Note: This article was published on 13th May 2019.
Turning it up to 11
Last year's Dyson Cyclone V10 cordless vacuum cleaner (here's our review) was a pretty huge leap from the 2016/2017 Dyson V8 models, both design- and power-wise. Even a year on, it remains the premium cord-free vacuum to get if money isn’t a problem.
But here we’re today with the new Dyson V11. Seriously, after all that have gone into the V10 (125,000-rpm motor for better suction, new point-and-shoot dustbin design, longer battery life — just to a few), when the V11 arrived in our lab, it got me wondering whether Dyson really needs to come out with a new model every year. Are there enough improvements to warrant a new V11 name, or is this more of a V10.5?
Intelligent sucking
For me, changing motor speeds for different surfaces is the single most annoying thing when I’m using the V10 (and below models). And don’t get me wrong: it’s not about being lazy and not willing to press a button — it’s more about not knowing which mode is more suitable for the task at hand, especially when I’m doing spot cleaning for an accidental spill. Also, when I’m vacuuming the house, I often have trouble deciding if I should use a lower speed and try to squeeze in a couple more rounds, or just go full throttle to ensure all dust and debris get sucked in but run the risk of running out the battery before the deed is done.
The Dyson V11 is designed to stop users from overthinking the cleaning process. I’ll spare you the implementation details, but in broad strokes, there’s now a sensor at the new High Torque cleaner head that talks to the motor in the main unit. In Auto mode, the system, which Dyson calls “Dynamic Load Sensor” technology, basically detects for brush bar resistance and uses that info to vary the motor speed (and hence suction power) in real time as you move the stick from one floor or surface type to another. I didn’t always feel the change in pressure, but I could always tell that a crossover has happened because the V11 would whine differently whenever it came to my carpets.
The red slider on the High Torque head is for opening and closing two tiny gates at the bottom of the head. Close the gates for more suction, open them to pick up bigger debris.
One thing to note is that the sensor is only present in the aforementioned High Torque cleaner head and not in the other attachments. I don’t see this as a problem because the High Torque cleaner head is the most used attachment anyway. To make this head work across different surfaces, it’s fitted with stiff bristles to tackle ground-in dirt on carpets as well as carbon fiber filaments to capture fine dust from hard floors and crevices.
(For those wondering, the High Torque cleaner head will fit the V10 too, but since the V10 doesn’t have the extra chip at the motor end, the auto suction-adjusting function won’t work here.)
But there will be times that you might want to use the V11’s non-Auto modes. For sucking dirt that’s buried deep, there’s a Boost mode that sucks just as strong as a full-size corded vacuum; and for times when you’ve a lot of area to cover and you want the maximum run time, there’s a weaker but more battery-friendly Eco mode.
The High Torque head has both stiff bristles to tackle ground-in dirt on carpets and carbon fiber filaments to capture fine dust from hard floors and crevices.
The extension pole isn't just a metal rod — cables are hidden within to provide power to motorized heads and to receive operation data.
Intelligent feedback, too
If you think about it, despite their futuristic industrial design and high tech motors, Dyson’s cordless vacuum cleaners actually still used pretty old school tech for certain functions, like little LEDs to tell you the remaining charge or that the filter is fitted incorrectly.
On the V11, Dyson has finally moved away from the simple diodes and put a small, circular LCD screen at the end of the unit. Like the DLS system, this move has drastically reduced the need for me to second-guess the vacuum when I’m actively using it.
How?
For one, the display is able to show a countdown timer. Regardless of the speed mode you’re in, you’ll know exactly how much time you’ve left before the battery fully depletes. Change to a different speed and the timer will recalculate and present a new reading automatically. In short: I no longer need to calculate in my head what one bar means in terms of minutes.
You will also see the currently selected mode on this screen. When you aren’t using the High Torque cleaner head, the Auto mode will be replaced by a Medium mode.
The LCD can also show maintenance alerts, so you’ll know when it’s time to clean the filters or what to do when there’s a blockage. And here’s another thoughtful touch: instead of tiny text on a tiny screen, you get an animation explaining what you need to do to resolve the issue.
There's also a microprocessor in the battery. Apparently, the system monitors performance 8,000 times a second.
There's a button for you to cycle through the speed modes. Auto mode is only present with the new High Torque cleaner head; For the other heads, this will be replaced by a Medium mode.
A more refined Dyson V10
If the V10 is to be remembered for its hardware breakthroughs, then the V11 will be known for its user experience refinements. I’m still undecided on which feature — the adaptive suction system or the LCD — is my favorite, but I can tell you that both are sensible additions that have taken a bit of the chore out of vacuuming.
There's a plastic clip that you can attach to the extension pole for holding the smaller tools and brushes.
Like the V10, you point the V11's nozzle at the dustbin and release a catch to shoot out the dust.
Power-wise, frankly speaking, I didn’t find the V11 Absolute (that’s the model I’ve been testing the past week) to be that much different from the V10. I tested with cereal and rice on a high pile carpet and the V11 had no problem swallowing them on the highest speed setting — but so did last year’s V10. Dyson did say it’s using a new triple diffuser and an improved impeller for the V11’s digital motor as well as a more powerful battery; so despite it still spinning at up to 125,000 rpm, the V11 touts 20% more suction power (max 185 air watts) than the V10.
Battery life on the V11 is good — especially if you’re a spot cleaner like me who doesn’t hold the trigger down all the time and typically alternates between the Auto and Eco modes. With this usage pattern, I was able to clean my three-room apartment in 20 minutes and the LCD still told me I could go on for another 50 minutes.
Just for fun, I once kept my finger on the trigger in Boost mode, and the battery threw in the towel shortly after 7 minutes. That’s about the same as what I've gotten with the V10, though remember, the V11 sucks harder. The V11 also takes longer to charge than the V10: 4.5 hours vs. 3.5 hours.
Finally, it’d be remiss of me if I didn’t point out that the V11 Absolute weighs 2.9kg, which is heavier than the V10 Absolute's 2.6kg. I could only feel the strain after a cleaning session, but my wife noticed it the moment she picked up the V11.
Price and availability
If you’re currently using a V10, there’s no pressing need to upgrade to the V11. The V11 has mostly the same design as the V10, and its motor, while more powerful, isn’t as immediately obvious as, say, if you’re coming from a V8 or V6.
The V11 is Dyson's most powerful cordless vacuum cleaner to date.
If you’re coming from a V8 or below model or are shopping for your first cord-free vacuum cleaner, then yes, the Dyson V11 is quite a beast and is now the most powerful dust and debris sucker I’ve ever laid my hands on. I won’t go as far as to call V11's Dynamic Load Sensor system and LCD as must-haves, but I also won’t deny that they’re meaningful improvements that have since made my vacuuming experience that wee bit more fun and less stressful. If there’s anything that I dread more than vacuuming the house, it’s vacuuming the house with a lousy vacuum.
The Dyson V11 Absolute is priced at S$999 and is available on Dyson's online store and in major departmental and electrical stores. The V11 Animal isn't available here at the moment.
There are quite a few tools you get with the Absolute, but the more important ones are the soft roller cleaner head for hard floors, mini motorized tool for sucking tight spaces, and docking wall bracket.
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.