Spring cleaning just got a bit easier with the Dyson V11 Absolute, writes Balqis Lim
WHEN the Dyson V8 vacuum cleaner was introduced here in Malaysia during its flagship store launch in 2017, its design was pretty radical at the time. It was very powerful for a cordless vacuum.
Then Dyson came out with its V10 variant, which featured a new design and a more powerful motor. Recently, the V11 Absolute came into the market, offering even better capability and even more power.
GETTING STARTED
As always, with Dyson vacuum cleaners, if you’re not familiar with the products, then you’ll be pleased to know that you get lots of parts and accessories that make them so good.
The wand (vacuum cleaner tube) snaps in very easily. It has universal attachment, which is similar to that of predecessor models.
In the box, you’ll find an array of accompanying accessories from a high torque cleaner head, soft roller cleaner head, mini motorised tool, combination tool, crevice tool, soft dusting brush, stubborn dirt brush, drop-in dock, to a wand storage clip. In terms of usage, all the tools have specific different purposes.
After removing all the tools from the box, one can easily assemble the vacuum.
But before use, the device needs to be fully charged. It took me about five hours for the first initial charge.
IDEAL AND PRACTICAL
As someone who lives nearby an ongoing construction area, you can imagine the dust that litters my home. Even with the doors and windows closed, the dust somehow still manages to find its way into the house.
Therefore, vacuuming my house has become a compulsory chore to do almost every weekend.
A common problem for long-haired women like me is hair fall, which makes it even more of a necessity to vacuum as often as possible.
I have a traditional corded type vacuum at home. My husband and I would always help each other in terms of changing plug points because it just can’t reach every part of our house.
It’s just too much hassle, but thanks to the Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner, we no longer have to deal with such a hassle. It is so practical and we even save time when vacuuming the whole house.
The V11 comes with a handy one-clip which can store the two basic tools. Now I don’t have to run to the storeroom to get it or put it in my pockets to change tools, for example, the crevice tool or other tools that you want to clip to the wand.
The first thing I notice is how easy it is to manoeuvre. The cleaning head tracks with ease making navigating tight spots around furniture very simple.
Besides that, I don’t have to worry about getting finger cramps because the trigger grip operation is light and responsive.
FOR EVERY SURFACE
The Dyson V11 has three different power modes — Eco, Auto, and Boost. The new floor head has three options for its front gates where you can fully open it to suck in large particles.
What I really like about this machine is the new high torque cleaner head. It has been improved with the use of Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) that intelligently adjusts the motor speed and suction based on the type of flooring.
In Auto mode, when I used it on carpets, it speeds up and the suction becomes stronger but as I moved to the hard floor, the motor automatically slowed down.
The vacuum cleaner is intelligent that it knows I am on bare floors and doesn’t require much power. It gives me an optimal clean no matter what surface I am cleaning and it also conserves on battery life, which is great.
Talking about dust, I am amazed at just how much the V11 is able to suck up and clean.
I don’t even realise that much of dust is in my house. Even the conventional corded vacuum that I used before could not pick as much.
If you have a more delicate floor, the fluffy head is gentle enough to avoid leaving scratches. It gobbles up large particles and removes dust all at the same time.
On the lowest setting, I managed to use the vacuum for almost an hour. The Auto or Boost settings gave me around 30 minutes of usage.
There’s an LCD screen that shows you real-time system performance and tells you how much battery life is left, even down to seconds. By knowing how much time is left, it gives me the control of how I clean.
I like that the screen alerts me of a problem when an error occurs and plays a short video clip on how to troubleshoot it.
The screen also reminds me when to clean the filters for optimum performance. It gives the feel of a high-tech and quality product.
Although the V11 is not silent or stealth, it is definitely quiet, especially when compared to traditional corded vacuum cleaners.
The V11 is undoubtedly lighter than most corded vacuums. However, I do not feel that it is particularly featherweight. While I don’t really feel the weight when cleaning floors but when used as a handheld cleaner, it does feel heavy of course.
I also like how it is relatively easy to empty. Just remove the attachment, hold it over a dustbin and push its lever and you’re done.
You will need to pull out hairs in the bin to get rid of everything but it’s a simple and usually hands-off process.
In fact, to minimise odour, I would recommend emptying the dust canister after every use.
Dyson says that its fully-sealed filtration system captures 99.97 per cent of particles as small as 0.3 microns to expel cleaner air.
I definitely love that the HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter can capture particles such as dust mites, mold spores, pollen and pet dander. It is very good for a household with those who have asthma or other allergies.
A HEPA filter is great but the sealed system makes it even better because the air going into the vacuum is forced through the HEPA filter before it is exhausted out.
Without a sealed system, the air can leak out and not go through the filter, thus expelling dirty air back out.
The filter is easy to clean as well. It just needs to be rinsed with water and left to dry for 24 hours before being put back.
THE ONLY ONE YOU’LL NEED
For sure, the Dyson V11 Absolute is a great piece of machinery. It is a powerful tool for somebody with allergies, occasional asthma, and for those who have pets at home.
For me, it has come to a point where even dust and spills make me grab this vacuum instead of the broom.
I like that there are no costly bags to buy and install. It is easy to attach and detach, manoeuvring is flexible and the suction is powerful.
The array of additional tools and heads also makes this a complete cleaning device.
The V11 is priced at RM3,399. Although it might be expensive, but I can assure you that you will get what you pay for in this case. It’s a one-time investment and you will not need another vacuum for a long time, provided, of course, it’s handled with proper care.
Verdict: 4.5/5
Looking for a new vacuum? Shop home appliances online and save money with Lazada voucher code.