Dyson V11 Animal vs Torque Drive (2021): Which Cord-Free Vacuum Should You Get?

Dyson’s latest cordless stick vacuums are some of the best in the market, and it’s offered in different configurations to suit your needs. If you need help deciding between the Dyson V11 Animal and the Dyson V11 Torque Drive, we’ve listed their differences and similarities below.

Dyson V11 Animal vs Torque Drive Comparison Chart

Design

The Dyson V11 Animal and Torque Drive have nearly identical designs.

If you’ve seen previous models in the Dyson V series of cordless vacuum sticks, the Dyson V11 Animal and Torque Drive will feel very familiar. As you can see, these two variants are essentially the same design-wise except for the Nickel + Purple color of the Animal and the Nickel + Blue of the Torque Drive.

All of the trigger controls are found on their handles as well as their dust bins. Dyson updated the dust bin mechanism to be much easier to empty, as you’ll now only need to point and shoot without touching the bin itself. This upgrade from the V10, V8 and V6 series is designed to also improve airflow and air suction.

One major design distinction between the Animal and Torque Drive is their digital displays. The V11 Animal has an LED screen that indicates estimated battery level as well as the current cleaning mode. The LCD screen of the V11 Torque Drive is a bit more detailed in comparison. It gives you the exact runtime countdown depending on the cleaning mode and can also show animations on how to maintain the vacuum.

One of the best things about the Dyson V11’s design is its flexibility. You can transform it to a handheld cleaner by removing the wand and cleaning head. It also comes with several accessories that you can replace the cleaning head with to reach more difficult areas or perform other cleaning tasks..

Cleaning Power

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive offers slightly better cleaning performance than the V11 Animal.

Like the V10 before it, the Dyson V11 uses a two-tier radial cyclone system that’s simply highly effective in sucking up dirt and debris. With 185 AW of suction power when set at its max cleaning setting, it’s easily one of the best cordless stick vacuums you can get. However, the V11 Torque Drive comes with a High Torque cleaner head, which can be up to 20% more effective than the Direct Drive head of the V11 Animal.

One notable improvement from the previous V10 series is the advanced floor sensor that auto-adjusts suction depending on the surface you’re cleaning. This saves on battery life by ensuring the device is not using more power than necessary.

To clarify, the Dyson V11 has three cleaning modes: Auto, Boost and Eco. Auto mode lets the sensor adjust cleaning power automatically whenever you move the vacuum over hard floors or carpets. Eco mode saves battery life by lowering consumption and suction, while Boost mode sets it to the max so you can scoop up embedded particles.

So far, both Dyson V11 vacuum cleaners are very impressive in cleaning up any type of surface. You won’t struggle on getting either carpets or hardwood clean, and you get a respectable amount of runtime to use on a full charge.

Handling

Both Dyson V11 cordless stick vacuums are easy to use.

There’s no complex setup process to get the Dyson V11 to start cleaning out of the box. You’ll simply need to charge it up to full, which will take about 4.5 hours for an empty battery, before you can use it. Once you’ve attached the cleaning wand extension, if needed, and your desired tool, you’ll simply push the trigger to start vacuuming.

The more powerful V11 motor is noticeably heavier than V10 models though it won’t make maneuvering the device more difficult or tiring. Using the extension stick lets you reach areas high up or in between narrow spaces. The versatility of just using the body is fantastic, as it lets you clean car interiors and closets more easily. Changing cleaning accessories is also easy with the quick-release button on the body.

Accessories

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive includes a soft dusting brush tool while the Dyson V11 Animal does not.

There are a number of cleaning attachments and accessories that are included in both Dyson V11 variants. The only difference between the two is that the V11 Torque Drive gets a mini soft dusting brush tool in addition to the mini motorized tool, combination tool, crevice tool and stubborn dirt brush. The soft dusting brush lets you clean fragile decor, furniture and other sensitive surfaces with its tight-packed soft bristles.

The variety of extra tools included in the box gives the Dyson V11 a lot of value. You can easily adapt the cordless stick to clean fabrics, car interiors, cushions, floor tiles, etc., with a quick tool swap. There’s also a docking station that you can mount on a wall so it can remain within easy reach while staying out of the way.

Verdict

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive is simply superior to the Dyson V11 Animal.

With a more detailed LCD display and an extra cleaning tool, the Dyson V11 Torque Drive can do everything the Animal version can and more. The only consideration here is price, as the Torque Drive was released at a higher price point than the Animal. However, online retailers like Amazon have been offering considerable discounts on the V11 Torque Drive, making it extremely worth the extra amount.

We’d only recommend getting the Dyson V11 Animal if the Torque Drive isn’t available with savings. Performance-wise, there’s really no difference between the two, so you can expect it to clean just as thoroughly and easily. As such, if you can grab it with a huge discount instead, then it will be the better value-buy by far.