We pitted the Dyson V11 vacuum against the fancier Gen5detect – here’s what we learned

Trying to decide between the Dyson V11 vs Gen5detect? This article breaks down all the differences between these two models to help you choose the right one for your needs and budget.

The V11 is the older of the two, having launched in 2019. It’s lower-specced and less feature-packed than the Gen5, but also lighter and cheaper. You can read all about it in our Dyson V11 review.

At time of writing, the Gen5detect is the newest and best Dyson vacuum based on specs. It launched in 2022 in Australia and reached the US and UK the following year.

It’s more powerful than the V11 and offers longer runtimes, plus it boasts advanced features like automatic suction adjustment based on how much dirt is on the floor, and a laser-equipped Fluffy floorhead for hard floors. It also switches on with a button rather than a trigger. Our Dyson Gen5detect review has the full low-down.

Quick side note here: there’s actually a flagship model that sits in between the two: the Dyson V15 Detect. See how it compares to each of the vacs discussed here in my Dyson V15 vs Gen5detect or Dyson V11 vs V15 articles.

Which is better? If you want the best-of-the-best, it’s the Gen5detect. I’d also recommend this vacuum if you have pets, or lots of hard floor as well as carpet. However, if you don’t have especially challenging cleaning requirements, the V11 will be good enough for most people’s needs. It’s noticeably lighter and much cheaper, too.

That’s the short version – read on for a full breakdown, to help you figure out which is the best cordless vacuum for your home.

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Dyson Gen5 Detect vacuum cleaner — The Gen5detect is the newer of the two(Image credit: Future)

Dyson V11 vs Gen5detect specs

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Header Cell – Column 0	Gen5detect	V11
Weight:	7.7 lbs / 3.5kg	6.6 lbs / 3kg
Dimensions (H x L x W):	50.2 x 10.9 x 9.8in / 127.6 x 27.6 x 25cm	49.7 x 10.5 x 9.8in / 126 x 26.7 x 25cm
Operation:	One-press button	Trigger
Filter:	Whole-machine HEPA filtration	Whole-machine filtration
Bin capacity:	0.2 gallon / 0.8L	0.2 gallon / 0.8L
Max suction:	280AW	185AW
Cyclones:	14	14
Max runtime (Eco mode):	1hr 10	60 mins
Runtime in Boost mode:	15 mins	12 mins
Charge time:	4hrs 30	4hrs 30

Dyson V11 vs Gen5detect: price & value for money

Gen5detect costs from $999.99 / £769.99 / AU$1,549
V11 costs from $599.99 / £429.99 / AU$1,199
Various versions of each, including Absolute and Animal

Although both sit at the premium end of the wider market, the Gen5detect is significantly more expensive than the V11,

Dyson makes a few different versions of each model, including ‘Absolute’ and ‘Extra’ options, with slightly different tools, features, and (occasionally) suction power. What’s available varies depending on when you look and what country you live in, which makes direct price comparison more complicated.

However, I’ve never seen a Gen5detect available for anywhere near the price of a V11 – at time of writing, the difference between the cheapest version of each model was around $400 / £350 / AU$350.

The Gen5detect is a step up from the V11 in terms of both key specs (suction power, runtimes) and added features like automated suction adjustment. However, that big jump in price won’t be justified for everyone – the V11 is still an excellent vacuum and will be good enough for most people’s needs. Both offer high build quality and are very well-designed.

Dyson promo codes are very rare, but I often see a handful of decent Dyson deals around events like Black Friday – and they tend to focus on the pricier models in the range (namely the Gen5detect).

Dyson Gen5detect vs V11: design

Both are ultra-maneuverable and have a useful LCD screen
V11 switches on using a trigger, Gen5detect has a button
Gen5detect is heavier, with a better motor, battery and filter

In many ways, the Dyson V11 and Gen5detect have a very similar design. Both have 14 cyclones, a 0.2 gallon / 0.8L dust cup, an LCD screen to convey information and a range of useful attachments. On both, the wand, motor and filters are arranged in a straight line to maximize suction.

However, under the hood, the Gen5detect has a number of hidden improvements. Both the battery and motor are better on this newer model, which means the main unit is both bigger and heavier than the V11’s. The filter is also better: both are fully sealed, but the Gen5detect has a HEPA filter.

Screen for Dyson V11 (left) and Gen5detect (right) vacuum cleaners

The V11’s screen (left) shows basic info, whereas the Gen5detect’s screen can also provide real-time dust reports (Image credit: Future)

On the V11, the LCD screen will convey what power mode you’re in, how much cleaning time you have left on the clock and other vital information.

The Gen5’s screen shows those things, but it can also tell you the size and volume of particles you’re sucking up, via a colorful graph, in real time, plus a summary when you’re done cleaning. The Gen5detect also switches on with a button rather than a trigger.

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Main floorhead for Dyson V11 stick vacuum — The V11 comes with an any-floor Motorbar floorhead(Image credit: Future)

Both the Gen5detect and V11 have a Motorbar floorhead that can be used on hard floors or carpet. However, on the Gen5 it’s equipped with particle-counting sensors that tell the machine what it’s sucking up at any time. The Gen5detect also comes with a Fluffy floorhead for hard flooring specifically, and it’s equipped with a laser to show up hidden dirt. (Here’s more on Dyson’s vacuum tools.)

Other accessories vary depending on which version of each vacuum you buy, but the Gen5 benefits from a crevice tool hidden within the main wand. This is useful for small cleanups when you don’t have the proper detail tools to hand.

Dyson Gen5detect vs V11: performance

Gen5detect has more power, but both are great cleaners
V11 auto-adjusts suction based on floor type; Gen5 can auto-adjust based on dirt levels
The Gen5 is slightly too heavy, although I much prefer its one-press button to the V11’s trigger

Based on specs, the Gen5detect has significantly more power than the V11 – 280AW compared to 185AW. That extra oomph is definitely noticeable on the Max setting. The V11 will have enough suction to satisfy most people’s general cleaning needs, but those with hairy pets or lots of dust to deal with should consider opting for the newer model.

Both vacuums have an Auto mode, but the Gen5’s version is more advanced. While the V11 can sense when it’s moving from hard floor to carpet and increase suction in response (or vice versa), the Gen5detect is clever enough to be able to adjust suction depending on how much dirt and dust there is on the floor. That means the Gen5 is a more efficient cleaner, although the V11’s automation capabilities are still useful, and a decent effort-saver.

Laser illumination on Dyson Gen5detect vacuum cleaner — The Gen5detect’s laser-equipped Fluffy floorhead is perfect for hard surfaces (Image credit: Future)

If you have lots of hard floors – and delicate hard floors in particular – the Gen5’s Fluffy floorhead is a big winner (this is something I look for when picking the best vacuums for hardwood flooring). The soft fibers get up close to the floor surface, sucking up particles and gently buffing the floors too.

The laser is also excellent, highlighting even the tiniest specks of dust – it truly made me realize how much I must usually be missing when I vacuum. (Worth noting, though, that you don’t have to get the Gen5 for this floorhead; it’s also included on the V15 Detect.)

My main complaint with the Gen5detect is that it’s rather heavy – I’d say a little too heavy for a stick vacuum, with all the weight in the top, motor section. It’s not so noticeable when cleaning floors with the wand attached, but in handheld mode, it’s unwieldy.

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Dyson Gen5detect vacuum cleaner in handheld mode, being used on a sofa — The Gen5detect is rather unwieldy in handheld mode… (Image credit: Future)

My main complaint with the V11 is that it uses a trigger that needs to be continually depressed in use, with no option to lock it for longer cleaning sessions. This was originally designed to conserve battery life in the days when that was more limited, but personally, I’d rather have a shorter runtime than have to hold the trigger for 20 minutes while I vacuum my floors.

Be aware that with the Gen5detect, you’ll need both hands to switch the vacuum on – one to hold the vacuum and the other to press the button.

Dyson Gen5detect vs V11: battery life

Gen5 lasts 70 minutes in Eco mode; V11 lasts 60 mins
In Boost mode, Gen5 lasts 15 mins and V11 lasts 12 mins
Both have removable, swappable batteries

Comparing the Dyson Gen5detect vs V11 on battery life, the newer vacuum wins out. It offers 10 minutes longer runtime in the lowest-powered Eco mode, and in the supercharged Boost mode you’ll get an extra three minutes. (Side note: people will often complain about how quickly batteries drain in Max mode, but that’s true of all cordless stick vacuums – this mode is designed to be saved only for the toughest, ground-in dirt.)

Dyson V11 stick vacuum with battery being removed — Like the Gen5detect, the V11’s battery can be removed and swapped (Image credit: Future)

Both vacuums have an Auto mode for the most effective, battery-efficient clean, and how long that lasts will depend on what kind of floor you’re cleaning and (in the case of the Gen5detect) how dirty it is.

In reality, an hour of vacuuming will be plenty for most people’s needs, so unless you have a really large house, this probably shouldn’t be your deciding factor when it comes to choosing between the two models. Both the V11 and Gen5detect’s batteries can be removed and swapped, and both have similar recharge times.