Dyson V8 vs V11: Cordless Vacuum Comparison
The Dyson V series is the premium choice of cordless stick vacuums on the market. For lightweight yet ferociously powerful vacuums that can reach those hard to clean surface, look no further. The Dyson V8 and V11 are two of the top models in the series. In this article, we will compare the Dyson V8 vs V11 looking at their features in order to help you decide which product may be better suited for your home.
Contents
Comparison Chart
| Model | Dyson V8 | Dyson V11 |
|---|---|---|
| Design |  |  |
| Dimensions (inches) | 49.2 x 9.8 x 8.8 | 50.6 x 9.8 x 10.2 |
| Weight | 5.75 lbs | 6.68 lbs 7.85 lbs (Outsize Version) |
| Versions | Absolute Animal Animal+ Motorhead | Torque Drive Animal Outsize |
| Motor | V8 | V11 |
| Airwatts | 115 | 185 220 (Outsize Version) |
| HEPA Filter | ✔ | ✔ |
| Intelligent Suction | ✔ | |
| Digital Screen | ✔ | |
| Battery Life | 40 Minutes | 60 Minutes 120 Minutes (Outsize Version) |
| Charge Time | 5 Hours | 4.5 Hours |
| Dustbin Size (Litres) | 0.54 | 0.76 1.89 (Outsize Version) |
| Multiple Power Modes | ✔ | ✔ |
| One-Click Bin Emptying | ✔ | ✔ |
| Docking Station | ✔ | ✔ |
| 2 Tier Radial Cyclones | ✔ | ✔ |
| Availability | Check Price | Check Price |
Dyson V8
The Dyson V8 is a slightly older cordless stick vacuum that used to top the V series and was one of the best models on the market. To this day it still remains a highly capable device that is worth considering. With the V8 digital motor that spins up to 110,000 times a minute achieving a maximum of 115 Airwatts, the suction power makes it very effective on hard floors and quite effective on carpets.
Given that the vacuum just weighs 5.75 lbs, yet is 49.2 inches long, it is incredibly ergonomically and well suited to clean hard to reach places. The many additional tools and accessories that come with the V8 help users clean effectively in corners and in other situations. There is a HEPA filter built into all versions of the V8 that captures particles down to 0.3 microns.
The battery life of the Dyson V8 can last be as long as 40 minutes with a 5 hour charge times. There are two cleaning modes, however, Max and Powerful. If you use the Max mode, which is more energy-consuming, the battery will drain sooner than this. There are four versions of the Dyson V8 available, the Absolute, Animal, Animal+, and Motorhead. It should be noted that the Animal versions are designed for households with pets. The differences between these versions are as follows:
- Absolute: Comes with Fluffy cleaning head, Direct Drive cleaning head, Mini dusting brush, and Mini motorized brush roll.
- Animal: Comes with Direct Drive cleaning head and Mini motorized brush roll.
- Animal+ :Comes with Direct Drive cleaning head, Mini dusting brush, and Mini motorized brush roll.
- Motorhead: Comes with Direct Drive cleaning head.
Dyson V8 articles:
Dyson V11
The latest and premium cordless stick vacuum in this series is the Dyson V11. It is a cut above the V8 in terms of features, quality and performance in most areas. The Dyson V11 uses the corresponding V11 digital motor which revolves up to 125,000 a minute generating a maximum 185 air watts of suction. This means the maximum amount of suction is around 60% greater than the V8, making it far more capable at on the tougher to clean surfaces.
A really unique and advanced feature of the Dyson V11 is the Intelligent Suction, which adjusts the vacuum strength depending on how much is required to clean the surface. This optimizes the battery life as it avoids using too much energy unnecessarily. Another unique feature of the Dyson V11 which no other in the series has is the digital screen. This is on the motor and provides information such as which cleaning mode is currently being used, how much battery is left as well as showing videos on how to maintain the vacuum.
Another big upgrade in the Dyson V11 is the Dustbin size which is 0.76 litres which will lead to less maintenance as the bin can be emptied more infrequently. There is also a HEPA filter that captures particles down to 0.3 microns. The battery life is 60 minutes long which is considerably longer than the Dyson V8, which is 40 minutes. There are two versions of the Dyson V11, which are the Torque Drive and the Animal.
There is now a new Dyson V11 Outsize model which has made some improvements, takin this vacuum to another level. This includes 220 airwatts of suction power, a 1.89 litre dustbin, and an extra-large Torque Drive cleaning head for quicker cleaning. We compare all versions in more detail here: Dyson V11 Torque Drive vs Animal vs Outsize.
Dyson V11 articles:
Dyson V8 vs V11 Differences
- Digital Motor and Suction Power: The Dyson V11 is a considerably more powerful cordless vacuum than the V8. Achieving a maximum of 185 airwatts (220 with Outsize version), the V11 is 60% stronger at its full output than the V8 which has just 115 airwatts. This means that in more challenging cleaning situations, the V11 will have an edge over the V8. However, it should be understood that the V8 will perform to the same level or nearly the same level in most situations.
- Intelligent Suction: The Dyson V11 can automatically adjust its suction power in accordance with the surface it is cleaning. This optimizes the energy usage so it lasts longer, an advanced feature no other Dyson cordless vacuum has.
- Digital Screen: Another feature unique to the Dyson V11 is the digital screen on the digital motor which displays information such as the cleaning mode being used, how much battery is left and videos on how to maintain the vacuum.
- Battery Life & Charging Time: The Dyson V11 has a batter life of 60 minutes (120 minutes with Outsize version), 20 minutes longer than the Dyson V8. It takes the V11 4.5 hours to fully charge whilst the V8 will take 5 hours.
- Dustbin Size: The Dyson V11 has a substantially larger bin than the Dyson V8. It is 0.76 litres (1.89 with Outsize version) compared to just 0.54 litres.
- Versions Available: The Dyson V8 has four versions; the Absolute, Animal, Animal+ and Motorhead, and the V11 comes in just the Torque Drive, Animal and Outsize. These vary based on what attachments are available. The most significant difference here is that the V8 has a Fluffy cleaning head option in the form of the Absolute model.
- Price: The Dyson V11 is a newer and more advanced vacuum and is, therefore, more expensive than the V8.
Dyson V8 vs V11 Similarities
- Dimensions & Weight: The Dyson V8 and V11 have very similar dimensions and weight which makes them ergonomically similar in practical terms. The V8 is 49.2 x 9.8 x 8.8 inches and weighs 5.75 lbs whilst the V11 is 50.6 x 9.8 x 10.2 inches and 6.68 lbs.
- One-Click Bin Emptying: Each of these vacuums will empty the bin with one click of a button.
- HEPA Filter: Both the V8 and V11 have a HEPA filter capturing particles down to the size 0.3 microns.
- Accessories: Both the Dyson V8 and V11 come with many accessories which include the following;
- Wand
- Charger
- Wall Mount
- Combination Tool
- Crevice Tool
- Mini-motorized Tool
Final Word
The Dyson V11 is clearly a better vacuum than the V8, mostly due to the superior suction power, battery life, Intelligent Suction, and the Digital Screen. However, in practice the extra performance these features give the V11 is unlikely to make a huge difference. Yes, in some harder to clean situations the V11 will clean where the V8 may leave some dirt, but in most scenarios, they will both complete the task. Whether you wish to go for the V11 over the V8 will down to your budget. We would also recommend looking at the Dyson V10 as this sits somewhere between these two models in terms of features and price. Read our Dyson V10 vs V7 article for more information on how those two compare.
