Dyson V7 vs. V8 Comparison

While the V10 and V11 are outstanding products, Dyson has hidden gems lower in the totem pole.

Two of them are the Dyson V7 and V8, which we’ll look at closely in this comparison.

These two variants are in the middle to high-end range, depending on which option you select.

Let’s explore how the V7 and V8 are similar and different. Are these worthy alternatives to the more expensive variants like the V10 Absolute, V11 Torque Drive, and Outsize?

Scroll down to find out.

A Quick Overview of the Dyson V7 vs. V8

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Introduction to the Dyson V7 vs. V8

The Dyson V8 was once Dyson’s flagship option, chosen as the “best” cordless vacuum in numerous publications. This Dyson cordless was the first to have a hygienic system and was a considerable upgrade over the V6’s trap door design.

The V7 came out soon after the V8. I believe Dyson did this to address the needs of the more budget-conscious homeowner looking for a less expensive alternative to the V8.

It has a smaller battery than the V8, so it doesn’t run as long. However, cleaning performance isn’t far off, especially on carpet.

Related: Please check my comparison between the Dyson V7 and V11.

I have the V7 MotorHead with only the standard MotorHead attachment that works best on carpets.

Note: If the Dyson V7 or V8 is too expensive, consider Tineco cordless stick vacuums. I’ve written an in-depth comparison between Dyson and Tineco; please check the link to learn more.

Dyson V7: Lighter, Better at Cleaning Smaller Spaces

One thing I like about the Dyson V7 is its compact frame. Even if the size difference in the spec sheet isn’t significant, the V7 feels much lighter than the V8.

Of course, there are tradeoffs to take into consideration. First is the run time. Since the V7 has a smaller capacity battery, it won’t run as long as the V8.

I tested it with the MotorHead tool, and it ran for only 27 minutes – 4 minutes less than the V8.

The V7 has several different sub-models; please check the V7 review for more details.

All V7 options have the same motor and battery. The difference would be the tools and a post-motor HEPA filter.

Choosing the sub-model will be dependent on the type of flooring you have at home.

For example, homes with hard floors will benefit from the V7 Fluffy since the Soft Roller attachment works best on this type of surface.

For wall-to-wall carpeting, the MotorHead would be the better choice. In homes with mixed surfaces, the V7 Absolute is an excellent alternative.

Dyson V8: More Power, Better Inside Larger Homes

The Dyson V8 has a larger battery and motor than the V7, enabling it to run further and deep clean better for longer stretches.

I have the Absolute variant with the Fluffy and Direct Drive head, which provides more versatility than the V7 MotorHead.

The Absolute version can clean hard floors and carpet as it has the Fluffy and Direct Drive attachments.

It will run for up to 41 minutes with non-powered tools and up to 31 minutes with the Direct Drive attachment, so the range is decent.

Interface comparison

The Dyson V7 and V8 are very similar in terms of design – both having the same interface.

Each utilizes a slide switch for toggling between the default and max settings.

You can use the tools of the V8 in the V7. Yes, their tools are interchangeable, just an FYI.

The first difference when it comes to design is the size. As you’ll see in the photo above, the V8 is slightly bigger.

Another difference is the battery status. The V8 has three LED indicators informing users when the battery is at the 33% level mark.

While the V7 only has a single LED indicator, so it’s impossible to gauge how much battery life is remaining.

Dyson V7 vs. V8 Power/Airflow Comparison

I use an anemometer to measure the airflow that passes through these areas – the wand and cleaning nozzle. It’s an excellent barometer to check how a vacuum performs. Models with high airflow tend to do better at picking up debris on carpet.

Here are the results.

The difference is only minimal in the default setting. You’ll notice in the chart that the V7 has almost as much airflow at the wand and nozzle.

However, the gap widens in the max setting – as much as 8.77% difference at the wand in favor of the V8. Strangely, the V7 has 2% more airflow at the cleaning nozzle.

The results in the airflow test are consistent with the cleaning experiments as the V7 does surprisingly better on carpets, which we’ll go into next.

How do the Dyson V7 and V8 clean?

There isn’t much difference in the way each vacuum cleans since both have similar design cues.

One difference is the number of tools. The V8 Absolute has more tools than the V7 MotorHead, as it comes with the mini-Turbo brush and soft dusting brush that the MotorHead lacks.

You can purchase the V7 Absolute if you want more tools while still taking advantage of its more compact design.

Of all the Dyson cordless vacuums, these two are the best utilized as handhelds due to their smaller stature.

The V8 Absolute comes with the Fluffy and Direct Drive tools that work exceptionally well on hard floors and carpets, respectively.

In contrast, the V7 MotorHead only has one cleaning head – the MotorHead, which has excellent pick-up on carpets.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison between the Direct Drive and MotorHead tools.

You’ll notice the Direct Drive having more bulk, which makes it resistant to tangles better than the thinner brush of the V7.

Cleaning performance comparison of the Dyson V7 vs. V8

Now to the meat of this comparison, the cleaning tests. First, let me share with you the results.

From the table, you’ll notice that the V7’s hard floor performance is in the low 90s. It’s skewed by the low score with the Quaker oats test. Aside from that, it did well in other trials.

However, the V8’s soft roller attachment is superior to the MotorHead as it’s more efficient, sweeping up most of the debris in the initial pass.

Which is better on hard floors?

If you’re only comparing the V8 Absolute and V7 MotorHead, the nod goes to the V8 since it has the Fluffy attachment.

However, that won’t be the case if you’re getting the V7 Absolute or the Fluffy with the Soft Roller tool.

I prefer the Fluffy attachment because it has better padding; thus, it lessens the risk of scuffing hardwood surfaces significantly.

Sand on hardwood comparison of Dyson V7 vs. V8

Predictably, the V8 Absolute did better in the sand on hard floor test with a 99.5% score.

Note that this is the average of two Fluffy and Direct Drive attachment trials.

• Dyson V8 Absolute: 99.5%
• Dyson V7 MotorHead: 99.2%

However, the V7 isn’t far behind, with a 99.2% score.

The V7 picked up most of it in the forward pass with the default setting.

Though, there was a portion left behind after the first pass. Some debris sticks on the “Ball” steering, which can scratch the surface. So it’s something to contemplate if your home has soft, easily scratched hardwood.

Edge cleaning comparison

There isn’t much difference between the V7 and V8 cleaning edges. All vacuums could pick up most of the debris on the sides and quarter-inch crevice.

Here’s the result of the V7 cleaning edges.

Conversely, the Fluffy tool was the most efficient as it could pick up the most with the least amount of splattering behind the brush.

Remember that rollers are much better than traditional beater bars when cleaning hard surfaces.

Carpet cleaning comparison Dyson V7 vs. V8

Next, we’ll move over to how the Dyson V7 and V8 did with cleaning carpets.

One surprise from the tests was the V7 MotorHead outdoing the V8 Absolute, at least with surface debris.

It picked up an average of 99.97%, a few percentage points higher than the V8 at 97.29%.

The results back the airflow test scores where the V7 logged higher marks than the V8 in the max setting using the main cleaning head.

It was one of the biggest surprises thus far in this comparison.

However, in the deep cleaning test, the V8 was able to pick up more with a 97.7% score versus the V7’s 94.93%.

Large debris comparison

The presence of the Fluffy tool makes the V8 Absolute better at sweeping large debris like Fruit loops and Cheerios. In contrast, the V7’s MotorHead attachment will not pick up these types of rubbish.

It also didn’t do well with cleaning a pile Quaker oats on hard floors.

The V7 did better on carpets, picking up this pile of Quaker oats, Cheerios, Fruit loops without any snags.

Likewise, the V8 can also pick up large and extra-large stuff on carpets. So both are even in this category.

Hair wrap comparison

I did comprehensive tests for the Dyson V7 and V8 on five, seven, nine, eleven, and twelve-inch hair strands.

The goal is to see which option is better at avoiding hair wrapping on the brush roll, which not many reviews tackle.

Here are before and after shots for the Dyson V7 MotorHead.

• 5-inch strands: 100% inside bin; 0% on the brush
• 7-inch strands: 100% inside bin; 0% on the brush
• 9-inch strands: 100% inside bin; 0% on the brush
• 11-inch strands: 88% inside bin; 12% on the brush
• 12-inch strands: 88% inside bin; 12% on the brush

The V7 was surprisingly good at resisting hair tangles on hard floors, picking up close to 90% even on longer eleven and twelve in strands.

These scores are higher than the V8’s results on hard floors, which we’ll look at below.

• 5-inch strands: 100% inside bin; 0% on the brush
• 7-inch strands: 100% inside bin; 0% on the brush
• 9-inch strands: 100% inside bin; 0% on the brush
• 11-inch strands: 89% inside bin; 11% on the brush
• 12-inch strands: 63% inside bin; 37% on the brush

The V8 Absolute’s soft roller brush was excellent, between five and nine inches, but there’s noticeable hair wrap on longer eleven and twelve-inch strands.

More so than the V7 with twelve-inch hair.

However, on carpet, the V8 did better with long hair strands.

Let’s look at the before and after photos for the Dyson V7 hair wrap tests.

Nothing wrapped with five and seven-inch hair, but its limit is nine-inch strands.

One reason could be the thinner brush roll.

Here are the results for the Dyson V8.

It did noticeably better with nothing wrapping after the nine-inch test, but the limit is eleven and twelve-inch hair.

Tools out of the box

The V8 Absolute has more tools out of the box, with a total of 8 if you include the two nozzles. It has a mini turbo brush and the soft dusting brush, absent in the V7.

1. Fluffy tool
2. Direct drive tool
3. Mini turbo brush
4. Soft dusting brush
5. Combination tool
6. Crevice tool
7. Docking station
8. Extension wand

The V7 Motorhead has fewer tools, with only the combination and crevice tool and the main nozzle.

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

The V8 will be a better choice for pets since it has a mini turbo brush that is more proficient at tackling pet hair on fabric upholstery.

Are the Dyson V7 and V8 attachments interchangeable?

Yes, the tools of the V7 fit with the V8 and the other way around. If you can’t find a specific device from the V7 selection, then a V8 tool will be compatible with it.

Most tools in the Dyson cord-free product line are interchangeable except for the V6 and the Outsize.

Run time comparison of Dyson V7 vs. V8

The V8’s larger battery enables it to run further than the V7.

Check the table below for the run time test results.

The V8 will run for as much as 41 minutes with the crevice tool. And up to 33 minutes using the Direct Drive attachment.

In contrast, the V7 can only last for 32 minutes with the crevice tool and 27 minutes with the cleaning head.

So the V8 is a better option if you’re looking to clean a larger home.

Can you replace the Dyson V7 and V8 battery?

One misconception many have is you cannot replace a Dyson cordless battery.

That isn’t true even if the V7 and V8 don’t have a clip-on battery; replacing the battery is doable using a Philips screwdriver.

The same process applies to the V7 as it has a similar bolt placement.

Dust bin comparison

The V7 and V8 have identical dust bins. Both utilize the same hygienic system with a red lever for releasing dirt over a trash container.

Emptying contents won’t differ much.

However, the V8’s capacity is slightly larger at 0.54 liters versus the 0.53 liters of the V7.

Filter comparison

The Dyson V8 Absolute has two filters – one pre-motor filter in the middle of the cyclones plus a HEPA filter behind the motor.

In contrast, the V7 MotorHead only has one filter – the pre-motor filter with the same placement as the V8.

The HEPA filter provides additional filtration keeping fine allergens from escaping. If this is a priority, then the V8 is the better alternative.

I did a fog test with both vacuums, and the V8 didn’t leak smoke. In contrast, the V7 spewed smoke at the exhaust – a clear sign that allergens would seep through.

Noise comparison

I used a sound meter from a few feet away, with the cleaning head attached to measure noise.

Here are the results.

Surprisingly, the Dyson V7 recorded higher decibel levels in both the low and high settings.

Ergonomics comparison

Both vacuums score high marks with ergonomics. I like how the primary floor nozzles of each model are capable of sharp turns and avoiding furniture. The compact design helps immensely in cramped spaces.

Between the two, the V7 is the more nimble option. The smaller battery frees up the excess weight and gives it a lighter steering feel, particularly carpets.

Inside smaller homes with lots of carpets, the V7 is ideal. It won’t clean embedded stuff as well as the V8, but it’s less straining on the arm.

Maintenance comparison

Upkeep for both the V7 and V8 are similar.

You’ll need to clean the filters at least once a month.

Realize that Dyson cord-free vacuums come with a lifetime filter. So there’s no need to replace it for the lifetime of the vacuum.

Nonetheless, to prevent downtime, I would suggest purchasing at least an extra set of filters, so you have something to utilize while the filter is drying up.

Amazon has many options – you can opt for an OEM replacement or an original. My preference would be to go for a Dyson filter for longevity.

Availability of Parts

Dyson’s popularity bodes well for the parts’ availability. There are a plethora of options to choose from with components from batteries to filters. Even harder to find parts like bolts for the battery are available on sites like Amazon and eBay.

Related Dyson Comparisons

Learn more about how each Dyson cordless compares against each variant, where I’ll explain in detail the pros and cons and which variant is the better option for certain circumstances.

• Comparing all Dyson cordless vacuums
• Dyson V6 vs. V7
• Dyson V6 vs. V8
• Dyson V6 vs. V10
• Dyson V7 vs. V10
• Dyson V7 vs. V11
• Dyson V8 vs. V10
• Dyson V8 vs. V11
• Dyson V10 vs. V11
• Dyson V10 vs. V11 Torque Drive vs. V11 Outsize vs. V15 Detect
• Dyson Omni Glide vs. Micro 1.5KG

Spec comparison

Where can I buy the Dyson V7 and V8?

These vacuums are available online from merchants like Amazon and Walmart. Please check the links below for the current pricing.

• Dyson V7 MotorHead on Amazon and Walmart.
• V7 Fluffy on Amazon and Walmart.
• Dyson V8 Absolute on Amazon and Walmart.

For bargain hunters, another great place to buy Dyson products is eBay.

• Dyson V8 on eBay.
• Dyson V7 on eBay.

Disclaimer: If you purchase through any of the links above, I  will earn a commission with any additional cost to you, so it’s a win-win for both of us!

Which offers the better value?

The Dyson V8 offers several advantages over the V7. First, it runs longer thanks to the larger capacity Li-ion battery.

It ran for as much as 41 minutes with the crevice tool and 33 minutes using the Direct Drive attachment in my tests.

Second, it does better at picking up embedded sand from carpets.

Third, the Fluffy attachment enables it to clean hard floors better than the MotorHead tool of the V7.

Nonetheless, the V7 performed better overall than the V8 in the surface cleaning tests on carpets.

I’m not sure if it’s a fluke, but just sharing the results of the experiments.

5 Reasons to choose the Dyson V8 Absolute

1. Better on hard floors: The Fluffy attachment of the V8 Absolute is superior to the V7’s MotorHead brush. It’s more efficient and isn’t as prone to scratching the surface.
2. Runs longer: The larger capacity battery allows the V8 to run further. So it’s a better alternative for bigger homes.
3. More tools: It comes with more attachments than the V7 Motorhead.
4. Deep cleans better: Based on my tests, the V8 is better at picking up embedded dirt than the V7.
5. Better at resisting tangles: The chunkier brush in the Direct Drive head resists tangles better than the thinner brush of the MotorHead.

4 Reasons to choose the Dyson V7 MotorHead

1. Lighter: The V7 is the lighter option, so it doesn’t feel heavy on the wrist.
2. Better Ergonomically: Being more slightly compact makes the V7 better when it comes to ergonomics. The steering is more responsive on carpets where the smaller brush has less drag.
3. More airflow: One of the surprises is the V7 having more airflow than the V8, at least in the max setting using the primary cleaning nozzle.
4. Cleans surface dirt better on carpets: The V7 scored 100% in seven of the eight tests and was a few percentage points better than the V8.

The Verdict: Is Dyson V8 better than V7?

On paper, the Dyson V8 seems to be a better product than the V7. It has more suction, a larger battery, and more tools.

However, the V7 had better results with surface cleaning on carpets. It’s one of the most surprising findings from the experiments I did.

The V7 Motorhead is a viable option inside smaller homes with lots of carpets where run time won’t be a factor.

There’s also the option of getting the V7 Fluffy for people who live in homes with hard surfaces and don’t want to spend more for the higher-end V8

The V8 Absolute is the better all-around option suited for bigger homes with a mix of hard floors and carpets.

It’s the more expensive option, but that’s the tradeoff for getting a cordless vacuum with more tools and a bigger battery.