Our Verdict: Despite being superseded by the V10, the Dyson V8 Absolute is still an excellent cordless vacuum cleaner. It provides strong all-around performance and is easy to use, so we still recommend it if you can find a good deal. The Dyson V8 is no longer the best cordless on the market though.
Dyson V8 Absolute
Pros:
- Powerful suction from a vacuum that’s cheaper than the top cordless models on the market
- Very easy to use and convenient to steer around the home
- Includes Dyson’s Soft Roller floorhead for hard floors
- Hygienic bin emptying system is an improvement on the V6 range
Cons:
- Still a pricey vacuum despite being cheaper than the V10
- We think the bin emptying system feels flimsy and unreliable
- Lacks the advanced features of models like the V11 and Tineco S12
- Short run-time if you use the “Boost” mode
The Dyson V8 Absolute has been around for a few years, but it’s still a high-quality cordless vacuum. It provides a 40-minute battery life, direct-drive floor head, and hygienic emptying system. It’s also a lot cheaper than the newer Dyson V10 or V11.
We think the Dyson V8 Absolute is still a choice to consider if you want a Dyson cordless without forking out for their latest models. It’s convenient, great for quick clean-ups, and the Soft Roller is a bonus for hard floors. There’s no doubt that newer Dyson vacuums are better vacuums though, so keep that in mind when buying.
How does the Dyson V8 Absolute perform around the home though? And is it deserving of a place on our list of the best cordless vacuums? Keep reading our Dyson V8 Absolute review to find out.
Tip: Not sure whether to buy the V8 or V10? Check out our comparison here. You can also read our V8 Absolute Vs V8 Animal page to compare these two popular models.
Overview of Dyson V8 Absolute
- 0.54 litre dust and dirt capacity
- Direct-drive floor head for digging deep into carpets
- Soft Roller tool is one of the best hard floor heads
- Several accessories including a combination tool, crevice tool and mini-motorised tool for upholstery
- 40-minute run-time when not using the powered floor head
- Maximum power mode for stubborn dirt (reduces run-time to 7 minutes)
- Hygienic emptying system
- Docking station for charging and holding accessories
Features and Performance
The V8 might look similar to the V6 range, but comes with a range of improvements and refinements. These include greater suction power, a more hygienic emptying system, longer battery life and quieter operation. Considering the V6 was already a solid cordless vacuum, this is a good sign!
Appearance, Features, and Design
Like most Dyson appliances, the Dyson V8 is an attractive model with a bagless dust canister. With a golden tube, colourful cleaner heads and transparent dust container, it has the classic Dyson appeal without appearing bulky.
Like nearly all Dyson cordless vacuums, it has a trigger that must be held when cleaning. This helps conserve battery life, but we think the trigger can get tiring to use as it’s relatively stiff. On the plus side, the motor and body of the vacuum are built around the trigger, so it’s balanced and less tiring to hold.
One of the great things about the V8 range is that they can convert from stick to handheld modes. By detaching the tube, the model becomes a powerful handheld that can be used for cleaning stairs, above-floor surfaces and quick spills.
The handheld is also handy for vacuuming inside cars – although it doesn’t have quite enough power for the most stubborn dirt in footwell mats.
We like that both cleaner heads have bristles right up to the edge. This makes it easier to clean along walls and skirting boards.
The higher-powered motor means that it’s slightly heavier than the V6 range (approximately 0.3kg). We think this is a good trade though, as the small increase in weight leads to much greater suction.
A minor drawback is that it has a dust capacity of just 0.54 litres. This isn’t really a negative point, as nearly all cordless vacuums have similar capacities. But be prepared to empty the canister regularly – especially as the machine has such powerful suction.
Battery Life
One of the most important considerations when buying a cordless vacuum is battery life – and the V8 performs OK in this respect. It doesn’t quite match the 60-minute run-time of the Bosch BCH625KTGB, but with a maximum run-time of 40 minutes it has enough battery life for a full clean of most houses.
Keep in mind that the run-time decreases depending on the tool used though. When using the motorised floor tool, for example, it can last around 25 minutes. If you activate the boost mode, this drops to less than 10 minutes, so this setting is only useful for quick bursts.
Even so, we think it has a reasonable battery life compared to many other cordless models – especially on its regular power setting. It’s also more than both the V6 and V7 ranges.
Charging time is around five hours, which is standard for this type of vacuum.
Suction Power and Performance
When it was first released, Dyson claimed the V8 was the most powerful vacuum on the market when the cleaner was in MAX mode (which greatly reduces battery life). There’s no doubt it provides excellent suction for a cordless, but we certainly don’t think it’s the top dog for suction anymore.
With that said, it has plenty of suction for everyday cleaning tasks. It’s not going to replace your main vacuum, but we think it’s a convenient choice for quickly getting rid of dust, hair, and other debris.
To improve dust pickup further, Dyson has included a direct-drive cleaning head. Built with nylon bristles, the head drives the brush deeper into fibres than previous Dyson cordless floorheads. For comparison, Dyson estimates this cleaner head has 2.5 times the power of the V6 Animal, which was already a decent vacuum for cleaning carpets.
The direct-drive bristles can scatter larger debris on hard floors though, which is why a Soft Roller head is also included. This is built with a combination of soft nylon and carbon filaments. We’re big fans of the Soft Roller – especially if you have hardwood floors in your home.
While the science is quite complex, the two materials create a seal when vacuuming that increases dust pickup while allowing larger debris to be collected. It’s worth noting that the Soft Roller head is not included with the V8 Animal.
As you would expect, both the direct-drive and soft roller heads perform well. They collect a large amount of debris quickly and we think the mini-motorised tool is great for cleaning stairs and sofas.
There is also a maximum power mode. This reduces run-time to just seven minutes, so it’s not suitable for extended cleaning sessions. But it’s perfect when you need extra suction for stubborn dirt, dust or pet hair.
Speaking of pet hair, the V8 is great if you have dogs or cats that shed a lot. The lightweight design and powerful suction make it easy to whip around your home to keep carpets and floors clean.
Ease of Use
We found the V8 to be easy to use around the home. It’s lightweight, quick to empty, and makes vacuuming much easier than using a corded model. Here’s a quick overview of some of the ease-of-use filters included with this vac:
- The Dyson V8 Absolute comes with a hygienic dust ejector. When the container is full, you can empty it using a single switch without getting your hands dirty. A rubber collar also slides down the sides to remove more dirt. This works well most of the time, but we found debris and clumps of hair can still occasionally get stuck. We also think that the emptying system feels flimsy and cheaper than you would expect from such a premium vacuum.
- A docking station is included with the V8. This can hold both the machine and attachments, while also charging the battery. The docking station can be mounted to a wall.
- The brush bar can be quickly cleaned if it becomes entangled with hair. This is important, as the original model doesn’t include detangling technology (although more recent versions of the V8 do include detangling, so make sure you check which model you’re buying).
- With its range of tools and handheld mode, it’s great for cleaning tricky-to-reach areas or higher places in the home.
Filtration
Like other Dyson models, the V8 comes with whole-machine filtration. In practice, this means two tiers of radial cyclones force dust and dirt outwards until they are caught by a filter. This allows the machine to filter particles as small as 0.3 microns, which is around the same as you’d expect from a HEPA filter.
In other words, the vacuum provides excellent filtration, making it a great choice if you suffer from a dust or pet allergy. The filters are also washable.
However, we don’t recommend this vacuum if you have moderate or severe dust or pet allergies. The emptying process releases a cloud of dust into the air, which is why we think bagged vacuums are a better choice.
Price and Value For Money
There’s no doubt that the V8 Absolute is an expensive machine. Despite being available for a cheaper price since the release of the V10, it’s still pricier than the best cylinder or upright vacuums, which provide more cleaning power than the V8.
Despite the high price tag, we still think it provides value for money if you want a convenient vacuum for daily cleaning. It’s not going to replace a corded model, nor is it the best cordless on the market. But we think it provides a good balance between price and performance.
In addition, it comes with Dyson’s two-year guarantee. This covers both labour and parts, but make sure you read it thoroughly before you buy.
Accessories and Tools
The Dyson V8 comes with the company’s quick-release tools. We always find these to be simple to detach and re-attach, which helps to make the vacuum more convenient.
Here’s a quick rundown of the array of tools you get with the V8 Absolute:
- Soft Roller and direct-drive cleaner heads for hard floors and carpets respectively.
- Mini-motorised tool that’s great for getting pet hair out of upholstery and stairs.
- Combination tool for awkward cleaning areas and dusting.
- A separate crevice tool for getting into hard-to-reach areas.
This is an impressive set of tools that can be used on either the handheld mode or extension tube. In particularly, the mini-motorised tool is great for cleaning car interiors or stairs.
Note: There are several other tools available for the Absolute that can be purchased separately. These include a quick release mattress tool, extension hose and dirt brush.
Dyson V8 Absolute Specification
| Ninja Column 1 | Ninja Column 2 |
|---|---|
| Type | Cordless |
| Bag | Bagless |
| Filter | Washable |
| Price Range | ££££ |
| Weight (kg) | 2.6 |
| Capacity (Litres) | 0.54 |
| Motorised Tool | Yes |
| Hose | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dyson V8 vs Animal – Which Is Best?
The only real difference is that the Animal does not come with the soft roller cleaner for cleaning hard floors. It only includes the direct-drive head. Aside from aesthetic differences, the models are virtually identical in every other way.
If you have lots of hard floors and don’t mind paying a bit extra, the Absolute is the better option. For only cleaning carpets, or if you want to save some money, the Animal is still a great choice.
Does The V8 Clean Edges Effectively?
Yes. The bristles on both cleaner heads go close to the edges. This design, combined with strong suction to pull in dust and dirt, makes it great for cleaning along edges.
Verdict
We think the Dyson V8 Absolute is an excellent cordless vacuum. It might have been replaced by newer Dyson models, but it still provides strong suction and surprisingly effective cleaning performance.
The addition of the Soft Roller also makes the Absolute version a great choice for homes with hard floors. On the other hand, if your home is mainly carpeted, save some money and go for the V8 Animal instead.
It’s not perfect though. Despite the price reductions, it’s still one of the most expensive vacuum cleaners don’t the market. The bin system isn’t as effective as newer Dyson vacuums, while also feeling flimsy. The battery run-time is also very short when you use boost mode.
However, if you want a cord-free vacuum that makes quick work of almost any cleaning job, the Dyson V8 Absolute provides an attractive balance between price and performance.