Stuff We Love: Dyson V11 Torque Drive

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive vacuum cleaner is the Cadillac of Dysons — or rather the Dyson of Dysons. The upmarket cordless vac is the top-of-the line Dyson cordless. It eclipses older cordless models with great features like longer battery life, a stronger motor, and a “smart” cleaner head that detects different surfaces and switches cleaning modes accordingly.

Like other Dyson models, it’s also certified asthma and allergy friendly, making it a reassuring option for homeowners with allergies. We took the V11 Torque Drive for a spin and have to admit: If there’s a vacuum cleaner that could make us love vacuuming, this is it.

Basic Features of the Dyson V11 Torque Drive

• Cordless vacuum works with an upright wand or as a smaller handheld model;
• High-torque cleaner head detects surface type and adjust suction accordingly;
• Comes with eight attachments, plus a docking station, charger and a storage clip for extra wands;
• LCD control panel displays minutes of battery life remaining;
• Three power settings, including boost for short and heavy-duty cleaning;
• Filtration system traps 99.99 percent of dust and dirt particles and expels cleaner air;
• No-contact point-and-shoot dust canister emptying;
• Weighs just 6.7 lbs.;
• Battery lasts about 40 minutes in auto (a.k.a everyday) cleaning mode;
• Available in blue or black.

Using the V11 Torque Drive

The V11 Torque Drive is easy to assemble. It’s worth taking the time to mount the docking station to the wall where you’ll store the vacuum, as it keeps the appliance off the floor and charged when not in use. It’s easy to switch out cleaning heads and brushes with a click, and to quickly disconnect the upright wand when you want to use the vacuum as a handheld device.

Operating the V11 Torque Drive is as simple as lifting it off the docking station and pressing the trigger-style power switch. From the LCD screen, select auto for normal cleaning jobs, eco for lighter cleaning and extended run time, or boost for heavy-duty cleanup. (Note: The boost setting sucks up battery power and will run for an average of only six minutes.)

The high-torque cleaner head swivels up and down and side to side, allowing the vacuum to easily reach under tables and between chair legs. We have all tile floors, which it cleans with ease, but the high-torque cleaner head is supposed to be effective on carpeted floors, too.

The dust canister’s see-through plastic not only shows you how much dirt was in your house, it makes it easy to see how darn much you picked up, as well as when it’s time to empty it. To do so, just hold the canister over your garbage can and use the point-and-click feature to empty its contents. This keeps hands clean and prevents errant piles of dirt from landing on your newly cleaned floor.

Elizabeth Heath for Family Handyman

Our Take on the Torque

This vacuum cleaner is lightweight and so easily maneuvered that it really does make vacuuming a breeze. Because it’s cordless and always charging, there’s none of that sense of dread of dragging the vacuum cleaner out for housekeeping. Frankly, it’s easier to use the V11 than to sweep with a broom and dustpan — and certainly a lot more effective.

To give you an idea of just how easy and downright pleasant it is to use, know that my nine-year-old daughter is now insisting on vacuuming the house in her free time. (That’s her, pictured above.) She and I both suffer from dust mite allergies, and we have dogs in our home, one of which is a real shedder. It’s easy to see the dog hair getting sucked up by the Dyson, but it’s also nice knowing that the dust mites and the microscopic dirt they thrive on are getting swept away, too.

The Dyson V11 Torque Drive is normally priced at $699, though you may find it cheaper on sale. Either way, it’s a lot to pay for a vacuum cleaner. But if you’re ready to make an investment in the cleanliness and sanitation of your house, this is a worthwhile one.

Plus, the value of seeing my daughter do the vacuuming while I relax on the couch? Priceless!