Dyson V8 vs V10: Pros & Cons and Verdict

In the world of vacuum cleaners, there are a couple of brand names that stand out from the crowd as true industry leaders, and Dyson is absolutely one of them. Founded in the United Kingdom by Sir James Dyson back in the early 80s, the brand has grown from strength to strength as the years have gone by.

Part of what has helped Dyson become such a popular brand is its pioneering approach towards new technologies.

Over the years, the brand has brought new advancements into the industry, famed for its cyclonic vacuum technology and powerful models that are able to suck up all kinds of dirt and spillages from floors of all types.

Dyson vacuums are some of the strongest around, but the company has put out a lot of different models in recent years, from the V6 line-up of 2015 to the V7, V8, V10, and V11 series too. For this guide, we’ll be taking a look at some of the more high-end Dyson vacuums in the form of the Dyson V8 and Dyson V10 series.

Each of these series features a few different models to choose from, with varying attachments and accessories included with each one, but which of the two is the most powerful? How do they compare in terms of battery life, charge times, suction performance on carpets and wooden floors, prices, packages, and noise levels? Read on to find out.

How We Started

In order to provide a thorough and frank assessment of Dyson V8 vs Dyson V10 vacuum cleaners, we analyzed both models from a range of angles, looking at all of the key factors that many people think about when shopping for a vacuum, such as suction power and run time.

Of course, results can always vary when it comes to vacuums. You can use the same model in differently sized homes with different floor types and get totally different results, so we can’t say which model is the best for absolutely every kind of home, but we can provide evidence-backed assessments of these Dyson vacuums in the areas that matter most.

Our Dyson V8 vs Dyson V10 side by side comparison will give you the full lowdown on the main differences between these models, as well as their similarities and what makes each one unique.

We’ll look at which type of market each model is best-suited for, as well as providing our final recommendation at the end.

While reviewing and learning more about the V8 and V10 models, we discovered that while they might seem similar in several aspects on the outside, there are actually some big differences between them, and it’s clear to see that Dyson made some major changes when moving from the V8 series into development of the V10.

Similarities and Differences

Dyson released the V8 series back in 2016 as a major power upgrade on the previous V6 range. In 2018, the V10 was added to the company’s lineup, taking the groundwork established by the V8 even further.

On the fact of it, it can be difficult to tell the V8 and V10 models apart. They both have a lot of similar technology and the classic Dyson design, with the ability to be used either in handheld mode or full vacuum mode.

However, when you place a V8 and a V10 side by side, you start to notice the big differences. The V10 comes with upgraded heads and tools, increased suction power, longer runtimes, a different dust cup capacity, and a different empty system too.

Even just aesthetically, we can see quite a big difference between the V8 and V10 series by looking at the cyclones. Both models use similar 15-cyclone systems, but they look quite different. On the V8, the cyclones are positioned perpendicular to the wand, whereas they run parallel to the wand on the V10, giving it a sleeker, slimmer look.

There are many other interesting differences and similarities between the V8 and V10, as outlined below.

Options

Over the years, we’ve seen Dyson release several annual series of its cordless vacuum cleaners, from the V6 and V7 up to the V10 and V11. Each time, shoppers usually get a selection of models to choose from. In the past, there were three, four, or even five models with some of the series, but with the V8 and V10, there are only two main models to choose form.

When it comes to the Dyson V8 series, you can choose between the Animal and the Absolute as the two most popular options. The Animal is the simpler version, while the Absolute is the high-end choice, but it’s worth noting that the tech for these models is identical; the only difference is that they come with different attachments and accessories.

For the Dyson V10 series, it’s a similar situation. You can choose between the V10 Animal and the V10 Absolute. The V10 Animal is the cheaper option, coming with fewer accessories overall, while the Absolute gives you all of the possible attachments and tools you need to tackle different floor types and surfaces.

Since both the V8 and V10 have the same major model options, we’re calling it a tie in this round.

Suction Power

When you think about vacuum cleaners and try to gauge the overall quality and performance of any given model, you have to look at suction power. This is what determines how effective the vacuum is at sucking up dirt and spills around the home, and vacuum companies consistently strive to increase suction power in their cleaners.

With more suction power, vacuums are able to suck up more mess on each pass, saving you time and making the task of cleaning your home a lot simpler in the long run. With weaker models, meanwhile, you may have to go over and over the same spot just to pick up all the bits of dirt or mess, which can be frustrating.

Dyson is known for producing vacuums with very high suction power ratings, so how do the V8 and V10 compare?

The Dyson V8 offers a Low and Max power mode, with a simple switch that lets you choose which mode you want to use.

The Low mode is great for simple cleaning, while the Max mode massively increases the suction power up to a maximum of 115 air watts in total, which is great for sucking up serious spills and messes, like if you accidentally pour flour on the floor or get kitty litter on the carpet.

The Dyson V10 goes even further, offering three total power modes. There’s a low power, a medium setting, and a Max mode.

As with the V8, the Max mode majorly increases the suction power, hitting a top total of 151 air watts, which is significantly stronger than the V8 and should take care of any mess in an instant. The medium mode is great for most jobs and even the low mode is strong enough in many situations.

Since the V10 has an additional power option, plus a much higher maximum suction power in the Max mode, it wins this round. However, it’s worth noting that the V8 still does very well with most cleaning jobs, and you don’t always need to have the highest possible air watts rating.

Floor Performance

Suction power is an important factor for measuring the quality of a vacuum cleaner, but sometimes, it doesn’t always translate into the most effective cleaning. There are some vacuums out there with great power but poor designs that lead to cleaning issues on certain surfaces. So how do the Dyson V8 and V10 models perform in real world conditions?

Well, the simple answer to that question is that they both perform really well. In tests, the Dyson V8 has proven to be one of the best all-round vacuums on the market.

Whether you’re cleaning up on carpets, rugs, or hardwood floors, this vacuum has no issues at all when it comes to sucking up things like rice, flour, cereal, and more. It consistently cleans around 95% or more of all messes.

The Dyson V10 also performs flawlessly across all surfaces. Whether you’re using it on high pile rugs or simple laminate kitchen flooring, it gets the job done, sucking up close to 100% of all messes in every situation on the very first pass.

The difference between the two models is negligible, but the V10 might just have the edge here. However, both the V8 and V10 perform to very high standards across all floor types.

Dust Bin

When shopping for vacuum cleaners, a lot of people pay attention to their power and performance levels, as well as their size, features, and price, but you can’t overlook the importance of the dust bin either.

This is what fills up with the dust and dirt sucked up around your home, and it’s actually one area in which the Dyson V8 and V10 have a major difference.

On the Dyson V8, the dust bin has a total maximum capacity of 0.54 L. When you want to empty the dust bin on the Dyson V8, you can find a little latch near the top of the unit. All you need to do is pull on this latch to free the dust canister and then emptying it out into a trash can or bag.

The Dyson V10 does things differently. For starters, it has a top dust bin capacity of 0.77 L, which is about 40% larger than the bin on the V8, so it can be used for longer before needing to empty the bin.

What’s more, when it comes to emptying it out, Dyson made some big improvements, adding in a ‘point and shoot’ system. This allows you to position the dust bin over a trash can, point at it, and then open the latch to shoot the dust out.

The emptying system on the V10 is even easier and cleaner than the V8, and it also comes with a bigger bin capacity, so it’s definitely the winner in this category.

Battery Power and Run Time

When you’re buying a cordless vacuum, you have to take some time to think about the battery power they can offer and how long they’re able to run for on a single charge.

If your vacuum runs out of juice in just 20 minutes and you have a large huse to clean, it won’t be very useful for you, so you have to find a model that can offer enough battery performance to meet your needs.

This is another big area in which the Dyson V8 and V10 exhibit some serious differences.

The Dyson V8 is equipped with a 6-cell lithium ion battery pack that offers 2,800 mAh of power. In action, it can run for up to 40 minutes on the Low mode, dropping down to 30 minutes with the brush roll attachment and around seven minutes on Max power.

The Dyson V10, meanwhile, comes with a 6-cell battery of its own with just 2,600 mAh, which is lower than the V8. However, the technology under the hood of the V10 has been massively optimized, resulting in max run times of 60 minutes on low power, dropping down to around 45 minutes with the brush roll, 30 minutes on medium power, or less than 10 minutes on Max.

Both models see big drops in run time with certain attachments and higher power settings, but the V10 is the big winner here, able to offer an incredible run time of up to an hour. Those additional minutes can make all the difference in day to day use, helping you clean the whole home without feeling like you’re in a race against the clock.

Charging Times

Another interesting aspect to think about in regard to the battery is how quickly it can charge back up to full strength in between uses. Both the Dyson V8 and V10 come with docking stations that let you charge them up with ease via a usual power outlet, but the charging times can vary quite a lot from one model to the next.

The Dyson V8, as stated above, actually has the larger of the two batteries, with 2,800 mAh of power. Because of this, it takes longer to charge, with a total charging time of five hours in total.

The Dyson V10, meanwhile, has a 2,600 mAh battery, resulting in speedier charge times of just 3.5 hours. That means that this vacuum will be ready to go a full 90 minutes earlier than the V8.

Clearly, the faster charge times of the V10 help it get the nod in this category. Many people want their vacuum to be available for use as quickly and conveniently as possible, so a lot of users will appreciate the shorter charge times of the V10.

Noise Level

A lot of people worry about how noisy their vacuum cleaners can get, especially when you start cranking the power up and taking on big messes or spillages. However, it’s perfectly possible to find some models that are much quieter than others and won’t annoy the neighbors or bother you while using them.

Tests for the Dyson V8 showed it to be the quieter option of these two models. On Low mode, it can average out at around 62-63 decibels, going up to around 73-74 on the Max power setting.

The Dyson V10, meanwhile, is a little noisier, which is probably caused by its additional suction power. It averages around 64-65 decibels on its lowest setting, 71-72 on the medium power mode, and 78-79 on Max.

There isn’t a major difference between these two models when it comes to how loud and noisy they can be, but the V8 is clearly a little quieter, so anyone searching for the most silent vacuum possible will want to opt for the V8 over the V10.

Size and Weight

You may also want to consider factors like size and weight when comparing two vacuum cleaners and trying to find a model that meets your needs. Size and weight will determine how easy the vacuum is to move around and pick up, as well as how simple it is to store when not in use, and some people prefer more compact, lightweight models.

Both the Dyson V8 and V10 can be operated in a very compact handheld mode while cleaning the stairs or certain surfaces, but the following measurements will take into account their size and weight in their usual standing mode.

The Dyson V8 stands at a height of 49.2″ and is 9.8″ in width. In terms of depth, it measures up at 8.8″, and it tips the scales at 5.75 lbs.

The Dyson V10 is a slightly heavier and larger vacuum cleaner. It has a height of 49.2″, a width of 9.8″, and a depth of 10.1″, so you’ll need a little more space to store this one when compared to the V8. It’s also slightly heavier at 5.9 lbs.

As with several other categories, we can say that the differences between these two models are quite minor here and may not even be noticeable to some users. However, it’s still clear that the V8 is lighter and smaller, making it the winner.

Prices

Vacuum cleaners can be found at a wide range of prices, from cheap models that may lack a little in terms of features and suction power to high end models that make the act of cleaning your home feel so much simpler. It’s important for every shopper to have a budget in mind when looking for their next vacuum.

Dyson is regarded as one of the more high-end brands in the vacuum cleaner business, and you’ll have to pay a premium for a Dyson when compared to many of the more budget-friendly brands out there. However, it is possible to get great value Dysons. The prices of the V8 and V10 models vary quite a lot.

Dyson V8 models are the more affordable option of the two. The Dyson V8 Animal is the cheapest of all, still offering enough suction power and potential to handle most cleaning tasks with ease, while the Absolute costs a little extra but comes with those additional attachments you may need.

The Dyson V10, meanwhile, is one of the most expensive models in the entire Dyson lineup, and the V10 Absolute has quite a high price, so if you want to get the very best performance, you’ll need to be willing to part with the extra cash.

The V8 is the winner in this round for having lower prices.

Who Should Get This?

Dyson V8

The Dyson V8 is a terrific vacuum cleaner with a lot of advantages. It shows off Dyson at its best, offering strong technology, powerful suction power, and versatile cleaning performance across various surfaces and materials.

The V8 can handle a range of situations with ease and is one of the quieter Dyson vacuums out there. It does, however, have the drawbacks of the rather long charge time and shorter run time, as well as the fact that the dust bin is a little smaller and the suction power isn’t quite as strong.

In spite of these issues, however, the V8 is still a great all-rounder, more than capable of meeting the needs of most homeowners and offering enough power and performance to tackle any cleaning job you might have.

Dyson V10

The Dyson V10 goes even further, building on what the V8 established and pushing the boundaries of vacuum cleaner technology. The new cyclone design helps it to become sleeker and tougher, with higher suction power, easier emptying, and longer run times too.

The battery of the V10 is a clear advantage, giving it the edge for users who want to be able to use their cordless vacuums for longer and not wait so long in between charges. On the downside, it’s a slightly bigger, heavier, and noisier machine, as well as costing more money.

For these reasons, the V10 is best recommended to people who have the extra budget to burn and want to get the absolute best performance. Those with pets and kids around the house causing messes will appreciate the speedy charging and superior suction of the V10.

Our Pick

It’s difficult to choose between the V8 and V10. They both have their pros and cons, and both of them rank among the best vacuums on the market right now, but when it comes to power, performance, ease of use, and reliability, one model stands out.

Our Pick: Dyson V10

The V10 offers incredible power, flawless performance across all surfaces, and most importantly, a much better battery than the V8, making it our top recommendation.