Dyson V10 vs V11: Pros & Cons and Verdict

Vacuum cleaners are widely regarded as essential items for any modern home. Helping to clean up spills and messes, as well as maintain order and hygiene around the home, they’re highly useful devices, and there are countless models and makes to choose from.

Among the many vacuum cleaner brands, Dyson stands out as an industry leader. Setting the standards for suction power and cleaning performance, Dyson vacuums are often classed among the best in the business.

For many years now, this British brand has acted as a pioneer for vacuum technology, leading the way with its cyclonic advancements and hygienic features, helping to elevate the act of vacuuming and producing cleaners that get the job done more quickly and conveniently than ever before.

Dyson has released a lot of different vacuums, from the V6 series right up to the highly advanced V11 range. For this comparison, we’ll be looking at some of Dyson’s most powerful models: the Dyson V10 and Dyson V11.

Both of these cordless vacuums are highly powerful, with incredible rates of suction, strong batteries, big dust bins, and impressive cleaning performance. But they also have some key differences too.

We’ll identify the pros and cons of each model, helping you figure out which one to buy.

How We Started

Aiming to provide an in-depth side by side comparison of the Dyson V10 and Dyson V11 series of vacuum cleaners, we looked closely at these models, paying attention to a range of important factors that many shoppers consider when looking for a new vacuum.

We compared the V10 and V11 models in terms of suction power, run time, battery charging time, price, cleaning performance, noise level, and unique features, highlighting the key differences and seeing what went into the V11 to separate it from the previous generation of cleaners.

It’s important to note, while reading through this comparison, that real world results with vacuum cleaners can vary from one user to the next.

Someone living alone in a small apartment, without too much mess, may find that one model is perfectly sufficient for their needs. But the same model might not work quite as well in a larger home with pets, children, and different floor types.

This is why we are unable to offer definitive recommendations for every type of use, but we can provide general assessments regarding the overall quality and usefulness of each of these types of vacuums. Through this comparison, you’ll be able to see which model is best in a range of categories.

Similarities and Differences

The Dyson V10 series was launched in 2018 as an upgrade of the previous generation, the V8. It brought with it a higher-powered motor, bigger bin capacity, new ejection system, and a better battery.

In 2019, we saw the release of the V11 series, bringing with it some bold new features. The most prominent new feature is an LCD screen that offers information regarding run time, battery power, and cleaning mode.

Other new features that appeared on the V11 but weren’t around for the V10 include technology that allows the head to automatically adjust to suit different floor types and surfaces, as well as enhanced suction and slightly extended run time too.

In spite of these differences, the V10 and V11 series do have plenty of similarities. They both have similar shapes, sizes, and designs, and both of them have a lot of features in common too.

They both have HEPA filters, various models to choose from with different attachments, trigger switches, and handheld modes. The V10 and V11 each offer very high levels of cleaning performance and can adapt to rugs, carpets, and hardwood floors with ease.

Options

Whenever Dyson releases a new series of vacuum cleaners, buyers typically have a few different model options to choose from. It’s important to note that, for the most part, the different model options are basically the same device, but with different attachments to deal with different floor types and cleaning situations.

For the Dyson V10 series, you can choose between the V10 Animal and the V10 Absolute. The V10 Animal is the cheaper of the two varieties, coming with fewer accessories in the box, while the Absolute gives you all of the possible attachments and accessories you could ever need for a wide range of cleaning jobs.

When it comes to the Dyson V11, the two main options are the Animal and the Torque Drive.

Both of these models are almost identical in terms of tech. However, the screen on the Torque Drive is more advanced, with more detailed information on the remaining battery life, as well as access to short maintenance videos.

There is also a rare model of the V11, only available online, called the V11 Outsize. This vacuum is available at a much higher price than other models but comes with up to 120 minutes of run time due to its dual-battery system, along with an extra-large dust bin.

Suction Power

When it comes to gauging the overall quality of any vacuum cleaner, suction power is one of the most important factors to think about. This tells you how strong and powerful the vacuum’s motor really is in terms of being able to suck up dust, dirt, and debris from the ground.

A vacuum with a high suction power is technically able to suck up way more material on each pass than one with weak power levels. This can save you time and energy each time you clean, and weaker models can be quite frustrating to use.

However, it’s worth noting that suction power isn’t the only factor that counts when it comes to calculating how well a vacuum will clean. Its design and head attachments can influence performance too.

The Dyson V10 comes with three different power modes: Low, Medium, and Max. At the top levels, this vacuum can hit some impressive levels of suction power, generating 151 air watts of power in total, which is much higher than many other models produced by Dyson in the past.

The Dyson V11, meanwhile, despite featuring much of the same technology as the V10, is able to go even further. It also has three cleaning modes: Eco, Auto, and Boost, which basically translate to Low, Medium, and Max. On the Boost setting, it can reach a power level of 185 air watts.

Due to the fact that the V11 is able to offer more power than the V10, it gets the nod from us in this category. Still, the V10 is more than capable of cleaning the vast majority of messes and spillages from floors with ease, and the extra power afforded in the V11 may not be necessary in most cases.

Floor Performance

As stated earlier on, suction power is important, but you need a good design and solid technology elsewhere throughout a vacuum cleaner to ensure that it lives up to its potential in real world conditions. So how do the Dyson V10 and V11 models compare against one another when it comes to actual cleaning tests?

In short, they both perform pretty much flawlessly. In countless tests, the Dyson V10 has proven to offer near-perfect performance across every floor type.

Dyson’s industry-leading cyclonic technology generates immense suction, and the head of the V10 has been perfected to suck up almost 100% of messes and spills from hard floors, carpets, and rugs.

The Dyson V11, meanwhile, also lives up to the high standards set by Dyson in the past. It can suck up close to 100% of all messes on floors of all materials, and since it has even higher suction power than the V10, it can offer an even deeper clean.

You may not really notice much visible difference in your floors after using the V11 compared to the V10, but the added suction helps keep floors cleaner for longer.

To sum up, both the Dyson V10 and Dyson V11 perform almost perfectly across every floor type. There’s almost no noticeable difference between them when it comes to the naked eye, but if you were to look on a microscopic level, the V11 is able to offer even more thorough and deep cleans.

Unique Features

The Dyson V10 and Dyson V11 have a lot in common. They share similar shapes and designs, almost identical attachments, and exceptional levels of cleaning performance. Both can be used in handheld or standing mode, and both offer great maneuverability too.

They even have the exact same dust bin size, with a capacity of 0.77 liters, so what can really set them apart?

Well, as well as the fact that the V11 has additional suction power for deeper cleaning, the biggest unique feature it has over the Dyson V10 is its screen.

Whether you opt for the Animal model or the Torque Drive, you’ll be greeted with a modern screen on the top of the unit, letting you see a variety of information on the fly, while you use the vacuum.

This digital display provides users with information regarding how much run time they have left on the current charge, which cleaning mode they’re in, and even indicators regarding the cleanliness of the filters to make it easier to know when they need to be cleaned out. This feature is not available on the Dyson V10.

Dyson V10 users have to settle for some battery indicator lights on the side that will show you roughly how much run time you have left, as well as letting you know when the battery is fully charged. A simple switch lets you switch between power modes, and there’s no indicator light to speak of regarding the filter, so you’ll have to remember to clean it regularly yourself.

Thanks to the screen, the V11 has the edge when it comes to unique features. It’s a more modern and fully-featured device.

Battery Power and Run Time

Whenever you’re buying a cordless vacuum, it’s vital to take the battery power and run time into consideration.

Unlike traditional corded vacuums, these models have to be charged up in between uses and can’t just run constantly at high power levels without any interruptions. This is another aspect in which the V10 and V11 series show some differences, but not on paper.

The Dyson V10 comes with a 6-cell battery with 2,600 mAh of power. In action, this battery can hit some impressive maximum run times of around 60 minutes on its lowest power setting.

It can last for around 45 minutes with the motorized brush roll attachment on low power, half an hour on medium power, and under 10 minutes on the maximum power setting.

The Dyson V11, meanwhile, comes with a 3600 mAh battery. Dyson actually states that this model can only hit top run times of about 60 minutes, just like the V10, but in actuality, many tests and user reports show that the V11 can go even longer.

On its Eco mode, the V11 can go for around 75 minutes, and the run times gradually decrease as the power levels increase.

Both of these models naturally use up their batteries faster when they’re making use of motorized attachments or increased suction levels, but they can both last for very long periods of time per charge, when compared to other cordless vacuums out there, both from Dyson and other brands. Thanks to its extended run time, the V11 is the winner here.

Charging Times

Another key aspect of batteries that has to be considered when looking at cordless vacuum cleaners is how long those batteries take to charge back up in between uses. Many people appreciate vacuums that can be charged up quickly, allowing them to be used all over again without much down time.

The Dyson V10’s battery can be charged up in just 3.5 hours. It’s one of the fastest charging devices in the Dyson lineup.

Since the Dyson V11 battery has a higher capacity, it takes longer to fully charge, averaging between 4 and 4.5 hours. This difference might not seem too big, but it can be an issue if you want access to your vacuum quickly and don’t want to wait around for an additional hour.

Evidently, the faster charging times of the V10 give it the advantage in this particular category. Lots of people prioritize charge times when buying a cordless vacuum, so those who want the best speeds should opt for the V10.

Noise Level

Vacuum cleaners can get a little noisy from time to time. Some models are so loud they can be heard from over the street, making them difficult to use at certain times of day without bothering members of the household or even your neighbors. Fortunately, Dyson produces some of the quieter models on the market.

In tests, the Dyson V10 averages around 64-65 decibels on its lowest setting, 71-72 on the medium power mode, and 78-79 on Max.

The Dyson V11, meanwhile, gets up to 66-67 decibels on its lowest setting, 68-69 on its medium setting, and 79-80 on the maximum power level.

So, these measurements show us that the V11 is generally noisier than the V10, with higher decibel readings for the low and max power levels. On the medium setting, it’s a little quieter, but overall, the V10 gets the win in this category.

Size and Weight

Size and weight are two more factors that come into play when evaluating the quality of any vacuum cleaner, and many people enjoy the convenience and ease of use of the more compact, lightweight models on the market.

Size and weight can have an impact on how easy your vacuum is to move around and pick up, as well as how simple it is to store when you’re not using it.

The Dyson V10 stands at a height of 49.2″, a width of 9.8″, and a depth of 10.1″, which is larger than previous models of Dyson, like the V8, but not quite as large as the V11. In terms of weight, it tips the scales at 5.9 lbs.

The Dyson V11 measures up at a little larger than the V10. It stands at a height of 50.6″, with a width of 9.8″ and a depth of 10.3″. The differences in size aren’t very noticeable, but still exist. Similarly, the V11 is a little heavier than the V10, weighing in at 6.68 lbs, making it a little less easy to lift and maneuver around the home.

The differences in size and weight between these two vacuums aren’t very big, but it’s clear that the V10 is lighter and more compact overall, so offers more appeal to those looking for smaller and more lightweight options.

Prices

The prices in the vacuum cleaner market can vary quite a lot, with some really cheap, affordable options out there and plenty of more expensive, high-end alternatives with their own unique selling points and advanced technology.

In terms of prices, Dyson is known for offering some of the more expensive vacuum cleaners on the market, and you usually need to pay a premium when it comes to Dyson over other brands, but in return, you’ll receive a high-powered vacuum cleaner with a lot of unique features and powerful cleaning performance.

The Dyson V10 series is one of the most recent offerings from the Dyson brand and one of the most advanced too, leading to relatively high prices. The V10 Animal is the cheapest variety, while the Absolute is the more expensive alternative.

Average prices for the Dyson V11 are reasonably higher than they would be for the V10. So if you want the higher power levels and longer run times, you’ll need to pay extra. The V11 Torque Drive is the more expensive variant, with the Animal being a little cheaper.

The V10 is the winner in this particular category, since it has the lowest prices of the two.

Who Should Get This?

Dyson V10

The Dyson V10 is a phenomenal feat of vacuum cleaner technology, building on the impressive foundations laid down by Dyson in the past with models like the V8. It offers immense suction power and cleans up all kinds of messes from many floor types with total ease.

This is an ideal all-round, high-end vacuum cleaner for people who want to breeze through their cleaning chores without any fuss or wasted time. It’s strong enough to tackle most jobs with ease and perfect even for large family homes.

The V10 has universal appeal. Its run time is long enough for most people, and the shorter charge times are a great bonus too. It’s even a little quieter than the V11, but it does lack the advantage of the LCD screen.

Dyson V11

The V11 takes everything great about the V10 and adds to it. It does have some drawbacks, such as the longer recharge times and heavier design, but aside from these minor issues, it’s a flawless machine that can make cleaning your home a whole lot easier.

The power and potential of the V11 are second to none when it comes to Dyson models, and the enhanced run time of over an hour is really impressive too. You can use this vacuum for even the biggest of properties without running out of power.

Thanks to this, the V11 is best recommended to those in extra-large homes or people who need to clean very regularly. It’s also a good choice for those who like to experience the best in modern technology.

Our Pick

Choosing between the V10 and V11 is quite a challenge. They have a lot in common, and both models have their advantages.

No matter which one you choose, you’ll be getting one of the strongest and most well-rounded vacuum cleaners ever invented.

Our Pick: Dyson V10

The V10 just about gets the win for us in this category, thanks to its lower price, faster charge times, and more compact, lightweight design. The added features of the V11 are nice bonuses, but they aren’t really necessary for the vast majority of users.