V7 comes with the Direct Drive cleaning head, as well as on the Fluffy soft roller head on some models.

By comparison, the Dyson V11 comes with the Torque Drive cleaning head, an upgraded version of the Direct Drive cleaning head.

None of the V11 versions come with the Fluffy cleaning head. If this cleaning head is important to you, this could be a disadvantage of the Dyson V11.

RELATED: For an upgraded Dyson beyond the V7 that also comes with the Fluffy cleaning head, check out the Dyson V10 Absolute.

V7 vs. V11 Cleaning Heads

• Direct Drive: The Direct Drive cleaning head is designed primarily for carpeted floors and uses a soft bristle-style brushroll to agitate and capture debris. This cleaning head can also be used on hardwood floors, as needed.

The following models come with the Direct Drive cleaning head: Dyson V7 Absolute, V7 Animal, V7 Motorhead, V7 HEPA

• Fluffy: The Fluffy cleaning head is a soft roller style cleaning head that is designed for cleaning hard surface flooring like hardwoods, tile, laminate, or vinyl. It is also designed for capturing large debris on these floors.

The following models come with the Fluffy cleaning head: Dyson V7 Absolute and V7 Fluffy.

• Torque Drive: The Torque Drive cleaning head is most similar to the Direct Drive cleaning head. However, it cleans 25% more debris than the Direct Drive cleaning head, according to Dyson.

The following models come with the Torque Drive cleaning head: Dyson V11 Torque Drive and V11 Animal

Digital Screen

One of the biggest upgrades to the Dyson V11 is the digital screen that allows you a variety of performance and usability features. The exact features of each screen on the V11 slightly differs by version. Here are the details below:

• Dyson V11 Torque Drive Screen: The digital screen on the V11 Torque Drive is an LCD screen that allows you to change cleaning mode, see an estimated countdown of remaining battery life (based on current cleaning mode). You can also view performance and maintenance videos.
• Dyson V11 Animal: The digital screen on the V11 Animal is an LED screen that allows you to change cleaning mode and see an estimate of remaining battery life. Instead of showing a numerical countdown, the V11 Animal screen shows battery power icons to communicate a similar message.

While both digital screens are similar in design and intuitive, they do have a few differences. But either way, both add a significant value and boost to the overall usability of the Dyson V11 cordless vacuum.

Intelligent Suction

Another upgrade that the V11 has over the V7 model is intelligent suction.

This feature allows the V11 to automatically change suction power as necessary by flooring type. This helps to save battery life, but provide a powerful clean when needed.

Dyson V7 vs. V11 Design Similarities

So is anything the same between the design of these two models?

Some of the design elements that are the same between the two models includes:

• Trigger Control
• Quick Release 2-in-1

Trigger Switch

Both the V7 and the V11 are controlled by a red trigger switch. When you hold down the button, the vacuum runs, but when you let it go, the vacuum stops. This helps to prevent unnecessary battery usage and promotes a longer run time.

2-in-1 Quick Release

Both models are also powerful 2-in-1 vacuums, allowing them to run as cordless stick vacuums or as portable handhelds.

To attach or detach different parts, there is a simple Quick Release button that makes it easy to snap parts in or out. This button is the same for attaching and detaching cleaning heads, wands, or cleaning attachments.

HISTORY: Since the launch of the Dyson V7, Dyson has used a quick release system for all of their V-series tools and attachments. The Dyson V6 is currently the only model in the V-Series collection that doesn’t use this technology for all connections.

How Does the V7 & V11 Clean?

Both the V7 and the V11 Dyson cordless vacuums clean using the power of cyclonic suction. The Dyson cyclones are a staple of all Dyson cordless vacuums and are an integral part of the overall design, in terms of aesthetics as well as function.

How big is the V7 and V11?

The difference in size between the Dyson V7 and V11 is pretty minimal.

The V7 a little smaller all the way around and a little over a pound lighter. If you’re ultra-concerned with vacuum weight, this difference could make you lean towards the V7, but I wouldn’t call it a game changer.

What accessories come with the V7 & V11?

The accessories included with the Dyson V7 and V11 is similar. Besides the differences in cleaning heads, both models come with:

• Extension wand
• Combination tool
• Crevice tool
• Docking station
• Wall charger

Dyson V7 Accessories

In addition to the list above, the following accessories are included with the Dyson V7 only:

• Direct Drive cleaning head

Dyson V11 Accessories

In addition to the list above, the following accessories are only included with the Dyson V11 only:

• Torque Drive cleaning head
• Stubborn dirt brush

Wondering what each accessory does? The guide below lists out each part and the function it serves.

• Extension wand: The extension wand is basically identical with both models and acts as the extending piece between the cleaning head and the handheld portion.
• Combination tool: This attachment is for the Dyson in handheld mode. It has a small dusting brush as well as a small crevice tool, with a simple design that lets you easily switch back and forth between the two uses.
• Crevice tool: The crevice tool is longer than the crevice function of the combination tool. It’s long, narrow mouth allows you to reach narrow or hard-to-reach areas.
• Docking station: Both the V7 and the V11 come with a wall-mounted docking station, that allows you to charge and store your Dyson when not in use.
• Wall charger: The wall charger plugs into the back of both Dyson models and charges the vacuum between cleaning cycles.
• Mini motorized tool: This tool is a mini motorized brushroll for handheld use. It works great for cleaning upholstery or pet hair.
• Mini soft dusting brush: This attachment has soft bristles that are close together and provides a nice dusting tool that doesn’t damage furniture or sensitive surfaces like automobile interiors.
  
• Stubborn dirt brush: This brush has bristles that are slightly further apart than the bristles of the dusting brush and they are also much firmer. This is a handy tool for scrubbing dirt from hard surfaces like floor tile or heavy-duty abrasive textiles.

Dyson V7 & V11 Cleaning Heads

Remember too, there are differences in the cleaning head based on which model you select. Between the V7 and the V11, there are three different cleaning heads:

• Direct Drive: offers 25% less suction than the Torque Drive; available on V7 models only (Absolute, Animal, Motorhead, and HEPA)
• Torque Drive: spiral brushroll, great for cleaning deep carpets, but still gentle enough for hardwood floors; available on V11 Torque Drive and V11 Animal only
• Fluffy: uses a soft roller for gently cleaning hardwoods and capturing large debris; available on the V7 Absolute only

Cleaning Tests

At Modern Castle, we put all of the vacuums through our standard vacuum 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 3 different flooring types and 4 types of debris. We test on engineered hardwoods, low pile carpet, and high pile carpet.

Dyson Cleaning Test Performance

For more detailed cleaning testing data please see our full review of the Dyson V7 here and the Dyson V11 here.

Hardwood Floor Cleaning

Between the Dyson V7 and V11 models, we see the most differences in hardwood cleaning performance. On hardwoods, the V7 really struggled with cereal and rice, capturing 0% of cereal and only 66% of rice, while the V11 easily cleaned all debris types nearly flawlessly.

It should be noted that we used a Dyson Motorhead V7 for these tests. It will undoubtedly perform better with the soft roller head via the V7 Absolute.

Dyson V7 Results

Dyson V11 Results

Low Pile Carpet Cleaning

On low carpet, we saw more comparable results between the V7 and V11 models. Both captured nearly 100% of all debris types, making either of these vacuums a solid choice for cleaning low carpet floors.

Dyson V7 Results

Dyson V11 Results

High Pile Carpet Cleaning

Similarly to the low pile carpet tests, the high pile carpet results were also nearly flawless, with both models capturing over 99% of debris.

Dyson V7 Results

Dyson V11 Results

How easy is it to use the Dyson V7 & V11?

Regarding usability, there are some bigger differences between the V7 and V11 models. We’ll go over each aspect of the overall usability below.

Unboxing

Out of the box, both of these models are similar. They come mostly assembled with simple parts just needing to quick connect together. You can assemble it as a stick vacuum or a handheld vacuum right out of the box, depending on how you plan on using it.

RELATED: Shark vs. Dyson, the ultimate comparison

Setup

Setting up the V7 and the V11 is also easy. These models generally come with some battery power right out of the box, but for a heavy cleaning, you may way to go ahead and charge it up for a few hours to get the full experience.

You can just use the wall charger or go through the steps of fully installing the docking station, although the dock is not required for general use.

Daily Use

Regarding daily use, both the V7 and V11 have a few differences. Both are cordless models, but the V11 has a considerably longer run time, which could make it easier for larger cleaning jobs.

The V11 also has a digital screen which helps to easily monitor cleaning modes, remaining cleaning time and maintenance tasks.

Emptying the Dust Bin

Emptying the dust bin on the V7 is a different than the V11, but that’s not to say that either model is difficult.

With the Dyson V7, there is a simple latch on the top that you pull to release the dust bin lid and allow the debris to drop out.

With the V11, it’s more of a trigger approach, with the sliding latch on the side of the canister. Push the latch and the whole canister shoots forward, forcing the debris out.

Dyson V7 vs. V11 Maneuverability

The maneuverability of the Dyson V7 and V11 is more or less the same, despite their other functional differences between the two models. Both the V7 and the V11 can easily recline to an almost fully flat position, which makes it easy to squeeze under furniture or extend reach.

In addition to the impressive recline, both the V7 and the V11 also have the ability to make tight turns around furniture or other obstacles.

What are the Dyson V7 & V11 maintenance costs?

The maintenance costs for both the V7 and the V11 are notably different.

Even though both models use a lifetime washable filter, there are costs associated with replacing the battery, which is where the difference between the V7 and the V11 comes in.

The battery on the Dyson V7 lasts ~2-5 years and costs around $30 to replace. This makes the annual maintenance costs around $6-15 for annual maintenance costs on the V7.

The battery of the Dyson V11 is said to last up to 15 years, according to Dyson. This drastic increase in battery lifespan, which makes the annual maintenance cost of the V11 effectively $0 / year.

How long does the battery last?

The battery on the V11 has a run time of around 60 minutes, while the battery on the V7 only has a run time of around 30 minutes.

Depending what cleaning mode the vacuum is in, run time max be less than the max run time listed.

Aside from sheer running time, the V11 has a few other features that help to increase the run time. These smart features include:

• Intelligent suction control: The V11 has the ability to automatically adjust suction depending on the floor type that it is currently cleaning. This helps to preserve battery life for the area where it is really needed.
• Remaining battery display: The V11 also has the ability to estimate the remaining run time. On the V11 Torque Drive, this information is delivered through an LCD screen behind the motor that lists out estimated remaining run time in actual minutes. With the V11 Animal, the remaining run time is displayed as a decreasing battery icon on an LED screen behind the motor.

The last major difference is that the V11 includes a click-in battery system, while the V7 does not. The click-in batteries allow you to swap in new batteries on the fly so you can keep vacuuming.

Is the V7 or V11 quieter?

In terms of noise, the V7 and the V11 are basically the same.

You can see our exact results below.

To get these results on noise, we measured the noise output from 3′ away while each vacuum was running on the selected cleaning mode.

Dyson V7 Noise (by cleaning mode)

• Standard mode: 70 dB

Dyson V11 Noise (by cleaning mode)

• Eco mode: 70 dB
• Auto mode: 75 dB
• Boost mode: 78 dB

What’s the Best Bang for the Buck?

So we’ve made it through all the similarities and differences between these two models. All things considered, is one model a better value? Possibly, depending on what you’re looking for.

Dyson V7 Value

Strictly considering cost, the Dyson V7 is likely the better value. It has an almost equal cleaning performance to the V11 on carpeted floors and only really showed significant struggle with capturing large debris on hardwoods.

If you don’t often clean up these types of spills with a vacuum, then you likely wouldn’t be effected by this.

Dyson V11 Value

If you’re looking a more powerful vacuum that is closer to the cleaning performance of a full upright, the Dyson V11 would probably be worth the added cost and value. The V11 offers 3 tim

es the run time over the V7 and, has stronger suction, and the digital screen is a nice addition that adds some technology and adaptability to this machine.

Dyson V7 vs. V11 Specifications

Should You Buy the Dyson V7?

The Dyson V7 may be an older model, but if you’re looking for good cleaning performance with a lower price, and don’t mind the shorter run time and more basic features, the V7 is still a great vacuum.

You Should Buy the Dyson V7 If You…

1. Want a lower price – The price of the Dyson V7 is significantly less than the price of the Dyson V11. If you want solid cleaning performance and don’t need the added bells and whistles of the V11, then the V7 can be an excellent option for less.
2. Want the Fluffy cleaning head – If the Fluffy cleaning head is a critical feature, it may be important to know that the Dyson Absolute and Dyson Torque Drive are the only versions in the V7 or V11 collections that include this soft roller cleaning head.
3. Want a lighter vacuum – While it’s not a huge difference, the V7 is about a pound lighter than the upgraded Dyson V11.

For more information or to buy, check out the Dyson V7 here.

Should You Buy the Dyson V11?

The Dyson V11 is the newest model to be released by Dyson in the cordless stick vacuum V series. It has the longest run time, the strongest suction, and a digital screen that drastically increases the overall usability of this vacuum, in my opinion.

You Should Buy the Dyson V11 If You…

• Want a digital display screen: The digital screen, whether it be LCD with the V11 Torque Drive or LED with the V11 Animal, is a really nice addition to this already powerful vacuum. The estimated remaining run time makes it easier to quickly decide how much more time you have to clean important areas before it’s time to charge up.
• Want stronger suction: Compared to the V7, the V11 offers almost twice the suction power of the V7, maxing out at 185 AW, which can really enhance performance, especially for deep cleaning or accessing fine debris on high pile carpets.
• Want intelligent suction: The intelligent suction feature makes it easy for the V11 to adjust suction power based on floor type. Smarter suction saves battery life for when you really need it and allows you to save it on areas that are sufficient with a lighter clean.
• Want click in battery: The click-in battery is a nice extra. While the V11 only comes with one battery, you can add extras, enabling super extended run time.

For more information or to buy, check out the Dyson V11 here.

Updates

• December 1, 2020 – Dyson recently updated the design of the V11 to include a click-in battery. We have updated the page to reflect this change.
• April 17, 2019 – Initial version of the page was published.