Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute review: a small home superhero
I already own the Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer and the Dyson V15 Detect Vacuum, so it's safe to say I'm familiar with Dyson's work.
In this Dyson V12 review, I've tested whether or not the lightweight, £500 vacuum lives up to my expectations.
9
BUY HERE
Pros
Lightweight at just 2.4kg
Laser Detection Technology
Versatile attachments
LCD Display
HEPA filtration system — good for allergies
Cons
Small dust bin at 0.35L
Disappointing battery life
High price point considering its size and features (although it's currently on sale)
Rating: 8/10
How I tested the Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute
9
BUY HERE
I tested the Dyson V12 for a month and a half, using it at least once every single day.
My house has four bedrooms with a mix of flooring types, including luxury vinyl tile (LVT), tiles, engineered wood and 100% wool carpet, which I thought would make for the perfect testing ground.
I used the vacuum on hard floors, rugs, pet hair, upholstery, and even mattresses to see how it handled different surfaces and cleaning scenarios.
Dyson V12 Detect review: Quickfire Q&A
9
V12 Detect Slim Absolute, £499.99 £379.99 from Dyson
BUY HERE
What is the Dyson V12? It's a lightweight cordless vacuum that combines powerful suction with clever features like laser dust detection and a real-time LCD display. It's also super stylish.
How much is it? Anywhere from £380 to £550, depending on where you buy it. It's currently on sale for £379.99 on Dyson's site, with a complimentary Floor Dok worth £100.
Who's it best for? Those living in a smaller flat or house, allergy sufferers or anyone needing a lightweight vacuum for daily use. You may need a corded or larger vacuum for deeper cleans and larger spaces.
What I loved: The lightweight design, laser technology and LCD display. The HEPA filter was brilliant for tackling allergens, and the versatile attachments were great for pet hair. And the on/off power button was a welcome change from the normal trigger power function.
What I didn't: The small dust bin capacity was a pain in a larger house, and the battery life didn't last long enough in Boost mode. The price is also quite steep, and additional attachments like the furniture cleaning kit (which is sold separately, but feels necessary) aren't cheap either.
Dyson V12 Detect at a glance – key specs
Feature Dyson V12 Detect Slim Dyson V15 Detect Absolute
Weight 2.4kg 2.96kg
Dust Bin Capacity 0.35L 0.77L
Runtime (Eco Mode) Up to 60 minutes Up to 60 minutes
Laser Detection Yes Yes
Max suction power 150W 240W
Price (on Dyson's website, at time of publication) £499.99 £379.99 £649.99 £529.99
Compared to the Dyson V15 Detect, the V12 has a lower price tag while offering many of the same features.
It's significantly lighter, at 2.4kg, but this comes at the expense of the V15's much larger dust bin and powerful battery (the V12 has the same run time, but much less suction).
It feels like a good value for smaller homes, where the reduced dust bin capacity isn't as much of an issue.
For those looking for Dyson-quality performance at a slightly lower cost, this model is a great option.
First Impressions
9
9
V12 Detect Slim Absolute, £499.99 £379.99 from Dyson
When I first unboxed the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, I was struck by how stylish and compact it looked.
Its lightweight design immediately stands out, and the range of attachments makes it clear that it's armed for any cleaning task.
These include a motorised cleaner head, crevice tool, and hair screw tool, which I found particularly useful for tackling pet hair and upholstery.
However, I did yearn for an attachment with a wider nozzle for less concentrated suction, for use on bedding and less taut upholstery.
I ended up buying the Dyson furniture cleaning kit separately for £50 because the suction was too strong on certain surfaces, like my mattress and velvet headboard.
While it helped, I feel like it should have been included rather than being an expensive extra.
There was a lot of cardboard packaging, and it felt like one of those impossible situations where you would never be able to fit everything back in the box.
Performance
9
V12 Detect Slim Absolute, £499.99 £379.99 from Dyson
BUY HERE
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim impressed me with its performance, especially its lightweight design.
It's probably the V12's biggest selling point — it's just 2.2kg, making it easy to manoeuvre during long cleaning sessions.
It's perfect for anyone who has reduced upper body strength or mobility issues, as it feels practically weightless and doesn't strain the arms.
However, its lightness comes at the expense of a big dust bin and long battery life (especially in Boost mode), meaning it's better suited for smaller homes rather than larger spaces like mine.
The laser detection technology worked beautifully on hard floors, and the attachments were versatile enough to tackle pet hair and upholstery.
My black lab sheds constantly, but the Dyson V12 handled it brilliantly, even on fabric surfaces.
The HEPA filtration system was also incredibly effective, especially during allergy season.
It captures 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, which made a noticeable difference in reducing dust and allergens in my home.
As someone who suffers from hay fever and a dust allergy, this feature was a lifesaver.
Suction power and deep cleaning ability
9
V12 Detect Slim Absolute, £499.99 £379.99 from Dyson
Despite having less oomph than the Dyson V15, the V12's suction power was excellent across all modes, handling hard floors, rugs and pet hair with ease.
The laser detection technology was one of the standout features for me. It illuminates hard floors and even low-pile rugs with a green laser, highlighting microscopic dust particles that would otherwise go unnoticed.
This feature made cleaning much more efficient; however, no matter how much I vacuumed, it felt impossible to get everything that the green light showed me.
Be prepared to be humbled, because the dust detection will show dirt in the most pristine of homes.
However, I did find the suction to be a bit too strong for delicate surfaces like my upholstered furniture, which led to error messages when vents were blocked.
Battery life and charging
9
V12 Detect Slim Absolute, £499.99 £379.99 from Dyson
The battery lasted up to 60 minutes in Eco mode, which was fine for smaller cleaning jobs, but it drained quickly in Boost mode, giving me only six to eight minutes of runtime.
Average run time on the standard mode is about 40 minutes — again, great for whizzing around, but not ideal for a full deep clean.
I think an extra click-in battery would be helpful for larger homes, as it would allow me to swap batteries and carry on cleaning without interruption.
Ease of use
The lightweight design makes the V12 incredibly easy to use and manoeuvre, even during longer cleaning sessions.
Switching between attachments was simple, and the LCD display was a great addition for tracking battery life and cleaning progress.
Overall, it felt intuitive and user-friendly.
Maintenance and longevity
Emptying the dust bin was straightforward, but I had to do it multiple times during a full-house clean, which was a bit annoying.
Maintenance was otherwise simple, though I did experience error messages when the suction was too powerful for certain tasks like vacuuming my bed's headboard. However, this was easily remedied by switching to another attachment.
The build quality feels robust, so I'm confident it will last, but you may need to invest in additional attachments for specific cleaning needs.
How much is the Dyson V12 Detect?
9
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim's RRP is £499.99, which I think is quite expensive for a vacuum with a smaller dust bin than others on the market.
You do get all the bells and whistles, though, and you can currently get it on sale at the Dyson website for £379.99, with a free Floor Dok worth £100.
Where to Buy the Dyson V12 Detect
You can find the Dyson V12 Detect Slim at several retailers, including:
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is a fantastic vacuum for smaller homes or flats.
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is a fantastic vacuum for smaller homes or flats. It's lightweight, easy to use, and packed with clever features like laser dust detection and an LCD display.
It's also great for allergy sufferers, thanks to its HEPA filtration system.
However, the small dust bin capacity and reduced battery life in Boost mode make it less ideal for larger houses like mine.
While it's still pricey, it delivers excellent cleaning performance for its size.
It's a genuine pleasure to use and really does elevate the whole cleaning experience.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Car
2 hours ago
- Auto Car
This Polestar just went nearly 600 MILES without charging on real UK roads!
Unmodified Polestar 3 beats its official range by 143 miles and sets a new benchmark for EV SUVs Open gallery Polestar 3 used for the attempt was completely factory-spec SUV achieved efficiency of 5.1 miles per kilowatt hour during the run Close The Polestar 3 has claimed the world record for the longest distance travelled by an electric SUV on one charge, cracking nearly 600 miles in one hit on UK roads. The new Long Range version of Polestar's flagship SUV, with a 107kWh battery and a single 295bhp motor on the rear axle, managed 581.3 miles of driving around the east of England. That comfortably beats the 3's 438-mile official range and smashes the previous record of 569.64 miles, set by the Ford Mustang Mach-E last year. The distance travelled equates to a final efficiency figure of 19.5kWh per 100 miles, or 5.13mpkWh, which is in line with the official WLTP efficiency figures of some small electric cars weighing around two-thirds as much as the 2.4-tonne 3. Polestar said the SUV continued for eight miles after the battery charge readout reached 0% and still managed to get to a charger, suggesting it could even have gone slightly farther. Crucially, the car used for the attempt was completely unmodified – even using the standard Michelin Sport 4 EV tyres – and the attempt was carried out on open public roads, including single-track lanes, dual carriageways and B-roads. The news comes a week after Chevrolet revealed its new Silverado EV pickup truck had managed a whopping 1060 miles on a single charge, but that was with light modifications in place and took seven days to complete. Furthermore, the Chevy's 205kWh battery pack is around twice the size of the Polestar's and it averaged 4.9mpkWh, compared with the Swedish car's 5.1mpkWh. The current outright range record for an unmodified electric car, as recognised by Guinness World Records, is held by the Lucid Air. However, the Polestar's record-chasing run was undertaken in conditions that better reflect real-world driving so is more relevant to consumers, explained Sam Clarke, one of three drivers who piloted the car during the attempt. 'This is a 'journey' record, which means that we use public roads, we have to adhere to normal speed limits and we can't go over the same road twice, so effectively we do one very large loop, as best we can.' That last requirement presented a significant obstacle, as not only did it become increasingly difficult to avoid previously used roads while remaining on the flat ground needed to maximise range, but it also meant that any late changes to the route could have quashed the team's chances of setting a record. 'We did have one particular jeopardy when we got to Melton Mowbray at the very tail end of the run and it turned out there was a cycle race on the next day, so a load of the roads were closed. Every time we tried to change direction, we found another road closure and another road closure...' said Clarke. Fortunately, some quick thinking from the navigator got the team back on a diversion route without having too drastic an impact on remaining range. Clarke said the journey record is more relevant than the outright range record because 'it's the closest thing to the real world, on proper roads at proper speeds'. He added: 'We're not suggesting for a second that everybody can achieve the same ranges that we did, but we did exceed the WLTP figures by some margin, so it just shows what's possible. Driving a little bit more efficiently – which ultimately equates to just moving your right foot a few less millimetres each time – can actually generate significant amounts of range'. Figures like this, while not necessarily achievable in everyday driving, help to show that 'EVs really can go a long way now', Clarke said, and 'the range anxiety phraseology we've seen in our industry for many years is rapidly diminishing'. Clarke, who has taken part in several previous EV record-breaking runs (including the Mustang Mach-E one last year), said range anxiety as a concept is 'definitely dying' but 'the infrastructure still needs to continue to improve as the technology advances in the vehicles as well'. Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you'll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here. Next Prev In partnership with
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Donate-a-phone schemes and tech workshops in line for £9.5m Government backing
Donate-a-phone schemes and computer workshops will receive Government backing worth £9.5 million, as part of a plan to help older people and low-income households access an 'essential for modern life'. The funding will go towards charity and council schemes in an effort to tackle digital exclusion. According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the money will help connect the 1.6 million people who live entirely offline with the online world. 'It is unacceptable that in 2025, millions of people across the UK simply can't access the vast opportunities that technology and the online world offers,' telecoms minister Sir Chris Bryant said, adding that 'digital inclusion is an essential for modern life and work, not just something that's nice to have'. Sir Chris also said: 'Making technology widely accessible could be the thing that means a sick patient can speak to a GP remotely, or that helps a young person successfully apply for a job. 'Through this funding we're moving further to empower local leaders and groups nationwide, who are already working tirelessly to get their communities connected and change countless lives for the better.' The Government launched its Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund as part of the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, which also includes an ambition to pilot a device donation scheme, so re-purposed Whitehall laptops will go to people who need them. Older and disabled people, low-income households and jobseekers are among the groups more likely to be digitally excluded, according to the plan.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
This electric SUV set a world record for longest journey on a single charge... here's how far it went
A new world record has been set for the longest journey by an electric SUV on a single charge. A new Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor was driven 581.3 miles on UK roads, 143 miles more than a single charge should take it. And the unmodified, large SUV's real-world journey – which took 22 hours and 57 minutes – has been officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. Driven by professional efficiency drivers Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker and Richard Parker, the Polestar 3 - which starts from just shy of £70,000 - achieved its WLTP figure of 438 miles with 20 per cent of its battery capacity still available. It even delivered eight further miles after showing 0 per cent battery - but the Polestar 3 reached a charger before ultimately stopping. Pointing out that the large luxury SUV went beyond the distance from London to Edinburgh (over 400 miles), Matt Galvin, Polestar UK managing director said: 'While Kevin, Sam and Richard pushed the Polestar 3 to the boundaries of its range capability, it goes to show how battery range has improved exponentially over the past few years.' The Polestar 3 is not the first EV to set a world record and prove that long journeys aren't a problem in an EV: Last year a Ford Mustang Mach-E was driven 569.64 miles (916.74km) around England, surpassing the previous record set by just six miles, to claim the Guinness World Record for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge The world record journey began in Norwich and took in mostly flat A and B roads as well as dual carriageways in mixed weather conditions including rain, demonstrating that weather doesn't impact range like most people imagine. Between the three drivers, who switched every three hours to maintain alertness, they coaxed an efficiency of 19.5kWh/100 miles out of the Polestar 3. The range test was adjudicated by Guinness World Records' own judge Paulina Sapinska with Webfleet providing meticulously documented and independently verified video footage, odometer readings, GPS readings, and battery level data. The attempt was supported by the AA to ensure safety and to assist if the vehicle was not near a charger when the battery eventually ran out. It's important to note that the car has no modifications for the attempt and was on standard 20-inch wheels fitted with standard Michelin Sport 4 EV tyres. The Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor costs £69,910 and is the car that took Polestar from being a one-car brand to a two-car brand. The luxury SUV is a rival to the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX and Porsche Macan Electric, but this range record blows those out of the water. The range test was adjudicated by Guinness World Records' own judge Paulina Sapinska with Webfleet providing meticulously documented and independently verified video footage, odometer readings, GPS readings, and battery level data The other EVs that can go from London to Edinburgh on a single charge In our list of the EVs with the longest ranges the Polestar 3, despite its huge 438-mile range, comes fourth on the list – which goes to show how far ranges have come in a short period. Three EVs can go further; the Audi A6 e-tron, the Mercedes EQS and the Mercedes EQA. In third place the Audi A6 e-tron executive saloon is priced from £70,900 and is Audi entrance into the electric executive market. It's 463-mile range can be replenished with 200 miles of juice in just 10 minutes thanks to ultra-rapid charging. Another executive saloon with impressive range is the Mercedes EQS which can go 481 miles on a single charge, putting it in second place. However, the EQS doesn't come cheap costing £112,610 – and even the base EQS will set you back just shy of £100k. But if you can afford it the electrified version of the S-Class limo will give you the latest technology, driver assistance features and the highest-quality interior finishes. It will also charge to 80 per cent in 31 minutes despite having a 108.4kWh battery. First place in our rankings also goes to a Mercedes electric car, but a cheaper one. The new CLA EV is much more affordable than the EQS, costing £45,615 – a drop of over £50k compared to the EQS. The CLA 250+ with EQ technology Sport Edition can do 484 miles on a single charge, 0 to 62mph in 6.7 seconds and rapid charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes. Mercedes said they wanted the EV to be priced similarly to the hybrid model and the German brand has managed to do this by reducing battery production by 30 per cent, reducing the EV's overall cost by 15 per cent.
