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

The V15 Detect is Dysonโ€™s flagship cordless stick vacuum. We evaluated one for a week, and thereโ€™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 V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum at the Vacuum Wars studio


We think that the Dyson V15 Detect cordless vacuum is a significant leap forward in the technology and design of vacuum cleaners. Featuring enhanced suction capabilities and the revolutionary laser detection for hard floors, it provides a comprehensive cleaning experience that surpasses many of its predecessors. The V15 Detect excels at picking up a wide range of debris sizes, thanks to its adaptable cleaner head and improved brush design. Moreover, its auto-adjustment capabilities for suction, combined with a dirt sensor, optimize cleaning efficiency and battery use, making it a top choice for those seeking a powerful, yet agile cleaning tool. See additional info

$739.00

Current price as of June 6, 2025

Automations: Auto Suction Adjustment

Cleaning Heads & Attachments: Soft Roller | Active Hair Removal

Battery & Charging Features: Detachable Battery

Lighting & Display: Laser Light | LCD Screen | Digital Battery Life Display | Particle Collection Display

ScoresDyson V15 DetectAverage Cordless Vacuum Tested
Vacuum Wars Overall4.46

2.51

Performance4.58

3.00

Hard Floor4.70

2.22

Carpet4.58

2.20

Features4.48

1.89

Battery3.93

2.11

Attachments4.08

1.66

Official Battery Life: 68 Minutes
Handle Weight: 2069 gr
Noise Level: 76 db
Dust Bin Capacity: 880 ml

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. 

Dyson V15 Detect cordless vacuum fully extended with anti-tangle floor head and wand.
The Dyson V15 Detect we purchased for this review. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

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. Thatโ€™s a whole different story, and we have a full V12 Detect Slim review if youโ€™re curious about that model.

Cordless Vacuum Resources

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 V15โ€™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.

Suction power test setup for Dyson V15 Detect with vacuum connected to the airflow measurement rig.
Measuring suction and airflow. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

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, theyโ€™ve named it the Digital Motorbar, but it is essentially the same thing.

Dyson V15 Detect cordless vacuum shown in use on carpet under Vacuum Wars neon sign.
The V15 is undergoing our carpet deep clean evaluation. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

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. 

Dyson V15 Detect cleaning multicolored fine glitter debris from hard flooring using the yellow soft roller head.
Assessing fine debris pickup on hard floors. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

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?

Dyson V15 Detect in a dark environment using green laser light to illuminate dust particles on the hardwood floor.
The Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner head illuminates dust and hair. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

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.

Close-up of Dyson V15 Detect LCD screen in Auto Mode displaying battery and suction indicators.
The V15 automatically adjusts suction when in Auto mode. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

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.

Dyson V15 Detect is being tested on a crevice pick-up board with numbered slots and debris lines.
Evaluating crevice debris pick up. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

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.

Close-up of Dysonโ€™s Hair Screw Tool with anti-tangle screw design attached to vacuum wand.
The Hair screw tool. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

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.

Close-up of Dyson V15 Detect cleaner head featuring anti-tangle comb design with purple, red, and black brushroll.
The full-size cleaning head. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

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

Thereโ€™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 youโ€™re getting.

What doesn’t the V15 Detect have?

Thereโ€™s only one standout accessory the Dyson V15 Detect doesnโ€™t have that other premium cordless vacuums do: an auto-empty bin. Havenโ€™t seen one? Read our Samsung Bespoke Jet Review (view). Itโ€™s Samsungโ€™s answer to the V15.

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.

Full Dyson V15 Detect unboxing layout with all accessories including brush heads, charger, wand, and docking station.
Everything that came in the box of our V15 Detect. ยฉ Vacuum Wars

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 TypeCordless Stick
Suction240 AW
Vacuum bin capacity0.76L / 0.8 qts.
Maximum battery life60 mins.
Battery typeLithium Ion
Removable batteryYes
Converts to handheldYes
HeadlightLaser (Fluffy Head Only)
Weight6.8 lbs.
Warranty2 yrs.
Dyson V15 Detect Slim specifications from the Dyson website.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Dyson V11 the same as the Dyson V15?

The Dyson V15 Detect is better than the V11. While both cordless vacuums are well-made and share similar battery life, the V15 cleans a bit better and includes new technology that the V11 model line lacks.

Does the Dyson V15 handle hair well?

The V15 Detect is more effective at handling hair of all lengths compared to previous models. In our evaluations, the V15 Detect attachment that performed the best with hair was the Hair screw tool.

Is the Dyson V15 Detect’s battery removable?

Yes. The V15 Detect’s battery can be removed with the push of a button. The vacuum ships with one battery, but spare batteries can be purchased.

Vacuum Wars independently buys and tests every vacuum and floorcare product we reviewโ€”providing unbiased, data-driven insights so you can make informed buying decisions and find the right technology for your home. Read more about how we test cordless vacuums.

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Christopher White

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Christopher White CEO
Christopher White is the CEO of Vacuum Wars, the premier YouTube channel dedicated to vacuum cleaner reviews. Over the past eight years, Vacuum Wars has become a trusted resource, meticulously reviewing hundreds of robot vacuums, cordless vacuums, carpet cleaners, and various floor care products. Known for their comprehensive in-house testing, Vacuum Wars has built one of the most extensive databases of vacuum cleaner metrics available. Under Christopherโ€™s leadership, the channel has maintained a strict no-sponsorship policy, ensuring that all reviews remain unbiased and trustworthy. This dedication to integrity has garnered a loyal following of over 300,000 subscribers who rely on their expert advice. Christopher is also a recognized authority on robot vacuums, boasting one of the largest private collections of these devices worldwide. Learn more.

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