There are quite a few options when it comes to cordless vacuum cleaners. They start as low as 3000/- Rupees. These are car vacuums, handheld vacuums and even stick styled vacuum cleaners. Some are cheap knock offs, some do a bit of what they say and some even come close to being the right product for the price. But if the price is not an issue, then Dyson’s line of vacuum cleaners are some of the best vacuum cleaners and sit on top of the food chain. Their newest V12 Detect Slim is a compact but powerful vacuum cleaner that features laser guidance to assist in cleaning. I put the V12 Detect Slim through its paces to find out if it is worth the money and if the laser can guide me to the dirty target.

Design

Not much has changed over from the V11, except the colour and the form factor. The V12 is compact like the name suggests and has a golden casing over the motor, which honestly is my least favourite thing about the V12. Yeah, maybe Dyson is trying to talk about the premium lineup by giving the V12 a gold accent. The dustpan continues to open to eject the waste. The container is still transparent and plastic and includes a marking to signify when it is full. The front female port houses two prongs which give power to the attachments with motors and in the case of V12, the laser. On the back, there is a display to indicate the mode and the battery percentage during usage and recharge. A single button will help you switch between power modes while indicating the runtime for the respective modes.

Usability

The issue I faced during my usage of the previous model (V11 Pro) was the weight. Yes, it is lightweight, but, try holding it up for longer durations while trying to clean dust above your shoulder height. The reduced weight on the V12 is immediately noticeable if you have used the older models. And since I have, take my word for it. And then there are the attachments. Seven different types of attachments can be used with or without the extension. If you want to clear dirt or your pet’s fur, the V12 has you covered. Some might say it is a bit too complicated with all the attachments. But if you want to get a job done properly, the right tool is important.

I managed to use the V12 for about 60 mins in ECO mode and 50 mins in Automatic mode. In Automatic mode, it was fascinating to see how the V12 managed to adjust the suction power automatically depending on the task at hand. In Turbo mode, I would get a runtime of around 20-25 mins, but the cleaning was thorough.

The V12 comes with seven attachments of which two were my favourite. The Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head and the Hair Screw Tool. The Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head, which I felt was more of a gimmick than a usable attachment surprised me. The laser highlights the surface ahead of it highlighting the dirt ahead of it like magic. The magic is not visible when the room is brightly lit with sunlight. But otherwise, it is a very neat tool. I have always felt that the Dyson vacuums look like space guns and now with the addition of a laser, it looks like a space gun with a laser pointer. Or perhaps a mop from the future. Anyway, the second favourite attachment is the Hair Screw Tool. I have a cat and he is a Persian. Need I say more. Well, there is loads of fur everywhere. I used the Hair Screw Tool and I saw a solution to my problems. I immediately imagined myself dressed in my favourite black the next time I was stepping out.

Verdict

It is hard to explain to some people why the Dyson V12 costs 58,900/- Rupees. These are the same people who believe that the Maruti 800 and a BMW 5-series are just automobiles. Both will get from one place to another, both can carry 5 people and some luggage. But the BMW is better at everything that the Maruti can do and more. Similarly, the V12 is better than anything else in the market and more. If you have the money, then consider it an investment and not a spend. Use it at home, use it in your shed or use it in your car. The V12 has you covered.