The latest versions of the cordless stick vacuums for Dyson, the V11 and V10 are both special cordless stick vacs in their own right.
While there aren’t too many differences in cleaning performance, there are subtle differences in both that could suit some homes better than others.
Either vacuum cleaner could be an expensive investment for most Australian homes.
We’ll go through the value for price, ease of use and the effectiveness of the V11 and the V10.
The Big Differences
The V11, like any Dyson model, promises power that beats any predecessor, including the V10.
Although the V10 has a frighteningly powerful motor, the V11 motor is still about 20% more powerful according to Dyson.
The V11’s High Torque cleaner head accessory has taken the cordless vacuum market by storm in its flagship status and dazzling cleaning performance.
In Australia, the Dyson V11 comes in three editions – the Absolute, Absolute Pro and Torque Drive, with the difference primarily related to the presence of included attachments.
Like the V11, the Dyson V10 also comes in 3 editions in Australia – the Total Clean, Absolute and Animal.
Major Features of the V11 vs V10
| V11 | V10 |
| The most powerful Dyson motor ever | Before the advent of the V11, the V10 held the title of the most powerful vacuum motor Dyson had ever made. |
| High Torque cleaner head is a flagship accessory tool that rotates at a frightening pace | The battery life of the V10 impresses in the medium power mode (which is extremely powerful in its own right) |
| Sensors monitor the vacuum up to 8,000 times every second | Converts to a handheld |
| Excellent filtration system | Three different power settings |
| Three distinct power modes | Runs for 60 minutes in the limited power mode |
| On the automatic mode, the V11 will sense and adjust as you move across different floor types | Roller with soft nylon bristles provides high-quality cleaning results on hard floors |
| A unique diffuser on the vacuum motor cuts down the noise levels produced | Direct-drive technology on the vacuum head is highly effective against even thick rugs |
| In the Eco mode, the battery lasts for up to an hour | Comes with a wall dock for charging |
| Comes with a wall dock for charging | High-quality filtration system makes this an excellent choice for most homes |
| Converts to a handheld device | Suction power of the V10 comes from 14 cyclones that revolutionised airflow inside a vacuum when it first came out |
| An LCD screen for monitoring | The “Point and Shoot” emptying system is highly aesthetic to use |
Unboxing
Both the V10 and V11 are similar in stature, but by weighing in at a little over 3 kilos, the V11 is a few hundred grams heavier.
The lightweight design of both vacuums is highly impressive when you are reminded that the motors residing within them are some of the most powerful motors ever built by Dyson.
The one difference in design that you cannot overlook is the presence of an impressive LCD screen on the V11.
Data provided by the V11 also is seriously impressive. The V11 comes decked with the latest sensor technology from Dyson, called the Dynamic Load Sensor. Sensors on the battery, cleaner head attachment and motor will record data 8,000 times per second!
Because of this reason, the LCD screen provides a real-time update of battery life, depending on the floor type and attachment that you are using.
Our team of testers also love how the V11 provides information on getting rid of blockages, with animated instructions showing up on the screen.
The flagship attachment on the V11, the high-torque cleaner head, can automatically sense as you move from carpets to hard flooring and adjust suction power accordingly.
Altogether, 11 separate accessories are included with the Absolute Pro edition of the Dyson V11!
V11 vs V10: Cleaning Performance
The suction power on the V11 is so potent that even the Eco mode is more than sufficient for the cleaning needs that most Australian homes will come across.
Both vacuums house 14 cyclones inside, that literally creates the perfect storm within, separating even microscopic allergens.
Engineers at Dyson figuring out the alignment of these cyclones with the rotation of the motor is the secret ingredient behind the titanic suction power generated by each of these devices.
When it comes to carpet cleaning, however, a distinct advantage of the V11 shines through, in the form of its flagship attachment.
The High Torque cleaner head holds both soft carbon bristles for larger debris as well as hard nylon bristles that can dig deep within carpet fibres.
By rotating the brush bar 60 times a second, the high-torque cleaner head has been heralded as a game-changer for good reason within vacuum engineering circles.
We also love how the carbon bristles on the vacuum head are anti-static, which helps dislodge fine debris on floorboards, which is a big positive for a vacuum cleaner and an aspect that most vacuum brands fail to address in their vacuums.
Comparing Battery Life on V10 vs V11
Without losing sight of the goal when discussing the V10 and V11, it is always important to not lose sight of one of the key facets in a cordless vacuum – the battery life.\
The lower power mode or Eco mode on either vacuum will provide about an hour of cleaning, which we really cannot fault as it falls within industry standards while also delivering much higher suction power.
Both of the vacuums also match each other in the supremely powerful Boost mode, lasting about 8 minutes on a full battery charge.
The V11 takes an hour longer than the V10 to fully recharge, at an annoying 4.5 hours!
The monitoring system, however, papers over that defect by allowing users to keep a hawk-eye over battery life.
V11 vs V10: Which Is Louder?
Noise levels are one area where some technological improvements on the V11 really shine through.
Diffusers that have been attached to the motor helps control vibrations generated by the vacuum, and thereby deliver lower noise levels than the V10.
V11 vs V10: What hasn’t changed?
One aspect of most Dyson vacuums that we have often been disgruntled with is a limited dust canister capacity. Along the same vein, the V10 and V11 have identically sized dust canisters, each holding 0.76 litres of debris.
Another item of discontent is having to press your thumb down on the trigger of both the V10 and V11.
Dyson continues to persist with a pistol-like grip on their top-end cordless vacuums, which can be quite difficult for people with large palms, as one of our testers would attest to!
On a more positive note, one avenue where the V10 and V11 share their features are in the high-quality filtration system on show.
By each having 14 cyclones to generate centrifugal force inside the vacuum, even the finest of allergens are effectively separated – 99.97% of all allergens are captured by the V10 and V11 according to Dyson.
The highly aesthetic “Point and Shoot” emptying system is both easy to use and keeps you away from the debris.
A minor defect of the system, however, persists in both vacuums as all attachments still need to be removed before the emptying system can be operated.
Is The V11 Better Than The V10?
When dealing with two high-quality cordless devices that come decked with a host of features, it is important to stick to the cold facts.
The motor on the V11 is more powerful, and the vacuum head has a brush bar that rotates faster.
To add to this, the V11 pioneers an LCD screen and ground-breaking sensor technology.
Also, the V11 produces less noise than the V10.
The V10, however, holds its own when it comes to matching the V11 in battery life delivered.
Recharging time for the V10’s battery is also a full hour faster than the V11, which can make a big difference for homes that regularly require quick cleaning sessions.
The filtration system remains excellent in both the V11 and V10, as well as the capacity of the dust bowl.
When compared to the V11, any vacuum can seem like a featherweight in comparison.
The V10, however, is a revolutionary device that redefined powerful cleaning that was delivered on lasting battery life.
The motor design that capitalises on improved airflow and several cyclones continue to be an engineering achievement that research teams at Dyson have to be thanked for.
The direct-drive cleaner head attachment included with the Dyson V10 is extremely effective in cleaning carpets.
The V10 does not ignore homes with predominantly hard floors, as there is also a soft brushroll for picking up delicate pet fur and debris.
All things considered, however, 20% of extra power is not to be taken lightly in vacuum wars, so if you can afford it, the V11 is our winner.
