Dyson V7 Review & Comparison [What Variant is Best?]

The V7 is an option that Dyson offers that combines the strengths of the Dyson V6 and V8.

This model has the lightweight design of the V6 but with the hygienic system of the V8, making it more user-friendly.

Based on the airflow test, the difference between the Dyson V7 and V8 is only minimal. What’s surprising to me is the V7 had more at the max setting than the V8 when I measured it at the wand.

Introduction to the Dyson V7

The Dyson V7 is a fusion of the Dyson V6 and V8 designs.

I believe that Dyson created the V7 to address the most significant issue that consumers had with the V6 without having to pay a premium for the V8. The issue I’m talking about is the dust cup of the V6 that’s very annoying to empty.

If you look at the V6, it uses a trap door design that relies only on gravity, which can be an issue if you’re cleaning a lot of dust because dust bunnies will stick on the filter in the middle of the bin.

The V7 solves this issue by implementing the hygienic system of the V8 that has a mechanism that pushes the dirt down.

It uses a smaller motor and battery, so it has less airflow and a shorter run time.

Important note: This review will focus on the Dyson V7 stick vacuum and everything you need to know about it. If you want more information about the V7 handheld, please click on this link for more details. We’ll look at not only one particular variant of the V7 but also all of the available options in the product line sold by Amazon and Dyson. This will give you an idea of what’s available and help you decide what’s best.

Improvements over the Dyson V6

In this section, I’ll summarize the most significant improvements that the V7 has over the V6.

1. Longer run time: The Dyson V7 runs longer than the V6 thanks to the larger cell li-ion battery. The tests I did reveal that this model will run for up to 32 minutes. In comparison, the V6 runs for approximately 20 minutes.
2. New dust cup design: The V7 comes with a hygienic system that makes it easier to empty the bin. Instead of digging dirt with your fingers, it has a mechanism that pushes dirt down.
3. Max switch: In place of the push button switch, the V7 implements an easier-to-use slide switch to toggle between the two power settings.

Dust container and volume

The V7 utilizes a similarly designed dust cup as the V8, but with a slightly lower capacity. Between V6 and V7, I’d go with the newer design of the V7 because it’s much easier to dispose of dirt.

While the V6 only relies on the laws of gravity, the V7 has a mechanism that pushes the dirt downward when you pull up the red lever.

The red shroud then pushes the debris inside the container so your fingers don’t have to touch it. It’s not perfect as it’ll not remove everything, but it’s much easier to clean.

Also, the outer frame of the dust cup is detachable if there’s a need for a more thorough clean.

Trigger switch

All Dyson cordless vacuums utilize a trigger switch to maximize the life of the battery. The V7 trigger is responsive, requiring minimal pressure to power on the motor.

However, continually squeezing the trigger can be tiring if you’re cleaning a large area. Whether this feature is good or bad will be subjective.

For me, I’m in between, I don’t mind squeezing the trigger when cleaning floors, but it gets annoying if you’re using it in cramped zones.

If you’re looking for a cordless stick vacuum with a trigger lock, you may want to consider looking at the Tineco A10 or the Pure One S12, as both come with a trigger lock that keeps it at the on position without you having to squeeze it continually.

Power setting

The Dyson V7 has two power settings – normal and max.

It also uses a slide switch that is an upgrade over the V6’s push-button switch that’s frustrating to use at times because it isn’t as responsive.

Remember that the battery life will take a hit if you use the highest power setting, running for only 5 minutes.

Filtration

Depending on the variant, you’ll either get a vacuum with one pre-motor filter or something that has two filters, which include a second post-motor HEPA filter. The model featured here is the Motorhead, which doesn’t have the post-motor HEPA filter.

Options with the post-motor HEPA filter are the following: V7 Animal, V7 Animal Pro+, and the V7 Allergy. Realize that these alternatives will be costlier because of the additional filtration, but it is a worthwhile expense as Dyson products are known to have a good sealed system.

People who have allergies should opt for these models with a sealed system that keeps allergens from going out of the exhaust.

How long does Dyson v7 last?

Dyson claims that the V7 will run for up to 30 minutes. I did some tests where I turned on the V7 until it was empty, and here are the results.

The V7 lasted for just under 34 minutes at the default setting and up to 5 minutes and change at the max. In the default setting, it lasted longer than the V6.

Can you replace Dyson v7 battery?

Yes, you can easily replace the Dyson V7 battery by loosening three screws – one behind the handle and two under the dust container. Check this article on how to do it on the V8, which entails the same steps as the V7.

Replacement batteries are available in online stores like Amazon and Walmart. You have the option to purchase original Dyson batteries or third-party OEM replacements that are much cheaper.

Can I leave my Dyson v7 on charge all the time?

All Dyson cordless vacuums have built-in circuitry within the battery that automatically switches to trickle mode when it’s full. The best practice would be to leave it plugged so it’s always ready when you need it.

Noise Level of the Dyson V7

Using a sound meter, I measured the noise level of the V7, and these are the results at both power settings. I did these tests with the primary brush roll attached, which is the configuration you’ll be using the most.

• Normal: 64.1 dB
• Max: 73.9 dB

During these tests, I noticed the high-pitched noise that the V7 has at the highest power setting. It can get annoying.

How much power does the Dyson V7 have?

I used an anemometer to gauge power to check how much airflow passes through the wand and cleaning nozzle. Airflow is a good barometer of how a vacuum will perform, especially on carpets, where a higher number usually equates to better debris pick up.

Here are the results for the Dyson V7.

Based on the airflow test, the V7 has less airflow than the V8 at the wand (as much as 8.77%), but surprisingly more at the main nozzle (2% more).

The higher airflow at the wand enables the V7 to score high marks on the carpet cleaning test, which we’ll look at next.

How does the Dyson V7 clean?

One of the biggest strengths of the Dyson V7 is the versatility that it brings to the table.

It can clean just about any part of the home or vehicle, thanks to the interchangeable tools. The compact size enables it to clean cramped spaces better than larger Dyson products like the V10 and V11, so that’s a big plus point for this product.

However, its primary function is to clean floors.  The V7 MotorHead only has one cleaning head, which Dyson calls the MotorHead.

Cleaning test results

• Overall: 93.8
• Hard floors (surface test): 81.75%
• Sand on hard floor: 99.2%
• Carpets (surface test): 99.97%
• Deep cleaning: 94.93%

To check how well the V7 performs on various debris on hard floors and carpets, I put it through a grueling series of tests. I ran through stuff like quinoa, pet litter, Quaker oats, coffee grounds, sand, hair, Cheerios, and fruit loops.

Please note that I did the test using the MotorHead tool. Check the Dyson V8 review to see how the Fluffy head does on hard surfaces.

You’ll see above that the results on hard floors are in the low 80s, which is skewed as the MotorHead tool had trouble picking up Quaker oats on hard floors.

Aside from that hiccup, it did reasonably well in the other tests.

Hard floor results

• Quaker oats: 28.8%
• Coffee grounds: 100%
• Quinoa: 98.6%
• Pet litter: 99.6%

The V7 MotorHead attachment scored relatively high marks on hard floors except for the Quaker oats test, where it picked up only 28.8%. It wasn’t able to pick up much because of the low clearance of the nozzle.

The MotorHead attachment struggles at cleaning a large pile of Quaker oats.

While it did well with picking up quinoa, portions of it were kicked backward by the brush. Also, it wasn’t very proficient with the pet litter test as portions of it splattered behind the brush.

Sand on hard floor test

One of the most challenging types of dirt for standard brushes is sand, and to check how well the V7 MotorHead does, I scattered 50 grams of it on hard floors.

It was able to do quite well, picking up an average of 99.2% on two tests. However, like the quinoa and pet litter test, it wasn’t a clean initial pass as bits of sand were left behind.

While the scores are excellent, a better option for cleaning sand on hard floors is the Dyson V7 Fluffy.

Edge cleaning test

Another test I did was the edge cleaning test. To check how well the V7 cleans edges, I scattered pet litter at one corner of my home office to see how much it picks up. It’s an excellent area to test as there is a quarter-inch crevice beside the wall, so it also doubles as a crevice test.

The Dyson V7 is pretty efficient at edge cleaning. However, it can scatter debris behind the brush.

The V7 did reasonably well in terms of efficiency. However, bits of pet litter kicked behind the brush roll, which is a common theme for bristled attachments.

Carpet test results

The V7 surprisingly did better than the V8 when it comes to cleaning carpets, at least with surface debris. It picked up 100% in seven of the nine tests I did. Let’s go through them below.

Most of the tests here are done with the default power setting. So even in the normal mode, it has lots of usable power.

Low pile results

• Quaker oats: 100%
• Coffee grounds: 100%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet litter: 100%

The V7 scored perfect in the low pile tests with a 100% score. It picked up nearly everything in the initial pass.

The results were consistent with the airflow scores as the V7 and V8 were identical at the normal setting, with the V7 having more airflow at max.

Mid pile results

• Quaker oats: 100%
• Coffee grounds: 100%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet litter: 99.8%

Results on mid-pile carpet are also impressive. Out of four tests, three were perfect, with the lowest score at 99.8%. The Dyson V7 MotorHead is the best I’ve tested so far in surface debris pick up below the $300 range.

Deep cleaning tests

For this test, I rubbed 100 grams of sand on mid-pile carpet and did the experiment three times to see how well the V7 MotorHead cleans embedded dirt.

It was able to pick up an average of 94.93% in three tests, which is a decent score. Below the Dyson V8, V10, and Tineco A11.

Large debris test

The V7 MotorHead lacks the Fluffy attachment, so it will struggle to clean large clusters of debris on hard surfaces. Forget about using the MotorHead tool on Cheerios or Fruit loops as it lacks clearance.

On carpet, it had much better results.

It can pick up Cheerios, even Fruit loops on low and mid pile carpets. The initial pass was clean, which indicates agitation and airflow are excellent.

Hair wrap test

The last test I’ll share is the hair wrap test. For this experiment, I used one gram of 5 to 7 inch human hair on hard floors and carpets to see how much would wrap around the brush.

Here’s the result after the hard floor test.

And the carpet test.

The V7 did much better on hard floors as barely a strand wrapped around the brush. However, it wasn’t so good on carpets as much more coiled around the brush.

Tools out of the box

Like all Dyson cordless vacuums, it’s got a bevy of attachments that we’ll look at them one by one.

The two main tools that the V7 uses are the soft roller and direct drive attachment.

1. Soft roller or fluffy head: This tool is only available with the Absolute and Fluffy models of the V7. It’s an excellent attachment for cleaning hard floors. The fabric-like texture will grab dirt towards the suction chamber. In my tests, it consistently scored high marks on various debris from dust, quinoa, Quaker oats, and coffee grounds.

2. Direct drive head: It’s the V7’s default tool for cleaning carpet but not very usable on bare floors since it does not have the adjustable gates found in the newer Dyson V10 and V11.

3. Crevice tool: An excellent attachment for cleaning tight crevices such as spaces between sofa cushions and car seats.

4. Combination tool: A two-in-one device that combines a brush and an upholstery tool. Great for cleaning vents, keyboards, or upholstery.

5. Mini motorized brush: This tool is a miniature version of the floor tool that has a motorized brush. It works great at cleaning embedded dirt on fabric upholstery or carpets such as pet hair or bread crumbs.

6. Soft dusting brush: A tool with soft bristles that works excellent on more delicate surfaces like curtains or lampshades.

7. Dock: Since the V7 can’t stand on its own, Dyson includes a dock that you can bolt on the wall. Third-party options are available for folks who don’t want drilling holes.

8. Extension wand: One tool that gives the V7 its versatility is the extension wand. It converts the V7 from a handheld to a stick vacuum and vice versa. This tool also extends the reach just in case you need to clean areas high up.

Dyson V7 Comparison: Absolute vs. Animal vs. Animal Pro vs. Allergy vs. Motorhead vs. Fluffy

Here’s a detailed look at the different Dyson V7 cord-free stick vacuum options

I’ll cover all the options in the V7 stick vacuum line, and there are a lot, surprisingly, more than the V8, V10, and V11. All the options here can be seen either on Amazon or direct from Dyson’s website.

However, I won’t include the handheld option here because I’ve already enumerated the different options in the V7 Trigger review.

Dyson V7 Absolute

The Absolute is the V7’s high-end option with the extra fluffy head for cleaning bare floors. It also has all of the standard tools found in the Absolute range across Dyson’s cord-free product that includes the crevice tool, combination tool, soft dusting brush, and mini motorized tool.

It’s also one of the more expensive options and is only available on Dyson’s website. Strangely, it doesn’t have a post-motor HEPA filter, which can only be found in the “Animal,” “Animal Pro,” and “Allergy” models, so if you have allergies, stick with the three latter options I mentioned.

Dyson V7 Animal

Next on the totem pole is the V7 Animal. This model is slightly cheaper than the Absolute, but it only comes with the direct-drive cleaning head that works best on carpets.

Since it doesn’t have a soft roller attachment, this variant is cheaper. The lack of it, though, makes this variant suitable inside homes that only have carpets.

Pet owners should consider this option if their home has carpet since it has a second filter – a post-motor HEPA filter that helps keep allergens inside the dust cup.

Dyson V7 Animal Pro

The Animal Pro is the same as the V7 Animal, but it comes with extra tools aimed at pet owners.

The most notable of these tools are the Flexi-crevice tool and stubborn dirt brush. You can only find this option on Amazon, and it’s an excellent deal if you ask me.

It has the same post-motor HEPA filter that suits this inside homes with pets. The additional tools bump up the price compared to the non-Pro version.

Dyson V7 Allergy

The Dyson V7 Allergy is an excellent option for folks looking for a stick vacuum with a fully sealed system that can clean carpet.

In terms of attachments, it doesn’t have much as this variant only comes with the crevice and combination tool to pair with the direct drive cleaning head.

Dyson V7 Motorhead

The Motorhead version of the V7 is similar to the Allergy. However, the difference between the two is that the former doesn’t have a post-motor HEPA filter.

These variants come with the same number of attachments, including the crevice, combination tool, and storage dock. If you don’t mind not having the HEPA filter, this is one of the least expensive options in the V7 line.

Dyson V7 Fluffy

People who live in homes that only have hard floors should consider the Fluffy option. It is Allergy’s counterpart for cleaning hard floors since it comes with the Fluffy tool instead of the direct drive attachment.

Product Specifications

Where can I buy the Dyson V7?

Dyson V7 options are available in online stores like Amazon and Walmart. Please check the links below to see the latest prices.

• Dyson V7 MotorHead on Amazon and Walmart
• V7 Animal Pro+ on Amazon.
• V7 Fluffy on Amazon
• Dyson V7 Allergy HEPA on Amazon.

Please note that I will earn a commission if you buy through the links above. But at no additional cost to you, so it’s a win-win for both of us!

Does the Dyson V7 provide good value?

With all the features, this mid-priced Dyson is an excellent buy.

The issues that hold back the V6 aren’t an issue with the V7.

It runs longer, has a slightly larger dust bin, and a hygienic system that solves consumers’ most significant gripe with the V6.

This model for me provides better value for money versus the Dyson V8. Just remember to choose the right variant that will suit your home.

For homes with carpet, opt for the Animal, Animal Pro, or Motorhead options. Inside homes with only hard floors, Fluffy with the soft roller attachment would be the best option.

Yes, it is less powerful, but it’s cheaper, and this product line offers more options.

The verdict: Is the Dyson v7 any good?

Don’t let power downgrade dissuade you from looking at the Dyson V7.

It’s one of the better value-for-money options in the Dyson cord-free stick vacuum products because of its low price and range when it comes to the sheer number of options.

The V7 offers the right balance of power, ergonomics, tools, and, most importantly, the price that will fit inside most homes.

Sure, it does not have the sheer power of the newer Dyson cordless vacuums such as the V10 or V11, but it’s lighter, hundreds of dollars cheaper, and still performs almost as well with daily cleaning chores.

If you don’t mind the smaller dirt capacity or shorter range, the Dyson V7 is an excellent product to consider.

4 Reasons why you should consider the Dyson V7

1. Less expensive than the Dyson V8, V10, and V11: In my opinion, the V7 is the best of Dyson’s budget options – yes, better than the V6 because this model addresses all the issues the V6 has without having to pay a hefty premium.
2. Excellent ergonomics: This model is also one of the lightest Dyson stick vacuums at just 5.3 pounds. Being lighter makes the V7 a lot better than the V10 when cleaning the areas above floors.
3. Above-average cleaning performance: There isn’t much of a difference when comparing the V7 and V8 cleaning performance. The downgrade in power only affects the V7 with deep cleaning.
4. Easy to empty dust cup: The new hygienic bin makes it easier to dispose of dirt without getting your hands dirty.