
The gateway Dyson. Simple, light, gets the job done.
The V8 is where most people start their cordless vacuum journey โ and for good reason. It's the most affordable "real" Dyson, it's light enough to use one-handed, and it handles everyday messes without breaking a sweat.
Is it the most powerful? No. Does it have a laser or a fancy screen? Nope. But if you live in an apartment, have minimal carpet, or just want something quick and easy for daily touch-ups, the V8 does exactly what you need.
My honest take: If you can stretch your budget, I'd recommend the V11 instead. The jump in battery life (40 min โ 60 min) and suction power is significant. But if ~$350 is your ceiling, the V8 is a solid choice.
Quick cleanups. Crumbs on the kitchen floor? Cat litter tracked across the hallway? The V8 excels at grab-and-go cleaning. It's light, it charges fast enough, and you don't have to think about it.
Small spaces. In a studio or one-bedroom apartment, 40 minutes of runtime is plenty. You'll finish vacuuming before the battery gives out.
Handheld mode. The V8 converts to a handheld vacuum easily, which is great for furniture, car interiors, and stairs.
Whole-home cleaning. If you have a larger home (3+ bedrooms), 40 minutes might not cut it โ especially if you're using boost mode on carpets.
Heavy-duty messes. The 115 AW suction is fine for dust and light debris, but it struggles with embedded dirt in thick carpets compared to the V11 or V15.
Buy the V8 if: You're in an apartment, you want a simple grab-and-go vacuum, or ~$350 is your budget ceiling. It's a real Dyson at the lowest price point.
Skip it if: You have a larger home, lots of carpet, or pets that shed. The V11 is worth the upgrade for the extra runtime and power.
V8 Plus vs the full lineup
| Spec | V8 Plus | V11 Origin | V15 Detect Plus | V15s Submarine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street Price | ~$350-400 | ~$500-600 | ~$650-750 | $849 |
| Suction Power | 115 AW | 185 AW | 230 AW | 230 AW |
| Runtime | 40 min | 60 min | 60 min | 60 min |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs | 6.0 lbs | 6.8 lbs | 7.1 lbs |
| Laser Detection | โ | โ | โ | โ |
| LCD Screen | โ | โ | โ | โ |

I've been an avid vacuum specialist since I first got addicted to making the stripes in the carpet as a child. I proudly stepped away from corded vacs in 2018 and never looked back (not counting shop vacs). I've owned a variety of Dyson products and I'm here to share my hot takes with all the other vacuum aficionados of the world.
โ Rob, Founder of Rob's Honest Haul