I Tested the Dyson V15 for 30 Days: Is It Worth $750?
When Dyson released the V15 Detect at $749.99, I was skeptical. Could a vacuum really be worth three-quarters of a thousand dollars? After using it daily for a month in my 2,000 sq ft home, I have answers.
First Impressions
The V15 arrives in premium packaging. Unboxing feels like opening a piece of technology, not a cleaning tool. The build quality is immediately apparent—this is precision engineering.
In the box:
- Main unit with battery
- High Torque cleaner head
- Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head
- Hair screw tool
- Combination tool
- Crevice tool
- Wall-mounted charging dock
The Laser Technology
Dyson's laser dust detection sounds gimmicky. It's not. The green laser illuminates microscopic dust particles you'd never see otherwise. The first time I used it on my "clean" hardwood floors, I was horrified. There was so much dust I'd been missing with my old vacuum.
Does it actually help? Yes. I now vacuum more thoroughly because I can see what I'm cleaning. It's particularly useful in low-light conditions.
Suction Power
The V15 has three power modes:
- Eco: Quiet, 60 minutes runtime
- Auto: Adjusts power based on debris (my default)
- Boost: Maximum power, 8 minutes runtime
In Auto mode, the vacuum intelligently increases suction when it detects more debris. I can feel it ramping up when I hit a dusty patch. The LCD screen shows real-time particle counts, which is oddly satisfying.
Performance on different surfaces:
- Hardwood: Excellent (laser head is perfect)
- Carpet: Outstanding (deep cleans without getting stuck)
- Tile: Very good (picks up everything)
- Pet hair: Exceptional (anti-tangle brush works as advertised)
Battery Life
Dyson claims 60 minutes on Eco mode. In real-world use:
- Eco mode: 55-60 minutes (accurate)
- Auto mode: 35-40 minutes (enough for my whole house)
- Boost mode: 7-8 minutes (for spot cleaning only)
The battery charges in 4.5 hours. I charge it overnight and never run out during cleaning sessions.
The LCD Screen
The screen displays:
- Power mode
- Battery remaining
- Filter maintenance alerts
- Particle size distribution
- Proof of deep clean
Is it necessary? No. Is it cool? Absolutely. The particle count feature turns cleaning into a game—I try to beat my previous scores.
Maintenance
Emptying the bin: The "point and shoot" mechanism works perfectly. Press the button, and debris falls straight into the trash. No touching dirty filters or shaking dust everywhere.
Filter cleaning: The washable filter needs rinsing monthly. Takes 2 minutes. Dyson sends reminders through the app.
Brush maintenance: Hair wraps around the brush less than any vacuum I've tested. When it does, the hair screw tool removes it in seconds.
Comparison to Competitors
I've tested several cordless vacuums:
Dyson V15 ($750):
- Best suction
- Longest battery
- Most features
- Premium build
Shark Vertex Pro ($450):
- Good suction
- Decent battery
- Fewer features
- Solid build
Tineco Pure One S12 ($500):
- Good suction
- Smart features
- Average battery
- Good value
The Downsides
No product is perfect:
- Price: $750 is expensive
- Weight: 6.8 lbs feels heavy after 20 minutes
- Noise: Louder than expected in Boost mode
- Accessories: Some useful tools cost extra
Is It Worth $750?
Yes, if:
- You vacuum frequently (3+ times per week)
- You have pets
- You value premium build quality
- You have a mix of floor types
- You can afford it without financial stress
No, if:
- You vacuum occasionally
- You have a small apartment
- You're on a tight budget
- You don't care about smart features
My Verdict
After 30 days, the Dyson V15 has become my favorite cleaning tool. It's expensive, but the performance, battery life, and build quality justify the price. I vacuum more often because it's actually enjoyable to use.
Rating: 9/10
Recommendation: If you can afford it, buy it. If you're budget-conscious, wait for a sale (Black Friday often sees $100-150 discounts).
Where to Buy
Available on Amazon, Dyson's website, and major retailers. Amazon often has the best deals and fastest shipping.
