The Dyson V12 is not a product. Rather, it is a line consisting of several versions, such as the Dyson V12 Extra vs Absolute. These models share design, cleaning performance, and more. The only difference here is the set of attachments. Let’s scroll down for more information.
Dyson V12 Extra vs Absolute: Comparison chart
Dyson V12 Extra vs Absolute: Differences
The Dyson V12 Absolute version beat the Extra one with a score of 1-0. The Absolute version comes with more attachments, and that’s the only reason it’s the overall winner.
Attachments
Winner: Dyson V12 Absolute
As mentioned above, the Dyson V12 Extra’s collection of attachments is not quite the same as that of the Absolute. Let’s take a look at what they come with:
| Dyson V12 Extra | Dyson V12 Absolute |
| Laser Slim Fluffy floorhead. Motorbar floorhead. Hair screw tool. Combination tool. Awkward gap tool. Extension hose. Scratch-free dusting brush. Wand clip. Charger. | Laser Slim Fluffy floorhead. Motorbar floorhead. Hair screw tool. Crevice tool. Combination tool. Wand clip. Up-top adaptor. Fabric and mattress tool. Mini soft dusting brush. Charger. Docking station. |
The Dyson V12 Absolute’s set is richer and, in my opinion, better.
I’m glad that these machines are equipped with two floorheads, the Laser Slim Fluffy floorhead and the Motorbar floorhead, which allow them to work optimally on both hard floors and carpets.
The Laser Slim Fluffy head has a soft brush roll to avoid marring or scratching hard floors. Better yet, there is a built-in laser to make all the particles on the floor more visible.
The Motorbar floorhead is designed for multi-surface cleaning, but it’s most effective on carpets. It features “the latest hair de-tangling technology” to ensure that you don’t have to spend a lot of time getting rid of tangles on the roller at the end of the day.
But changing between these cleaning heads when moving from a hard floor to a carpet and vice versa is a bit time-consuming. That’s why I prefer the DuoClean head of some Shark vacuums, such as the Shark Vertex Pro IZ682H, which includes soft rollers and brush rollers.
Dyson V12 Extra vs Absolute: Similarities
Cleaning Performance
Both versions have a maximum suction power of 150 air watts (AW), which is significantly less than the V15’s 240-AW suction power. To shed some light on how well these machines work, I put some types of debris on some floor types (hardwood, low carpet, and pile carpet). Then, I run each model with the Boost setting turned on.
For the hard floor, I used the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaning head, and the soft roller was perfect for this test. These machines sucked up all types of debris without the hassle, and I didn’t miss anything, thanks to the innovative laser “Detect” feature.
On my carpets, I switched to the Motorbar floorhead. Both machines still worked well on the low-pile carpet, but there was a small amount of smaller debris left behind. On my high carpet, most of the debris was removed except for some small debris, once again. I consider these results fantastic overall.
These machines were also able to remove all the hair on my carpets. Better yet, the majority of the vacuumed hair was sent into the dust cup. I could easily remove the little hair that got tangled around the roller by hand.
Design And Usability
Storage
Like many other cordless stick vacuums available out there, the Dyson V12 Extra vs Absolute comes with a wall-mounted charging dock. It is a neater option with simultaneous charging and storage, and it also provides a couple of slots for two accessories. There’s also a wand clip that can house two other tools. I typically store the combination tool and crevice tool on board since these ones are used the most.
Weight And Maneuverability
These machines weigh just 5.3 pounds, making them one of the lightest Dyson cordless stick vacuums. They are about 20% lighter than the Dyson V15 Detect, which brings 6.8 pounds to the scale, greatly because of a smaller engine and dust tank. If you need something more compact and lightweight, consider the Dyson Omni-glide.
Of course, it was extremely easy for me to lift the Dyson V12 of both versions and carry them around. The swivel head design makes maneuvering them as easy as duck soup. They can also be reconfigured into portable vacuums.
Battery Life
There are three cleaning modes on each model: Eco, Auto-Med, and Boost. Here are the results from my measurement of the Dyson V12 Extra and Absolute versions’ battery life in each vacuuming mode.
| Eco | 41 mins |
| Auto – Med | 24 mins |
| Boost | 9 mins |
The Eco machine allows the vacuum to work the longest between full charges, but I rarely turn it on because it creates too weak suction. I found this mode only suitable for dusting the furniture in my living room.
On the other hand, these machines run out of battery pretty quickly with the Boost setting turned on, and their batteries take about 4 hours to charge. So if you use this mode most of the time, buy at least one extra battery to extend the operating time.
Dust Cup Capacity And Filters
Another thing that the Dyson V12 versions have in common is a 0.38-liter collection cup, which is, in my opinion, quite small. This dust cup is roughly only one-half of the Dyson V15’s dustbin and is notably smaller than that of most conventional stick vacuums. That means you will need to empty the cup more often.
The duo also has a screw-off HEPA filter at the back of the machine. As long as this filter is rinsed regularly, it won’t need replacing. It can take up to 24 hours to dry completely, so buying an extra filter can make a lot of sense.
Utilities
LCD Screen
The Dyson V12 Extra vs Absolute share an LCD screen on top, with a button used to switch between three modes: eco, auto-med, and boost. As mentioned above, the eco setting produces the weakest suction, while the boost mode produces the most suction.
Once one of the two floorheads is used and the Auto mode is on, the piezo sensor will adjust the motor power to suit the type of surface you are cleaning, and I highly recommend the auto setting for carpets, especially shaggy/high ones. If you replace the cleaning head with an attachment, the auto mode will change to the med setting.
The piezo sensor can also count and classify vacuumed dust particles into four sizes and display those data on the LCD screen. Apart from showing particle data, the screen also displays the current power mode, maintenance alerts, and the remaining battery life.
On/Off Button
While previous Dyson sticks, such as the Dyson V15, have a trigger that needs to be held to generate suction, the Dyson V12 has a button to turn the vacuum on and off.
Personally, I like it. This on/off button is useful for those who find it annoying to hold a trigger in constantly. My only gripe is that this button is in an odd place, and I need to use the second hand to press it. I wish it were within my thumb’s reach.
Quick Rundown Of Dyson V12 Absolute
Quick Rundown Of Dyson V12 Extra
- 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 V12 Absolute: https://www.dyson.com/vacuum-cleaners/cordless/v12/detect-slim-absolute-gold
- Dyson V12 Extra: https://www.dyson.com/vacuum-cleaners/cordless/v12/detect-slim-extra-prussian-blue
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.