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Dyson V11 Review

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If you are looking for the best stick vacuum that can double up as a handheld, the Dyson V11 is among the best choices right now.

Just like all other Dyson vacuums, the V11 is quite an expensive model. But the big question is, does it offer value for money and should you buy it?

That’s what we want to find out in this Dyson V11 review.

To start, here is a summary of this model, and some of the pros and cons.

About Dyson V11

Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
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Dyson is arguably the best cordless vacuum brand and is known for the V series line of stick vacuums.

It is the latest model and is available in four variants.

We have the Dyson V11 Absolute, Absolute Pro, Torque Drive, and Animal.

For this review, we have the Dyson V11 Torque Drive. While the Absolute and Absolute Pro models look like the best in the V11 series, only the Torque Drive and Animal are readily available in the US market.

For this review, we went for the Torque Drive which is the best model in the Dyson V11 Animal vs Torque Drive debate. All the same, here are the pros and cons.

Pros
  • Powerful suction
  • LCD
  • Extended runtime
  • Washable HEPA grade filters
  • Large dust bin
  • Quiet operation
  • All round cleaning
Cons
  • Single battery pack
  • Very expensive
  • Cumbersome trigger
  • No soft roller cleaner head

Now, let’s look at the finer details.

Accessories (Dyson V11 Torque Drive vs. Animal)

As usual, with the Dyson V Series, as well as some Shark vacuums we have reviewed, the accessories included make the biggest difference.

In this review, we must discern the different models depending on the accessories supplied in the respective packages.

And that forms our next segment, understanding the difference between Dyson V11 Animal vs. Torque Drive, the two models in the US market right now.

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive tags along with
  • High Torque cleaner head
  • Mini motorized tool
  • Two specialty tools (combo and crevice)
  • Two brushes (mini soft and stubborn dusting brushes)
  • Docking station plus charger
  • Manual & warranty card
  • Wand storage clip
On the other hand, the Dyson V11 comes with
  • High torque cleaner head
  • Mini motorized tool
  • Two specialty tools (combo and crevice)
  • Stubborn dirt brush
  • Docking station plus charger
  • Manual & warranty card
  • Wand storage clip

Design and Aesthetics

This is a stick vacuum that can transform into a handheld vacuum for use in your car, among other places that require a portable vacuum cleaner.

The V11 Torque Drive is available in two color options; copper and blue.

The Animal is available in blue only. Regarding dimensions and weight, the Torque Drive is similar to the Animal.

Ergonomics and Handling

Important

A good stick vacuum should be lightweight and ergonomic, especially when cleaning the high up places.

The V11 is quite impressive in terms of ergonomics courtesy of the strategic positioning of the handle and the battery. But the handling is a little bit shaky compared to the earlier Dyson V10 obviously because of, the heavier battery pack.

But when cleaning the floor areas, there is no problem at all. It turns effortlessly with the simple turn of the wrist.

Cleaning Performance

This is the most important consideration when buying a vacuum cleaner, whether it is a canister or a robot vacuum. Several aspects are crucial here, and we’ll look at them one by one.

Cleaning orientation

The V11 is a stick vacuum that can double up as a handheld.

Attention

So, whether you want to vacuum the high-end places or remove dirt and pet hair from the sofa, this is a great choice, and in fact, the best from Dyson.

Interestingly, in the handheld mode, it can be used as a car vacuum, so after taking your dog for a ride, come back and vacuum the pet hair.

Suction power

One of the differences between the Dyson V10 and V11 is the improved suction of the new model.

The V11 boasts 23% more suction power than the predecessor, the V10. The new motor puts out a maximum of 185AW. With three power modes, you can adjust the settings to suit your needs.

There’s Eco, Auto and Boost modes.

The Auto mode is worth a discussion as it features a new technology that constantly monitors brush bar resistance, and adjusts the vacuum power between hard floors and carpets.

Cleaning Head

Now, the cleaning head is an important consideration as it determines whether you will use the V11 on bare floors, carpets, or on pet hair.

The two Dyson V11 models in the US, Torque Drive, and Animal come with only the Torque Drive cleaner head. It does a great job on bare floors and carpets as well.

  • The only problem is that it doesn’t work well when in ECO and AUTO modes. The dirt is scattered away, but this is not the case with the soft roller brush.

Filtration system

When it comes to filtration, there are two main things to consider; the bin and filters used.

  • The Dyson V11 comes with HEPA grade filters making it a great deal for homeowners with allergies.

As you may be aware, HEPA style filters are 99% efficient and can filter down to 0.3 microns, meaning it will capture even the tiniest allergens.

Next up is the dust bin, which, just like the V10, is no different in terms of size (0.77L) and usability.

Attention

The only thing to note is that to remove the dust canister, you should first remove the wand, which some people find a hassle. But this is something the V10 and V11 all have.

Cleaning Tests

As usual, we put to the test the vacuums we review, and the Dyson V11 Torque Drive was exceptional. Our target was to find out how it picked up different types of dirt, on different surfaces.

Unlike how we do with robot vacuums, we tested the V11 on bare floors, carpets, leather sofa upholstery, and fabric car upholstery. Below are the results.

Bare floors

On bare floors, we used rice, sugar, fine dust, some kitty litter, and pet hair.

The Dyson V11 did a great job picking this dirt, save for flour, which stuck behind and was dusted after a few passes. This was in Eco and Auto mode, but in Boost mode, all dirt vanished in a flash.

Here are our Dyson V11 Torque Drive ratings.

Bare floors

Carpets

It’s hard to pick up those small dirt particles from carpets, especially the high pile carpets, shags, and rugs. We did our test on a high pile carpet, and the results were fantastic.

We first tried on a low pile carpet and then on high pile. Below is an illustration of the Dyson V11 cleaning test results on carpets.
Carpets

Carpets

Battery Performance

One of the things Dyson has improved in the new V11 is battery performance.

Important

It boasts an efficient power management system that optimizes efficiency without compromising performance.

All this is courtesy of a larger 7-cell high-capacity lithium-ion battery, and even from its weight, you can feel there’s a difference between it and that of the Dyson V10.

In our tests, the V11 did around 62 minutes in Eco mode and 12 minutes in Boost mode, which is quite impressive.

  • Please note that the runtime is subject to the mode, the attachments and also, the surface you are cleaning.

The recharge time is around four hours, and unfortunately, there is no extra battery pack like Shark has done with some of their stick vacuums.

All the same, the performance is impressive, and there’s actually a feature to help save power. The V11 has a runtime enhancement trigger, which you have to press inside for power. When you lift your finger, there is no power.

This feature helps save power when moving from one station to another. This is compared to the earlier models which will be running between those transition pauses.

Convenience

The Dyson V11 Torque comes with an LCD that looks unnecessary but really comes in handy. It displays and allows you to change the cleaning modes and shows the charge remaining.
Dyson V11
In addition, it will notify you in case the filter needs replacement, or there’s a blockage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dyson V11 Torque Drive heavy?

This Dyson vacuum is not heavy at all. The model weighs only 6.68 pounds. It`s easy to use it both in standard and handheld modes.

FAQ

Can I wash a filter in my Dyson V11 Torque and how often should I do it?

Dyson V11 vacuum comes with a washable filter. Wash the filter unit at least once every month, or whenever the filter maintenance indicator lights.

How can I prolong the battery life of my Dyson V11 Torque Drive?

Dyson recommends us to never store and use the vacuum in the rooms with temperature below 10°C (50°F). Also, to help prolong battery life, avoid recharging immediately after a full discharge. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before recharging.

How can I adjust the suction on Dyson V11 Torque Drive?

The V11 Torque cleaner head has a slider control to adjust the suction of the cleaner head. To select the suction required, move the suction control slider on top of the cleaner head.

Should you buy the Dyson V11?

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive is the best deal if you are in the US. It has more tools and attachments than its counterpart, the Dyson V11.

It’s slightly more expensive than the Animal but has an extra tool to show the difference.

verdict

Buy the Dyson V11 Torque if you are out looking for the best stick vacuum. It’s also an excellent hand vacuum. But be ready to pay dearly!

Corina Walk

Thanks for the list, looks like there are some pretty cool covers here. Did you guys ordered them all and tested them ?

Richard Harrison

Hello, Corina! Thank you very much for your kind words! Yes, we test devices and also use real users’ reviews for our true comparisons.

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