Dyson V11 vs V12: Five Differences
By Naila Syifa
Updated November 2023
Cordless vacuum cleaners are a great way to keep your home clean without the hassle of cords and plugs. Dyson V11 and Dyson V12 are some of the most popular cordless vacuum cleaners on the market. They share many similarities, but there are at least five key differences that set them apart.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Dyson V11 and V12 to help you decide which one is a better suit for you.
Key Takeaways
Dyson V12 stands out with its lightweight design and more intelligent features, but the V11 has a more powerful suction and a larger bin capacity. The V12 also has an additional cleaner head that can reveal invisible dust on hard floors.
Dyson V11
Versatile cordless vacuum
✓ Automatically de-tangles hair
✓ Hyperdymium motor
✓ Whole-machine filtration
✓ 3 modes
Dyson V12 Detect Slim
Lightweight cordless vacuum
✓ Reveals invisible dust
✓ Hyperdymium motor
✓ Adapts suction based on picked-up dust volume
✓ Point and shoot hygienic bin emptying
#1 Price
Dyson V11
Dyson V12 is more expensive, retailing at around US$649.99. Meanwhile, the Dyson V11 is cheaper, retailing at around US$569.99. In addition, as an older model, you may often find the V11 on sale or at a discounted price, widening the price gap between the two models.
#2 Design & Display
Dyson V12
Dyson V12 is currently Dyson's lightest intelligent cordless vacuum, weighing only 5.22 pounds, while the V11 weighs slightly more at 6.61 pounds. The V12 is also slightly slimmer than the V11, making it easier to maneuver in tight spaces. In addition, the V12 comes with a single-button power control, making it easier to operate without having to constantly hold down the trigger.
However, this difference in design does come with a trade-off: the V12 has a smaller dustbin capacity than the V11. This means, you'll need to empty it more frequently.
When it comes to display, the V12 is more informative, showing runtime countdown, cleaning modes, maintenance alerts, and real-time information on how many particles have been sucked up and their sizes. The V11's LCD display, on the other hand, only shows the first three information.
#3 Features
Dyson V11
Both the V11 and V12 feature Dyson's Motorbar cleaner head, which can automatically de-tangle hair as you clean. However, the V12 offers an additional Fluffy Optic cleaner head, which illuminates dust on hard floors for better visibility while cleaning.
The V12 also stands out with its piezo sensor, which continuously counts and measures the size of dust particles to intelligently adjust suction based on the amount and size of particles detected. Another special feature is the point-and-shoot hygienic bin emptying, which allows you to easily eject dirt and debris without having to touch it.
Dyson V12
Despite having additional features, the V12 has a less powerful suction power compared to the V11. Dyson V11 boasts a powerful 185 AW suction power with 14 cyclones, which help to capture even the finest dust particles, including pollen and bacteria. On the other hand, the Dyson V12 has 150 AW suction power with only 11 cyclones.
Despite those distinctions, the V11 and V12 also have some similarities. They both feature the Hyperdymium motor, which spins up to 125,000 RPM for powerful suction and high pick-up performance. Furthermore, both cordless vacuums also come with advanced, whole-machine filtration that traps at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
#4 Battery
Dyson V11
Dyson V11 and V12 don't have any major differences in battery capacity as they both come with a battery that provides up to 60 minutes of run time. However, the V12 charges faster than the V11, taking only 3.5 hours to fully charge compared to the V11's 4.5 hours.
Dyson V11 vs Dyson V12
Final Thoughts
Dyson V12
Dyson V11 and V12 both have their strengths and limitations, and it's important to consider your individual needs when deciding which model is the best fit for you. In sum, they both have at least 5 key differences:
1. V12 has an easier and more convenient operation with its lightweight design, single-button power control, and faster charging time.
2. V12 offers an additional Fluffy Optic cleaner head that illuminates on the hard floor to reveal invisible dust and debris.
3. V12 provides more intelligent features, including the piezo sensor that counts and measures dust particles to automatically increase suction when needed, and the point-and-shoot hygienic bin emptying.
4. V11 has a more powerful suction with 185 AW suction power and 14 cyclones compared to V12's 150 AW suction power and 11 cyclones.
5. V11 has a larger bin capacity of 0.2 gallons compared to V12's 0.09 gallons.
If you like to read more about Cordless Vacuum, check out our other relevant guides here:
Dyson V11 vs V15
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