Dyson Cyclone V10 review – in pictures
This battery-powered vac is more than just a bit of good clean fun...
Dyson Cyclone V10 review – in pictures
Dyson is so convinced by the power of its latest cordless dust buster that the company is never going to make a corded vacuum cleaner again. Available in three versions, the V10 Animal, V10 Absolute and V10 Total Clean, can this handheld sucker live up to its lofty promise? We took it for a week-long spin to find out.
Power: On tap
It’s the new V10 motor that makes the Cyclone V10 such a sucker. It’s smaller than the outgoing V8, and weighs half as much, but spins at a ludicrous 125,000rpm. That’s 2000 times a second, so suction power is up 20%. The motor even supposedly uses a suite of sensors to calculate things like altitude and barometric pressure to adjust its speed for the greatest clean. Your old Henry can’t do that, can he?
Design: Tiny but mighty
The smaller dimensions of the V10 mean everything fits in line now, so the bin doesn’t have to be shunted below the handle, and the air flow doesn’t have be angled around corners, making it more efficient. It uses a trigger grip, rather than an ‘on’ switch, so when you’re not vacuuming, you let go and you’re not using any battery power. It takes a bit of getting used to if you’re only familiar with more traditional vacuum cleaners but soon becomes second nature.
Attachments: All bases covered
The V10 Absolute comes with four extra tools but you can get more or fewer attachments by choosing one of the other models in the range. The brush is handy for creating a seal between machine and floor to give suction even more of a boost, while the range of other tools help to reach under beds and into various household nooks and crannies. The Fluffy head also makes a return, with carbon fibre bristles for catching fine dust, which is good for shiny floors.
Performance: Suck it up
There are three power settings available on the V10 — low, medium and maximum. Your usage of each will probably be determined by the surface you’re cleaning but even the lowest setting should be enough for dealing with most detritus. On carpet, wood and vinyl flooring its incredible suction means you only need a single swipe to get the job done. It might even help you rediscover the original colour your carpet’s supposed to be.
Battery life: Taking charge
A handheld vacuum is useless if it doesn’t last long enough to get around the house, but battery life is one of the Cyclone V10’s strengths. You’ll easily get 40 minutes out of it with juice to spare, so stamina shouldn’t be an issue unless you’re giving Buck Palace a good going over. On the highest setting, it’ll drain the battery a lot quicker, but unless you’re a right mucky pup you shouldn’t need to use that very often anyway.
Charging: Dock to feel good
Wit the docking station fixed to the wall you just need to plug it in and slide the V10 into place to charge it. That way it’s always topped up and ready to go when you need it. That might not sound life-changing, but once you’ve got used to simply slotting your vac into its dock, it’s hard to go back to plugs and cables. It only takes about 3.5 hours to charge fully from empty and there’s room for storing attachments underneath too.
Capacity: In it to bin it
With the motor taking up less space than before, there’s room for a bigger storage bin – meaning fewer trips to the rubbish bag when you’re vacuuming the whole house. It sounds like a tiny thing, but it’s a welcome tweak and shaves a few minutes off your weekly clean. It’s been relocated, too: instead of sitting below the motor and emptying downwards, like it did in the V8, it opens right where you clip on the hose attachments. That makes it easier to point into the big bag, avoiding any spillages.
Dyson Cyclone V10: Verdict
The Cyclone V10 isn’t just a great cordless vacuum – it’s a great vacuum, end of story. It’s as powerful as any corded Dyson vacuum and the only drawback is the price, which starts at £399. But if you’re prepared to shell out the equivalent of a new iPad on a dirt-sucker, you’ll find its lightweight build, long battery life and impressively precise sucking skills to be a big upgrade on your traditional vac. Stuff says: ★★★★★
