Dyson 214744-01 V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum

Product Information

If you’ve ever used an electric toothbrush you might have noticed that its motor begins to spin slower as the battery runs down. This isn’t the case with the V8, as with previous models, as a fade-free Lithium-ion battery is used. Whether you’re using it with a fully-charged battery or towards the end, the level of suction remained the same. Suction, too, isn’t significantly affected by the level of dirt accumulated in the bin, either. It also comes with extensions aplenty. As well as the main vacuum unit, the extension pole and extra-large cleaning head (with hair removal veins to keep it clean), the Dyson Outsize comes with a smaller soft head for hard floors and a mini-motorised tool for cleaning stairs and other inconvenient places. You’ll also get a variety of brushes, adaptors and other extensions. Although it’s no shorter than the V15, the collection bin is smaller at 350ml, and it doesn’t contain as many of Dyson’s cyclones, reducing the overall suction power to 150AW. Don’t let that put you off, though, because there’s still enough power here to perform a fantastic cleaning job, albeit in a smaller unit that doesn’t take up as much room, so is easier to store. It’s also a good deal cheaper than the V15. Dyson vacuum cleaners have become some of the most highly sought-after items in the home thanks to their excellent build quality, suction power, and eye-catching design. So where are the cheapest Dyson sales happening right now? In addition to the V8 Animal and V8 Absolute, Dyson also released a model called the Dyson V8 Total Clean, which has also been discontinued, and replaced by the V10 Total Clean. This was a handheld cordless model, designed to handle all types of surface, and with a lower weight than other V8 models. If you can find one, it could be the ideal option for cleaning smaller apartments or homes.

Upright – This is a one-piece unit and the model that most closely resembles the traditional machine that most people will picture when they think of a vacuum cleaner. The suction head is at the bottom, the handle is at the top and the dust container mounted in between. It’s a simple, tried and tested design. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to test the V8’s suction power using our standard test, which gives out a reading in kilopascals (kPa). This is because when you create a perfect seal with the V8’s nozzle the motor shuts down automatically after just a second, making it difficult to get an accurate reading of its full suction capabilities. This prevents undue strain on the motor should the pipe become clogged, but means we’ve had to rely on our more subjective tests.Never Use Your Dyson to Clean Liquids – This one will be obvious to some people, but it's worth reiterating: Dyson's cordless vacuums are not designed to clean fluid spillages, so don't use them for this purpose. It's a sure-fire way to damage the mechanism. The standard V8 is ideal if you have a relatively small living space that’s mostly carpeted. If you have mostly hard floors, it’s worth seeking out the V8 Absolute, which comes with an additional fluffy roller. As the years passed, Dyson added more cyclones, enhancing the ability of cleaners to remove dust or sand particles. Handheld models appeared, giving home owners new opportunities to clean hard to reach locations, and providing a great way to mop up small dirt deposits. Models like the popular DC07 (released in 2001) took things forward, adding extra suction power and reducing operating noise. 2004's DC14 introduced now familiar “Animal” models for pet owners, while 2005's DC15 totally changed the setup of Dyson's vacuum cleaners, making them much easier to move around difficult environments. The direct-drive cleaner head also performed excellently on our carpet surface, too, collecting the cat litter spill with minimal fuss and with only the occasional loose piece flying off waywardly. The direct-drive head is able to push its bristles deep into your carpet, pulling up fine debris even in the pile.

Starting with the DC01 in 1993, Dyson revolutionised the way Brits clean their homes. The first model employed “dual cyclone” motors, which gave it a distinctive, almost futuristic appearance. It was replaced by the DC02 in 1997, which introduced removable and washable filters, as well as filtration systems that hadn't been seen before in UK homes. Keep your V8 Dustbin Clean at All Times – Along with the filters, users will need to keep their dustbin free of dirt residues. Again, there's a technique to follow when doing so, and detergents should always be avoided. Carefully remove the bin via the red catch, and gently clean its interior with a wet cloth. Don't submerge it in water, and don't use any soap. Leave it to dry before replacing, then wipe around the rim with a dry cloth to remove any residues on the casing itself. The latest models come with Dyson’s hair-detangling floor head, which combs the brushes of its rotating brush bar as the vacuum cleans, ensuring that hair doesn’t get tangled. Based on historical pricing data, we think these prices represent genuinely good savings on some of Dyson's most popular cordless models:green laser light that helps you spot where your hard floor is dirty; and the anti-tangle brush bar floor head for carpet, which guides hair off the roller and into the collection bin before it can wrap itself around the roller and become a problem.

It has the usual attachments for crevice cleaning and dusting, plus a small motorised head for mats and rugs, but is definitely not suitable if you’ve got more carpet than you’re prepared to vacuum on your hands and knees. There are some brilliant Dyson vacuums out there, but we've also found worthy alternatives from other brands, including much cheaper options. Needless to say, however, under our tests the Dyson V8 Absolute performed immaculately and just as well as some of the corded cylinder vacuums we’ve tested. The soft roller cleaner head made light work of our hard floor test, cleaning up 95% of the fine powder spill in one sweep and providing a buffeting shine while it went. This was with very little pressure exerted towards the floor, with a bit more force the V8 clears up the entire mess in one go. The V8 is still very much a dual-function vacuum, acting as both a handheld and a standard cordless. You’re able to attach the V8’s multitude of accessories either directly to the handheld vacuum or used in combination with the now orange extension tube for vacuuming high or low. It was just as easy to clean the floor as it was to clean bookshelves or dusty ceiling corners.The data might reveal whether there's an ideal time of year to buy your preferred Dyson, or whether it's currently a peak period when prices tend to be at their highest. 4. Shop around Uprights tend to have the largest capacity, so you spend less time emptying them, and you can cover larger areas in a shorter amount of time than other models. On the downside, they’re heavier than other models, and the mains cord and detachable hose mean they’re not the most convenient type of vacuum to use on stairs. However, while it doesn’t offer the extreme suction of Dyson’s cordless models on their Boost mode, the Ball Animal is more powerful than the standard modes of such machines. With the added benefit that it isn’t going to run out and require recharging, this makes it perfect for larger, more serious cleaning jobs.

The V8 is drastically quieter than the previous V6, making vacuuming a less strenuous task. Dyson claims there’s a 50% reduction in noise, and while we’ll have to take Dyson’s word for it, it’s definitely noticeably easier on the ears. It’s a much lower-frequency sound, and while vacuuming is never a silent activity, it’s welcome to see the often excessive noise output has been reduced. Put it all together and you’ve got the best Dyson you can buy: its most powerful cleaner to date, coupled with new technology that’s genuinely useful. Dyson’s V8 Absolute cordless vacuum cleaner takes everything great about the already impressive V6 Absolute, and ramps things up a notch. It doesn’t look too dissimilar to its predecessor, and Dyson is hardly reinventing the wheel, but these intricate improvements over radical changes are what made the V8 Absolute the best cordless vacuum cleaner to buy when it first launched. There’s an increase in the suction, naturally, with this new vacuum’s stated suction power upgraded to 240 air watts, compared with 185 air watts in the equivalent V11. However, the headline innovations in this model are located in its motorised heads. You could pay hundreds of pounds over the odds if you buy a Dyson vacuum at the wrong time or from the wrong place.

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The Dyson V8 range has been around for a few years, having debuted in 2016, so it's no surprise that the company has come up with a successor. The Dyson V10 collection appeared in 2018, and was intended to directly supersede the V8, so you might think that assessing the merits of the V8 is obsolete. After all, why opt for an older model if more powerful, more advanced alternatives exist? Actually, there are a few reasons to think about Dyson V8s, instead of upgrading to a V10. The Absolute model comes with three of these in the box: a hard floor head with a laser that highlights the dust on your floor to give you proof of your clean; a new High Torque Head that combs hair from itself as it vacuums your carpets; and a smaller motorised head for furniture and stairs with a unique corkscrew-shaped brush that releases hair from itself as it spins. There’s another useful tweak here, where it comes to changing accessories. The release clip has now been moved to the accessory head, whereas it used to be on the extension tube and the main unit. Previously, it meant removing accessories became a juggling act but the operation is now swifter and far easier to complete with just your free hand. The V8’s increased power amounts to the motor spinning at up to 110,000RPM, the same as on the previous model. Dyson’s rated suction power has increased, however, from 100 air watts to 115 air watts in the new model.