Suction power: 150 AW
Runtime: approx. 50 minutes
Dirt container volume: 0.76 l
Weight: 2.6 kg (5,7 lbs)
Result of the cleaning test: Very good
Every year, Dyson UK launches a new cordless vacuum cleaner. Most recently, the Dyson V11 Absolute succeeded the V10 Absolute. That inspired us to make a detailed Dyson V10 vs Dyson V11 comparison.
The key question in this comparison is:
Did Dyson UK improve the technology so that it’s worth buying the newer, more expensive V11 Absolute?
We will compare the two premium cordless vacuums (v10 vs v11) to determine the differences and similarities.
You’ll also see for whom it is worth buying the newer model.
Both cordless vacuums came out with flying colours in our tests and had many useful extras.
Suction power: 150 AW
Runtime: approx. 50 minutes
Dirt container volume: 0.76 l
Weight: 2.6 kg (5,7 lbs)
Result of the cleaning test: Very good
Suction power: 185 AW
Running time: approx. 60 minutes
Dirt tank volume: 0.76 l
Weight: 3.05 kg (6.72 lbs)
Result of the cleaning test: Very good
To find out the differences of the: Dyson V10 vs Dyson V11 and to compare them correctly, we put both cordless vacuums through the wringer in our cleaning test.
We don't just test the devices in everyday use. We also put them to the test in our test area. They have to clean up dirt with different textures on different carpets and hard surfaces.
That's how they scored:
Dyson V10 | Dyson V11 |
99 % | 99 % |
You can also see the detailed test results in the Dyson V10 and Dyson V11.
On hard floors, both units performed very well and reached almost 100%.
Both cordless vacuum cleaners also did a great job on the short-pile carpet. The V10 mini removed "only" 99%, and the V11 cleaned up 100% of the dirt.
Even here, the cleaning performance was astonishing - it was almost perfect.
First, we cleaned the carpets with the Dyson V7 until it couldn't suck anything out any more. Then we brought out the big guns and vacuumed them with the V11 and the V10. Both removed a lot more dirt from the carpets.
After our thorough comparison, we can confirm that both devices have a sensational cleaning performance.
Both models are premium bagless cordless vacuums and are part of Dyson's V-model series.
Dyson vacuums use a very efficient system of cyclones. These accelerate the air to clean up the dirt with the centrifugal force that they generated.
The Dyson V10 launched in March 2018 was Dyson V series’s first model with a completely revised design.
They changed the arrangement of the engine and dirt tank. Now both are in line with the suction pipe.
This makes it much easier to empty the dirt container.
The Dyson V11 came out in March 2019, and it’s kept the same design.
Both models are available in different versions. The main difference is the range of accessories included.
If you compare the Dyson V10 vs V11, you’ll notice that the dirt container hasn’t only remained the same in terms of the arrangement. The capacity of the container hasn’t changed either. From our experience, 0.76 l is sufficient for cleaning a 120 sqm flat.
The brand-new emptying function of the Dyson V10 is the same in the V11 model. You can empty the container by using a slider on the bottom side. You’ll be able to empty it with pinpoint accuracy into the trash.
The motor is the same in both models. It has a power of 535W and a speed of 125,000 turns per minute.
The suction power was already at a very high level with the V10. Nevertheless, the new V11 has a more powerful suction, even though it has the same motor. We’ll talk more about that later.
Both have the conventional "trigger system" to activate the Dyson.
You pull the trigger like a pistol, and the Dyson immediately starts with full power. However, if you let go of the trigger, it switches off.
You might consider that as impractical at first, but it’s part of the secret how Dyson achieves its outstanding battery performance. This way, it’s only activated when you are vacuuming. Otherwise, you’re saving battery power.
A great advantage is that the floor roller starts rotating immediately once you pull the trigger. This is far from standard with cordless vacuum cleaners.
The HEPA Filter (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) is a unique feature of the cordless vacuum cleaners. It’s easy to remove and clean it, and you won’t need a "disposable filter" here. That way, you save money, and it protects the environment. Both the V10 and V11 have it.
Both Dyson models can be used as a cordless stick vacuum cleaner or as a cordless hand vacuum cleaner. They have the same click system so you can quickly convert the device. It’s a great plus that you can use the accessories of the V10 for the V11, too.
If you place the Dyson V11 next to the V10 on the floor, you can see that both have the same height.
Criteria | Dyson V10 | Dyson V11 |
Length | 125 cm (49.2 inches) | 128 cm (50.4 inches) |
Power Unit Size | 35 cm (13.8 inches) | 36 cm (14.2 inches) |
Ground Roller Width | 23 cm (9 inches) | 23 cm (9 inches) |
Weight | 2.6 kg (1 lbs) | 3.05 kg (1.2 lbs) |
As handheld vacuums, the sizes don’t differ much either.
The weight, on the other hand, shows a clear difference. The new V11 model brings 400 grams more to the scale. The V11’s got an empty weight of 3.05 kg (1.2 lbs), which makes it noticeably heavier. But it’s not a problem when vacuuming the floor because the weight is well distributed.
Criteria | Dyson V10 | Dyson V11 |
Length | Varies greatly with the attached cleaner head | Varies greatly with the attached cleaner head |
Power Unit Size | 25 cm (9 inches) | 26 cm (10.2 inches) |
Weight | 1.7 kg (3.7 lbs) | 2.1 kg (4.6 lbs) |
One of the main differences between the models is that Dyson included an LCD display in the V11.
The display shows useful information about the current cleaning mode, the remaining runtime etc. That way, we can use the cordless vacuum cleaner more efficiently.
The included accessories differ mainly in the Torque-Drive Nickel brush that comes with the V11. This is the main cleaning brush of the new Dyson. It has a direct drive on the roller.
We know all about that. The brush rotates and transports the dirt into the suction tube with the help of the bristles.
But the Torque-Drive Nickel has more to offer: it recognises the floor type and automatically adapts to it.
That’s how the Dyson V11 achieves a better cleaning performance with the same motor power.
We think this is a real innovation because you don’t have to change the brush for different floor types anymore.
Another innovation in the included accessories is the Quick Release Extra-hard brush.
This cleaning head is ideal for coarse dirt on robust surfaces. By now, it’s also included in the delivery scope of the Dyson V10 Absolute Pro.
Accessories | Dyson V10 Absolute | Dyson V11 Absolute (Pro) |
Suction pipe | Yes | Yes |
Torque Drive Nickel | No | Yes |
Electric brush with direct drive | Yes | No |
Electric brush with soft roller | Yes | Yes |
Combination tool | Yes | Yes |
Crevice tool | Yes | Yes |
Mini electric brush | Yes | Yes |
Quick-Release Extra Soft Brush | Yes | Yes |
Quick-Release Extra Hard Brush | No | Yes |
Storage and docking station | Yes | Yes |
Charger | Yes | Yes |
Suction tube holder (only in 2020 model) | No | Yes |
Each attachment has its field of appliance in which it comes in very handy. It quickly pays off to pay an extra 40 £ for additional accessories. The attachments are much more expensive if you buy them later.
As an example: the Dyson V11 Animal + and V10 Animal come with fewer accessories. Therefore, we recommend the Dyson V11 Absolute.
As already mentioned, the Dyson V10 and the Dyson V11 can be used as a cordless upright vacuum cleaner and as a cordless hand vacuum cleaner.
The plug-in system is identical for both devices, and the conversion is easy peasy. A practical feature is that you can attach all accessories to the suction tube and directly to the dirt container.
Vacuuming with the Dyson V10 as a handheld vacuum is less strenuous than with the newer model. You’ll notice the extra 400 grams (0.9 lbs) of the V11 here.
Both models have three different suction levels. The levels of the V10 are named stage 1, stage 2 and max mode. The V11 has more creative names for the power settings. They are called eco (for the weakest level), Med and Boost.
However, the suction levels don’t just differ in their names.
A remarkable innovation is that Dyson has developed an automatic mode with the Med suction level. It adapts to the floor surface. As a result, the vacuum achieves a longer runtime - up to 60 minutes.
The V11 has a maximum suction power of 185 air watts in the Boost mode. That’s an improvement of almost 25 %.
The following table compares the suction levels and suction power of the Dyson V10 and the Dyson V11.
Dyson V10 | Dyson V11 | ||||
Power Mode | Battery Life Minutes | Suction Power AW | Power Mode | Battery Life Minutes | Suction Power AW |
Level 1 | approx. 50 min | 14 AW | Eco | approx. 75 min | 29 AW |
Level 2 | approx. 30 min | 35 AW | Med | approx. 45 min | 39 AW |
MAX | approx. 9 min | 150 AW | Boost | approx. 8 min | 185 AW |
Both models have an excellent battery performance and suction power. You can clean even larger flats in one go.
On the 2020 V11 model, you can even replace the battery with a fully charged one at the touch of a button.
The cordless vacuum cleaner market is a highly contested business these days. Dyson is at the top of the game, but why?
Not only the battery and suction performance is excellent. It’s also clear that Dyson put a focus on user-friendliness.
You’ll already get a taste of the user-friendliness when unpacking and putting the unit into operation for the first time. Both models come with a minimum of packaging material and without any plastic.
That’s why we give it a bonus in terms of sustainability.
The commissioning is super easy. You simply connect the attachments and the locks snap into place automatically. It’s child’s play.
The manufacturer recommends giving the battery a full charge first. That’s a slight disadvantage of the new Dyson V11 because it takes a whopping 4.5 hours to charge fully. It takes only 3.5 hours to charge the older model.
But once you’ve charged the vacuums, you’re good to go.
The Dyson V10 ranges between 73 and 80 dB on our decibel scale. The V11 has a volume of 65 dB in Eco mode to 75 dB in Boost mode.
This shows that they are relatively quiet. Dyson made minimal improvements here, which you won’t notice. However, the volume of the Dysons is within a somewhat tolerable range.
V10 Suction Level | V10 Volume | V11 Volume |
MAX level | 80 dB | 75 dB |
Level 2 | 75 dB | 70 dB |
Level 1 | 73 dB | 65 dB |
Nothing has changed in the mobility of the V11 compared to the V10.
In both models, Dyson uses a ball joint between the suction tube and the roller. This allows you to change direction quickly and vacuum even the corners. Since the motor sits on top of the handle, you can clean under furniture without any problems, too.
The weight of both cordless vacuum cleaners is well distributed. It’s still quite comfortable when vacuuming.
The maintenance of the V10 and V11 is effortless and user-friendly. You’ll only have to do a few manual operations.
Maintenance of Dyson's cordless vacuum cleaners consists of three main tasks.
One of the outstanding achievements of modern cordless vacuums is that you won’t need disposable bags.
With conventional vacuums, the purchase of vacuum bags was a real cost factor. Changing it wasn’t any fun, either.
The bagless cordless vacuum cleaners also impress with their dirt containers made of transparent plastic. You can see if the container is full and empty it in time.
You can empty the V10 and V11 by using a red slider on the dirt container’s bottom side. If you push it forward the flap opens automatically, the dirt is pushed out and lands in the dustbin.
If you want to clean the container, you can simply remove and wash it at the touch of a button.
Both procedures work very well. However, we realised that it works even better with the new V11.
Here you can save money and time AND protect the environment all at once.
Both the Dyson V10 and the Dyson V11 come with washable filters.
Simply twist off the lid at the back. Then you can remove the filter. Rinse under cold water and then reinstall after it’s completely dry (takes about 24 hours).
The batteries of the Dyson devices are robust and durable in general.
However, should a battery break, you can simply replace it on both the Dyson V10 and the Dyson V11.
Of course, the revised system also makes it possible to change the battery when it is empty quickly. This doubles the suction time, if not even more!
It's a huge advantage of the Dyson V11 compared to the Dyson V10.
Should you go for the Dyson V10 or the newer, slightly more expensive Dyson V11?
The answer is straightforward: it depends!
Both vacuums performed very well in our comparison, and it's not easy to say which one’s the better deal.
The cleaning tests have shown that both remove dirt very thoroughly. We can say without a doubt that your home will be bright and shiny once you’ve used one of these vacuums.
The new Torque Drive was the game-changer of the new Dyson V11. The new roller automatically detects the surface, which is a huge advantage. You won’t have to change the cleaning roller anymore.
So if you have many different floor types, such as carpet, laminate, etc., you should go for the Dyson V11 with the newly developed Torque-Drive Nickel (floor roller).
The automatic mode, which ensures that the vacuum adapts to the surface, is very impressive from a technical perspective. It’s undoubtedly the future of vacuums. However, it doesn’t lead to a measurable improvement in the cleaning performance yet. With the Dyson V10, we always vacuumed in medium mode and achieved a similar cleaning result.
The battery performance of the Dyson V11 is better and had an enormous boost in length thanks to the replaceable battery (Extra model from 2020). But we think that’s not the main factor, as it’s already very good with the V10.
A nice extra is the new LCD screen of the Dyson V11 that shows a lot of useful information. The V10, on the other hand, doesn’t have a display.
If you care about these innovations and don’t mind digging deeper into your pocket, you should buy the Dyson V11 Absolute.
However, if you want to save some money, get the Dyson V10 Absolute.
No matter what you choose, you will get a premium cordless vacuum cleaner that will take a lot of work off your shoulders.
Plus, after you bought it for a higher price, it will save you money and resources in the long run. You don't have to buy filters or bags anymore. Corded vacuums lead to tangled cables, which won’t be an issue anymore either. The devices and the batteries are tested for 10 years and proved extremely robust in our long-term analysis.
Customer Service: To contact Dyson UK directly, please call their helpline 0800 298 0298 or visit their live chat. The Customer helpline is available Monday to Friday (8 am - 8 pm) and Saturday and Sunday (8 am - 6 pm).
Registered office: Dyson United Kingdom - Tetbury Hill, Malmesbury SN16 0RP.
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