Dyson V11 Outsize review

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Dyson's impressive technology has seen its range of stick vacuums remain some of the best on the market, no matter how many new competitors pop up. Its ability to take user feedback and improve upon its models has also made it a firm favourite with homeowners the world over.

One problem that it hasn't yet addressed though is how to make a stick vacuum that truly delivers for larger home owners. That is, until now. For those who struggle to complete a full clean without their battery conking out or without having to make regular trips to empty the bin, comes the upgraded version of the V11 vacuum: the V11 Outsize.

Design

Design

• Increased bin capacity
• Extra wide cleaning head
• Heavier than predecessors

• Read more about the V11 Outsize's design

  While the V11 Outsize is largely the same design as the original V11 model, it does have some noticeably larger elements. The first upsized component is a 150% bigger bin, which now gives the user a massive 1.9 litres to play with.

  If you're familiar with Dyson stick vacuums, you'll know just how quickly the old bin designs filled up, making the size increase a very welcome addition. While the change was made to allow larger home owners a full clean without a trip to empty the bin, those like me with a smaller apartment can also now enjoy several cleans before needing to empty it.

  

  Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute+ bin vs Dyson V11 Outsize bin.

  The second size upgrade is the 25% wider cleaner head. In addition to a standard-sized fluffy cleaner head, the Outsize comes with a whopping 32cm wide, High Torque XL head. The latter head has been designed to cover more floor space in a shorter period of time, which effectively cuts down your cleaning time. While this didn't make a huge amount of difference to me in my two bedroom apartment, it's likely a useful addition for those with a larger space to cover.

  It is worth noting that the wider head isn't quite as good at manoeuvring in tight spaces as the original V11 cleaner head, but it's probably a worthwhile trade-off for those looking to cut down on vacuuming time.

  

  Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute+ cleaner head vs Dyson V11 Outsize cleaner head.

  Another thing to keep in mind is that the addition of these larger components has also made the vacuum heavier than previous models. Weighing in at 3.56kgs, you wouldn't exactly call the Outsize heavy, but there is a noticeable difference if you have been using an older model up until now.

  For instance, I've been using the Cyclone V10 Absolute+ for a couple of years, which weighs just 2.67kg. I've also trialled the OG V11, which was heavier still at 3.09kgs but remained quite comfortable to use. The Outsize, on the other hand, is still manageable but is just beginning to border on being a little uncomfortable.

Performance

Performance

• More powerful battery results in stronger suction
• Additional battery pack not included
• LCD screen allows for real-time reporting
• Cleaner head sensor detects floor type and adjusts suction accordingly

• Read more about the V11 Outsize's performance

  As with other Dyson vacuums, the Outsize is incredibly simple to use. All you need to do is give it a full charge before its first use and away you go.

  Similar to the older models, the Outsize operates only when you squeeze the trigger rather than utilising an on/off switch. This makes it easy to stop and start vacuuming as you please while preserving battery life as you move from room to room.

  It also comes with an array of add-on tools for easy cleaning of all areas of your home. In addition to basic add-ons like the crevice tool, you'll also get additions like the mini motorised tool, which is great for cleaning up dirt and hair from upholstery, mattresses and even your car.

  

  Battery

  Each new iteration of Dyson's stick vacuum range arrives with an improved battery, and the Outsize is no exception. According to the brand, the vacuum features 20% more power than the original V11 model, which isn't actually too noticeable until you start cleaning rugs or carpet.

  While both the V10 Absolute+ and original V11 model often required two to three passes to pick debris out of my deep, fluffy lounge rug, for the most part, the Outsize managed to do it in just one. It also took significantly less time to clean my low carpets as I didn't find myself needing to go over any area twice.

  This increased power does come with a slight downside, though. The stronger suction actually makes the vacuum slightly harder to push on surfaces such as deep rugs and carpets, which will make it harder to manoeuvre for some users. I have found that you can largely offset this though by opening the gates on the cleaner head, so, while a little frustrating, it doesn't present too much of a problem.

  The biggest change in terms of battery though is the ability to remove the battery pack with the press of a button and replace it with a spare. This can see you add up to 60 minutes of additional runtime to your clean, without having to stop and charge in between. This is welcome news for those who have been unable to vacuum their entire house in one go up until this point.

  Unfortunately, Dyson has opted not to include the spare battery with the Outsize and is instead selling them as an optional extra. Perhaps this makes sense as not all users will require the spare, but it still would have been a nice inclusion given the overall price.

  LCD screen

  While previous Dyson models were something of a guessing game when it came to run time, the V11 range has eliminated this uncertainty with the addition of an LCD screen. Similar to the original, the V11 Outsize features your remaining runtime on the screen, down to the very last second.

  It also offers you three different cleaning modes in the form of Auto (for regular use), Boost (a turbo mode for deep cleaning of carpets and rugs) and Eco (a lower-suction, power-saving mode that can be used for simple cleans to preserve run time). When switching between modes, or between attachments, the remaining run time will automatically change, giving you more or less time according to how much suction power you're using.

  The LCD screen also displays notifications on blockages or other issues and even features mini demos showing you how to fix the problem.

  Overall, the screen is possibly one of the most helpful additions that Dyson has come up with and really takes the V11 range to the next level in terms of ease of use.

  Cleaner head

  Similar to previous models, the cleaner head on the Outsize features a sensor which indicates to the vacuum which type of flooring you're cleaning. When the vacuum is in "Auto" mode, it will automatically adjust the power based on this knowledge, which is when you'll notice a change in run time appear on your LCD screen.

  Like the V10 and original V11 models, the Outsize cleaner head also features adjustable gates, which can be opened to help pick up larger debris. This makes life much easier when cleaning areas such as the kitchen where you're likely to encounter rubbish such as dropped food that can be harder to vacuum up.

Verdict

Verdict

• Great for larger home owners
• Powerful suction and easy cleaning experience
• Expensive, but worth the cost if you need the upsized components

Should you buy it?

As with all of Dyson's vacuums, the Outsize delivers quality in spades. The LCD screen and smart cleaning head take the guesswork out of vacuuming, while the powerful battery creates a suction that other brands would be hard pressed to beat.

The upsizing of both the bin and the cleaner head, along with the optional extra battery, also work to combat issues larger home owners have had when attempting to clean their house with a stick vacuum. However, these upgrades do come at the price of additional weight and slightly less mobility.

The price is likely to be off-putting for some consumers, although it's actually only $100 more expensive than the original V11.

Overall, if you do have a wider floor space to cover and just can't get your cleaning done with an ordinary stick vacuum, the Outsize is worth splashing out on. For everyone else, the original V11, or even the V10 range, will more than meet your needs, and at a lower price point.

Pricing and availability

Price

RRP: $1,299.00

Where to buy

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