Vacuum Wars is reader supported. When you make a purchase using links on our site we may earn a commission. Details.

Dyson V8 Review – Is it Worth it in 2024?

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.

Classic Mid-Range Pick
Dyson V8
$469.99 $389.95

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.

Pros:
  • 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
Cons:
  • Non-removable battery
  • Only two power settings
  • Below-average battery life
  • Snow plowing larger debris
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
07/19/2024 12:48 pm GMT

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. 

Dyson V8 Handle Design
We prefer the V8’s handle design over the design on newer Dyson models. © Vacuum Wars

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. 

Testing the Dyson V8 as a Handheld
The ergonomics of the V8 cordless make it great as a handheld. © Vacuum Wars

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

  • Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
  • De-tangling Motorbar Cleaner Head
  • Combination Tool
  • Hair Screw tool
  • Charger
  • Wall Docking Station
  • Manual and warranty

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.

Emptying the Dyson V8 Dustbin
We love how easy it is to empty the Dyson V8’s dustbin. © Vacuum Wars

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. 

Cordless Vacuum Resources

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. 

The Dyson V8s Motorbar cleaning head with hair detangling technology
The Dyson V8s Motorbar cleaning head with hair detangling technology. © Vacuum Wars

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. 

Cleaning Tests - Crevice Pickup - Dyson V8 Review
The V8 did great in our crevice pickup and carpet deep clean tests. © Vacuum Wars

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. 

Taking Suction and Airflow Readings - Dyson V8 Review
Both suction and airflow measurements were better than average. © Vacuum Wars

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.

Unboxing the Dyson V8 purchased for this review
Unboxing the Dyson V8 purchased for this review. © Vacuum Wars

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. 

Dyson V8 Cordless Stick Vacuum in our Studio
The Dyson V8 cordless stick vacuum before testing in our studio. © Vacuum Wars

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.

Vacuuming Hard Flooring with the Dyson V8 Cordless Stick Vacuum
Vacuuming hard flooring with our Dyson V8 cordless. © Vacuum Wars

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 Power115 airwatts
Bin Capacity.53L / .56 qts
Max Run Time40 min
Charge Time5 hr
Dimensions (l x w x h)8.7” x 9.8” x 49.5”
Weight5.6 lbs.
Where to BuyAmazon
Specifications from our Dyson V8 manual and the manufacturer website.
 

Other Related Resources from Vacuum Wars

Related Dyson Vacuum Resources

  1. /
  2. Dyson Reviews
  3. /
  4. Dyson V8 Review – Is ...
Christopher White

author avatar
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 Christopher’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.

Our Top Picks

Current Vacuum Wars product rankings:

Best Cordless Vacuums
Best Robot Vacuums
Best Upright Vacuums
Best Carpet Cleaners
Best Air Purifiers