Dyson has been on the cutting edge of cordless vacuum technology for the past several years. Their V series has set the bar higher than ever before, resulting in many other popular brands to develop similar technology in their cord-free vacuums. When they introduced their V10 it was revolutionary in terms of suction power and ability to deep clean carpets like a full sized upright could. While this new model was a game changer, could they actually raise the bar even more? With the introduction of the V11, the answer is a definitive yes!
Before diving into the main differences between the V10 and V11 it’s important to mention how much Dyson has committed to cordless technology. James Dyson announced at their annual new product press conference that they will no longer develop new corded vacuum cleaners but will instead focus their efforts on those with no electric cords. This is a big shift but really shows how serious they are about this technology. It also demonstrates their commitment to building cordless vacuums that can clean your entire home (including carpets). Keep this in mind when comparing Dyson to other popular brands.
LCD Battery Meter
One big knock against the Dyson V10 was that it does not come with removable lithium ion batteries. While the V11 still doesn’t have this feature, it does have something that is really cool and a welcome addition to the list of improvements. The V11 comes with an all new LCD display and countdown clock for the battery (not available on the Animal). This tells you exactly how much life is left in the battery so you can judge how many more rooms you can clean. The V10 had 3 LED lights that would turn off one at a time as the battery became drained but this was not very exact to say the least. You would be guessing more often than not as to how much longer you could continue vacuuming.
The improved lithium ion battery can last as long as 60 minutes in Eco mode which should give you about 45 minutes in their Auto mode, or the mode you will be using most of the time. While it would be nice to have removable batteries so you could have a second to charge while using the first, the fact that the battery lasts as long as it does means you would never really need it. Just keep the V11 charged while not in use and you will have ample power for cleaning all floors in your home. And now the LCD display will tell you EXACTLY how long you have.
Suction Power
There are a couple of reasons why the V11 has about 20% more suction power than the V10. First, while the electric digital motor spins at about the same RPMs (125,000) it has improved airflow and redesigned blades to really help with efficiency. This means the motor doesn’t work as hard to generate power so it is actually able to do more. Also, as compared to the V10 the battery on the V11 has slightly larger and higher capacity nickel aluminum cathodes. The battery is about the same size and weight but internally can produce more energy than the prior generation. The internal monitoring system that Dyson uses actually measures the capacity about 4 times per second. The technology on these batteries is simply amazing.
There is one more thing to mention in regards to suction power. The V11 comes with 3 different cleaning modes: Auto, Boost, and Eco. Eco is recommended for longer lasting battery use and is perfect for smooth floors or area rugs. Boost is pretty much self explanatory as you can use it when you need to deep clean a smaller carpeted area. But the Auto mode is where we see the biggest improvement vs the V10. When you use the V11 in Auto mode it will automatically sense what type of floor you are cleaning and adjust the suction to the cleaning head accordingly. When you are vacuuming carpets it will increase power so you can pull embedded allergens up from the fibers, and when you transition to smooth floors like wood or tile it will pull the power back down. They call this their Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) and it detects resistance at the brush bar up to 360 times per second. This saves the battery and really helps you keep the machine in the perfect power setting. Most of the time this mode will be all you need for your home.
High Torque Cleaner Head
The newly designed High Torque cleaner head is their most powerful floor attachment to date. It comes with stiffer nylon bristles that can really dig down into the fibers of your carpets to agitate anything hiding there. This lets the powerful suction pull everything up so your floors are left much cleaner than before. You also get their soft anti-static carbon filaments which will attract fine dust particles on hard floors like laminate, linoleum, and hardwood. The combination of these features and the adjusting suction power in Auto mode that was mentioned above mean you can transition from carpet to smooth surfaces and back again. The V11 will adjust itself with no input from you so you can just point and go. Very innovative and a huge time saver while cleaning large, diverse homes.
Filtration – Fully Sealed And Highly Rated
Just like the filtration system found on the V10, the V11 comes with fully sealed HEPA that is rated to remove 99.97% of the smallest of allergens as the air passes through. These allergens include dust mites, pet dander, and pollen particles which can have an adverse effect on anyone who breathes them in. This is especially true of those with asthma or allergies which makes it very important to have a vacuum with a high quality filter. Dyson has always been known for power and filtration, and these traits have certainly carried forward into their cordless vacuums like the V11. It’s a common theme when you look at their entire lineup for sure.
Dirt Collection Bin
Even though the collection chamber found on the V10 was the largest of any found in their cordless lineup, the one offered on the V11 holds 40% more debris than that (depending on the model). This gives you longer time between trips to the garbage bin which will save you time and effort. Emptying is simple as you just point it over the garbage and push the release button. This is much more hygienic as none of the dirt particles will make contact with your skin, unlike some of the cheaper brands. It may seem like a small improvement but it is one you will definitely notice over time.
V11 Or V10? The Verdict
While the Dyson V10 is a great cordless vacuum and clearly one of the best options when it was introduced, the V11 is a step above in multiple ways. We have listed some of the distinct improvements that their engineers made to it, and really why it is worth the slight increase in purchase price. The V11 looks very similar to its’ predecessor but looks can certainly be deceiving. The improved battery, display, power, and cleaning head alone make it a much more effective vacuum for cleaning your entire home. You will hardly remember that it is indeed cordless and not corded like you are used to.
It isn’t as light as other cordless brands but it isn’t overly heavy either. Like the V10 you can use it in handheld mode with a variety of attachments, so you can get everything from floor to ceiling clean. You will also notice how beefy and solid the V11 is, especially as you traverse in the upright configuration over carpets. Overall it is a definite upgrade and one of the best options for medium to large homes. Online consumer reviews have been mainly positive as well. For current pricing and more information, click here to visit our recommended online supplier.