Dyson V15 Detect Review: Is It Better Than Previous Models?

The V15 Detect is Dyson’s flagship cordless stick vacuum. We evaluated one for a week, and there’s quite a lot to talk about. There are many cool new features with the V15, and we really had fun putting it through all kinds of evaluations to measure its performance. In our Dyson V15 Detect review, we’ll reveal all the features, pros, and cons so you can make a very informed decision about the product.

Spoiler alert: we’re big fans of the V15, but there are a few things to criticize about it as well. 

Dyson Cordless Vacuums Overview

The Dyson V15 Detect came out on March 24th of 2021. Before it, there was the V11 series with the V11 Animal and the V11 Torque Drive, which were very similar with minor differences. Then there was the V11 Outsize, which was released much later but was like a new model. It was more powerful than the other V11s, had a huge dustbin and a huge floor head, but it was still called a V11. 

And then we have the V15, which went back to the V11 Animal and Torque Drive in terms of size. In fact, the V15 weighs virtually the same as the V11 Animal and Torque Drive, and it has the same smaller-size cleaner head.

Related: See our Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Review!

The V12 Detect Slim was actually released after the V15 Detect. That’s a whole different story, and we have a full V12 Detect Slim review if you’re curious about that model.

Another kind of macro thing to know is that Dyson brought back the popular soft roller or Fluffy hard floor attachment for the V15 Detect. It wasn’t included in any of the V11 packages in the US initially, though it’s now being retroactively offered on some models. That soft roller head proved valuable in our recent ranking of vacuums for tile floors, too. It’s something we think brings a lot of value to the table with the V15, and we’ll discuss it later in the review.

Power Tests and Metrics

Starting off with power, we evaluated the V15’s suction and airflow in various places on the vacuum and in all of its power settings. We found that in key metrics like sealed suction and airflow at the cleaner head, it was exactly the same as the V11 Outsize.

It did have a little more power than the Outsize in some of the other evaluations, like unsealed suction and airflow at the wand. This is consistent with Dyson specs, which say it has just a touch more power than the Outsize. So, we feel comfortable saying it’s more powerful than the Outsize, but it was very close.

To put it all in context, though, at the time of our initial Dyson V15 Detect review, it was the most powerful cordless vacuum we had evaluated. The model it took that status from was the other Dyson, the Outsize. As far as size goes, the V15 retains the smaller form factor of the V11 Animal and Torque Drive, which we actually prefer over the larger Outsize.

Performance Evaluations

Moving on to more practical evaluations, we put the standard head through its paces. We evaluated it on both hard floors and carpets to see how well it could pick up debris of various sizes. The standard head has an adjustable gate on the front, which we typically keep all the way open for maximum versatility. As far as the evaluations went, the V15 Detect did amazingly well with debris of all shapes and sizes. 

We think Dyson’s Torque head design, which showed up on the V10 series, is really good. You really don’t need to change it out when moving from hard floors to carpet because it strikes a better balance than just about any other head out there. For the V15, they’ve named it the Digital Motorbar, but it is essentially the same thing.

Carpet Deep Clean Evaluations

The V15 Detect did very well with the deep clean assessment. In that evaluation, we embed sand into the carpet and weigh the bin before and after a set amount of time vacuuming. The V15 scored a perfect 100, which is common with premium vacuums. However, it’s worth noting that with the front gates all the way closed, it can be very hard to push on carpet, especially on max power.

Hard Floors Evaluations

If you have mostly hard floors in your house, you’re in luck with the V15 Detect because of that fluffy roller. The official name is the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head, and it has been redesigned from previous versions. It’s a bit smaller in diameter, and from what we can tell, it handles better than the older version, too, which tended to be a little jerky. 

In our evaluations, the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head did an amazing job picking up debris from small to extra-large. This is something that traditional floor heads struggle with, especially when vacuuming hard floors.

Soft rollers aren’t just about large debris, though. In fact, we think their real value comes from a kind of dusting of hard floors. And that brings us to the first new tech on the V15 Detect: the laser reference in the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head.

Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner Head

The laser on the soft roller is positioned to highlight dust and hair on hard floors. We were prepared to call this feature a gimmick. How much better could a green laser be than one of the many cordless vacuums out there with LED headlights?

But when we took it home, we found that it made a difference. Even in decent lighting, we could see things that we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to, especially under furniture in some of those darker areas. It certainly made vacuuming hard floors more satisfying. And, “satisfying” is the right word. Just a quick note: the laser is only on the fluffy head, not on the regular torque head.

Auto Suction Adjustment

Another feature we liked was the auto suction adjustment combined with the real-time battery life readout on the LCD screen. Auto mode was introduced on the V11 series. When using auto mode on the V11, the vacuum will adjust the suction up or down depending on whether you’re vacuuming hard floors or carpets. We really love the feature, and it really does optimize battery life.

Dirt Sensor

For the V15, Dyson took it a step further by adding a dirt sensor that also adjusts the suction based on the level of dirt on the floors. If it senses dirt that is heavier than normal in a given area, it will adjust the suction up or down accordingly.

This is another new feature that we think is very important because it results in a better overall cleaning job with better overall battery optimization. You don’t have to think about anything. You just put it in auto mode.

Battery Life and Performance

Speaking of battery life, we should first mention that the V15 comes standard with a removable battery, allowing you to replace it or purchase extras as needed. It features the same real-time LCD display as the Outsize and Torque Drive, which changes depending on the power setting and attachment used. We think it’s one of the best features in the cordless vacuum world. It’s not necessary by any means, but it’s something you really want to have once you’ve tried it.

Since its battery is the same one used on the Outsize, it’s no surprise that the battery life is about the same. However, these numbers are among the best in the business, especially considering the power you’re getting on each setting. 

In auto mode, you could probably see numbers between the medium and high power settings, depending on your house’s carpet-to-hard-floor ratio and some other factors. We’ll do a full evaluation of its auto mode battery life very soon.

Anti-Hair Tangle Technology and Attachments

Dyson introduced two new anti-hair tangle technologies on the Dyson V15 Detect. We were particularly impressed with one item, which is the new motorized hair screw tool. First, we should mention that the attachment set, in general, was excellent for a premium vacuum. We especially appreciated the new mini soft dusting brush, which is great for upholstery and delicate surfaces.

But back to the hair tangle technology. We evaluated the V15 Detect with the new handheld motorized tool, which features a unique comb-like system designed to prevent hair from getting tangled in the brush. We put it up against 1, 5, and 7-inch human hair and found that it did a fantastic job preventing hair tangles. Even with 7-inch hair, which is very long, we saw very little wrapping around the brush, and what did wrap came off very easily.

The second new hair tangle technology is on the primary torque drive cleaner head. It’s designed with new spiral bristles, intended to prevent hair from wrapping around the brush. In our evaluations, it did better than the older model, but didn’t perform as well as the handheld motorized tool. We still found some hair wrapping around the brush, but it was certainly an improvement over previous models.

The list of V15 Detect attachments is long:

• Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head
• Digital Motorbar
• Hair screw tool
• Crevice tool
• Combination tool
• Mini soft dusting brush
• Stubborn dirt brush
• Wand clip

There’s also a docking station that mounts to the wall and, of course, a charger. Attachments do vary based on where you buy the V15 Detect, so definitely double-check what you’re getting.

Filtration

Dyson has always been known for excellent filtration, and the V15 Detect is no exception. With a sealed system and a HEPA filter, it’s suitable for people with allergies or asthma. In our evaluations, we found that it captured even the smallest particles.

Dyson V15 Detect Review: Conclusion and Recommendation

Overall, we were very impressed with the V15 Detect. It’s packed with new features, and while some may initially seem gimmicky (like the Laser Slim Fluffy head), they do add value to the vacuuming experience. 

The auto suction adjustment and dirt sensor technology make it incredibly easy to use, while the anti-hair tangle technology and excellent filtration make it a solid choice for pet owners and allergy sufferers alike.

The V15 isn’t cheap, but if you’re looking for a premium cordless vacuum that excels in performance and convenience, it’s definitely worth considering.

Dyson V15 Detect Specs

Vacuum Type	Cordless Stick
Suction	240 AW
Vacuum bin capacity	0.76L / 0.8 qts.
Maximum battery life	60 mins.
Battery type	Lithium Ion
Removable battery	Yes
Converts to handheld	Yes
Headlight	Laser (Fluffy Head Only)
Weight	6.8 lbs.
Warranty	2 yrs.

Frequently asked questions