Dyson V8 Review
The Dyson V8 Cordless vacuum is not the latest Dyson offering to the market – having been released in 2016 – but it is still a fantastic option for anyone looking to invest in a new cordless vacuum cleaner which doesn’t cost the earth. Cord free, hassle free, and boasting a powerful suction, the Dyson V8 is an excellent choice if you fancy finally making the switch to a Dyson or upgrading your current model.
There are two excellent models within the V8 range; the Dyson V8 Animal and the Dyson V8 Absolute. They both offer a great option for those looking to pick up a new cordless vacuum, and both offer upgrades on the Dyson V6 and V7 range. Read on for our in-depth Dyson V8 review which will cover both the Animal and Absolute models and will hopefully help you to decide which one might work for you.
PROS
- Incredibly powerful and lightweight cordless cleaner with great suction
- Excellent run time of up to 40 minutes for fuss free cleaning
- Easy and hassle free bin emptying
- Outstanding air filtration, making it great for allergy sufferers
- Lots of fantastic tools included which allow you to clean in small and tight spaces
CONS
- 5 hour charge time is quite long but does provide 40 minute run time
- Possibly not worth paying extra for the V8 Absolute over the V8 Animal as only difference is a soft cleaner head for hard floor cleaning
Dyson V8 specifications
| Brand | Dyson |
| Model | V8 Cordless |
| Charge time | 5 hours |
| Run time | 40 minutes |
| Capacity | 0.54 litres |
| Weight | 2.56 kg |
Other Dyson vacuum reviews you may find useful:
How does the v8 stack up to one of the latest cordless vacuums to the market? Check out our Halo Capsule vs Dyson comparison or our Halo Capsule review.
Dyson V8 run time and charging time
Powered by an upgraded digital motor, the Dyson V8 Cordless provides up to 40 minutes of use when fully charged, which is a big upgrade on previous Dyson cordless models. In fact, this is double the run time of the Dyson V6 which only gives 20 minutes, and 10 minutes extra than the Dyson V7 Cordless which allows 30 minutes when fully charged. Given this could be the difference between having to stop and recharge or be able to clean your whole house in one go, it’s definitely a big upgrade and selling point.
As with most Dyson cordless models, the Dyson V8 has two cleaning modes. Whilst you get 40 minutes when cleaning in standard mode, that reduces to just seven minutes when you switch to the Max mode. You shouldn’t need to use this ultra-powerful mode for general vacuuming, but it comes in handy if you’ve got a really tough job on your hands. It’s also worth noting that when you use the motorised floor tool attachment, the battery will provide up to 25 minutes use so using this tool also shortens the amount of time you have before the battery needs recharging.
There is a drawback to the extra run time with the Dyson V8, and that’s the charge time. Whereas the Dyson V7 requires three and a half hours to be fully charged, the Dyson V8 needs five hours. Whilst this shouldn’t be a problem if you remember to charge it before use, it’s worth being aware that it does need quite a long time to be fully charged. Of course you can use it without being fully charged, but you’ll get less than 40 minutes and it may cut out at short notice if you haven’t charged it for long.
Dyson V8 power and design
With a smart and sleek design, the Dyson V8 would look good in any home, but it’s not just appearance that makes this vacuum cleaner stand out. The V8 is a powerful cordless vacuum that is impressive across both hard floors and carpets. Thanks to a new direct-drive cleaner head, the Dyson V8 drives bristles deep into the cleaning surface, making this vacuum incredibly efficient at removing dirt. In fact, the Dyson V8 offers, as well as laminate and tiles. 150% more brush bar power than the Dyson V6, with side suction providing edge-to-edge cleaning for a strong and thorough clean.
At 2.56kg the Dyson V8 is slightly heavier than the Dyson V7 Cordless, but this is still a very lightweight vacuum that’s easy to use and not difficult to move around. If you’ve never experienced it, try going cord free and see how much easier it makes cleaning your home.
The Dyson V8 can also be quickly converted into an easy to use handheld model, ideal for those smaller jobs or hard to reach places, such as dealing with stairs, desks and upholstery. It can also be used to clean the inside of your car, removing dirt from the dashboard, the footwells and the boot with no hassle.
Dyson V8 bin capacity and filter
With a 0.54L bin, the Dyson V8 has the same capacity as the Dyson V7 and is able to hold a decent amount of dirt. It’s also really easy to dispose of mess quickly and efficiently. When you pull up on the handle, the dirt drops neatly out when the door opens. With no more shaking to make sure everything’s been removed, it’s certainly easy and simple to empty.
The Dyson V8 is also a great vacuum cleaner for those who have pets in their home. It captures dust, animal hair and allergens, and expels cleaner air making it a fantastic option for any pet owner to clean their home.
The V8 is certified allergy & asthma friendly with a hygienic dirt ejector so you can rest easy that it’s great for shifting that unwanted dirt and pet hair and keeping your home clean and safe. The HEPA filter traps small particles and pet dander, and the washable filter means that you can keep your vacuum – and your home – sparkling clean.
What’s the difference between the Dyson V8 Animal and Dyson V8 Absolute?
There are two vacuum cleaners available from the Dyson V8 cordless range; the Dyson V8 Animal and the Dyson V8 Absolute. Truth be told these models are very similar and are functionally the same cordless vacuum. They have the same run time, charge time, weight, capacity and power, there is literally no difference in any of those departments when comparing the V8 Animal and the V8 Absolute.
The only difference – other than price – is that you get the Fluffy soft roller head with the Dyson V8 Absolute but you don’t get that attachment with the Dyson V8 Animal. All the other attachments are exactly the same, the soft roller head is the only difference.
So is it worth going for the Dyson V8 Absolute over the Dyson V8 Animal? If you have hard floors, the answer is probably, yes. The soft roller cleaning head has been designed specifically to tackle hard floors and is great at picking up fine dust and debris, thanks to being built with a combination of soft nylon and stiffer carbon fibre. It’s also been designed to not scratch hard floors, which vacuum cleaners can often do. However, it’s not like the V8 Animal is bad on hard floors – in fact it’s good across all surfaces – but the soft roller head is a great attachment for cleaning hard surfaces.
Price is the other thing to consider, the V8 Absolute is approximately £90 more expensive than the V8 Animal, so you’re paying £90 for a soft roller attachment, which does seem quite expensive.
Dyson V8 attachments
The Dyson V8 Cordless comes with a whole host of useful tools and accessories. As we’ve already mentioned, other than the soft roller head that you only get with the V8 Absolute, the tools are exactly the same whether you opt for the Absolute or the Dyson V8 Animal.
There is a quick-release mini soft dusting brush and mini motorhead tool which allow you to tackle dust, animal hair and ground-in dirt, in tight spaces. The combination tool gives two tools in one, for simple switching between soft and hard surfaces when you’re in the middle of cleaning your home.
There’s a great reach under tool that twists and locks to make cleaning under furniture easy with no need to bend down into any awkward positions. The handy crevice tool is designed for precise cleaning around edges and any narrow gaps. Finally, the useful docking station means that you can easily and conveniently store and charge your vacuum when it’s not in use.
Dyson V8 pros
- Incredibly powerful and lightweight cordless cleaner with great suction
- Excellent run time of up to 40 minutes for fuss free cleaning
- Easy and hassle free bin emptying
- Outstanding air filtration, making it great for allergy sufferers
- Lots of fantastic tools included which allow you to clean in small and tight spaces
Dyson V8 cons
- 5 hour charge time is quite long but does provide 40 minute run time
- Possibly not worth paying extra for the V8 Absolute over the V8 Animal as only difference is a soft cleaner head for hard floor cleaning
Dyson V8 Cordless verdict
The Dyson V8 Cordless is certainly a fantastic option for anyone looking to purchase their first cordless vacuum or upgrade an older model. Although it isn’t the newest model that Dyson has to offer, it certainly holds its own in terms of price and performance and is an upgrade on the V6 and V7 models.
The 40 minutes run time is a big improvement, which makes it easier to clean your whole house without having to stop and recharge. The drawback of this though is the five hours you need for the V8 to be fully charged.
When it comes to cleaning both carpets and hard floors the V8 Cordless is able to offer a powerful, fade free suction clean and really pick up that ground in dirt and pet hair.
The reach under tool is a particular highlight and means that you can easily clean under furniture without unnecessary bending down. Plus, the easy and hygienic emptying bin and handy docking station for storage are also a great addition to this model that really make it stand out as a great option for your new vacuum.
There’s some fantastic tools and accessories that help the V8 to stand out, and if you have hard floors it may be worth spending a little extra to go with the V8 Absolute over the V8 Animal, thanks to the soft roller tool. Either V8 model is great though, and certainly won’t let you down.
