In this article, we are going to take a look at one of the most popular products that Dyson has released in recent years, the Dyson V6.
More specifically, we are comparing the Dyson V6 with one of its alternative configurations, the V6 Absolute.
What is Dyson V6?
Dyson is a leading name when it comes to its world-beating vacuum technology. A level of technology that is easy to see for pretty much anyone who has used one of these incredible machines.
Even the handheld vacuum models, usually one of the weakest conventional vacuums that people can buy, are some of the strongest in their class.
Many people might see these two different designs, and assume that they are the same in every metric. And certainly, that’s not unfounded. They are all after all based on the same model after all.
This has led some people to wonder if purchasing one over the other even matters. This is what we hope to clear up now!
We’re going to go step by step through this model, and determine how different exactly these two Dyson vacuum cleaners are, and whether or not one of them is better value for money for you and your wallet.
Motor Power/Suction
The main concern that many people looking to purchase a version of the V6 is how much suction power it can generate.
After all, handheld stick vacuum cleaners are notorious for being noticeably weaker than then larger cylinder counterparts, with their large storage compartments and motors.
However, customers of Dyson will be happy to know that, although not as strong as its larger counterparts, such as V11, both versions of the V6 that we are covering perform admirably as their weight class of vacuums, with over 100,000 Rotations Per Minute (RPM) coming from them.
This probably isn’t too surprising, given that they both have the same base model that they are functioning off of, and there are no changes between them that would make it noticeably better or worse than the standard cordless model.
In this case, both models perform very well at gathering smaller grains of dust but seem to struggle with larger objects, such as larger debris that can get stuck in the chamber entrance.
Battery Power
Battery power is another vital component that many people often look for when it comes to their handheld cordless vacuum cleaner.
Run Time
As you can imagine, without a cord to constantly supply it with power, many battery-powered vacuum cleaners can run out of steam (or rather, suction) very quickly, with 20 to 25 minutes often being the average amount of time that other vacuums can operate at.
Once again, despite it being one of the weaker vacuums in Dyson’s handheld line, the V6 cordless still manages to conserve its power surprisingly well, being able to be used for 30 minutes at a time before needing to be charged again.
With the same base design for the battery pack it uses being very similar to the cordless model, the V6 Absolute also performs quite well, being able to last around 30 minutes for its run time.
Charging Time
Being battery-powered vacuum cleaners, these vacuums do still need to be charged before and after they are used.
If you have only managed to do a part of your cleaning task before your vacuum leaner has powered down, this can be a major source of frustration for you.
And, unfortunately, this is a problem that all handheld cordless vacuum cleaners have, and not one that the V6 can solve.
Whilst it only takes 3 and a half hours for it to finish charging, it isn’t exactly slow for a charging time, but it is still a major interruption in your workflow. This is one of the reasons that many people stick with corded vacuum cleaners.
Sadly, the V6 Absolute doesn’t fare much better, as its official charge time is also around 3 and a half hours. So, overall, there is still a noticeable waiting period for using this vacuum cleaner again.
Battery Lifespan
This is another issue that many people often have before committing to buying a cordless vacuum cleaner.
After all, how long can they expect their batteries to work before they have to fork out another $30 to $40 for a replacement, or worse, to have to replace the whole item to get it fixed by the manufacturer?
In this metric, the battery of the V6 performed decently well, having an approximate working life for its battery of about 4 years.
And with a very similar design to its battery, the V6 Absolute comes in at a very similar time as well of around 4 years, before any issues with its performance should become noticeable.
Maneuverability
This is a factor where many models of handheld vacuums shine, as they do not have to carry around clunky and heavy components, giving them much easier movement and turning circles.
The V6 cordless is very similar to other models in this way, as it has an excellent length when fully extended with its wand neck, and can even be detached from it to have a much more precise handheld mode.
With the same neck model, as well as several extra attachments for added versatility, this is where we start to see the V6 Absolute outperform the standard V6. In this case, the V6 Absolute is the superior option.
Accessories
Many vacuum cleaners these days come with many attachments that can assist in more precise cleaning, such as thinner nozzles or stronger bristled vacuum heads.
In this case, we see that the V6 cordless model is a little lacking. Whilst it does come with a charger and a nozzle head, there isn’t much else to speak of.
The V6 Absolute, meanwhile, comes with pretty much any attachment that Dyson sells for this kind of model, from a direct drive cleaning head to a fluffy head option.
It even comes with its filtration system to help stop more dirt and dust escaping from both the surface it is cleaning and the vacuum itself!
Final Thoughts – Which Is Better?
As we can see, overall, these two vacuums are incredibly similar in terms of performance numbers such as power and battery life.
This isn’t that surprising, given how they both are built from the same base model. In this case, which one is best for you will largely be determined by all the extras that come with it.
If you are simply looking for a handheld vacuum cleaner that can help you clean odd jobs around the house, and nothing more, then the V6 cordless will serve you just fine.
However, if you are looking for a cleaning tool that comes with as many accessories as you could need, as well as an excellent HEPA filtration system, then we would recommend going for the V6 Absolute model.
With all the accessories and vacuum heads you could need, this is absolutely the tool to have in your home!