In this article, we will be comparing the Dyson V6 vs V8. Dyson is reputable for its bagless and cordless vacuum cleaners and the V series is one of its most popular series.
Now, for those who do not know, the Dyson V series comes in 4 models; the V6, V7, V8 and V10. (Yup, Dyson skipped the V9)
Now, because they are all from the same series, they have basic similar features. However, there are distinguishing factors that make each one peculiar.
In this review, we’ll looking at those peculiarities as regards the V6 and the V8 models.
Each of those models is a sub group. That is, while V6 is a model under the V series, it is also a series. And same goes for the all the other models.
However, for the purpose of this comparison article, we’ll be treating all V6 vacuum models as one and we’ll be doing same for the V8 models.
Table of Contents
Comparison Overview — Dyson V6 Vs V8
Overall Rating Of The Dyson V6 Vs V8
While there is a V7, the V8 was actually pushed out after the V6. The V7 was only introduced as some sort of middle ground between the V8 and the V6.
However, there are vast differences between the V8 and the V6 as the V8 is a significant improvement on the V6.
First off, we see the run time. The V8 offers twice the run time of the V6. Furthermore, while the V6 offers 100 Airwatts of suction in max mode, the V8 offers 115 Airwatts.
The battery is also significantly different with the V8 having more capacity. And there is the fact that the V8 has a slightly larger bin.
However, there are certainly areas where the V6 does better like the fact that the V6 is lighter and needs to be charged for less time.
Price/Value Ratio — Dyson V6 Vs V8
There is a significant difference between the cost of each cleaner, even though they are both pricey in their own rights.
That said, we think you’ll get good value for your money, whichever cleaner you decide to go for.
Comparison Table — Dyson V6 Vs V8
Dyson V6 | Dyson V8 | |
| Model | Cord free, Motorhead, Animal and Absolute. Handheld: Baby+Child, Car+Boat, Mattress, Top Dog and Triggers. | Motorhead, Animal and Absolute. |
| Run Time Without Motorized Tool | 20 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Run Time With Motorized Tool | 10 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Dimensions | 9.8 by 8.7 by 46.4 inches | 9.9 by 8.9 by 49 inches |
| Weight | 5 pounds | 5.75 pounds |
| Charging Time Required | 3 hours and 30 minutes | 4 hours |
| Bin Capacity | 0.4 liter | 0.5 liter |
| Suction Power (Max Mode) | 100 Airwatts | 115 Airwatts |
| Battery Capacity | 2,200 milliamp Hour | 2,800 milliamp Hour |
| Cleaning Tools | Large and mini motorized brush bar, combination tool, crevice tool, dusting brush tool and roller cleaner | Same as the V6 |
A Comparison Video — Dyson V6 Vs V8
Which Is Best Under What Circumstance? — Dyson V6 Vs V8
Dyson V6 |
Dyson V8 |
| If your concern is more about cost than convenience then this could be it. | If your concern is more about convenience than cost, this could be it. |
| This is best on hardwood floors and not awesome on rugs. | This should be fine any which way. |
| This should be fine if you have pets that shed hair | However, this will be better because it provides more suction |
Similar Features — Dyson V6 Vs V8
1. Cleaning Accessories
Before we go into the different cleaning accessories, we’ll like for you to pay attention to the fact that each of these models we are comparing are actually sub series. So, they come in different types.
Having known this, the different types come with different cleaning tools making each one specialized for a particular task. We’ll explain!
Take the V6 for instance, while the V6 cord free comes with just the large motorized brush bar and the combination tool, the V6 motorhead comes with those two and a crevice tool. Same goes for the V8.
Motorized Brush Bar
This comes in a large size and a small size. Furthermore, the large motorized brush bar is what you’ll use in cleaning up floors and floor coverings.
However, this cleaner tool comes with only the stick vacuum cleaners. So you won’t be getting this if you decide to go for a V6 handheld.
The small motorized brush bar, on the other hand, is for more specific cleaning.
The idea is for the small one to be used to clean up furniture and more specifically, pick up hair and fur.
Furthermore, this tool doesn’t come with all the V6 and V8 models. Expect to see it with all the V6 handheld models, and also the animal and absolute models of both the V6 and the V8.
Combination Tool
This is referred to as a combination tool because it comprises two cleaning tools. One is a small suction tool while the other is a kind of brush, both in one tool.
Crevice Tool
From the name, you might have guessed that this tool is usually used to reach hard to reach places like corners and crevices. It is aptly designed for that purpose.
Dusting Brush Tool
This one is usually used to get dust off sensitive surfaces like keyboards and screens.
The brush should not leave marks on whatever surface you’re cleaning. However, not all V6 and V8 models come with this particular tool.
This also does not come with all the models. You won’t find the dusting brush with any of the V6 handheld models. However, it should come with both the animal and absolute models of the V6 and the V8.
Roller Cleaner
Now, this one is for you to use in attacking the large debris. Without this tool, you’d probably have to manually sweep up the large debris before using the vacuum to clean things up.
However, just like the dusting brush and the mini motorized brush bar, this feature does not come with all the V6 and V8 models.
Knowing all these, it is important that we point out to you that there are a few variations with one of the tools as regards the two models we are reviewing. You’ll understand this after perusing the table below.
Slight Variation — Dyson V6 vs V8
| Dyson V6 | Dyson V8 | |
| Brush Bar Power | While the V6 has 150 percent more power than the Dyson DC series, | The V8 has 150 percent more power than the V6, making it better at reaching deep into carpets and rugs. The improved power also makes it better at getting the dust and debris in one roll. |
| Suction Power (Max Mode) | The V6 gives an impressive 100 Airwatts | However, with 115 Airwatts, the V8 has it beat. |
2. Structure
As we compare the Dyson V6 vs V8, it’s important to point out that they are basically structured the same way; you have the head that houses a number of other features, the vacuum wand and the cleaning tools.
Let’s take a closer look at the head. With both models, we see the head housing the handle, the dustbin and the connection point.
Furthermore, inside the handle is a power button.
The idea (for both models) is to continuously hold down that button for the duration of the time you’ll be using the cleaner. Immediately you let go of the button, the cleaner switches off.
Additionally, there is the dustbin. We’ll talk more about the dustbin when we actually compare these two models.
However, know that they both have a dustbin in place of a bag.
Also, the Absolute model of both the V6 and the V8 sub series have the HEPA filtration feature.
Now, this is an awesome feature that filters out allergen and sends out air that is supposedly cleaner than the air we breathe. Furthermore, the allergens remain in the dustbin.
3. 2-In-1
Both the models come with a line of stick cleaners that can double as a handheld vacuum cleaners. And this is largely due to the fact that the vacuum wand is detachable.
Furthermore, the other reason why the stick models of both the Dyson V6 and the Dyson V8 can double as handheld cleaners is because the connection points are compatible with the cleaning tools.
You don’t need the vacuum wand to connect the cleaning tools to the head of the vacuum cleaner.
However, know that the V6 has a line of handheld devices that can’t double as stick cleaner. We’ll discuss them soon.
4. Docking Station
Both the V6 and the V8 come with one docking station. The basic idea behind the docking station is for you to properly store the vacuum cleaner without having to disassemble it.
However, the docking station can also provide a convenient means of charging the cleaner. Both the vacuum cleaners can remain assembled while charging.
Features Unique To Each Model — Dyson V6 Vs V8
1. Handheld
This is, perhaps, the most significant difference between the V6 and the V8. We’ve already mentioned that both the V6 and the V8 can be transformed to handhelds by just deciding to not attach the vacuum stick.
However, this is not what we want to point out here. The thing is, of the two vacuum cleaners in this review, only the V6 comes with a line of actual handheld vacuum cleaners.
We’ll explain. The more sophisticated models in the V series, the V8 and the V10, come with only a line up of stick cleaners that can be made to function as handheld cleaners.
The V6 (and the V7), on the other hand, comes with both the stick cleaner that can be transformed to a handheld device and the actual handheld device.
Now, the V6 handheld category is kinda its own mini-series as it comes in a number of models. We have models like the Trigger, Top Dog, Baby+Child and even Car+Boat.
The handheld device comes with the regular cleaning tools, aside the vacuum wand (of course) and the large motorized tools.
Also, the car+boat model comes with a car charger so that you can charge on the go. It also comes with an extension hose to make it easy to reach certain places.
2. Battery
This feature probably carries the most differences between the V6 and the V8 as you’ll soon see.
First, the battery on the V6 is a 2,200 MilliAmp Hour battery while that on the V8 is a 2,800 MilliAmp Hour. This already tells you which battery is superior.
Furthermore, the V6 can last for 20 minutes on normal mode and without any motorized tool.
However, on normal mode and with a motorized tool, the battery life is slashed to half and that’s not all.
Max mode with or without a motorized tool gives you only 6 minutes of cleaner time.
The V8, on the other hand, gives you 40 minutes of cleaner time on normal mode and without a motorized tool.
While normal mode with a motorized tool gives you 30 minutes. On the max mode, however, you are allowed only 8 minutes.
Furthermore, while the V6 needs 3 hours and 30 minutes to get charged, the V8 needs about 4 hours.
3. Dustbin
The basic difference between the dustbin on the V6 and that on the V8 is with the way they are emptied.
The V6 has a latch on the inside of the handle that you’re supposed to slide down.
Now, sliding down that latch disengages the cover of the bin which is on the bottom, thereby, causing it to spill its content.
This is a fairly simple procedure. However, because all the dustbin does is open up at the bottom, some stuff like hair, fur and all such delicate items could get stuck inside the dustbin.
Thereby, leading you to have to use your fingers to pull them out, which isn’t really sanitary.
Thankfully, improvements were made on the V8. So, instead of a latch that can be pushed up/down, there is a lever.
The idea is to pull the lever and then the mechanism inside the bin lifts up as the cover of the dustbin opens at the bottom.
This allows every single thing in the dustbin come out without the extra help. Also, instead of on the inside of the handle, the lever on the V8 is located on the top, beside the dustbin.
4. Max Switch
If you’ve been following this review closely, you’d have noticed that there are two modes with both the cleaners; the regular and the max.
Thus, there needs to be a way of switching between modes. The ‘way’ is different for both the V6 and the V8.
On the V6, you have a button on the back of the head. The idea is to just push the button to switch between modes.
However, the issue with this is that there isn’t a way of knowing what mode you’re on.
Hence, Dyson decided to do a slight upgrade with the V8. So, instead of a button on the back of the head, you have a slide switch with one side legibly labeled ‘max’. You won’t be mixing things up on this one.
Pros Unique To Each — Dyson V6 Vs V8
Pros Of The Dyson V6
- Compared to the V8, the Dyson V6 costs reasonably less.
- Also, the V6 doesn’t weigh as much as the V8. However, you should know that the difference isn’t that significant.
Pros Of The Dyson V8
- We think 40 minutes (twice what the V6 offers) is a decent improvement.
- Furthermore, the suction that the V8 offers ensures that it is able to get most of the dirt and debris at the first roll.
- We also like the new thing Dyson did with the dustbin that allows for a sanitary disposal of its content.
Cons Unique To Each — Dyson V6 Vs V8
Cons Of The Dyson V6
- The running time for the Dyson V6 is just 20 minutes and that might not be enough time to clean a large house.
- This is especially trying seeing as the suction on the normal mode is not as powerful as what you have on the V8. And if you decide to switch to max mode, you’ve reduced the running time to just 6 minutes.
- The fact that the vacuum cleaner needs to charge for a little over 3 hours makes the 20 minute running time less bearable. Things would have been easier if you could quickly recharge when the battery is drained.
Cons Of The Dyson V8
- The V8 is a bit pricier than the V6. It does perform better, though.
Pros Common To Both — Dyson V6 Vs V8
Dyson V6 | Dyson V8 | |
| Handheld | Can be transformed to a handheld cleaner by removing the vacuum stick | Same as the V6 |
| Cleaning Tools | Comes with a plethora of tools for different kinds of specialized cleaning | Comes with the same plethora of tools. However, both the large and the mini motorized brush have 150% more power than the V6 |
| Cordless | It doesn’t need to be plugged to an electricity source to be used | Same as the V6 |
| Docking Station | Comes with a docking station that allows for convenient storage and charging | Same as the V6 |
Cons Common To Both — Dyson V6 Vs V8
Dyson V6 | Dyson V8 | |
| Charging Time | While the V6 needs less time to charge than the V8, 3 hours and 30 minutes is still quite a long recovery time. | 4 hours is a long time to wait for a tool to recover after having worked for just 40 minutes. |
| Cost | Costs quite a bit | Costs more than the V6 |
| Powering The Vacuum Cleaner | You’ll have to continually hold down the power button for as long as you want to use the cleaner. While this is a nice idea as regards saving power, it could pose a problem for those who have arthritis. | Same as the V6 |
What People Are Saying About The Dyson V6 Vs V8
Dyson V6 | Dyson V8 |
| It’s almost unanimous that the V6 is good at what it is meant to do which is clean up stuff. | People seem to also love the Dyson, probably even more than the Dyson V6. |
| Apparently, it does exceptionally well on hardwood floors especially. | Its hardwood cleaning skills have also been praised. Add that to its carpet cleaning skills and people seem really satisfied. |
| However, the fact that disposing of the content in the bin could be messy seems to be a little bit of snag | The dustbin is another thing that people seem satisfied with. |
Dyson V6 Vs V8 — Our Take
Dyson V6 |
Dyson V8 |
| If you can forgo the sanitary waste disposal thing and are comfortable with a 20 minute running time, consider getting the Dyson V6. Click here to get it now. | However, if you’re more about the convenience and not the cost, the Dyson is probably what you need. Click here to get it now. |