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Looking for a Dyson cordless stick vacuum so you aren’t limited to where you can clean or constantly tripping over cables? If so, you might have considered Dyson’s V series cordless models.
Although not as new as the latest V10 Dyson and V11 models, the V6 and V8 are both awesome vacuum cleaner choices for effective cleaning in your home. Although at first glance they have a similar design, the two vacuums actually have some important differences from motor strength and performance to price.
Both models are 2-in1 vacuums that can be used as stick vacuums AND converted into handheld devices. Stick vacuums are great for standard upright cleaning, as well as being super lightweight and easy to store, while the handheld version gives you maximum access to any hard-to-reach areas.
While the V8 comes in at a higher price point, it does come with some significantly upgraded features. So do you want to know if these benefits are worth the buck? No problem. We have reviewed both devices, comparing their main selling points and features in-depth. Read on to discover which is the most effective cleaning machine.
If you want to get a quick overview of how these two vacuums compare, we have boiled down the main pros and cons below. Make sure to read the full article to get an in-depth review of all the different features.
[amazon box=”B06XG7WKKL, B07QY8YQ6X, B07KRSBC23″ template=”table” numbering=”true”]Dyson V6 Advantages:
Dyson V6 Disadvantages:
Dyson V8 Advantages:
Dyson V8 Disadvantages:
Winner: Don’t want to read the full article? The editor’s choice is the Dyson V8. Although a little pricier, it has improved features such as a bigger battery, longer double the run time, and an upgraded post-motor filter for a more efficient clean.
Now let’s really dig into all the features of the two vacuums and compare them up close.
Let’s get started with the basics and check out what comes with each vacuum.
Both vacuums arrive in a collection of different parts. This is so that they can be assembled either as a stick vacuum or a handheld one. The Dyson V6 comes with the motor section, the dust bin, the extension wand, and the cleaning head, as well as the charger cord and wall mount to hang your device up on the wall. Works perfectly for different floor types.
Depending on the model you buy, you either get the Fluffy cleaning head for hard floors or both the Fluffy and Direct Drive cleaner head, for carpets. The Dyson V6 usually also comes with the mini soft dusting brush, stiff bristle brush tool, combination tool, mattress tool, crevice tool, and a cleaning tool for hard-to-reach areas. Make sure to check the model you buy to confirm which attachments come with your purchase. The Dyson v6 absolute comes with a thirty minute run time and the v8 stick vacuum comes with forty minute run time which is a longer run time..
The Dyson V8 absolute has a pretty similar setup, coming with a collection of different parts including the motor, soft roller cleaning head, dust bin, wand, and attachments. The Dyson V8 absolute generally comes with the same attachments as the V8 as well as both a Fluffy cleaning head and a Direct Drive cleaner head.
It also comes with an extra mini motorized tool with rotating brushes, great for lifting away pet hair and stubborn dirt on furniture. The main difference between the Dyson V6 and V8 in terms of parts is that the V8 attachments have a quick-release function. There is a red button that allows you to quickly remove any part with ease.
Verdict: The winner here has to be the Dyson V8. Although similar in parts, the V8 has a wider selection of attachments as well as a quick-release button.
Cleaning head performance is important when it comes to choosing your vacuum. Let’s see how these two devices compare.
When we compare the Dyson v6 vs Dyson v8, the Dyson V6 actually holds up and gives a decent cleaning performance. It picks up most dirt and debris from the hard floor, particularly with the Fluffy cleaning head/ roller head. It also works effectively on carpets although with a slightly smaller frame, struggles to pick up quite as much as the V8 absolute.
The motor is powerful, moving 15 liters of air per second, leading to efficient suction for cleaning your home. The Dyson V6 uses HEPA filtration which is one of the popular in the market for catching dirt and allergens. It traps 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns using two-tier cyclone technology.
The V8 absolute has a virtually flawless cleaning record both on hard floors, bare floors, and carpets. It picks up both big and small dust and debris, and with the extended array of cleaning attachments and heads, you have something for every occasion. While the Dyson V6 motor is a powerful motor, the upgraded motor on the V8 wins out with around 20% higher suction.
In fact, the V8 motor spins up to 107,000rpm which is five times faster than a Formula One car engine. This produces up to 115 Air Watts generating powerful suction and a deeper clean. The Dyson V8 also uses a HEPA filtration system.
This system is fully sealed, trapping 99.99% of small particles like allergens, perfect for if you have allergies or get sniffles from things like pet hair. It uses two-tier radial cyclones which help to trap dirt as small as 0.3 microns like the Dyson V6, that’s 100 times smaller than a human hair!
Verdict: Overall the V8 has an improved cleaning performance to the V6 with extra attachments and a more powerful motor and suction.
A downside of wireless, portable, and handheld vacuums is that they run out of battery power. This can be frustrating if they run out of juice mid-clean which is why battery size and runtime are an important consideration when choosing your vacuum cleaners.
The Dyson V6, unfortunately, has a pretty short run time- 20 minutes, this is just half the length of the V8. This means you may have difficulties completing a clean in one sitting but maybe good for those with smaller houses or who just need the Dyson for select areas of the house.
An extra downside is that if you are cleaning on the most high-powered cleaning mode, the device uses up more energy and lasts just 10 minutes. Both the V6 and the V8 use fade free Lithium-ion batteries, the Dyson Cordless Vacuum taking a slightly smaller one, the 2,200 mAh battery. One good thing about the smaller battery is that it takes less time to charge, Time- 3.5 hours to be exact.
The Dyson V8 actually has double the run time of the Dyson V6, coming in at 40 minutes. This gives you a decent amount of time to finish cleaning your home. It uses a slightly upgraded battery, a 2,800 mAh Lithium-ion battery. The V8’s run time is also halved if you use it on the highest setting. In max mode, the run time reduces to 6 minutes or 7 minutes, lower when compared to the v6.
The V8 takes longer to charge up, around 5 hours, so make sure to plan in advance and keep your device charged for when you want to clean. Both the V6 and V8 batteries tend to last between one and two years, so bear in mind that these may need replacing.
Verdict: The V8! has double the run time, 40 instead of 20 minutes, allowing you more flexible cleaning times.
Having an easy-to-use design and simple interface is important for any vacuum. The V6 and V8 are similar in design and look. Both are lightweight and easy to move around. Both vacuums also have a handy handheld mode, as well as a wall-mounted docking station for easy access and storage.
The V6 is 47.5 inches high, 9.8 inches wide, and 8.2 inches deep. It weighs around 4.5 pounds which is pretty lightweight and allows you to reach high and low with your cleaning. The aesthetic is sleek and fun with shiny silver and red look.
In terms of usability, the cordless design allows for versatile cleaning without getting stuck on cords and the handheld mode means you can easily clean tough-to-reach spots like the sofa, the stairs, and even the car! Finally, you can get rid of the build-up of crumbs on the backseat!
The attachments are easy to take off and on and the wall mounter is super handy. The device is easy to set up as well, although there are quite a few pieces in the box, they fit together easily. To get started, just plug in the charging cable to charge up the device, add the preferred attachment, and get cleaning.
There is a simple and accessible on/off switch that you have to keep help down to use the vacuum. This is helpful for eeking out the longer battery life, however, some people may not like that you can’t have constant airflow.
The V8 is a little bigger, measuring 49 inches tall, 9.9 inches wide, and 8.9 inches deep. It is a little heavier than the V6, weighing around 5.75 pounds, but in return, you get a bigger dust bin and more advanced motor and features. The aesthetic is similar to the V6 with a sleek, shiny grey color scheme, and colored details. The v6 model also comes with a stronger suction power.
Depending on the model you buy you can get it in colors; Iron, Yellow, Blue, Titanium. It is easy to set up and use, with the clean and mode-selection buttons being easily accessible by the handle. A good thing about the V8 is that it is specially designed with noise reduction in mind.
It has streamlined airways as well as open-cell foam direct airflow to lower any noisy turbulence. It uses a special acoustic baffle and closed-cell foam to block sound and absorb vibrations meaning the V8 is 50% quieter than the V6. This is a great choice for anyone that has nervous pets or grouchy neighbors.
Verdict: Both! Both vacuums have an intuitive design and are easy to use. While the V8 has a bigger dustbin and upgraded features, it makes it a little bigger and heavier than the V6. On the other hand, it is up to 50% quieter.
Although we have looked at the usability and design of both vacuums, maneuverability is worth its own special mention. This is because it is important that you can move your vacuum around with ease and get the most useful results possible.
When we compare Dyson v8 vs v6 Dyson, both the V6 and V8 have similar abilities when it comes to maneuvering and steering. They each have a 90-degree turning radius allowing you to make sharp turns and deep clean into tight spots. The height of the cleaning head is narrow and will fit under most furniture.
Say goodbye to the dust collecting under the sofa or bed and hello to shiny floors and fresh carpets. Another plus for both vacuums is that the whole thing can almost lay flat to the ground in upright mode. This is great as not only can the head fit neatly under furniture, but the stick extension can too.
Unfortunately, this design means that the vacuum does not stand upright on its own, but that’s what the wall-mounted docking station is for. Finally, the fact that each vacuum is cordless, means there is a whole extra level of maneuverability as you are not restricted by any wires or cords.
Verdict: Both! Another draw here, the maneuverability of both vacuums being about equal.
Now to decide how much you are willing to invest in your vacuum. Does spending extra dollars get you more features? Let’s see!
With its upgraded and improved features, it is not surprising that the Dyson V8 comes with a higher price tag. There are various versions of the vacuum you can buy that come with different selections of tools and accessories; The Dyson V8 Absolute, The Dyson V8 Absolute Pro, The Dyson V8 Animal, and the Dyson V8 Animal Pro+. As you might have guessed, these come at different price points, ranging from around $350 to $450.
As the V6 is now an older model, it no longer comes on the Dyson website. You can buy it through various resellers though and it comes in at a significantly cheaper price, perhaps $100 dollars cheaper than the V8. If you are looking for a decent handheld and upright cordless vacuum but you don’t want to spend a bomb, this could be a great choice for you.
When we compare the v6 Dyson vs v8 Dyson, for both vacuums, you also have to factor in the cost of replacing the battery every couple of years. This will be a little pricier for the V8 as the battery is a bit bigger.
Verdict: The V6 has to win on price as it will save you some significant money, while still providing powerful cleaning and useful features.
How much dust your vacuum carries as well as how hassle-free it is to empty can make a big difference to your cleaning routine.
When we compare the Dyson v6 vs Dyson v8, the V6 has a dust bin capacity of around 0.4 liters. Although not huge, for a portable vacuum this is reasonable. Just be prepared to empty and clean the bin regularly to keep your vacuum working at its best. In terms of emptying your vacuum dust bin, the V6 and V8 have slightly different methods.
The V6 uses a push-button method where you push a button on the handle to open the base of the container and release the dirt and debris from the bin. Although fairly easy and straightforward, this can be a little messy, and sometimes you need the help of your hands to fully dislodge hair and dust that might have got stuck.
This is why many people prefer the upgraded release method of the Dyson V8. The V8 has a dirt ejection system that offers a slightly cleaner and more hygienic way to empty the bin. You don’t need to touch it with your hands.
Once you lift up the release latch the whole top of the vacuum opens allowing the dust to fall out in one simple action. A silicon collar pushes the dirt down the container so you don’t need to go fishing if anything gets stuck.
The V8 also has a bigger dust bin capacity of around 0.54 liters, so you don’t need to empty it quite as regularly as the V6 vacuum. With either model make sure not to overfill the dust bin as this can reduce suction and effectiveness.
Verdict: The V8 wins again, with a less messy dustbin release and bigger bin capacity.
So what’s the final verdict? While both good vacuums, the Dyson V8 comes out on top in most categories. An upgraded version to the V6, it has double the run time, better suction power, better overall cleaning performance, and a bigger dustbin with a more hygienic emptying method.
It does also have a bigger price tag so if you are looking for cordless vacuums, 2-in-1 upright AND handheld vacuum on a budget, the V6 could be a good option.
Especially if you have a smaller house, or would use this in conjunction with a normal vac to clean small and hard-to-reach spaces. Overall these cord free models have effective power mode and great filtration systems that will keep your home dirt and dust-free! Which one do you have your eye on?
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