Dyson V12 Detect Slim: The Smart Vacuum Thats Changing the Game with Laser Precision!

As an individual who embraces a modern and interactive method of home cleaning, I’ve discovered that a high-quality, premium handheld vacuum is an essential device to keep in my household. Whether it’s for routine cleaning or addressing specific messes as they arise, having a fast and efficient vacuum nearby is beneficial. Dyson produces some of the most remarkable and technologically sophisticated handheld vacuums, and their newest model employs cutting-edge technology to elevate the cleaning process.

With a retail price of Rs. 58,900, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim holds the title of the most expensive offering in the company’s cleaning lineup in India. It is lighter and more streamlined than the previous flagship model, the V11 Absolute Pro, and features several intriguing enhancements aimed at improving the cleaning experience, such as laser dust detection and a piezo sensor to analyze and monitor the accumulated dust and debris. Are these advancements sufficient to make the Dyson V12 Detect Slim the top vacuum cleaner on the market today? This review will provide the answer.

The laser dust detection feature is exclusive to the Fluffy cleaner head and functions best in low light

 

Design and Usability of Dyson V12 Detect Slim

Despite offering remarkable suction and vacuuming performance, the Dyson V11 Absolute Pro faced limitations due to its size and weight. The Dyson V12 Detect Slim, on the other hand, is significantly lighter and more compact, weighing 1.5 kg alone and 2.2 kg with the Fluffy cleaner head and wand attached. It provides a far more comfortable grip and handling experience. However, the dustbin capacity of 0.35L is reduced, and the 11 ‘Root Cyclone’ chambers in the V12 Detect Slim produce slightly less suction than the 14 chambers found in the V11 Absolute Pro.

A notable difference enhancing the usability of the Dyson V12 Detect Slim is the replacement of the power trigger with a large red power button located on top. Pressing this button activates the vacuum, which continues to run until switched off. I found this significantly more user-friendly than the previous model’s trigger, as it allowed me to maintain a secure hold on the handle while cleaning.

The Dyson V12 Detect Slim features a removable battery that can be charged either when detached from the device or while still connected. An additional battery can be purchased to extend operating time, but it is sold separately.

The back of the Dyson V12 Detect Slim is equipped with a round LCD display, similar to that of the V11 Absolute Pro. While operational, the screen indicates the power setting, a countdown for the battery life, and data regarding the captured dust and particles, including insights from the embedded piezo sensor (more on that later). During charging, it shows the battery status. A button situated just below the display allows users to toggle through power settings such as Eco, Auto/Medium, and Boost.

Though priced higher than the V11 Absolute Pro, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim has a smaller dustbin for collecting debris. Emptying it involves pushing the red handle at the bottom outward, which opens the lid and forcefully ejects the contents. Ideally, this should be done with the vacuum aimed over a waste bin.

Unlike other Dyson V-series models that utilize triggers for power control, the V12 Detect Slim employs a simpler button

 

I found that the slim design of the integrated dustbin occasionally required me to detach and unclog it completely, using either my hands or a cloth to ensure thorough cleaning. An indicator line on the transparent dustbin helps signal when it’s time to empty it, but I would recommend doing so every few cleanings.

Fortunately, the dustbin can be washed with water; however, it must be allowed to dry completely before being reattached to the Dyson V12 Detect Slim. Moreover, there is a removable filter located at the back of the vacuum body, which can be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that fine dust particles are not expelled from the vacuum back into your living space.

Attachments for Dyson V12 Detect Slim

The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is supplied with seven cleaning heads along with a ‘wand’ component that also serves as an extension pipe. These attachments comprise the Fluffy cleaner head, Direct Drive cleaner head, hair screw tool, combi tool, crevice tool, soft dusting brush, and stubborn dust brush. Additionally, the package includes a charger, wall dock, and a wand clip.

Notably, there are two new attachments in the Dyson lineup for India – the Fluffy cleaner head with laser dust detection, and the Hair Screw tool. While the design is reminiscent of the soft roller and Fluffy cleaner heads from other Dyson devices, the one included with the V12 Detect Slim is equipped with a green laser emitter at the base, illuminating a few inches in front of the cleaner head. This can be switched on or off using a small toggle on the head. The Hair Screw tool is specifically designed to vacuum loose hair in a way that prevents it from tangling in other cleaner heads’ rollers.

The remaining attachments are similar to those found in other existing Dyson vacuum cleaners, crafted for specific tasks like cleaning upholstered furniture or reaching into tight spaces like between car seats. Three of the largest attachments are motorized and draw power directly from the V12 Detect Slim.

The Dyson V12 Detect Slim is lighter and more compact than the V11 Absolute Pro, yet its dustbin holds less

 

The non-motorized cleaner heads and attachments that accompany the Dyson V12 Detect Slim are compatible with other Dyson V-series vacuums and vice versa; however, the motorized attachments will only function with the V12. The swappable battery is specifically designed for the V12 Detect Slim and is not usable with any other Dyson product. The wand tool measures approximately 75 cm in length, similar to what is provided with the Dyson V11 Absolute Pro, and can be utilized with any of the included attachments for extended reach and easier floor cleaning.

Performance and Battery Life of Dyson V12 Detect Slim

While the name Dyson V12 Detect Slim implies it is a superior model to the V11 Absolute Pro, and its price reflects that, it’s noteworthy to state that the V12 vacuum doesn’t boast the same suction power as the V11. Nevertheless, the difference is not significant, and the majority of consumers should find the suction power offered by the V12 Detect Slim, alongside its technological enhancements and features, to be satisfactory.

Primarily, I used the Fluffy cleaner head equipped with the laser dust detection feature for cleaning the floors in my home. Additionally, I employed the hair screw tool, crevice tool, and soft dusting brush for cleaning sofas, furniture, and window channels, while the supplementary tools were useful for cleaning ceiling fans, surfaces, and car interiors. The Direct Drive cleaning head, featuring carbon fiber filaments, is claimed by Dyson to be more effective in removing fine dust from hard floors.

An omni-directional roller head, akin to the one on the Dyson Omni-glide, would have been a nice addition, given its outstanding maneuverability; however, the two main attachments and roller wheels do provide a reasonable degree of flexibility while utilizing the V12 Detect Slim. Although its suction power falls short of that of the V11, I was thoroughly pleased with the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, as it remains an exceptionally powerful vacuum considering its size and capacity.

The button beneath the LCD display allows users to adjust the power level on the Dyson V12 Detect Slim

 

I managed to clean my approximately 900-square-foot living space in about 40 minutes, and employing auto mode required two to three passes over my marble floors to collect most dust particles. For larger spills like food crumbs or cleaning my sofas, it was usually necessary to vacuum the same area three to four times.

The hair screw tool genuinely functioned as promised in collecting loose hair, consolidating it before directing it into the V12 Detect Slim’s dustbin for simple disposal. This tool is particularly beneficial for homes with pets that shed hair.

Where the Dyson V12 Detect Slim truly demonstrates its flagship status is through its two standout features: the laser dust detection system and the piezo sensor used to track and evaluate the particles collected by the vacuum. The former is applicable exclusively when utilizing the Fluffy cleaning head, while the latter is incorporated into the vacuum itself and thus works with any attachment.

The laser dust detection mechanism on the primary Fluffy roller head of the Dyson V12 Detect Slim is quite a fascinating feature. The Class 1 laser, fixed low on the attachment, casts a green light directly in front of the rollers, illuminating dust and dirt on the floor. Its implementation is effective and functions precisely as intended.

That being said, it proves most efficient in dark or low-light environments; I often found myself using the Dyson V12 Detect Slim at night with the lights off and curtains drawn to maximize its capabilities. In low light, I was able to spot minute dust particles that were otherwise invisible against my light-colored flooring. The V12 Detect Slim revealed that there was indeed residual dust even after my 360 S7 robot vacuum had tidied up the space.

Under bright daylight or in adequately lit conditions, the effectiveness of the laser dust detection system diminishes significantly, leading me to simply turn it off. Although it may seem somewhat odd to vacuum in darkness, this is essentially the optimal way to use the laser dust detection feature. It’s worth noting that even with the laser switched off, the V12 remains proficient at capturing those unseen, microscopic dust particles. The laser’s presence allows you to visibly confirm whether the area you are cleaning is indeed free of dust.

The piezo sensor on the Dyson V12 Detect Slim enables it to display the volume of dust collected

 

Data from the piezo sensor is showcased on the LCD screen of the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, presented as bars and numerical values. The vacuum indicates four bars corresponding to the different sizes of dust particles, along with counters that indicate the total number of particles captured. The four size classifications comprise 10-60 microns, 60-180 microns, 180-500 microns, and anything exceeding that. The sensor captures 15,000 readings every second and resets itself when the Dyson V12 Detect Slim remains inactive for a period, providing new data during each cleaning session.

In just a minute or two, the counter for 10-60 micron particles climbed into the millions on an average day, while the other particle counts increased more gradually. The readout for particles over 500 microns included almost all larger debris, such as food crumbs, typically escalating into the thousands after a comprehensive cleaning session.

While these statistics are captivating, it’s challenging to ascertain their precise accuracy. The sensor on the Dyson V12 Detect Slim appeared to respond differently depending on the nature of the mess, and it even indicated whether my home was relatively cleaner or dustier on certain days compared to others. When set to Auto mode, the piezo sensor can also detect larger messes and adjusts the vacuum’s suction power accordingly, a feature I found particularly effective on rugs and fabric surfaces.

The battery performance of the Dyson V12 Detect Slim aligns with that of most larger vacuum cleaners in the V-series. Dyson asserts that it can run for up to 60 minutes on the Eco setting. I predominantly utilized the vacuum in Auto mode, achieving a runtime of 40-45 minutes per charge, contingent on how frequently the vacuum automatically increased power to manage larger messes.

This performance is commendable for a device of its size and sufficiently serviced my needs for a complete clean in a single run. For shorter cleaning intervals of about 10-15 minutes, it was advantageous that I didn’t have to recharge the vacuum immediately after use; typically, I only needed to plug it in once every three to four days.

Conclusion

Dyson vacuum cleaners are remarkable for their efficiency, particularly given their compact and cord-free designs. Additionally, they operate without unpleasant noise levels, and the V12 Detect Slim encompasses all these features and more. While it doesn’t surpass the V11 Absolute Pro in power, the difference in effectiveness is minimal enough to overlook, especially with the addition of the innovative laser dust detection feature and the piezo sensor enhancements for dust analysis.

Indeed, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim carries a hefty price tag, but it is an impressive device that not only provides effective cleaning but also aids in optimizing your cleaning techniques. If your budget allows and you’re in the market for a high-quality vacuum, you won’t find anything else in India that offers this level of proficiency and insight into the cleaning process. If you seek greater power and attachment options, considering the V11 Absolute Pro may be a prudent choice.

Rating: 8/10

Pros:

• Impressive cleaning efficacy for its size
• The laser dust detection feature is noteworthy
• Piezo sensor provides valuable statistics
• Decent battery longevity

Cons:

• High cost
• Dustbin maintenance can be cumbersome

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