Dyson V12 Review

The Dyson V12 cordless, released in 2020, is a smaller, lighter and all-round improved version of the V11. This advanced cordless vacuum cleaner boasts powerful suction, cutting-edge technology, and a range of user-friendly features designed to make cleaning tasks more efficient and enjoyable.

In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the V12's performance, design, weight, maneuverability, battery life, and LCD screen, as well as explore the unique green laser feature and the various models available within the series.

One of the standout aspects of the Dyson V12 cordless vacuum is its exceptional performance. With an impressive 150 Air Watts of suction power, the V12 easily captures dirt, debris, and pet hair from multiple surfaces, including carpets, hard floors, upholstery, and more. The vacuum's advanced Radial Root Cyclone technology guarantees even the smallest particles are captured, ensuring a comprehensive and thorough cleaning experience.

The V12's superior performance can be attributed to its Hyperdymium motor, which spins at an astonishing 125,000 RPM. This high-speed motor works in conjunction with the vacuum's 14 cyclones to generate powerful centrifugal forces that effectively separate dust and debris from the airflow.

That all sounds very impressive, but it also sounds like a bit of a sales pitch, doesn't it? Getting into the actual real world, in our experience when using the vacuum it all resulted in consistent performance. Even when the dust bin was getting full the Dyson V12 still delivered great suction, which is aided by the motorised brush bars.

The Dyson has 3 modes; Eco, Normal and Boost. Most of the time Eco is more than sufficient, but for anything stubborn you can easily hop into normal or boost mode which have a substantial increase in suction performance.

The Dyson V12 cordless vacuum has a sleek, modern design that is as visually appealing as it is functional. The vacuum comes with an array of attachments, including a high torque cleaner head, combination tool, crevice tool, and mini motorised tool. These versatile accessories allow you to easily transition between various surfaces and cleaning tasks, ensuring the V12 can handle any challenge you throw at it.

The bin

A noteworthy design feature is the vacuum's point-and-shoot bin emptying mechanism, which hygienically ejects dust and debris into the trash with a single action. This design minimises contact with dirt and makes emptying the bin a breeze.

In our testing emptying the bin was very straightforward and clean. When we test vacuums we keep them for around a month and use them regularly. By the end of the review period the dust bin and cyclone head had become quite dusty, and some of the ducts had began to clog a little bit, most likely due to the amount of pet hair that had been picked up. It's worth noting that our tests put the vacuum through its paces, so we don't just pick up small bits of dust like you would in the home, meaning that our tests are more likely to end up with blockages. There wasn't any blockages by the end of the review period, but you can certainly see that it could eventually happen.

We mention this simply because Dyson's marketing materials talk a lot about how easy it is to eject the dirt from the bin. We agree that it is easy to eject the dirt, probably more so than most cordless vacuums, but you will still have to periodically get your hands dirty by declogging part of the ducts and motor head. Like we say though, this is still better than most cordless vacuums.

Filtration

Furthermore, the vacuum's whole-machine filtration system captures 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, ensuring that the air expelled from the machine is cleaner than the air you breathe. This advanced filtration makes the V12 an excellent choice for allergy sufferers and pet owners.

It's difficult to test the filtration of a vacuum, but it was clear that a lot of dirt was picked up by the Dyson. The home felt clean, and the laser highlighted dirt in the home that we thought were already clean!

Weighing in at just under 2.2KG (about 5lbs), the Dyson V12 cordless vacuum is relatively lightweight compared to other vacuums in its class. This reduced weight makes the vacuum easy to carry around your home, which is important for cordless vacuums where the majority of the weight is at the top of the unit.

The lightweight design also makes it easier to lift and clean high areas, such as shelves, ceiling fans, and window sills. It also makes cleaning stairs much easier.

The only downside to having a light vacuum is there is less force pushing down on the carpet when in upright mode, although this is definitely a worthwhile trade-off, especially when you consider how good Dyson's motorised brush head is.

Maneuverability is a crucial aspect of any vacuum cleaner, and the Dyson V12 cordless vacuum does not disappoint. The vacuum is equipped with a swivel steering system that allows you to navigate around furniture, tight corners, and other obstacles with ease. The V12's slim design and low-profile cleaner head also enable you to reach under low furniture, ensuring no area is left uncleaned.

Additionally, the V12 can be quickly and easily converted into a handheld unit, allowing you to tackle stairs, upholstery, and other hard-to-reach areas with minimal effort. This versatility makes the V12 an invaluable tool for cleaning every inch of your home.

The long wand which you're used to seeing when in upright mode is effectively an extension rod. Typically you only ever see it with the main motorised head on it, but it's very easy to put any of the other attachments on the end in order to get to difficult-to-reach areas of your home. Likewise, any of the attachments also connect to the main Dyson body without the long wand, which makes it easier to get into little nooks.

The Dyson V12 cordless vacuum is powered by a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery that offers up to 60 minutes of run time on a single charge. However, it's essential to note that battery life may vary depending on the power mode selected and the attachments used. For instance, using the vacuum on its maximum power setting or with motorised tools may result in reduced run time.

In our testing you can comfortably get 60 minutes run time in eco mode using a non-motorised tools like the crevice tool. In normal mode it's around 40 minutes. Boost mode is around 5 minutes. Don't let the low run time of boost mode put you off though, it's designed for a quick blast (measured in seconds) when you encounter something stubborn, it's not there for permanent use.

The motorised tools (the two brush heads) add load onto the main motor, so use the battery up more quickly. It's very difficult to say how much impact this has as it depends on the friction they're put under - so a high pile carpet will use more battery than a hard floor.

Nonetheless, the V12's battery life is more than sufficient for most cleaning tasks, and the inclusion of a convenient wall-mounted charging dock ensures that the vacuum is always ready for use when you need it.

One thing to note with the wall dock is that if you don't use it then storage can be a pain. It needs to be secured to the wall with screws, so most people probably don't have anywhere suitable (or want to) to put it up that is near a wall plug for charging. You'll end up having to lie it down somewhere or prop it against a wall. Not a major problem, and it's the same with most cordless vacuums (except for the Shark range).

The V12 also features intelligent battery-saving technology that optimises power usage according to the type of floor surface and attachment used. This ensures that you get the most out of each charge, making your cleaning tasks more efficient and eco-friendly.

The Dyson V12 cordless vacuum is equipped with an intuitive LCD screen that provides users with valuable real-time information about their vacuum's performance. The screen displays the remaining battery life, allowing you to monitor the charge level and plan your cleaning accordingly. This eliminates any guesswork and ensures you never run out of power unexpectedly.

In addition to battery life, the LCD screen also provides filter maintenance alerts, reminding you when it's time to clean or replace the filter to maintain optimal performance. The screen even offers performance updates and troubleshooting tips, making it easier than ever to keep your vacuum running at its best.

The screen is a big improvement to the V11 range, which also had an LCD but the information available was limited. The V11 range simply displayed battery run time, and the current mode. Compare that to the V12, which shows information and stats on your recent clean, but the whole thing feels so much more complete than the V11, which probably could be replaced by a simple battery indicator LED.

One of the standout features of the Dyson V12 cordless vacuum is the inclusion of a green laser. This innovative feature utilises a laser diode that projects a thin, green line of light onto the floor surface ahead of the vacuum. The green laser makes it easier to see dust and debris on hard floors, particularly in bright or dimly lit environments.

The green laser's wavelength (approximately 525nm) is specifically chosen because it enhances the visibility of dust particles, making them stand out against the floor surface. This feature allows you to spot and tackle dirt more efficiently, ensuring your floors are left spotless. Additionally, the laser is precisely positioned at a 1.5-degree angle, casting the light across the floor surface to create the optimal contrast.

In our tests is worked pretty well. We were a little concerned that it would be useless during the day, but it worked well. Drawing the curtains made it substantially better though.

There were areas of the home that we weren't testing the vacuum on, but after giving the laser a go in the main room we decided to look at some of the other rooms and were shocked to find a lot more dirt than we anticipated - these are rooms that were vacuumed the day before with a different vacuum. It really does make a difference, and isn't a fad, like we were a little concerned it would be.

The Dyson V12 Slim Absolute is the standard model in the V12 series. It includes all the core features and accessories mentioned earlier, providing excellent performance and versatility for various cleaning tasks. The Slim Absolute model is a fantastic choice for those looking for a reliable, powerful, and adaptable vacuum cleaner without any unnecessary frills.

It's also the cheapest of the three models!

The Dyson V12 Slim Absolute+ Gold is an upgraded version of the Slim Absolute model. In addition to the core features and accessories, the Slim Absolute+ Gold includes a soft roller cleaner head specifically designed for hard floors. This attachment is ideal for capturing fine dust and debris on delicate surfaces without causing any damage.

The Slim Absolute+ Gold model also features a gold-coloured wand, adding a touch of luxury and elegance to your cleaning experience. This upgraded model is perfect for those who want a little extra flair and functionality from their vacuum cleaner.

This version is only available from Dyson directly. The only real difference is the extra tool and the colour change, which in our opinion aren't worth the extra money.

The Dyson V12 Slim Extra is another variation in the V12 series. It features all the core accessories and performance capabilities of the Slim Absolute, but also includes an additional extension hose and up-top adaptor. These extra attachments provide greater reach and flexibility when cleaning high and awkward areas, such as the tops of shelves, cupboards, and ceiling corners.

The Slim Extra model is an excellent choice for those looking to tackle hard-to-reach areas with ease, without sacrificing any of the core features and capabilities of the V12 series.

Again, this is another price jump and the only real difference is the additional tools. In our opinion, not worth the extra.