The new Dyson V11 cordless vacuum is out, and this latest iteration retains the essence of its predecessors, the V11 Torque Drive and Animal—but with some noteworthy updates. These include new hardware and features that increase performance while ensuring the cordless vacuum remains affordable.
We’ve been evaluating this new version of the V11 over the past few weeks, and in this review, we’ll go over our results. Plus, we will look the pros and cons of these changes to help you determine if the refreshed Dyson V11 could merit your consideration today.
The Dyson V11 is a standout choice. It met and exceeded our expectations, balancing cutting-edge features with improved affordability. It performed great in our carpet deep clean and debris pick-up evaluations, achieving similar scores as the top 10 vacuums we’ve evaluated (out of 90+). Additionally, its advanced filtration system and attachments address a broad spectrum of cleaning needs, contributing to making it a top contender.
- Superior suction power
- High-quality HEPA filtration
- Long battery runtime.
- Efficient hair removal
- Versatile attachment set
- Effective on carpets and hard floors.
- Heavier handle
- No auto suction adjustment.
- Dust bin requires wand removal.
The new Dyson V11
The latest Dyson V11 comes in two packages, though they are similarly priced. The first is the Dyson V11, and the second is the Dyson V11 Extra.
Each boasts a unique color scheme, but the main difference is the number of attachments.
For example, the Dyson V11 Extra comes with a hose extension tool, which we recently covered in another review. It’s very useful, and you can buy it separately if you prefer the color of the V11.
As you can see, this new V11 model diverges from the old V11 Torque Drive design.
One of the most notable changes is the floorhead design, now called the ‘Motorbar’ (formerly Torque Drive).
Additionally, it’s equipped with Dyson’s new Anti-Hair Tangle technology. However, unlike the old V11 Torque Drive, the new one has a non-adjustable gate on the floorhead.
Dyson also removed the automatic suction adjustment, which we’ll cover shortly.
Dyson V11 cordless vacuum evaluation and performance
We went through various household cleaning challenges for our Dyson V11 cordless vacuum review, and it performed amazingly well. Here’s what we found.
Performance
This cordless vacuum scored high in all our bench evaluations. The airflow score was in the top 10 out of the 90+ cordless vacuums we have measured.
Its sealed suction numbers were also way above average, making it especially good for handheld tasks or where suction really matters, such as upholstery cleaning.
Its unsealed suction score was also above average, though not by much.
Also, Dyson replacing the adjustable gates on the new Motorbar cleaner head for fixed ones (which are more typical these days anyway) gives it a good seal on hard floors. That probably explains why the Dyson V11 got a perfect score in our crevice pickup evaluation.
These numbers illustrate how well-suited the Dyson V11 is for handling various cleaning scenarios.
Carpet deep clean
In our carpet deep clean evaluation, the V11 did very well. This is where we identify how good the vacuum is at picking up deeply embedded debris, such as sand, within carpets. It demonstrated commendable proficiency, scoring slightly above average. The results were similar to those of Dyson’s top-of-the-line products, such as the Gen5 series.
Debris pickup
The Dyson V11 cordless vacuum was highly effective in its primary function, debris pick up. It could pick up debris on rugs, carpets, and hard floors during our real-world evaluations without problems. It even performed significantly well on things like medium debris and pet hair.
In our studio debris evaluation, the V11 tackled fine to extra-large debris on carpets with no issues.
However, the smaller fixed gates limited its ability to deal with extra-large debris on hard floors, which is normal. We do miss being able to adjust the gates on the V11 for super-large debris pickup, though.
Dyson V11 cordless vacuum features
Battery life
The battery life on the Dyson V11 is remarkable, which is expected. After all, Dyson has some of the best battery technology in the industry, in our opinion. Similar to the Dyson V15, the V11 features a powerful 3600 mAh battery that is both removable and replaceable.
Take a look at the following chart showing the battery life on all three power settings: Eco, medium, and max power. These numbers are from the digital readout, which predicts the battery life.
As you can see, they are above average, especially considering the power output you get at each level. Further, the display screen on the back of the handle shows the amount of battery life you have left in real-time, which is excellent. It also changes depending on the power setting or attachment in use.
Filtration
Another thing we liked was the V11’s filtration. Dyson excels in manufacturing high-quality sealed HEPA filtration systems that keep dust from getting into the air while you vacuum, which was noticed here. The Dyson V11 effectively kept dust from getting up in the air during our evaluations, which isn’t the case with most cheaper alternatives.
Active hair removal
One of the new Dyson V11 features is the active hair removal feature in the Motorbar, which is nothing short of amazing. It’s essentially a small plastic comb built into the brush housing that efficiently removes hair during vacuuming. In other words, it allows the V11 to detangle long hair while you vacuum so that it passes through without staying on the brush roll.
This functionality proved highly effective in our 14-inch hair evaluations, where it performed great.
Attachments
As noted earlier, the standard V11 and V11 Extra are equipped with high-quality attachments, which extend their utility beyond simple floor cleaning.
Both come with a screw tool, crevice tool, motorized brush with an anti-hair wrap feature built in, a combination brush, and a wall dock. The V11 Extra has additional tools, including an extension hose (which we highly recommend), a stubborn dirt brush, and an up-top tool.
However, neither version of the V11 includes the fluffy soft roller, which is usually found in other Dyson models like the V15 and Gen5 series, and you won’t find a V11 package with one at this time.
Dyson also officially says the fluffy optic rollers on those models (V15 and Gen5 series) aren’t compatible with the V11. However, when we used the one from the Gen5 on the V11, we didn’t notice a compatibility issue. That noted, there could be a good reason why Dyson says the fluffy optic rollers are incompatible with the V11, but for now, we don’t know what that reason might be.
Price
This model is undoubtedly more expensive, especially compared to other cordless vacuum brands. However, it’s well-positioned as a more affordable option within Dyson’s range of premium cordless vacuums. They did a great job of finding that middle ground.
The V11 offers the hallmark features expected from higher-end Dyson models at reduced cost. This pricing strategy makes it appealing for those seeking premium performance without the top-tier price.
Cons of the Dyson V11 cordless vacuum
While the Dyson V11 boasts numerous advantages, it’s crucial to acknowledge the areas where it might not meet everyone’s expectations. Understanding these aspects will provide a well-rounded perspective on the vacuum’s overall value and suitability for your cleaning needs.
Handle weight
The Dyson V11 maintains the handle weight of its predecessors, so it’s above average, which is an expected trade-off considering all that power and extended battery life. Nevertheless, it felt awkward, especially for above-floor cleaning jobs. That’s why we highly recommend the hose extension tool for enhancing maneuverability and comfort during cleaning.
Auto suction adjustment
Another con is that the new V11 lacks the auto suction adjustment feature found in previous versions. This feature is a notable absence since it contributed to optimizing battery life and performance. However, the V11’s exceptional battery life makes up for it, as you can use the cordless vacuum on medium power to get the same results.
Dust bin
The Dyson V11 cordless vacuum’s dust bin offers slightly above-average capacity, which is good—but having to remove the wand to empty the bin, while a minor inconvenience, isn’t especially fun. This trend has also been consistent across Dyson cordless vacuums since the V8, and we don’t hear many complaints about it, but it is still worth mentioning.
Dyson V11 cordless vacuum review: value and final thoughts
In our estimation, the standard Dyson V11 and V11 Extra are improvements upon what came before. The enhanced performance, superior build quality, advanced features, a comprehensive set of attachments, and a more accessible price point—make the new V11 a strong contender in the cordless vacuum market.
It’s a worthwhile investment that strikes an impressive balance between high-end functionality and value.
