Dyson V11 Vs. V11 Plus: I Tested Both—Here’s The One You Should Actually Buy

As someone who’s spent years testing cordless vacuums in my own home, I’ve come to appreciate how small details can make a big difference in daily cleaning.

In this article, I want to help you decide between the Dyson V11 and the Dyson V11 Plus by breaking down their similarities, differences, performance, and real-world value. Both are excellent machines, but one might suit your needs better depending on your home, budget, and cleaning habits.

Let’s get straight to the comparison.

Key Differences Between Dyson V11 And V11 Plus

At their core, these two models are the same vacuum—identical motor, battery, bin, weight, filtration, and suction power. The real distinction lies in what comes in the box and how that affects your day-to-day experience.

• Accessory Bundle: The standard V11 ships with the essentials you need for most floor-focused cleaning: the Motorbar cleaner head, mini motorized tool, crevice tool, combination tool, and wall dock. It’s streamlined and gets the job done. The V11 Plus, however, adds four specialized tools that significantly broaden what you can tackle: a flexible extension hose for low-reach areas, a stubborn dirt brush for tough grime, an up-top adapter for high dusting, and a dedicated mattress tool for upholstery and bedding. These extras would cost $100–$150 if purchased separately for the standard model.
• Versatility for Different Tasks: The standard V11 excels at floors and basic furniture but can feel limited when you need to clean ceilings, light fixtures, under low furniture, or deeply clean mattresses. I’ve found myself improvising with the basic tools or just skipping those jobs. The Plus eliminates that frustration—the extension hose slides effortlessly under couches, the up-top adapter makes ceiling fans safe and quick, and the mattress tool pulls out dust and allergens I didn’t even know were there.
• Value Perception: If your cleaning routine is mostly hard floors and occasional spot cleans, the standard V11 saves you money upfront without sacrificing performance. But if you anticipate needing those extra tools (and most people do once they own the vacuum), the Plus is often the better deal because the bundle price effectively discounts the attachments. During sales, the gap can shrink to $50–$80, making the Plus an even easier choice.
• Color and Packaging Variations: Minor cosmetic differences exist depending on region and retailer—standard models often come in blue/nickel, while Plus bundles may feature red or purple accents. The boxes and marketing highlight the extras on the Plus, but these are purely aesthetic and don’t affect function.
• Target User and Home Size: The standard V11 is perfect for apartments, smaller homes, or anyone with primarily hard floors and minimal upholstery. The V11 Plus better suits larger homes, multi-level spaces, pet owners, families with kids, or anyone who wants a more complete cleaning system without future add-ons.
• Storage and Organization: The standard’s fewer tools store neatly on the dock or in a drawer. The Plus’s additional attachments require a bit more organization—some users add wall hooks or a small storage bin, but it’s a small trade-off for the added capability.

Understanding The Dyson V11 Lineup

I’ve owned several Dyson cordless models over the years, and the V11 remains one of my favorites even as newer ones arrive.

Released a few years ago, it set a new standard with intelligent suction and that helpful LCD screen.

The standard V11 is the core model most people think of, while the V11 Plus is essentially the same vacuum bundled with additional cleaning tools.

The “Plus” designation means extra versatility right out of the box—no need to buy attachments separately later.

Key Features Shared By Both Models

Both the V11 and V11 Plus use the same powerful core technology, so their cleaning performance feels identical in everyday use.

• Hyperdymium Motor: This spins at up to 125,000 RPM, delivering 185 air watts of suction. I remember the first time I used it on a thick rug—embedded pet hair that my old vacuum left behind just disappeared.
• LCD Screen Intelligence: The screen shows remaining runtime in minutes and seconds, current power mode, and maintenance reminders. It takes the guesswork out of cleaning sessions.
• Three Power Modes: Auto adjusts suction based on floor type, Eco stretches battery life, and Boost tackles tough messes. Auto mode is where these vacuums shine—I use it 90% of the time.
• Motorbar Cleaner Head: The full-width head with nylon bristles and anti-tangle vanes handles long hair and pet fur without wrapping. It automatically ramps up power on carpets.
• Whole-Machine Filtration: Captures 99.99% of particles down to 0.3 microns. As someone with allergies, I notice cleaner air after vacuuming.
• Point-and-Shoot Emptying: Hygienic bin release means no dust clouds when emptying.
• Clickable Battery: Easy to swap if you ever buy a spare, though one is plenty for most homes.

Also Read: Comparison of Roomba j9 And s9 Smart Vacuums.

What Makes the V11 Plus Different?

The V11 Plus includes everything the standard V11 has, plus several bonus tools that expand its capabilities.

• Flexible Extension Hose: This bends and stretches, letting you reach under furniture without moving everything. I use it constantly for cleaning under beds and couches.
• Stubborn Dirt Brush: Stiff bristles dig out dried mud or ground-in spills. Great for entryways after rainy days.
• Up-Top Adapter: Angles the wand to clean ceiling fans, shelves, or crown molding without a ladder.
• Mattress Tool: Wider with stronger suction for upholstery and beds. If you have pets that sleep on furniture, this is a game-changer.

These extras make the Plus feel more complete for whole-home cleaning.

Pros And Cons of the Dyson V11

Pros

• Outstanding Suction on All Surfaces: Picks up everything from fine dust to cereal to embedded sand.
• Intelligent Auto Mode: Saves battery by only using full power when needed.
• Lightweight and Maneuverable: At 6.6 lbs, easy to carry upstairs or use one-handed.
• Excellent Battery Life in Eco/Auto: Covers my 1,800 sq ft house on one charge without Boost.
• Low Maintenance: Washable filter, easy emptying, no bags.
• Quiet Compared to Older Cordless: Noticeably less noisy than previous generations.
• Strong Build Quality: Feels premium and durable.

Cons

• Limited Accessories Out of Box: Lacks tools for high-reach or upholstery cleaning.
• Boost Mode Drains Battery Fast: Only 10-12 minutes, though rarely needed.
• Dust Bin Fills Quickly on Large Jobs: 0.75L means emptying mid-session in very dirty homes.
• No Laser on Cleaner Head: Newer Dysons added this; V11 relies on auto sensors.
• Price Still Premium: Even the standard model isn’t cheap.

Also Read: Comparison of Roomba i7 And j7 Smart Vacuums.

Pros And Cons of the Dyson V11 Plus

Pros

• Complete Accessory Kit: Everything you need for floors, furniture, ceilings, and mattresses included.
• Greater Versatility: Handles more cleaning scenarios without buying extras.
• Better Long-Term Value: If you use the additional tools, you save money versus buying them later.
• Same Excellent Core Performance: Identical suction, runtime, and intelligence as standard V11.
• Ideal for Pet Owners: Extra tools tackle hair on upholstery and beds effectively.
• Future-Proof Bundle: Less likely to feel “incomplete” over time.
• Often Similar Runtime Despite More Tools: The tools don’t affect battery life.

Cons

• Higher Upfront Cost: Typically $50-150 more depending on sales.
• Extra Tools to Store: More attachments mean finding space for them.
• Slightly Heavier When Using Hose: The extension hose adds minor weight in certain configurations.
• Overkill for Minimalist Homes: If you only clean hard floors weekly, the extras might gather dust.
• Same Bin and Battery Limitations: No upgrade in capacity or runtime over standard.

Real-World Performance Comparison

In my testing, both vacuums perform identically on bare floors and carpets.

The Motorbar head glides smoothly, auto-adjusts perfectly, and the detangling works as advertised—long hair slides right off.

Where the Plus pulls ahead is convenience.

Cleaning ceiling fans with the standard V11 meant awkwardly balancing on a chair with the wand.

With the Plus’s up-top tool, it’s quick and safe.

Under low furniture?

The extension hose reaches without crawling on the floor.

Battery life feels the same: I get about 45 minutes in Auto mode cleaning mixed surfaces, enough for my entire main floor. Boost is reserved for spot-cleaning spills.

Filtration is excellent on both—I run an air quality monitor and see particle counts drop significantly after vacuuming.

My Personal Experience and Recommendations

I’ve used the standard V11 for over two years and recently added a V11 Plus for comparison. The core cleaning power impressed me from day one, but the Plus’s extra tools get used far more than I expected.

The mattress tool alone transformed how I clean bedrooms—pulling out dust I didn’t know was there.

If your home is under 1,500 sq ft with mostly hard floors and minimal furniture, the standard V11 is plenty. You’ll save money and still get flagship performance.

If you have pets, kids, multi-level spaces, thick rugs, or just hate buying accessories later, go for the Plus. The convenience is worth the premium.

Also Read: Comparison of Tineco S5 And S6 Wet-Dry Vacuums.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Wrapping Up

After living with both the Dyson V11 and V11 Plus, I can confidently say they’re among the best cordless vacuums you can buy. The choice comes down to how much versatility you want from day one.

If you’re like me and end up using every tool eventually, the Plus will make your cleaning routine easier and more thorough. Whichever you choose, you’ll wonder how you ever managed with a corded vacuum.

Happy cleaning—you deserve a machine that makes the job feel effortless.