Can lasers help you to clean more efficiently? Our expert reviews the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute to find out

Dyson's V15 Detect is one of the most expensive vacuum cleaners on the market, but if the price tag doesn't put you off, it's a purchase that will tick every box in a large, busy home. 

I've been testing the best vacuums in my maisonette for nearly five years, and it's always a struggle to find a cordless vacuum that's powerful enough to get the job done in one pass, but not so unwieldy that I put off using it on a daily basis. 

There are many brands to choose from when trying to find the best cordless vacuum, but if you've landed on Dyson, you likely want a high-quality and dependable everyday vacuum that will stand the test of time. Dyson advertises the V15 Detect as 'engineered for homes with pets', because of its De-tangling Digital Motorbar which prevents clumps from clogging up your brush head. 

There are two V15 Detects to choose between - the Absolute and the Total Clean. I tested the Absolute, which is the same base machine but with fewer attachments than the Total Clean, for several weeks to see if it's worth the splurge on carpet, hard floor and tiles. 

Dyson V15 Detect Absolute: Product specs

• Max. run time: up to 60 minutes 
• Bin volume: 0.76 litres
• Weight: 2.96kg
• Dimensions: H126 x W26 x D25 cm
• Accessories: Combination Tool, Crevice Tool, Wall Dock, Digital Motorbar, Fluffy Optic Charger

Who tested the Shark Detect Pro Cordless Vacuum Cleaner?

Millie Fender

Millie has been reviewing leading home tech for five years. She's tested dozens of vacuums, including a selection of the leading cordless vacuums from brands like Shark and Miele, and has even been to Dyson's London showroom to see a sneak preview of the the brand's latest technology.

Unboxing and first impressions

Dyson's vacuums also come with impressively minimal packaging, and I was pleased to see that the V15 Detect Absolute's box was entirely recyclable, and its parts were packaged in cardboard to keep them secure in transit.

The Absolute comes with four attachments, the Combination Tool, Crevice Tool, Digital Motorbar and Fluffy Optic Brush. The V15 Detect was the first of Dyson's vacuums to feature this illuminated fluffy brush roll that highlights dust and small particles on your floor, allowing you to identify invisible dust, and spots you may have glossed over. It also comes with an LCD screen that shows a breakdown of the particles you've picked up.

The pieces slot together intuitively, and I enjoyed that the vacuum came with 30% charge so I could take it for a spin before putting it on to charge fully. 

The heftiest part of this vacuum by far is the main unit, which features a smart display and easy trigger controls. Overall though, it feels very lightweight, coming in at under 3kg when fully assembled. 

My day-to-day vacuum is the Shark Stratos, which comes with one brush head that automatically switches between hard floors and carpet. With the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute, you'll have to pivot between the digital motorbar and fluffy optic brush as you clean. The fluffy brush works best on hard floors, and I found that it's particularly effective at cleaning hidden dust. The motorbar automatically adjusts suction when cleaning on any floor type, but I stuck to using it on carpets for the most part. 

You can easily pivot between three settings using the button to the underneath of the digital screen. There are three to choose from: Eco, Auto, and Boost. The 60-minute runtime claim is applicable to the Eco mode, and the battery life drops dramatically when you run it on Boost. 

What's it like to use?

I'll start by noting the controls with the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute, because they're a bit love-or-hate. I personally really enjoyed the trigger button, which allows you to easily switch your vacuum on and off. It's particularly helpful when vacuuming stairs or upholstery. However, you do need to press it down continuously, which could become tedious if you're cleaning for prolonged periods or on one floor where you'd be unlikely to switch the vacuum on and off very often. 

Hard floors

My flat has both wooden floors and tiles, but my entire upper floor is carpeted, so I need a vacuum that can exceed both floor types. I first tested the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute on my living room floor. Using the fluffy brush roll, I found that the vacuum glided over my floors with next to no effort, and its illuminating beam highlighted the invisible dust that can often appear in corners and under furniture. I did note that this was less effective when the room was well-lit. 

I send a robot vacuum cleaner around my floors every other day, so it was unsettling to see how much dust it had been missing. Every speck was recorded in the smart piezo sensor which overwhelmingly picked up very small particles. This is undoubtedly a very smart vacuum, so it's a clever move from Dyson to create a sensor to let you know just how well it's performing. 

Carpets 

My flat has a mix of relatively deep carpet and a Ruggable washable rug in the living room. I first tested the V15's digital motorbar on the rug and was almost overwhelmed at just how powerful its suction was. The automatic suction adjustments came in helpful in different areas, and unsurprisingly the power increased when I cleaned the area next to my sofa, where there's a lot of footfall.

When I took the vacuum upstairs I found that the digital motorbar would occasionally cease to run on my deep pile carpets. To remedy this, I adjusted the height of the brush bar using the toggle at the front of the attachment. While this solved the issue, it would be annoying to have to adjust the roller as I switch between rug and carpet on a regular basis. 

Most cordless vacuums come with very small dust bins, but the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute has an impressive 0.76L on offer. I didn't have to empty this very often, but the bin empties very easily when you push the lever on the bin, releasing the debris from inside the bin without having to get hands-on. 

How does it compare to other vacuums?

If you're in the market for the swankiest Dyson vacuum on the market, it's worth noting that the recently-released Dyson Gen5detect is strong competition for the V15 Detect. It's more expensive, but it does come without the trigger controls and has a marginally longer battery life. Our Editor gave it a cool five stars when she tested it. 

If the Dyson V15 Absolute is out of budget, I'd also suggest taking a look at the recently released Shark Detect Pro Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. It's lighter, neater, a bit cheaper, and especially impressed us on hard floors. 

Should you buy the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute?

The Dyson V15 Detect Absolute is a genuine all-rounder. If your home has a complicated floorplan that requires you to frequently switch attachments or clean stairs and hallways, you'll enjoy the trigger controls. However, continuously holding this button down while cleaning could get annoying if you have a large home. 

Dyson's battery life claims are true, but only on Eco mode. If you use Boost mode (which isn't always needed - it's a very powerful vacuum even on the lowest setting) this drops to about 20 minutes. If you need more juice for cleaning a larger home you can buy a second battery, but it'll cost you over £100. 

While it's not the most budget option on the market, I'd highly recommend the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute for someone who wants to switch from a corded vacuum but is unwilling to compromise on power. It's shockingly powerful and its smart fluffy brushroll and piezo sensor make the cleaning experience smooth and, dare I say it, pretty fun.