Dyson V11 Review: Is the Dyson V11 Any Good? What Goes Wrong and Is It Worth Buying?
If you are thinking of buying a Dyson V11 or are looking for a Dyson V11 review, you may be wondering what the real story is. Beyond the slick marketing and flashy product pages, what are they actually like to live with? As Dyson specialists, we’ve repaired, serviced and handled more V11s than most, and in this article, and our demonstration video below, we’ll go over the good, the bad, and the downright annoying.
Which Version of the Dyson V11 Do You Have?
Dyson like to confuse customers with model names and internal codes. While most people know the machine as the Dyson V11, there are actually four different variants of it:
- SV14 – The original model with a screw-in battery
- SV15 – Click-in battery version
- SV17 – Another click-in type
- SV28 – The larger Dyson V11 Outsize
The key difference? SV14 has a screw-on battery, while SV15, SV17 and SV28 all use click-fit batteries with a red release button. The batteries are not interchangeable between types, so you’ll need to be sure which version you have before buying a replacement.
Dyson V11 Review: Is It Too Heavy?
For a cordless vacuum, the V11 is on the heavy side. Ours weighs in at exactly 3 kilograms, and that’s without any tools or dust in it.
It might not sound like much on paper, but when you compare that to a mains-powered upright like a Sebo, which weighs about 8kg, the V11 actually feels heavier in proportion to what it’s doing. You’re holding the weight in your hand, often at arm’s length.
If you’re young and fit, you’ll likely be fine. But if you’re older or have mobility issues, you might find it uncomfortable to use for long periods. Especially as you have to keep the trigger depressed during use.
Is the V11 a Whole House Machine?
Dyson pitch their cordless vacuums as “whole home” machines that can replace your plug-in model. We think this is a bit of a stretch.
They work well, but in our opinion, cordless machines like the V11 are better suited as secondary vacuums. They’re ideal for quick cleans, stairs, cars, kitchen spills and general touch-ups. If you have deep pile carpets or large floor areas, a decent mains-powered upright will still beat a cordless machine for power, run time and durability.
Common Problems with the Dyson V11
Overall, the V11 is reasonably reliable, but there are a few recurring issues we see in the workshop.
1. Battery Failure
All cordless vacuums eventually suffer battery degradation. The V11 is no different. The click-fit battery versions (SV15, SV17, SV28) are becoming more popular because they’re easier to replace. We stock our own-brand replacement batteries for the click-in models, which are a sensible and affordable alternative to Dyson’s own.
Beware of cheap Chinese batteries on Amazon and eBay that claim to offer huge capacity. Fake mAh ratings are common. These often come from dubious, sometimes dangerous sources, and they fail quickly. If you’re replacing a battery, buy from a trusted UK seller who knows their stuff. Cheap batteries can cause fires.
2. Broken Triggers
The red power trigger on some early V11s, especially the screw-fit battery SV14 models, is a known weak point. They can become ineffective or stop switching the machine on. They break internally. This was a problem on the V10s too, and with the later Gen5 Detect vacuum, Dyson have done away with the trigger altogether.
Later versions with click-in batteries seem more robust. If your trigger has failed, we stock replacements and can fit them for you. Or there are DIY repair videos on our listing.
3. Failing Seals
Inside the V11’s bin area is a rubber flange-style seal. These are prone to wear and splitting. Dyson don’t sell these seals separately, of course. They’d rather sell you a full assembly. But we stock the seal on its own, which is a much cheaper fix.
4. Main Body Failure
Another fault we occasionally see is failure of the main body assembly, which houses the motor and circuit board. These are expensive parts, and when they go, it’s usually due to one of two things:
- Speed selector issues. One or two of the three speeds stops working or causes pulsing that isn’t fixed by basic maintenance.
- Water ingress. If you’ve vacuumed up liquid, it’s likely toast.
Some repairers try fixing the circuit boards, but in most cases, replacing the full body is the better option. We supply these assemblies for all V11 versions.
Other Gripes
There are three power levels on the V11, but it always starts on the middle setting. If you want it on full power (which you often do when cleaning carpet — or I do anyway), you’ve got to press the button two or three times to get there. It’s a small annoyance, but an unnecessary one.
As for battery life, take Dyson’s claims with a pinch of salt. The advertised run time of 60 minutes applies only to the lowest setting with no motorised tools attached. If you’re on max power with the floor head running, expect around eight to ten minutes. That’s typical. We once did a battery test on the preceding V10, and it lasted seven and a half minutes on max with a floor head attached.
Performance Test
No Dyson V11 review would be complete without a video, so we’ve made one. In our video below, we test the V11’s performance by vacuuming carpet powder at full power and discuss many of the points raised here in more depth. As you’ll see, it performs reasonably well, but the extra weight and battery limitations are still worth bearing in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dyson V11
How long does a Dyson V11 battery last?
Dyson claim up to 60 minutes, but that’s on the lowest setting with no powered tools. On max power with a floorhead, expect around 8 to 10 minutes.
Are Dyson V11 triggers replaceable?
Yes, the red power triggers often break on SV14 models. We stock replacements and can fit them, or you can fit one yourself using our DIY video guide.
What’s the difference between SV14, SV15, SV17 and SV28?
SV14 has a screw-in battery. SV15, SV17 and SV28 use a red click-in battery. The SV28 is the larger V11 Outsize version. The two types of batteries are not interchangeable.
Can you use Dyson V11 as your main vacuum?
In theory, yes. In practice, we think it’s best as a secondary machine. For deep carpets or larger homes, a proper mains-powered vacuum like a Sebo is better.
Should You Buy a Dyson V11?
The V11 is a capable cordless vacuum, no doubt about it. But they’re not cheap if you buy new, and for our money, the V8 is still the sweet spot for most people. It’s lighter, less complicated, and tends to have fewer reliability issues. Many people have a Dyson V8 as a secondary whizz-around machine and a full-size Sebo vacuum for proper cleaning.
If you already have a V11, keep it in good order with proper maintenance. Use good quality parts, avoid vacuuming up water, and steer clear of dodgy batteries.
If you need any spares, we stock genuine and compatible Dyson V11 parts, including batteries, triggers, seals and main bodies.
👉 Click here to browse Dyson V11 spare parts
If you have any thoughts on this article, you are welcome to use the comment box below. Also please share links to our articles on Facebook, X, Reddit or whatever other platform you use. We like that. This article was written by Manchester Vacs, who are Dyson repair specialists in Stockport.