Dyson is one of those brands that somehow keeps raising the bar, even when its previous release was already a hit. Somehow, it still manages it – and the new Dyson V16 Piston Animal cordless vacuum is a perfect example.
Officially unveiled today, the V16 Piston Animal is Dyson’s most powerful anti-tangle cordless vacuum yet, designed to deliver serious suction, smart performance and effortless maintenance. I was lucky enough to get my hands on it a few weeks ago, and I’ve been thoroughly impressed ever since.
Dyson V16 Piston Animal review: price and availability
The Dyson V16 Piston Animal is priced at £749.99/€849.99/$1,099.99 and is available now from Dyson’s online store and selected retailers, including John Lewis. There’s also a bundle option with a detail cleaning kit for a little extra.
For the first time, Dyson has also released a wet/dry cordless option – the Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine – which comes in at £899.99/€999.99/$1,299.99. Considering the older Dyson V15s Submarine Detect had an RRP of £799.99/€899.99/$999.99, that feels fairly reasonable.
Dyson V16 Piston Animal review: unboxing and set up
Inside the box, you’ll find four precision-engineered tools alongside the main body and tube. The All Floor Cones Sense cleaner head automatically adapts between hard floors and carpets and features a built-in laser to highlight dust in dark corners. Then there’s the combi tool, a crevice tool for those hard-to-reach spots, and the upgraded Hair Screw Tool 2.0 that detangles long and pet hair more efficiently than before.
You also get a wall mount and charger, which is handy for storage. However, I was disappointed the V16 can’t stand upright on its own, which isn’t ideal for renters or anyone who doesn't want to drill into walls.
You can also connect the vac to the MyDyson app for extra settings and real-time maintenance alerts, including filter cleaning reminders. Admittedly, I didn’t use the app much at first, but after adding Dyson’s WashG1 to my cleaning setup, I’ve found it far more useful to have everything in one place.
Dyson V16 Piston Animal review: design and features
At first glance, it’s obvious the Dyson V16 Piston Animal is a serious step up from any of Dyson’s previous cordless vacuum cleaners. Dyson’s been on a roll this year with updating a range of products, so it makes sense that the brand would give its vac lineup the same treatment.
The V16 Piston Animal is now Dyson’s most powerful anti-tangle cordless vacuum, powered by the new Dyson Hyperdymium 900W motor, which is 50% more power dense than its predecessor. That translates to a huge 315AW of suction, which is plenty if you’ve read my guide on the top things to look for in a cordless vacuum.
The new All Floor Cones Sense cleaner head has two brush bar cones that eject long hair straight into the bin as you clean, meaning users no longer have to wrestle with tangled brush bars. Considering that’s one of the biggest pain points with cordless vacuums, it’s great to see Dyson finally tackling it.
It’s also smarter than ever, automatically adjusting not just suction but brush bar speeds depending on the floor type. This means it will slow down on hard floors for gentler, quieter cleaning, and then ramp up on carpets for maximum lift.
Design wise, it keeps Dyson’s signature look but with a more refined finish. The LCD screen gives real-time feedback on what’s being captured, and there’s a quick-release cleaner head attachment system so you can switch tasks without bending down. This ended up being something I really liked about the V16, as it made it so easy to do a whole house clean.
One standout feature for me is the brand new CleanCompaktor bin. It compresses dust and debris to triple the capacity of a normal bin and, thanks to its clever self-wiping mechanism, empties without leaving dust or hair behind. I do have a few things to say about this, but more on that later.
Battery life is also nothing to complain about, and you'll get up to 70 minutes on a full charge. The vac itself weighs 3.5kg with the All Floor Cones Sense head attached, which isn't the lightest, but manageable for everyday use.
Dyson V16 Piston Animal review: performance
Whilst I haven’t tried too many of Dyson’s earlier vacuums, I have worked my way through plenty of cordless vacuums on the market, and the V16 is definitely up there with the very best. What makes it stand out are the unique touches, ranging from the clever CleanCompaktor bin to the All Floor Cones Sense cleaner head, and they're features you don’t often see elsewhere.
Now, if I could, I’d give the Dyson V16 Piston Animal 4.5 stars. However, since we don’t do half ratings at T3, four stars it is. That said, the positives massively outweigh the negatives – though I do think it’s worth flagging them so you know what to expect.
First off, the suction power is incredibly impressive. With 315AW, it handles just about anything you throw at it, but the real beauty is that you also don’t have to think about it. I absolutely love how the brush head automatically adjusts to whatever surface you’re cleaning, and it worked brilliantly for me every time.
Secondly, the All Floor Cones Sense cleaner head is wonderful. As someone with long hair, I know the pain of constantly unclogging vacuums, but this anti-hair technology is the best I’ve ever used. After nearly six weeks of testing, the brush head still looks like new, and I haven’t had to detangle or clean it once.
If I had to point out a weak spot, it’s to do with the CleanCompaktor bin. Don’t get me wrong, the compression works brilliantly and it’s a really smart addition, but the self-wiping mechanism didn’t quite live up to expectation. It wipes of course, but it still leaves a fair amount of residue behind, and whilst I wasn’t expecting it to be spotless, I was hoping for a bit more of a noticeable difference.
Aside from that – and the fact it can’t stand up on its own without the wall mount – this is about as close to a perfect cordless vacuum as you can get. It’s easily Dyson’s best yet, and if you’ve got the budget, I’d recommend it in a heartbeat.
Dyson V16 Piston Animal review: verdict
The Dyson V16 Piston Animal is easily Dyson’s most impressive cordless vacuum yet, combining incredible suction with smart features like the All Floor Cones Sense cleaner head and the CleanCompaktor bin. The design feels premium, the performance is consistently brilliant, and it’s packed with thoughtful details that make everyday cleaning easier. I did find myself wishing the bin’s self-wiping system was a little more effective and that it could stand up without the wall mount, but those are small gripes in comparison. If you’ve got the budget, this is the Dyson to buy.
Dyson V16 Piston Animal review: alternatives to consider
If you’re hunting for something even better than the Dyson V16 Piston Animal in terms of specs, you may struggle. The only one that comes close is the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra, which does outperform the V16 in suction and battery life, but the price is absolutely eye-watering. Still, it’s worth a look if you don’t mind splashing out.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Ultenic U20 is another recommendation. It’s not in the same league as Dyson’s latest models, but for under £200, it’s incredibly impressive. I also recently reviewed it, and it’s been really interesting comparing the V16 Piston Animal and the Ultenic side by side.
