Dyson has developed a reputation for being behind some of the games vacuum cleaners are the best on the market – but with so many models to choose from, how can you choose the right one for you?
There’s the incredibly powerful and durable Dyson V15 Detect, or the more portable yet powerful Dyson V12 Detect Slim (Absolute). With both sporting five-star ratings from us, which model should you go for?
Having reviewed both the V15 Detect and the V12 Detect Slim Absolute, we are in a good position to compare the two vacuums together and decide which is the better option.
Read on to see how the V15 Detect and V12 Detect Slim Absolute compare. Otherwise, our roundup of the best cordless vacuum cleaners features our favorites from many other brands.
Price and Availability
While the Dyson V15 Detect has a starting RRP of £649, it has seen a few price drops over the years. For example, at the time of writing, you can get a vacuum for just £549 from Currys in the UK.
In comparison, the Dyson V12 Detect Absolute is slightly cheaper, with an RRP of £499. As a more expensive alternative, you’re unlikely to find an empty space with a decent price drop, especially during shopping events like Prime Day or Black Friday.
Design
- The Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute is light and slim
- The V15 Detect has a trigger to turn it on and off, while the V12 Detect Slim Absolute has a power button instead.
- Both have a piezo sensor, which displays information on an LCD
Perhaps one of the most notable differences between the V15 Detect and the V12 Detect Slim Absolute is that the latter is, as its name suggests, lighter and thinner. Although the difference isn’t huge, with the V15 Detect weighing in at 3.08kg and the V12 Detect Slim Absolute weighing in at 2.4kg, we definitely found it easier to use – especially when it comes to heights.
Dyson V15 Find
Dyson V12 Get the Slim Absolute
Being larger, it’s perhaps not surprising that the V15 Detect also has a larger 0.75-litre drum capacity compared to the V12 Detect Slim’s 0.35-litre. However, it’s important to note that we’ve found even a small bin is often large enough to clean a full house.
Another difference between the two is how you use each machine. The V15 Detect has a trigger that you have to hold to turn the cleaner on and off, while the V12 Detect Slim has a power button instead. Whether you choose the trigger or the power button depends on your preference, as we see merit in both. The only minor issue we have with the V12 Detect Slim button is that it is awkwardly placed to reach and requires a second hand to push.
Otherwise, both are equipped with a piezo sensor inside to measure the amount of dust that is on the floor and is being collected. This information is then shown on the LCD display which also shows how much battery is left in two spaces.
Picking a winner here comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a larger vacuum with a higher capacity then the V15 Detect is a simple option, while those who prefer a more nimble machine will like the V12 Detect Slim. We’ll give the latter a win, because it’s surprisingly light and its small bin capacity is more than enough to clean the entire home.
Winner: Dyson V12 Detect Slim
Features
- Both come with two heads on the floor: one with a laser that illuminates dust and the other an anti-tangle model for carpets.
- Each has a removable filter on the back for easy maintenance
Both the V15 Detect and the V12 Detect Slim come with two lower heads, as well as a host of additional accessories to tackle many everyday tasks. The V15 Detect has a Laser Slim Fluffy head, with a green laser to highlight dirt on the floor, and a High Torque head with an anti-bending comb and equipped with Dyson’s DLS technology that automatically adjusts speed as you change the floor position.
In comparison, the V12 Detect Slim also comes with a clean light head but sports a Motorbar carpet head. Either way, it’s both anti-tangle and works well to prevent frizz.
Both vacuums have a filter on the back that can be easily removed, washed and dried to keep things running smoothly. The screen will tell you when it’s time to filter.
There isn’t much difference in features between the V15 Detect and the V12 Detect Slim, as both come with a lot of features for cleaning the entire home. For this reason, we will make this tie.
Winner: Type
Working
- The Dyson V15 Detect has higher airwatts (AW) ratings than the V12 Detect Slim
- Both completely passed various cleaning tests
- We especially found that there was little need to use Boost mode on the V15 Detect, as Auto is powerful enough
When we review vacuums, we first measure each model’s raw power in airwatts (AW), which is a combination of suction power and airflow. Both received high scores, although the Dyson V15 Detect in particular saw results that were more in line with plug-in vacuums than cordless models.
In Eco mode, the V15 Detect achieved a smart 54.31AW while the V12 Detect Slim saw a cool 21AW. In the medium, the V15 achieved 99.53AW and the V12 Detect Slim led to 43AW. Finally, when pushed to its maximum on Boost, the V15 Detect scored a whopping 280.93AW with the V12 Detect just behind at 209AW.
Dyson V15 Get ahead
Dyson V15 Get behind
While these scores are undeniably impressive, and put them in line with many of the best cleaners, what really matters is how well they perform on both hard floors and carpets. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we were very impressed with both the individual performance of the V15 Detect and the V12 Detect Slim.
Dyson V12 Get the Slim Absolute first
Dyson V12 Get the Slim Absolute behind
Even in the notoriously tricky situations where we spread flour over the skirting boards, we found both slots lined up very well and picked up almost all the debris without hesitation. We even found little need to use the Boost mode on the V15 Detect, though it’s still a nice addition to have.
Winner: Dyson V15 Detect
Battery Life
- Both have an Auto mode that lets you determine battery life exactly
- We found the Dyson V15 Detect saw over an hour of use on Eco, while the V12 Detect Slim Absolute was given around 41 minutes.
- Boost mode on both offers between nine and ten minutes in total
It is difficult to determine the battery life, since both devices have an Auto mode that adjusts the speed and power of the vacuum according to the amount of dirt detected on the floor. In our experience, we found the V15 Detect lasted in Auto mode for about 40 minutes, while Eco mode saw more than an hour of power. Boost mode was released in just 10 minutes, though that’s not surprising since it’s something that should only be used in certain situations.
The V12 Detect Slim falls a bit short, but still offers an impressive amount of power. In auto mode, we saw less than 25 minutes while Eco provided about 41 minutes before running out. Finally, Boost mode saw more than nine minutes of use. In fact, these figures should be enough to clean the entire home.
Winner: Dyson V15 Detect
The decision
With a slightly cheaper RRP, brilliant accessories and more power, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim is a different alternative to the pricier V15 Detect. Sure, it doesn’t get high AW scores, and it doesn’t offer high battery life, but for most homes it will provide enough suction power. And the fact that it is simple means that it is easy to control.
This isn’t to say that the V15 Detect isn’t a great vacuum, just that the V12 Detect is a more affordable option that will suit homes more realistically.