Dyson V11 review NZ

There used to be a time when vacuum cleaners were only rated on their ability to suck up dust and dirt. This is no longer the case. Like all tech, the vacuum cleaner market has been hit by technological improvements, and the ability to suck up grime is no longer the be-all and end-all of a high-quality vacuum cleaner.

Dyson’s V11 is a cordless vacuum cleaner that can do it all. It’s easy to use, has a good battery life and performs exceptionally. The V11 is also an expensive vacuum cleaner. However, the extra investment is definitely worth it.

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Pros

  • Brilliant performance
  • Easy to use
  • Good battery
  • Three useful modes

Cons

  • Expensive

Price

The V11 is expensive. The vacuum costs NZD $1299 (USD$700; £599). It’s more expensive than its competitors, like the Miele Triflex HX1 Cat & Dog Handstick Vacuum Cleaner, which costs NZD$1,089 (USD$699; £400) and the Samsung Jet 90 Pet Handstick Vacuum Cleaner costing NZD$899 (USD$599; £509). But this is one of the best cordless vacuum cleaners on the market, and it’s worth the extra investment.

You’ll vacuum more than ever if you buy the V11

The weird change I noticed the V11 brought to my domestic cleaning habit is that I’m vacuuming more than I ever have before. And it’s a tribute to how good the V11 is. 

Cordless vacuums are nothing new, of course. However, the V11’s ease of use and ability to quickly clean meant that I found myself grabbing it and giving the house a quick – and I mean quick – once over way more frequently than I ever have done before.

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Performance

Let’s get the most important part out of the way first. A vacuum cleaner is only as good as its ability to suck up unwanted grime, and the V11 is the best in class. I didn’t have any issues picking up dirt, leaves, sand, pet hair and other unwanted substances from hardwood and carpet surfaces. I even tested it with annoyingly stubborn Rimu leaves, and the V11 picked them up with ease. This can be attributed to the Dyson Hyperdymium motor that spins at 125,000rpm. 

125,000rpm sounds like it’ll be noisy, doesn’t it? Nope. The V11 is quiet, only reaching 70 dB in Eco mode and 80 dB in Boost mode. 

The V11 is also simple to use. I could easily use it with one hand, and the ball joint enabled me to get the vacuum head into awkward spots. There’s also a large bin connected to the vacuum that allows for a significant amount of dust and dirt.

The LCD screen on the back of the V11 provides helpful information such as how much battery life is left, if the filter needs changing or which vacuum mode you’re in. It’s helpful and quick to update me on the information I needed. 

Eco, Auto and Boost mode

The V11 has three very different modes that all work well. There’s a low suction Eco mode that uses less battery. There’s an Auto mode that adjusts the suction levels according to the surface, and there’s a Boost mode that provides the most suction possible while using significantly more battery. 

These modes are handy when you find yourself battling a stubborn spot – just switch across to Boost mode, and you’ll attack the floor with everything the V11 has. 

The vacuum comes with 8 attachments. These all have specified functions, but I only really had a need for two – the high torque cleaner head and the crevice tool for the back of the stairs. It’s simple to remove an attachment and put on another one, and I appreciated that I had a tool for more specific uses, even If I didn’t use them often. 

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Battery

The V11 has a decent battery. Off a full charge, I could use the vacuum cleaner for 60 minutes in Auto mode and 20 minutes in boost mode. It’s plenty for a vacuum cleaner, and I never had issues with the battery running out before I had finished my task.

Charging the V11 is also simple. The vacuum comes with a wall-mounted charging dock that’s easy to screw in. The vacuum easily docks into the port, and a full charge takes about 4.5 hours. This feels long, but the LCD screen battery warnings meant that I very rarely charged the vacuum from zero.

Verdict

The Dyson V11 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is the best cordless vacuum on the market. It picked up everything that I threw at it, it’s effortless to use, and the battery is really good too.

Yes, the V11 is more expensive than its competitors, and it does require a substantial investment. And while there are wired vacuums that might trump theV11 in terms of raw power, or wireless vacuums that claim to have longer battery life. The V11 hits a sweet spot of power, portability and battery life that makes it a buying decision you won’t regret.