Dyson V15 Detect review: is this the Rolls-Royce of cordless vacuums? And is it worth £650?

WHEN I got the chance to try one of Dyson’s new cordless vacuums, I could not contain my excitement.

After being shackled to a corded vacuum for too long, I was finally free to roam and hoover at will with the Dyson V15 Detect.

V15 Detect Absolute, £649.99 from Dyson

I have been obsessed with hoovers since I was about five (I was once dragged, kicking and screaming, away from the hoover aisle in Currys).

Fast forward to today, and after trying corded, cordless, robot, and handheld models, I’d like to think I’m pretty well qualified to test what makes a good one.

Add my three-year-old black Labrador — who has free reign of the house — to the mix, and you’ll understand my need to hoover every single day.

Pros:

• Quality build
• Detects heavily soiled areas
• Large dust bin

Cons:

• Battery life
• Expensive accessories

Rating: 8/10

How I tested the Dyson V15 Detect

My house has four bedrooms with a mix of LVT flooring, tiles, engineered wood and wool carpet, making it the perfect testing ground for the Dyson V15 Detect.

I've been using it very single day (sometimes twice) for a solid month and a half.

I made use of all the attachments and even purchased the Dyson furniture cleaning kit directly from Dyson — if you let dogs on the couch then this is a MUST.

Dyson V15 Detect review: Quickfire Q&A

V15 Detect Absolute, £649.99 from Dyson

What is it? The Dyson V15 Detect is the Rolls Royce of cordless vacuums.

How much is it? Brace yourself — the V15 Detect Absolute I tested is £649.99. The bells-and-whistles Submarine version, which comes with the ability to wet clean, is £799.99 (although it's currently on sale).

Who's it best for? Anyone, really. It delivers exceptional cleaning performance across all floor types, complemented by innovative features like laser dust detection and auto suction adjustment.

What we loved: It’s undeniably a game-changer for those who appreciate a visibly spotless home and cutting-edge cleaning technology.

What we didn't: Its relatively short battery life in higher modes and hefty price tag may be deal-breakers for some.

Dyson V15 Detect at a Glance – Key Specs

• Suction Power: 240 Air Watts
• Battery Life: Up to 60 minutes (six minutes on Boost mode)
• Weight: 2.96kg
• Dustbin Capacity: 0.77L
• Charging time: 4.5 hours
• Filtration: Captures microscopic particles (including dust mites)

Special Features:

• Laser dust detection
• Auto suction adjustment
• Digital display with real-time particle tracking

Dyson V15 Detect review: The Nitty Gritty

What’s New? Dyson V12 vs V15

V15 Detect Absolute, £649.99 from Dyson

When comparing the Dyson V15 Detect to the V12, the most noticeable difference is the dustbin capacity — the V15 is significantly larger.

With the V12, I found myself emptying the bin after vacuuming just one room, whereas the V15 could hold a full-house clean before needing to be emptied.

The biggest game-changer, though, is the laser fluffy head.

This attachment is on some of the other models, but not all. The laser fluffy head illuminates microscopic dust on hard floors, making it feel like your home is never truly clean (in a good way).

However, if you have painted floors or minor marks, the laser will expose every single flaw. You’ve been warned.

First Impressions

When unboxing the Dyson V15, you get:

• Dyson V15 Detect Vacuum
• Digital Motorbar cleaner head
• Illuminated cleaner head
• Crevice tool
• Wall dock
• Combination tool
• Charger

Setup was simple and intuitive and you’re ready to go in minutes.

The build quality feels premium, and the vacuum is well-balanced despite its size.

V15 Detect Absolute, £649.99 from Dyson

And yes, I’ll admit it. I care about how my vacuum looks.

As someone who runs a home interiors Instagram account, everything in my house has to be aesthetically pleasing, including my hoover.

When I saw how chic the Dyson V15 looked, I was excited to not only use it but also have it on display.

Suction power and deep cleaning ability

The Dyson V15 performs brilliantly across all floor types.

It automatically adjusts suction power depending on the level of dirt it detects, which is a feature I didn’t think I needed — but now I can’t live without.

The bin volume is 0.77L — large enough to tackle the whole house before needing to be emptied.

It’s a genuine pleasure to use, even down to the sound it makes when powering down, which sounds to me like a spaceship door closing.

Laser dust detection: gimmick or game-changer?

I’ll be honest, I thought the laser was a gimmick at first.

But after using it, I was horrified by how much dirt was lurking on my floors. If you love a visibly clean home, this feature alone is worth it.

V15 Detect Absolute, £649.99 from Dyson

Battery life and charging

This is where the Dyson V15 falls short. The battery lasts around 40 minutes on auto mode depending on how dirty your floors are.

If you switch to Boost mode, though, you’ll only get six minutes — barely enough time to tackle one room.

I usually use this mode when vacuuming my stairs because that is where the majority of the dog hair is.

Eco mode lasts the full 60 minutes but the power is sub par at best. You wouldn't want to use it on anything less than auto.

I'd recommend buying a spare battery so you can swap them out mid-clean. If you have a large house or lots of carpets, this is a must.

Ease of use

At 2.96kg, the V15 is heavier than some of the other cordless models, which I assume is down to the larger dust bin (it has the same battery as most other models).

The trigger is conveniently placed and needs to be continuously pressed for the vacuum to fire up. This is different to the Dyson V12, which has a handy button to switch it on and off.

Both power options are user-friendly but I did prefer the button on the V12 as it meant there was no need to add extra pressure on an already heavy unit.

Maintenance and longevity

It's still early days for me and the Dyson V15 but it certainly feels high-quality.

The dustbin empties easily and as long as you empty it regularly and give it a little dust between uses, I have no doubts that it will stand the test of time.

The filters need washing about one a month to keep the suction power strong but other than that, it requires minimal maintenance.

It's also worth bearing in mind that the motorised head drains battery much faster than the fluffy roller so only use it where you think it's necessary.

The fluffy roller still did a stellar job on thin rugs but I round myself needing the motorised head for my 100% wool bedroom carpet.

How much is the Dyson V15 Detect?

At £649.99 for the Absolute model I tested, the Dyson V15 isn't cheap.

If you want the top-of-the-range Submarine model, which comes with wet-cleaning abilities, you'll usually have to fork out £799.99 (although at the time of writing it's reduced to £649.99 on the Dyson site).

However, it’s a luxury cleaning upgrade — and trust me, guests will be impressed when they see the laser feature in action.

Cost and worth are two different things and as someone who loves being able to make mundane chores a bit more exciting, I couldn't be without it.

Where to buy the Dyson V15 Detect

We'd recommend getting it from the Dyson website — it regularly discounts certain models and runs a best price guarantee on all models.

That means that if you find a better price at Argos, John Lewis or Currys within a week of your purchase, Dyson will refund you the difference.

There's also free next-day delivery on orders placed before 9pm, seven days per week, and a 35-day money back guarantee on all vacuums.

Alternatives to the Dyson V15 Detect

If you're not convinced by the V15, I'd recommend heading over to our tried-and-tested roundup of the best cordless vacuum cleaners.

There you'll find all our top picks, including other Dyson models as well as vacs from Vax, Hoover and Ryobi — and our number one choice might not be what you think.