The Dyson V11 is a cordless stick/handheld vacuum. It sits in the upper mid-range of Dyson's extensive lineup of V-series cordless stick vacuums, above the less powerful and older Dyson Cyclone V10 and the Dyson V8, but slightly below the newer, more powerful Dyson V15 Detect and the Dyson Gen5detect. The V11 offers strong performance on a variety of surface types and features a surface detection system that enables it to automatically change its suction power mode to suit different floor types. However, it foregoes the particle sensor found in more recently released models.
Our Verdict
The Dyson V11 is good for bare floors. It does a good job of clearing away a mix of debris types on hard surfaces. Although its build quality is just okay, with plastic components that feel a bit fragile, it's fairly easy to maintain. It also does a decent job of handling debris in cracks and crevices, like grout lines on a tile floor.
- Great performance on most floor types.
- Virtually no recurring costs.
- Fairly easy to maintain.
- Automatic power adjustment capability.
- Plastic design feels fragile.
- No mopping attachment for stains.
The Dyson V11 is very good for cleaning low-pile carpets. It offers consistently strong performance on this surface type, even if you might need to make an extra pass to clear away every last bit of debris. However, while it's easy to take apart and reassemble, its build quality is only okay, with somewhat fragile plastic construction. It can also easily get caught on lightweight tasseled rugs, forcing you to turn the vacuum off to free it.
- Great performance on most floor types.
- Virtually no recurring costs.
- Fairly easy to maintain.
- Automatic power adjustment capability.
- Plastic design feels fragile.
- Can get stuck on lightweight tasseled rugs.
The Dyson V11 is very good for cleaning high-pile carpets. It offers strong overall performance on this surface type, clearing away a mix of debris types within a single back-and-forth pass, though you might need to go over the same area again to collect everything. Unfortunately, it's a little heavy for a cordless stick vacuum, making it a hassle to maneuver.
- Great performance on most floor types.
- Virtually no recurring costs.
- Fairly easy to maintain.
- Automatic power adjustment capability.
- Plastic design feels fragile.
The Dyson V11 is excellent for cleaning pet hair. It does an outstanding job of picking up pet hairs on any surface type. Its brushroll is also easily removable, making cutting away any tangled hair a little easier. Its six-stage filtration system is also pretty effective in sealing in fine allergens like pet dander. It isn't unusually noisy either, which is good if your pet is sensitive to loud sounds. However, there's no dedicated pet-grooming tool or a mopping attachment to deal with dried-on stains, like mud or dirt your pet might track in.
- Virtually no recurring costs.
- Removable brushroll.
- Six-stage filtration system.
- Superb pet hair cleaning capability.
- No pet grooming brush.
- No mopping attachment for stains.
The Dyson V11 is excellent for cleaning stairs. It's portable, if somewhat heavy for a stick vacuum, and its cordless design means you don't have to worry about tripping over a power cord while climbing and descending staircases. While it performs well on all surface types, its plasticky body is a little fragile in places and could be damaged if you drop it.
- Great performance on most floor types.
- Good overall maneuverability.
- Automatic power adjustment capability.
- Plastic design feels fragile.
- Can feel a bit heavy in the hand after a while.
The Dyson V11 is great for cars. It's portable, though it can feel a little heavy in your hand when used for extended periods. Since it doesn't have a cord, you don't need to stay close to an electrical outlet or fiddle with an extension cord while cleaning your car. You can also reconfigure it as a handheld vacuum, and it comes with a crevice tool so you can get to those hard-to-clean places.
- Great performance on most floor types.
- Good overall maneuverability.
- Can feel a bit heavy in the hand after a while.
The Dyson V11 isn't designed for workshop cleaning. It can't deal with liquid spills, and heavier debris like metal shavings could damage its cyclone and filters.
- Great performance on most floor types.
- No mopping attachment for stains.
- You can't use it to deal with liquid spills.
Changelog
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Updated Jan 31, 2025:
Minor in-text adjustments to improve readability and better convey product details. Added Extra and Absolute Extra variants.
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Updated Nov 29, 2024:
We've added a link to the Shark PowerDetect Cordless in the Hard Floor Pick-Up section of the review to provide an alternative that delivers superior debris pickup on bare surfaces.
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Updated Nov 15, 2024:
Added the Miele Duoflex HX1 as an alternative that's better built in the Build Quality section.
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Updated Oct 29, 2024:
We've added a link to the RYOBI PCL720K in the Build Quality section of the review to provide a more sturdily-built alternative.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The variants of the Dyson V11 differ only in color and in the included attachments. We tested the Animal model.
| Model Name | Tools Included | Color | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V11 Origin | Motorbar floorhead, hair screw tool, crevice tool, soft bristle brush | Nickel/Blue | |
| V11 Extra | Motorbar floorhead, stiff bristle brush, combination tool, crevice tool, mini soft dusting brush, hair screw tool, fabric and mattress tool, up-top adaptor | Iron/Purple, Red/Purple | |
| V11 Animal | Torque Drive floorhead, mini turbo brush, combination tool, crevice tool, stiff bristle brush | Nickel/Purple | |
| V11 Plus | Motorbar floorhead, combination tool, crevice tool, soft bristle brush, fabric and mattress tool, low-reach adaptor, mini turbo brush | Purple/Nickel | |
| V11 Torque Drive | Torque Drive floorhead, mini turbo brush, combination tool, crevice tool, soft-bristle brush, stiff bristle brush | Nickel/Copper, Nickel/Blue | Has an LED screen that displays the remaining runtime in real time |
| V11 Absolute | Torque Drive floorhead, soft roller floorhead, mini turbo brush, combination tool, crevice tool, soft-bristle brush, stiff bristle brush | Nickel/Copper, Nickel/Blue | Not available in the US market |
| V11 Absolute Extra | Torque Drive floorhead, combination tool, crevice tool, mini motorized tool, soft dusting brush, stiff bristle brush, extension hose, flexi-crevice tool, up-top adaptor | Nickel/Red | Not available in the US market |
If you find another variant of this vacuum, please let us know in the comments and we'll update our review.
Popular Vacuum Comparisons
The Dyson V11 is a cordless stick vacuum. It's heavier than the older Dyson V8 but compensates with better performance across most surfaces, a longer battery life, and an automatic power adjustment feature. However, it lags behind newer, pricier Dyson models like the Dyson V15 Detect or the Dyson Gen5detect regarding raw suction power.
If you want to see more options, check out our lists of the best cordless vacuums, the best hardwood vacuums, and the best lightweight vacuums.
The Dyson V11 is better overall than the Dyson V8. It offers superior performance on most surface types thanks to its more powerful suction motor, higher-capacity battery, larger dustbin, and automatic power adjustment system. That said, the V8 is lighter.
The Dyson V15 Detect is a better vacuum than the Dyson V11. They're similar in build quality, battery performance, and maneuverability, but the V15 is a little lighter, delivers superior cleaning performance on all surface types, and has a built-in particle sensor. Conversely, the V11 is less demanding in terms of maintenance requirements.
The Dyson V11 outclasses the Dyson V7. The V11 has a far more powerful motor, a larger dustbin, and a higher-capacity battery that allows for longer runtime. That said, the V7 is a little lighter.
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is a little better than the Dyson V11, though they each have advantages. The V12 performs better on bare floors with its soft roller head, clears more pet hair on upholstered surfaces, charges faster while offering similar battery life, and has a lighter construction that's easier to maneuver. Its particle counter could also be handy if you suffer from allergies and want to know about the concentration of fine particles in your home. However, the V11 does a better job cleaning low-pile carpeting and features a larger dustbin that won't need emptying as often.
Test Results
This vacuum's build quality is just okay. It looks very similar to other Dyson models like the Dyson V15 Detect and has a fairly premium appearance. However, aside from the lightweight metal wand, it's almost entirely made of plastic that doesn't feel extremely sturdy. Parts made of clear plastic feel particularly fragile and could shatter if you drop them or knock against something hard. If you're searching for something more sturdily built, the RYOBI PCL720K is a good choice. Alternatively, for a more premium option consider the Miele Duoflex HX1.
On the upside, the controls are easily accessible on top of the vacuum. There's also a grippy rubber strip near the top of the handle, which helps prevent it from sliding and falling over when you lean it against a wall. An indicator light on the vacuum's body will turn on if there's a blockage or if a filter isn't seated correctly in its housing.
Out-of-the-box assembly is quick and easy, and it has a button you can push to quickly unclip a tool or brush.
This is an easy vacuum to maintain. Not many parts need regular cleaning, and these parts are easy to access.
The wand needs to be removed to access the detachable dirt compartment. You might find this inconvenient, as some comparable handheld cordless stick vacuums allow the dirt compartment to be removed with no disassembly. From there though, the dirt compartment can be emptied into a garbage can and wiped down with a damp cloth if necessary.
The HEPA filter is easy to remove. It sits right on top of the vacuum body and twists off easily. It should be washed once a month or when the filter indicator lights up. Let it dry completely before reinserting it into the vacuum.
Remove dust and debris from the lint screen when needed.
Hair wrapped around the main brushroll must be removed occasionally. This is difficult to do by hand because the hair can get wrapped around the roll very tightly. It's much easier to do with scissors.
The Dyson V11 has no recurring costs, like most bagless vacuums. The filter is permanent and should last the vacuum's life if cleaned according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If it ever needs to be replaced, you can find it on Dyson's website along with other replacement parts.
The Dyson V11 comes with a wand-mounted tool clip which can store two of the included tools while you use the vacuum. The wall mounted docking station can store two more tools.
The Dyson V11 has an adequately sized dirt compartment. It uses the same overall design as the Dyson V15 Detect. Its horizontal orientation makes it easy to empty, but it isn't the largest dustbin on the market. If you want a Dyson stick vacuum with a larger dustbin and don't mind using something bigger and more unwieldy, the Dyson Outsize is a solid alternative.
Dyson V11 Animal vacuum
- Dirt compartment
- Lint/dust screen
- Filter
- Main vacuum head
- Wand
- Vacuum User Guide
Various tools and brushes
- Dusting brush
- Upholstery brush
- Turbo brush
- Crevice tool
- Tool holder
Docking station
- Installation manual
- Four screws
- Charger with cable
Since it's a cordless vacuum, its range is limited only by the remaining battery life and the room left within its dustbin.
This vacuum is pretty portable. While it feels heavier in the hand than most cordless stick vacuums we've tested, including alternatives like the LG CordZero A9, it's still substantially lighter than most traditional corded upright vacuums.
This vacuum's battery performance is okay. If you use it in its handheld configuration in the 'Eco' setting, it can provide well over an hour of continuous use, which is quite long by the standards of other cordless stick vacuums. However, the battery can be depleted in less than 10 minutes when used as a stick vacuum in 'Boost' mode, so you need to work quickly when cleaning stubborn messes. The runtime in its default 'Auto' mode can vary pretty drastically between extremes since the vacuum will automatically adjust its suction power depending on the surface you're cleaning.
A trio of LCD segments on the Animal variant shows you an estimate of the battery's charge status. However, you'll have to step up to the pricier Torque Drive model if you want a more informative LCD display that shows a real-time countdown of remaining runtime, which is very similar to the screen found on the Dyson V15 Detect or the Dyson Gen5detect.
Unfortunately, this vacuum doesn't have a second battery that you can charge and swap in to extend its overall runtime. If you don't want to worry about battery life, check out a corded stick/handheld vacuum like the Shark Rocket Corded.
This vacuum has a few features to make your cleaning experience easier. Like the Dyson V15 Detect, using it in its 'Auto' power model allows it to adjust its power level automatically to match the surface you're cleaning. There are also manually selectable 'Eco' and 'Boost' modes for conserving power when dealing with lightweight debris or stubborn messes, respectively.
You can also adjust the main vacuum head's suction to accommodate different surface types, but you have to do it manually via a small slider on the head. Unlike the Wyze Cordless Vacuum, its main floorhead doesn't have a headlight to help you see into darker areas.
The Animal variant of the Dyson V11 comes with a few different tools and brushes to help you get the job done. Its upholstery tool also has a slide-on soft-bristle brush, so you can use it for cleaning fabric surfaces or dealing with lightweight debris on delicate surfaces. There's also a miniature turbo brush tool that you can use to clean furniture or stairs, not to mention a crevice tool for dealing with debris in tight spots, and a hard-bristle brush for more stubborn messes. Although there isn't technically an extension wand, you can attach any tool to the end of the main wand for added reach.
You can reconfigure this vacuum as a handheld by detaching the wand.
This vacuum delivers good performance on hard floors when paired with its Torque Drive multi-surface floorhead. It's quite effective at clearing away fine debris. It also does a good job of dealing with medium- and large-sized debris, but it tends to push a small amount of this kind of debris around rather than removing it. If you want a cordless vacuum that performs a little better on this surface type, look at the Shark PowerDetect Cordless or the Shark Stratos Cordless.
This vacuum delivers decent performance on high-pile carpets. It does a fantastic job of dealing with bulky material and clears the majority of medium-sized material, but it'll take another pass or two to clear away embedded finer debris.
This vacuum does a good job cleaning low-pile carpets. Most fine and medium-sized material is picked up with a single pass, although it does pulverize some large materials and push it around rather than removing it. Finer material that's worked its way into carpet fibers will need another pass.
The Dyson V11 is remarkable at removing pet hair on low-pile carpets. It easily removes both long and short hairs with a single pass, leaving almost nothing behind.
This vacuum has good suction power. The manufacturer advertises the suction motor as offering 185 AW of suction power while the newer Dyson V15 Detect produces a maximum of 230 AW of power. The V15 that we tested was also fitted with a fluffy floorhead, which generates a tighter seal against flat surfaces compared to this V11's multi-surface head.
The Dyson V11 has decent airflow performance. It's a little ways off of the newer, class-leading Dyson Gen5detect in this respect, but still far from a slouch, especially for a cordless vacuum. It's powerful enough to suck up most kinds of large and heavy debris without too much effort.
This vacuum is impressively quiet. It makes a slightly less high-pitched noise than the Dyson V8, which won't be especially noticeable if you run the vacuum in an enclosed room.
This vacuum has good maneuverability. Used in its stick configuration, it feels a little heavy in your hand, but its relatively sleek design and smoothly rotating floorhead make it easy to pivot around obstructions. However, the top of the handle with the tool attachment points is a bit bulky, so you need to crouch down to clean under low furniture like couches and coffee tables. The handheld configuration makes it very easy to clean furniture. However, unlike the Miele Triflex HX1, it has no automatic brushroll shutoff feature, so it can easily get stuck on hazards like rug tassels. Thankfully, you won't have any issues on a thicker rug or around cables.
When used with its turbo brush attachment, the Dyson V11 does a good job of handling pet hair on upholstered surfaces. It clears long strands of hair without too much difficulty but leaves some shorter strands on the very edges of the path of its tool, requiring an extra pass.
The Dyson V11, like most of Dyson's other vacuums, is equipped with a HEPA filter that ensures good air filtration performance. No visible fine particles escape in our test.
The Dyson V11 does a decent job cleaning debris in cracks and crevices. When used in its 'Auto' power mode with its floorhead's suction gate left open, it easily clears away debris in shallower cracks, but some can still be left behind in deeper crevices. If you want the best crevice-cleaning performance, run the vacuum in its most powerful 'Boost' mode with its crevice tool. Alternatively, consider purchasing a compatible fluffy brushroll for improved debris pickup on hard floors and in crevices.
