Dyson tends to make a big fuss when it launches a new vacuum cleaner (and rightly so). But towards the end of 2024 we saw what looked like a new cordless vacuum cleaner that had been launched quietly, without fanfare: the Dyson Digital Slim.
It's not a flagship model and, at the time of writing, was only available directly from Dyson in the US, although there are Amazon listings in both the US and Australia. It seems to be a simple, slimmed down and cheaper alternative to the brand's flagship models. (Not to 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 the chance to try it ourselves yet, so ahead of our official review, here's everything we know about the Dyson Digital Slim and how it compares to the rest of the best Dyson vacuums…
Dyson Digital Slim: design and features
As you might have guessed from the name, one USP here is that this is a more streamlined stick vacuum 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, small enough to be annoying if you have a larger home or have to deal with a lot of dirt or pet hair. Although one saving grace is that the bin emptying mechanism is the current, simplified design found on newer models.
Dyson is widely regarded as one of the best cordless vacuum cleaner brands and you get all the standard benefits of other stick models. Namely, it's easy to maneuver with a super-swivel floor head, comes with an optional wall base for charging, there are no cables to worry about, and it can easily be converted into a handheld by removing the wand and adding a detailed tool. .
It is operated by a trigger, which must be pressed continuously. Only the newer Gen5detect replaces this with a more user-friendly one-touch button. You can choose between three suction modes: low, medium and high.
Information is transmitted through a small LCD screen on the main body of the vacuum cleaner. 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 to be done, such as whether the filter needs cleaning. That screen is a relatively modern addition to the Dyson vacuum cleaner range, first introduced in 2019 with the Dyson V11.
The Digital Slim has an in-line design, where the wand, container, cyclones and motor are stacked one after the other. This was introduced with the Dyson V11 and is designed to maximize suction efficiency.
Under the hood is a hyperdymium engine that spins at 120,000 rpm. It's actually a better motor than you'll find in the Dyson V8, the oldest flagship model in the current lineup, although Dyson says it generates slightly less suction than that model overall. Filtering is in line with older models: designed to capture 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
With a maximum of 40 minutes, battery life matches that of the V8. That 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 reward of extra weight. 40 minutes of cleaning (or less, if you need to upgrade to the medium suction model) should be enough for most smaller homes.
In terms of Dyson tools and heads, it's a minimal selection included with the Digital Slim. The floor head is a Motorbar with hair detangling functions and is suitable for use on both hard floors and carpets (there is no additional Fluffy floor head, specialized for use on hard floors). You'll also get a combo tool, which includes a smaller nozzle and brush for detailed general cleaning, and a longer crevice tool for reaching tight spaces. Other tools may be compatible and extras may vary by retailer, so it's worth checking what's included before purchasing.
As you might expect, you won't get the fancier features that come with newer Dyson stick vacuums. There's no automatic suction adjustment based on floor type or dirt levels, there's no real-time reporting on what's being sucked up, and there's no laser-equipped Fluffy head 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 began appearing online in Fall/Winter 2024. At the time of writing, it was only available to purchase directly from Dyson in the US, at a list price of $499.99. but at a discount of $249.99 (also at the time of writing). . It's also on sale through Amazon US, with the same discount. In Australia, it's not available to buy directly from Dyson, but it is listed on Amazon AU, priced at AU$813.26. It is currently not available in the UK.
At list price, that puts the Digital Slim between the V8 (at $469.99) and V11 (at $569.99). However, if we take the discounted price, it is the cheapest Dyson cordless stick vacuum option by some margin.
At TechRadar, our average price range for vacuum cleaners is $250 to $500. Anything above that is premium and anything below is budget, so at its discounted price, the Digital Slim is I would consider an economic model. It's more advanced than most of today's best budget vacuums, with features like an LCD screen for information.
Dyson Digital Slim: specifications
Below, we compare the Digital Slim to the least advanced Dyson stick vacuum in the current lineup (the Dyson V8), the 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 Gen5detection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 4.4 pounds | 5.6 pounds | 6.6 pounds | 7.7 pounds |
| Container capacity: | 0.45 liters | 0.64L | 0.9L | 0.9L |
| Maximum suction: | 100W | 115W | 185 watts | 280W |
| Size (height x length x width): | 43.3 x 9.8 x 9.8″ | 49.5×8.7×9.8″ | 49.7×10.5×9.8″ | 50.2×10.9×9.8″ |
| Maximum execution time: | 40 minutes | 40 minutes | 60 minutes | 70 minutes |
| Charging time: | 3 hours 30 | 5 hours | 4 hours 30 | 4 hours 30 |
| Filter: | 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, rotates at 120,000 rpm. | Digital motor, rotates at 110,000 rpm. | Hyperdymium motor, rotates at 125,000 rpm. | Gen5 Hyperdymium engine, spins at 135,000 rpm. |
| List price: | $499.99 (normally half price) | $469.99 | $569.99 | $949.99 |
| Released: | 2024 | 2016 | 2019 | 2023 |