If you’ve ever been told you missed a spot while cleaning, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim and Dyson V15 Detect hope to change all that. These smart cordless vacuums use laser technology to make invisible particles visible. They also run on Dyson’s powerful Hyperdymium motor to suck dirt and debris with ease. Dyson shares that the V12 Detect Slim is lighter and slimmer than the V15 Detect. As such, the V12 is also cheaper. But what are the implications of this difference in size and price? Below, we compare the two cordless vacuums to find out.
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Dyson V12 vs V15 Cordless Vacuum Comparison Chart
Design and Variants
The Dyson V12 is lighter than the Dyson V15 but comes with fewer tools and accessories.
In terms of design, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim and V15 Detect take inspiration from previous V-Series vacuums. These are lightweight, stick models with robustly built wands and vibrantly colored suction machines. Converting them to handheld is pretty straightforward. Both have wands with quick-release buttons aligned to the top of the main body.
Where the V12 differs from the V15 and even other Dyson V-Series models is the power button. Dyson’s cordless vacuum cleaners typically feature a trigger switch near the handle. When the trigger is pressed, it powers the vacuum. If you’re not pressing it, the vacuum stops. This trigger setup can numb fingers after a while of holding it down. You could also accidentally press the button by simply grabbing the vacuum.
On the V12, Dyson uses a round power button instead. It’s placed on top of the vacuum’s body, minimizing accidental pressing. You also don’t have to hold it down to keep the vacuum on.
Other than that, you’re more or less getting the same style of vacuum. Both the V12 and V15 come with an LCD at the user-facing end of the main body. They also use click-on batteries you attach near the handle. Dyson shares that the V12 is 24% lighter than the V15, so it’s something you should consider when it comes to maneuverability.
Models
Like other Dyson vacuums, the V12 Detect Slim and V15 Detect come in different models. The usual Absolute variants are present, but the Animal editions are unavailable in the country. With the Absolute editions, users get additional tools and accessories.
The V12 Detect Slim Absolute features an exclusive gold color for both the body and wand. Dyson’s V15 Detect Absolute also comes in a gold finish but uses a blue casing around the LCD.
Cleaning Technology
Both the Dyson V12 and V15 use laser light to show invisible particles and are equipped with sensors to detect the type of dirt or debris you’re cleaning.
At the heart of the Dyson V12 and V15 is laser technology. The feature comes with the default Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner Head. While the attachment sounds toyish, the cleaning head has a laser that can detect particles you can’t see. Ideal for hardwood floors, the attachment’s laser light is projected at a precise angle for improved visibility.
If you want to get into the science of vacuuming, Dyson’s cordless vacuum cleaners are on it, too. Both the V12 and V15 are equipped with onboard sensors to detect the type of dirt and debris being sucked. These are categorized, color-coded, and displayed on the LCD.
Allergens are particles 10µm to 59µm in size. Meanwhile, microscopic dust and skin flakes are 60µm to 180µm in size. Fine sand and dust mites, on the other hand, measure 80µm or larger. Lastly, particles above 500µm are typically visible, like fleas or sugar.
To loosen dirt and debris, the Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner Head features carbon fiber filaments. Up to 99.99% of particles and allergens are then sucked and trapped through a multi-stage filtration system. The filter also helps expel clean air while vacuuming.
Power and Capacity
While they use the same motor and cyclone technology, the Dyson V15 offers higher suction power and a larger bin volume than the Dyson V12.
The Dyson V12 and V15 are equipped with the Hyperdymium motor that spins up to 125,000 RPM. Inside, 11 root cyclones generate centrifugal forces that suck in dust and debris without any loss of suction power. The cordless vacuums also have similar modes. You get Eco, Boost, and Auto, with Eco mode being the most power-efficient.
As the name describes it, Auto mode is where the vacuum automatically adjusts motor suction based on cleaning head, floor type, and particle size. Lastly, Boost mode delivers the highest suction power, ideal for targeted deep cleaning. In terms of suction power, the V15 boasts up to 230AW in Boost mode over the V12’s 150AW.
The Dyson V15 also has the edge in terms of bin capacity. The vacuum’s bin volume is 0.75L, while the V12’s is 0.38L. Emptying these bins is pretty straightforward. Both vacuums use a point-and-shoot mechanism that ejects dust and debris in one action.
Tools and Runtime
Dyson’s V15 offers more tools and a longer runtime than the V12 vacuum cleaner.
One of the advantages of getting a Dyson vacuum cleaner are the tools included. The standard V12 Detect Slim comes with two cleaner heads and six tools. For the V12 Detect Slim Absolute, you get two cleaner heads and nine tools.
Meanwhile, the V15 Detect includes two cleaner heads and eight tools. If you opt for the V15 Detect Absolute, you get two cleaner heads and 10 tools, with the Combi-Crevice tool counted as two. The V15 Detect Absolute also comes with a Digital Motorbar Cleaner Head instead of the Hi-Torque attachment on the V15 Detect.
Dyson V12 and V15 inclusions
| Models | Dyson V12 | Dyson V15 |
| Tools and Accessories | Cleaner heads – Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner Head – Motorbar Cleaner Head Tools and Accessories – Hair screw tool – Crevice tool – Combination tool – Wand clip – Docking station – Charger Additional Tools with V12 Detect Slim Absolute – Fabric and mattress tool – Up-top adaptor – Mini soft dusting brush | Cleaner heads – Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner Head – Hi Torque Cleaner Head (standard version only) – Digital Motorbar Cleaner Head (Absolute only) Tools and Accessories – Hair screw tool – Crevice tool – Combination tool – Mini soft dusting brush – Stubborn dirt brush – Wand clip – Docking station – Charger Additional tools with V15 Detect Absolute – Fabric and mattress tool – Low-reach adaptor tool – Combi-crevice tool in lieu of the Combination and Crevice tools |
As for runtime, the Dyson V12 and V15 both have a battery life of up to 60 minutes. It’s an impressive number with the caveat you’re in Eco mode. Otherwise, expect runtime to decrease in Auto and Boost modes. Based on user reviews, however, the V15 is more likely to last an hour of use in Eco mode than the V12. The V12’s actual performance hovers above 50 to 51 minutes.
Verdict
The Dyson V15 Detect is a better vacuum cleaner than the Dyson V12 Detect Slim. However, the V12 Slim is still a capable, budget alternative to the V15.
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim and V15 Detect are in the same class of cordless vacuum cleaners. Both feature laser-guided cleaning heads and use the same Hyperdymium motor. They also come in Absolute editions. Nonetheless, the V15 offers more suction power, a higher bin capacity, and more tools and accessories out of the box. While this makes it the better vacuum, the additional tools are preferential. The V15’s higher suction power also applies only to Boost mode. If you can do without the extra cleaning heads, smaller dustbin, and lower suction power, you’ll find the Dyson V12 a capable budget alternative to the V15.
FAQs
The Dyson V12 is a lighter vacuum cleaner compared to the Dyson V15. It also comes with fewer tools and accessories. Meanwhile, the Dyson V15 boasts a higher suction power in Boost mode than the Dyson V12.
The Dyson V15 comes with a two-year limited warranty.
Dyson shares that the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute has a charge time of 4.5 hours.
Returns of the Dyson V12 are possible but policies vary by retailer.