the Rolls-Royce of cordless vacuums is £150 off for Black Friday

BLACK Friday is the perfect moment to put Dyson’s flagship cordless to the test.

The V15 Detect has been on my radar for a while, and right now it’s £150 off, which makes a very premium vacuum a lot more tempting for busy homes.

V15 Detect Absolute, £649.99 £499.99 from Dyson

I’ve tried the lot over the years, from hefty corded uprights to dinky handhelds and a few hopeful robots.

Add a three-year-old black Labrador with full run of the house and daily hoovering isn’t negotiable.

The V15 isn’t Dyson’s newest cordless now. A new model has landed, and if you want the latest, you can read our full V16 Piston Animal review.

So, is the V15 Detect worth your money at this price, and can it keep up with real-life mess?

I’ve been living with it, stress-testing it on pet hair and everyday dirt, and here’s what stood out before you hit buy.

Pros:

• Quality build
• Detects heavily soiled areas
• Large dust bin

Cons:

• Battery life
• Expensive accessories

Rating: 8/10

How I tested the Dyson V15 Detect

My house has four bedrooms with a mix of LVT flooring, tiles, engineered wood and wool carpet, making it the perfect testing ground for the Dyson V15 Detect.

I’ve been using it every single day (sometimes twice) for a solid month and a half.

I used all the attachments and even purchased the Dyson furniture cleaning kit directly from Dyson — if you let dogs on the couch, this is a MUST.

Dyson V15 Detect at a Glance – Key Specs

• Suction Power: 240 Air Watts
• Battery Life: Up to 60 minutes (six minutes on Boost mode)
• Weight: 2.96kg
• Dustbin Capacity: 0.77L
• Charging time: 4.5 hours
• Filtration: Captures microscopic particles (including dust mites)

Special Features:

• Laser dust detection
• Auto suction adjustment
• Digital display with real-time particle tracking

Dyson V15 Detect review: The Nitty Gritty

What’s New? Dyson V12 vs V15

V15 Detect Absolute, £649.99 £499.99 from Dyson

When comparing the Dyson V15 Detect to the V12, the most noticeable difference is the dustbin capacity — the V15 is significantly larger.

With the V12, I found myself emptying the bin after vacuuming just one room, whereas the V15 could hold a full-house clean before needing to be emptied.

The biggest game-changer, though, is the laser fluffy head.

This attachment is on some of the other models, but not all. The laser fluffy head illuminates microscopic dust on hard floors, making your home feel like it’s never truly clean (in a good way).

However, if you have painted floors or minor marks, the laser will expose every single flaw. You’ve been warned.

First Impressions

When unboxing the Dyson V15, you get:

• Dyson V15 Detect Vacuum
• Digital Motorbar cleaner head
• Illuminated cleaner head
• Crevice tool
• Wall dock
• Combination tool
• Charger

Setup was simple and intuitive, and you’re ready to go in minutes.

The build quality feels premium, and the vacuum is well-balanced despite its size.

V15 Detect Absolute, £649.99 £499.99 from Dyson

And yes, I’ll admit it. I care about how my vacuum looks.

As someone who runs a home interiors Instagram account, everything in my house has to be aesthetically pleasing, including my hoover.

When I saw how chic the Dyson V15 looked, I was excited not only to use it but also to display it.

Suction power and deep cleaning ability

The Dyson V15 performs brilliantly across all floor types.

It automatically adjusts suction power based on the level of dirt it detects, a feature I didn’t think I needed — but now I can’t live without.

The bin volume is 0.77L — large enough to tackle the whole house before needing to be emptied.

It’s a genuine pleasure to use, even down to the sound it makes when powering down, which, to me, sounds like a spaceship door closing.

Laser dust detection: gimmick or game-changer?

I’ll be honest, I thought the laser was a gimmick at first.

But after using it, I was horrified by how much dirt was lurking on my floors. If you love a visibly clean home, this feature alone is worth it.

V15 Detect Absolute, £649.99 £499.99 from Dyson

Battery life and charging

This is where the Dyson V15 falls short. The battery lasts around 40 minutes on auto mode, depending on how dirty your floors are.

If you switch to Boost mode, though, you’ll only get six minutes — barely enough time to tackle one room.

I usually use this mode when vacuuming my stairs because that is where the majority of the dog hair is.

Eco mode lasts the full 60 minutes, but the power is subpar at best. You wouldn’t want to use it on anything less than auto.

I’d recommend buying a spare battery so you can swap them out mid-clean. If you have a large house or lots of carpets, this is a must.

Ease of use

At 2.96kg, the V15 is heavier than some other cordless models, which I assume is down to the larger dust bin (it uses the same battery as most other models).

The trigger is conveniently placed and must be held down continuously for the vacuum to fire. This is different to the Dyson V12, which has a handy button to switch it on and off.

Both power options are user-friendly, but I preferred the button on the V12 because it meant there was no need to add extra pressure to an already heavy unit.

Maintenance and longevity

It’s still early days for me and the Dyson V15, but it certainly feels high-quality.

The dustbin empties easily, and as long as you empty it regularly and give it a little dust between uses, I have no doubts that it will stand the test of time.

The filters need to be washed about once a month to maintain strong suction, but otherwise require minimal maintenance.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that the motorised head drains battery much faster than the fluffy roller, so only use it where you think it’s necessary.

The fluffy roller still did a stellar job on thin rugs, but I found myself needing the motorised head for my 100% wool bedroom carpet.

How much is the Dyson V15 Detect?

V15 Detect Absolute, £649.99 £499.99 from Dyson

At £649.99 for the Absolute model I tested, the Dyson V15 isn’t cheap.

If you want the top-of-the-range Submarine model, which offers wet-cleaning, you’ll usually have to fork out £799.99 (at the time of writing, it’s reduced to £649.99 on the Dyson site).

However, it’s a luxury cleaning upgrade — and trust me, guests will be impressed when they see the laser feature in action.

Cost and value are two different things, and as someone who loves making mundane chores a bit more exciting, I couldn’t be without it.

Where to buy the Dyson V15 Detect

We’d recommend getting it from the Dyson website — it regularly discounts certain models and runs a best price guarantee on all models.

That means that if you find a better price at Argos, John Lewis or Currys within a week of your purchase, Dyson will refund you the difference.

There’s also free next-day delivery on orders placed before 9pm, seven days per week, and a 35-day money-back guarantee on all vacuums.

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Alternatives to the Dyson V15 Detect

Not sold on the V15? Check our tried-and-tested best cordless vacs guide for picks that suit different homes and budgets.

If you want the latest Dyson, the V16 Animal Pro is the latest option.

Prefer something lighter and cheaper, look at the V12 Detect Slim or the older V10 Absolute.

Outside Dyson, Vax and Hoover offer strong value, while Ryobi is handy if you already use its batteries.

Shark is a reliable alternative with anti-hair wrap tech and flexible wands that make stairs less of a faff.

Pet palace or studio flat, there’s a smarter fit for you in the roundup, and our top spot might not be the one you expect.