The Dyson V11 stands out as a robust cordless vacuum, effortlessly tackling dirt, dust, and especially pet hair across various surfaces. Its lightweight design, impressive suction power, and versatile modes make it a top contender in the cordless vacuum market. After two full days of testing, I can confidently say it justifies its premium price.
Pros and Cons
Impressive suction strength
Highly effective on multiple surfaces
User-friendly design
Useful attachments included
No hair entanglement
Higher price point
No light on the floorhead
Missing soft roller for fine dust
Our expert reviewers conduct thorough assessments on the latest models, ensuring you find the right fit for your needs. Having evaluated nearly every Dyson vacuum, they consistently excel in suction power and practical features.
Testing the Dyson V11 in both a dedicated facility and a local pet shelter, I aimed to see if it would uphold Dyson's reputation for excellence. As a long-time Dyson user with extensive experience in vacuum testing, I was highly impressed. Read on to discover why it ranks as one of the finest options available.
Quick Overview
The Dyson V11 offers superior cleaning capability compared to other cordless vacuums in its price range. It effectively managed everything from fine powders to larger debris across different surfaces, particularly excelling in a pet shelter scenario where it effortlessly removed hair from thick carpets.
True to Dyson's design ethos, it features an intuitive and ergonomic build, making operation straightforward. Its three suction modes cater to various cleaning needs, and its lightweight structure allows for easy maneuverability, making it suitable for individuals with limited mobility.
Dyson V11: Key Specifications
Type | Cordless stick |
|---|---|
Runtime | Up to 60 minutes |
Charge time | 4.5 hours |
Suction power | 185 air watts |
Suction modes | Eco / Medium / Boost |
Dustbin capacity | 0.2 gallon |
Filter type | Whole-machine HEPA |
Noise levels | 65 to 80.2 decibels |
Airflow | 9.8 (eco) / 11.1 (medium) / 19.6 (boost) mph |
Weight | 6.53 pounds |
Dyson V11: Design and Features
With 14 cyclones, the Dyson V11 achieves 185 air watts of suction power.
The V11 embodies Dyson's hallmark features: strong suction, lightweight build, and a floorhead designed to prevent hair tangling. It ranks among the top for suction power in the cordless category, falling behind only the V15 Detect and Gen5detect, which offer higher air watt ratings but at a greater cost.
Such power translates into consistent performance on both carpets and hard floors. Its HEPA filtration efficiently captures common allergens, enhancing indoor air quality.
During testing, the V11 reached impressive airflow speeds, with 19.6 mph in boost mode and 11.1 mph in medium mode. Comparatively, many other cordless vacuums lag behind in performance.
Its Motorbar floorhead is a standout feature, adept at picking up debris without tangling hair in the brushes.
The Motorbar attachment has consistently performed without hair wrapping during testing.
While advertised runtime is 60 minutes, it can extend to 67 minutes in eco mode without the motorized floorhead. On medium, it averages 37 minutes, while boost mode lasts up to 15 minutes before overheating.
The LCD screen displays the selected suction mode, remaining battery life, and alerts for maintenance needs, ensuring optimal performance.
User Experience with the Dyson V11
The Dyson V11 is remarkably user-friendly. Its design minimizes the need for complicated maneuvers, making it a breeze to operate.
It consistently picks up messes in a single pass, making it one of the top choices for multi-surface cleaning. My experience in the pet shelter showcased its impressive ability to pick up hair and dirt without difficulty.
Its maneuverability allows it to navigate easily around furniture and transition smoothly between different flooring types, a feature that many lower-end cordless vacuums struggle with.
Change suction modes effortlessly with one hand while cleaning.
Changing suction modes with one hand is a convenient feature, allowing for uninterrupted cleaning. Noise levels registered between 65 and 80.2 decibels, typical for cordless vacuums.
While it would be beneficial to have a light on the floorhead for better visibility, this is a feature found in some competing models.
Dyson V11: Performance Tests
Flour and Sugar Test
I evaluated the Dyson V11's handling of a half cup of flour and sugar. This test assesses its ability to manage fine powders, revealing its effectiveness visually.
On hardwood and linoleum, the V11 excelled, capturing nearly all debris in one go, with only a minimal amount left behind during the retrieval.
On carpet, it performed admirably across all suction modes, with medium mode easily handling the mess and boost mode clearing everything effortlessly.
Pantry Test
To assess performance with larger debris, I used one cup of cereal and lentils. This test shows whether the vacuum can manage high-volume messes effectively.
On hardwood and linoleum, medium mode effectively captured everything, though some pieces were flung around initially. It didn't take long to clean up the remaining debris.
On carpet, it shone in all three modes:
- Medium: Almost everything was picked up in one pass, with minimal debris left on the second pass.
- Boost: Powerful suction obliterated all large pieces immediately.
- Eco: Capable performance, with a few extra lentils requiring additional passes.
Dyson V11: Pet Hair Test
Testing the Dyson V11 at a local animal shelter highlighted its ability to tackle pet hair. It easily cleaned thick carpets and rugs, outperforming even some corded vacuums.
In high-traffic areas, the V11 effectively removed both short and long hair from various surfaces, proving its versatility. It handled hard floors with ease, collecting all dirt and debris in just one pass.
Notably, hair did not wrap around the brushroll, a common issue with pet hair vacuums. The dustbin filled significantly more than competing cordless models I tested simultaneously.
If you seek an excellent vacuum for pet hair, the Dyson V11 is a standout choice.
Attachments and Usability
The combination tool serves as both a dusting brush and upholstery cleaner.
Familiar with Dyson's attachments, I found the V11's tools easy to swap and highly effective. The model included a crevice tool and combination tool, both of which excelled in cleaning tight spaces and fabrics.
The combination tool's rubber strip effectively engages dirt and hair, making it ideal for cleaning pet beds.
Setup and Maintenance
Setup takes under a minute, but it requires about three hours to charge fully.
When first using the V11, it's best to charge it fully. I received mine with 35% battery and charged it to 100% in just over two hours. A full charge from zero takes about 4.5 hours.
Setup involves attaching the wand and floorhead, taking less than a minute to prepare for use.
Maintenance is simplified with a washable, lifetime HEPA filter. Unlike other brands, this filter can be rinsed and air-dried, offering significant savings over time.
While most parts can be cleaned, the dustbin must be wiped internally, as it cannot be removed.
Emptying the dustbin is straightforward; just press a button, and waste falls into the trash without mess.
Comparative Analysis
The Dyson V11 retails between $449.99 and $599.99, depending on the model and sales. It's priced lower than Dyson's flagship models but remains on the higher end of the cordless vacuum market.
For an additional $50, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim offers advanced features like a laser to reveal hidden dust but has lower suction power. In contrast, the V15 Detect combines superior suction with smart technology, making it the best vacuum we've tested.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Shark Cordless PowerDetect features dual brush rolls, effectively cleaning various debris, though it doesn't match the V11's power.
Should You Choose the Dyson V11?
Finding significant flaws with the Dyson V11 is challenging. Its powerful suction and ease of use provide the clean you'd expect from such an investment. It's efficient to empty, and its attachments cater to various cleaning tasks.
However, it's still a considerable investment, and for a bit more, you can secure models with even greater suction. A light on the floorhead and a soft roller would enhance its usability for fine dust on hard surfaces.
Testing Methodology
For detailed insights into our testing methods, refer to our comprehensive guide. The Dyson V11 was assessed in our test center with a variety of flooring types, followed by hands-on testing in a local animal shelter, focusing on pet hair and general mess.
