In this article we’re going to look at an update to one of the most popular stick vacuums of all time with a Dyson V8 review. Recently, Dyson has redesigned and re-released the cordless stick vacuum which originally went on sale several years ago.
This new V8 version has an all-new floorhead design, a new attachment package, and a few other interesting changes.
So, we thought we would buy one and put it through all kinds of tests to see how the new V8 compares to previous Dyson models as well as to other brands of cordless stick vacuums.
We think that the redesigned Dyson V8 cordless vacuum offers a superior cleaning experience with its enhanced handle design, making it lighter and easier to maneuver. The new detangling motor bar cleaner head with active hair removal provides a notable improvement in handling hair tangles, and the improved seal on hard floors enhances suction performance. Its attachment set, comparable to Dyson's high-end models, adds significant value. While maintaining the reliable features of its predecessor, the updated V8 excels in debris pickup and deep cleaning, solidifying its position as a high-value option among premium vacuums.
- Lighter, easier-to-use handle
- Detangling motor bar head
- Enhanced hard floor seal
- Excellent carpet and debris pickup
- Whole machine HEPA filtration
- Upgraded attachment set
- Premium at a lower price point
- Non-removable battery
- Only two power settings
- Below-average battery life
- Snow plowing larger debris
What we Like
Dyson has released several cordless vacuum models since their initial release of the V8 in 2016. As far as major releases, those include the V10, V11, V12, V15 and most recently the Gen5 series.
The V8’s carpet pickup was fantastic. It was able to pick up all the types and sizes of debris that we threw at it, everything from fine to extra-large debris.
Ergonomics
Generally speaking, all the models that followed improved on the V8 in one way or another. But most of those new versions have a completely different handle design which are more elongated. And while the new, longer handle style has some advantages, we still prefer the old style, which at this point, is only available on this new V8.
The reason we like this handle style better is because it’s lighter and has a better center of gravity, in our opinion. It’s hard to explain, but the V8 just feels easier to use from an ergonomic standpoint.
When in handheld mode, the V8 also has a shorter distance between your hand and the attachment being used. So, it’s much more practical for above-floor cleaning jobs like dusting. It’s easier on the forearm and less awkward to use than newer Dyson cordless models.
In the box
Emptying
We also prefer the V8 because you can empty its bin without removing the wand, which seems like a no-brainer kind of advantage. But, again, beyond the V8, all other Dyson models being sold today right up to the V12 Detect Slim, V15 Detect and Gen5 models can’t be emptied with the wand attached.
Suction and Airflow
But beyond the handle design and ergonomic benefits, how does it perform? In most ways, it was a lot like the original Dyson V8.
For example, in our bench tests, it had the same basic airflow and sealed suction numbers as the previous V8, both of which are higher than average, which is good. Dyson’s original version of the V8 cleaned well, and airflow and suction is a big part of that.
Hair Detangling
One area where the new V8 differs from the old version is with the new so-called “detangling Motorbar cleaner head,” which is an all-new cleaner head design for 2023.
Among other upgrades, this new head now has an active hair detangling system, which are these plastic combs that remove hair as you vacuum.
We tested it with 7 and 14-inch hair and found it to have mostly solved this age-old problem of hair getting tangled on vacuum brush rolls.
Vacuuming Performance
This new floor head design also seems to have created a better seal on hard floors than previous versions. For example, this new V8 did significantly better with tests like the unsealed suction tests and slightly better with the crevice pickup test, both of which measure how good of a seal the cleaner head has.
The V8’s carpet pickup was fantastic. It was able to pick up all the types and sizes of debris that we threw at it, everything from fine to extra-large debris. And in the carpet deep clean test, where we see how good it is at picking up sand which is deeply embedded in carpet, it was better than average there as well.
HEPA Filtration
It has Dyson’s whole machine HEPA filtration, which traps 99.99 percent of particles in dust as small as 0.3 microns. This is a feature only available on more expensive vacuums like this and is something we highly recommend.
Its attachment set is a pretty big upgrade from previous V8 versions too. In fact, it’s the same basic attachment set you would get with top-of-the-line Dysons like the V15 or Gen 5.
Attachments
It includes a wall mount, a crevice tool, a dusting brush/upholstery tool, which is one of our favorites, as well as a motorized Hair Screw tool, which is pretty amazing for upholstery vacuuming.
The final pro we’ll mention is the price. Though it’s certainly at a premium price point, it is a lot cheaper than other Dyson cordless vacuums.
What Could be Improved
Battery
Moving on to the negative stuff, Dyson rates the battery on the V8 at 40 minutes on low power, which is a little below average but is the same as the original V8.
In its max power mode, it got about 9 minutes with the head attached in our test, which is better than the previous V8 and similar to even the V15 Detect. Though it should be noted that there’s more power output on the V15 on max power, so it’s not really apples to apples.
Also, the battery on the V8 is not removable, like on the clickable batteries on newer Dyson stick vacuums. And unlike pretty much every Dyson cordless vacuum since the V8, the V8 only has two power settings: a low power and a max power.
Low power is more than enough for most vacuuming tasks, though. For example, we did all of our pickup tests on low power. But we would have preferred a medium power setting or an auto-adjustment setting to maximize the stick vacuum’s battery life and performance.
Cleaning Medium and Large Debris
The V8’s new Motorbar cleaner head is designed to be a combo head, meaning that it can be used with either hard floors or carpets. While we did find that it was as good as you would want in most circumstances with hard floors and carpets, we were a little disappointed with its hard floor performance.
Basically, when it comes to larger debris, the Motorbar started snow plowing debris at the medium size in our hard floor tests. Medium sized debris in this case is various sizes of cereal.
In the real world, though, with normal size debris, we found that the Motorbar cleaner head is more than sufficient for most hard floor tasks.
Is the Dyson V8 Worth It?
In conclusion, we think the V8 is a way better experience in terms of its weight and handling than even the most expensive Dysons. It has a little less power and a little less battery life than top-of-the-line Dyson models, but when it comes to Dyson, even their older models are often better than their competitors’ brand-new models. And when you take into account the recently redesigned elements on the V8 in 2023, it’s a really good value for a Dyson.
Dyson V8 Specs
| Suction Power | 115 airwatts |
| Bin Capacity | .53L / .56 qts |
| Max Run Time | 40 min |
| Charge Time | 5 hr |
| Dimensions (l x w x h) | 8.7” x 9.8” x 49.5” |
| Weight | 5.6 lbs. |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
