Pros
Light for the amount of power
Turbo mode nearly as strong as upright
Large brush works well on deep pile
Convenient docking station
Switch instead of button for turbo mode
Quieter
Longer run time
Direct drive brush means no belt to replace
Washable, lifetime HEPA filter
Durable mesh screen
Emptying is easy
Switching tools is quick and easy
Docking station uses same mounting holes as older models
Cons
Roller depth not adjustable
Brushes on combination tool a little too long for power
Feels heavy for extended use and can hurt hand
Hard surface cleanup could be better
Emptying dust bin can be messy
The Dyson V7 Motorhead is the latest iteration in their line of stick vacuums. They target people who want a smaller, easier to handle vacuum that doesn’t need a cord. Each vacuum in the series share similar traits in design but the higher up you get a larger floor brush, more powerful suction, more runtime, and more accessories. If you are interested in Dyson, you already expect them to be targeted at a more premium focused customer so price shouldn’t be a primary focus. That said, the features that the V7 Motorhead provides in such a small package are comparable to its price.
The V7 Motorhead has a number of subtle changes that add up to an overall nice design. If you are looking to upgrade from their Slim stick vacuum, you will notice the brush is quite a bit larger meaning it can handle deeper pile carpets much better. At first glance it might be hard to notice but the casing is slightly larger than the Slim. The docking station and accessories from your Dyson slim stick vacuum will not work. If you are simply replacing your older Motorhead, it might work fine but I did not have one to compare. The good news is if you can’t reuse your docking station, the new one uses the same screw holes. There is no need to go making extra holes in your wall to accommodate.
Comparing to the V6 Motorhead, Dyson has increase the runtime 50% from 20 minutes to 30 while reducing the sound levels. In fact, during initial testing it was quiet enough to warrant thinking it is weaker. Nothing could be further from the truth. On low, the brushes could be felt beating the carpet. On high, it could lift a high pile throw rug. With such a powerful unit, a manually adjustable height would be helpful to prevent it from grabbing the carpet. If you want to use turbo mode on high pile, it is best to only pull the vacuum towards you because even if you could push it the suction would cause the motor protection to stop the roller. Overall, carpets are where this unit shines. Although very capable on hard surfaces and handy for quick cleanups, some debris would hit the roller and simply fly to another part of the room. It’s a common problem with multi surface vacuums and is not unique. Often, a second pass often was able to pick up the offending piece. It does highlight that the V7 Motorhead is better for carpet than hard surfaces.
The V7 Motorhead comes with a combination tool and crevice tool. Both work well at their respective jobs. The combination tool has such long brushes that you will likely find yourself using turbo mode or the suction is not strong enough to reach the length of the bristles. The system for change accessories is very easy to use and quick. Whether cleaning the floor, your couch, or the hidden corners of your house just grab the accessory for the job and with a quick click you are ready to go. The quick release buttons are big and easy to press.
Cleanup is easy. The unit includes a washable HEPA filter to make sure that last bit of dust doesn’t end up back in the air. It isn’t primary way dirt and grime are trapped so you will rarely need to clean it. The dirt bin is large enough to accommodate 2 or 3 moderately dirty rooms before needing to be emptied. The clear container has a full line so you know when to stop but pet hair might make this difficult to read as it sticks up high in the container. Emptying is very easy but best achieved in an empty bag. When you pull the lever and the bottom falls out, the debris comes falling out as well and can create a dust cloud. This method is an area where Dyson should continue working on new innovations. If your trash bag is too full and you attempt this, you might end up with dust all around your trash can. The first few times the release lever is used, it might feel a bit tight and make a sound giving you the impression you are breaking it. After several uses, the lever loosens up to feel more natural. A nice feature is that the filter screen pulls up when emptying as the debris falls out of the bottom. The reason this is nice is because, particularly if you have pets, the screen gets clogged with pet hair. As the mesh is pulled up, it widens the gap between the mesh and container allowing any debris trapped on the mesh to simply fall. If anything else remains, the mesh is easily accessible to clean.
Overall the V7 Motorhead is a capable, well thought out, cordless vacuum. Understandably, it is not as powerful as its upright counterparts. With the power of the V7 Motorhead, t he question is if you need more. In testing, the V7 Motorhead could pick up nearly anything except items too larger for the roller to pick up. If maximum cleaning power and suction are most important, look towards the Dyson upright models. If want something for quick spot cleanups or overall house cleanup without the hassle of a cord, this will work well. Bear in mind, if you wish to test the 30-minute runtime of the unit you likely will find the initially light 5.45 pounds starts to make your hand sore. Having such a capable cordless makes cleanup easier, excuse free, and almost fun.