Dyson Micro 1.5KG vs. Dyson V15 Detect
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In this comparison, we’ll be looking at the Dyson Micro 1.5KG and V15 Detect, two of Dyson’s latest cordless vacuums. Each introduces a unique feature that makes them a compelling option. What makes this an interesting comparison is the price difference. The V15 Detect is Dyson’s flagship option right now, while the Micro 1.5K is their lightest and best handheld option, in my opinion.
A quick glance at the Dyson Micro 1.5KG and V15 Detect
Here’s an overview of the power specs, cleaning performance scores, and other results from my various tests.
Dyson V15 Detect
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Airflow tests were done using an anemometer on the extension tube and nozzle.
I used 100 grams for the sand on hard floors test to measure how well it picks up sand. I did the test twice for better consistency.
Introduction to the Dyson Micro 1.5KG and V15 Detect
After launching the V15 Detect, I wasn’t sure what Dyson would do to improve it.
Their products have improved leaps and bounces to early-generation variants.
Dyson has introduced new tech along the way, from the adjustable gates with the V10 to the molecule-counting piezo sensor in the V15.
Every variant has something new, so this detour was a bit surprising for me.
First was the Omni Glide’s 360-degree (what Dyson coins “omnidirectional”) steering.
Then comes the Micro 1.5KG, their lightest cordless vacuum to date at 3.3 pounds.
The Micro 1.5KG and Omni Glide are what Dyson calls hard floor vacuums, specifically designed to clean this surface.
And we’ll compare one of them to the V15 Detect and see how it compares.
Lightweight, Excellent for Small Spaces: Dyson Micro 1.5KG
Before the detour, I thought Dyson vacuums would never shrink back to pre-V10 levels since their weight has increased with every iteration, peaking with the V11 Outsize.
But the Micro 1.5KG is a breath of fresh air as Dyson sheds all the excess weight and goes back to the basics.
Dyson took out every bit of technology found in their full-sized V-series vacuums to prioritize ergonomics and weight reduction.
Dyson also did one thing I didn’t expect: put in a push-button switch.
Something that many of their customers have been appealing they do, and it’s finally here.
Will this be a preview of things to come? Only time will tell.
This lightweight form factor makes this the best Dyson handheld I’ve tested bar none.
It only weighs 2 pounds and 0.9 ounces without any tools, so it’s ergonomically appealing.
Add the push-button switch takes it to another level.
Since there’s no need to squeeze anything, your arm and wrist are more relaxed.
It’s unlike the monster V-series vacuums that’ll make your arms scream in agony after a few minutes.
You can see the size difference in this photo.
It’s a huge difference, especially with the horizontally aligned V10, V11, and V15.
The Dyson Micro is indeed a “micro” version of the V15 Detect and is an excellent option for people who want an extremely lightweight vacuum to clean hard floors.
Premium Price, High-End Performance: Dyson V15 Detect
If performance is high-priority, look no further than the Dyson V15 Detect.
This variant is Dyson’s best performing stick vacuum to date with some intriguing features.
Foremost of these is the green LED light that accentuates almost invisible particles like dust.
The lack of illumination is one of my nitpicks with previous Dyson stick vacuums. And this feature more than makes up for it.
Using a green light provides better dirt-tracking ability than any other LED-equipped stick vacuum.
Even the brightest white light won’t reveal dust as this green light can, and it makes vacuuming more efficient.
Dyson’s next upgrade is the Piezo sensor that counts dirt particles based on size.
I won’t go into detail about how this works. It can count four different particle sizes.
Depending on your preference, I don’t find this feature as helpful, but it can come in handy for some folks.
Under the hood, upgrades include a larger motor and battery, improving its cleaning performance further.
Similarities between the Dyson Micro and V15 Detect
While it may not look obvious, there are still some similarities between these two vacuums, which we’ll look at in this section.
Form factor
The Micro 1.5KG and V15 Detect utilize the same design framework you’ll see in most Dyson cord-free stick vacuums.
It has the same horizontally aligned dustbin, handle under the motor and two-in-one filter.
However, the difference is size.
You can see how big the V15 Detect is in the photo above.
Dyson stripped everything out of the Micro to make it as light as possible.
Hygienic system
I mentioned the horizontally aligned dustbin earlier, which brings me to the next point.
Both utilize the same hygienic system where users push a trombone-type lever forward to empty.
But, I feel that Dyson’s full-sized stick vacuum is better at pushing debris out of the dustbin.
For the Micro, dust, and hair particles will stick to the middle filter assembly.
It’s the biggest downside to this downsized hygienic system.
Users will have to remove the exterior frame to dislodge debris sticking to the middle filter piece.
2-in-1 versatility
These stick vacuums also double as handhelds, thanks to the interchangeable tools.
But the Micro is the far better handheld with its lightweight frame and push-button switch.
Slim roller
The last similarity is both utilize a slim roller attachment, which I like over the standard roller.
This tool has a lower vertical footprint to clean under low clearance areas.
If you have these spots in your home, make sure to opt for a Dyson with a slim attachment.
Differences between the Dyson Micro 1.5KG and V15 Detect
Next, we’ll look at the differences between these vacuums, and there are plenty.
Size and weight
The most obvious is the size and weight disparity. It’s pretty evident with this side-by-side shot.
I weighed these vacuums without any tools, and the V15 Detect doubles the Micro’s weight at 4 pounds and 8.3 ounces (vs. 2 pounds and 0.9 ounces).
Two pounds may not sound much, but every added ounce is a factor for handheld use.
Power switch
Since Dyson has manufactured cordless vacuums, they’ve used a trigger switch for all their products until the Omni-Glide came out.
And it’s also the case with the Dyson V15 Detect.
Dyson’s reasoning is the trigger helps extend run time since power is used on-demand.
However, that changed with the Omni-Glide, and it’s an understandable switch since it has a wand-type handle.
But I’m surprised Dyson retained this feature in the Micro 1.5KG.
Could this be a preview of things to come?
Only time will tell, but I like using a push-button switch since it considerably lightens the load on your wrist and arm.
Dustbin size
The V15 Detect has the same capacity as the V10 and V11 Torque Drive at 0.77 liters, while the Micro’s dustbin has a much smaller volume at 0.18.
Battery capacity and detachability
Dyson utilizes a 3600 mAh li-ion battery, bigger than the Micro’s capacity of 2500 mAh.
The capacity difference is a massive factor with the weight and run time difference, which we’ll look a in a bit.
Also, the Dyson V15 battery is detachable, while the Micro isn’t.
I’m not sure why Dyson didn’t put in a release lever for the Micro since users should want this feature to extend run time easily.
Instead, there are three Torx screws that users will need to loosen to replace the battery.
I hope Dyson rectifies this in future releases.
Tools out of the box
Another variance between the Dyson Micro and V15 Detect is the number of tools you’ll get out of the box.
Here’s what you’ll get from the Dyson V15 Detect
- High torque cleaning head
- Slim roller attachment
- Wall mountable dock
- Extension tube
- Crevice tool
- Hair screw tool
- Wand clip
- Flexible extension hose
- Soft dusting brush
- Combination tool
- Charger
- Dyson Micro vacuum
- Extension wand
- Combination tool
- Mini turbo brush
- Charger
- Wall mount
- Micro roller
Please note that the Micro variant I have is the Asian version with a dark gray finish.
North American consumers will get three more tools: light pipe crevice, worktop tool, and wand clip.
So the number of attachments is about the same.
I hope that Dyson comes up with a Hair screw tool for their hard floor vacuums as it’s quite helpful for cleaning long hair on upholstery or carpeted stairs.
Also, the V15 Detect has the standard brush roll, something not available with the Dyson Micro since it’s a hard floor vacuum.
But the surprising thing is it still can pick up debris on carpets despite the omission.
Interface
The Dyson V15 Detect has an interactive LCD screen that shows various data points like run time, power settings, and the Piezo sensor readout.
The Micro 1.5KG doesn’t have this LCD interface, and understandably so since Dyson wants to make it as light as possible.
First things first
The V15 Detect’s revved-up suction power is its most noteworthy refinement. I thought I had it good with my older Direct-Drive power head Dyson stick vacs: a 2014 DC59 (aka the V6) and a now five-year-old V8 that remains in Dyson’s lineup. But since taking on the V15 Detect for review, I’ve been shocked by the amount of pet hair and deeply embedded grit, mites, moth eggs, and pollen I see in its canister immediately after running one of my older Dysons over the same zone. I’d swear I’m breathing easier this allergy season.
The V15 Detect’s point-and-shoot canister emptying isn’t an entirely new feature, it was first spotted in the V10 and V11 product lines, as well as on the mega-capacity Outsize, but it has been refined here. It’s another checklist item bound to persuade users of older Dyson sticks to declare “time to upgrade!” That’s because earlier models required you to disassemble the tank and wipe it out. Dustbin dumping is now a super-quick, totally hands-off operation.
Anyone considering giving up their bulky, clumsy standup or canister vac will be convinced to make the switch within five minutes of laying hands on this machine. Who needs power cords and hoses that limit maneuverability and can literally trip you up? Tellingly, Dyson has grown so confident of its cordless stick vacs’ performance that the maker has stopped refining its standup vacuum cleaner models.
The Dyson V15 Detect sucks—hard
The V15 Detect’s suction power is way up, thanks to airflow improvements in the three motorized power heads bundled with the machine: the Slim Fluffy for bare floors, an updated High Torque head for carpet and rug use, and a compact Hair Screw tool attachment for furniture and stair cleaning while in hand-vac mode. Plus, the V15 Detect’s proprietary Hyperdymium digital motor now cranks 230 air watts and 24 percent more suction power than the 185 air watts version found in one-step-down V11 series. Despite the increased power, the new kid clocks a full hour run time in Eco mode before needing a battery recharge—or a battery-pack swap, if you’ve purchased a spare. That’s an option older Dysons don’t offer.
The V15 Detect is a tad top-heavier than I’m used to with Dysons. The battery pack has grown in girth to achieve a longer run time (60- versus 40 minutes), and the dustbin has been stretched to improve its capacity. But this thing is not as bulked-out as Dyson’s latest Outsize model (the one actor/comedian Billy Crystal recently held up with a grin on CBS Sunday Morning when asked what he’d been doing “for fun” during the COVID 19 quarantine.) And I’ve only really found the V15 Detect more unwieldy than my V8 when working it in hand-vac mode on the sofa and stairs.
Dyson V15 Detect feature set
The V15 Detect’s cutest new feature is a green laser light mounted to the front of the motorized bare-floor Slim Fluffy brush head. It illuminates otherwise invisible dust (and encourages insomniacs to do some nocturnal cleaning). Using it didn’t seem to diminish the vac’s battery run time, but it is nonetheless easy to switch on and off.
Refinements have also been made on the motorized carpet and furniture brushes, to prevent carpet threads and hair from tangling up on the rollers. Both performed as promised, though I should note that the conical-shaped, open-at-one-end Hair Screw upholstery brush also introduces a bit of rattling to the otherwise moderately quiet operation. And I do have mixed feelings about the retractable combs on the front lip of the High Torque rug-cleaner head. These teeth, which I didn’t find on my older Dysons’ power heads, certainly “part” the carpet fibers, but they might also inadvertently pull some out. The same is true of the device’s beater brush.
You can track the vacuum’s particle-pickup performance (an oddly exciting thing to watch) on a color LCD display on the back end of the body. Dyson says a piezo sensor not only counts the number of dust particles the vacuum is pulling up, it measures them in order to automatically fine-tune the amount of suction needed for the current cleaning job. You can also manually shift the vac’s operating mode from Boost to Auto to Eco and monitor the remaining battery charge time with this display.
In truth, however, I rarely ran the V15 Detect in Auto mode during my review, because the sensor and High Torque head don’t work well with some of my very expensive, low-pile, hand-knotted wool rugs. The machine would oddly shift into maximum Boost mode, cranking up the suction and motor revolutions (125,000 rpm max) to such a degree that the carpet head attached itself to the rug and wouldn’t let go!
Dyson Cordless Vacuums Overview
The Dyson V15 Detect came out on March 24th of 2021. Before it, there was the V11 series with the V11 Animal and the V11 Torque Drive, which were very similar with minor differences. Then there was the V11 Outsize, which was released much later but was like a new model. It was more powerful then the other V11s, had a huge dustbin and a huge floor head, but it was still called a V11.
And then we have the V15, which went back to the V11 Animal and Torque Drive in terms of size. In fact, the V15 weighs virtually the same as the V11 Animal and Torque Drive, and it has the same smaller size cleaner head. The V12 Detect Slim was actually released after the V15 Detect. That’s a whole different story, and we have a full V12 Detect Slim review (view) if you’re curious about that model.
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Another kind of macro thing to know is that Dyson brought back the popular soft roller or Fluffy hard floor attachment for the V15 Detect. It wasn’t included in any of the V11 packages in the US initially, though it’s now being retroactively offered on some models. That soft roller head proved valuable in our recent ranking of vacuums for tile floors, too. It’s something we think brings a lot of value to the table with the V15, and we’ll discuss it later in the review.
Power Tests and Metrics
Starting off with power, we tested the V15’s suction and airflow in various places on the vacuum and in all of its power settings. We found that in key metrics like sealed suction and airflow at the cleaner head, it was exactly the same as the V11 Outsize.
It did have a little more power than the Outsize in some of the other tests, like unsealed suction and airflow at the wand. This is consistent with Dyson specs, which say it has just a touch more power than the Outsize. So, we feel comfortable saying it’s more powerful than the Outsize, but it was very close.
To put it all in context, though, at the time of our initial review, it was the most powerful cordless vacuum we had tested. The model it took that status from was the other Dyson, the Outsize. As far as size goes, the V15 retains the smaller form factor of the V11 Animal and Torque Drive, which we actually prefer over the larger Outsize.
Performance Tests
Moving on to more practical tests, we put the standard head through its paces. We tested it on both hard flooring and carpet to see how well it could pick up debris of various sizes. The standard head has an adjustable gate on the front, which we typically keep all the way open for maximum versatility. As far as the tests went, the V15 Detect did amazingly well with debris of all shapes and sizes.
We think Dyson’s Torque head design, which showed up on the V10 series, is a really good design. You really don’t need to change it out when moving from hard floors to carpet because it strikes a better balance than just about any other head out there. For the V15 they’ve named it the Digital Motorbar, but it is essentially the same thing.
Carpet Deep Clean Tests
It did excellent with the deep clean test, too. In that test we embed sand into carpet and weigh the bin before and after a set amount of time vacuuming. The V15 scored a perfect 100, which is common with premium vacuums. Though we will say that with the front gates all the way closed, it can be very hard to push on carpet, especially on max power.
If you have mostly hard floors in your house, you’re in luck with the V15 Detect because of that fluffy roller. The official name is the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head and it has been redesigned from previous versions. It’s a bit smaller in diameter, and from what we can tell, it handles better than the older version too, which tended to be a little jerky in our opinion.
In our tests the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head did an amazing job picking up debris from small to extra-large. This is something that traditional floor heads just don’t do well with at all, especially when vacuuming hard floors.
Soft rollers aren’t just about large debris, though. In fact, we think their real value comes from a kind of dusting of hard floors. And that brings us to the first new tech on the V15 Detect: the laser reference in the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head.
Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner Head
The laser on the soft roller is positioned in a way to highlight dust and hair on hard floors. We were prepared to call this feature a gimmick. I mean, how much better could a green laser be than one of the many vacuums out there with LED headlights?
But, when we took it home, we found that it did seem to make a difference. Even in decent lighting, we could see stuff that we don’t think we would have otherwise been able to, especially under furniture in some of those darker places. We have to say it did make vacuuming hard floors more satisfying. And, “satisfying” is the right word. Just a quick note: the laser is only on the fluffy head, not on the regular torque head.
Delivery, unboxing and setting up the Dyson V15 Detect
The Dyson V15 Detect arrives in a cardboard sleeve for shipping that slides out to reveal the sleek white packaging of the box. Each piece was neatly wrapped in paper, avoiding the use of plastic packaging. The bundle also forgoes a lengthy manual (which can be found online) for a quick start guide.
Like other Dysons I’ve used, each piece easily clicks together and is interchangeable to use with the wand arm directly from the handheld unit. While the battery does come with some juice, you should charge it before going on a full cleaning mission.
The Dyson V15 Detect also has a wall charging unit and includes hardware to install. For an extra cost, Dyson offers a floor stand, which is convenient for those who want a home base for their vacuum but are not particularly keen on drilling into walls.
Dyson V15 Detect key features
Laser Dust Detection The V15 Detect introduces a green laser on its Fluffy cleaner head that makes dust hidden from the eye, visible on hard floors. Dyson engineers precisely positioned the laser at a 1.5-degree angle, 7.2mm off the ground, and chose green for the excellent contrast it gives to the naked eye. Particles are most visible in low-lit areas, and even in the dark, as bright sunlight can wash out the laser.
PIEZO Sensor Dyson integrated an acoustic Piezo Sensor into the design that continuously sizes and counts dust particles and shows how much has been picked up in a graph on the LCD screen. The Piezo sensor counts pieces smaller than 10 µm, like allergens and pollens; less than 60 µm, particles the size of microscopic dust and skin flakes; 180 µm particles the size of dust mites and fine sand; and 500µm particles the size of sugar and fleas. The Piezo Sensor is also connected to the V15 Detect’s suction power: it automatically adjusts across different floor types based on the amount of dust and other particles present on the surface.
Reactive and powerful suction The Dyson Hyperdymium™ motor spins up to 125,000rpm for unparalleled suction power while DLS technology senses and adapts to different flooring.
Anti-tangle hair tech Dyson developed an anti-tangle conical brush bar that spirals hair off and into the bin to prevent hair wrap on the brushbar. The tech is available on a smaller and full-size High Torque Cleanerhead, which has polycarbonate teeth that look like a comb and prevent tangling around the bristles when you are cleaning, and automatically clear hair from the brush bar.
LCD screen The LCD displays will show a real-time count of the collected particles from the PIEZO Sensor, a run-time countdown clock, the power mode in use, and maintenance alerts, such as when an air channel is clogged, or if the bin needs emptying.
Filtration The V15 Detect offers Dyson’s five-stage advanced filtration technologies, capturing 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, to expel cleaner air. The filtration system is comprised of the bin cyclone (that uses centrifugal force to separate dust, dirt, and hair from airflow), a metal mesh filter, cyclone technology, and pre-and post-motor filters that capture the smallest pollutants.
Note this is not HEPA, but you can upgrade to the V15 Detect Absolute if that’s a feature you require.
What is the Dyson V15 Detect like to use?
Besides shaking up how you’re used to cleaning your floors with its intelligent tech, it operates just like any cordless stick. It offers decent battery life, up to 60 minutes on hard floors and with attachments, though shortened on carpets; incredible, automatically adjusting suction power, which also conserves battery life; and unique features not found on any other product: the green laser and Piezo Sensor.
On hard floor While you can use either the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head or Digital Motor Bar, we’re opting to use the Laser Slim Fluffy Cleaner to make the most of Dyson’s laser technology. It can easily reach near crevices and corners, making sure your floors are free of any dust, dirt, or grime. It’s not the best at picking up larger solid pieces of debris, but it can – it just takes longer.
On carpet You may think your carpets were clean, but you’ll notice just how quickly the bin fill and piezo count rise. You’ll have to use the digital brushbar as the fluffy slim bar is ineffective, and the green laser can’t reveal the dust embedded in your carpets. Some other reviewers found it a little more difficult to push across carpet, but I didn’t have that issue.
Stairs To vacuum the stairs I could use either the original floorhead, or the mini-brush attachment. I found it easier to clean the stairs with the mini-brush but got on fine with both.
Higher up places Using the brush nozzle and the bendy wand I reached up to tackle the (thin) layer of dust on top of the picture rails in our living room. Suction was just as good as it is on the floorhead and bed nozzle, and the brush helped to sweep the dust up into the wand. Without the head I feel it could have done just as good a job, though, it just helps to get a better angle.
Things to note Disclaimer, I love how this vacuum cleans, but I have found the Piezo sensor unreliable. When it works, it counts and I believe the accuracy, but if it switches off, getting it back on is a hassle.
According to reddit, I’m not the only one with this issue. On two separate units, I noticed at different points in time that the Piezo sensor wasn’t working, and in settings mode, it revealed that the Piezo sensor was off. That’s fine, I’ll just turn it back on, but instead of allowing me to change settings, well, any settings, the LCD screen cuts off. The first unit, I bypassed as a fluke, a computer chip malfunction, and it was swiftly replaced, but the second time. why would this happen?
The Best Cordless Stick Vacuum
After testing 25 new models, we now recommend the lithe, nimble Dyson V12 Detect Slim and the sturdy, extra-strong Ryobi 18V One HP Cordless Pet Stick Vac Kit with Dual-Roller Bar as the best cordless stick vacuums.
If you deal with frequent small messes, or if you hate lugging out your full-size, plug-in vacuum cleaner, a cordless stick vacuum could be your dream cleaning partner. But like a good marriage, using a cordless stick vacuum requires you to make some compromises. We’ve tested dozens of them, and the perfect model just doesn’t exist.
Depending on your priorities, we recommend the Dyson V12 Detect Slim and the Ryobi 18V One HP Cordless Pet Stick Vac Kit with Dual-Roller Bar. If you’re on a tight budget (and willing to overlook some red flags), consider the Kenmore Elite CSV Max Cordless Stick Vacuum DS4095.
How we picked
We’ve tested hundreds of vacuums since 2014, most recently evaluating 25 cordless stick models priced from 100 to 450,000.
We measured how much baking soda, cereal, birdseed, glitter, and hair each vac pulled from four types of rugs and bare floors.
We looked for cordless stick vacuums with at least a two-year warranty, as well as a replaceable battery—a major plus.
We considered how easy and comfortable it was to maneuver each vacuum, and whether its attachments fit their purpose.
Buying Options
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim comes closer to an ideal stick vac than any model we’ve tested. It’s light and nimble around furniture and on stairs, and it even works on shelves, walls, and ceilings.
The V12 Detect Slim rivals more expensive vacuums (such as the Dyson V15) in suction, airflow, and cleaning power, and it comes with multiple brushes and attachments, including a motorized brush for pet hair. It runs for 45 minutes on a single charge, longer than most of the other vacuums we’ve tested.
It has high-tech features that make it almost fun to use, including a sensor that automatically adjusts suction, a laser headlight that illuminates dust in dim corners, and an LCD screen with a battery countdown and other information. It’s also one of the quietest models we’ve tested.
The biggest downside of the V12 Detect Slim is its tiny, 12-ounce dustbin, which requires frequent emptying. You also have to swap between two different brushes depending on whether you use it on carpet or bare floor.
It takes four hours to recharge—longer than most other models—and doesn’t stand up on its own. Dyson covers it with a two-year warranty.