When looking for the best stick vacuum cleaner on the market, you can be forgiven for feeling quite overwhelmed. There’s an army of stick vacs on the market, and they each promise to be the best. So, how do you find the right one to suit your needs?
For starters, you go to a brand you can trust. Dyson has been a market leader for more than two decades, and their range of stick vacuum cleaners will satisfy all budgets, cleaning requirements, and tastes.
With the careful thought that has gone into the Dyson V7 and V8 designs, either option would be a great choice, but which is best?
We’ve taken the worry out of your choice by testing both lines vigorously, and we present our findings to you in this review.
Dyson V7 vs. V8 Buying Advice
The Dyson V7 vs. V8 Comparison
Dyson V7 and V8 share similar looks and capabilities, with some features offering better functionality in either the V7 or the V8 line. Let’s take a look at each of the features in comparison in the next section.
Features
Dyson has become a brand to be trusted in vacuum cleaners. This brand has been around since the turn of this century, and with more than two decades of reliable designs and innovative products, it is a go-to brand for home appliances, including vacuum cleaners. So, we were looking for quality and value.
We got really technical in our testing of the Dyson V7 and V8 models. Our expert reviewers tested the run time, suction power, cleaning capacity, tank size, charge times, and a plethora of other requirements to determine the all-out winner between the Dyson V7 and V8 so you can make the most informed decision possible.
Power
The V7 has a powerful suction machine with 100 air watts (AW), while the V8 has slightly more kick with 115 AW power in its 15 cyclone double radial motors. The V8 range has a slightly longer “overdrive” feature that allows a maximum continuous run for an impressive eight minutes. The V7 offers six minutes of maximum suction use on a single charge.
Noise Level
The V7 has been a substantial improvement on the overall noise level from the V6 line. The V8 offers an even more silent operation, especially when using the machine without a drive head that produces much more vibrations and noise. The crevice tool is almost completely silent, which makes it easy to clean your home when you have guests or don’t want to bother others in your home.
There is a small difference between the Dyson V7 and V8 in terms of noise level. Given the slight difference, we’d recommend the Dyson V7, as it is quiet enough without needing the increased price tag of the V8.
Runtime
The Dyson V7 runs for 25 to 30 minutes on a single charge, which is sufficient to clean a small-to-medium-sized home. Compared to the V7, the V8 offers a run time of 35 to 40 minutes. For even deeper cleaning, you may want to consider a bigger Dyson machine like the Dyson Cyclone V10 with an impressive run time of 60 minutes.
The Dyson V8 offers a longer run time by 10 minutes, which can make the difference between cleaning your home in one vacuuming session or needing to wait until the next charge.
Charge Time and Battery Life
Both the Dyson V7 and V8 come with very neat docking stations to house their accessories and allow for easy charging. The V7 requires a minimum charge time of 3.5 hours, while the V8 needs 4 hours.
The Dyson V7 range has a weaker battery. The Motorhead model has a regular A battery, and the HEPA model offers a lithium polymer battery. Compare this to the V8 range that comes standard with a lithium metal battery, offering a longer battery life to stay charged longer. The V8 offers a better battery, which makes the longer charge time worth it.
Dust Cup Size
Both the V7 and most of the V8 ranges have the same size dust cup at 0.14 gallons, and the fitment process is similar. However, the V8 Absolute has the largest dust cup at 0.54 gallons capacity.
Filtration
The Dyson V7 range does not offer filtration, except for the V7 Hepa model, which has a HEPA filter at the back of the machine. The V8 range comes standard with washable HEPA filters, ensuring better and more hygienic cleaning.
Weight
While there isn’t a huge difference between most of the V7 and V8 models, the V7 Fluffy model is lighter at 1.65 pounds due to the soft head fitment. The weights of the average V7 and V8 models are 5.3 pounds (V7) and 5.64 pounds (V8). The difference in weight is presumably due to the HEPA filter on the V8s.
While the V7 is lighter, the V8 has earned the right to a little extra weight with the better filtration capacity.
Accessories
The V7 and V8 ranges come standard with the direct drive brush roll, combination, and crevice tools, but other accessories are standard with different models. The V8 range also comes standard with the dusting brush and mini-motorized tool.
Moveability
Both the V7 and V8 are equally mobile, and both lines can easily convert from a stick vac to a handheld vac in a few moments.
Maintenance
The V7 and V8 machines have similar warranties and can be serviced at the same agents and suppliers, making no clear distinction between the two lines. However, with the V7 line being an older product line, there is always the chance of parts being discontinued. This would need to be considered when deciding between the two product lines.
Dyson Top Products
In the Dyson V7 range, there are four stick vacuum cleaners, while in the V8 range, there are five.
There are variations of the V7 available for purchase. The Allergy or HEPA model is recommended for carpets, while the Fluffy head is recommended for hardwood floors. Essentially, the difference is in the cleaning heads, which are designed for different surfaces.
Let’s take quick closer look at the top products from both lines:
Review: Dyson V7 Motorhead Cordless Stick Vacuum
Key Features:
- Cordless, 30-minute run time with non-motorized accessories
- Motorized head drives stiff nylon bristles into carpet to remove trapped dirt
- 100 AW suction power
Pros:
- 6-minute run time with motorized heads at full power
- 15 cyclone jets in two radial spirals for improved airflow
- Trigger activation of motor and battery usage to conserve battery
- Hygienic bin ejector button to remove dust bowl without needing to touch
Cons:
- The trigger mechanism requires constant pressure, which can be a challenge for the elderly or disabled
- Most homes require more than 30 minutes of vacuum time for a proper cleaning, making the 30-minute run time ineffective
- No battery level indicator; battery cuts out immediately when there’s no charge
- Roller brush is constantly on, which reduces battery life when not required and tangles in longer pile carpet fibers
When choosing from either the Dyson V7 or the Dyson V8 ranges, you have a few options. In the V7 line, you can choose between the Dyson V7 Motorhead Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner and the Dyson V7 Fluffy Cordless Stick Vacuum.
This is the most basic Dyson V7 stick vacuum, and it has the bare minimum accessories included.
For a basic cleaning experience, this machine offers great performance with minimal frills. Additional V7 accessories can be purchased to fit this model. The V7 Motorhead vacuum cleaner is a good option for hard floors, but it struggles with carpets, so don’t throw away your upright vacuum cleaner yet. However, it is great for quick clean-ups.
Overall, the V7 Motorhead model is a great choice, and with its five-year limited warranty, it will last a long time. One slight wrinkle is the warranty doesn’t cover the battery, which may present issues. Luckily, replacement batteries are available from the usual suppliers.
Dyson’s customer service line is 1 (866) 693-9766. You can find the V7 Motorhead Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner’s user manual here.
Review: Dyson V7 Fluffy Cordless Stick Vacuum for Hard Floors
Key Features:
- 30-minute run time
- Lighter weight at 1.65 pounds
- Lithium polymer battery (for better battery life)
- Comes standard with fluffy head
Pros:
- 30-minute run time with no-fade technology on the battery (with non-motorized head)
- Comes with a mini-motorized tool, soft roller cleaner, and a dusting tool
- 2-year warranty
- Longer lasting battery with the lithium polymer battery
Cons:
- Poor run time
- Best suited to hard floors, which makes cleaning carpets a chore
- Balance is still towards the back, which makes handling the head a challenge to those with arthritis
If your home doesn’t have carpeting, then the Dyson V7 Fluffy is the way to go. It is lightweight, and since there is no need for the motorized heads (which add the weight to the other V7s), you can expect a much longer run time.
This model of the V7 range is ideal for a home with hardwood or ceramic tile floors, and it is lightweight and easy to use.
The V7 Fluffy is a great product for hard floors and cleaning ceilings, however, it underperforms with the low run time. In contrast to the V8s that offer a 40-minute run time, the V7 has a shorter run time that may mean you won’t get to clean your whole home on one battery run. The V7 Fluffy Cordless Stick Vacuum is efficient, but the filter clogs up easily, requiring regular cleaning. However, it cleans efficiently and works well on hard floors.
The Dyson V7 is a nifty product and a huge improvement on the previous model, the V6. We were not entirely sold on it, though, and decided to try out the V8 before we made a decision.
Similar in appearance to the Dyson V7, the V8 has a price difference of about 25%, which made us take a hard look at the features to determine if the V8 was, in fact, worth the extra cost.
You can find the V7 Fluffy Cordless Stick Vacuum user manual here.
Review: Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Key Features:
- Washable lifetime filter
- 115 AW suction power
- 40-minute run time
Pros:
- Lithium metal battery improves battery life from the V7 line
- 2-year limited warranty
- Comes with four fittings
- Whole machine filtration and better suction increases suitability for pet homes
Cons:
- Trigger activated motor, which can create pressure problems for an arthritic user
- Battery cuts out when power is drained with no warning
- The dust bowl empties with a release button that occasionally fails
- Not suitable for very large houses due to its fairly short run time
Improving on the V7 line, the V8 machines offer better battery life, longer run time, and higher filtration or whole machine filtration.
The V8 line all transforms from stick vacs to handheld by simply removing the wand attachment. This enables cleaning of upholstery, curtaining, and quick cleanups.
The V7 fittings do not fit the V8 line, meaning you will have to purchase V8 fittings if you had a V7 machine. However, the V8 Animal is a great machine with more power and better run time, and you may actually be able to do a basic vacuum of your whole house in one session.
The Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is a great option if you want to have no hassles with replacing ,as it comes with a lifetime filter that is fully washable.
Holding the Dyson V8 is a challenge, though, as you need to press the trigger in continuously to vacuum. With practice, this will probably become easier as the machine is quite lightweight. If you find you struggle, then you should consider getting an upright vacuum cleaner as most stick vacuums will be more or less in the same weight class.
You can find the Dyson V8 Animal’s user manual here.
Review: Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum
Key Features:
- Lithium ion batteries
- Comes with a variety of attachments and brush fittings
- 40-minute run time
Pros:
- Powerful 115 AW max suction power (15 AW stronger than the V7)
- Lowest power section produces 22 watts suction
- 8 minutes fade-free power with continuous use in max suction mode
- 2-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Takes four hours to fully charge
- Heavy at 5.75 pounds due to the larger dirt bowl
- Larger price tag than most other vacuums
This is the super-size version of the V8 line, and with a larger dust bowl, it is certainly going to make cleaning your home a breeze.
The V8 models are all quite standard, though the V8 Absolute is the deluxe model in terms of extra trimmings.
The Dyson V8 compared to the V7 is definitely a good investment if you have the cash to lay out for the slightly stronger motor and are willing to wait for the longer charge time.
Compared to the V8 Animal, the Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum is essentially similar, but with more features and accessories. However, these are not always as user friendly as you may want. One complaint is that the motorhead is not as flexible or maneuverable as some other stick vacuum swivel heads. This is where a mini motor head would be useful. Yet, with the increased suction power, you can potentially vacuum a larger area than just the head’s coverage.
You can find the V8 Absolute’s manual here.
Our Winner
The winner if you are looking for the better overall features is the Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum since it has the strongest motor, offers the most accessories upon purchase, and cleans a range of surfaces due to the specialized accessories. However, is getting good value for almost as good performance we would suggest the Dyson V7 Motorhead Cordless Stick Vacuum.
Buyer’s Guide
These are some of the top considerations we examined in our buyer’s guide.
Power Usage
The V7 has 100 AW suction compared to the V8’s 115 AW capacity. The Dyson V8 Absolute offers the most suction power, making it ideal for large homes and carpeted areas. The Dyson V8 has improved max power usage at 8 minutes compared to the 6 minutes of the V7. When it comes to power, bigger is better.
Noise Level
Whether you choose the Dyson V7 or V8 lines, they have pretty much the same noise level, though you can expect a bit more whir when the motor size increases, so the V8 Absolute was the noisiest of the four machines we tested.
Run and Charge Time
The Dyson V7 has 30 minutes of runtime compared to the Dyson V8’s 40 minutes, while the V7 charges in 3.5 hours compared to the V8’s 4 hours charge time.
Dust Cup Size
When you have a large home, or pets, you want to have the largest dust cup you can, so you don’t have to empty it out while still busy cleaning, and the Dyson V8 Absolute is the winner at a dust cup with 0.54 gallons capacity.
Filtration
The Dyson V8 range offers superior filtration capacity with the addition of the HEPA filter which is at the back of the vacuum cleaner.
Weight
With a stick vacuum, weight is always a consideration as you are basically supporting the weight of the vacuum cleaner with your arm. The V8 Absolute is the heaviest, while the V7 range weighs less due to not having the HEPA filters. The V7 weighs in at 5.3 pounds compared to the V8’s slightly heftier 5.64 pounds.
Maintenance
Luckily, the Dyson range is well-established, and you can purchase spares, replacement parts, and additional accessories through Amazon and other quality retailers. This is great news as you will have to replace the battery at some point on your unit. For services, you can book a service with any of the accredited agents that are listed in the user guide as long as you purchased your Dyson through an approved retailer.
FAQ
All of the models in the Dyson V7 range are good for hardwood floors. This is mainly due to the lightweight design of these models, how easy they are to handle, and how efficiently they clean hardwood floors.
The suction capabilities on all V7 models are sufficient to suck up trapped dirt, mud, fluff, dust particles, and pet dander that typically collect on hardwood floors and get trapped in its crevices.
Which Dyson cordless is best for hard floors?
All Dyson cordless vacuums are suitable for use on hard floors, but some models are a little more effective than others. In the V7 range, the V7 Motorhead is a good option for hard floors like tile or hardwood, but the V7 Fluffy is the best option by far.
When looking at the V8 offering, while the V8 Animal will clean hard floors sufficiently, the Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum will provide a deep clean. This is mainly because of the assortment of brush fittings and attachments that come with it, and its powerful suction power.
Which Dyson cordless is best for pet hair?
Out of the two product ranges discussed in this article, the models found within the Dyson V8 range are best suited for those who have pets in their homes, and the Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is the best cordless vacuum for pet hair from the V8 range.
This is because the V8 models have longer run times, which means less time for pet hair to accumulate, and they come standard with HEPA filters. HEPA filters will trap pollutants — including allergens — and will effectively remove pet dander and its particles.
Is Shark better than Dyson?
Shark and Dyson are both well-established brands that have a reputation for creating user-friendly vacuum cleaners. In saying that, Dyson has been around since 1991, so it has had a bit more time to hone its craft.
In addition, Dyson vacuums are typically much stronger than Shark vacuums, so if your needs are more heavy-duty then Dyson will work well for you.
On the other hand, Shark vacuums are much cheaper, so if you’re working on a tight budget then you’re likely to find Shark vacuums are the better option.
How long do Dyson vacuums last?
Depending on the model you pick, Dyson vacuums are covered by either a 2- or a 5-year warranty, but this is just an indicator of how long they should last, not how long they can last. When well-maintained, Dyson vacuums can last up to 10 years.
To make your Dyson vacuum last longer, the manufacturer says you should:
– Avoid using Max and Boost modes too regularly
– Not leave your Dyson in direct sunlight or in hot areas for prolonged periods
– Store your Dyson at room temperature
– Let your Dyson cool down a little after every use before recharging it
– Allow your Dyson’s battery to die at least once a month
Final Thoughts
Investing in a cordless and powerful new Dyson stick vacuum cleaner is always a pleasure, but knowing which to choose can be a challenge. After putting all the models of the V7 and V8 lines through their paces, we are finally convinced to announce the Dyson V8 Absolute as our overall winner.
This machine is a real bang for your buck. It has a powerful motor offering 115 AW suction power, a HEPA filter that can be washed, and the filter is guaranteed to last a lifetime. The Dyson V8 Absolute has a larger dust bowl at an awesome 0.54 gallon capacity. With a run time of 40 minutes, this product will really clean up your home and keep you smiling.
Have you purchased either the Dyson V7 or V8 line stick vacuum cleaners? What were your experiences with them, and which do you think is best? Please share your comments on our social media pages.
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