Dyson V10 Vs. V11 — Which One Should You Pick?

By Maria Hernandez / March 1, 2022 / 0 Comments

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The Dyson V10 and V11 are both cordless vacuums, but they have distinct differences. They also have different cleaning purposes. Do you want the full Dyson V10 vs. V11 comparison? Then continue reading because we’ll be going through each feature of both battery-operated vacuum cleaners.

We’ll discuss the weight, size, and purpose of both models so you can choose which Dyson vacuum is more suitable for your routine cleaning tasks. Although the two vacuums look the same and are both high-quality cleaning devices, you may favor one over the other based on their key features.

To help you pick the right vacuum cleaner, we’ve also provided a buyer’s guide that discusses all the important features you should consider when buying a Dyson vacuum. Keep reading to find out more.

Dyson V10 Vs. V11

The Dyson V10 and V11 vacuum cleaners are both cordless devices, so you can move around with them freely. Additionally, they both have the same ergonomic design and length. But there are some features that set these two vacuum cleaners apart from each other. Take a look at each feature comparison in this next section.

Features

Power

The Dyson V10 vacuum cleaner has 151 air watts, whereas the V11 vacuum has 185 air watts. Although the difference in air watts doesn’t seem like much, you’ll notice it in the suction power of both vacuums. The airflow test confirms that the Dyson V11 vacuum has a 49 cfm at the nozzle and 59 cfm at the wand, which means it’s powerful enough to remove stubborn dirt from your carpet fibers.

This is a significant improvement from the V10 that only has a 39 cfm at the nozzle and 59 cfm at the wand. Although the V10 still has great suction capabilities, the V11 simply does a better job at removing dirt stuck in between the fibers of your carpet.

Runtime

Dyson says that both the V10 and V11 have the same runtime of 60 minutes. However, real tests suggest that the V11 offers a higher runtime of 81 minutes. That’s an extra 30 minutes of clean time before charging your vacuum cleaner.

So if you have a bigger floor area to clean and you don’t have time to wait for your vacuum cleaner to charge after every hour, then the V11 is the winner of this round.

Recharge

When you’re in a rush to clean your house, you don’t want to sit around waiting for your vacuum cleaner to charge. Since the Dyson V11 has a higher runtime, it will take longer for the vacuum cleaner to recharge. The V11 will take 4.5 hours to charge, whereas the V10 only takes 3.5 hours to recharge.

If you’re willing to wait for the V11 to recharge so you can have a longer runtime, then the longer recharge shouldn’t make a difference. On the other hand, if you have a smaller space and know that you won’t be using your vacuum for more than an hour, then the Dyson V10 will be the better choice.

Dust Cup Size

When choosing a vacuum cleaner, you want a machine that has a large dust cup. Fortunately, both the Dyson V11 and V10 have the same large 0.77 liter capacity dust cup. It’s easy to clean both machines’ dust cups thanks to the point-and-shoot system.

Simply point the nozzle over the opening of a dustbin and push the red lever down the shaft to empty it out. This process opens up the container so that all the dust can fall out. The advantage of this method is that it doesn’t spill dust everywhere.

Weight

The Dyson V10 weighs 5.9 pounds, and the V11 weighs 6.68 pounds. It may be easier to handle the V10 because it’s so light. Even though there isn’t much difference in weight, you’ll be able to push the V10 around easier compared to the V11.

However, the reason the V11 is so heavy is because of its larger motor and battery cell. So if you’re willing to put up with the extra weight, you’ll get a more powerful vacuum cleaner with a longer runtime.

Accessories For V10 Vs. V11 Dyson

There are certain accessories that you can get with both vacuum cleaners. Both the V10 and V11 come with the following accessories:

  • Wand
  • Wall mount
  • Charger
  • Combination tool
  • Crevice tool
  • Mini motorized tool

However, there are some accessories that the V10 doesn’t come with, such as the high torque brushroll and the stubborn dirt brush. You may also only get accessories with the motorhead model, namely the direct drive brush roll.

The V11 model doesn’t come with the direct drive brushroll, torque drive brushroll, or fluffy brushroll.

These accessories are simply extra tools to clean different surface areas. Therefore, you may not need all of them unless you have a specific type of carpet to clean.

Moveability

Both the V11 and V10 Dyson vacuum cleaners have the same design, so their moveability is virtually the same. You can easily vacuum under low furniture and clean hard-to-reach places using both units.

Maintenance

Previous Dyson models had filters that you had to replace regularly. However, the V10 and V11 models have washable filters so you don’t have to dispose of them and buy new ones.

You’ll need to wash the V10 and V11 vacuum filters once a month to maintain them. To make it easier on you, you should buy extra filters so you always have a clean one on hand.

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Dyson Top 3 Products

Review: Dyson V8 Animal

Floor Critics Rating (4.5):

Key Features:

  • Weight: 5.64 lbs.
  • Surface recommendation: Carpet
  • Bin volume: 0.14 gallons
  • Runtime: 40 minutes

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to maintain
  • Has Two Tier Radial Cyclones
  • Transforms to handheld vacuum

Cons:

  • Suction may not be powerful enough
  • Runtime may be too short for some people

The Dyson V8 Animal is a cordless vacuum cleaner that’s designed to clean carpets, hardwood, and tiled flooring. It comes with a washable filter that you can clean once a month so you don’t have to change it regularly.

This vacuum cleaner offers up to 40 minutes of runtime, and it converts to a handheld machine so you can clean the inside of your car. You’ll also appreciate that it doesn’t come with a bag. There’s a dust cup that you can empty out easily to avoid spilling dust everywhere.

Review: Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal

Floor Critics Rating (4.8):

Key Features:

  • Weight: 5.9 lbs.
  • Surface recommendation: Carpet
  • Bin volume: 0.77 liter
  • Runtime: 60 minutes
  • Charge time: 3.5 hours

Pros:

  • Fast charge time
  • Easy maintenance
  • Lightweight
  • Transforms to handheld vacuum

Cons:

  • Not as powerful as the V11 model
  • Doesn’t have a long runtime
Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal
Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal

The Dyson V10 is a cordless vacuum cleaner with a powerful suction that is said to deep clean carpets. This Dyson vacuum model has three cleaning modes to provide the right power for various cleaning tasks. It has a 60-minute runtime so you can clean for an hour before charging the vacuum.

You’ll appreciate that the Dyson V10 transforms into a small handheld vacuum so you can clean upholstery or the inside of your car. The vacuum has a handle that allows you to get under low-profile furniture easily.

The vacuum is easy to maintain because it has a point-and-shoot system so you can empty out the dust cup without spilling dirt everywhere.

Review: Dyson V11 Torque Drive

Floor Critics Rating (4.8):

Key Features:

  • Weight: 6.68 lbs.
  • Surface recommendation: Carpet, upholstery
  • Bin volume: 0.77 liter
  • Runtime: 81 minutes
  • Charge time: 4.5 hours

Pros:

  • 2x more suction power
  • Comes with extra accessories
  • Large dust cup
  • Works on any type of surface

Cons:

  • Can be heavy
  • Has a longer charging time compared to V10
Dyson V11 Torque Drive
Dyson V11 Torque Drive

The Dyson V11 is a higher vacuum model to the V8 and V10. It’s a cordless appliance that’s battery-operated, making it portable. It has an active LCD screen that shows you the battery life of your vacuum so you know when to charge it.

Inside the V11 model is a powerful motor that offers 40% more suction power than previous models. It comes with a docking station that you can mount on your wall so that the vacuum doesn’t take up floor space. What’s more, it comes with accessories, such as a mini soft dust brush and stubborn dirt brush to clean other types of surfaces.

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Our Winner

Even though the Dyson V11 is a heavier model, it offers a longer runtime and has a more powerful motor. What’s more, the V11 is more specifically designed to clean pet hair. If you have a cat or dog that sheds hair that sticks to your carpet, then the V11 will be your best choice.

You’ll also appreciate the Dyson V11 because it’s quieter. The noise level for this machine is between 70-78dB, whereas the Dyson V10 has a noise level of 75-83dB. This may be an advantage if you live in an apartment with thin walls.

Since the V10 isn’t as powerful and has a smaller motor and battery cell, it’s significantly cheaper than the V11. If you decide to get the V10 vacuum, it will still clean your floors well and it still offers an ergonomic design.

On the other hand, if you want a more powerful cfm and air wattage with all the convenient designs and features of the V10, then you’ll want the V11.

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Our Verdict

After comparing the Dyson V10 and V11, we have decided that the best out of the two products is the V11. Even though it’s pricier than the V10 model, it still offers more convenience in terms of power, runtime, and accessories that you get with the device.

It’s ideal for those who have pets, and it’s easy to maneuver and handle. You can clean sharp corners, underneath low-profile furniture, and high-to-low pile carpets easily using the V11.

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Buying Guide

There are many features and specifications to consider before buying a cordless vacuum cleaner from the Dyson brand. The manufacturer offers many models, but each of them have different specifications that you should look at before picking one over the other.

In this next section, we’ll discuss which features and specifications are important to look at before buying your Dyson vacuum cleaner. The buyer’s guide will help you choose the best vacuum cleaner for your surface cleaning requirements.

Features To Consider When Buying A Dyson V10 Animal Vs. V11 Animal

Take a look at the features and their explanations so you can make your own informed comparison between the two Dyson vacuum cleaners.

Air Wattage

Air wattage is a unit of measurement that refers to the vacuum’s suction performance. It describes the amount of watts produced by the vacuum cleaner to carry a unit of air through the nozzle opening.

Vacuum cleaners that have high-quality filtration systems such as HEPA will need a higher air wattage. This is because these vacuums need more suction power to pull debris through the unit’s filter.

Charge Time

Cordless vacuum cleaners are battery-operated which means that the unit will run out of power eventually. You’ll need to charge your vacuum cleaner so that it has enough power for you to clean your floors when you need it.

Some battery-operated vacuum cleaners take longer to charge than others. But this simply means that it provides a longer runtime compared to other types of units. Cordless vacuums that have a shorter charge time won’t offer a longer runtime.

If you want a vacuum cleaner that charges quicker, be aware that the battery life won’t last as long. These vacuum cleaners are suitable for smaller apartments that don’t require much vacuuming.

On the other hand, you should choose a vacuum cleaner with a longer charge time if it means it will provide a longer runtime. These types of vacuum cleaners are ideal for larger houses that need extensive vacuuming.

Maintenance

You don’t want to buy a vacuum cleaner that takes you hours to clean out. Ideally, you want a unit that allows you to empty out the dust cup, bin, or bag without spilling dust everywhere. There are vacuums such as the Dyson units that provide a point-and-shoot system.

Simply point the chute at an open dustbin bag and pull the red lever on the side to open up the dust cup. The dirt inside the vacuum cleaner will fall directly into the bin without spilling dirt on your floors.

Another feature to consider is how easy it is to change or clean your vacuum unit’s filters. Some cordless vacuum types come with washable filters that you can clean once a month. Washable filters are more affordable because you don’t have to keep buying or replacing the filters.

However, it’s advised that you have at least three OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) filters so you always have a clean one on hand.

Dust Cup Capacity

One of the reasons people pick one vacuum over another is because of the dust cup capacity. Some vacuum cleaners have small dust cups that need to be emptied regularly while cleaning. This can get frustrating because it will hinder your flow when you’re vacuuming.

Ideally, you want a vacuum cleaner that has a large dust cup capacity to hold more dirt. With a large dust cup, you won’t have to keep emptying it out so you can continue vacuuming. Some dust cups are large enough that you can vacuum three to four times before having to empty out the container.

Handling

Nothing is more frustrating than a vacuum cleaner that doesn’t have an ergonomic design. Choose a vacuum cleaner that has easy handling so you can vacuum under low-profile furniture or get into tight corners easily.

Some cordless vacuum cleaners also transform into a small handheld device so you can suck up dirt in between your couch cushions. Additionally, you can use the handheld vacuum to clean the inside of your car easily. 

You also want a vacuum cleaner that’s easy to push across your floor. Some units can be heavy and don’t come with proper brush rollers, making them difficult to push. Choose a vacuum that can glide across your floor with ease so that it doesn’t tire you out while you’re cleaning.

Noise Level

The reason most people choose cordless vacuum cleaners is because they’re quieter than other types of units. If you enjoy listening to music while you’re vacuuming, you want a unit that isn’t going to make loud noises while you’re cleaning your floors.

Choose a vacuum cleaner that has lower decibels because this will mean that the vacuum cleaner is quieter compared to units with a higher decibel rating. Furthermore, if you live in an apartment with poor sound insulation, you may want to choose a quieter vacuum so that it doesn’t disturb your neighbors.

A quieter vacuum cleaner can also be an asset if you have a baby that needs to take regular naps.

LCD Display

Since you’re working with a battery-operated vacuum cleaner, you want to know when it’s starting to run out of battery life. Choose a unit that has an LCD display at the top that gives you a battery percentage reading. The display screen will save you a lot of frustration because you’ll know exactly when it’s time to charge your vacuum and how long to charge it.

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FAQs

What’s the difference between the Dyson V8 and V10?

The main difference between the Dyson V8 and V10 is the runtime. The V8 has a 40-minute runtime, whereas the V10 has a 60-minute runtime. Another difference is that the V10 has a bigger dust cup size so you don’t have to empty it out frequently.

Lastly, the V10 has a recharge time of 3.5 hours, and the V8 has a longer five-hour charge time. For a unit that only offers a 40-minute runtime, the five-hour charging time on the V8 is a bit excessive.


Is buying the Dyson V11 worth it?

Yes, buying the Dyson V11 is worth it because it can clean stubborn debris off of any surfaces, such as pet hair off of carpets or upholstery. It also provides cleaner emissions, and it comes with plenty of brush accessories to clean different types of surfaces.

What’s more, the Dyson V11 vacuum offers a longer runtime so it’s ideal for larger cleaning tasks. You also get a docking station so you can hang the unit up on a wall to save floor space. Lastly, the V11 has a bright LCD display that lets you know when it’s time to charge your vacuum cleaner.


Why should you consider buying the Dyson V10?

If you’re looking for a more affordable vacuum cleaner, then you should consider buying the V10. This unit offers a more powerful suction power than the V8, and it’s lighter compared to the V11. It also has a shorter charging time, and it’s a lighter unit which makes it easier to handle.

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Final Thoughts

While both the Dyson V10 and V11 models are high-quality vacuum cleaners, the clear winner of this comparison review is the Dyson V11. It offers a powerful 49 cfm at the nozzle and 59 cfm at the wand. This means it’s powerful enough to remove the most stubborn dirt off of any surface. It also provides a whopping 81 minutes of runtime, which is longer than the V10 or V8 models.

If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with the Dyson V10 or V11 vacuums, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.

About Maria Hernandez

Senior Floor Critic, 25 years of experience in residential and commercial cleaning

Maria Hernandez has 25 years of experience in residential and commercial janitorial and cleaning services. From hardwood to carpet to marble floors, Maria has developed a deep expertise in cleaning and maintaining many different flooring types. Visit Website.

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