Dyson V15 Detect Review

We appreciated that Dyson didn't skimp on floor head options and attachments, providing a great quiver of use tools to choose from when we went to clean around the house.

Performance Comparison

Carpet Performance

For those who encounter a plethora of messes in their homes, especially those with pets or kids, the V15 Detect will clean up small, medium, and large debris, including sand, rice, and Cheerios — which we used to test each vacuum over multiple surfaces in multiple situations. For carpet, we evaluated its performance on both low pile and high pile shag carpet to ensure it was up to the task.

This model impressed our testers with each carpet test session and earned some top scores. For those tired of exhaustively vacuuming each spot repeatedly, this powerful vacuum takes care of typical messes in the home within a couple of passes. One of our toughest tests involves measuring and spreading 1.5 cups of sand, rice, and Cheerios over a 27-square-foot area, then vacuuming as much as possible in 24 seconds. By collecting three distinct types of material within a time limit, this difficult test teases out performance characteristics that help illuminate each model's strengths and weaknesses.

Low Pile

Over multiple trials, this machine picked up a 94% average of our test material. Very impressive. The best of the test came from the Gen5detect, which shares the same Digital Motorbar cleaner head.

Because this is a timed stress test where we have to move the vacuum quickly to cover our 9' x 3' test area, the cleaner head sometimes pushed the lightweight Cheerios. The sand and rice, however, were caught and contained with ease — likely due to its very strong suction power.

High Pile

On the fluffier, high pile carpet, the suction power pulled its Digital Motorbar cleaner head down into the deeper carpet, which meant the lighter Cheerios often hit the head and plowed.

While its 46% pick up was still above our 43% average in this test, some vacuums with less suction power did better on this deep, wavy carpet. The vacuums that were able to suck up more typically had taller head gate openings that allowed high-floating Cheerios to slip under. For households that track in a lot of lightweight debris and also have cushy carpets, the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight led our high pile tests with 57% collected, due in no small part to its dual-brush head design that rides right over big material with ease. However, when we pulled the V15 backward over the top of the larger material, we could corral big stuff more effectively.

Despite missing a few Cheerios in our timed tests, we often used the V15 to thoroughly clean carpets in between test runs because its strong suction led to great results, particularly for deeply embedded small particles like sand. Those who battle sand in their homes might find the deep suction power well worth the steep price.

Hardwood Performance

Need something to tackle tough messes on hardwood flooring? This unit excelled in our hardwood performance metric during our tests with the hard floor-specific Dyson Fluffy Optic head.

This Detect model is an outstanding option for any neat freak with lots of hard floors. Why? We cannot get enough of the cool green laser light on the Fluffy Optic head.

“I have to say,” notes Rachael, our lead tester, “for people who are absolutely obsessed with getting a floor clean, clean, the Dyson Fluffy Optic head makes it so easy to see where the messes are, and make sure you get every crumb.”

Cleaning Performance

Everything comes together perfectly on hardwood for this model. The tall and soft Fluffy Optic brush roll is purpose-built to gently envelop any dropped crumb with ease. Even airy little dust bunnies can't hide under the kitchen table because all anyone has to do is get the cleaner head close, and the strong suction will suck them right in. So cool.

Meanwhile, we can't stop raving about how much we love the laser light on this Dyson. It's a serious game-changer that simply out-illuminates typical white-light LED headlamps. It lets us see tiny bits of dust and hair that we would otherwise miss, so for those who are a little obsessive about cleaning their floors; this option won't let you down.

Crevice

For our crevice test, we sprinkled sand in between the slats of a bamboo mat, then made four passes over the slats to learn how much sand each vacuum was able to suck up. This test is difficult because the brushrolls can't reach most of the sand and help whisk it up. Basically, this tests how well the suction pulls from the cleaner head, lifting the grains.

In general, the vacuums with the greatest suction power tend to excel in this test, so we weren't surprised by the stellar performance. For those who have a lot of tile with grout lines, or all sorts of transitions between flooring types, this vacuum will be able to suck debris when the brush roll can't touch it.

Edges

We also wanted to see how well this model could clean tougher areas like the edge of the wall, so we sprinkled coffee grounds along the edge and vacuumed both parallel and straight on to see how each vacuum could clean it all up. When vacuuming head-on, it successfully removed 100% of the coffee grounds. It collected 95% of the coffee debris when running parallel, which is still excellent.

With this vacuum, we didn't have to worry about these annoying areas or switch to other tools midway through cleaning, as it can handle these tough-to-reach spots effortlessly.

Pet Hair

Even though we're big fans of our four-legged companions, we're not thrilled about the constant shedding — so we love any vacuum that makes cleaning up pet hair less of a chore. To test how well a vacuum can suck up pet hair, we used 4 grams of pet hair. First, we teased the fur deep into the carpet. Then we added 1 gram of long hair extensions and pressed it all down with a heavy weighted roller to simulate foot traffic in a home.

For households with lots of pet hair to vacuum up, this vacuum was a pet-hair-eating beast!

We loved running it as it easily sucked up 88% on low pile carpets and 60% on high pile carpets in our 24-second time test trials. For at-home cleanup, we're confident you'll be able to get even better results with a few extra passes. One drawback was its long-hair performance. Despite having a “detangling” roller design that Dyson says can “automatically clear wrapped hair from the brush bar as you clean,” long hair is still wrapped in our tests. To be fair, we haven't seen a stick vacuum yet that could suck up long hair extensions without tangling. Don't believe the marketing hype.

Filtration & Suction

Very dense filters that can filter out tiny particles can also reduce airflow speed, which can, in turn, reduce suction power. We measure both filtration and suction in our lab tests to help tease out performance differences between models. Better filtration generally helps with health concerns over fine particulates floating in your air, while better suction results in deeper cleaning characteristics.

Filtration

According to the EPA, indoor dust can be kicked up by vacuuming, possibly releasing harmful fine particulates that you can breathe into your lungs. We start with a closed, clean room and monitor it with two Dylos air quality logging devices. We then spread 1/3 cup of typical household flour on the floor and then vacuum it up, recording any spikes in fine particulates in the air. If any tiny flour particles escape the vacuum, our monitors will note it.

This Dyson successfully sucked up the flour without excessively spiking room particulate measurements, making it a great choice for anyone who is sensitive to pet dander or allergens. Dylos ranks an increase in particulate measurements between 0-75 as excellent. Interestingly, this Dyson achieves outstanding filtration without using a HEPA filter, which shows that vacuum manufacturers don't necessarily need to license HEPA filtration technology to produce highly effective filtration systems.

Suction

The suction power of this model is incredibly strong, which can make prolonged vacuuming sessions a bit challenging due to its intense force.

We measured the vacuum's suction at 2,239 pascals, which is significantly stronger than most other brands and just under our leader, the Gen5detect, which measured in at a whopping 2,388 pascals. While it's tempting to say that more suction is always better, that's not always true. While the Fluffy Optic cleaner head zooms over hardwood like a graceful figure skater on ice, the Digital Motorbar on the carpet is hard to push. Oh, clean is excellent, sucking up deeply embedded sand and dirt, but we had to work our arms and shoulders to get it out. Typical adults will be fine, but kids or anyone with less strength or aching backs might prefer an easier-to-push vacuum with less suction, like the Vertex Pro Lightweight.

Ease of Use

This model scores poorly in our key maneuverability metric primarily because its intense suction makes it harder to turn and push on the carpet. However, those who can handle its power won't have to vacuum over the same spots continuously to get results.

In contrast to its on-carpet performance, when using the fluffy optic head for hardwood, it glides smoothly and navigates obstacles easily, making it super effective for cleaning hardwood floors. At a handheld weight of 4 pounds and 8 ounces, it didn't feel overly heavy during testing, but compared to other models we've tested, it's definitely on the heavier side.

Maneuverability

For those who like to clean their whole house in one go, all this power can get tiring, especially when using the Turbo Mode, which creates a lot of suction, making the vacuum even harder to maneuver.

On the carpet, Dyson's Digital Motorbar head has a front gate switch that can be opened to allow improved airflow and reduce suction, making it easier to maneuver on the carpet. Of course, this vacuum requires changing the brush roller for the appropriate surface, which can become somewhat tiresome for those who just want to get on with the vacuuming and complete the chore.

Maintenance

This model features a removable filter that should be replaced every 6-12 months, depending on usage. Cleaning the vacuum is a breeze: simply twist off the top filter, tap it to remove dust and debris, then rinse it with water and let it dry for 24 hours. One advantage is the straightforward rinsing and removal process, with helpful pictograms ensuring proper filter alignment. While the dustbin's sliding track isn't the easiest, it's manageable.

Dyson also offers abundant media resources for product usage, simplifying information retrieval without needing a manual. There's a convenient pull tab to release the fluffy roller for easy cleaning, and you can use a coin to release the brush roller on the other head for removal and cleaning, which is pretty straightforward, although we would've preferred a button. While a button release would be even better, the accessibility for cleaning is excellent. No one wants a fussy device for their already arduous daily/weekly cleaning routine, and we are happy to say that this model adds plenty of quality of life.

Uphostery & Attachments

The vacuum comes with three additional tools: crevice, hair screw, and combination, along with a wand clip for convenient tool storage. It also includes the two cleaner heads we've already talked about. Changing attachments is very easy; we loved it when they clicked correctly into place. Attachments can also be used at the base of the rod and directly at the handheld for added versatility.

This vacuum can be used as a handheld with the included attachments, which works great for cleaning upholstery. The best attachment is the awesome hair screw tool, which is like a mini motorized cleaner head.

We tested the small motorized tool with coffee grounds on a pillow and ironing board, then made a single pass with the attachment. It successfully removed 100% of the coffee grounds from the pillow and approximately 95% from the ironing board. However, upon turning off the vacuum, some coffee grounds fell out. Despite this minor issue, the results were nearly flawless. For those looking for the right device to tidy couch cushions or any other upholstery, this model's attachments will do it without fuss.

Battery

Battery life is very good on low, running for 68 minutes in our test, and below average on high, running for just 9 minutes.

Because this vacuum's suction power is so strong, you'll likely be able to do most of your household cleaning on low, giving you a bit more time than some lesser-powered vacuums that might require more full-power usage.

Should You Buy the Dyson V15 Detect?

If it fits your budget, we wholeheartedly recommend it. The cleaning power of this model is outstanding. While it's not the priciest option in the Dyson lineup, it's still a significant investment. However, considering the advanced technology, efficiency, and overall performance, it's worth the price tag—despite minor drawbacks like the on/off trigger and difficulting to push around.

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