Dyson V8 vs. V11

In this comparison, we’ll look at two generations of Dyson cord-free products – the V8 and V11.

The V8 was once a Dyson flagship option having the most airflow among cordless vacuums, but now is superseded by the newer V11 with even more airflow.

So which model is better? We’ll unpack all the info you need to know in this review.

Here’s a quick overview of the Dyson V8 vs. V11

Introduction to the Dyson V8 vs. V11

The V8 and V11 introduced (some of) Dyson’s most innovative features within their cord-free stick vacuum line.

With the V8, the hygienic system addresses one of the most significant issues in the V6 – the dust container that’s messy to empty.

Please note that the V8 came out before the V7.

Related: Please check our comparison between the Dyson V7 and V11 – you’ll be surprised by some of the test results I’ll share.

In the V11, it’s the Dynamic Load Sensor in the Torque Drive attachment and the Dynamic LCD screen.

The DLS (or Dynamic Load Sensor) automatically increases suction if it detects more resistance (e.g., carpet) and decreases if it detects less.

And the LCD screen notifies users about essential data such as battery status, power mode, error codes, and more.

Dyson V8 Absolute: Lighter, Excellent for Hard Floors and Carpet

The V8 Absolute is the lighter and nimbler vacuum of the two alternatives. Its compact frame is excellent inside smaller homes with a mix of hard floors and carpets.

I’ve tested this product extensively, and it does an outstanding job at picking up surface debris and cleaning embedded dirt on mid-pile carpet.

One drawback of the compact size is the low dirt volume – only 0.54 liters.

The V8 should be a strong consideration if you’re looking for a compact stick and handheld vacuum capable of cleaning even cramped areas. Its small stature will do well in these zones.

There are several sub-models available for the Dyson V8. Some of these include the Absolute, Animal, Animal Pro+, Animal+, and MotorHead, to name a few.

Dyson V11 Torque Drive: A True Deep Cleaning Cord-Free Product

The V11 Torque Drive possesses monster airflow and is a hands-down option for folks looking for a cord-free vacuum capable of deep cleaning carpets.

It isn’t as potent as the Outsize, but it’s good at what it does.

While the Torque Drive can clean hard floors, it comes at the risk of scratching the surface, plus it vibrates a bit, so it’ll be noisier.

In my tests, it ran for as much as 74 minutes! And that’s with the Torque Drive attachment. Surprisingly, it ran further than with the crevice tool – “just” 71 minutes.

The V11 is one of a handful of cordless stick vacuums capable of cleaning embedded dirt. Also, the large dust container makes it a viable alternative for larger homes.

There are currently three V11 options available – the Torque Drive, Animal, and Outsize.

The Torque Drive has a Dynamic LCD screen that updates vacuum data in real time, while the Animal has a more static display without any live information.

As its name implies, The Outsize is a supersized version with larger dimensions.

Interface comparison of Dyson V7 vs. V11

The V8 Absolute has a more straightforward interface with the slide switch on top and trigger, while the V11 is more dynamic.

Absent is the slide switch found in the V10. In its place, Dyson put an LCD screen behind the motor with a single button to toggle through the different power settings.

The V8 has two power settings (Default and Max), and the V11 has three (Low, Auto, and Boost).

The “Auto” setting automatically increases or decreases airflow based on surface resistance.

So if you’re transitioning from hard floors to carpet, the sensor kicks in and increases the motor speed. It does the opposite when transitioning from carpet to hard surfaces.

Power/Airflow Comparison of Dyson V8 vs. V11

Now let’s move on to the test results, and I’ll start with power. I didn’t just rely on Dyson’s stated air watts claim but used an anemometer to check airflow at two areas – the wand and cleaning nozzle.

This device accurately records the amount of air that flows through these zones.

In all my experiments, vacuums with higher airflow tend to better clean carpets since dirt is beneath strands of fabric.

Here are the results.

The V11 has 17.75% more airflow at the max setting at the wand and a whopping 36.73% at the nozzle.

Considering this information, the V11’s airflow at the cleaning head is almost equal to the V8 at the wand.

You can see this difference in how the V11 cleans the carpet, which we’ll briefly review.

How do the Dyson V8 and V11 clean?

Dyson cordless vacuums are pioneers of the cord-free boom you see.

They are the first to incorporate a detachable tube with interchangeable tools, which you’ll get from the V8 and V11.

The V8 Absolute has two nozzles – a Fluffy and Direct Drive attachment. While the V11 Torque Drive only has one – the Torque Drive.

Here’s a close look at the V8’s Fluffy and Direct Drive tools.

And here’s the Torque Drive of the V11 with the adjustable gates.

Lastly, here’s a view underneath.

You can see that the V8 has the seal behind the brush while the V11 doesn’t not.

The difference is noticeable, putting the Torque Drive and Direct Drive side-by-side.

The Torque Drive has two adjustable gates allowing larger dirt particles to fit that are not in the Direct Drive attachment.

This feature enables the Torque Drive to clean large debris on hard floors better than the V7 or V8.

However, I would not use it on soft hardwood finishes as Dyson’s “Ball” system has no rubber padding. So there’s a high risk of scuffing easily scratched hardwood.

Another issue is the noise. The Torque Drive attachment does vibrate a little more than the Fluffy tool.

Cleaning comparison of Dyson V8 vs. V11

Now, let’s look at how well these vacuums clean debris. First, here’s an overview of all the test results.

The chart reveals that the V11 has higher overall scores in surface and embedded debris tests.

This is evidence of how the airflow difference affects how a vacuum cleans.

Which is better on hard floors?

Despite not having the Fluffy attachment, the V11 had slightly better results in the hard floor tests.

However, the Torque Drive attachment is noisy and can scratch surfaces, especially for build-up on the “Ball” system doubles as the rear wheels.

If this isn’t a concern, the V11 is an excellent alternative to consider inside homes with carpet and hard surfaces.

One advantage that the Fluffy tool has is it doesn’t need high airflow to be efficient.

I just left it at the default setting in all the experiments with this tool, and it did very well.

Note: Please check my guide on cordless vacuums for hardwood floors if you live in a home with such.

Sand on hard floor comparison

Another important consideration is how well these vacuums pick up sand. While both vacuums scored high marks, the V11 isn’t as efficient, leaving trails of sand in the forward pass.

• Dyson V8 Absolute: 99.5%
• Dyson V11 Torque Drive: 99.4%

It wasn’t an issue with the V8 Fluffy, as it alone picked up everything in the first pass.

Also, the V8 Direct Drive attachment did better than the Torque Drive, picking up nearly every particle of sand in the initial pass.

One reason is the seal behind the brush roll. Looking at both tools, you can see the V8 has it while the V11 does not.

Edge cleaning comparison

I scattered pet litter along a corner of my room to test how well these vacuums cleaned edges and corners.

Here are the results for the V8’s Fluffy and Direct Drive attachment

And the V11 Torque Drive.

Both vacuums did very well in this test. There isn’t much difference in the amount of dirt left after the run.

One thing to note is some debris is scattered behind the Torque Drive and Direct Drive attachments.

Carpet cleaning comparison

Let’s now move over to how the V8 and V11 did at cleaning carpets.

The V11 is better at both surface and deep cleaning. And the difference in airflow is seen in the latter, where the V11 could pick up an absurd 114%.

Of all the cord-free vacuums I’ve tested, this is the only one capable of cleaning embedded dirt.

Even in the auto setting, the V11 still picked up 99.97% – higher than the V8 at max.

The choice is evident between these vacuums, regardless of the price variance.

Large debris cleaning comparison

The V8’s Fluffy attachment can pick up large and extra-large stuff like Cheerios and Fruit Loops.

Likewise, the V11 Torque Drive is also capable, thanks to the adjustable gates.

You’ll have to go in a zigzag motion with the V11 to coax the debris into one of the two gates.

However, the V8’s Direct Drive tool, minus the gates, won’t pick up large items as it lacks clearance.

Hair wrap comparison

Next, we’ll look at how well these vacuums resist hair wrap. To test this, I scattered one gram of human hair (5 to 7 inches) on a test area on the hard floor and carpet.

Here’s how much that wrapped around the brushes of the V8.

Fluffy tool

Direct Drive

And the V11 Torque Drive attachment.

This much hair was inside the Dyson V8 dust container.

And inside the V11 receptacle.

There isn’t much that is wrapped around any of the brushes.

You can use these two to clean pet and human hair (up to 7 inches) without too much risk of clogging the brushes.

Tools out of the box

The Dyson V8 and V11 more or less have the same set of attachments, and we’ll go through each.

Here are the tools of the V8.

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

And the tools of the V11 out of the box.

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

The V11 has one more tool than the V8, plus the wand storage clip that holds an extra attachment.

Unfortunately, none have the hose tool found in the Tineco Pure One S12 and A11. You’ll have to purchase it separately to enjoy its benefits.

In this article, learn more about the differences between Tineco and Dyson.

Are Dyson V8 and V11 attachments interchangeable?

I’ve tried it, and yes, you can use the V8 attachment on a V11 and vice-versa. You can even attach the Torque Drive attachment on the V8, which I thought was impossible.

Run time comparison of the V8 and V11

One of the significant advantages of the V11 is the length of time it runs.

Let’s look at the chart below to see the difference.

The V11 can run for as much as 74 minutes with the Torque Drive attachment! No, that’s not a misprint. It’s the result of my test.

The V8’s time is decent at 41 minutes, but that’s with the crevice tool. If you use the Direct Drive attachment, it goes down to 31 minutes.

Can you replace the batteries of the Dyson V8 and V11?

Yes, replacing the battery of either model is possible. I’ve written an article about replacing the V8 battery here, so please have a look to learn the steps.

The V11 is a newer model, so no OEM replacements are available yet.

Note that there are two V11 options available – an option with a click-on and another with a bolt-on battery.

The former is easier to replace with the release lever, while the latter requires a screwdriver to remove.

Dust bin comparison of the Dyson V8 and V11

The V8 and V11 utilize Dyson’s hygienic system that forces dirt downward.

However, there will be a slight variance in emptying these vacuums with the alignment difference.

For the V8, you place the vacuum over a trash bin and pull up the run lever.

The V11 is slightly different. You point the vacuum towards the container and then forward a red lever.

It isn’t messy to dispose of the contents; there’s just a variation in going about it.

In terms of dirt volume, the V11 can hold more – up to 0.77 liters versus the 0.54 liters of the V8.

So it’s a better option inside large homes since there’s no need to empty it as often.

Filter Comparison

Before the Dyson V10 was released, all Dyson cord-free products had two filters – a primary filter in the middle of the cyclones and a second post-motor HEPA behind the motor.

However, that all changed with the V10, then now the V11. These models only have one filter behind the motor.

The good news is these filters are what Dyson terms “Lifetime.” So you don’t need to replace it.

Nonetheless, Dyson filters are available for sale in online stores like Amazon. I would suggest purchasing an extra set to minimize downtime.

Noise comparison of the Dyson V8 vs. V11

I use a sound meter to record noise a few feet away, and these are the results.

The V11 is noisier, with 78.9 decibels in the “Boost” mode, while the V8 produces 73.2 decibels. So there’s a trade-off with the high airflow of the V11.

Ergonomics comparison

The V8, with its more compact size and lighter weight, will be better than the two ergonomically.

Just look at the size difference.

You can use the V8 in areas where it will be uncomfortable for the V11 because of its length.

Above the floors, like cleaning stairs, the V8 also is better since it is lighter and not as big.

Steering is almost even, with a slight edge to the V8 because of its smaller stature and weight.

Thanks to the ball system, the V11 steers decently for its size.

But I must caution you that pushing on carpets in the “Boost” mode can be challenging because of the high airflow.

This is a common occurrence for vacuums with strong suction.

Maintenance

Upkeep is similar for both vacuums. Clean the filter (or filters) once a month. Empty the dust container after every cleaning cycle, and keep the batteries charged.

There’s no need to replace Dyson filters since these are the lifetime type. So operating costs are low.

But as I’ve said earlier, you can purchase extra to minimize downtime.

The cleaning heads also need regular cleaning as hair, grime, and dust accumulate on the brush, axles, and other components.

The V8 and V11 will last long when you do all these things.

Please check this article on how to clean the Dyson V8 and V11.

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 V7 vs. V11
• Dyson V8 vs. V10
• Dyson V10 vs. V11

Dyson versus other brands

• Tineco vs. Dyson

Spec comparison

Where can I buy the Dyson V8 and V11?

You can buy these vacuums from different online stores like Amazon and Walmart. Please examine the links below for the latest prices.

• Dyson V8 on Amazon and Walmart.
• Dyson V11 on Amazon and Walmart.

Disclaimer: I will earn a commission if you purchase through the links above. But at no additional cost to you, it’s a win-win for us!

Which vacuum offers the better value?

The price difference between the V8 Absolute and V11 Torque Drive isn’t that significant. When you factor in the uptick in power, larger dirt volume, and lengthier battery life, the V11 may offer better value for your dollar.

To help you decide, I’ll share some compelling reasons to choose one.

4 Reasons to buy the Dyson V8

1. Lighter and better ergonomics: The V8’s compact size gives it an advantage over the V11 regarding maneuverability. I’d go with this model if I need something to clean upholstery inside the home or vehicle.
2. Excellent on hard floors: The Fluffy attachment works excellent at picking up debris on hard floors with less risk of scuffing than the Torque Drive.
3. Great for cleaning sand: Another strength of the Fluffy tool is its ability to clean sand with a low risk of scratching hardwood floors.
4. Better around furniture: The smaller frame of the V8 enables it to go around and under furniture better than the bulkier V11.

5 Reasons to buy the Dyson V11

1. Much better airflow: The V11 has up to 30% more airflow than the V8, which manifests in how well it cleans carpets.
2. Larger dirt capacity: The V11’s realigned dust receptacle almost doubles the volume of the V8.
3. Runs longer: Even with the Torque Drive attachment, the V11 runs further than the V8 – as much as 74 minutes!
4. Deep cleans carpet: Its high airflow and improved brush design permit the V11 to clean embedded dirt better than the V8 in longer spurts.
5. More convenience: The Dynamic Load Sensor in the Torque Drive attachment removes the need to continually adjust the power setting on every transition as it does it for you.

The Bottom Line: Is Dyson V11 better than V8?

The Dyson V11 is a compelling option over the V8, given its superior airflow, larger dust container, and ability to deep clean the carpet.

One reason is the current price difference, which isn’t a lot by premium vacuum standards.

Eight times out of ten, I’dchosee the Dyson V11 over the V8 for the reasons I stated above. I would only opt for the V8 in certain situations. For instance, the V8 will be better than the V11 at cleaning hard floors.

Another reason is you need something inside a smaller home where run time won’t be much of a concern. Or you’ll be using it above floors as often as cleaning floors.

Besides that, the V11 is superb for cleaning hard floors and carpets for extended periods without recharging.