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I tested nearly 50 of the best vacuum cleaners — here's the one I kept for myself
This Dyson is the Tinker Bell of vacs: nimble and powerful, with a glowing light for visibility and a suite of magical accessories.
I know I'm not alone when I say I don't particularly enjoy vacuuming. The idea of lugging a big, heavy canister around after a long day (or week, in my case!) always feels daunting to me. And that's not even factoring in tangled cords and finicky dust cups that release a giant cloud of dirt into the air ... it can be a real chore. Or, I guess I should say that it was a chore — until I was tasked with evaluating a bunch of cordless stick vacuums as a senior home writer and tester for Yahoo. During my testing, I encountered one gadget in particular that would manage to change the course of my cleaning trajectory: the Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum.
She's swift, she's agile, she lights up the night (quite literally - I lovingly call her Tinker Bell). And while she's pricey, she's worth every penny. Want to know how this lightweight stick vac managed to sweep me off my feet, alleviate my cleaning load and help me take control of my home? Keep reading for my Dyson V12 Detect Slim Vacuum review.
More ways to streamline your clean: The best lightweight vacuums, tested and reviewed | The best Dyson stick vacuums, tested and reviewed | The best stick vacuums overall, tested and reviewed
Table of contents:
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim can tackle any cleaning task. It boasts a run time of 60 minutes and comes with an extra brush cleaner head, a hair screw tool, a combination tool and a crevice tool for added value.
- Cleaner head swivels and lights up for highlighting dirt
- Vacuum body is detachable and can double as a handheld
- Digital display with mode, battery and cleanliness reads
- Includes a mini hair screw tool for tighter spaces
- Smaller dust bin than some Dysons
- Pricey
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum Cleaner review
My first impression
At only 5.22 pounds, this cordless vacuum is one of the lightest stick vacuums I've encountered, and the lightest of any Dyson. It consists of three pieces: a vacuum head (or upper) that doubles as a handheld vac, a long tube and a brush cleaner head (it comes with two).
Like other Dyson stick vacuums, this gadget can be assembled in a matter of seconds (the pieces click into one another so there's no need for screws or additional hardware). You charge it by plugging the vacuum head into an outlet, and it comes with a mount, should you prefer to hang the vacuum on your wall.
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim has an easy-release dust cup, a HEPA filter for cleaner air and three modes — Eco, Auto and Boost — for different suction needs. The handheld portion is lightweight and pairs with a suite of included accessories, including a crevice tool, a combination tool and — my personal favorite — a mini anti-tangle hair screw tool for getting into nooks and crannies.
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim runs for about 60 minutes, which is pretty competitive for this kind of vacuum. I especially appreciated its sophisticated LCD screen that displays not only battery life and modes, but detailed cleaning reads so you can tell how much debris you're actually getting. None of the other lightweight vacuums I tested had this feature.
But what really makes this vacuum unique — and why I also named it the best cordless stick vacuum for hardwood floors in a previous test — is its cleaner heads. In addition to the traditional Dyson "Motorhead," the V12 Detect Slim comes with a special "Fluffy Optic" cleaner head for hard surfaces that highlights everything it comes across neon green.
Putting it to the test
I set up several obstacle courses to see how the vacuums I reviewed would stack up against materials of varying shapes, textures and densities — on both hardwood and carpeted surfaces. I also tested the included attachments on furniture, as well as curtains and upholstery, prioritizing homes that needed a good cleaning and/or had pet inhabitants. The nitty gritty:
"Carpet course" test: I spaced out materials — faux fur, rice, Cheerios, kitty litter and sand — across a plush carpet to see how the V12 Detect Slim managed to cut through the clutter.
"Kitchen sink" test: I poured rice and Cheerios on a hardwood kitchen floor to gauge how well the V12 Detect Slim could get a grip — especially against trims and in cabinet crevices.
"Passenger pet" test: I asked family and friends to avoid vacuuming for a week, then used car mats to collect the fur their pet companions had shed to see how the V12 Detect Slim fared against other vacuums in terms of suction (a little gross, but necessary in my opinion).
"Vacs gone wild" test: I clocked hours testing the Dyson V12 Detect Slim and other vacuums in different houses and settings to see if they could rise to different occasions.
The final verdict
As you can see, I really put Dyson's V12 Detect Slim through its paces — and the results were … illuminating.
Despite its lightweight frame, this vacuum's suction and standard "Motorbar" cleaner brush head proved a match for both hardwood and carpets. The V12 Detect Slim mowed down all of the materials in our "carpet course" — including piles of Cheerios and more granular materials like sand and kitty litter — and made matted pet fur from my parents' rescue retriever (aka my co-tester) vanish from dense car mats.
The V12 Detect Slim's glowy "Fluffy Optic" cleaner head lit up and zapped up everything — and I mean everything — in its path. Most impressively (at least for neat geeks like me), the "Fluffy Optic" head highlighted the smallest of dust particles.
Because the cleaner heads are so narrow and nimble, I was able to use them against walls and in tighter spaces, such as around toilets, without having to swap in different attachments. And because the brushes are so soft, I was able to glide them along delicate surfaces, such as hardwood floors and painted molding, without worrying about scratching.
This stick vac has become a staple in my own home since testing, so I can vouch that it holds up with regular use. Recently, I put it to yet another test by using it to clean up after I discarded my Christmas tree. With the help of a light "boost" here and there, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim worked like a charm, removing every last pine needle from my carpeted stairs and entryway.
I also use the vac as a handheld for cleaning car. The combination and crevice tools are great for detailing; the anti-tangle tool is a godsend for tackling floors and car mats.
The V12 Detect Slim is incredibly easy to empty (you just pull the red lever and the contents release with force) and, unlike with most other Dyson vacuums (detailed comparison here), you don't have to hold down the power button to keep the juice flowing.
One note about the price: At $500, the V12 is definitely a splurge. But it's on the more affordable end for a Dyson — and when on sale, it's comparable to vacuums from more budget-friendly brands.
What others are saying
"You'll never look at your floors the same way again," wrote a fan. "I thought I was cleaning the floor, but that green LED shows every speck of dust and dirt."
"The suction is great and does well on my long hair that sheds everywhere," confirmed a second. "The vacuum is rather quiet compared to other vacuums I’ve used in the past, so a nice surprise. I’ve charged it fully once since opening and I’ve been able to clean multiple times over three days without having to charge again (I only needed to clean for 10 minutes each time, so take that into consideration). Overall, I'm super happy with my purchase."
"Everything about it is so smooth and seamless. It drives like a dream [and is] so lightweight, maneuvering under tables and turning corners so flawlessly," shared a third. "If you are on the fence about buying one of these, don’t be. Just do it! You won’t regret it. It's such an exquisite piece of equipment. I love using it so much that it makes me excited to clean the house."
Go for the glow! Yahoo editors and Amazon reviewers agree: The V12 Detect Slim is the ultimate cleaning tool, thanks to its powerful suction and light-up cleaner head.
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