Dyson has long reigned supreme in the stick vacuum niche and commands a lofty position in the vacuum industry as a whole. Time and again, they have graced global users with top-of-the-line machines. With the introduction of the two latest cordless stick models, the Dyson V12 vs V15, the brand’s dominance has been further solidified, leaving other giants in their shadows.
Curiously, the Dyson V12 made its entrance subsequent to the Dyson V15. Both models bear all the brand’s latest advancements, including the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head, a piezo sensor, and anti-tangle technology, but the V12 is designed with lightweight and compact in mind. That is why it is often hailed as a diminutive and lightweight version of its predecessor, scoring some brownie points with the elderly. However, as a trade-off, the compactness and lightness in design do come with lower power and a smaller dust cup.
Dyson V12 Vs V15: Comparision Chart
Dyson V12 Vs V15: Differences
The Dyson V15 clinches the V12 with its 3-1 win. These two are almost twins, except that the winner is more powerful and heavier and sports a bigger dustbin.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Dyson V15
Suction Power & Floorhead
In the realm of suction prowess, the Dyson V12 and V15 are not cut from the same cloth. The V12 is no slouch at 150 AW, but the V15 really steals the show, packing a punch with a robust 230 AW suction power. Indeed, the Dyson V15 is the mightiest cordless stick vacuum I’ve put through the wringer!
Both the Dyson V12 vs V15 come out of the box with two floorheads. While they share the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head, the first one has a Motorbar floorhead, and the second includes the 2.0 High Torque floorhead. This naturally begs the question: “What sets their multi-surface floorheads apart?”
They both use the hybrid design of a spiral bristle roller brush with rubberized components. Still, the 2.0 High Torque floorhead has two adjustable gates at the front, which I usually fully open to pick up large debris easier (Look at the image).
Hard Floor
These two beasts are nearly neck and neck here. The V15 cleared all types of debris without issue. The V12 didn’t drop the ball either, tackling all debris effortlessly, although it left about 1% of small debris, which it swept up neatly on the second pass. These are scores that are only achieved by the cream of the crop in Dyson’s cordless stick lineup.
Carpet
The Dyson V12 also succeeded in picking up all the smaller debris on the low-pile carpet but leaving between 4-5% of small debris behind. On the high carpet, its first pass left about 1% of the larger debris and 6% of the smaller ones behind. Still, these are scores to write home about.
The Dyson V15, on the other hand, is slightly better. It left only about 2% small debris on my low-pile carpet and a blend of 4% small debris and 1% large one on the high carpet. This great performance is sure to turn heads and raise many eyebrows.
Hair Test
The V15 easily picked up all the hairs from the hard floor and carpet, while the V12 needed two passes to achieve the same results. But it’s worth tipping my hats to the fact that most of the vacuumed hair was sent to their dust cups, with just a few long strands wrapped around the roller. Without a shadow of a doubt, this system isn’t perfect, but it really works. Also, these models share a hair screw tool that easily could remove all hair from my sofa with no hair strands wrapped around the brushroll. So if you’re a pet parent, you can’t make a wrong choice with either of these options.
Design & Usability
Winner: Dyson V15
Attachments
| Dyson V12 | Dyson V15 |
|---|---|
| Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head Motorbar cleaner head Hair screw tool Crevice tool Combination tool Wand clip Docking station & Charger Removable battery (x1) | Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head Digital Motorbar Hair screw tool Crevice tool Combination tool Mini soft dusting brush Stubborn dirt brush Wand clip Docking station & Charger |
As evident, what the V12 is missing in its arsenal are the mini soft dusting brush and stubborn dirt brush. The first one is often used for dusting more delicate objects such as curtains or furniture surfaces, while the second option proves to be valuable in its ability to break apart ground-in debris or stubborn dirt from dense carpet fibers.
Weight & Maneuverability
Weighing a mere 5.3 pounds, the Dyson V12 is notably lighter than its counterpart, the V15, which tips the scales at 6.8 pounds. Holding the V12 in my hand, it felt akin to a toy, allowing me to vacuum for extended periods without any strain on my wrist. Conversely, with the V15, I found myself needing to alternate hands periodically to alleviate fatigue and provide one hand with a respite.
Navigating both models was a breeze, courtesy of their swivel heads, and I could turn on a dime easily with wrist twists. I also effortlessly got them in and out of tight areas, and their low-profile floorheads allowed for effortless cleaning underneath furniture.
In the handheld mode, the Dyson V12’s smaller motor proves to be advantageous again. I found it remarkably effortless to lift and clean the ceiling. On the other hand, the V15 exerted strain on my hands and wrists after approximately 15 minutes.
Battery Life
Dyson proudly claims that these models can operate continuously for up to an hour before requiring a recharge, but don’t let it mislead you. No, I don’t mean they’re trying to pull the wool over your eyes! You can indeed hit that sweet 60-minute non-stop operation as long as you use the vacuum with a non-motorized attachment and set it to the lowest power setting. But truth be told, you’d be hard-pressed to find yourself in that scenario, right? So, I put each of them to the test with the Motorbar cleaner head/High Torque Cleaner Head, which, as expected, caused the battery to drain at a swifter pace:
| Dyson V12 | Dyson V15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Battery Life (Boost) | ≈ 41 mins | ≈ 43 mins |
| Minimum Battery Life (Eco) | ≈ 12 mins | ≈ 11 min |
| Charging Time | ≈ 4 hours | ≈ 3.5 hours |
Remember, there are a couple of ways to juice up the battery. The traditional way requires you to mount the dock on a wall close to an outlet, followed by some easy-peasy setup. Just park your vacuum in the dock, and it’ll charge up automatically. The wall-mounted dock also has space for a pair of attachments, and you can snap two others onto the vacuum’s pipe using the wand clip. Your vacuum will hang out there, neat and tidy, until you need it.
Understandably, for some, drilling into walls might be hard to stomach. Fortunately, you have another option for battery charging and vacuum storage: just plug the charger straight into the battery and tuck your vacuum away in a closet or a similar space when it’s not in use.
Dustbin & Filtration System
Winner: Dyson V15
You can’t have your cake and eat it, too, right? And this holds true for the Dyson V12’s compact design, which necessitated a bit of a trade-off with the dustbin capacity. With a capacity of 0.35 liters, it’s like the “David” and the “Goliath” when compared to the V15’s 0.75-liter dust cup. The smaller dustbin means it will need to be emptied more often, resulting in a longer overall vacuuming time.
Fortunately, emptying them is easy and user-friendly: just push a lever down a few times to eject all the contents. Dyson calls this mechanism “Point and shoot,” and if you know the mechanics of reloading a shotgun, you’ll understand what the name means.
Regarding their filtration systems, the Dyson V12 and V15 are two peas in a pod. They both boast a completely sealed system paired with a washable filter. Working hand in glove, they can catch up to 99.99% of microscopic dust particles and allergens as tiny as 0.3 µm, ensuring that the come-out air is fresh and clean. When the LCD screen gives you the heads up, just rinse the filter under running water. Just remember to let it dry completely before putting it back in the vacuum.
Control Method
Winner: Dyson V12
Just like its Dyson stick vacuum siblings, the Dyson V15 also comes with a trigger-style switch that you have to keep pressed to keep the vacuum running – this design is a double-edged sword. The second you let go, the vacuum shuts off on a dime, saving energy and stretching out the battery life. But if you have weak hands, you’ll run into its Achilles heel – your hand will tire out in no time flat. That’s why many trigger-equipped vacuums come with a trigger lock feature, such as the Tineco Pure One S11.
The Dyson V12, on the other hand, is equipped with a power button. It seems like the brains at Dyson might be starting to tackle the hand fatigue issue for their customers, but they need to do better. The button was in an awkward position, so I had to use my second hand to press it.
Dyson V12 Vs V15: Similarities
User Interface
The Dyson V12 and V15 both sport a striking, futuristic LCD screen that’s more than just a pretty face. It shows the current power setting (eco,-auto, or boost), estimated battery life (in minutes), and information about dust particles. I was impressed with how these models were able to count and determine the size of vacuumed dust particles and show it all on their screens. This let me know if I needed to give a specific area a bit more time and elbow grease.
So, what kind of space-age tech is behind this? It’s just a small sensor inside the unit called a “piezo sensor.” This sensor can detect and classify vacuum dust particles into four sizes (10, 60, 180, and 500 microns), then show this data on the LCD screen (via a bar graph) and automatically adjust the vacuum’s suction power accordingly.
Power Mode
This couple shares three vacuuming settings: eco, auto, and boost. You can switch between these three modes by pressing a small button on the screen:
| Eco Mode | It is the weakest mode that generates the longest run time. It is most suitable for vacuuming light dirt, such as removing dust from furniture. |
| Auto Mode | Varies the suction as needed. |
| Boost Mode | This mode generates the most suction, resulting in the shortest run time. It is ideal for removing hefty dirt. |
Quick Rundown Of Dyson V15
- The most powerful intelligent cordless vacuum.¹ With laser illumination.
- Engineered for whole home, deep cleans. Suction power, run time and tools designed to deep clean your whole home. Engineered for homes with pets.
- Up to 60 minutes of run time.³ Power saving trigger helps maximize battery life, only using power when you need it. Actual run time will vary based on power mode and/or attachments used.
- Laser reveals microscopic dust. A precisely angled laser makes invisible dust visible on hard floors, so you don’t miss anything.
- Intelligently optimizes suction and run time based on dust level and floor type. A Piezo sensor and Dyson DLS technology automatically sense debris level and floor type to adapt suction for the right balance of power and run time when you need it.²
Quick Rundown Of Dyson V12
- Dyson’s lightest intelligent cordless vacuum. Reveals invisible dust..Special feature: compact
- 30% more power.¹ 60 minutes of run time.²
- Power button operated for continuous cleaning.
- 24% lighter than the Dyson V15. Engineered to be ergonomic, effortless, and easy to use. Converts to a handheld vacuum for cleaning cars, stairs, and upholstery.
- Intelligently adapts power based on debris detected. LCD screen shows total picked-up particles on-screen as you clean.³ Also displays power mode, maintenance alerts, and remaining run time to the second.
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References:
- Dyson V15: https://www.dyson.com/vacuum-cleaners/cordless/v15
- Dyson V12: https://www.dyson.com/vacuum-cleaners/cordless/v12/detect-slim-yellow-nickel
Victor K. Giles is a leading consultant and expert in vacuum cleaner technology with over a decade of experience. As a mechanical engineering graduate in the University of Michigan, he specializes in product development, design optimization, and performance analysis. Victor collaborates with manufacturers and educates consumers, making her a sought-after guest speaker at industry events. His work has been featured in renowned publications, and he shares his expertise on his blog, “The Vacuum Teria”. Victor’s passion for cleaner, healthier living spaces drives his to help clients choose the best vacuum solutions for their needs.