Best Dyson Vacuums of 2024: V15, V12, and Other Top Models

Decoding Dyson’s Stick Vacuum Naming Conventions

Numerical Designations: A Loose Chronology

Dyson’s stick vacuum model names don’t always follow a strict chronological order. The company occasionally skips numbers and introduces lower numbers after higher ones. For instance, the V15 was released immediately following the V11, and the V12 came after the V15. Generally, the numbers tend to increase with each new release—the V11 is more recent than the V10, which is newer than the V8. However, Dyson’s naming system is enigmatic, making it challenging to anticipate the next model’s designation.

Sub-Models: A Plethora of Options

To add to the confusion, Dyson offers numerous sub-models, each with a different assortment of included tool attachments and accessories. Every model (V7, V8, V10, V11, V15, etc.) appears to introduce new sub-models, continuously expanding the list. Additionally, discontinued sub-models may appear as old stock on websites, often at discounted prices.

Detect: A Feature, Not a Sub-Model

Detect is not a sub-model but rather a part of the name for the V15 Detect and V12 Detect Slim. It refers to the laser detection system that measures particle size and count to optimize suction power.

Absolute: The Top-Tier Option

Absolute is typically the most comprehensive version, boasting the most attachments. While the specific attachments vary based on the parent model, you can expect a range of brush nozzles, crevice tools, and motorized roller heads designed to remove stubborn dirt from hard floors and deep-pile carpets.

Allergy: A Legacy Designation

In the past, Allergy indicated an upgraded filter that captured 99.99 percent of bacteria and dust, resulting in cleaner expelled air compared to regular models. However, after the V7, all Dyson stick vacuums began including these enhanced filters, making Allergy largely a legacy designation that hasn’t been used on newer models.

Motorhead: Basic Sub-Model with Motorized Head

Despite its fancy name, Motorhead is the entry-level sub-model that includes a motorized head, a few basic brush and crevice tools, and little else. It’s primarily a remnant from the V7 era, as Dyson has adopted other names for basic sub-models.

Origin, Fluffy, and Animal: Fewer Attachments, Misleading Names

Origin, Fluffy, and Animal sub-models come with relatively few attachments. Contrary to their names, the Fluffy and Animal do not include any unique attachments specifically designed for cleaning up after pets; these names have simply become synonymous with “base model with fewer attachments.” The same holds true for the Origin, although its name is more intuitive.

Combining Sub-Model Names: More Names, More Attachments

Dyson isn’t shy about combining sub-model names. The more names attached to a model, the more attachments it includes. For example, the V8 Animal Pro comes with more accessories than the Animal, but the Animal Pro+ offers even more than that.