Tineco A11 vs. Dyson V15 Detect

In this comparison, we’ll examine two cordless stick vacuums at varying price points: the Tineco A11 Master and the Dyson V15 Detect.

This article is a continuation of my series on Tineco and Dyson vacuums.

The A11 Master is Tineco’s mid-priced option and one of the best-performing cordless vacuums in its price bracket.

The V15 Detect is Dyson’s premium option with all the latest features.

I’d first admit that this isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison, but these products are worth comparing since the cleaning performance isn’t far off.

An Overview of the Tineco A11 Master and Dyson V15 Detect

Introduction to the Tineco A11 and Dyson V15 Detect

Dyson cordless vacuums are among the more popular brands in this industry, while Tineco aims to challenge them by offering a cheaper alternative to Dyson’s premium price tag.

One of its popular options is the Tineco A11, which surprisingly outperformed the Dyson V8 during my tests on surface debris.

Now, I’ll compare it to Dyson’s flagship V15 Detect.

It may not be an apples-to-apples comparison, but I’m sure you’d agree that seeing how a mid-priced Tineco compares to a high-end Dyson is interesting.

Value-for-Money Option: Tineco A11 Master

Pros

• Cheaper than the Dyson V8 and V15 Detect
• Excellent surface debris pickup
• Two detachable batteries out of the box
• Decent-sized dust volume
• Lightweight design

Cons

• Leaked during the fog test
• Not as good as Dyson with deep cleaning dirt on carpet
• Sub-par steering

The A11 Master is one of Tineco’s mid-priced options, and this variant is loaded with attachments (14 total).

This feature alone adds lots of value to the A11. These attachments provide excellent reach for those tight spots behind the headboard or above floors.

It has two cleaning heads (soft roller and standard) for efficiently cleaning hard floors and carpets.

And it’s one of the best at picking up surface debris, with better results than a Dyson V8 Absolute (at least on my tests).

The two detachable batteries provide extended run time (up to 50 minutes).

Plus, the wall-mountable dock will charge these batteries simultaneously, minimizing downtime.

However, the V15 has a better range per battery with a more linear power band than the A11.

Nonetheless, the A11 Master is much cheaper and offers consumers a good value alternative to a Dyson for consumers unwilling to spend a premium.

High-End Performance, Premium Cost: Dyson V15 Detect

Pros

• Excellent cleaning performance on surface and embedded debris
• Extended run time (over 80 minutes)
• Green laser reveals almost invisible dust particles
• Large dustbin
• Great for cleaning long hair

Cons

• Very, very expensive
• Top-heavy (not as ergonomic as a handheld)

The V15 Detect is Dyson’s flagship and currently the best-performing cordless vacuum I’ve tested with vacuuming debris.

Related: Dyson Gen5 Detect Review (Is It Time To Upgrade?)

It’s Dyson’s most powerful cordless, eclipsing the 70 CFM mark (in my tests).

This variant also has its latest cordless vacuum technology, like the green laser and Piezo sensor.

The green laser amplifies almost invisible dust better than any LED-equipped cordless vacuum I’ve tested.

You can see that these dust particles pop with the green laser flashing.

Tineco products don’t have this type of visibility.

I’ve been using the Dyson V15 extensively for vacuuming chores, and this feature helps me pinpoint dirt areas, even in low-light conditions.

Another feature worth noting is the Piezo sensor that connects to the LCD screen behind the motor.

It shows a readout of various debris sizes, color-coded for your convenience.

1. Yellow: Allergens
2. Orange: Microscopic dust
3. Pink: Dust mites
4. Purple: Sugar and Fleas

This readout may be helpful for some consumers who want to track how much dust mites it may pick up, but I find the green laser more helpful.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

The V15 is Dyson’s best-performing stick vacuum for cleaning long hair strands, thanks to the upgrades with the standard brush roll and mini turbo brush.

Combs were added to its primary nozzle, helping untangle hair strands.

Its mini turbo brush has been wholly redesigned, with a tapered design that funnels hair towards a holding area and inside the dustbin.

However, the biggest obstacle for consumers is price. The V15 Detect is one of the more expensive cordless stick vacuum options.

Similarities between the Tineco A11 and Dyson V15 Detect

Next, we’ll look at the similarities between these vacuums, and I’ll start with the design framework.

1. Design Framework

Both products utilize a tried and tested cordless stick vacuum framework with the motor and dustbin on top, plus interchangeable tools.

The Dyson V15 and Tineco A11 utilize traditional stick vacuum designs.

This framework provides these products with versatility and portability that’s not possible with an upright vacuum.

Consumers can use these vacuums as a stick or handheld thanks to the interchangeable tools.

2. Detachable Batteries

Another similarity is the detachable Li-ion batteries, which are huge since they help consumers replace the battery or extend run time by purchasing extras.

Early Dyson variants don’t have this feature, but they’ve started implementing it in the V11 Torque Drive and Outsize models.

However, the Tineco A11 Master comes with two batteries out of the box, while I have only had one for the V15 Detect variant.

3. Two Cleaning Nozzles

The Tineco A11 Master and Dyson V15 Detect have two cleaning nozzles for vacuuming hard floors and carpets.

These tools are efficient for their specific tasks and what makes these products popular.

Differences between the Tineco A11 and Dyson V15 Detect

The Tineco A11 and Dyson V15 perfectly represent how these brands are different.

Dyson continually pushes the envelope with technology, and Tineco is less aggressive with product updates.

I’ll start with the dustbin design.

1. Dustbin Size and Volume

One noticeable variance is the dustbin size and alignment.

Tineco utilizes a more traditional design with the dustbin vertically aligned, that is lighter.

However, this design limits the capacity, and the A11 can only hold up to 0.6 liters of debris.

Dyson has changed the dustbin since the V10 was introduced, which is aligned horizontally.

This change helped improve airflow efficiency and enabled Dyson to stretch the dustbin capacity to 0.77 liters.

Not a big difference, but it’s still an improvement over the small A11.

Another difference is the V15 has a hygienic system, while the A11 does not.

It’s one of my favorite Dyson features since it helps push debris down, so there’s no need to use your hands.

Tineco relies on a trap door with no mechanical method of pushing dirt, only gravity.

2. Accessories and Tools

Tools out of the box will vary depending on the variant.

The Tineco A11 Master will have these tools.

1. LED Multi-tasker power brush
2. LED Soft roller power brush
3. Mini power brush
4. Crevice tool
5. 2-in-1 dusting brush
6. Flexible long crevice tool
7. Multi-angle adapter
8. Flexible extension hose
9. Dual charging powerhouse/dock
10. Extra Li-ion battery
11. Automatic pre-filter cleaning tool
12. Soft dusting brush
13. Extension wand

And the V15 Detect.

1. High-torque cleaning head
2. Slim roller attachment
3. Wall mountable dock
4. Extension tube
5. Crevice tool
6. Hair screw tool
7. Wand clip
8. Flexible extension hose
9. Soft dusting brush
10. Combination tool
11. Charger

Tineco has more tools and offers better reach, but Dyson has better cleaning tools offering superior performance, especially on hair.

3. Weight and Ergonomics

Dyson’s newer cordless stick vacuums have gotten bulkier because of the bulkier motor and battery.

The downside to this power and run time increase is added weight, hurting its ergonomics.

The Tineco A11 is the lighter option (5.5 vs. 6.8 lbs.), and it’s more than the one-plus pound difference on paper.

Dyson feels much heavier, especially in handheld mode, cleaning vertical spaces.

4. Battery Capacity and Run Time

Both options have detachable batteries, but the V15 Detect uses a larger battery (3600 vs. 2000 mAh).

Dyson batteries are manufactured in-house, and they’ve pushed the envelope, extending run time past the 80-minute mark with the slim roller attachment!

This range negates the two battery advantages of the A11 since it’ll only run up to 26 minutes with non-powered tools and 25 minutes with the nozzle.

5. Filtration

Lastly, and perhaps one overlooked aspect of cordless stick vacuums is filtration.

I used a fog machine to check each cordless vacuum I tested to see if the fog would stay inside the dustbin or not.

Often, a HEPA filter isn’t enough to keep debris inside.

A good seal is crucial in keeping contaminants from leaking through the vacuum’s crevices.

The Dyson V15 has a sealed system that didn’t leak during the fog test, while the Tineco A11 has visible leaks, though not as bad as the A10.

6. Filter

Piggybacking the previous point, another variance is the filter design.

The Dyson V15 has a single filter with the pre and post-motor fused, while the Tineco A11 has two separate filters.

7. Trigger

The last variance I’ll highlight is the trigger mechanism.

Yes, both brands use a trigger switch, but only the A11 has a mechanical trigger lock that holds it at the on position, so there’s no need to squeeze manually.

Dyson doesn’t have this feature, and consumers must squeeze it continually.

Ergonomics Comparison

The Dyson V15 Detect is visibly the larger vacuum and carries more weight versus the Tineco A11, which is more compact.

It’s not a big deal (at least for me) for cleaning hard floors, but consumers will feel the added weight on the carpet since the high torque nozzle is bulkier and the carpet has more friction.

The Tineco A11 feels much lighter in stick and handheld mode.

However, it doesn’t steer as sharply as a Dyson, with its angled steering mechanism only pivoting from side to side.

Nonetheless, the A11’s lighter frame makes it a better option than the V15 in this category.

However, Dyson’s trigger response is almost instant, whereas Tineco has a noticeable delay.

Interface Comparison

Dyson’s interface has gotten more sophisticated through the years.

It started with the V11, where Dyson introduced the real-time battery status (how much run time is left) and easy-to-read error messages.

In the V15, the Piezo readout was introduced, which shows a color-coded graph.

It retains the run time status below it, so consumers will know how much time is left before recharging.

The A11’s interface is simpler. There’s no LCD screen or digital readout.

Consumers will need to rely on these three LEDs on the battery to check its status.

Battery and Run Time Comparison

The Tineco A11 and Dyson V15 Detect utilize detachable batteries, making it easy for consumers to extend run time or replace them.

But Dyson’s batteries are bigger (higher milliamps) than Tineco and will last longer per battery.

The Dyson V15’s max run time is over 80 minutes with the slim roller, while the A11’s is shorter at 50 minutes from the two batteries.

One plus for Tineco is that its wall-mountable dock can charge two batteries simultaneously!

If cleaning a larger home is a priority, the V15 Detect is better.

Airflow Comparison

Next, we’ll look at airflow. I used an anemometer to check the amount of air flowing through the nozzle and tube.

Since cordless vacuum brands don’t have a universal method of disclosing power, airflow is a good metric.

Vacuums with higher airflow tend to clean carpets better (surface and embedded).

Here are the results for the Tineco A11 and Dyson V15 Detect.

There isn’t much difference in the lower setting, but the variance in the max setting is massive!

It’s over 22% with the wand and a whopping 53% at the nozzle.

Plus, the V15 has the middle setting, the best balance between suction and range.

Tineco has no middle setting, and consumers rely heavily on the max setting to deep clean the carpet.

It’s not a good recipe for battery longevity, which we’ll discuss in the next section.

Cleaning Comparison

The Tineco A11 and Dyson V15 Detect are excellent at picking up surface debris, but the V15’s superior deep cleaning performance separates them.

Let’s look at the scores.

Tineco and Dyson did exceptionally well with surface debris, picking a very high percentage.

It’s one of the biggest surprises for me to test these products, and it makes Tineco a compelling option.

But these scores only paint one side of the story.

Despite Tineco’s impressive pickup, it lags with deep cleaning (more later) and can’t sustain its performance for an extended period.

Which is better on hard floors?

It’s a toss-up for these vacuums. Consumers can’t go wrong with either variant.

Both did well in the sand on the hard floor test, my barometer for hard floor performance.

Here’s a before and after shot for the Dyson V15. 

And the Tineco A11.

These photos show that the A11 and V15 will pick up sand efficiently on this surface.

It shouldn’t be a deciding factor, but the steering and other features can be.

The V15 slim roller has smoother (and sharper) steering, and the green laser is better for tracking dust.

Tineco’s steering is smooth but lacks turning radius – it won’t turn as sharply.

Edge Cleaning Comparison

These stick vacuums will do well in cleaning edges. But again, performance shouldn’t be a deciding factor.

Here’s a look at the V15s’ before and after shots.

And the A11.

I used pet litter for the A11 test instead of coffee grounds, which is harder to clean.

It shows Tineco’s ability to clean difficult debris well.

Consumers should consider other aspects, notably steering.

The V15 Detect’s steering is sharper than the A11, which affects how you clean tight areas.

Hair Wrap Comparison (on Hard Floors)

Next, we’ll look at how well these vacuums pick up hair, to be more specific, how each resists tangles.

I tested both on various hair strand lengths between five and twelve inches.

The Dyson V15 did better overall, especially with longer strands.

• 5-inch: 100% inside the bin; 0% on the brush
• 7-inch: 100% inside the bin; 0% on the brush
• 9-inch: 100% inside the bin; 0% on the brush
• 11-inch: 100% inside the bin; 0% on the brush
• 12-inch: 80.6% inside the bin; 19.4% on the brush

It resisted hair tangles until eleven inches, but the limit is twelve inches with some strands on the roller and axle.

The A11 only did well with five-, seven-, and nine-inch strands, but there was visible hair wrap with the eleven-inch test, so I didn’t proceed further.

• 5-inch: 100% inside the bin; 0% on the brush
• 7-inch: 100% inside the bin; 0% on the brush
• 9-inch: 100% inside the bin; 0% on the brush
• 11-inch: 40% inside the bin; 60% on the brush

Dyson’s higher airflow could have contributed to its better performance since neither brand has an active anti-tangle system (at least for its soft roller attachments).

Which is better on carpets?

The Dyson V15 Detect and Tineco A11 did well vacuuming surface debris, so budget-conscious shoppers can choose Tineco if they don’t want to spend a premium.

But what separates these products is deep cleaning performance.

The V15 Detect picked up 100% using the max and auto (or middle) settings, while the A11 picked up 96.45% in the max setting.

Another factor would be hair pick-up, which we’ll look at in the next section.

Hair Wrap Comparison (on Carpets)

I did the same test for both vacuums on carpet (five, seven, nine, eleven, and twelve-inch strands).

Again, the Dyson V15 was better, with hardly any strands wrapping on the brush roll.

• 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: 99% inside bin; 1% on the brush
• 12-inch strands: 98% inside bin; 2% on the brush

The combs and redesigned brush did their work untangling long hair strands, and the high airflow helped pick up more.

The A11 wasn’t as good, with hair wrapping on every test.

• 5-inch strands: 95% inside bin; 5% on the brush
• 7-inch strands: 72% inside bin; 28% on the brush
• 9-inch strands: 59% inside bin; 41% on the brush

This much hair is wrapped on the brush because it lacks any combs and has lower airflow.

Dustbin and Filter Comparison

The Dyson V15 dustbin is larger than the A11 with a 0.77-liter capacity vs. Tineco’s 0.6-liter.

One advantage of the V15 is its hygienic system, which includes a mechanism to push dirt downward.

Tineco doesn’t have this feature and relies heavily on gravity for dirt disposal.

One issue with both is long hair strands will stick on the middle filter piece.

Regardless, I’d recommend the V15 for pet owners because it resists tangles better on hard floors, carpets, and even upholstery with the torq screw tool.

Another advantage of the V15 Detect is its fully sealed system, which means it didn’t leak during the fog test.

The seals around the dustbin and filter were sturdy enough to prevent the fog from leaking, while Tineco wasn’t fully sealed, and there were visible leaks.

But Tineco has improved with the seals since the A11 didn’t leak as badly as the A10.

Noise Comparison

I use a sound meter to measure noise levels for these vacuums from a close distance.

One downside of high-airflow cordless vacuums is the elevated noise levels, which are shown in the table below.

Surprisingly, the Dyson V15 was (slightly) less noisy in the low and middle settings but noticeably louder in the max setting.

I didn’t expect the A11 to be noisier since it has lower airflow, but the results say otherwise.

Tineco improved the noise deadening with the Pure One S12, which was less noisy than the V15 and A11.

Maintenance Comparison

Both cordless vacuums need upkeep for them to function at their best. I’ll enumerate the components you need to clean and the (suggested) intervals.

1. Brush roll: The nozzle is the most abused component in a cordless vacuum. Hair, dust, and other contaminants accumulate on the surface and axles. So, make sure to clean both (the soft roller and standard brush roll) at least once a week to prevent unnecessary friction.
2. Dustbin: Empty the dustbin after every cleaning chore to prevent dust mites from breeding.
3. Filter: Wash the filter under cool running tap water and lightly agitate with a brush to dislodge dust and other contaminants. Tineco’s filter cleaning tool is a novel concept but doesn’t work as advertised.
4. Other tools: As part of their maintenance routine, use a microfiber towel to wipe dust and buildup from the various tools.
5. Battery: Avoid using the max setting exclusively, as it’ll shorten the battery life and keep them fully charged.

Spec Comparison

Where can I buy the Dyson V15 Detect and Tineco A11?

Consumers can purchase these cordless vacuums from online stores like Amazon. Check the links below for the latest pricing information.

• Tineco A11 on Amazon
• Dyson V15 Detect on Amazon

Disclaimer: If you purchase through any of the links above, I will earn a commission. However, this is at no additional cost to you, so it’s a win-win for us!

Which option offers the better value?

The steep price difference makes the Tineco A11 a better value alternative, but the V15 Detect would be the better option in specific situations I’ll enumerate below.

I want to stress that cleaning performance shouldn’t be a deciding factor since both will pick up surface debris well.

But the V15 is better at cleaning embedded dirt on carpet, plus its hair pick-up is superior to the A11.

5 Reasons to Choose the Dyson V15 Detect

1. Extended run time: This stick vacuum will run for over 80 minutes with the slim roller attachment.
2. Superb hair pick-up: It picked up more long strands than the A11. The torq screw tool is light years ahead of Tineco’s standard mini-turbo brush, especially on long strands.
3. Better deep cleaning performance: The V15’s airflow and battery life improvements make it the better option for deep cleaning carpets.
4. Tracks almost invisible dust: The slim roller’s green laser tracks dust better than any LED-equipped stick vacuum I’ve tested.
5. Fully-sealed dustbin: The V15’s dustbin didn’t leak during the fog test.

4 Reasons to Choose the Tineco A11

1. It is much cheaper than the Dyson V15: The price variance between the A11 and V15 is significant. You could purchase two or three A11s for the price of one Dyson.
2. Excellent surface debris pick-up: The A11’s surface pick-up is close to the V15 and shouldn’t be a sticking point.
3. Lots of tools: Tineco products come with many tools, and depending on the variant, they will have more than the V15.
4. Lightweight option: The A11 has better ergonomics since it’s much lighter.

The Verdict: Tineco is Surprisingly Good, But Dyson is Better for Specific Situations

The Tineco A11 is a compelling option because it’s much cheaper than the Dyson V15.

One surprising element is the A11’s cleaning performance. It’s very close to the V15 for vacuuming surface dirt.

It shouldn’t be a sticking point between these two products.

However, the Dyson V15 is much better at cleaning embedded debris and long hair strands.

And it does the task for a longer period than the Tineco A11.