Drawing a clear winner between the Dyson V12 vs V11 Animal is not daunting – it’s evident that the Dyson V12, the newer model, emerges as the victor. But I would say that the V11 boasts certain advantages that capture the affection of numerous users.
The Dyson V12 is a lightweight and compact stick packed with the latest punches from the company, such as laser detect technology, a new generation Fluffy cleaner head, an onboard piezo sensor, etc. But this compactness necessitates trade-offs in terms of suction power and dustbin capacity.
The Dyson V11 Animal, on the other hand, is cheaper but has higher suction power and a large dustbin. This one is ideal for budget-conscious consumers who can’t splurge on the newest Dyson models and are okay with lacking some state-of-the-art technologies.
Dyson V12 Vs V11 Animal: Comparison Chart
Dyson V12 Vs V11 Animal: Differences
The Dyson V12 defeats the V11 Animal with a score of 3-1. Here, I’ll provide an in-depth analysis of their pros and cons and compare them. Let’s find out!
Design & Usability
Winner: Dyson V12
Attachments & Storage
| Dyson V12 | Dyson V11 Animal |
|---|---|
| Motorbar Cleaner Head Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner Head Hair Screw Tool Crevice Tool Combination Tool Wand Storage Clip Docking Station & Charger Removable Battery (X1) | High Torque cleaner head Mini Motorized Tool Combination tool Stubborn dirt brush Crevice tool Docking Station & Charger Wand clip Removable Battery (x1) |
Both the Dyson V12 vs V11 Animal are top-heavy because their dustbins are positioned at the top – consequently, they can’t stand independently in an upright position. Instead, they necessitate being securely placed on the wall mount for both charging and storage purposes.
Once bolted to the wall, this docking station will be a convenient storage spot for the vacuum and two attachments. Furthermore, the wand storage clip allows two attachments to be put on the vacuum’s body, and I highly recommend putting the two most used tools here to ensure they are within reach during the vacuuming process. I also wish it had a charging slot for a spare battery. This is not a complaint – just a suggestion for Dyson engineers to consider.
Regarding installing the wall mount, rest assured that the process is straightforward and doesn’t require specialized knowledge or special tools. Simply refer to the step-by-step instructions in the owner’s manual or watch helpful instructional videos on YouTube. To prepare for the task, gather a hand drill, a tape measure, and a screwdriver and allocate a suitable spot. In approximately 5 minutes, I bet you’ll have the wall mount properly set up.
Weight & Usability
The Dyson V12, as the intro mentioned, is one of the lightest Dyson sticks at just 5.3 pounds. This one felt very light in my hand, and I bet you won’t have any problems maneuvering it around or carrying it up and down stairs, even if you’re a physically weak guy. Switching to the handheld configuration will further reduce its weight, making overhead cleaning tasks like cleaning ceilings a cinch without swapping hands.
The Dyson V11 Animal is a bit heavier at 6.7 lbs, but I still had no trouble pushing it around. But when using it as a portable handheld vacuum to clean overhead areas, my hand quickly got tired – Not a big deal but well worth mentioning.
Battery Life
According to the manufacturer, both vacuums can operate seamlessly for up to 60 minutes. I found that many users complained that their vacuums ran out of battery faster than claimed, leading to various grievances accusing the manufacturer of deceptive practices. But let me make this clear – to achieve the quoted battery life, it is essential to attach the vacuum to a suction-only tool and ensure it is consistently running at the lowest power level.
But, in actual use, the main nozzle is usually the one that is used frequently. While examining these models, I utilized the multi-surface floorhead and observed a quicker battery drain than the manufacturer’s claim:
| Dyson V12 | Dyson V11 Animal | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Battery Life | ≈ 41 mins | ≈ 47 mins |
| Maximum Battery Life | ≈ 9 mins | ≈ 11 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 4 hours | ≈ 4 hours |
Despite being used solely with the floorhead, the operational duration of these vacuums is still impressive. In my view, if your dwelling is a modestly-sized, single-story home, you could likely complete all your cleaning tasks with only one fully charged battery.
But if you are in a spacious house, it would be prudent to consider investing in an additional battery. These machines all use removable batteries, so their run time can be doubled by swapping batteries. This way, no corner of your larger home would be left untouched due to battery constraints.
It is worth noting that there are two ways to charge the battery. The first approach involves installing the docking station onto a wall and housing the vacuum there while it’s not in use, as I mentioned earlier. However, I acknowledge that not everyone is comfortable with the idea of drilling into their walls. If you fall into this category, there’s a second option that may suit you better – simply plug the charger directly into the battery and stow the vacuum away in your closet or any other storage space.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Dyson V12
Suction Power & Floorhead
The Dyson V12 delivers a substantial maximum suction power of 150 Air Watts (AW) when operating at its maximum setting. Meanwhile, the Dyson V11 Animal boasts an impressive peak suction power of 185 A.W
About the included cleaning heads, the Dyson V12 comes with a soft roller and multi-surface floorheads called the Motorbar cleaner head and Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head, respectively. Meanwhile, the Dyson V11 Animal only includes the High Torque cleaner head, which is basically the same as the Motorbar cleaning head.
Hard Floor
| Large Debris | Small Debris | |
|---|---|---|
| Dyson V12 | 100% | 99% |
| Dyson V11 Animal | 98% | 100% |
Outfitted with its high-tech fluffy floorhead, the Dyson V12 demonstrated impressive cleaning prowess, easily capturing almost all debris of all sizes. Only a minuscule amount of small debris was left behind after the initial pass and was promptly and easily removed on a subsequent sweep.
As for the Dyson V11, it also easily collected all the small debris. To handle bulkier and larger materials, I had to completely open two gates on the nozzle and gently waggle the vacuum.
Carpet
| Large Debris | Small Debris | |
|---|---|---|
| Dyson V12 | Low-Pile Carpet: 100% | Low-Pile Carpet: 97% |
| High-Pile Carpet: 100% | High-Pile Carpet: 95% | |
| Dyson V11 Animal | Low-Pile Carpet: 97% | Low-Pile Carpet: 99% |
| High-Pile Carpet: 98% | High-Pile Carpet: 96% |
The Dyson V12 vs V11 Animal performed impressively on my carpets as well. Paired with the Motorbar floorhead, this one picked up 100% of the large debris without hassle, and only a small fraction of the smaller particles remained. The Dyson V11 easily collected the majority of total debris as well, requiring an extra pass to ensure a thorough, spotlessly clean.
Hair Test
Both collected 100% hair and hair on surfaces, but the Dyson V12 takes the lead with its excellent tangle resistance. Both of its floorheads are tangle-free, making it a standout choice for homes with pets or residents with long hair. Its Motorbar cleaner head is equipped with Dyson’s anti-hair wrap technology – a line of small ‘fangs’ behind the roller.
On the flip side, a moderate amount of long hair became coiled around the V11’s roller, necessitating manual detangling at the end of the test session. Don’t worry! It is a breeze to detach the roller from the cleaning head and pull out all the tangled hair.
Dustbin & Filtration System
Winner: Dyson V11 Animal
The Dyson V12’s dustbin is on the small side with a capacity of 0.38 liter, while the V11 Animal can hold significantly more dust and dirt with its 0.75-liter canister. So the first requires more frequent emptying than its counterpart. This can be a minor inconvenience for some people, especially those who live in large apartments.
I found emptying them easy and hassle-free with the push of a lever called the “Point and Shoot” mechanic. All the contents are ejected instead of just relying on gravity to fall out, as is the case with most stick vacuums.
The Dyson V12 vs V11 Animal share a fully-sealed filtration system, ensuring unfiltered air stays completely inside the unit before passing through the filter. Then the HEPA filter will trap all dirt and allergens, allowing only clean air to be released back into your home and providing a healthier and cleaner environment.
Their filters are washable. And you just rinse them under the tap whenever the screen gives you a maintenance alert. After washing, the filters will need ample time to dry completely, typically taking one day or more. To eliminate downtime, you can purchase spare filters, ensuring you always have a ready-to-use filter while one is drying.
Utilities & Other Features
Winner: Dyson V12
User Interface &
Unlike other variants of the Dyson V11, the V11 Animal features a simplified LED screen. This one shows the chosen cleaning mode and the battery level as illustrated icons instead of a real-time countdown.
On the contrary, the Dyson V12 boasts a more advanced and modern LCD screen. It shows the current power mode and the remaining battery life in minutes and seconds for precise monitoring. It also notifies you in the event of blockages in the roller or pipe and reminds you to clean or properly install the filter.
In addition, the V12’s LCD screen also reports the size and count of vacuumed dust particles detected by the piezo sensor. Despite being considered unnecessary by some, I personally found this feature to be highly useful. This data provided insights into a specific area’s cleanliness, allowing me to determine whether further vacuuming was necessary.
Control Method
Unlike the V11 Animal and all earlier Dyson sticks, the Dyson V12 doesn’t require holding down a trigger continuously for power. Instead, you just press a red physical button, and it will run continuously until it runs out of battery, or you press it again. To my mind, this is a welcome addition as it helps cut down on hand fatigue. But it would be better if this button was within reach of my thumb.
Auto Mode
Both the Dyson V12 and the V11 Animal are equipped with innovative Dynamic Load Sensor technology. This advanced feature allows the vacuums to intelligently adjust their suction power automatically based on the type of surface being cleaned for optimal cleaning performance.
However, the Dyson V12 is ahead of the game with the piezo sensor, which adjusts its suction based on an actual dust level. This feature is currently only available on this one, Dyson V15 and Dyson Gen5 Detect.
Laser Headlight
Lastly, the Dyson V12 earns an additional point for its innovative “Laser Detect” technology, which is a small green laser integrated into the fluffy floorhead. This feature is particularly useful when cleaning dark or poorly lit areas, ensuring that no hidden debris goes unnoticed and contributing to a more thorough cleaning experience.
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.
Quick Rundown Of Dyson V11 Animal
- Dyson's most intelligent, powerful cordless vacuum. Twice the suction of any cordless vacuum.
- Dyson technology helps create a cleaner, healthier home - Our vacuums and purifiers are scientifically proven to capture particles as small as allergens and bacteria.
- Engineered for whole-home, deep cleaning. Suction power, run time and tools designed to deep clean your whole home.
- Intelligently optimizes suction and run time across all floor types. The right balance of power and run time when you need it.
- Up to 60 minutes of run time. Engineered for larger homes with pets. Actual run time will vary based on power mode, floor type and/or attachments used.
Product Video
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Reference:
- Dyson V12: https://www.dyson.com/vacuum-cleaners/cordless/v12
- Dyson V11 Animal: https://www.dyson.com/commercial/vacuums/dyson-v11-animal
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.