Dyson V12 Detect Slim vs Digital Slim

Which Vacuum Is Better?

Products

Dyson V12 Detect Slim
Dyson Digital Slim

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated Mar 18, 2026 06:10 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Mar 13, 2026 04:51 PM

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Walmart.com
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Picture

Track

Dyson Digital Slim Picture

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  1. Recommended in 7 articles:
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Our Verdict

Dyson V12 Detect Slim

Dyson Digital Slim

Although the Dyson Digital Slim and the Dyson V12 Detect Slim both occupy the mid-range of Dyson's cordless stick vacuums, the V12 is much better. It performs better on every surface type, has more accessories, and offers vastly superior battery life. It also has features like an automatic power adjustment system and an onboard piezo sensor to give you a real-time estimate of particle counts in your home. The one place the Digital Slim has the edge is in pet hair pick-up performance, as it can better agitate carpet fibers and remove hair from deep in the carpet. 

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Variants

  • V12 Slim Motorhead (Nickel)
  • V12 Detect Slim Extra (Prussian Blue/Copper)
  • Digital Slim (Iron/Nickel)

Check Price

Nickel
V12 Slim Motorhead
Amazon.com
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Prussian Blue/Copper
V12 Detect Slim Extra
Amazon.com
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Yellow/Iron
V12 Detect Slim
SEE PRICE
Dyson
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
Lowes.com
Yellow/Iron
V12 Detect Slim+
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
HomeDepot.com
Yellow/Iron
V12 Detect Slim Origin
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
BestBuy.com
Yellow/Nickel
V12 Detect Slim Absolute
Amazon.com
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
Dyson
Read more

Main Differences for
House

Threshold 

0.10

House 
 

7.1
No major differences between these vacuums for house. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Debris Pickup

Hard Floor Pickup 
 

8.0
5.0

Hard Floor Pickup video  

Hard Floor Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Hard Floor Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Hard Floor Pickup Post Test

High-Pile Carpet Pickup 
 

6.0
6.5

High-Pile Carpet Pickup Video  

High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup 
 

7.0
7.0

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Video  

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test

Pet Hair Pickup 
 

7.0
7.5

Pet Hair Pickup Video  

Pet Hair Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Pet Hair Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Pet Hair Pickup Post Test

Pet Hair Furniture Performance 
 

8.5
7.0

Sofa Pickup Video  

Sofa Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Sofa Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Sofa Pickup Post Test

Cracks 
 

8.0
6.0

Cracks Video  

Wood Cracks Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Wood Cracks Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Wood Cracks Post Test
Design

Build Quality 
 

6.5
7.0

Build Quality Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Build Quality Picture
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Build Quality Picture

Vacuum Type 
 

Stick/Handheld
Stick/Handheld

In The Box 
 

In The Box Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim In The Box Picture
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim In The Box Picture

Brushroll 
 

Yes
Yes

Brushroll On/Off 
 

No
No

Removable Brushroll 
 

Yes
Yes

Turbo Brush 
 

Yes
No

Crevice Tool 
 

Yes
Yes

Upholstery Tool 
 

Yes
Yes

Soft Bristle Brush 
 

Yes
Yes

Hard Bristle Brush 
 

No
No

Extension Wand 
 

Yes
Yes

Ceiling Fan Tool 
 

No
No

Pet Grooming Tool 
 

No
No

Storing 
 

8.8
6.8

Storing Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Storing Picture
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Storing Picture

Height 
 

45.28" (115.0 cm)
40.75" (103.5 cm)

Width 
 

9.84" (25.0 cm)
9.84" (25.0 cm)

Depth 
 

13.98" (35.5 cm)
11.77" (29.9 cm)

Cord Storing 
 

Not Needed
Not Needed

On-Board Tool Storage 
 

Yes
No

Vacuum Rack/Station 
 

Yes
Yes

Dirt Compartment Size 
 

5.5
6.0

Dirt Compartment Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Dirt Compartment Picture
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Dirt Compartment Picture

Bagless 
 

Yes
Yes

Volume 
 

0.04 gal (0.16 L)
0.04 gal (0.16 L)

Full Indicator 
 

Yes
Yes

Bag Included 
 

No Bag Needed
No Bag Needed

Runtime 
 

6.4

Minimum Runtime 
 

8.2 min

Maximum Runtime 
 

70 min

Battery 
 

7.5
6.8

Minimum Battery Life 
 

8.2 min
8 min

Maximum Battery Life 
 

70 min
49 min

Recharge Time 
 

131 min
180 min

Recharge Dock 
 

Yes
Yes

Battery Life Indicator 
 

Yes
Yes

Swappable Battery 
 

Yes

User-Serviceable Battery 
 

Yes
Yes

Range 
 

10
10

Cordless 
 

Yes
Yes

Cord Length 
 

N/A
N/A

Hose Length 
 

N/A
N/A

Minimum Wand Length 
 

1.18 ft (0.36 m)
0.66 ft (0.20 m)

Maximum Wand Length 
 

3.22 ft (0.98 m)
2.66 ft (0.81 m)

Total Range 
 

N/A
N/A

User Maintenance 
 

7.5
7.5

Maintenance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Maintenance Picture
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Maintenance Picture

Brushroll Cleaning Video  

Portability 
 

8.3
8.4

Total Weight 
 

5.20 lbs (2.36 kg)
4.52 lbs (2.05 kg)

Weight In Hand 
 

3.09 lbs (1.40 kg)
2.93 lbs (1.33 kg)

Carrying handle 
 

Yes
Yes

Recurring Cost 
 

10
10

Recurring Cost Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Recurring Cost Picture
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Recurring Cost Picture

Bag Part Number  

No bag
No bag

Filter Part Number  

971517-01
970612-01

HEPA Filter Part Number  

972126-02
No HEPA Filter

Quality Of Life Features 
 

Picture Of Controls 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Picture Of Controls
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Picture Of Controls

Rotating Head 
 

Yes
Yes

Power Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Self-Propelled 
 

No
No

Headlights 
 

Yes
No

Easy On/Off 
 

Yes
Yes

Head Surface Type Adjustment 
 

Manual
None

Blower Mode 
 

No
No

Tools And Brushes 
 

Tools And Brush Picture  

Dyson Digital Slim Tools And Brush Picture

Brushroll 
 

Yes
Yes

Brushroll On/Off 
 

No
No

Removable Brushroll 
 

Yes
Yes

Turbo Brush 
 

Yes
No

Crevice Tool 
 

Yes
Yes

Upholstery Tool 
 

Yes
Yes

Soft Bristle Brush 
 

Yes
Yes

Hard Bristle Brush 
 

No
No

Extension Wand 
 

Yes
Yes

Ceiling Fan Tool 
 

No
No

Pet Grooming Tool 
 

No
No

Alternative Configuration 
 

Alternative Configuration Photo 1 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Alternative Configuration Photo 1
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Alternative Configuration Photo 1

Alternative Configuration Photo 2 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Alternative Configuration Photo 2
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Alternative Configuration Photo 2

Blower Mode 
 

No
No
Mobility

Portability 
 

8.3
8.4

Total Weight 
 

5.20 lbs (2.36 kg)
4.52 lbs (2.05 kg)

Weight In Hand 
 

3.09 lbs (1.40 kg)
2.93 lbs (1.33 kg)

Carrying Handle 
 

Yes
Yes

Maneuverability 
 

8.0
7.0

Maneuverability Video  

Alternative Configuration 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Alternative Configuration
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Alternative Configuration

Alternative Configuration Photo 2 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Alternative Configuration Photo 2
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Alternative Configuration Photo 2

Range 
 

10
10

Cordless 
 

Yes
Yes

Cord Length 
 

N/A
N/A

Hose Length 
 

N/A
N/A

Minimum Wand Length 
 

1.18 ft (0.36 m)
0.66 ft (0.20 m)

Maximum Wand Length 
 

3.22 ft (0.98 m)
2.66 ft (0.81 m)

Total Range 
 

N/A
N/A
Air Quality

Particle Filtration 
 

9.8

Operation Video  

Particle Filtration  

 Preview Graph
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Particle Filtration

Average PM10 Concentration 
 

0.3 μg/m³

Average PM2.5 Concentration 
 

0.3 μg/m³

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA) 
 

No
No

Air Quality During Emptying 
 

4.0

Emptying Video  

Performance

Hard Floor Pickup 
 

8.0
5.0

Hard Floor Pickup video  

Hard Floor Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Hard Floor Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Hard Floor Pickup Post Test

High-Pile Carpet Pickup 
 

6.0
6.5

High-Pile Carpet Pickup Video  

High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup 
 

7.0
7.0

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Video  

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test

Pet Hair Pickup 
 

7.0
7.5

Pet Hair Pickup Video  

Pet Hair Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Pet Hair Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Pet Hair Pickup Post Test

Suction 
 

7.5
2.0

Suction Video  

Maximum Hose Suction 
 

72.1 inH₂O (17.96 kPa)
60.5 inH₂O (15.08 kPa)

Maximum Head Suction 
 

6.1 inH₂O (1.51 kPa)
0.9 inH₂O (0.22 kPa)

Normal Head Suction 
 

1.8 inH₂O (0.45 kPa)
0.4 inH₂O (0.10 kPa)

Setting Used For Normal  

"Auto", (Laser Slim Fluffy Head)
"MED", with Motorbar Cleaner Head

Hose Diameter 
 

1.3" (3.2 cm)
1.3" (3.2 cm)

Airflow 
 

7.3
6.5

Maximum Airflow Video  

Maximum Hose Airflow 
 

60.3 CFM (1.7 m³/min)
46.9 CFM (1.3 m³/min)

Noise 
 

8.4
8.3

Noise Video 
 

Bare Floor 
 

72.0 dBA
70.9 dBA

Low-Pile Carpet 
 

72.9 dBA
78.4 dBA

Maneuverability 
 

8.0
7.0

Maneuverability Video  

Pet Hair Furniture Performance 
 

8.5
7.0

Sofa Pickup Video  

Sofa Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Sofa Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Sofa Pickup Post Test

Air Quality 
 

Sealing Quality Video  

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA) 
 

No
No

Cracks 
 

8.0
6.0

Cracks Video  

Wood Cracks Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Wood Cracks Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Wood Cracks Post Test

Stains 
 

3.0
1.0

Stain Video  

Stain Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Stain Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Stain Pickup Post Test

Water 
 

0.0
0.0

Wet Compatible 
 

No
No

Water Video  

Water Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Water Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Water Pickup Post Test
Mopping Capabilities

Stains 
 

3.0
1.0

Stain Video  

Stain Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Stain Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Stain Pickup Post Test

Water 
 

0.0
0.0

Water Video  

Water Pickup Post Test 
 

Compare High-Res
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Water Pickup Post Test
Compare High-Res
Dyson Digital Slim Water Pickup Post Test

Wet Compatible 
 

No
No

Check Price

Nickel
V12 Slim Motorhead
Amazon.com
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Prussian Blue/Copper
V12 Detect Slim Extra
Amazon.com
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Yellow/Iron
V12 Detect Slim
SEE PRICE
Dyson
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
Lowes.com
Yellow/Iron
V12 Detect Slim+
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
HomeDepot.com
Yellow/Iron
V12 Detect Slim Origin
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
BestBuy.com
Yellow/Nickel
V12 Detect Slim Absolute
Amazon.com
Iron/Nickel
Digital Slim
Dyson

Dyson V12 Detect Slim

Dyson Digital Slim

Comments

  1. Comparison

Dyson V12 Detect Slim vs Dyson Digital Slim: Main Discussion

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