Dyson V11 Outsize – Test and Review

With the Dyson V11 Outsize, you don’t need to worry about lack of the suction power. Dyson thought big and made the V11 big. You can call it the elephant of the battery vacuums because it leaves the biggest footprints.
The Dyson V11 Outsize has an extra-large container, a wider floor nozzle, and even more suction power than its predecessor.
With the new device, Dyson is trying to combine the advantages of conventional vacuum cleaners with the advantages of cordless and bagless vacuum cleaners. We clarify whether and how Dyson succeeded in this in our detailed review.

The Dyson V11 Outsize in the cleaning test

First things first, how does the Dyson V11 Outsize perform when it comes to cleaning? To do this, we vacuumed different types of dirt on different floors (low pile carpet, high pile carpet, hardwood). 
Also, we tested the device for a few weeks in everyday life and checked how it deals with the everyday dirt of life.

Cleaning on the hard floor

We tried two variants on the hard floor because Dyson provides an extra attachment, the “Fluffy Head” (soft roller). With both attachments, the V11 Outsize easily sucked up the dirt – no matter which one! However, it was a little faster With the “Fluffy Head”.

Cleaning on low pile carpets

When cleaning low pile carpets, we had to slow down the Outsize a bit, because in boost mode it sucked itself too hard on the carpet due to the strong suction. In auto mode, it again performed outstandingly and left no dirt behind.

Cleaning on high pile carpets

Our high pile carpet has never been so clean. The Dyson V11 Outsize sucked the dust out of the deepest parts of the carpet and left nothing behind.

Cleaning in everyday life and conclusion

Everyday cleaning has shown that the device doesn’t have to worry about dirt. In everyday life, despite children and pets, we did not encounter any obstacles when vacuuming. It was also nice that we could vacuum the house three times before we had to empty the dirt bin. Where other cordless vacuum cleaners fail, the Dyson V11 Outsize begins. Thanks to its strong suction power, the device provides real deep cleaning.

The design of the Dyson V11 Outsize

What’s new?

As the name suggests, the outsize is simply much bigger! The bin now 150% bigger (.50 gallons) than the Dyson V11 Torque Drive and the engine has grown too which is visible. When you hold the cordless vacuum cleaner in your hands for the first time, you will be impressed.

How big is the outsize?

We measured 4′ 2″ (127 cm) from the brush to the led display. This is still a comfortable height for a cordless vacuum cleaner. In principle, nothing has changed here. If we look at the power unit alone, we see that it has become significantly larger and now measures almost 17.7 inches (45 cm).

It’s amazing that it still feels good in the hand! The standard floor nozzle is now also a whopping 25% larger. This allows you to move forward much faster when vacuuming.

How heavy is the Dyson V11 Outsize?

The power unit weighs around 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg). As a floor vacuum, you can then add approx. 2.42 pounds (1.1 kg) for the suction tube and floor nozzle. However, this does not matter because the vacuum cleaner rests on the floor and the weight is distributed. The weight didn’t bother us in everyday life.

Nevertheless, heavy or light varies from person to person. If the device is too heavy for you, but you still don’t want to forego the outstanding performance of the Dyson devices, then take a look at our review of the Dyson V11 Absolute.

Appearance and Quality

Otherwise, the Outsize looks exactly like its predecessor, the futuristic look retained and the metallic colors suggest that it must be an astronaut’s tool. Simply cool!
The motor unit and the bin are arranged vertically and open into the suction pipe. This design gives the Dysons the superior, allergy-friendly emptying function. The build quality is very high quality: Nothing wobbles and the plug connections work perfectly.

The Display

The LCD screen also looks high-grade. Due to the simplicity, the individual colors stand out. This makes it look very chic. But not only does it look good, but it also delivers real added value:
According to the manufacturer, Dyson monitors system performance 8,000 times a second and reports in real-time on the LCD screen.

The display shows:

• Remaining time
• Suction mode
• Error messages
• Useful tips (e.g. for maintenance)

The display helps you to optimally monitor the cleaning process and to react in good time. This in turn protects your device and makes it more durable.

Accessories: A lot of useful things

The accessories for cordless vacuum cleaners largely determine the price. The following applies the more accessories, the more expensive the device.

Perhaps you are asking yourself: Do I need all of this?
So that you can answer this question, we would like to introduce you to some useful accessories for the Outsize:

High Torque XL cleaner head

It is suitable for cleaning hard floors as well as carpets. The cleaner head has been enlarged 25% especially for the Outsize and you can vacuum large areas quickly with this attachment. Special feature: It automatically adjusts the suction power to the surface.

Soft roller cleaner head

Equipped with soft wheels, this cleaner head is perfect for the cleaning of sensitive hard floors of all kinds. Because the dirt is pressed into the soft roller, it is picked up even more efficiently and transported into the suction tube. If you have mostly hard floors in your home, then you should make sure that the soft roller cleaner head is included in the scope of delivery.

The crevice tool

The ever-popular crevice tool is designed for precise cleaning around edges and narrow gaps. Just everywhere where dirt likes to collect but where conventional tools cannot reach.

The Combination tool

The combination tool is also super practical. With the soft bristles, you can vacuum sensitive objects or edges. With the hard end, you can handle the coarse dirt.

The Mini Motorized tool

Whether sofa, car or even mattress: the small, practical mini electric brush rotates automatically and thus produces a strong cleaning power.

The up-top adaptor

With the quick-release up-top adaptor you can vacuum around the corner. For example, this can help when it comes to vacuuming on top of the cupboards.

The Docking station

Thanks to the docking station, you can easily stow the V11 Outsize upright on the wall to save space. At the same time, the device is then also charged. 

The Flexible hose

The flexible hose is very useful when outsizing. Due to the size of the motor unit, you can have difficulties reaching some spots. For example, the device is too big for cleaning the footwell in a car. The flexible hose provides a solution here. Because thanks to it, you can park the device next to the car and suck it off with the hose (and another attachment).

The Mini soft dusting brush

This brush has very soft bristles and you can use it to dust pictures or similar objects.

The Stubborn dirt brush

The Stubborn dirt brush is for coarse dirt on robust surfaces. Very suitable for the doormat in the car. Attention: This brush can cause scratches on sensitive surfaces!

Wand storage clip for the suction pipe

A holder for accessories: Very convenient! Simply clip onto the suction tube and always have the right accessories with you.

Cleaning features

In addition to the suction power, other features and properties determine how well your Dyson cleans.

How many suction levels does the Dyson V11 Outsize have?

With the new Dyson you can choose between 3 different suction levels:

• Eco
• Auto
• Boost

The eco mode is suitable for everyday use.
The boost mode is really powerful and you can soak up everything with it.
The auto mode takes away the agony of choice. With the help of sensors, the vacuum cleaner decides on the suction force that it uses. Everything depends on the subsurface.

More cyclone, more suction power

Dyson has given its “oversized model” no less than 18 cyclones. These cyclones let the “dirty air” circulate and throw the dirt particles into the dust box. This process creates forces of 79,000 g. The engine runs at over 125,000 revolutions per minute. All of this helps the Dyson V11 Outsize at its peak to 220 Airwatt.

In short: This is the strongest suction power of all known cordless vacuum cleaners. This is of course noticeable when cleaning. This leads to strong cleaning results, especially on carpets.

The conversion to a cordless handheld vacuum cleaner

Despite its size and weight, you can convert the Dyson V11 Outsize into a cordless handheld vacuum cleaner.

The 2 in 1 function

There is a plug connection on each attachment. So you can remove or attach attachments with a simple push of a button. The connections work smoothly and the system is self-explanatory. In no time at all, you can turn the cylinder vacuum cleaner into a practical hand-held vacuum cleaner.

With this hand vacuum, you can vacuum the couch or even your car more easily (we have also tested the best car vacuum cleaners with batteries ). The corners of the ceiling are no longer a problem either.

At this point we have to keep in mind: The weight is more important here: 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) for a handheld vacuum cleaner is a record and may be too heavy for some users in the long run.

In our test of the handheld vacuum cleaner, however, we found that the strong suction power easily outweighs the weight. The Outsize is too big for some activities, but the flexible hose helps.

Handling

Installation

It’s the little things that make Dyson a strong and popular brand. When you open the packaging, it is immediately apparent: Dyson has an eye for detail. The manufacturer has imposed itself on the packaging and shipping of the new devices sustainably and without plastic. That gives us a sustainability bonus!

On the inside, there are practical instructions for installing. Simply scan the barcode and open a practical overview. After the charge the battery, you can start. Connect the individual parts to the motor unit as required and start. Child’s play! After a short time, you will receive an email from Dyson support with tips and tricks for cleaning with a Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner.

Power button

With every new Dyson device, our users ask: Does the new Dyson have a power button that can be locked? This time the answer is again: No. Dyson justifies this with the fact that you only activate the vacuum when you are actually sucking. Therefore, the devices achieve a much better operating time. We think: You get used to it very quickly and it doesn’t bother you. Of course, tastes are different.

Maneuverability and agility

The maneuverability of the cordless vacuum cleaner is excellent. There are two main reasons for this.
On the one hand, this is due to the very flexible tools, the cleaner heads. They make it possible to take even the tightest curves smoothly. Second, it is due to the small rollers on the underside of the brushes. These ensure that you simply slide your vacuum cleaner over the floor.

Does the Dyson get under the furniture?

Simple question, but the answer is a little more complicated. Whether you can get under the furniture with the cordless vacuum cleaner naturally depends on the height of the furniture.
The High Torque XL cleaner head is approx. 2.75 inches (7 cm) high. Your advantage: The good thing about the Dyson is that you can bend the joint almost down (180 degrees). So you come far back under the furniture. 

How loud is the Dyson V11 Outsize?

The Outsize is not the quietest. That’s for sure. In boost mode, it roars through the house at 75 dB, which is comparable to a washing machine. In the auto mode, you will probably vacuum most often and here the device is surprisingly quiet with almost 70 dB.

The volume of the Dyson V11 Outsize at a glance
Suction mode Volume in dB:

• Eco Approx. 65 dB
• Auto Approx. 70 dB
• Boost Approx. 75 dB

How long can the Dyson V11 Outsize vacuum last?

The battery life of the Dyson V11 Outsize

The running time of your cordless vacuum cleaner depends on various factors: Which attachment is used? What type of floor is being vacuumed? And above all, in which mode is the vacuum used?

In our test, we achieved a maximum runtime of just over 62 minutes in Eco mode. The decisive factor here is the automatic mode with about 45 minutes. In terms of performance, this is the mode of choice in everyday life. The ratio of runtime to cleaning performance is simply right here. In boost mode, we got a little over 11 minutes. You only need it for very stubborn dirt.

The battery life of the Dyson V11 Outsize at a glance:
Suction mode running time in minutes:

• Eco Approx. 60 minutes
• Auto Approx. 45 minutes
• Boost Approx. 11 minutes

Can you change the battery?

The Dyson V11 Outsize comes with the practical Dyson click-in system. In other words, you can remove and replace the battery with the push of a button. On the one hand, this is useful if you have to vacuum for a long time. Simply swap the battery and go on. On the other hand, it is of course more sustainable if you can easily replace the battery if the performance drops.

How long is the charging time of the Dyson V11?

The battery of the Dyson V11 Outsize is fully charged in 4.5 hours.

The Dyson V11 Outsize in the maintenance test

The maintenance of the Dyson V11 Outsize turned out to be very easy and user-friendly in our test. It shouldn’t be any different, because you want to save time with the new device!

Maintenance was basically limited to three areas:

• Cleaning the brush
• Emptying and cleaning the bin
• Cleaning the HEPA filter

Cleaning the brush

It happens that longer hair and threads wrap around the brush of the cleaner head. The suction power can suffer as a result. It is therefore important to check the cleaner head at regular periods and to remove any dirt.
For this purpose, there is a flap on the edge of the High Torque XL cleaner head. You can open this to take out the roll. The idea with the flap is good, the implementation is not that successful, since the role is relatively tight, you have to put in a little effort.

Tip: It helps if you press the flap slightly at an angle after opening. As a result, it tilts and you can pull the roller out more easily.

A small minus for the Outsize, but nothing unmanageable. With a small knife or by hand, the roll can then be easily cleared from hair and threads.

Emptying the bin

In our test, we look at how cleanly the process for emptying the bin is. This function is very well thought out in the Dyson V11 Outsize and works extremely well.

Simply hold the motor unit vertically in the garbage can and press the red slide on the underside. The dirt falls very precisely into the can.

Advantage: The house dust does not get back into the apartment because nothing falls next to it. This is very good for allergy sufferers.

Cleaning the bin

You should also clean the dust container every time. There is a small red button for this purpose. When you activate it, you can simply pull off the container. Then you can clean it under running water or wash it out with a cloth.

How do I clean the Dyson HEPA filter?

The HEPA filter ( HEPA ) sits in the back of the motor unit and can turn easily. Your advantage: These are so-called long-live filters. This means that they last a very long time and only need to be replaced in rare cases.

For rough cleaning, you can simply knock it out carefully. You can also wash the filter with cold water for thorough cleaning.

But be careful: After washing, the filter must be air-dried for 24 hours before you can put it back in. 

How much does the Dyson V11 Outsize cost?

The cordless vacuum cleaner is cheaper in the long term. The purchase price of the Dyson V11 Outsize is quite high around $700 on Amazon, also compared to other Dyson devices. But the follow-up costs are relatively low.

There are three reasons for this:

• You have no follow-up costs for filters, as Dyson relies on long-lived filters.
• You don’t need vacuum cleaner bags like conventional vacuum cleaners. Because Dyson relies on bagless dirt containers.
• You get a device of high quality. This means that the device will last a long time. So it’s a long-term investment.

Also, you save a lot of time and nerves with a decent cordless vacuum cleaner.

Test Conclusion: Is the Dyson V11 Outsize a good choice?

We have tested an extraordinary cordless vacuum cleaner here.

The largest and most powerful of its kind, like the elephant among the cordless vacuum cleaners.

The weight is a minor drawback and could be too heavy for one or the other.

However: The Dyson V11 Outsize impresses with strong results in the cleaning test. Dyson also offers a good solution for every “cleaning situation” thanks to its excellent accessories.

So in the end we can say that the Dyson V11 Outsize is a very good investment! We recommend it especially for use in larger apartments and houses. If you don’t have to clean less space, you can save a few dollars here and buy the Dyson V11 Absolute.