Dyson make some of the best vacuum cleaners in the world. They have an extensive product range, from relatively cheap options up to the top of the line cordless options. When looking at the top cordless stick vacuums (the Dyson V10 and Dyson V8), there’s quite a big price difference and the actual differences in the two models aren’t that easy to distinguish. If you’ve been wondering whether the top model from Dyson (the V10) is worth paying more for, this article is going to clear things up for you. I’ll be providing you with a comparative review of the Dyson V10 vs the V8.
The Similarities
They are both very similar cordless stick vacuums. The Dyson V10 is the newer model, replacing the V8 as the top option in their line of cordless stick vacuums. So it goes without saying that the V10 is an upgraded version of the V8. Is it worth paying approximately $200 more for the V10? That really depends on what you want and what you’re prepared to pay for. Both are excellent machines and have received excellent reviews – from customers and review sites alike. So it may not be an easy decision. I’ll point out the differences between the Dyson V8 and V10 through the review, so you can be in a position to make an informed decision.
When you look at the two, it isn’t all that easy to tell them apart. They’re both about the same length. The Dyson V8 is 49-inches tall and the Dyson V10 is only a fraction of an inch taller at 49.2-inches. They both have a width of 9.8-inches and the V10 is more bulky with a depth of 10.1-inches compared to only 8.8-inches for the V8. None of these factors will really affect the ease of use and they are of a similar weight, the Dyson V8 weighs 5.75-pounds and the V10 is a little heavier at 5.9-pounds. I can’t see this minor weight difference as being significant.
The Differences
There is one obvious difference when looking at the two, the cyclonic suction system and dust cups aren’t the same. This is the first clue that indicates that the Dyson V10 has been redesigned and we would hope that this is more than just aesthetics but adds some meaningful value. This is, indeed true. The Dyson V10 has improved suction by virtue of a re-engineered cyclonic system and a slightly more powerful motor. It has better airflow and more power which aids the Dyson V10 in being better at sucking up larger debris and it performs slightly better on deep pile carpets. Comparative testing has shown that the Dyson V10 is quite a lot better when sucking up larger debris from hard floors – an improvement of 42%. On both low pile and high pile carpets, the difference isn’t that big, with the Dyson V10 showing improved cleaning results for various types of dirt being in the region of 1-3%, depending on the type of debris you’re cleaning up.
The dust cup has gone through some changes and, here too, the Dyson V10 shows some superiority over the V8. The V10 has a larger dust cup (0.77L), whereas the Dyson V8 has a dust cup that will only hold 0.54L. The larger dust cup on the Dyson V10 will make life easier if you have a larger home. They’ve also improved the way in which you release the dirt from the dust cup. They both use a similar release latch. But, when designing the Dyson V10, they’ve changed the position of the latch, making it easier to hold the dust cup over the trash can when emptying. Basically, it’s easier and less messy to empty the dust cup of the V10.
Attachments
When it comes to usability and attachments, the Dyson V10 has some extras that you get as standard and some of these are available only as optional extras if choose the V8. They can both convert to a handheld vacuum very easily. A single touch, click and release mechanism allows you to detach the tube, after which you can attach a shorter wand and use a variety of handy attachments which make it much easier to clean curtains, furniture and hard to reach areas. As they both function well as a cordless, hand-held vacuum, both are excellent for cleaning the interior of your car.
As far as attachments and cleaning heads go, both are quite impressive but the Dyson V10 does offer more. The Dyson V8 has a direct drive cleaning head which is great for carpets of every description. It has a rotating bristle brush that lifts dirt from deep within the carpet fibers. The Dyson V10 has a similar rotating bristle brush but uses a torque drive system. This difference in the technical spec of the cleaning head is of little significance. As the test results have proven, the Dyson V10 has 1-3% improved cleaning power when used on carpets. The only major difference between the two is that the Dyson V10 absolute model includes a fluffy cleaning head, this is what gives it significantly better cleaning abilities when removing large debris from hard floors. You can buy the fluffy roller brush separately for the Dyson V8, but that kind of negates some of the advantage of its cheaper price. All the other accessories are standard for both the Dyson V8 and V10. These include the wand, dusting brush, crevice tool, and the mini-motorized roller brush which is excellent for removing pet hairs from upholstery. Both have a wall-mounted docking station and the battery charger comes as part of your startup kit.
Filtration
In terms of filtration, they’re identical. Both have washable, reusable HEPA filters that should last for the lifetime of the vacuum. The real difference becomes obvious when we take a look at the batteries. The Dyson V8 uses a standard Lithium-ion battery (2,800 mAh) which provides approximately 40-minutes of cleaning time. The Dyson V10 uses an altogether battery which is a vast improvement. The nickel-cobalt-aluminum battery that’s been developed for the V10 allows this more powerful vacuum to run for about an hour before it needs recharging. Both of these batteries take 3.5-hours to recharge.
What really sets the V10 battery apart, however, is its expected lifespan. The Lithium-ion battery used in the Dyson V8 has a life expectancy of 2-years – this is fairly normal for these batteries. The battery used to power the Dyson V10 has a life expectancy of 15-years. This is a significant improvement and will reduce your running costs considerably. You probably won’t have to replace the battery over the lifetime of the V10. Whereas with the V8, you’ll have to replace the battery several times.
Summary
Both the Dyson V8 and V10 come with a 2-year warranty. So in terms of general quality, they both meet the highest standards set by a manufacturer that has a reputation for excellence. To summarize the differences, we can conclude that the Dyson V10 has slightly more power, though this has proven not to be a major improvement. You get the fluffy brush with the V10 which is great for hard floors, but you can get this for the V8 if you pay a little extra. So the difference when using the two, is that the Dyson V10 has a larger dust cup and longer battery time, making it more convenient for larger homes. This hardly seems to make it worth the higher price until you look at the life expectancy of the battery. Replacing the batteries for the Dyson V8 over the 15-year life expectancy of the Dyson V10 battery is going to cost about $500 over this period. When this is put into perspective, the Dyson V10 is much better value for money. So I’d think that if you can afford to spend the extra cash today, you’ll be saving quite a bit in years to come when choosing the Dyson V10 over the V8.
Wow! I surely appreciate your breakdown between the two models. I have had a major back surgery recently and find myself needing to venture into the world of lightweight stick vacuums. I am so used to the conventional that this area is overwhelming. You are right, you really can’t tell much difference in the Dyson models. I really really appreciate the review comparison about the batteries. I didn’t really think about replacement time or costs. All that was pointed out to me about the different models was the battery running time, which for me wasn’t too big of an issue since I have a limited time on my feet anyway. I found out one thing though that it has to be about 5 pounds or less which seemed to limit my choices to only Dyson, not many other companies offer this feature. Thank you for putting your review online so I was able to find out what I really need to know before spending several hundred dollars on a vacuum, which is also a new concept. If you could recommend a vacuum that is 5 pounds or less that would be great.
Question:
All my wall plugs are down close to the floor. How do I get around this problem to charge the vacuum cleaner. I see from the illustration the charger is up mid way up the wall.
You just plug the charger cable into the socket and then plug the other end into the vacuum. There’s a wall plate you can use if you want to which can go anywhere as long as the cable length is sufficient. I’m not sure i understand your point to be honest. The vacuum dishy plug directly into the wall. Just like all of your other electrical appliances don’t plug directly into the wall, they all have a cord .
My second purchase of Dyson stick vacuum. One is for the house the other is in our motor home. The battery life totally sucks! It is true the performance is good but replacing the battery in less than a year is not reasonable in my book. Our v8 battery only lasted under two years but the v10 is only 10 months old and won’t do a small, 20’X12’ family room.
Do all v10 models come with the soft brush for hardwood floors. If not how much for soft brush
Only the Dyson V10 absolute model comes with the soft roller cleaner head attachment. Purchasing the soft cleaner head separately will cost around $130 – $140 depending on the Dyson model.
Thank you very much for this extremely helpful review.
I’m wondering if both v10 & v11 have a tie on/off switch or if it must be help on to use it. I have older hands with limited strength.
Thanks. They sound lik my answer