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 Dyson V8, but slightly below the newer, more powerful Dyson V15 Detect as well as 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.
This vacuum is great for bare floors. It does an excellent job of picking up pet hair as well as solid debris, and performance remains consistent as its dirt compartment fills up. 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.
The Dyson V11 is good for cleaning low-pile carpet. It offers consistently strong performance on this surface type even as the dirt compartment fills up. 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.
The Dyson V11 is very good for cleaning high-pile carpet. While it struggles with finer debris, it does an excellent job with pet hair and larger debris, even as its dirt compartment fills up with debris. Unfortunately, it's a little heavy for a cordless stick vacuum, making it a hassle to maneuver.
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.
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.
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.
This vacuum 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.
There are three variants of the Dyson V11, though they're very similar and differ only slightly in terms of included attachments. We tested the Animal model.
Model Name | Tools Included | Color | Notes |
Dyson V11 Animal | Torque Drive floorhead, mini turbo brush, combination tool, crevice tool, stiff bristle brush | Purple/Nickel | |
Dyson V11 Torque Drive | Torque Drive floorhead, mini turbo brush, combination tool, crevice tool, soft-bristle brush, stiff bristle brush | Copper/Nickel, Blue/Nickel | Has an LED screen that displays remaining runtime in real time. |
Dyson V11 Absolute | Torque Drive floorhead, soft roller floorhead, mini turbo brush, combination tool, crevice tool, soft-bristle brush, stiff bristle brush | Copper/Nickel, Blue/Nickel | Not available on the US market |
If you encounter another variant of this vacuum, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
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 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, has a higher-capacity battery, and features a larger dustbin, not to mention an 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 is a little more versatile than the Dyson Outsize. The V11 is easier to maintain and maneuver, slightly more portable, and delivers superior performance on low-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the Outsize has a larger dirt compartment that doesn't need to be emptied as often and has a longer total runtime thanks to its extra battery. It also comes with a larger selection of tools and accessories.
The Dyson V11 is ultimately better than the Dyson Cyclone V10. The V11 has an automatic power adjustment system as well as a more powerful suction motor, though this doesn't necessarily correlate to a drastic improvement in real-world performance.
The Dyson V7 and the Dyson V11 are similarly performing cordless stick/handheld vacuums. The V7 is slightly better at cleaning on low-pile carpets despite its less powerful 100W motor, and it's a bit lighter. On the other side, the V11 has a better performance on bare floors. It's better at storing away when not in use, it has a slightly larger dirt compartment, and its battery performance is much better.
The Dyson V11 and Samsung Jet 75 each have their strengths, meaning one might suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The Dyson lasts slightly longer on a single battery, comes with a wider assortment of attachments, has a telescopic wand, and has an automatic power adjustment feature that lets it increase its suction power to match the surface you're cleaning. Conversely, the Samsung feels sturdier, performs better on high-pile carpet, and is fully compatible with a self-emptying base station, which is somewhat pricey and does incur high recurring costs but also makes it even easier to maintain. Pricier variants of the Samsung also come with two batteries, giving it a longer overall runtime.
The Samsung Jet 90 Complete and the Dyson V11 are very similar vacuums, but the Samsung is better for most uses. The Samsung picks up more large debris like cereal from bare floors and has a slightly better overall performance on high-pile carpets. On the other hand, the Dyson is significantly easier to maintain and has longer maximum battery life.
The Miele Triflex HX1 is superior to the Dyson V11. The Miele feels better made, is easier to maintain, and performs better on bare floors and low-pile carpet. It also feels lighter in your hand and is more maneuverable. Conversely, the Dyson has a longer maximum battery life, more tools and brushes, a bigger dirt compartment, and slightly better performance on high-pile carpet.
The Dyson V11 and LG CordZero A9 each have their advantages, so one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The Dyson has fewer parts that require regular maintenance, incurs virtually no recurring costs, has a larger dustbin, and has a surface-type adjustment feature. Conversely, the LG clears more debris on bare floors and high-pile carpet, weighs less, and can be bundled with a second battery that effectively doubles its runtime.
The Dyson V11 and Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight each have their advantages, meaning that one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The Dyson has fewer parts that require regular maintenance, has a rack station and an onboard tool clip, and has a motorized turbo brush. It also does a better job of clearing debris on low-pile carpet. Conversely, the Shark performs better on bare floors and high-pile carpet, is a little easier to maneuver thanks to its flexible wand, feels more sturdily built, has a larger dustbin, and charges faster while offering similar overall battery life.
The Dyson V11 is a better vacuum than the Dyson Omni-glide. The V11 delivers excellent performance on bare floors and does a very good job on carpets, too. It comes with a bigger variety of tools and brushes, and its dirt compartment can hold more debris. On the other hand, the Omni-glide is much lighter and recharges more quickly, although its performance on bare floors is mediocre.
The Dyson V11 is a better overall vacuum than the Shark Rocket Corded. The Dyson stores easier, has a bigger dirt compartment, and is cordless, so you can go anywhere with it. It can also adjust its power level to better suit the mess, and it comes with several tools that help to clean more specific objects like blinds, which is nice. On the other hand, the Shark is corded, so you never have to worry about running out of battery life or recharging it.
The Dyson V11 and Tineco PURE ONE S11 are somewhat evenly matched, though one could be a better fit for you, depending on your exact needs. The Tineco is a superior option for quick cleaning sessions, as it weighs considerably less and is a little bit quieter. Conversely, the Dyson is heavier but has a more potent suction motor that allows for better debris-pickup performance on carpets.
The Samsung Bespoke Jet is better than the Dyson V11. The Samsung feels better built, weighs less, comes with two batteries that can be charged at once, giving it a longer overall runtime, and delivers better overall performance on all surface types. Its Cleaning Station accessory allows you to quickly empty its dustbin without creating a plume of dust. The Samsung is also fully compatible with a dedicated mopping floorhead for dealing with stains. However, the Dyson is easier to maneuver, takes up less room, and has an adjustable suction power slider.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a better vacuum for cleaning floors, while the Dyson V11 is more versatile. The Ball Animal 2 is an upright vacuum with outstanding performance on bare floors and carpets. It also has a bigger dirt compartment and a pet grooming tool. The V11 is a cordless stick vacuum, so you're not limited by a cord in terms of its range. You can also use it as a handheld vacuum, which is helpful to vacuum stairs or inside cars.
The Shark Rocket Pet Pro and the Dyson V11 are similarly performing stick/handheld vacuums. The Shark feels better built, it's significantly more maneuverable, and it has a better performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet. The Dyson, on the other hand, is easier to maintain, has a bigger dirt compartment, and more tools. It also has better performance on high-pile carpet.
The Dyson V11 and Shark Vertex Lightweight Cordless are fairly evenly matched overall, and you may prefer one over the other depending on your needs. The Dyson is easier to maintain, has a longer maximum battery life, and performs better on low and high-pile carpet. Meanwhile, the Shark feels better made, is more maneuverable and cleans more debris on bare floors. It also charges substantially faster.
The Dyson V11 is better overall than the Dyson Micro 1.5kg. The Micro is lighter and more portable, but it's not suited for carpets, so it's less versatile. Meanwhile, the V11 has a larger dirt compartment and longer maximum battery life, and though it's not quite as effective as the Micro on bare floors, it still does an excellent job on this surface type.
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.
The Samsung Jet 70 is better than the Dyson V11. The Samsung is notably lighter, charges much faster, makes a little less noise, and delivers better performance on bare floors as well as low and high-pile carpets. However, the Dyson has a surface detection system that allows it to automatically increase its suction power depending on the floor type that you're on. It also has a longer battery life and is more effective in dealing with pet hair on upholstered furniture.
The Dyson V11 is better than the Samsung Jet 60, though the Samsung is a good alternative for the price. The Dyson is a little easier to maintain, incurs virtually no recurring costs, has a telescopic wand, lasts longer on a single charge, does a better job dealing with pet hair on upholstery, and performs better on bare floors and low-pile carpet. However, the Samsung charges much faster, weighs considerably less, and makes slightly less noise.
The Dyson V11 is better than the Shark Cordless Pet Plus. The Dyson takes up less room, has a much longer battery life, comes with a wider array of attachments, has a substantially more powerful suction motor, and is easier to maneuver. However, the Shark has a higher-capacity dustbin and feels a little bit sturdier.
The Dyson V11 is better than the Tineco PURE ONE X for most uses. The Dyson has less demanding maintenance requirements, incurs virtually no recurring costs, has a bigger dustbin, is easier to maneuver, and performs notably better on low and high-pile carpets. Conversely, the Tineco is lighter, charges faster, and clears more debris on bare floors.
The Dyson V11 and Shark Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away are differently-designed cordless vacuums, meaning one might suit you better, depending on your needs. The Dyson is a stick vacuum that has fewer parts needing regular cleaning, is easier to store, and weighs less. Meanwhile, the Shark is a cordless upright that delivers better performance on all surface types, does a better job dealing with debris in cracks, feels lighter in your hand, charges faster, and has a larger dirt compartment.
The Wyze Cordless Vacuum and Dyson V11 each have advantages, and one may suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The Wyze is notably lighter and clears more debris on low and high-pile carpet. Conversely, the Dyson has a longer battery life, a larger dustbin, and is more effective in dealing with bulky debris like cereal on bare floors.
The Shark APEX UpLight and the Dyson V11 are similar stick vacuums. The Shark has better performance on bare floors and low-pile carpet, while the Dyson is slightly better on high-pile carpet. The Shark has a better build quality, and the Dyson is more versatile as it's a cordless vacuum, but that means you have to worry about its battery life, which doesn't last very long on the max power settings.
The Dyson V11 is better than the Shark ION F80 Cord-Free MultiFLEX for most uses. It performs better on carpet as it sucks up a decent amount of debris on both low-pile and high-pile carpet. This means it's also better suited to clean cars and it comes with more tools too. The Shark has a wand that can bend 90 degrees so it has better maneuverability and the batteries on the Shark are also better.
The Dyson V11 is better than the Roborock H7. The Dyson feels slightly more robust, has fewer parts needing periodic cleaning, has a removable battery, delivers better performance on low-pile carpets, and does a better job clearing debris in cracks thanks to its stronger suction force. Meanwhile, the Roborock is lighter, has a longer battery life, and can be used as a bagged vacuum, making it easier to dispose of any accumulated debris.
The Dyson V11 is better overall than the Roborock H6 Adapt, though they perform similarly. While the Roborock is more effective on high-pile carpet, the Dyson is slightly better on low-pile carpet and bare floors, particularly at picking up bulky debris like cereal. They're both easy to maneuver and reconfigure into handheld vacuums. The Dyson is a bit less portable but has a slightly larger dirt compartment. On the other hand, the Roborock has better overall battery life.
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. 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.
User maintenance for this vacuum is pretty simple. There aren't many parts that need regular cleaning, and they're all easy to access.
Like many bagless vacuums, the Dyson V11 incurs virtually no recurring costs. The filter is also expected to last the lifetime of your product as long as it's cleaned regularly. If any parts break or need replacement, you can purchase them directly on Dyson's website; you can find a replacement here.
This vacuum is impressively easy to store. Its tall, narrow design helps it fit tight spaces like a small broom closet. It comes with a wand-mounted tool clip, on which you can mount two included tools, putting them within easy reach while using the vacuum. It also has a wall-mount docking station with a couple of extra spots to store 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.
Since this is 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. 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. The LED display screen on the Animal variant shows you an estimate of the battery's charge status with a trio of indicator lights. However, you'll have to step up to the pricier Torque Drive model if you want a more informative LCD that shows a real-time countdown of remaining runtime, which is very similar to the screen found on the Dyson V15 Detect or 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 the manually selectable 'Eco' and 'Boost' modes for conserving power when dealing with lightweight debris or dealing with 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 in 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.
This vacuum has excellent bare floor performance. It easily clears away small debris like rice, but you might need to make an extra pass to fully clear away bulkier debris like cereal. Thankfully, suction performance remains consistent as its dustbin fills up. If you want a similar vacuum with better bare floor performance, consider the Shark APEX UpLight or the LG CordZero A9.
This vacuum performs very well on low-pile carpet in its 'Auto' setting. It's very effective in dealing with large debris like sand and clears away a good amount of finer material like baking soda. It also performs consistently regardless of how much debris is in the dirt compartment.
This vacuum has great high-pile carpet performance when used in its 'Auto' setting with the suction gate on its floorhead left partially open. Its multi-surface floorhead still provides a good amount of surface agitation, so it's effective in clearing away finer material like baking soda and larger debris like sand. You may want to consider the Dyson V15 Detect if you're looking for a cordless stick vacuum with superior performance on this surface type.
This vacuum has good suction power. The manufacturer advertises the suction motor as offering 185AW of suction power, which is a little ways off from the newer Dyson V15 Detect, which produces a maximum of 230AW of power. The V15 also has a fluffy brushroll that generates a tighter seal against flat surfaces.
The Dyson V11 has decent airflow performance. It's a little ways off of the newer 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 isn't too loud. 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 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.
The Dyson V11 has good air filtration performance. Like most of Dyson's other vacuums, the manufacturer advertises it as able to trap 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in size, which does align with HEPA standards.
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.