Quick Comparison: Dyson V15 Detect vs V15S Submarine
Key differences based on real-world performance testing.
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⚡ Quick Verdict
👉 Choose the Dyson V15 Detect if: you have a mix of hard floors and carpet and want one tool that excels at both.
👉 Choose the Dyson Gen5 Detect if: you want to vacuum and mop hard floors in one machine
Bottom line:
The V15 Detect and V15S Submarine deliver essentially the same cleaning performance, suction, and runtime, since they’re built on the same platform. The only real difference is the Submarine’s wet-cleaning head—which in testing adds convenience, but doesn’t match the performance of a dedicated mop.
Watch Video Review
Similarities of the Dyson V15S Submarine and V15 Detect
At first glance, the Dyson V15S Submarine looks nearly identical to the V15 Detect — and that’s because they share much of the same core design.
1. Same Base Vacuum
The V15S Submarine operates on the same motor as the V15 Detect, but Dyson made one subtle — yet critical — change: a redesigned connector, specifically designed for the Submarine nozzle.
I tested it myself by attaching the nozzle to a standard V15… and let’s just say, it didn’t go as planned.
You’ll receive the same base vacuum, complete with a trigger, filter, LCD screen display, and detachable battery.
The only difference is that the V15S comes with a wet-dry nozzle.
2. Floor Nozzles
Like the V15 Detect, the V15S Submarine has two nozzles – the laser slim roller and digital motorbar nozzle for cleaning hard floors and carpets.
These tools are highly efficient at picking up debris, especially the laser slim roller, which uses the same brighter green laser first introduced in the Gen5 Detect.
The difference is noticeable compared to the first-generation V15 Detect.
Fortunately, newer V15 releases will have the Gen5 Detect laser slim roller.
One way to make sure is to check whether the nozzle has a switch.
If it does, then it’s most likely an older version that isn’t as bright.
The standard nozzles are similar to the upgraded brush, combs, and two adjustable gates.
These are excellent at picking up debris on carpets, especially hair, with the above-average power, agitation, and combs that detangle hair.
3. Interchangeable Tools
One of the main selling points of a Dyson stick vacuum product is its versatility, thanks to the interchangeable tools it offers.
What you’ll get from the V15 Detect and V15S Submarine will be the same except for the Submarine nozzle, which is a V15S-specific tool.
4. Sealed Filtration
Since both products use a sealed system, neither leaked during the fog test, which is one way to evaluate how a vacuum holds dirt inside a dustbin.
This is one way to test if a vacuum will leak allergens, which is a no-no for allergy sufferers.
Differences Between the Dyson V15S Submarine and V15 Detect
The only difference between the V15S Submarine and V15 Detect is that the V15S Submarine has a wet-dry nozzle called the “Submarine,” designed for cleaning spills.
Unlike a traditional wet-dry cordless vacuum, the V15S is more compact; however, as this video summarizes, this compact frame has its downsides.
Ergonomics
The Dyson V15S Submarine and V15 Detect share a similar ergonomic feel, as they utilize the same tools. Again, the only difference is the Submarine nozzle, which is available only on the V15S and steers like a Dyson V8 soft roller because it uses the same steering mechanism.
Both will maneuver around furniture without any issues, and the slim frames help it reach underneath furniture.
Interface
There isn’t any difference between the V15 Detect and V15S interfaces. Both use the same interactive LCD screen, which displays various data, including runtime status, the amount of debris picked up via the Piezo sensor, power settings, and error messages.
The only difference is that the V15S shows this graphic when you attach the Submarine nozzle.
Run Time Comparison
The Dyson V15S Submarine and V15 Detect use the same battery, so I expected similar results.
However, there is a variance with the auto setting, with the V15 Detect nearly doubling the V15S Submarine output.
Note that when I tested in auto mode, the V15S sensor triggered higher suction, which reduced the run time.
The results in the auto setting were different, but the V15S performed better in both the auto and max settings on carpets.
Airflow Comparison
Since the V15S Submarine and V15 Detect use the same V15 base vacuum motor, the airflow results should be similar.
However, the results show that the V15 Detect had higher airflow, especially when using the digital motorbar nozzle.
Nonetheless, the V15’s higher airflow doesn’t give it an advantage over the V15S Submarine since both performed well at vacuuming carpet with the digital motorbar nozzle’s above-average agitation.
It’s not a deciding factor on hard floors since the slim roller attachment is efficient at picking up debris.
Cleaning Comparison
There wasn’t much variance between the cleaning performance results of these Dyson stick vacuums, which isn’t a surprise, given that they are essentially the same product.
Both were excellent at the surface and embedded dirt, picking up a very high percentage.
Which Option Is Better On Hard Floors?
Again, both are excellent on hard floors, with the V15S offering the added functionality of mopping floors, which we’ll examine later in this comparison.
Both picked up a high percentage of sand on this surface, and the difference was minuscule enough to declare one a winner.
Edge Cleaning
The V15S Submarine and V15 Detect were excellent at cleaning the edges, picking up everything in a few passes.
Here’s the result for the V15S Submarine.
And the V15 Detect.
Hair Wrap [on Hard Floors]
I tested the V15S Submarine and V15 Detect to see how it fares when cleaning different hair lengths and check the results below.
First, the V15S Submarine.
- 5-inch hair: 99%
- 7-inch hair: 100%
- 9-inch hair: 81%
- 11-inch hair: 89%
- 12-inch hair: 100%
Next, let’s look at the V15 Detect results.
- 5-inch strands: 100%
- 7-inch strands: 100%
- 9-inch strands: 100%
- 11-inch strands: 100%
- 12-inch strands: 80.6%
While the V15 Detect got better results, it isn’t immune to getting tangles.
Since it doesn’t have an active anti-tangle system (or a comb) and has a gap on the sides, hair will wrap around the axles.
So, it’s not a maintenance-free tool.
Which Option is better on Carpets?
There’s no variance between these Dyson products during the cleaning tests. Both got 100% on the surface and embedded debris (deep cleaning experiment).
The V15S Submarine and V15 Detect use similarly styled nozzles with stiff bristles that are excellent at agitating carpet.
Both scored 100% in the deep cleaning test, in which I rubbed 100 grams of sand on a mid-pile carpet.
Hair Wrap [on Carpets]
Next, we’ll examine the results on carpet with hair 5, 7, 9, 11, and 12 inches in length.
First, for the V15S Submarine.
- 5-inch hair: 99%
- 7-inch hair: 100%
- 9-inch hair: 100%
- 11-inch hair: 100%
- 12-inch hair: 97%
Here are the results for the Dyson V15 Detect
- 5-inch strands: 100%
- 7-inch strands: 100%
- 9-inch strands: 100%
- 11-inch strands: 99%
- 12-inch strands: 98%
There isn’t much difference between the results of the V15S Submarine and V15 Detect in cleaning hair.
Both are excellent at cleaning long strands thanks to the above-average airflow and combs that help untangle strands that wrap around the brush.
There are slight differences in the results, but these are minimal, and both will perform well at picking up hair on carpet.
One advantage of the digital motor bar nozzle is that there’s no gap on the sides, so consumers don’t have to worry about hair wrapping on the axles and the tediousness of cleaning them.
Noise Comparison
The noise test results are close. The V15S Submarine is a few decibels noisier in the boost setting, but both are over 80 decibels, which is considered loud.
Maintenance Comparison
The V15S and V15 Detect will require similar maintenance, like cleaning the filter, nozzles, and dustbin.
The only difference is that you’ll need to clean the V15S Submarine nozzle after every mopping cycle because it doesn’t have a self-cleaning cycle like other traditional wet-dry vacuums.
Product Specifications
Where Can You Purchase These Stick Vacuums?
You can find these Dyson stick vacuums at most major retailers, including Amazon. I’ve added links below so you can check the latest prices — and maybe catch a good deal before it disappears.
Disclosure: Cordless Vacuum Guide is reader-supported. That means if you click through our links and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Think of it as your way of buying us a coffee for testing yet another vacuum (so you don’t have to).
Which Option Offers Better Value?
After testing the V15S Submarine extensively, particularly its wet-dry nozzle, the V15 Detect is the better option.
The only reason you’d get the V15S Submarine is because of its wet-dry vacuuming capability, which is subpar at best.
I tried liking this product because I thought I could sell more and make more money through commissions, but I cannot recommend it because it’s simply not worth the extra effort.
Save your money. You could buy the V15 Detect and a cheaper standard wet-dry vacuum, still spend less than the V15S, and get better results.
The Verdict
Given the V15S Submarine’s premium price point, it’s challenging to justify recommending it, primarily if it doesn’t deliver on the most critical aspect: mopping floors.
The compact design and steering are excellent in theory, but until you use them, they fail miserably.
The lack of a dirt water container, and the small open-top tray behind the roller is a recipe[e for a messy disaster as you’ve seen in my review.
There’s no question that the V15S Submarine vacuums excellently, but that’s not the sole reason for spending close to four figures.
Consumers buy it because it should mop as well, which it doesn’t, hence my decision.
