Dyson V7 vs. V11

We’ll be looking at two Dyson products at each spectrum – the V7 and V11.

The V7 is currently Dyson’s entry-level option (along with the V6) and the least expensive option, while the V11 is their flagship alternative with the latest technology and high-end power.

I’ve tested these products extensively and will reveal the results in this review.

First, here’s an overview of the Dyson V7 vs. V11

Deep cleaning – I used 100 grams of sand for the deep cleaning test, rubbed it on the mid-pile carpet, and weighed the dustbin before and after to get the result.

* If you click on any of the links and purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost.

Introduction to the Dyson V7 and V11

The Dyson V7 and V11 each bring something unique to the table.

With the V7, you’ll get a lightweight and agile cord-free stick vacuum that maneuvers easily around furniture. It’s something you’d want if you live inside a small home because of its compact frame and smooth steering.

The V11 Torque Drive offers suction and lots of it. While it’s bulkier, it makes up for it by being one of the stick vacuums at cleaning carpets.

If you need something capable of deep cleaning carpet, the V11 Torque Drive is a good alternative.

Related: Dyson V15 Detect vs. V11 Outsize vs. V11 Torque Drive vs. V10 Comparison

Dyson V7 MotorHead: Less Expensive, Lightweight, and Excellent for Small Homes

Except for the Dyson V6, the V7 Motorhead is the lightest Dyson cordless product available.

It weighs only 5.45 pounds with the extension tube and main nozzle. One thing I noticed using this vacuum is the lightness of the handle.

Arm fatigue won’t be much of an issue because of the small motor and battery. This model is lighter than the V8 and a little bit shorter. Moving it around hard floors or carpets will be smooth thanks to the responsive and light steering.

It turns sharply, and you can avoid furniture with minimal turns.

However, the smaller battery won’t run as long as the V7. In tests, it only ran for up to 32 minutes with the crevice tool and just under 28 minutes with the main brush.

Please note there are several V7 options available with varying tools. I have the Motorhead that only has the direct drive attachment, which is excellent for cleaning carpets.

If you want to benefit from the compact design of the V7 on hard floors, opt for the V7 Fluffy.

Dyson V11 Torque Drive: Great for Deep Cleaning Carpet

The V11 proves that James Dyson was serious when he said they’d be focusing R&D on cord-free products with the release of the Dyson V10.

This model is not just a refresh of the V10 but a complete upgrade.

It has more power and runs longer than the Dyson V10, making it an excellent option for cleaning embedded dirt on carpets.

For people looking for a stick vacuum capable of cleaning carpets like an upright minus the cord – the V11 Torque Drive is something to consider.

This product was the best cord-free product I’ve tested for deep cleaning carpets with a 114% score.

The realigned dust bin enables it to hold more dirt – up to 0.77 liters or 36.92% more than the V7.

The Dyson V11 is the better alternative for living in a large home because of its range and high dirt volume.

What are the Differences Between the Dyson V7 and V11?

Here’s a summary of the differences between the Dyson V7 and V11.

1. Airflow: Using the main nozzle, the Dyson V11 has up to 34.23% more airflow than the V7 in the highest power setting. This difference will be felt most when cleaning carpets where the V11 excels.
2. Dirt volume: The V11 has a larger dirt capacity – up to 0.77 liters, while the V7 can only hold up to 0.53 liters.
3. Battery: Dyson put in a larger capacity battery in the V11 – it can run for up to 74 minutes – more than double the V7’s run time.
4. Power settings: The V7 only has two, while the V11 has three power options.
5. Dynamic load sensor: This feature adjusts suction based on the surface. If there’s more resistance (e.g., carpet), it automatically increases airflow.

Interface Comparison

Next, we’ll look at how these vacuums differ in their interface.

The Dyson V7 is a “mini” version of the V8; thus, it retains the same trigger and slide switch for turning on the motor and toggling between the power modes.

The Dyson V11 still has the trigger, but it does away with the slide switch.

In its place is a digital display behind the motor with a single button for switching through the three different settings – low, auto, and max.

It’s fully colored and dynamic, providing real-time information about the battery percentage, time remaining, possible error codes, and more.

I like that it shows the time remains, so you know when to charge it.

The V11 screen is only available in the Torque Drive and the Outsize options. It won’t be the same display on the less expensive Animal variant that only shows icons instead of dynamic graphics.

Trigger

Both models have similar trigger mechanisms for firing up the motor. I don’t feel any difference when it comes to responsiveness. Squeeze the trigger, and the motor fires instantly.

Unfortunately, neither product has a trigger lock, so you’ll have to squeeze it for power continually.

Battery and Run Time

The V7 has a 2,100 mAh battery with an advertised run time of up to 30 minutes. In contrast, the V11 has a larger capacity, a 3,600 mAh battery with a claimed run time of up to 60 minutes.

How long do these vacuums run? I tested it, and the results exceeded the claims.

Here are the results.

The V11, in my tests, lasted for up to 74 minutes with the main nozzle. And up to 71 minutes with the crevice tool. Please note that these results are all in the low setting.

The V11 will run for around 18 to 19 minutes using the auto setting. This is the best setting on carpets if you want to deep clean and still cover a decent amount of space.

The V11 picked up 99% of embedded sand on carpets in the auto setting.

The V7 doesn’t have the range of the V11. It only lasted around 33 minutes with the crevice tool and a shade under 28 minutes with the cleaning head.

If you want to use the V7 for deep cleaning carpets, you’d have to use the max setting, which cuts the run time to 7 minutes.

How do the Dyson V7 and V11 clean?

Cordless vacuums like the V7 and V11 have the same functionality. Each relies on various interchangeable tools, enabling it to clean different areas of your home.

The V11 has more options, with five additional cleaning tools for cleaning areas like sofas, vents, chairs, and more.

You won’t get as many tools with the V7 MotorHead as it only comes with the crevice and combination tools.

Opt for the more expensive V7 Absolute for consumers who want more tools.

Realize the primary function of these stick vacuums is to clean floors. For people who want something to double as a handheld, the V7 will be the better option since it’s lighter and smaller.

Cleaning Comparison

Next, let’s move to the results of the cleaning tests. First, here are the results.

The V11s are higher than the overall scores, but there’s a caveat. The lack of a soft roller attachment hampers the ability of the V7 to clean medium to large debris on hard surfaces.

It struggles with cleaning large quantities of Quaker oats, and big stuff like Cheerios or Fruit loops won’t get through the low clearance of the nozzle.

But sweeping other test debris like coffee, quinoa, pet litter, and sand was not a problem.

One advantage the V11 has is the two adjustable gates so large debris will fit.

Using the Torque Drive head on hard floors is possible with the high airflow.

The lack of a cushion does increase the risk of scratching hardwood floors.

The V7 does better picking up surface debris on carpet than the V11, which is a surprise.

Which is Better on Hard Floors?

THE RESULTS SHOW THAT the V11 is better for cleaning hard surfaces thanks to the two adjustable gates.

The clip above shows that the V11 had a cleaner pass as it had superior suction and the gates.

The V7 Motorhead could clean most of the debris, but it left some.

It struggles with large amounts of items like Quaker Oats.

The V11 won’t have this issue as it has more clearance. You can use it on hard floors, and it will pick up dirt.

Neither of these tools is optimal for hard floors, particularly the Torque Drive that vibrates more than the V7 nozzle.

If you plan to use any of these two on hard floors, I’d recommend getting the Fluffy version or the tool itself.

Sand on hard floor test

Cleaning sand on hard floors won’t be a problem for the Dyson V7 and V11.

• Dyson V11: 99.4%
• Dyson V7: 99.2%

Only a 0.2% difference. Even if the V7 scores lower, I still give the advantage to it because it picked up most of it in the forward pass.

The V7 utilizes a felt material behind the main brush, giving it a better seal than the V11 despite having less airflow.

In contrast, the V11 didn’t pick up everything in the forward pass. It left a trail of sand but was picked up in subsequent passes.

Edge cleaning

Cleaning edges are also close with a slight edge to the V11 as it picks up more in fewer passes. The V7 also picked up most of the pet litter, but it took longer.

Here’s a before and after shot of the V7 in the edge cleaning test.

And here’s the V11.

Carpet Results

Let’s look at how well the V7 and V11 clean carpets.

One of the surprises for me in this comparison is how well the V7 picks up surface debris on carpets – it’s better than the Dyson V8 and V11.

Again, the reason is the felt material that funnels dirt toward the suction chamber, which is absent in the V11.

The V11 makes up for it with sheer airflow. I’m hoping Dyson will address this in the future and incorporate the squeegee seal behind the brush roll of their newer products.

Nevertheless, in the deep cleaning tests, the V11 is superior to the V7. The higher airflow and the beefier brush roll enable it to clean embedded dirt better. It was able to pick up 114%.

It sounds crazy, but the excess sand is from the remaining debris the other vacuums left behind in the different cleaning tests.

This proves the capability of the V11 to sweep up anything embedded under carpet strands, much like an upright.

Large Debris Comparison

The V11 has the advantage when cleaning large stuff like Cheerios and Fruit loops because of the adjustable gates.

The lack of clearance hampers the V7 from picking up large stuff.

But on carpets, it’s a different story as both vacuums will pick up these types of rubbish as there’s more give on this surface.

Hair Wrap Comparison

For this experiment, I spread 1 gram of five to seven-inch human hair on hard floors and carpet to see how much would wrap on the brush roll.

The Dyson V11 was almost flawless in this test, with hardly any hair wrapping on the brush on either surface.

In contrast, the V7 didn’t do so well. One reason is the smaller brush that doesn’t resist tangles as well.

It was better at resisting tangles on hard floors versus on carpets.

Some of the hair went inside the dust container, but a lot of hair stuck on the brush.

Tools Out of the Box

You’ll get more attachments with the Dyson V11 Torque Drive versus the V7 Motorhead.

Here’s what you’ll get.

1. Mini turbo brush
2. Soft dusting brush
3. Crevice tool
4. Combination tool
5. Stubborn brush tool: It has stiffer bristles than the combination and the soft dusting brush, making it great for cleaning pet hair.
6. Wand storage clip
7. Docking station

In comparison, the V7 Motorhead has these tools.

1. MotorHead
2. Crevice tool
3. Combination tool
4. Extension wand
5. Docking station

One option to get more tools is the V7 Absolute, available on Dyson’s website. It has the same toolset as the V8 Absolute but is more expensive than the Motorhead.

Are Dyson V7 and V11 Attachments Interchangeable?

The short answer is yes. Here’s a little know – all attachments from the V7 to the V11 are interchangeable.

You can use the attachment of the Dyson V11 on the V7  and the other way around without any issues.

One problem is the price. Buying original Dyson tools is quite expensive, but this information may be useful.

For example, you want to use the V11 on hard floors without access to the Fluffy attachment. You can buy the V10 Fluffy tool, and it fits the V11.

Can you replace the Dyson V7 and V11 battery?

Yes, you can replace the batteries of these two vacuums. The V7 has the same bolt pattern as the V8. So check this article on the step-by-step guide.

Earlier versions of the V11 Torque Drive come with a bolt-on battery, so you must unbolt screws to remove it.

Newer versions (also available on Amazon) have a click-on battery that slides out when pushing the red lever.

Removing the battery in the V11 is easier since you don’t have to unbold the screws.

Dust Bin Comparison

The Dyson V11 has a larger dirt capacity and can hold up to 0.77 liters – a difference of 36.92%! People who live in a bigger home should consider the V11 over the V7 because it goes further before emptying it.

Both vacuums have a hygienic system, which I like. However, there will be a slight variation in how you dispose of the contents.

With the V11, you aim the dust bin on the trash container and push the red lever. In contrast, you place the V7 bin over the vessel and pull the red lever up.

Some people prefer the V7 since removing the tube isn’t necessary to empty. Regardless, I like the design of both.

Filter Comparison

The V7 Motorhead has a single filter – a pre-motor filter. The V7 Allery or V7 Fluffy has the post-motor HEPA filter if you need better filtration.

The V11 Torque Drive also has one filter, combining a pre- and post-motor filter. It’s located behind the motor, preventing allergens from seeping through the exhaust, which isn’t the case for the V7 Motorhead.

You can see a difference in surface area that the V11 filter has – more than the V10 filter.

Realize these are “lifetime” filters, so replacing them is unnecessary. However, I suggest buying extra filters to minimize downtime when you wash it.

Noise Comparison

Having a larger motor makes the Dyson V11 the noisier option. Check out the table below for more details.

Also, the V7 cleaning doesn’t vibrate as much as the V11, which is felt more on hard surfaces.

I’d recommend using the Fluffy tool to clean hard floors because it doesn’t vibrate.

Ergonomics Comparison

Both vacuums steer pretty well, thanks to Dyson’s excellent steering. However, the compact size of the V7 gives it the edge because you’ll experience less fatigue when using it for longer stretches.

The V11’s larger motor and battery add more weight up top. And there will be more arm fatigue, especially if you switch to the max setting, as it’s harder to push forward because of the suction.

Also, the size and weight difference make the V7 better for handheld use. Its compact size will fit in more areas than the longer frame of the V11. I prefer it over the V11 cleaning my vehicle.

The V11 will do okay in open spaces. I like it for cleaning mattresses with its extra suction and run time.

Maintenance

All Dyson vacuums will require a certain level of maintenance to run efficiently over the long haul.

You’ll need to do the following.

1. Clean the filters: Wash the filters once a month (or more depending on how much you use them). Dyson recommends rinsing it with water and nothing else. Avoid detergent as it can degrade the material, and don’t scrub it with a brush.
2. Tidy up the main brush: Hair and other contaminants can wrap on the brush and axles. Regularly check the primary brush roll for any hair that may tangle on it.
3. Empty dust container: Make sure to empty the dust receptacle after every cleaning task. It keeps the filters free from contaminants and prevents dust mites that may breed inside.

Dyson vacuums are top-rated, so buying spare parts like filters or batteries won’t be a problem. You can purchase original Dyson components or aftermarket brands to save a few bucks.

These parts are available in online stores like Amazon, Walmart, or eBay.

Product Specifications

Other Dyson cordless vacuum comparisons

Learn more about how each Dyson cordless compares against each variant.

• Comparing all Dyson cordless vacuums
• Dyson V6 vs. V7
• Dyson V6 vs. V8
• Dyson V6 vs. V10
• Dyson V7 vs. V8
• Dyson V7 vs. V10
• Dyson V8 vs. V10
• Dyson V8 vs. V11
• Dyson V10 vs. V11
• Dyson V15 Detect vs. V11 Outsize vs. V11 Torque Drive vs. V10 Absolute

Where can I Purchase the Dyson V7 and V11?

You can buy these vacuums from online stores like Amazon and Walmart. Check the links below to see the latest prices.

• Dyson V7 Motorhead on Amazon and Walmart.
• Dyson V11 Torque Drive on Amazon and Walmart.

Disclosure: I’ll earn a commission if you buy through any of the links above, but at no extra cost, so it’s a win-win for both of us!

Which Offers the Better Value?

The answer will depend on your needs. If you live inside a tiny home, the V7 will be a great option because it’s compact and easier to store. It’s much cheaper than the V11, but make sure to select the correct variant for the floor type you have.

Get the V7 Motorhead (or Allergy) if you live in a home with carpet and the V7 Fluffy for hard surfaces.

The V11 is better suited inside larger homes with carpets thanks to the larger battery and dustbin.

It’s the best cordless vacuum I’ve tested for cleaning carpet, capable of cleaning embedded dirt. Only the V11 Outsize and Riccar cordless match it, but those options are even more costly.

If you don’t mind not having the dynamic screen, the V11 Animal is a good alternative since it’s cheaper.

The Verdict: Is Dyson v11 better than v7?

The Dyson V11 is better than the V7 for suction, coverage, and dirt volume but is more expensive.

You may not need those features in a small home. But it’s a must-have inside a house with more space and wall-to-wall carpeting.

To help you decide, here are some factors you need to consider.

5 Reasons to choose the Dyson V7

1. Compact size: The V7 is lighter and easier to maneuver than the V11, making it more suitable inside tiny homes.
2. Less expensive: Depending on the variant, you can easily save a few hundred dollars with the V7.
3. Better as a handheld: The compact frame of the V7 makes it better as a handheld than the longer and bulkier V11. You can use it in cramped areas with fewer restrictions.
4. Not as noisy: The smaller motor will produce less noise.
5. Easier to stow away: Another advantage of the V7’s compact design is its less vertical footprint.

4 Reasons to choose the Dyson V11

1. Lengthier run time: The V11 doubles the run time of the V7 – up to 74 minutes with the main cleaning head.
2. Better for larger homes: This model is better for cleaning larger houses because of its long run time and larger dirt volume.
3. A legit deep-cleaning stick vacuum: It’s one of a few cordless stick vacuums that can pick up embedded dirt. Get this if you want a cord-free product for cleaning carpets.
4. Dynamic screen: The LCD screen of the V11 provides users with real-time information with the battery status, power modes, error codes, and more.