Dyson V16 Piston Animal Submarine Review: Powerful but Pricey
The Dyson V16 Piston Animal is the brand's most powerful stick vacuum, but its high price and not consistently superior performance make its value questionable. The Submarine wet cleaning option stands out, but comes at a significant additional cost.
The New Flagship
Dyson has launched the V16 Piston Animal, the most powerful stick vacuum in the company's history. It boasts 315 air-watts (AW) of suction, surpassing the previous leader Gen5Detect. The new model features the All Floor Cones Sense cleaner head that automatically adapts to different floor types, and the Submarine variant includes a wet cleaning head.
Features and Ergonomics
The vacuum has three modes – Eco, Auto, and Boost – selectable via the LCD screen. It has built-in crevice tools in the handheld motor and wand. The dust bin includes a compactor, but some fluffy debris still needs to be pulled out by hand. A self-emptying docking station is promised for later this year, but will be an additional purchase.
Performance: More Power, but Not Always Better
Despite being powerful, the V16 did not always outperform cheaper models in testing. At times, the older and cheaper Gen5Detect performed equally or slightly better. In sand and cat litter tests, the V16 sometimes failed to pick up everything on the first pass, while a cheaper Shark model did so without issue. However, it was effective on thick carpets.
Submarine Wet Cleaning
The Submarine version costs an additional $120. It offers Basic and Max modes and can clean dirt on hard floors. Before use, the roller needs to be moistened for 10-20 seconds. The debris tray is relatively small, so dry vacuuming with the Fluffy Optic head beforehand is recommended.
Is It Worth Upgrading?
The V16 Submarine combo costs $1,100, a high price. If you need a wet mop, it can be a valuable addition, but for that amount, you could also buy a robot vacuum like the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai. While the V16 is powerful and versatile, the cheaper Gen5Detect or models from other brands may offer a similar experience.
