Earlier this summer, Dyson Canada launched the new V15 Total Clean handheld vacuum, debuting its laser-powered technology up north. Yes, we finally have a vacuum with frick’n lasers (#drevil).
Dyson sent us the V15 Detect Total Clean to test and we’ve been putting it through its paces for the past month or so. We have owned many Dyson handhelds in the past, so we were able to compare how the company’s latest fared. Here’s our quick review of this powerful V15 Detect Total Clean vacuum below.
Unboxing the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean
Unboxing the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean is like unboxing any other of the company’s handheld vacuums. This time around, everything inside the box can be recycled, aside from a plastic cover for some instructions. Good job Dyson for keeping plastics at bay and packing everything up like a game of Tetris.
In the box, you get the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean vacuum itself, along with a docking station, stubborn dirt brush, mini soft dusting brush, crevice tool, hair screw tool, charger, wand clip, high-torque cleaner head with anti-tangle comb, laser slim fluffy cleaner head and combination tool.
Here’s the shaft of the Dyson showing which model you have:
Powering on the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean
The main highlight of the V15 Detect Total Clean is the newly included laser for dust detection, which allows you to see dust and debris, during day and night.
Also, the vacuum also has what Dyson calls “Acoustic Dust Sensing technology”. This measures microscopic dust particles and displays the size and number on the LCD screen on the vacuum. From here, the vacuum will automatically adjust its suction power depending on how dirty your floor is.
When you turn on the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean for the first time, you can select your preferred language. The vacuum also tells you to fully charge it before the first use as well.
Here’s the LCD display showing the size of particles being sucked up, in microns, offering you incredible detail as you vacuum:
The Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean features three vacuuming modes: Eco, Auto and Boost. We vacuumed using Auto mode 99% of the time, as the sensor always boosted itself in dustier and dirtier areas. When you see the V15 throttle up because it senses more dirt, you get a nice little ‘surprise and delight’ moment.
Here’s the Dyson V15 Total Connect beside our trusty V8 Animal, which feels ‘archaic’ after using its high-tech sibling:
For those wondering, yes, the Dyson V8 Animal can also power the new laser brush head:
If you have kids, trust me they will want to use this Dyson thanks to the green laser (but definitely not enough to perform a real clean), which is a game changer. The laser allows you to see dust and debris the naked eye normally wouldn’t, plus allows you to vacuum in dark rooms without turning the lights on.
It’s definitely an eye-opener to how dusty your floors can be, especially on dark finishes. Once you go laser, you don’t go back (really bad reference here, apologies).
Here’s the green laser you want to see, which Dyson says is safe for humans and pets. The new V15 Detect Total Clean is larger and heavier than the V8 Animal, so it does take some getting used to.
Here’s the green laser’s location on the Dyson, which we would recommend not staring directly into:
Here’s the laser in a pitch-black room—it’s fairly bright and will let you see everything on your floors:
The canister to store dust and dirt is much larger than our V8 Animal, which means less emptying. But we also found sometimes it was hard to empty as dust would clump up more versus our V8 Animal.
There’s also the battery pack at the bottom that can detach:
The detachable battery means with the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean, you can easily replace a battery in the future, or buy extra ones if you need longer, extended cleans.
Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean Charging and Battery Life
Battery life on the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean is excellent. In our case, we had more than enough power to vacuum both upstairs and downstairs (3,000 square feet). We never ran out of power or were worried about juice when running the vacuum on max power. Adding another battery to swap can get you up to 120 minutes of cleaning time, says Dyson.
Replacing the wall charger is also very simple as well, as the bracket holes from the V8 Animal match the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean, so it’s a very quick swap:
When it came to emptying the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean canister, it was a relatively straightforward affair, like with other of the company’s handhelds. Just push the red release button and everything falls out right into your trash bin.
However, there were times when we had to reach in and grab hair and dust that got stuck. This is rarely the case with both of our V8 Animals vacuums (one for upstairs and one for downstairs).
Also, we found the vacuum’s kryptonite: sweet and salty popcorn. This plugged up the main shaft, so for next time if there’s a spill, use the ‘5 second rule’ and eat off the floor instead of grabbing the Dyson.
The Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean – Final Thoughts
This latest Dyson handheld vacuum to hit Canada is excellent, thanks to its suction power, laser, battery life and large canister. It made cleaning easy because you could always see areas you’ve cleaned or places you’ve missed, thanks to the laser head. After a while, you do stop paying attention to the display and the piezo sensor showing you the size of particles sucked up.
But there are some downsides to the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean. We found it larger and heavier than our V8 Animal, which made it hard to clean high areas one-handed. Also, given the larger motor and canister area, it was hard to reach in low places such as under the couch and buffets (Dyson wants you to buy their new Omni-Glide for that purpose).
The great thing about cordless Dyson handhelds is that you can quickly grab them for spot cleans, much faster than lugging up a heavy vacuum and plugging it in. The Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean is a must-have if you have children and pets. A more accessible vacuum at all times means you will clean your home more.
Last but not least, there’s the price of the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean, which is at $949.99 CAD. Sure, not everybody is ready to drop a thousand bucks on a vacuum, but the market is there. Dyson makes some pretty cool vacuums and many people are willing to pay for its technology and ease of use products (my wife loves her $500 CAD Dyson Supersonic hair dryer #dontatme). I refuse to touch our V8 Animal anymore after using the V15 Detect Total Clean. I need my laser sight.
The Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean is available in Dyson Demo Stores in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary and online at DysonCanada.ca. If you’re looking for the Dyson handheld of your dreams, this is one heckuva vacuum to buy.
