Dyson tends to make a lot of noise when it releases a new vacuum (and rightfully so). But towards the end of 2024, we spotted what looked like a brand new cordless vacuum that had launched in stealth, without fanfare: the Dyson Digital Slim.
It’s not a flagship model, and at the time of writing it was only available direct from Dyson in the US, although there are Amazon listings in the US and AU. It appears to be a smaller, lower and more economical alternative to the brand’s flagship models. (It should not be confused with the Dyson V12 Detect Slim, another non-flagship model, which launched alongside the Dyson V15 Detect in 2021.)
We haven’t had a chance to test this one yet, so before our official review, here’s everything we know about the Dyson Digital Slim, and how it compares to the rest of the best Dyson vaccines…
Dyson Digital Slim: Design and features
As you might have guessed from the name, a USP here is that it’s a more streamlined stick suction option. The Digital Slim is lighter than any of Dyson’s flagship stick vacuums, with a shorter overall height. It also has the smallest dust cup – a smaller one to be annoying if you have a larger house or deal with a lot of dirt or pet hair. Although one saving grace is that the milk tray mechanism is the current, simplified design found on the newer models.
Dyson is widely considered one of the best cordless vacuum brands, and you get all the standard benefits of other stick models. Namely, it’s easy to maneuver with a super swivel floor head, it comes with an optional wall-mounted dock for loading, there’s no cord to struggle with, and it can easily be converted into a portable by removing the wand and adding a detail tool.
It works via a trigger, which must be continuous. Only the newer Gen5Detect replaces it with a more finger-friendly button. You can choose between three suction modes – low, medium and high.
Information is transmitted via a small LCD screen on the main body of the vacuum. This will tell you how much battery you have left (in hours and minutes) and what mode you’re using, as well as alerting you to any maintenance tasks that need doing – for example, if the filter needs cleaning. This screen is a relatively modern addition to Dyson’s vacuum range, first introduced in 2019 with the Dyson V11.
The Digital Slim has an in-line design, where the wand, bin, cyclones and motor are all stacked one after the other. This was introduced with the Dyson V11 and is designed to maximize suction efficiency.
Under the hood there is a hyperdymium motor that spins at 120,000 rpm. It’s actually a better motor than you’ll find on the Dyson V8, the oldest flagship model in the current range, although Dyson says it generates a little less suction than that model overall. Filtering is consistent with older flagship products – designed to capture 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
At a maximum of 40 minutes, battery life matches the V8. This increases to 60 minutes on the V11 and V15, and 70 minutes on the Gen5Detect, but it’s important to note that the extra power comes with the extra weight gain. 40 minutes of cleaning (or less, if you need boosts to a medium vacuum model) should still be enough for most small homes.
In terms of Dyson’s tools and floor heads, it’s a minimal selection included with the Digital Slim. The floor head is a motorcycle with hair decay characteristics, and suitable for use on hard floor and carpet (there is no additional fluffy floor head, specialized for hard floor use). You’ll also get a combination tool, which includes a smaller nozzle and brush for general detail cleaning, and a longer crevice tool for getting into tight spaces. Other tools may be compatible and extras may vary depending on retailer, so it’s worth covering what’s included before purchasing.
As you might expect, you don’t get the fancier features that come with the new Dyson Stick Vacs. There’s no automatic suction adjustment based on floor type or dirt levels, no real-time reporting on what’s being vacuumed, and no cushy floor head equipped with the laser to illuminate dust on your hard floors. However, for many, these types of features are not essential.
Dyson Digital Slim: Price and availability
The Dyson Digital Slim started appearing online in Fall/Winter 2024. It’s also on sale through Amazon US, with the same discount. In Australia, it is not available to buy directly from Dyson, but has an Amazon AU listing, with a price of AU$813.26. It is currently not available in the UK.
At list prices, this places the Digital Slim between the V8 (at $469.99) and the V11 (at $569.99). However, if we take the discounted price, this is the cheapest cordless stick vacuum option on the margin.
At Techradar, our mid-range price support for the vacuum is $250 to $500. Anything above is premium, and below is budget – so at its reduced price, the Digital Slim would be considered a budget model. It’s more advanced than many of today’s best cheap vacuums, with features like the LCD screen for more information.
Dyson Digital Slim: specifications
Below, we’ve compared the Digital Slim with Dyson’s least advanced stick vacuum in the current lineup (the Dyson V8), newest and most advanced (the Dyson Gen5detect), and a mid-range model ( Dyson V11).
| Header cell – column 0 | Dyson Digital Slim | Dyson V8 | Dyson V11 | Dyson gen5detect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 4.4 lbs | 5.6 lbs | 6.6 lbs | 7.7 lbs |
| Bin capacity: | 0.45L | 0.64L | 0.9L | 0.9L |
| Maximum suction: | 100W | 115W | 185W | 280W |
| Size (hxlxw): | 43.3 x 9.8 x 9.8″ | 49.5 x 8.7 x 9.8″ | 49.7 x 10.5 x 9.8″ | 50.2 x 10.9 x 9.8″ |
| MAX Runtime: | 40 minutes | 40 minutes | 60 minutes | 70 minutes |
| Charging time: | 3:30 hours | 5 hours | 4:30 a.m. | 4:30 a.m. |
| Filtered: | 99.99% of particles 0.3 microns or larger | 99.99% of particles 0.3 microns or larger | 99.99% of particles 0.3 microns or larger | HEPA filter, captures 99.99% of particles 0.1 microns or larger |
| Cyclones: | 11 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
| Engine: | Hyperdymium motor, runs at 120,000 rpm | Digital motor, runs at 110,000 rpm | Hyperdymium motor, runs at 125,000 rpm | Gen5 Hyperdymium Motor, spins at 135,000 rpm |
| List price: | $499.99 (regularly half price) | $469.99 | $569.99 | $949.99 |
| Spear: | 2024 | 2016 | 2019 | 2023 |
