The Dyson V8 and V11 are arguably two of the best vacuum cleaners produced by the company. They both have strong merits, which is what makes it difficult to choose between the two.
Considering the number of excellent cordless vacuums that Dyson have, it’s no wonder people have a hard time knowing which one is going to work for their home.
To make life a little easier for you, we have compiled this concise yet detailed side-by-side testing review.
Here, you will be able to take a good look at how the V8 and V11 compare, allowing you to decide which one is going to be the perfect vacuum cleaner for the job.
The Dyson V8
There are only two core models in the Dyson V8 series, and they are the v8 Absolute and the Dyson v8 Animal.
However, you also have the Dyson v8 Animal Extra. The only difference here is that it comes with an additional crevice tool.
When compared to the V6 and V7, it’s leaps and bounds above them in terms of battery life and power setting, and it certainly brings a lot to the table to make cleaning easier.
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 V11
This is the newest Dyson cordless, and certainly the most advanced in terms of tech.
It uses the new build design that the V10 brought to the spotlight, but there are some noticeable differences that just make it that little bit better.
It has everything that you would expect from a Dyson vacuum cleaner but with so much more.
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 | V11 Absolute & Animal |
| Detachable Handheld | Yes |
| Length | 128.5 cm |
| Width | 25 cm |
| Weight | 3.05 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 V11 Side-by-Side Test Results
Now we get to the exciting part. This is where you can take a detailed look at all of our test results, each of which we conducted ourselves to bring you the best and most accurate results.
We cover everything from the battery life and running time, to its effectiveness on different floor types and an in-depth accessory comparison.
It’s time to find out how effective (or ineffective) these machines are.
Dyson v8 vs v11 Battery/Run-Time
Our Run-Time Test Results
This test involved us preparing our stopwatch. After ensuring the machines were fully charged, we held the trigger down until it ran out of charge. We did this on every setting each vacuum has.
We used the Direct Drive floor head for this, and as a motorised tool, it does use a little more power.
You will likely have a longer battery life if you use the non-motorised attachments.
| Model (Mode) | Runtime (Mins) |
|---|---|
| V11 (Eco) | 55 Mins |
| V11 (Medium) | 45 Mins |
| V11 (High/Boost) | 13 Mins |
| Model (Mode) | Runtime (Mins) |
|---|---|
| V8 (Eco) | 27 Mins |
| V8 (High/Boost) | 8 Mins |
The Dyson V8 was the first major battery life improvement, and Dyson claims that you will get a good 40 minutes out of it.
While this is true, it is only when you are using the non-motorised crevice tool.
When we tested it, we got around 30 minutes with the main floorhead, which is still more than enough for cleaning the average home.
Boost mode, we got under 10 minutes, but this mode isn’t needed as much and it’s still a decent lifespan for it.
The Dyson V11, on the other hand, actually does come very close to the advertised running time of one hour in the lowest setting – even with the motorised cleaning head attached.
In the standard mode, you still get an impressive 45 minutes, and boost gives you around 15 minutes.
Winner: Dyson v11
Dyson v8 vs v11 Charge Time
This is something that doesn’t remain massively consistent through the Dyson brand, since the V6, V7, and V10 all had a 3.5 hour charge time.
The V8 has the longest charge time of any Dyson cordless at 5 hours, but the Dyson V11 isn’t far behind at 4.5 hours.
| V8 | V11 |
|---|---|
| 5 Hours | 4.5 Hours |
It is a long time for a battery to charge, but each of these machines used new battery tech to achieve faster runtimes.
The Dyson V8 also has the option to remove the battery, which means you can switch it out when you need extra time or the original battery starts to fail after a few years.
The Dyson V11 is different in this regard. The battery cannot be removed or switched out, but there is a good reason for this.
Since Dyson acquired battery companies, they have developed a new battery that they claim will last a good 15 years – better than anything before the V10. Time will tell if it’s true, but it’s looking good so far.
Winner: Dyson v11
Dyson v8 and v11 Cleaning Power
The Dyson V8 provides an impressive 20% more maximum suction power than its predecessor, the V6. This is a massive improvement on overall cleaning across all floor types, and while the cleaning head remains the same, the overall power and tech is greatly improved.
Looking at the Dyson V11, this offers an excellent 32% more power than the V10.
This makes it the most powerful of the Dyson cordless models, and the fact that it can also deep clean carpets sets it a level above the rest. In fact, we have found that it can replace a corded model.
Our Airflow Test Results
This leads us to the airflow test. This is what powers suction power and makes it more efficient, hence the figures in the table are so important.
We used the machine in its full form, which means both the wand and cleaning head were attached.
This is because it is the most frequently used form for vacuum cleaner. You will see that the airflow is measured in Cubic Feet per Minute, also known as CFM.
| V8 | V11 | |
| Air Flow ( Low Setting) | 16.5 CFM | 23 CFM |
| Air Flow (Auto/Medium Setting) | n/a | 27 CFM |
| Air Flow ( High/Boost Setting) | 27 CFM | 48.5 CFM |
The Dyson V11 is the dominant model in the airflow department. While the V8 is certainly good, vast improvements have been made with the Dyson V11.
Winner: Dyson v11
Both the Dyson V8 and the Dyson V11 use cyclonic technology, and it’s a staple across the Dyson range.
It works to keep things running smoothly, directing dirt and large debris straight to the bin instead of allowing it to spray throughout the interior of the machine.
It also provides fade-free suctions, which means that even if the bin gets full or the battery runs low, the suction power won’t be compromised.
This maximises your cleaning time so that you can reach every corner quickly and efficiently.
However, there is a fairly major difference between the two vacuum cleaners here, and this comes in the form of the cleaning head.
The V8 uses the traditional Direct Drive motorised floorhead, and this comes with two rows of brushes (hard and soft) that can be used on both hardwood floors and carpets without issue.
The Dyson V11 has something completely new with the Absolute version, and this is the Dyson v11 Torque drive cleaning head (the Dyson V11 Animal still has the Direct Drive).
This has the same two rows of brushes, but there is also a gate on the front of the cleaning head that can be raised or lowered according to the form of large debris that needs to be cleaned.
The Dyson V11 Torque drive cleaning head is also able to automatically detect the type of floor you are cleaning and will adjust the battery power setting accordingly.
This feature is actually incredibly quick, and it really does work as soon as you switch surfaces. It is certainly one of the best and most advanced cleaning head from Dyson.
Both the V8 and V11 come with the Fluffy cleaner head, which is a soft roller designed for hardwood floors.
However, you will learn more about this in the coming sections on cleaning power.
So, why don’t we take a quick look at how the V8 and V11 work around the home?
Dyson v8 and v11 Carpets
The Direct-Drive cleaning head found on the Dyson V8 Animal and the Dyson V11 Animal is excellent for working grime and dirt out of the carpet in an effective manner.
The brushes move quickly to essentially massage the fibres in order to remove hair and debris from it.
The suction power is excellent, but the Dyson V8 isn’t quite capable of deep cleaning to a corded model’s standards.
The Dyson V11 Torque drive cleaning head is also excellent at carpet cleaning, but it takes things a step further by deep cleaning the carpets to such an extent it could replace your corded machine easily.
The Torque floorhead has better cleaning capabilities, and when combined with the improved suction power, it really can reach right down into the fibres.
Our Low-Pile Carpet Test Results
This test involves us taking exactly 100g of a mixture that represents household debris – all of which varies in terms of size and texture for realism.
These materials included chilli flakes, loose black tea, cheerios, and flaxseed.
The mixture was then spread over a 1.5m strip of carpet, and we performed a 10 second pass over it.
The contents of the bin were then weighed, and the percentage recorded for the table below.
| V8 | V11 | |
| Low Setting | 98.6% | 97% |
| Auto Setting | n/a | 99% |
| Boost Setting | 99.3% | 99.5% |
As you can see, both models have done brilliantly. It’s interesting that the Dyson V8 still performs exceptionally well next to the Dyson V11, despite the advances in technology.
Winner: Dyson v11 (Only Just)
Hard Floors. Both the Direct Drive and Torque do a good job on hard floors, and the Direct Drive floor head is actually one of the best we have seen for crevice tool and gaps in the floor.
While these are both good options, the Dyson V8 and V11 Absolute models come with a Fluffy floorhead.
Specially designed for a hard floor, it uses a mini soft dusting brush roll that is gentle on hard floors while also maximising fine dust collection – something the standard cleaning head cannot do.
It is still able to pick up chunky debris without clogging or snow ploughing, and it is perfect for delicate floors like vinyl as it won’t scratch them.
Our Hardwood Floor Test Results
For this test, we did exactly the same as in our carpet one. However, we used a strip of laminate flooring instead.
This is because it is the most commonly used hard floor in the UK. The table below shows you the cleaning results for each model.
| V8 | V11 | |
| Low Setting | 100% | 100% |
| Auto Setting | N/A | 100% |
| Boost Setting | 100% | 100% |
The test was performed using the Fluffy cleaning head, and you can see that the results are completely identical for both the Dyson V8 and the V11.
Winner: Dyson v8 and v11
Dyson v8 vs v11 Stairs
The V8 and Dyson V11 are both able to be used as a handheld vacuum once you remove the wand. This makes things a lot easier when you are trying to clean, and you can attach tools or the main floorhead to the machine.
They also come with a mini motorised soft dusting brush that will make cleaning the stairs a lot easier.
In many ways, it is like a compact version of the Direct Drive floor head. It allows you to clean the stairs without awkwardness, and it remains highly effective at removing hair and dirt from the area.
It can also be used inside the car and on furniture. In this case, there isn’t really a difference between the two models.
Winner: Dyson v8 and v11
Our Dyson v8 vs v11 Pet Hair Tests
For this test, we took a load of dog hair (100g to be precise) and combed it into a five-foot section of carpet.
We then went over the area with the Direct Drive floorhead for 20 seconds on each mode. Afterwards, we used a window blade to check for any missed hair.
Neither model had any visible hair left, and the window blade didn’t pick much up either.
This shows great results, and what’s even more interesting is the percentages shown in the table below.
As you can see, the V8 and Dyson V11 are quite evenly matched in terms of pet hair collection.
They score equally across the board (except in the medium, which the V8 does not have).
| V8 | V11 | |
| Pet Hair Pickup (Eco/Low) | 90% | 90% |
| Pet Hair Pickup (Auto/Medium) | n/a | 98% |
| Pet Hair Pickup (Boost/High) | 99.9% | 99.9% |
The eco-setting was not great in either machine, although better than other brands of cordless vacuum.
However, eco isn’t really the setting you should be using for carpets as it is not massively effective anyway.
Winner: Dyson v8 and v11
Dyson v8 vs v11 Filtration
The filtration system is the same for both the V8 and the Dyson V11. They each use HEPA filters, a standard across Dyson vacuum cleaners – excluding most of the Dyson V7 range.
These filters washable, and are able to capture particles as small as 0.03 microns. This is ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers.
It also features a fully sealed system, and this is where no air is able to escape the machine.
Dyson has some of the most excellently sealed vacuum cleaners in the world, and because the system directs particles straight to the filter, it creates safer air for asthma and allergy sufferers. This is also a feature shared by both the V8 and the Dyson V11.
Our Filtration Test Results
This test was performed using a particle test metre. It involved checking and recording the air both before and after sucking up special international approved dust from DMT for 15 seconds. You can see our findings below.
| V8 | V11 | |
| Air Particle Test ( Our rating %) | 100% | 100% |
Winner: Dyson v8 and v11
Dyson v8 vs v11 Noise levels
The V8 and V11 sit comfortably below the EU limit of 80dB. This makes them pleasant to use, and also means that you can vacuum freely in the morning or the evening without waking the world up. While it’s a close one, there is a winner for this particular test.
Interestingly, in its lowest setting, the V8 is a little quieter than the Dyson V11. However, as you increase the power, the Dyson V11 remains the quietest overall.
It should be noted that the difference between them in terms of volume is so minimal that you will barely notice it.
Our Noise Test Results
Using a decibel meter that was set three feet away from the vacuum cleaner, we tested the volume of it while running.
As a note, this test was performed with both the wand and main floorhead attached for the most accurate results.
| V8 | V11 | |
| Low Setting | 62.2 | 63.6 Db |
| Auto Setting | n/a | 68.4 Db |
| Boost Setting | 71.7 | 71.2 Db |
Winner: Dyson v11 (Only Just)
Dyson v8 vs v11 Tech Features
This is definitely a section with some key differences. We’ll start with the V8 because it is the least techy of the two.
The one feature that the V8 does have is certainly an improvement on the tech-free V6 and V7 models.
It has an LED indicator that will let you know when the battery starts getting low, as well as an idea of how much charge it has when it is plugged into the mains.
It sits nicely at the base of the handle, which makes it convenient for you to check while you clean.
There are several different lights that might pop up, and here is a quick guide to what they 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
Dyson took the tech about six steps forward with the Dyson V11, and it has some of the most advanced features we’ve seen in a cordless vac.
However, there is also a slight difference between the Dyson v11 Animal and the Absolute. I’ll start with the Dyson v11 Animal as it is the most basic of the two.
There is an LED screen on the butt of the main body (also where the filter is). This screen sports a 3-bar battery indicator to give you a rough idea of how much charge you have left.
Below this, there is a button that will allow you to switch between power settings (displayed on the screen), and an alert for filter cleaning or a blockage.
It’s a little basic, but it’s useful and a lot more than previous models had to offer.
The Absolute goes even further, with an LCD display that shows you exactly how much time you have left on each setting in the form of a countdown clock.
You can use the button below the screen to make quick setting selections. It also has a filter and blockage display, but it’s a lot more advanced than what the Dyson v11 Animal is offering.
It actually shows you a video clip of the issue and the potential ways you can try to fix it.
So, for the filter cleaning, it will show you where the filter is and how to remove it.
For blockages, you will get several different video clips of where the various blockages might be so that you can fix them.
It’s an amazing feature, and it really shows how advanced Dyson is – especially compared to competitor brands.
Dyson v8 vs v11 Size/Weight
The V8 and V11 actually have slightly different designs. Where the earlier Dyson models were short, slim, and compact, things changed with the Dyson V11 which is a longer and chunkier version.
The new build is still nicely balanced, but the weight difference is noticeable.
| V8 | V11 | |
| Length | 124.5cm | 128.5cm |
| Width | 25cm | 25cm |
Both of these models sport new battery designs – the V8 an early one to improve on the Dyson V6, and the Dyson V11 the most recent Dyson battery creation.
This does add to the overall weight, but the altered designs don’t help the situation either.
Those with arthritis or weak joints may want to consider the V8 over the V11 here.
Read Here : Dyson Light Ball Review
Our Weight Test Results
The weight is pretty easy to measure, but we like to do it ourselves so that you have the most accurate information possible.
We took the vacuum cleaner apart and weighed it in handheld mode, as well as in its standard form. The table below shows you how much each form weighs.
| V8 | V11 | |
| Weight ( Full Unit with Floorhead) | 2.60 Kg | 3.05 Kg |
| Weight (Hand Unit Only) | 1.6 Kg | 2 Kg |
Winner: Dyson v8
Dyson v8 vs v11 Accessories
The tools that come with the V8 and the V11 are very similar, but there are a few differences.
To make things easier, I have compiled this handy table so that you can see what each vacuum comes with, as well as any tools that they might be missing. This includes floorhead.
| Dyson V8 | Dyson V11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Torque Floorhead | No | Yes (AbsoluteOnly) |
| Tool Clip | No | Yes |
| Direct Drive Floorhead | Yes | Yes (Animal Only) |
| Fluffy Floorhead | Yes (Absolute only) | Yes (Absolute Only) |
| Mini Motorised Tool | Yes | Yes |
| Combination Tool | Yes | Yes |
| Stubborn Dirt Brush | Yes (Animal Extra) | Yes |
| Crevice Tool | Yes (Absolute and Animal Extra) | Yes |
| Mattress Tool | Yes | No |
| Up-Top Adaptor | No | No |
| Docking Station | No | Yes |
Winner: Dyson v8 and v11
It’s too close to call for this one. The Dyson V11 comes with the tool holder, which I never knew I needed until I had it.
Plus, the crevice tool comes with every Dyson V11 Animal model, whereas the Dyson V8 Animal does not have this included.
What helped the V8 rank highly here is the mattress tool. This is something more Dyson models should incorporate because it works wonders for giving bedding a really thorough clean. No more dust mites, no more grime, just comfortable sleep.
When you Should Buy the V8?
Despite being an older model in comparison, the V8 still holds its own even against the more modern releases.
There is actually a lot going for it, and it reminds us that when Dyson makes vacuum cleaners the new ones might be better, but the old are not obsolete in any way.
- It has a fantastic running time that can easily tackle the average small to medium home. You could even push it to larger ones, depending on how much you have used the boost mode.
- The cleaning power is incredible, and even when put up against the Dyson V11 it really holds its own – especially with regards to tackling pet hair and hard floors.
- The filtration is top-notch and on-par with the Dyson V11. Despite being older, it might as well have come out when the Dyson V10 did because it is certainly the second-best Dyson model.
Check out the latest price for the V8 range here or visit our Miele vs Dyson Comparison.
When you Should Buy the V11?
Overall, the V11 is the winner for this guide. It’s a little bulkier, the price tag is heftier, but it also has a lot more to offer in terms of tech and cleaning power.
- Larger homes can massively benefit from the increased runtime, and even smaller homes have the option for a relaxed deep clean as opposed to rushing around.
- The increased airflow means more powerful suction, and this makes cleaning thoroughly completely possible. Carpets, pet hair, none of it stands a chance, and the fact that it can replace a standard corded model is pretty impressive.
- It’s packed with useful tech that improves your experience, not the gimmicky stuff that you wonder why you paid for it. It will massively help you when you are cleaning.
Check out the latest price for the V11 cordless vacuum cleaners 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
