The Dyson Vis Nav 360 impresses with its record-breaking 65W suction power, comparable to the brand's stick vacuums, but is a major disappointment when it comes to navigation, with frequent blockages and a complete lack of obstacle detection. After three weeks of intensive use on a 40m² floor, this premium robot reveals a sleek design but less-than-perfect ergonomics that don't fully justify its €699 price tag.
- Suction performance: 17/20 – Actual power measured at 4.2 kPa in boost mode, remarkable efficiency on all types of floors with a 27cm brush
- Navigation and mapping: 11/20 – Accurate 360° mapping but recurring freezes, no obstacle detection unlike competitors
- Autonomy and energy efficiency: 12/20 – Only 47 minutes in auto mode on a 40m² area, 90 minutes to recharge, a full cycle requires 2 charges
- Ergonomics and maintenance: 15/20 – Compact design, 10cm high, washable cyclonic filtration, but dustbin limited to 330ml
- Value for money: 13/20 – The premium price of €699 is difficult to justify compared to a refurbished Roomba i7 at €420 or a Roborock S8 Pro at €599.
Our recommendation: YES, but only for users seeking maximum suction power on thick carpets and willing to regularly monitor the robot. For hands-free use on hard floors, the Roomba i7 or Roborock S7 MaxV offer a better balance of battery life and price.
Dyson Vis Nav
Ultra-powerful robot vacuum cleaner with a 65W Hyperdymium motor spinning at 110,000 rpm. 27cm brush, 360° camera navigation, washable cyclonic HEPA filtration, and 4.2 kPa suction power. The most powerful robot on the market for carpets and thick rugs.
The Dyson Vis Nav under the microscope: design, positioning and technology
Dyson is making a big comeback in the robot vacuum market after the relative failure of the 360 Eye in 2016, deemed too bulky at 12cm tall. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav adopts a radically different approach with a flattened design at 10cm, finally allowing it to fit under most furniture. Priced at €699, it positions itself as a direct competitor to the Roborock S8 Pro (€599), the Roomba S9+ (€899), and is a respectable distance from the Roomba i7, which is now available for around €420 in a refurbished version.
The British brand is betting everything on power with its Dyson Hyperdymium motor spinning at 110,000 rpm, delivering 65W of suction power, whereas the competition typically tops out between 40W and 55W. This record power is clearly aimed at homes with carpets and rugs, a segment historically dominated by iRobot's Roomba models. The Dyson Vis Nav also boasts an impressive 27cm wide main brush, composed of anti-static carbon fibers, stiff nylon bristles, and soft fibers, promising complete versatility from hardwood floors to shag carpets.
Connectivity relies on the MyDyson app, which centralizes all of the brand's devices. Navigation is based on a 360° panoramic camera positioned on the top of the device, complemented by 26 sensors and front LEDs for dark environments. Dyson advertises intelligent mapping capable of detecting the dirtiest areas and automatically adjusting suction power, a feature called the "Piezo sensor" that acoustically analyzes the amount of debris being vacuumed.
Technical Specifications of the Dyson Vis Nav 360
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine power | 65W (110,000 rpm) |
| Suction (measured) | 4.2 kPa in boost mode |
| Central brush width | 27cm |
| bin capacity | 330ml |
| Autonomy | 47 min (auto mode), 8-12 min (boost mode) |
| Charging time | 90 minutes |
| Height | 10cm |
| Diameter | 35cm |
| Weight | 5.1 kg |
| Sound level | 67 dB(A) in boost mode, 58 dB(A) in normal mode |
| Filtration | Washable HEPA filter (99.97% particles ≥0.3µm) |
| Navigation | 360° camera + 26 sensors |
| Connectivity | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, MyDyson app |
| Available modes | Auto / Fast / Silent / Boost |
| Price | 699€ |
The cyclonic filtration system uses Dyson's signature technology, with 11 radial cyclones generating centrifugal forces of 79,000G to separate microscopic particles, followed by a washable HEPA filter. This design theoretically maintains consistent suction power without loss, unlike bagged systems where progressive filter clogging degrades performance.
The testing protocol: how we put the Dyson Vis Nav to the test
We subjected the Dyson Vis Nav to 21 days of intensive use between October 18 and November 8, 2025, totaling 90 cumulative operating hours and 143 complete cleaning cycles. The test environment consisted of a 42m² apartment divided into 5 rooms (living room 18m², kitchen 8m², bedroom 12m², bathroom 3m², hallway 1m²), with a mix of laminate flooring (60%), tile (30%), and carpet (10%). The clearance under furniture ranged from 9cm to 14cm, allowing us to assess the robot's navigation capabilities.
For the suction evaluation, we used a standardized protocol with calibrated debris: 5.0g of fine sand (0.1-0.5mm), 3.0g of puffed rice, 2.0g of synthetic animal hair, and 1.5g of biscuit crumbs. Each test was repeated 5 times on a hard surface and then 5 times on a short-pile carpet (8mm thick), with the residual debris weighed to within ±0.1g on a precision balance. Acoustic measurements were taken with a certified device placed 1 meter away according to ISO 3744, with readings taken every 30 seconds for 5 minutes per operating mode.
Actual battery life was precisely timed to within ±1 second on a flat, obstacle-free surface with a fully charged battery, by performing 10-meter round trips until the device automatically returned to its base. This protocol was repeated 8 times for each of the 4 available modes. Navigation was evaluated by counting the number of blockages requiring human intervention over 50 complete cycles, categorized by obstacle type (cable, furniture leg, threshold, thin carpet). A panel of 8 testers (4 women, 4 men, aged 28 to 67) assessed daily usability based on criteria such as handling, emptying the dustbin, cleaning the filters, and understanding the interface.
The moment of truth: test results and figures
Suction power that lives up to its promises: 17/20
The Dyson Vis Nav delivers suction performance that objectively places it at the top of the robot vacuum market. Our differential pressure gauge measurements reveal a maximum suction power of 4.2 kPa in boost mode, which is 23% higher than the Roborock S8 Pro (3.4 kPa) and 47% higher than the Roomba i7 (2.85 kPa). This raw power translates into remarkable results on our standardized cleaning protocols.
On laminate flooring, the Dyson Vis Nav robot vacuum cleaner collects 98.4% of fine sand in a single pass in auto mode, compared to 94.1% for the Roborock and 91.7% for the Roomba i7. The gap widens further on short-pile carpets, where the Dyson achieves 96.8% collection compared to 89.2% and 85.4% respectively. Puffed rice, a particularly revealing test of extraction power, shows a 99.2% collection rate for the Dyson versus 92.8% for its direct competitors. Only biscuit crumbs stuck in tile grout offer some resistance, with 7.3% residue measured, a performance that is nevertheless superior to the Roborock's 11.6%.
The boost mode deserves special mention: when activated, it generates suction power comparable to a corded Dyson V15 on medium settings, as we confirmed by placing a piece of thin fabric at the entrance, which instantly adhered to the grille. On thick carpets (15mm thick), a traditionally problematic area for robot vacuums, the Vis Nav extracts 94.1% of buried debris, compared to only 78.3% for the Roomba S9+, which costs €200 more. This superiority is due to a combination of three factors: the power of the Hyperdymium motor, the exceptional width of the brush which ensures maximum contact, and the design of the antistatic carbon fibers which effectively penetrate between the textile fibers.
However, we identified a structural limitation: the air intake opening is only 2.8 cm in diameter, compared to 4.2 cm on the Roomba i7. This restriction causes frequent blockages with medium-sized objects such as corks, thick rubber bands, or crumpled pieces of paper, which get stuck in the rotating brush instead of being vacuumed into the bin. In our tests with various everyday debris, 18.7% of objects larger than 2 cm became entangled in the brush rather than being vacuumed up, requiring manual cleaning.
The Piezo detection system, designed to identify dirty areas and automatically increase suction power, functions correctly with a measured response time of 1.4 seconds on average. In our heavily soiled area protocol (50g of sand spread over 1m²), the robot correctly detected the dirt and increased its suction, but only completed a single pass, leaving 8.2% of the debris behind. The lack of a "double pass" mode, like on the Roomba, is a significant drawback for deep cleaning.
| Suction test | Dyson Vis Nav | Roborock S8 Pro | Roomba i7 | Roomba S9+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum suction power (kPa) | 4,2 | 3,4 | 2,85 | 3,8 |
| Fine sand parquet flooring (%) | 98,4 | 94,1 | 91,7 | 95,3 |
| Fine sand mat 8mm (%) | 96,8 | 89,2 | 85,4 | 92,1 |
| Thick carpet 15mm (%) | 94,1 | 82,7 | 78,3 | 88,6 |
| Puffed rice (%) | 99,2 | 92,8 | 92,4 | 94,8 |
Navigation and mapping: the giant's Achilles at 11/20
While power is undeniably the 360 Vis Nav's strongest point , navigation is its main weakness and alone justifies its moderate overall score of 14/20. In our 50 supervised test cycles, the robot required human intervention in 34% of cases, averaging one blockage every three uses. This figure rises to 47% when cables are present on the floor, compared to only 8.2% for the Roomba i7 equipped with obstacle detection and 3.1% for the Roborock S7 MaxV with front camera and artificial intelligence.
The complete lack of obstacle detection is a questionable design choice for a product launched in late 2023. The robot relies solely on its 360° rear camera for mapping and its basic proximity sensors to avoid head-on collisions. As a result, it systematically bumps into objects left on the ground with a force measured at 2.8 Newtons in auto mode and up to 3.4 N in boost mode, enough to move light objects like pet bowls or slippers. We timed that it spends an average of 12.3 seconds "negotiating" a simple obstacle before turning around, during which time it hits the object between 4 and 7 times.
Cables are the number one obstacle, with 23 entanglements in our 143 test cycles. The robot gets tangled in them, continues moving forward while pulling on the cable, then stops, displaying the error message "Intervention required." We measured that it can drag a charger cable for 3.7 meters before stopping. Chair legs are the second most problematic obstacle: on our 8 dining room chairs spaced 42cm apart, the robot gets stuck in 31% of the passes, particularly with round legs where it engages its side brush and then spins in a loop for 18 seconds before giving up.
The 360° mapping function works correctly with a location accuracy of ±3cm measured over 10 consecutive cycles. The first complete exploration of our 42m² room took 23 minutes, creating a map that could be used immediately in the app. The automatic room segmentation proved accurate 80% of the time, requiring some manual adjustments to merge the hallway with the living room, which the algorithm had separated. The room-by-room cleaning mode works reliably with a 94% success rate in our tests, the robot correctly reaching the requested area in 47 out of 50 cycles.
However, we observed a recurring repositioning issue: when the robot is manually moved to another room and then restarted, it takes between 8 and 34 seconds to relocate, sometimes failing completely with the error "Unable to clean the selected area" in 12% of cases. The Roomba and Roborock, on the other hand, relocate instantly thanks to their additional sensors. This weakness becomes particularly problematic in multi-story homes where the robot needs to be moved: without a charging base nearby, the Vis Nav loses its bearings in 1 out of 8 cases.
Threshold management is adequate up to a height of 1.8 cm, beyond which the failure rate climbs to 67%. On thin, unsecured rugs, the robot tends to lift and carry them for 2 to 3 meters before they get stuck in the brush, causing a complete stop in 8 out of our 50 tests. Thick, securely fixed rugs, on the other hand, are easily climbed, with the robot ascending steps up to 2.2 cm high.
Disappointing battery life for large areas: 12/20
Battery life is the second major weakness of the Dyson Vis Nav, especially considering its premium price. In auto mode, the default setting we recommend for daily use, the robot runs for 47 minutes before automatically returning to its base, compared to 98 minutes for the Roomba i7 and 112 minutes for the Roborock S8 Pro. This considerable difference is due to the power required by the 65W motor: the average measured consumption reaches 32.4W in auto mode, compared to 18.7W for the Roomba.
In our 42m² apartment, the Vis Nav consistently requires two charging cycles to complete a full cleaning, whereas its competitors finish the job in one go. The first cycle lasts 44 minutes and covers approximately 24m² before returning to the base, followed by 90 minutes for a full recharge, then a second 38-minute cycle for the remaining 18m². In total, it takes 3 hours and 12 minutes from start to finish for a complete cleaning, compared to 1 hour and 34 minutes for the Roomba i7 – more than double. This slowness becomes a deal-breaker for people wanting to clean their home during a short absence.
The boost mode, touted by Dyson for its maximum power, drops to just 8 to 12 minutes of actual runtime, depending on the floor surface. On thick carpets where the motor has to work harder, we recorded a minimum of 7 minutes and 48 seconds before the low battery warning was triggered. This mode is therefore completely unsuitable for cleaning an entire room, except for spaces smaller than 8 square meters. The silent mode offers the best runtime at 78 minutes, but at the cost of reduced suction power, which is around 45% of its maximum capacity according to our pressure gauge readings.
The 2900mAh lithium-ion battery (nominal voltage 14.4V, or 41.76Wh) fully recharges in precisely 90 minutes, consistent with the included 28.8V/1.1A charger (31.7W). We measured a standby power consumption of 2.1W when the robot remains on its base, which equates to 50.4Wh per day or 18.4kWh per year just while standing still. Dyson claims 800 charge cycles to maintain 80% of the initial capacity, which theoretically guarantees approximately 3.5 years of daily use before significant degradation.
An energy efficiency calculation reveals that the Vis Nav consumes 0.77Wh per m² cleaned in auto mode, compared to 0.52Wh/m² for the Roborock and 0.48Wh/m² for the Roomba i7. Over a year with daily cleaning of 42m², this represents 11.8kWh for the Dyson versus 7.9kWh for the Roomba, an overconsumption of 49% which costs approximately €0.78 more per year at the current EDF rate of €0.2062/kWh.
Specific measurements: noise, battery life and energy efficiency
The noise level of the Dyson Vis Nav varies considerably depending on the selected mode, ranging from 56 dB(A) in silent mode to 67 dB(A) in boost mode, measurements taken at a distance of 1 meter according to the ISO 3744 standard protocol. Auto mode, which we recommend for everyday use, generates a constant 58 dB(A), a level 4 dB(A) lower than the Roomba i7, which produces 62 dB(A). This relative quietness is due to the excellent soundproofing of the housing and the airflow design, which minimizes turbulence—a legacy of Dyson's expertise in cordless vacuum cleaners.
Boost mode reaches 67 dB(A), a level comparable to a normal conversation but with a more noticeable high pitch due to the motor spinning at 110,000 rpm. We found this mode acceptable in a living room but becomes bothersome in a home office during a video conference, as the microphone picks up ambient noise. For comparison, the Roborock S8 Pro at maximum power reaches 71 dB(A) and the Roomba S9+ 69 dB(A), placing the Dyson in a favorable position. The quiet mode at 56 dB(A) allows the robot to run at night without disturbing sleep, a level equivalent to a modern refrigerator.
We measured the actual power consumption with a professional wattmeter over 8 complete cycles. In automatic mode on a hard surface, the power draw fluctuates between 28W and 36W, with an average of 32.4W. On a treadmill, this consumption climbs to an average of 41W, as the motor compensates for the additional resistance. Boost mode spikes to a measured peak of 68W, explaining the meager 8-minute battery life. The charging station consumes 2.1W continuously to maintain the battery and power the control circuits, amounting to 18.4 kWh annually, or €3.79 in electricity costs at the regulated French tariff.
The Piezo detection system, which automatically adjusts power, operates with a measured latency of 1.4 seconds: when the robot moves from a clean area to a dirty one, the motor noise changes and power consumption increases from 32W to 48W on average. This intelligent adaptation theoretically optimizes battery life, but our tests reveal a practical gain limited to only 4 additional minutes per complete cycle, representing an 8.5% improvement measured on our 42m² floor area.
| Characteristic | Dyson Vis Nav | Roborock S8 Pro | Roomba i7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto noise level (dB(A)) | 58 | 63 | 62 |
| Maximum noise level (dB(A)) | 67 | 71 | 69 |
| Auto mode range (min) | 47 | 112 | 98 |
| Average power consumption (W) | 32,4 | 22,1 | 18,7 |
| Standby power consumption (W) | 2,1 | 3,2 | 2,8 |
Ergonomics and design of the Dyson Vis Nav: the everyday user experience
The Dyson Vis Nav immediately impresses with its sleek design and premium finish. The combination of metallic purple ABS plastic and brushed copper gives it a high-end look that stands out from the anonymous black robots on the market. Its flat, 10cm height is a real improvement over the 360 Eye: it now fits under 87% of the furniture in our test home, compared to only 34% for its 12cm predecessor. Users of IKEA Ektorp sofas (9.5cm seat height) will appreciate this compatibility.
Daily use, however, reveals several ergonomic issues. The 330ml dustbin fills up quickly, requiring emptying every 2.3 complete cleaning cycles measured on our 42m² floor. The push-button ejection system works correctly, opening the bottom and side simultaneously, but the two-door design often generates dust ejection. We recommend emptying it directly over a bin lined with a plastic bag to avoid a cloud of fine particles. By comparison, the Roomba i7 has a 400ml bin, and the Roborock offers an optional self-emptying station, which is not available in the Dyson catalog.
The HEPA filter requires maintenance every 14 days, according to our observations, compared to the manufacturer's recommendation of 30 days. A simple rinse with clean water is sufficient, followed by 24 hours of drying before reinstallation. The cyclonic filter can be cleaned in 3 minutes by unscrewing the transparent cover and tapping it over a trash can. CAUTION: NEVER RINSE THE CYCLONE FILTER WITH WATER, AS THIS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE SEALS, AS INDICATED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS.
The central brush detaches in one second with a simple press of the side buttons, making it easy to remove tangled hair. We timed it at 2 minutes and 18 seconds for a complete brush cleaning every 3 cycles, a time comparable to the Roomba (2 minutes and 34 seconds) but longer than the Roborock S8 with its anti-tangle brush (1 minute and 12 seconds). The drive wheels require monthly cleaning, accessible by removing the tool-free clip-on covers.
The MyDyson app offers a clear but minimalist interface. The map is displayed in 2D with color-coded levels indicating the detected dirt levels: blue (clean), yellow (medium dirt), orange (heavy dirt). This visualization provides useful information, but no interaction is possible: you cannot define virtual no-go zones or invisible walls like in the iRobot or Roborock apps. The scheduling function works correctly, allowing you to plan up to seven cleaning sessions per week.
The robot's physical control panel consists of a single multifunction button: one press starts cleaning, two presses activate spot cleaning of a 2m² area around the current position, and a long press of 3 seconds pauses. There is no LED indicator for battery status; this information is only available in the app. This extreme simplicity may frustrate users who prefer direct control without a smartphone.
A major design flaw struck us: the 360° camera, positioned on top, is the robot's highest point and scratches easily when the device slides under low furniture. After 21 days of testing, our unit already had seven visible micro-scratches on the lens. Dyson should have included a sacrificial plastic protective ring, as seen on some competing models. These scratches haven't yet affected navigation, but the long-term wear and tear is still a concern for a €699 product.
Maintenance and durability: the long-term investment
The Dyson Vis Nav adopts a zero-consumable-replacement philosophy, with only the battery being the battery, a positioning that favorably distinguishes it from competitors like Roomba. The washable HEPA filter theoretically withstands 50 wash cycles according to Dyson, or approximately two years of use with bi-monthly cleaning. After our 12 washes over three weeks of intensive testing, the filter retained its original appearance with no visible fiber degradation. The replacement cost is €39 on the official website, compared to €15 for a pack of three disposable Roomba i7 filters, each lasting four months.
The 11 transparent polycarbonate cyclones require no replacement, only regular tapping to dislodge accumulated dust. The central brush is priced at €35 as a spare part, a reasonable price for a component that should last 2 to 3 years according to our projections based on observed wear. The drive wheels cost €30 a pair, information obtained from Dyson customer service. The problem: the battery is not yet listed in the French spare parts catalog, even though it is the main wear component, raising questions about its long-term repairability.
We calculated the total cost of ownership over 5 years, including all measurable parameters: purchase price, electricity, and anticipated replacement parts. The Vis Nav totals €807 compared to €618 for the Roomba i7, a difference of €189 primarily explained by the higher initial purchase price of €279, partially offset by the absence of disposable filter purchases. The Roborock S8 Pro reaches €714 over the same period, placing it in the middle of the price range.
| Expenditure item (5 years) | Dyson Vis Nav | Roomba i7 | Roborock S8 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | 699€ | 420€ | 599€ |
| Electricity (18.4kWh/year × 5) | 19€ | 12€ | 15€ |
| Replacement filters | 39€ (1×) | 90€ (6×) | €0 (washable) |
| Central brushes | 35€ (1×) | 45€ (3×) | 25€ (1×) |
| Side brushes | 0€ | 30€ (6×) | 35€ (7×) |
| Battery (replacement) | €0 (guaranteed) | 21€ (1×) | 40€ (1×) |
| Miscellaneous parts | 15€ | 0€ | 0€ |
| TOTAL 5 YEARS | 807€ | 618€ | 714€ |
| Average annual cost | 161€ | 124€ | 143€ |
Material durability tests reveal a robust construction: the reinforced ABS chassis withstood our 15cm drop tests without visible damage, the wheels supported a 50kg load without deformation, and the covers fit together with manufacturing gaps of less than 0.3mm, demonstrating careful design. However, the rubberized bumper coating shows some wear after 143 test cycles – normal but visible cosmetic wear.
Spare parts availability on the French Dyson website is adequate, with 12 parts listed, but the absence of the battery and wheels raises concerns about post-warranty repairs. Customer service confirmed that battery replacement requires a return to the workshop at a cost of €149 including labor, compared to €21 for a Roomba battery that can be installed by the user in 3 minutes. This policy raises questions about the product's economically viable lifespan beyond 3 years.
Dyson Vis Nav
Excellent suction on hard floors; it really feels like you've used a regular vacuum cleaner. Battery life is a bit short and navigation is limited: it works very well as long as it doesn't encounter unexpected obstacles, but it quickly gets lost otherwise.
✔ Record-breaking 65W suction power: 4.2 kPa measured, 98.4% of debris collected on parquet floors and 96.8% on carpets
✔ Washable cyclonic filtration without consumables: Save €90 over 5 years, HEPA system capturing 99.97% of particles
✔ Compact design, only 10cm high: Fits under 87% of furniture compared to 34% for the previous 360 Eye model
✔ Low noise level of 58 dB(A): 4 dB(A) quieter than the Roomba i7, for comfortable use
✔ 27cm multi-material central brush: Carbon fibers + stiff bristles + soft fibers, 94.1% efficiency on thick carpets
✔ Precise 360° mapping: 42m² explored in 23 minutes with an accuracy of ±3cm
✔ Works in complete darkness: Automatic front LEDs allow for nighttime cleaning
✖ No obstacle detection: 34% of blockages require intervention, systematically collides with objects
✖ A paltry 47-minute battery life: 52% less than the Roomba i7, requiring 2 cleaning cycles for 42m² with a 90-minute recharge
✖ 330ml dustbin too small: Emptying required every 2.3 cleanings compared to 3.8 for Roomba i7
✖ Restricted 2.8cm suction opening: 18.7% of objects >2cm get stuck in the brush instead of being vacuumed up
✖ Ineffective retractable side brush: Leaves 12% of debris at the edges compared to 4.2% for a standard rotating brush
✖ The price of €699 is difficult to justify: 66% more expensive than a refurbished Roomba i7 at €420
✖ Rear camera prone to scratches: 7 micro-scratches observed after 21 days, indicating long-term degradation
FAQ
Yes, the robot features front LEDs that automatically activate in low-light conditions, allowing for trouble-free nighttime operation. We tested cleaning in a completely dark room, and navigation remained just as precise as in broad daylight thanks to its 360° camera complemented by the LED lighting. Mapping is completely unaffected by the absence of natural light. This capability sets it apart from the Roomba i7, which lacks lighting and can become disoriented in the dark. You can therefore confidently schedule a nighttime cleaning at 3 a.m.; the robot will orient itself perfectly. Note that the noise level of 58 dB(A) in auto mode remains acceptable and won't disturb sleep in adjacent rooms.
For an 80m² area, allow approximately 5.5 to 6 hours in total, including intermediate recharges. The robot has a 47-minute runtime in auto mode, covering approximately 24m² per cycle before automatically returning to its base, followed by a 90-minute full recharge. Therefore, 4 separate cycles interspersed with 3 recharges will be required. In practice, during our tests, 34% of the cycles required human intervention due to a blockage, adding 5 to 15 minutes. For an 80m² house, we strongly recommend considering the Roomba i7 (98 minutes of runtime covering 52m² per cycle) or the Roborock S8 Pro (112 minutes covering 60m²), which will halve the total cleaning time. The Dyson Vis Nav remains suitable for areas smaller than 50m², where its excellent suction compensates for the limited runtime.
No, our comparative tests objectively demonstrate the inferior efficiency of the Dyson's retractable side brush. Using our standardized protocol of calibrated debris placed 2 cm from the baseboards, the Vis Nav leaves an average of 12.3% residue compared to only 4.2% for the Roomba i7 equipped with a conventional rotating side brush and 6.8% for the Roborock S8 Pro. The retractable design, while elegant and preventing tangling in carpet fringes, simply lacks the power to effectively propel debris towards the central vacuum inlet. We measured that the brush rotates at only about 80 rpm compared to 180-220 rpm for conventional brushes. In real-world conditions, you will notice residual dust lines along the baseboards, requiring weekly manual cleaning with a stick vacuum.
No, and this is a major limitation of the MyDyson app, which disappoints with its minimalist functionality. Unlike the iRobot Home or Roborock apps, which allow you to define no-go zones, virtual walls, or even priority cleaning areas directly on the map from your smartphone, MyDyson simply displays a read-only map with color-coded dirt levels. You can only select entire rooms to clean or exclude, but it's impossible to specify "don't go under the Christmas tree" or "avoid the area under the desk with the cables." This lack of functionality forces you to use physical barriers to block access to certain areas, an archaic solution in 2025. If this feature is essential for your needs, consider Roomba or Roborock, which have offered it for several years.
Yes, with significant reservations. The 65W suction power excels at picking up both long and short hair, with a measured collection rate of 97.8% in our tests with synthetic golden retriever hair on carpet—a record performance compared to the 89-92% of the competition. The 27cm central brush with anti-static fibers prevents the electrostatic buildup that causes hair to stick, and the cyclonic system effectively separates the hair without clogging the filter. HOWEVER, the complete lack of obstacle detection poses a critical problem: if your pet has an accident on the floor, the robot will spread the excrement over several meters before getting stuck, unlike the Roomba j7+ or Roborock S7 MaxV, which are equipped with front cameras that specifically recognize and avoid droppings. Food and water bowls will also be systematically bumped and moved. Verdict: excellent for vacuuming up hair if your pet is house-trained, unsuitable if there's a risk of accidents on the floor.
Conclusion of our Dyson Vis Nav test
Overall rating: 14/20
Suction performance: 17/20 – A record power of 4.2 kPa which collects 98.4% of debris on parquet and 96.8% on carpets, with an overwhelming dominance on thick carpets where it literally works wonders.
Navigation and mapping: 11/20 – The 360° mapping works very well, but the total lack of obstacle detection causes blockages in 34% of cases, which quickly becomes annoying on a daily basis.
Battery life and efficiency: 12/20 – Only 47 minutes of battery life in automatic mode, compared to 98 to 112 minutes for competitors. Two cleaning cycles and one recharge in between are required to clean 42m².
Ergonomics and maintenance: 15/20 – The compact 10cm design finally fits under furniture, the washable filtration avoids buying consumables, but the small 330ml tank fills up quickly and the camera is easily damaged.
Value for money: 13/20 – At €699, it's hard to justify the extra cost compared to a Roomba i7 at €420, even if the suction power remains exceptional.
A robot vacuum cleaner unlike any other
After three weeks with the Dyson Vis Nav and 143 cleaning cycles, we're left with mixed feelings of admiration and frustration. On the one hand, this robot vacuums like a beast. Its 65W power isn't just empty marketing hype: on carpets, it picks up absolutely everything, even the deeply embedded dog hair that other robots leave behind. We've rarely seen a robot vacuum so effective on thick carpet. Dyson has managed to miniaturize the power of its stick vacuums into a robot format, and it shows with every use.
But here's the rub: this technical feat is brutally confronted with a less glorious reality: the navigation system is outdated. The lack of obstacle detection becomes downright tedious when you have to retrieve the robot stuck in a cable for the third time this week. Watching it stubbornly push the cat's food bowl two meters before giving up is amusing the first time, but much less so the tenth. The 360° camera maps the space perfectly, but that's all it does: map. It doesn't see objects, doesn't avoid them, while robots costing €400 have been able to do that for two years already.
The 47-minute battery life adds another constraint. To clean our 42m² test apartment, the robot consistently had to make two round trips to its base, with 90 minutes of charging in between. In total, it took 3 hours and 12 minutes to complete the job. That's a long time, really long, especially when you come home from work hoping to find a spotless floor.
What lingers in the memory is the impression of a robot with a dual personality. When it vacuums, it's king. When it navigates, it's the class dunce. Dyson has clearly focused entirely on power and neglected artificial intelligence, which is what makes all the difference today. Selling a robot for €699 in 2025 without obstacle detection is a risky gamble that doesn't really pay off.
Who is this robot vacuum cleaner designed for?
If you have a golden retriever that sheds on a shaggy living room rug, this robot will change your life. Its powerful suction extracts 94.1% of the hair embedded in the fibers, whereas standard Roombas struggle to reach 80%. Allergy sufferers will also appreciate the cyclonic HEPA filtration, which captures 99.97% of fine particles without releasing any back into the air. We found no trace of dust around the filter after three weeks of intensive use.
Are you the kind of person who naturally puts away cables and small items before vacuuming? Perfect, navigation issues will bother you less. Similarly, if you live in a small apartment of less than 30m², the robot will complete the cleaning in a single cycle of about 40 minutes, and the battery life problem disappears.
On the other hand, forget this robot if you dream of a completely autonomous device. Want to start cleaning from the office and come home to a spotless house? Be prepared to regularly receive "Intervention Required" alerts with the robot stuck somewhere. Families with children who leave toys and blankets lying around will have a frustrating experience, as the Vis Nav bumps into and moves everything in its path. And if you have a house larger than 80 square meters, arm yourself with patience: cleaning will take several hours, whereas a Roborock S8 Pro finishes the job in just 70 minutes.
The Dyson Vis Nav versus the competition
Compared to the Roomba i7 at €420 , the Dyson really struggles to justify its €279 price difference. The iRobot robot runs for 98 minutes compared to 47, avoids obstacles, offers a dual-pass mode for deep cleaning, and integrates with the Braava mop. Admittedly, its suction power is lower, but on hard floors the difference is imperceptible. Our advice: choose the Roomba for mixed use, and keep the Dyson only if you have a lot of thick carpets.
The Roborock S8 Pro at €599 offers a better balance. It features an optional self-emptying station, an integrated mopping function, AI obstacle detection, and a 112-minute runtime. While its suction power is 19% lower, it compensates with a versatility the Dyson lacks. Verdict: Roborock for mixed flooring and true runtime, Dyson for absolute carpet dominance in rooms under 40m².
Our final recommendation
Don't pay €699 for this robot. Wait for sales where it drops to €599, or even €550. At that price, it becomes a reasonable option for homes with mostly carpets. Also, consider purchasing a few accessories: replacement HEPA filters (€39) to avoid waiting 24 hours for drying, a second power cord (€25) if you have a multi-story house, and a non-slip mat (€15) for the base.
On a tighter budget? The refurbished Roomba i7 at €420 offers 80% of the features for 40% of the price. With a larger budget? The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra at €1199 with its complete charging station represents the ultimate in battery life.
The verdict in one sentence : The Dyson Vis Nav vacuums better than all its competitors but navigates like a 2019 robot, recommended purchase only on sale under €600 if you have a lot of carpets and are willing to tidy up before each cleaning.
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