Dyson does not follow chronological order when naming its rod vacuum cleaner models. Sometimes it ignores numbers and sometimes it will introduce a lower number as a later model than a higher number. For example, Dyson introduced V15 right after V11 and then V12 after V15. In the broadest sense, the numbers seem to increase loosely with each passing release – V11 is newer than V10 and V10 is newer than V8. But Dyson’s naming system is confusing enough that even we can’t predict what the next model will be.
Dyson also has a lot of sub-models, because its naming isn’t confusing enough. Each has a different number of attachments and accessories included. Every model (V7, V8, V10, V11, V15, etc.) seems to introduce new sub-models, so the list just keeps growing and then there are discontinued models shown below. second hand form on websites, typically on discounts.
Detect not exactly a sub-model, but part of the name of the V15 Detect and V12 Detect Slim. It refers to the laser detection system that measures the particle size and number to customize the suction.
absolute usually the king version of the hill with the most attachments. We can’t list them all as they vary based on the base model, but can expect a wide range of brush nozzles, crevice attachments and motorized roller heads to scrub away hard particles on the surface. hard floors and on thick carpets.
Allergy the former means it comes with an upgraded filter that traps 99.99% of bacteria and dust so it releases cleaner air than conventional models, but after the V7, all the vacancy of the Dyson all started including upgraded filters. It’s mostly a legacy notation for now, and it hasn’t been used on newer models.
diesel It sounds fancy, but it’s the low-end model that comes with a motorized tip, a few basic crevice and brush tools, and that’s all. Mostly a holdover from the V7 days. Dyson found other names for the basic sub-models.
backgrounds, smooth, and Animal comes with relatively few attachments. Fluffy and Animal don’t come with any unique attachments that are particularly helpful in cleaning up pets; it just became shorthand for “base model with fewer attachments”. The same is true for Origin, although its name makes more sense.
Dyson is also not above matching sub-model names. Essentially, the more names Dyson names a model, the more accessories it comes with. For example, Animal Pro V8 has more than Animal, but Animal Pro+ is much more than that.
