The Dyson V8 and V10 are interesting models. Each of them marked something new for the Dyson cordless stick range.
The Dyson V8 boasted new battery power and incredible cleaning, while the Dyson V10 brought the start of new technological advances and improved design.
They are each fantastic machines, and both are worthy of a great deal of praise.
However, when you have a range of vacuum cleaners that are so close together in terms of ability, how are you supposed to know which is right for you?
That’s what this guide is for, helping you to make the best choice for yourself and your home. Will you walk away with the Dyson V8 or the V10?
The Dyson V8
A massive step up from the V6, there are two core models in the V8 series – the V8 Absolute and V8 Animal.
However, there is also a Dyson v8 Animal Extra which comes with an additional accessory. It’s an incredible little machine, and certainly, one to look out for.
Pros
- Good battery life
- Simple emptying system
- Excellent filtration and sealing
- Nice selection of accessories
Cons
- Very long charge period
- Short run time on boost mode
| Manufacturer | Dyson |
|---|---|
| Model | V8 Absolute & Animal |
| Detachable Handheld | Yes |
| Length | 124.5 cm |
| Width | 25 cm |
| Weight | 2.6 kg |
| Floor Type | Multi-Surface |
| Pet Owners | Yes |
| Dust Bin Capacity | 0.54 L |
| Cordless | Yes |
| Bagless | Yes |
| Returns | Free 35 Days via Dyson.co.uk |
| Warranty | 1-Year limited |
The Dyson V10
Within the Dyson V10 range there are three different models – the V10 Absolute, V10 Animal, and Total Clean.
This was also the first Dyson cordless stick to incorporate a new design, as well as a different type of battery. It’s a little chunkier than its predecessors, but it remains easy to handle.
Pros
- Long battery life and quick charge time
- Large bin capacity
- Superb filtration system
- Great tools and features
Cons
- Cannot swap the battery out
- Bin emptying can be a little stiff
| Manufacturer | Dyson |
|---|---|
| Model | V10 Absolute, Total Clean, Animal |
| Detachable Handheld | Yes |
| Length | 125 cm |
| Width | 24 cm |
| Weight | 2.65 kg |
| Floor Type | Multi-Surface |
| Pet Owners | Yes |
| Dust Bin Capacity | 0.76 L |
| Cordless | Yes |
| Bagless | Yes |
| Returns | Free 35 Days via Dyson.co.uk |
| Warranty | 1-Year limited |
Dyson V8 vs V10 Side-by-Side Test Results
This is where we really get into detail and have a thorough look at what each vacuum cleaner is capable of.
The Dyson V8 and V10 are strong contenders, and that’s why we put them head-to-head to see how they match up.
We go through all the important stuff, like battery life and tech features, as well as the little things that you might not think of, such as the weight and noise levels.
It’s time to see which one comes out on top and which could do with improvement.
Dyson V8 and V10 Battery/Run Time
Our Run Time Test Results
For this test, we got the stopwatch ready and ensured that each machine was fully charged for action.
We then held down the trigger continuously on each setting until the vacuum ran out of charge.
We also used it with the motorised Torque Drive floorhead, which means the battery life is a little shorter than if you were using the non-motorised attachment.
| Model (Mode) | Runtime (Mins) |
|---|---|
| V10 (Eco) | 40 Mins |
| V10 (Medium) | 20 Mins |
| V10 (High/Boost) | 7 Mins |
| Model (Mode) | Runtime (Mins) |
|---|---|
| V8 (Eco) | 27 Mins |
| V8 (High/Boost) | 8 Mins |
The Dyson V8 offered a great boost to battery life when compared to the V6, and Dyson states that you will get up to 40 minutes of suction power from it.
This is true, but only when you are using the non-motorised floorheads. The motorised versions will leave you with a little less juice because they need more power.
Our tests gave us around 30 minutes when using the main floorhead, which is still fantastic.
In boost mode, we got less than 10 minutes, but this setting isn’t needed much and is usually for tough areas or picking up stubborn pet hair.
The Dyson V10 can reach close to an hour without the motorised floorhead or around 40 minutes with it.
The Dyson V10 has a boost mode that lasts for approximately the same amount of time as the Dyson V8, but it’s not something you are likely to use frequently in each cleaning session.
Winner: Dyson v10
Dyson V8 vs V10 Charge Time
There is a very clear winner here, and it comes in the form of the Dyson V10. The V8 has a much longer charge time because Dyson was using a new, bigger, battery to increase the run time.
The Dyson V10 went back down to standard charge times as the technology advanced and grew, which is why you see such a massive difference in the amount of time it takes.
| V8 | V10 |
|---|---|
| 5 Hours | 3.5 Hours |
While the Dyson V8 does take a while to charge, it also has the advantage of a removable battery.
This means that when it runs out of charge, you can swap it out and clean for longer.
It’s a handy feature that the first three models in the Dyson range share, and it makes up for the five hours you need to wait for the V8.
The V10 said goodbye to the interchangeable battery. However, it also has a much longer lifespan, so you shouldn’t need the feature.
For those worried about the battery losing charge as it gets older, the Dyson V10 is the first to use new battery tech from the battery companies that Dyson acquired.
They claim it will last 15 years without losing charge, which is greatly reassuring.
Winner: Dyson v10
Dyson V8 vs V10 Cleaning Power
The Dyson V8 starts things off with an additional 20% of suction power than the V6.
When you look at the two models, it is an impressive improvement on cleaning power.
This is true across all floor types, and the increased suction power means that while the floorhead hasn’t changed it is still greatly improved.
The Dyson V10 provides an increase of 30% in suction power when compared to previous models in the V series.
This is great for cleaning carpets, and it is also the first Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner that can top a corded model with regards to deep cleaning carpets and collecting pet hair.
Our Airflow Test Results
The airflow test is an important one because this is what creates better suction power so that you get a deeper clean.
For this test, we used the dyson cordless vacuums in its full form as this is the most common configuration. The airflow is measured in CFM, Cubic Feet per Minute.
| V8 | V10 | |
| Air Flow ( Low Setting) | 16.5 CFM | 15 CFM |
| Air Flow (Auto/Medium Setting) | n/a | 21 CFM |
| Air Flow ( High/Boost Setting) | 27 CFM | 34 CFM |
This is an interesting one. The V8 is actually better than the V10 on the lowest setting, but as the power increases the airflow becomes much better. Overall, the V10 is superior, but not by much.
Winner: Dyson v10 (Only Just)
The Dyson V8 and the V10 are like the rest of the Dyson vacuum cleaners in that they use cyclonic technology.
What this means is that things like dirt and large debris are directed straight to the dust bin and are not able to be sprayed around the interior of the machine.
Cyclonic tech also means that you benefit from fade-free suction. So, even if the dust bin is full and the battery is low, you won’t suffer from a reduced level of suction while you clean.
This helps you to get the most out of each session so that you are able to clean efficiently.
So, why don’t we take a quick look at how the V8 and V10 work around the home?
Carpets. Both the V8 and V10 use the Torque Drive cleaning head. This features a superb brush bar that has two rows of bristles – hard and soft – to ensure that you are able to clean both carpets and hard floors.
The direct drive cleaning head does a fantastic job of bringing up dirt from the base of the low pile carpet, and the V10 is the best at this because of the fact that it can really deep clean carpet.
The Dyson V8 is still a powerful and effective machine, but it doesn’t quite reach the levels of the Dyson V10.
Our Low Pile Carpet Test Results
For this test, we weigh 100g of mixed items that represent large debris that would be found on your hardwood floors or high pile carpets in terms of size and texture.
This includes things like chilli flakes, loose black tea, flaxseed, and cheerios.
The mixture is then spread on a 1.5m strip of low pile carpet and a 10-second pass is performed over the area to see how much is collected.
The contents are then weighed, and the percentage collected is recorded in the table below.
| V8 | V10 | |
| Low Setting | 98.6% | 95% |
| Auto Setting | n/a | 98.5% |
| Boost Setting | 99.3% | 99.5% |
The results are clear, and you can see that both perform very well. On the lowest setting, the V8 actually performs better, but you do see a massive improvement as the power levels increase.
Winner: Dyson v10 (Only Just)
Hard Floors. You can use the Torque Drive cleaning head on hard floors, and it will do a good job.
The soft brushes are relatively gentle on hard floors, and they will collect large debris and dust including the mini soft dusting brush.
This goes for both models, but each of them have a better option for this form of cleaning.
The Fluffy floorhead has been specially designed to deal with hard floors in that it has a giant soft roller that will not scratch or damage anything.
It’s fantastic at collecting fine dust, and it can pick up chunky debris without pushing it across the hard floor.
It’s the kind of cleaning head you can’t live without once you’ve used it.
Read Here : Dyson V6 vs V7 vs V8 vs V10 vs V11
Our Hardwood Floor Test Results
This test has the same conditions as the carpet one, but we use a strip of the laminate hard floor instead.
We chose this because it is the most popular type in the UK and so the results will be accurate for most. You can see our findings in the table below.
| V8 | V10 | |
| Low Setting | 100% | 100% |
| Auto Setting | N/A | 100% |
| Boost Setting | 100% | 100% |
We used the Fluffy floorhead for this, and you can see that both the V8 and V10 were identical in terms of performance.
Winner: Dyson v8 and v10
Dyson V8 vs V10 Stairs
You can use both models of Dyson cordless in handheld form, and this is really useful for cleaning stairs.
All you need to do is remove the wand, and you can attach either the cleaning head or the accessories to the body of the machine.
The V8 and V10 also come with a mini motorised tool, and this makes more of a difference than you might expect.
It’s basically a mini version of the Torque Drive cleaning head, and this is why it is so effective at cleaning carpets.
It can reach right into your carpet fibres to pull up hair and grime that has been trodden into the stairs.
Similarly, it can be used on stubborn areas of your hard floor, furniture, and even the interior of your car.
Winner: Dyson v8 and v10
Our Pet Hair Tests on Dyson V8 vs V10
This test involved us taking 100g of dog hair and combing it into a five-foot section of low pile carpet.
We then passed over the area for 20 seconds using the Torque Drive cleaning head in each setting. Once the test was done, we used a window blade to check for missed hair.
The good news is that there wasn’t any visible pet hair left behind, and on the most powerful setting the window blade picked up hardly anything. However, the interesting thing is the results below.
| V8 | V10 | |
| Pet Hair Pickup (Eco/Low) | 90% | 89% |
| Pet Hair Pickup (Auto/Medium) | n/a | 98% |
| Pet Hair Pickup (Boost/High) | 99.9% | 99% |
As you can see, the V8 actually performs slightly better than the Dyson V10 across the board with regards to picking up pet hair.
This isn’t quite what you’d expect since the Dyson V10 is the newer model and therefore supposed to be more powerful.
The eco setting was fairly poor on both machines, but you shouldn’t really be using this for cleaning pet hair as it isn’t going to be effective at removal.
Winner: Dyson v8 (Only Just)
Dyson V8 vs V10 Filtration
Both the V8 and the V10 use the same system for filtration, so this makes it quite easy.
They use HEPA filters, a staple across the Dyson brand, which is ideal for catching allergens and other irritants that could trigger an asthma attack or an allergic reaction.
HEPA filters are effective because they are able to trap particles as small as 0l.03 microns.
The other bonus is that they benefit from a fully sealed system. This means that when air is travelling up through the machine, it is pushed through the filter and out of the exhaust without escaping through other gaps in the machine.
These systems are ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers because they ensure that clean air is getting out and dirty remains inside.
Read Here : Miele vs Dyson Comparison
Our Filtration Test Results
For this, we use a particle test metre. It involves us testing the air before and after sucking up special international approved dust from DMT for 15 seconds with each vacuum cleaner.
Our findings were recorded in the table below. As you can see, the V8 does much better.
| V8 | V10 | |
| Air Particle Test ( Our rating %) | 100% | 99.5% |
Winner: Dyson v8
Dyson V8 vs V10 Noise levels
The nice thing is that both of these vacuum cleaners are quite comfortably below the EU regulation maximum of 80db.
This also means that you can vacuum early in the morning or late at night without waking everyone up – especially on the lowest power setting.
However, there is a winner for the quietest model, and the result may actually surprise you.
The Dyson V8 runs quieter than the Dyson V10 in all settings. It’s only by about one decibel, so it’s not massively noticeable, but the fact remains that you’ll hear the difference when they are next to each other.
This is interesting because the V8 is two models older than the V10, and so you would expect the newer of the two to have the lower volume.
Our Noise Test Results
This test involves us placing a decibel metre three feet away from the drive cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner while it is running.
We use the vacuum in its full form because this is the most common configuration, and the way it will be used the majority of the time. You can see the results in the table below.
| V8 | V10 | |
| Low Setting | 62.2 | 63.2Db |
| Auto Setting | n/a | 71.4Db |
| Boost Setting | 71.7 | 72.5Db |
Winner: Dyson v8 (Only Just)
Dyson V8 and V10 Tech Features
Both the Dyson V8 and V10 are low-tech, but they do have more than their predecessors (just less than the V11).
The V8 was the first to bring a little dazzle to the party, and its new addition in the form of an LED indicator light is actually massively helpful.
It lets you know when the battery is run time is low but also gives you a good idea of how much charge is left.
You’ll find the indicator at the base of the handle, so it is in your line of view and readily available. Here’s a quick look at what the lights that might light up actually mean:
- Solid Blue: charging
- Flashing Blue: not charging. Try another socket or readjust the charger
- No Light: charging complete
- Solid Amber: temporary fault, such as too hot/cold
- Flashing Red: fault, contact Dyson for assistance
- Flashing Red and Blue: fault, contact Dyson for assistance
The Dyson V10 also has some basic tech, but it’s useful and would certainly be missed if it were to be removed.
It has a three-bar indicator light on the handle for a better look at roughly how much battery is left as well as how long it has to charge.
It’s quite a good size as well, allowing you to glance down to check the levels when you are cleaning.
There is also an additional light that the V8 doesn’t have. This sits alongside the battery indicator, and it is a filter light as well as a blockage indicator.
When it lights up, it means the filter needs to be washed or it may indicate that there is a blockage in the airways of the machine.
It’s quite easy to tell what the issue is, and it helps you keep on top of maintenance.
Dyson V8 and Dyson V10 Size/Weight
First things first, the design of the V8 and V10 are a little different. The V8 has the traditional Dyson cordless design, being a good length and very compact in the body.
The Dyson V10 took on a new design that leaves it a little longer and bulkier, but still nicely balanced and easy to handle.
| V8 | V10 | |
| Length | 124.5cm | 125 cm |
| Width | 25cm | 24cm |
It is true that both of these models are using new battery designs, which adds to their weight.
The Dyson V8 is a little lighter because of the older battery technology that it uses, despite the fact that it also gives it a boosted life.
The Dyson V10 uses the tech from their newly acquired battery companies, and this does add to the weight, but not as significantly as the newer V11.
Our Weight Test Results
The weight is still an important thing for us to test ourselves, simply because we like to ensure you have the best and most accurate information.
We measured the vacuum cleaners in their full form (wand and floorhead attached) as well as in handheld mode. The table below shows you our findings.
| V8 | V10 | |
| Weight ( Full Unit with Floorhead) | 2.60 Kg | 2.65 Kg |
| Weight (Hand Unit Only) | 1.6 Kg | 1.7 Kg |
Winner: Dyson v8
Dyson V8 and V10 Accessories
The V8 and V10 come with pretty much the same crevise tool, so there isn’t a massive difference between the two.
However, to help you check out any differences that might be deal breakers (or makers) for you, we have this handy table showing which comes with what.
| Dyson V8 | Dyson V10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Torque Floorhead | No | No |
| Tool Clip | No | No |
| Direct Drive Floorhead | Yes | Yes |
| Fluffy Floorhead | Yes (Absolute only) | Yes (Absolute/Total Clean only) |
| Mini Motorised Tool | Yes | Yes |
| Combination Tool | Yes | Yes |
| Stubborn Dirt Brush | Yes (Animal Extra) | Yes |
| Crevice Tool | Yes (Absolute and Animal Extra) | No |
| Mattress Tool | Yes | Yes |
| Up-Top Adaptor | No | Yes (Total Clean Only) |
| Docking Station | No | Yes (Total Clean Only) |
Winner: Dyson v8 and v10
This one was too close to call. Both the V8 and V10 have at least one model that is missing the crevice tool, which I have never quite understood the reasoning behind, and this is a negative for each of them.
The Dyson V10 also comes with the up-top adaptor, which makes the above-floor cleaning head and reaching under furniture a lot easier and more flexible.
They both come with the mattress tool, which is a personal favourite of mine. This is really effective for cleaning bedding thoroughly, and it works wonders at getting rid of dust mites and irritants that might be living in the fabric.
Honestly, more dyson cordless vacuums should come with this tool and I love that both of these do.
When you Should Buy the Dyson V8?
The V8 is my winner here. It might be a slightly older machine, but it can really hold its own against the newer models.
It’s a powerful machine that will get your house wonderfully clean in no time, and for a slightly lower price than the V10.
- The battery life is fantastic, and even though the charge time isn’t as good as other Dyson models, the interchangeable batteries really help out with that.
- It’s incredible with cleaning, especially pet hair. It’s thorough and effective, with superb suction and some excellent accessories to make life easier.
- The filtration system is flawless, and this is something that Dyson have always prided themselves on. It really shows with this one, especially in the form of the sealed system.
Check out the latest price for the V8 range here or visit our Dyson deals page to compare all the best online retailers to see what offers are available.
When you Should Buy the Dyson V10?
The Dyson V10 lost narrowly to the V8, but it remains a solid machine and an excellent choice for those who want to experience one of the newer Dyson machines and all its cleaning power.
- The battery life makes it suited to slightly larger homes, and it winds the charging time back so that it ends up being similar to the V6 and V7.
- The cleaning power is great, and it is the first Dyson cordless that can actually match up with a corded vacuum cleaner. It’s slightly lacking with pet hair, but has great deep cleaning capabilities.
- It’s priced well and comes with some of the best accessories that Dyson has to offer. It’s a bargain for the amount of great features that it possesses.
Read Here : Shark Vs Dyson Comparison
Check out the latest price for the Dyson V10 range here or visit our Dyson deals page to compare all the best online retailers to see what offers are available on Smart Vacuums.
Last Updated on January 27, 2022 by Gemma Tyler
