The V6 and V10 represent two essential stages in Dyson’s cordless vacuum development.
In this comparison, we’ll be going deep in covering the differences between the Dyson V6 vs. V10.
When James Dyson first unveiled the Dyson V6 more than three years back, they introduced the soft roller cleaning head that changed the way we think about how vacuums clean bare floor surfaces.
Before I continue, let’s quickly look at the spec sheet battle between these two.
Dyson V6
The huge clearance on top and the roller bar’s grabby nature make cleaning large messes ideal.
James Dyson said recently they would no longer manufacturer corded vacuums because of the Dyson V10.
So in this article, we will be comparing the top-of-the-line Dyson V10 (to be specific, the Absolute) and the now entry-level Dyson V6.
Which Dyson is better?
Dyson V10 cleans better than the V6.
The Dyson V10 is a better product than the Dyson V6. It has a bigger motor, larger battery cells, and better airflow, providing better cleaning performance. Not only does it perform better, but usability is also better thanks to the bin that’s less messy to empty and easier to toggle switch that’s easier to move from different power settings. The only downside I can see with the V10 is the price. It’s a much more expensive product, but if you want a product that’s easy to use with excellent performance, the V10 is a no-brainer.
Dyson V6 Overview
Once top-of-the-line, the Dyson V6 is now their most “basic” cordless stick vacuum available.
It retains the DC series’s old design but with a better battery, more powerful motor, and a bevy of new tools.
The V6 was the first Dyson that introduced the soft roller bar that changed the way we vacuumed hard surfaces.
Before Dyson came out with this, nearly all vacuums utilized a bristle brush on the main cleaning head.
The beauty of this tool is the design that allows it to clean up a big pile of dirt that a standard tool can’t
This tool was so successful that Dyson has further improved upon it in their subsequent releases.
Dyson has more variants in the V6 product line than in any other ranging from stick vacuums to handhelds for cleaning vehicles, mattresses, carpet, upholstery, and more.
The most significant advantage of a Dyson V6 is the lower price. A top-spec V8 Absolute will only cost a fraction of the V10 counterpart but will have the same versatility.
If you don’t mind the limitations of the V6 and want something capable of cleaning your home, it isn’t a bad option.
Pros
- Prices have gone down significantly
- A versatile machine capable of cleaning most parts of inside the house and vehicle
- Great for vacuuming carpet and hard floors
Cons
- The dust cup is difficult to empty.
- Short run time
Bottom line
The Dyson V6 is an excellent option if you want a great performing cordless stick vacuum and not mind its flaws. It doesn’t have as much power as the Dyson V10 and won’t run as long, but it’s much cheaper. What I like about the V6 is the number of options it provides. Please read my guide about the V6 comparison to know the different variants.
Dyson V10 Overview
Before the Dyson V11 came out, the Dyson V10 was Dyson’s most expensive, most powerful, and feature-rich cordless vacuum.
Learn more about the differences between the Dyson V10 and V11 in this article.
This enables it to clean better most other brands available in the market. Not only that, but the 60-minute max run time also gives it more range than other cordless cleaners.
Like the Dyson V6, the V10 is a versatile machine that can clean floors and upholstery at a higher level.
Dyson completely redesigned its product making critical changes with airflow and how the dust cup empties.
These improvements also translate to a larger dust cup that can hold more dirt.
If you don’t mind spending top dollar, then the Dyson V10 is a great option.
Pros
- Powerful vacuum capable of cleaning bare floor and carpet
- Usable as a handheld and stick vacuum
- Larger cell batteries enable it to run up to 60 minutes.
- Great filtration
Cons
- Very expensive for a cordless
Bottom line
The Dyson V10, with its larger motor and improved floor tools, will perform better, especially on carpet. This vacuum is an excellent option for people who live in medium to large homes with carpet as a high-traffic-area cleaner. It has enough power and agitation to clean even on a thicker pile carpet.
Dyson V6 vs. V10: Design
The Dyson V6, at its core, is a stick vacuum just like the V10.
If you don’t know what a stick vacuum is, it is a lightweight version of an upright vacuum to provide more versatility at the expense of power.
Dyson’s design has three main components – (1) cleaning head, (2) extension wand, and (3) vacuum body that includes the motor, dust cup, filters, and power switch.
When it first came out more than a decade ago, it was a revolutionary design that changed the game in many ways.
The extension wand and primary cleaning attachment make the Dyson V6 and V10 usable on various floor surfaces from carpet to tile.
Remove the extension wand, and it becomes a lightweight handheld.
The Dyson V6 has more than ten variants. You can check my guide to see how each is different from one another in this in-depth guide.
For the Dyson V10, you’ll get only three options:
- Dyson V10 Absolute – comes with the most attachments in the package that includes the latest torque drive cleaner head (works on carpet and bare floor actually), soft roller head (great for big messes on bare floors), crevice tool, mini soft dusting brush, combination tool and mini-motorized tool (great on upholstery)
- V10 Animal – basically the same as the Absolute but minus soft roller cleaning head
- V10 MotorHead – most bare-bones option of the three that comes with the older version direct-drive cleaning head from the V8, crevice tool, and combination tool
Take note that with the V6, all the variants have the same motor and battery; hence it will produce the same power and run time.
The difference will be the attachments and filtration that you’ll get. Please read the link above to get more info about what’s inside the box for each model.
The same goes for the V10. All variants
To make this comparison more concise, I’ll be comparing the top-spec options of both, which is the V10 Absolute and V6 Absolute.
Cleaning Performance (How it Cleans)
At the heart of every Dyson cordless vacuum is a multi-cyclonic system that filters out dirt well enough, so you don’t have to wash the filter often.
These cyclones will spin the dirt around the filters to keep it from clogging the primary filter inside hence maintaining performance as the dust bin fills up.
Suction is still good even when the dirt goes past the max line, so it’s a testament to the effectiveness.
On Floor Cleaning
Both the top-spec V10 and V6 Absolute variants come with the bristled and soft roller attachment.
The difference is V10’s main floor cleaning tools (torque drive cleaning head and soft roller head) will have more agitation and make it a better option when cleaning the carpet.
On the plus side, the Dyson V6 has more power in its lowest setting (28 vs. 15.8 air watts).
How will this affect real-world cleaning performance? Let’s find out.
I’ll share with you some videos with some commentary later on. If you know me, I’m a fan of big mess tests. These tests push vacuums to their breaking point and test how well it holds up.
The first clip is the Dyson V6 attempting to clean this pile of pet hair on the carpet.
That’s a lot of pet hair. The V6 Absolute picked up nearly all of the pet hair scattered on the ground on the eye test.
However, most of the pet hair was sitting on top of the carpet.
The second clip shows you how the V6 performs on the hardwood, this time with the fluffy attachment.
Even at normal power, the V6 has enough power to pick up even dust and rice that fell on the cracks. This shows you how effective the fluffy tool is on bare floors, whether cleaning dust, rice, or pet hair.
The Dyson V10 does well on hard floors and carpets. With the uptick in airflow, the V10 does better at cleaning embedded dirt and surface debris.
Check out how the V10 does on hard floors with the soft roller attachment.
Even the Torque Drive attachment does well on hard surfaces thanks to the adjustable gates.
One carpet, the V10, did well, picking up close to 100% in all tests.
It isn’t as good as the more expensive V11 Torque Drive, but it isn’t as expensive.
Here are the V10 and V11 side by side.
You can see from the short clip that both the V10 and V11 clean surface dirt equally well.
If you’re looking to save more, then the V10 Animal is a better deal since the Torque Drive attachment will clean hard floors well. However, if you’re concerned about scratches, then the Fluffy attachment is a must-have.
Above floor cleaning
You’ll get pretty much the same set of brush tools from both variants. These tools will allow you to clean nearly all areas in your home or vehicle.
Here’s what you’ll get with the Dyson V6 Absolute
- Combination tool: combines an upholstery and brush tool in one.
- Crevice tool: an excellent option for cleaning tight spots and crevices
- Soft dusting brush: great for more delicate surfaces like lamp shades
- Direct drive cleaning head: the tool you want for cleaning carpet
- Fluffy head: great on hard floor surfaces
Dyson V10 tools
- Combination tool: this is an excellent option for cleaning loose dirt on upholstery, vents, keyboards, etc.
- Crevice tool: a tool for cleaning tight spots
- Mini soft dusting brush: for cleaning more delicate furniture like drapes or lampshades
- Torque driver cleaning head: a great tool to have to clean carpet
- Soft roller head (or the Fluffy tool): the device you want to use for cleaning hard floors like tile or hardwood
Both also have a wall-mountable charger if you don’t mind drilling a couple of screws on your wall. This gives you easy access to the vacuum when you need it.
I would suggest getting the hose attachment if you are looking to use either one to clean inside your vehicle. This tool helps much in cleaning areas like the dashboard and under the seat.
Size and Dimension
The Dyson V10 is the larger and heavier cordless vacuum, but not by much.
It measures 49.2″ long and 9.8″ wide. The cleaning path will be slightly narrower since there are slight gaps on both sides of it.
The V6 measures 47.2″ long and also 9.8″ wide.
Usability
When it comes to usability and reach, both the V6 and V10 are almost equal.
- Assembly: Putting together the different tools isn’t difficult thanks to the quick release lever on all their accessories. It is what separates the Dyson cordless from the lower end brands.
- Versatility: Thanks to the interchangeable tools, these vacuums will function both as a handheld or stick vacuum.
- Ergonomics: Holding a Dyson cordless vacuum is similar to holding a Nerf gun in that you’re pulling a trigger to turn on the machine. Despite complaints in reviews, Dyson has stuck with this design because they believe it helps stretch run time to its fullest. Great because you only use power on demand, but squeezing the trigger can strain your fingers and wrist.
Emptying the dirt bin
Image source: YouTube
The Dyson V6 has a lever in front of the trigger that opens a trap door, and dirt falls out underneath.
It works in theory, but the reality is when cleaning something with static like dust or hair, it can stick on the walls of the metal shroud covering the filter in the middle.
Consumers have complained about this issue, and Dyson has improved their design, starting with the V8.
Dyson revamped the design of the Dyson V10 bin. Now the motor, dust bin, and filter are aligned in a straight line. They did this to improve airflow and efficiency.
Emptying the Dyson V10 dirt bin is more direct with the aligned motor, dustcup, and filter. Just aim the dust cup at the container slide the latch downwards.
Doing this will push all of the dirt down and clean the metal shroud. In my opinion, this system is easier to use. You don’t have to use your fingers, digging out dust and hair.
More Dyson Cord-Free Comparisons
Want to learn more about Dyson cordless options? Click on any of the links below learn how it compares with one another and with other brands:
Can you replace the battery of the Dyson V6 and V10?
The batteries inside the Dyson V6 and V8 are replaceable. There’s no need to worry about spending hundreds of dollars on a vacuum that becomes a paperweight when the battery no longer works.
Currently, you can purchase batteries for the Dyson V6. Since the V10 is a new product, there are no aftermarket batteries available for sale just yet.
Click on this link to see how to replace the Dyson V6 battery.
Check this video out on how to remove the battery on the V10.
It is a pretty simple task if you have the proper tools. Even if James Dyson says that the Dyson V10 battery will last for 15 years, it’s good to know that you can replace it if the unforeseen happens.
Price and Value for Money
Dyson V6
Here’s the deal, with the Dyson V10 and V11 in the market, the price of the V6 has gone down significantly.
When the V6 Absolute came out, you’d have to pay over $500, but now it’s much cheaper.
Make no mistake; this is still a good product with very decent performance, especially with the top-spec V10.
Expect the same build quality ask you’ve come to expect from Dyson. In my opinion, the biggest downside would be the shorter run time, so it is more suitable inside smaller homes. Another issue would be the dirt bin, which can be quite messy to empty. If you don’t mind these issues, it is a great deal.
Dyson V10
One significant disadvantage of the Dyson V6 would be the run time, which much less than the V10 that will clean for up to 60 minutes.
This feature, combined with the larger bin, makes this great even in medium-size homes even with carpet and rugs.
Emptying the bin is another advantage of the new design. No longer will it be tedious or messy. The sliding lever will quickly push out dirt wherever you point it.
The Dyson V10 is the most powerful cordless vacuum to date, which means excellent cleaning performance. Some blogs like say the cleaning performance is “perfect,” but I wouldn’t go that far as this vacuum will not deep clean as well as an upright.
The Verdict: Dyson V6 or V10?
So which of these two vacuums gives better value? The Dyson V6 or the V10? If you want something cheaper, then you’ll have to opt for the Dyson V6 and put up with the dust cup that’s messy to dispose of and the shorter run time.
The Winner: Dyson V10
V6 Provides Great Value for Money, But The Dyson V10 is Better Overall
There’s no question that the Dyson V10 is the better product overall. If you don’t mind spending a lot of $$$ for a cordless vacuum, then this is the obvious choice. The upgrade in power means better cleaning performance that will clean carpet better, plus the upgraded dust cup is larger and easier to empty.
4 Good Reasons to Buy The Dyson V6
Even if it’s an older variant, the Dyson V6 Absolute will provide decent cleaning performance on any surface, excellent build quality, and versatility capable of cleaning any part of your home.
- Lower price: Since the V6 is the oldest in Dyson’s V product line, it is one of the cheapest options available. With every new cordless vacuum that comes out from Dyson, expect prices to go lower.
- You live in a smaller home: The V10 may be overqualified for small houses. Save yourself a few hundred dollars for the V6.
- Lighter: The Dyson V6 is almost a pound lighter than the Dyson V10.
- Still a decent performer: With the direct-drive cleaning head and fluffy head, the V6 isn’t chopped liver in terms of cleaning your home.
5 Good Reasons to Buy The Dyson V10
- Easy to empty: The redesigned dust cup makes disposing of dirt an easier task. Just slide a lever down, and out goes the trash. It even cleans the shroud.
- Extended run time: Dyson says that this cordless vacuum will run for up to 60 minutes, but that’s without using any of the motorized tools.
- Large bin: There will be fewer trips to the trash bin.
- Excellent cleaning performance: It has excellent airflow that makes it better at cleaning carpet than the V6.
- Looks cool: This vacuum seems more like a giant Nerf gun than a vacuum cleaner.
