Dyson V8 Absolute Cord-Free Vacuum Review

We purchased the Dyson V8 Absolute Cord-Free Vacuum so our reviewer could put it to the test in her home. Keep reading for our full product review.

Thanks to the sheer power of its machines, Dyson is a leading brand in the vacuum world. While many of the company’s models are highly rated, they also have expensive price tags to match, and this holds true for the Dyson V8 Absolute Cord-Free Vacuum, one of the brand’s cordless stick models. While cordless vacuums are typically lightweight and portable, they sometimes offer less suction and a limited runtime since they’re relying on a battery as opposed to an outlet.

To find out whether this battery-powered vacuum lives up to the brand’s reputation for excellence, we put the Dyson V8 Absolute to the test, using it around the house to determine whether it’s worth the splurge. Read on to find out our verdict.

Performance: Powerful suction for thorough cleaning

Thanks to its digital motor, the Dyson V8 Absolute Cord-Free Vacuum delivers powerful, consistent suction, picking up dirt, debris, pet hair, dust, and whatever else your floors may be harboring. It took just one pass with the vacuum to clean our hardwood floors and low- and high-pile carpets, and it even pulled up little particles from between our floorboards. The numerous included attachments helped us optimize the vacuum’s performance on a variety of surfaces. For instance, the direct drive cleaner head includes a beater bar that gets deep into shag carpets, while the soft roller head is perfect for getting dust and debris off hardwood.

The Dyson V8 Absolute also has the option to toggle between maximum power and regular power modes, delivering the extra boost we needed to pick up tough messes. Just keep in mind that should you use the MAX power setting, it significantly decreases the vacuum’s battery life.

Design: Modern look with a few questionable details

The Dyson V8 Absolute is a sleek and modern vacuum, and it’s clear that careful thought was put into its design. The machine is weighted nicely so it was easy to push around the floor and dust up high. We found that you can also easily transform it into a handheld model by removing the neck. Emptying the dustbin is as easy as pulling a lever—there’s no need to take the machine apart or touch the contents you’ve vacuumed up. Plus, the vacuum features whole-machine HEPA filtration to ensure it efficiently captures allergens.

All that said, the Dyson V8 Absolute isn’t perfect. For one, the vacuum doesn’t have a standard on-off switch. Instead, it has a “trigger” that we had to hold down continuously as we vacuumed, and this was a bit tough on our hands when we attempted to clean the whole house. Additionally, this vacuum doesn’t stand up on its own, so we had to awkwardly prop it on something when we took a break from cleaning. However, it does come with a wall mount where you can store and charge the vacuum when it's not in use.

Take a look at other product reviews and shop for the best vacuum cleaners available online.

Battery Life: Long lasting on standard mode

One of the main downsides of a cordless vacuum is that it has a fairly limited runtime. When we used it on the standard power mode, the Dyson V8 Absolute ran for an impressive 40 minutes—significantly longer than many of its competitors. Keep in mind that if you’re using the motorized-cleaner head or MAX power mode, this time will be slashed dramatically to 25 minutes and 7 minutes respectively.

Once you fully exhaust the Dyson V8 Absolute’s battery, recharge time is about five hours. This is considerably longer than some other cordless vacuums. If you can’t finish your vacuuming on a single battery charge, the long charging time means that you might have to resume your cleaning session much later—or even the next day.

Price: One of the most expensive

As is the case with many Dyson products, the V8 Absolute is significantly more expensive than many of its competitors—as much as a full-size model, actually. But because it delivers impressive performance and a lineup of versatile attachments, you may be able to replace your regular vacuum with it. If you’re not looking to do that, it’s admittedly a pricey supplementary cleaning tool.

For cheaper alternatives, check our guide to the best inexpensive vacuum cleaners.

Competition: An investment with more functionality

Black+Decker Cordless 2-N-1 Stick Vacuum: If you’re looking for a stick vacuum that can be used as a sidekick (and not a replacement) to your regular vacuum, you may be interested in the less-expensive Black+Decker Cordless 2-N-1 Stick Vacuum. Similar to the Dyson, this product can function both as a stick vacuum and a handheld dustbuster, and it does a good job picking up dirt from low-pile carpets and hardwood. The Black+Decker vacuum isn’t as powerful as the Dyson and has a shorter runtime, but it also costs a fraction of the price.

Hoover Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum: Another stick vacuum with a more wallet-friendly price is the Hoover Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum. This model doesn’t have 2-in-1 capabilities, and its simple design is comparable to a more portable upright vacuum. If you don’t need all the attachments that come with the Dyson, the Hoover Linx is a more straightforward, affordable alternative with a motorized brushroll, but it lacks MAX mode.

Read more reviews of the best cordless stick vacuums and the best Dyson vacuums available now.