How to Buy the Best Dyson Stick Vacuum - 3 Easy Steps
- Details
We demystify the Dyson stick vacs and help you make the best buying decision.
VACUUM SERIES AND MODELS
There are currently four Dyson stick vacuum series – the V7, the V8, the V10, and the V11 (you can still get the V6 but it is slowly disappearing). Popular models within each series include the following:
V10 – Absolute, Animal, Motorhead
V8 – Absolute, Animal
V7 – Absolute, Animal, Motorhead

“Absolute” models are the premier units and they come with the most tools and attachments. Most notable of these is the soft roller cleaner head attachment (great for cleaning hard flooring) and the mini motorized tool (great for stairs, powerful cleaning in cramped areas, and pet hair).
The “Animal” models are second tier (except in the case of the V11 where it is the bottom end). They do not come with the soft roller cleaner head but usually include the mini motorized tool. Other tools/attachments vary.
“Motorhead” units are the more affordable models and have the least number of tools and attachments. However these models sometimes vary more than by just tools/attachments. Motorheads can be a great choice but it depends on your cleaning needs.
This model was introduced with the V11. The Torque Drive is a mid-range model - it is the same as the V11 Absolute but it does not include the soft roller cleaner head. Note that in the USA you are only likely to find the V11 Torque Drive and the V11 Animal. The V11 Absolute is hard to find.

Dyson V7 vs V8
KEY VACUUM SPECIFICATIONS
There are many differences between the vacuums but we are going to focus only on the following key differentiators:
For the most part, the newer the Dyson cordless vacuum the more suction you get – at least in Maximum power mode. However the units have different power modes and suction in Lower power modes doesn’t really follow any rule. Suction figures are very important especially when you start comparing run times (consider that you could get a very long run time with very weak suction but that would not be particularly useful – ultimately you want long run times combined with strong suction).
V7 | V8 | V10 | V11 | |
LOW power | 21 Air Watts | 28 Air Watts | 15.8 Air Watts | 26 Air Watts |
MED power | N/A | N/A | 33.8 Air Watts | 38.6 Air Watts |
MAX power | 100 Air Watts | 115 Air Watts | 151 Air Watts | 185 Air Watts |
We’ve tested the run times of each vacuum and tabulated them below. These tests were done with a powered cleaner head on low pile carpet. It is a good idea to also consider suction when looking at these figures.
V7 | V8 | V10 | V11 | |
LOW power | 23 min 28 sec | 27 min 28 sec | 40 min 17 sec | 55 min 14 sec |
MED power | N/A | N/A | 20 min 23 sec | 44 min 17 sec |
MAX power | 6 min 22 sec | 7 min 45 sec | 7 min 14 sec | 12 min 52 sec |
Weight can be a very important specification for some people, especially those who may have difficulty with a heavier vacuum. Also, if you do lots of handheld vacuum work you may want to pay particular attention to the handheld component weights (remember that these Dyson cordless units are both stick vacs and handheld vacuums).
V7 | V8 | V10 | V11 | |
Stick vacuum | 5.3 lbs * | 5.75 lbs | 5.9 lbs ** | 6.68 lbs |
Handheld only | 3.1 lbs | 3.5 lbs | 3.65 lbs *** | 4.45 lbs |
V7 | V8 | V10 | V11 | |
2 power settings | ||||
3 power settings | ||||
Auto power setting | ||||
Trouble lights | * | |||
Trouble videos | ** |
The V10 Motorhead a little different from the V10 Absolute and the V10 Animal. The Motorhead has a smaller dust canister, a shorter wand, a different cleaner head, and it even weighs less. As a result run times are different, typically lower, than the other V10s (run times in the table above are for the Animal and Absolute). If the V10 Motorhead is of interest you may want to read:
Dyson V10 Absolute vs Animal vs Motorhead
SO WHAT DO YOU BUY? (3 EASY STEPS)
Given the above information (and our own experience testing, reviewing and working with these vacuums) we have created a step-by-step guide to find the best Dyson stick vac for your cleaning needs. Underneath each choice are the most suitable vacuums for that choice.
STEP 1 |
You want the soft roller cleaner head. This cleaner head is by far the most effective cleaner head on smooth flooring. Only the Absolute models come with this cleaner head (it can be bought separately but you have to make sure you get the right one and they tend to be costly).
- V7 Absolute
- V8 Absolute
- V10 Absolute
- V11 Absolute
You don’t really need the Absolute so forget paying the premium for those models. You can get an Animal or a Motorhead. The Animal will include a few more tools than the Motorhead. Check the tool differences (see Dyson V7 vs V8 and Dyson V10 vs V11 for tool sets) and decide what you want. In the case of the V11 you could consider both the Torque Drive or the Animal (neither comes with the soft roller cleaner head).
- V7 Motorhead
- V7 Animal
- V8 Animal
- V10 Motorhead
- V10 Animal
- V11 Animal
- V11 Torque Drive
STEP 2 |
QUESTION - HOW LONG IS YOUR TYPICAL CLEANING SESSION?
AND you chose A in Step 1
- V7 Absolute
- V8 Absolute
AND you chose B in Step 1
- V7 Animal
- V7 Motorhead
- V8 Animal
AND you chose A in Step 1
- V10 Absolute
- V11 Absolute
AND you chose B in Step 1
- V10 Animal
- V10 Motorhead
- V11 Torque Drive
- V11 Animal
STEP 3 |

This of course this depends on your weight threshold but the lightest units are the V7’s and oddly, the V10 Motorhead.
- V7 Absolute
- V7 Animal
- V7 Motorhead
- V10 Motorhead
The V11 with its large battery is the most powerful of the Dyson stick vacs, and it has the longest run times. All models have the same battery. You may want to see our detailed V11 review.
- V11 Absolute
- V11 Torque Drive
- V11 Animal
The V7’s are the least expensive units and the Motorhead and the Animal are the most affordable V7s.
- V7 Motorhead
- V7 Animal
The V11s are the most advanced and the Absolute and the Torque Drive have the fancy LED control interface.
- V11 Absolute
- V11 Torque Drive
All Dyson stick vacuums have top notch air filtration EXCEPT the V7 Motorhead or the V7 Absolute (they do not have HEPA filters). If you must have the best air filtration do not get either of these.
The fastest recharge times are the V7 and the V10 at 3.5 hrs. The V8 takes a full 5 hours and the official figure for the V11 is about 4.5 hours.
You probably want vacuums with the mini motorized tool, as such you may not want a Motorhead.
If you’ve narrowed things down too far you may be left with no matches, so you may want to remove a filter. If you haven’t narrowed things down far enough you may still be left with several matches in which case you could add some of your own additional filters such as “cost” or “tools/attachments provided”.
4. V8 Absolute --> Check price on Amazon
5. V8 Animal --> Check price on Amazon

Nigel Russco has been reviewing and testing vacuums for over 14 years. He is a professional engineer and uses his review platforms to help consumers determine which vacuum cleaners are the best for their cleaning needs. Follow Nigel on facebook or view his vacuum review videos on the Vacuum Cleaner Advisor YouTube Channel.