Tineco Pure One S12 vs. Dyson V15 Detect

I’ve recently published a video comparing Tineco and Dyson, and with that, trying to complete all individual comparisons between these brands.

One of those is the Tineco Pure One S12 and Dyson V15 Detect.

The V15 Detect is Dyson’s current flagship with their latest cordless vacuum technology.

The Pure One S12 is Tineco’s flagship and best performing product to date.

So which option has the better premium cordless stick vacuum? We’ll find out in this comparison.

A quick overview of the Tineco Pure One S12 and Dyson V15 Detect

Introduction to the Tineco Pure One S12 and Dyson V15 Detect

Tineco and Dyson are two of my favorite cordless vacuum brands for various reasons.

One is their high-end cleaning performance and unique features, which we’ll look at in the comparison.

Tineco is a relatively new brand based in China, aiming to challenge Dyson in the cordless vacuum niche.

Dyson has been a staple and the pioneer of the bagless vacuum.

It’s (perhaps) the most popular cordless vacuum option that fueled many copycats, which is good for consumers because there are more options.

Best-in-Class Vacuuming Cordless Stick Vacuum: Dyson V15 Detect

Pros

• Almost invisible dust pops out with the green laser
• Excels at cleaning long hair on carpet or upholstery
• Long run time
• Sealed system will keep allergens inside the dustbin
• Above-average dirt capacity
• The detachable battery makes it easy to extend the run time

Cons

• Premium price
• Top-heavy design hinders ergonomics
• Long hair strands can wrap on the middle plastic piece

The V15 Detect is (currently) Dyson’s flagship option and their best performing product to date.

It also has (some of the) more innovative and practical technology that translates well in the real world.

Watch my video review to see the V15 in action.

The most ingenious of these innovations is the green laser on the slim roller nozzle that highlights dust particles better than any LED-equipped stick vacuum I’ve tested.

It’s angled precisely at 1.5 degrees exposing dust particles better than a bright LED headlight.

Another of these innovations is the torq screw tool, helping it pick up long hair better than any cordless vacuum.

The main nozzle also gets an upgrade with these combs. So it’s one of a handful of cordless vacuums able to pick up long hair strands above eleven inches with minimal tangles.

Overall, the Dyson V15 Detect is one of the better options, especially on carpets, where it excels on surface and embedded debris.

However, its biggest con is that it is priced at the high-end premium level.

Bevy of Tools: Tineco Pure One S12

Pros

• Cheaper alternative to the Dyson V15 Detect
• Excellent vacuuming performance, especially on surface dirt
• It runs over 100 minutes from the two batteries
• Interactive LCD screen shows vital data like run time
• Lots of tools
• Excellent reach for cleaning hard-to-reach areas

Cons

• Expensive option
• Not as good as the V15 at cleaning embedded sand
• Power fades as battery level goes down
• It doesn’t steer as well as a Dyson

This Tineco flagship option won’t wow you with eye-popping airflow numbers, but it’s an excellent all-around performer.

Check this video review I published on Amazon to see it in action.

The Tineco Pure One S12 is close to the Dyson V15, with surface debris tests on both surfaces.

However, it lags with deep cleaning by several percentage points.

It’s the most significant variance between these products. And it could be a sticking point to some folks who value embedded dirt performance.

Surface debris performance is excellent, and I’d give it the advantage with above-floor ergonomics since it’s lighter.

Attachment variation is another pro for this product since it has more than the V15, providing better reach (10 inches more than Dyson).

Similarities between the Tineco Pure One S12 and Dyson V15 Detect

Next, we’ll look at the similarities between these products below.

1. Stick Vacuum Framework

Both products utilize a stick vacuum framework where the motor, dustbin, and filter are located near the handle.

One advantage of this configuration is the versatility it brings to the table.

Consumers can use it as a stick vacuum or handheld, but the downside is the top-heavy design.

2. Interchangeable Tools

These vacuums have interchangeable tools, providing different usage configurations.

The Pure One S12 has more tools with better length; hence it has better reach.

Here’s what you’ll get with Tineco.

1. Direct drive power LED brush
2. An LED soft roller power brush
3. Soft dusting brush
4. 2-in-1 dusting brush
5. Crevice tool
6. Flexible long crevice tool
7. Mini turbo brush
8. Automatic pre-filter cleaning tool
9. Dual-charging wall-mountable dock
10. Extra Li-ion battery
11. Flexible extension hose
12. Multi-angle adapter
13. Extension tube

And here’s what you’ll get with Dyson.

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

Dyson’s attachments are built for more close-range cleaning on upholstery, and it has one of the best mini turbo brushes available.

3. Detachable Batteries

The batteries for the Tineco Pure One S12 and Dyson V15 are detachable, so it’s easy to replace and extend range.

Tineco has two batteries out of the box, while only select V15 variants have two batteries and chargers.

4. Soft Roller and Standard Nozzles

Another similarity is that both have a soft roller and standard nozzles for cleaning hard floors and carpets.

The V15 Detect has a more compact roller with better dirt tracking (thanks to the green laser).

Differences between the Tineco Pure One S12 and Dyson V15 Detect

Next, we’ll look at the differences, some deal-breaks that could sway your decision in either direction.

1. Dustbin Volume and Alignment

The most obvious variance is the dustbin alignment.

Tineco utilizes a more traditional vertically aligned dustbin, while Dyson has a horizontally aligned configuration.

Dyson says it changed the design to improve airflow and increase dirt volume.

The V15 Detect has a larger dustbin (0.77 vs. 0.6-liters), enabling it to hold more dirt.

Another advantage of the V15 dustbin is its hygienic system, with a mechanical system pushing debris down.

2. Filtration

One huge advantage for Dyson products is its sealed system and cyclones.

Nearly all its variants (except the V7 MotorHead) have a sealed system, confirmed in the fog test.

The Tineco claims the Pure One S12 has a sealed system, but it isn’t fully sealed.

I tested it using the same fog machine, and unfortunately, there were visible leaks.

Also, Dyson’s cyclones are better at keeping dirt away from the filter versus Tineco that cakes up after a few cleaning cycles.

3. Trigger Design

The V15 Detect utilizes a similar trigger mechanism as the V11 Torque Drive that provides nearly instant feedback.

This means the motor fires almost immediately when you pull the trigger.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a trigger lock, so consumers must continually squeeze it.

Tineco also has a trigger switch, but it has a mechanical trigger lock, which is absent in Dyson.

But the trigger response isn’t as immediate as a Dyson, and there’s a noticeable delay.

4. Swivel Steering

A subtle difference between these vacuums is the steering mechanism.

Dyson’s ball design (standard nozzle) has a better turning radius than Tineco, so it steers better.

Tineco’s nozzles have light steering, but it doesn’t turn as sharply and lacks feedback.

5. Filter Design

All Tineco products utilize a two-filter system with a pre and post-motor filter, while the V15 has a single filter where the pre and post-motor filters are fused.

Ergonomics Comparison

Despite having nearly the same listed weight (6.8 vs. 6.6 lbs), the Pure One S12 feels lighter, and the reason is apparent.

It has a lighter body than the Dyson V15 Detect.

• Dyson V15 Detect: 4 pounds and 8.3 ounces
• Tineco Pure One S12: 3 pounds and 11.4 ounces

The lighter body bodes well for its handheld usability as it’s easier to carry and use above floors.

Dyson’s next-generation vacuums are cumbersome and challenging to use on vertical spaces like backrests.

Interface Comparison

Both products have interactive LCD screens that show various information for consumers, but each brand is unique with how and what data it presents.

The Pure One S12 provides basic data like remaining run time and power status.

It also has a slider where users can precisely control the vacuum’s power.

The V15’s screen is more nuanced with a single button interface instead of a slider.

Consumers can toggle between three different power settings (eco, auto, boost).

The nuanced portion is Piezo’s readout showing how much of each debris size it’s picking up in real-time.

I prefer Dyson’s single-button interface as toggling between three settings is more straightforward than selecting a range, which can be finicky.

Both options have an auto setting, but Dyson’s version offers better airflow and performance.

Battery and Run Time Comparison

Another variance for these vacuums is the run time and battery. Tineco products use smaller batteries, and it lags behind Dyson with range per battery.

One advantage for Tineco is it has two batteries, so it ran over 100 minutes (from the two batteries), but Dyson’s larger capacity battery ran longer individually.

Tineco’s wall-dock can charge these two batteries simultaneously since it has an extra slot.

There are V15 options with two batteries and chargers, so look into getting those variants if you want to maximize range.

Another advantage for Dyson’s in-house developed batteries is sustained performance.

I noticed Tineco’s batteries fade during its charge cycle, while Dyson was more linear with its powerband.

Airflow Comparison

Next, we’ll compare airflow, which measures air flowing through the cleaning head and extension tube.

It’s a highly accurate stat to determine how a vacuum cleans, especially on carpet.

High airflow cordless vacuums typically pick up more embedded and surface debris than low airflow options.

Here are the results for the Dyson V15 and Tineco Pure One S12.

The Dyson V15 Detect has up to 16% more airflow at the wand and a whopping 30% at the nozzle.

And you’ll see this difference in the next section, where Dyson did better on carpet.

Cleaning Performance Comparison

Both vacuums were excellent based on the scores above, but Dyson was a notch higher, especially on embedded sand.

Surprisingly, the Pure One S12 did almost as well as Dyson on hard floors since both have a soft roller attachment.

The beauty of this tool is it doesn’t rely too much on airflow since its cloth-like texture grabs debris.

Which option is better on hard floors?

The scores for these stick vacuums are too close to declare an outright winner, so it shouldn’t be a deciding factor.

Both are excellent in the sand on hard floor tests, picking up nearly every crumb.

Here are the before and after shots for the V15 Detect.

And Tineco Pure One S12.

There’s not much difference based on scores and the eye test.

However, other features like steering, illumination, and nozzle size could sway your decision.

The V15 Detect’s green laser is the best at accentuating dust, much better than Tineco’s row of LEDs.

You can see dust pops out, making it easy to track.

Also, the low profile design will fit under overhangs better than Tineco’s bulkier frame.

Another deciding factor is steering, which I’ve discussed earlier.

Dyson’s steering is more responsive, with a better turning radius and responsiveness.

Edge Cleaning Comparison

There is not much difference in this category as both the S12 and V15 will clean this area.

Here are before and after shots for the V15.

And S12.

You’ll notice I used different debris types for each experiment.

One reason is I hadn’t standardized my method when I tested the Pure One S12, but the results on pet litter were impressive.

If it picks up that much pet litter, it’ll have no issues with coffee grounds.

Hair Wrap Comparison (on Hard Floors)

Next, we’ll examine how these vacuums fared with hair strands (between five and twelve inches).

First, we’ll look at the results on hard floors with the Dyson V15 Detect.

• 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

And Tineco Pure One S12.

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

Surprisingly, the Pure One S12 was the better option on hard floors, picking up 100% with longer eleven and twelve-inch strands.

It picked up only 88% with the five-inch test, but that’s because I used the low setting.

The V15 Detect was perfect until the eleven-inch test, but it didn’t do well with twelve-inch strands.

Which option is better on carpet?

Both options did well at cleaning surface dirt, but the V15 Detect was better at cleaning embedded sand, picking more even at the auto (or middle) setting.

• Dyson V15 Detect: 100% (auto setting)
• Tineco Pure One S12: 98.3% (max setting)

Its cleaning performance in this setting is the best-in-class out of the vacuums I’ve tested and an underrated pro.

Using a cordless vacuum exclusively on the max setting will overheat the battery and cause premature failure.

So this is a huge advantage for the V15 for consumers who want high-end carpet cleaning performance.

Hair Wrap Comparison (on Carpet)

I mentioned earlier that the Tineco S12 did better than the V15 Detect on hard floors, but the latter was better on carpet.

Here are before and after shots for the V15 Detect.

• 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

And here are the results for the Pure One S12.

• 5-inch strands: 100% inside bin; 0% on the brush
• 7-inch strands: 100% inside bin; 0% on the brush
• 9-inch strands: 51% inside bin; 49% on the brush

Above, you can see hardly anything wrapped on the V15 brush, while the S12’s limit is nine inches.

This is the anti-tangle combs in action for the V15 Detect.

It’s the best cordless vacuum I’ve tested so far on carpet, factoring in how the torq screw tool performs.

Dustbin and Filter Comparison

The Dyson V15 Detect has a larger dustbin (0.77 vs. 0.6 liters) than the Tineco S12.

It also has a hygienic system absent in Tineco, making it easier to empty.

However, long hair strands tend to stick on the middle piece, so just a heads up.

Tineco’s design is more old-fashioned and relies heavily on gravity.

It works on heavy debris, but dust bunnies and long hair strands will stick on this middle filter piece.

I’d lean towards the V15 Detect with a hygienic mechanism for pet owners.

The V15 Detect has a single filter, while the S12 has two filters.

Noise Comparison

One downside with Dyson’s high-powered motor is the louder noise levels.

The V15 Detect maxed out at over 80 decibels, and the Pure One S12 was just a little over 70 dB.

Again, Dyson products typically are noisy, and these results aren’t surprising.

Maintenance Comparison

Like all cordless vacuums, the Dyson V15 and Tineco S12 need regular maintenance to function at their peak for years.

I’ll summarize the components to clean or replace and the intervals below.

1. Primary brush/nozzle: These vacuums’ soft roller and standard nozzles need regular cleaning. Hair and dust will accumulate on the surface and axles, so check and clean at least once a week.
2. Dustbin: Empty the dustbin after every cleaning chore to prevent dust mites from breeding inside.
3. Filters: Both brands have washable filters that need regular washing. This will be more frequent with Tineco since its filtration system doesn’t keep dirt out of the primary filter as well as a Dyson. The best method is washing under cool tap water and lightly agitating with your filters to dislodge debris.
4. Mini turbo brush: Tineco’s version will need more frequent cleaning from hair wrap since it doesn’t have an anti-tangle system. Dyson’s torq screw tool doesn’t need as much TLC since it resists long hair strands.
5. Attachments: Check the brushes for any dust buildup and clean as needed.
6. Batteries: Keep it fully charged and avoid using the max setting exclusively because it’ll burn out the battery.

Spec Comparison

Where can I buy the Dyson V15 Detect and Tineco Pure One S12?

These vacuums are available in online stores like Amazon. Check the links below for the latest pricing information.

• Dyson V15 Detect on Amazon
• Tineco Pure One S12 on Amazon

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

Which Option Offers Better Value?

Choosing between these products will boil down to how much you’re willing to spend on a cordless vacuum.

The Tineco Pure One S12, despite its premium price tag, is cheaper than the Dyson V15.

It cleans nearly as well but lags with deep cleaning.

The sheer number of attachments offers it a lot of value since nearly all help clean different areas.

However, the Dyson V15 stands out in two areas – deep cleaning carpet and long hair.

Its green laser is much better than the S12’s LED at tracking dirt. But this feature is subjective.

5 Reasons to Choose the Dyson V15 Detect

1. Excellent at picking up long hair: The V15’s redesigned nozzle and mini turbo brush cleaned long hair strands (above nine inches) with minimal tangles.
2. Deep cleans even at the middle setting: It picked up 100% of embedded sand even in the auto (or middle) setting.
3. Tracks dirt: The green laser reveals every crumb of almost-invisible dust, even in dark areas.
4. Great for cleaning carpet: An excellent carpet cleaning stick vacuum for small to mid-sized homes.
5. Better parts availability: Dyson’s popularity means many third-party parts are available, something that Tineco lacks.

5 Reasons to Choose the Tineco Pure One S12

1. Cheaper option: The Pure One S12 won’t be as expensive as the V15 Detect.
2. Lots of tools: This variant has more tools out of the box than Dyson.
3. Excellent reach: It possesses long brush tools giving it ten more inches of reach than the V15.
4. Lengthy run time: The two batteries combined will run for over 100 minutes.
5. Nearly identical surface debris results: The S12 nearly matches the V15 at picking up surface debris.

The Verdict: Tineco is a Viable Less Expensive Alternative

I wasn’t expecting much from the Tineco S12, but the results far exceeded my expectations after testing it extensively.

Despite having less airflow, it picked up nearly as much surface debris as the Dyson V15.

And it has long-reach tools absent with Dyson, making it a better alternative for vacuuming hard-to-reach areas.

The Dyson V15 excels at cleaning embedded dirt and long hair. It’s a better option for folks who need to clean carpet or pet hair.

Its upgrades with the various nozzles improved its efficiency at picking up long hair.

If you need to clean carpet, pet hair, or both, I’d recommend the Dyson V15.

But folks who don’t want to spend a high premium should take a long look at the Tineco Pure One S12.