The rise of #LaundryTok has brought our cleaning chores to a public forum, but still, few of us relish the task.
No longer reserved to ‘cleanfluencers’, it feels like everyone is getting in on the polishing proceedings and this goes beyond simply gleaming our garments. My FYP is dominated by weekly house refreshes and clever gadgets to make the process that extra bit easier. They just keep on coming in quick succession as I scroll. My algorithm knows I will invest in anything to simplify home scrubbing.
That’s where Dyson comes in. The forward-thinking brand prides itself on offering solutions to everyday concerns – whether that’s through its Zone air purifying headphones or its time-saving dryer and styler Airstrait. It has come a long way since inventing the first cyclonic bagless vacuum in 1993.
The latest addition to the line-up is the Dyson V15s Submarine. This handy new attachment transforms the most advanced cordless vacuum in the Singapore-based label’s offering into a wet and dry machine – the first it’s created.
You may be familiar with robot vacuums equipped with mops but there are still teething problems with this ever-evolving technology. In tests, we found that these self-navigating models take far longer than a quick vacuum sweep and find themselves trapped or bumping into furniture.
What the vacuum-mop Submarine provides is the speed and power of a dust-sucking device with the spill and stain removal of a sponge. It sounds almost too good to be true – so does it live up to the hype? We put it to the ES Best test.
Specs
- Price: £799.99
- Attachments included: Digital Motorbar, Fluffy Optic, Wet Roller Head, Combination tool, Crevice tool, Hair screw tool and Wall dock
- Submarine: 300ml clean water tank for up to 110m2, larger 360ml dirty water tank
- Motor speed: up to 125,000rp
- Suction power: 240 air watts
Set-up
Unpacking the many attachments included within the box of the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine cordless vacuum cleaner is the timeliest part of the set-up process. Once the device has been fully charged, it’s a matter of clipping the correct components in place to get started. Then it’s just the squeeze of a button, and away you go.
As far as the Submarine (the mop attachment, as it’s named) is concerned, remove the tank, fill with water and place it back together with ease. It has a cover too to stop water escaping when you’re moving from floor to floor. You can put a small amount of non-foaming detergent if you like, but it’s not essential to see results.
Features
The trademarked Submarine wet roller head is a game-changer for lazy but houseproud types. While I gave the floor a quick once-over with the vacuum the first time testing the device, on subsequent occasions, it appeared to pick up the dirt while mopping. The combination of two tasks in one cut cleaning time in half and all without leaving a sodden mess on the floor.
The attachment has eight jets along the roller but won’t flood your floors with water. In fact, it releases only a small amount of liquid at a time – drip feeding, if you will – so that spills, stains and crumbs are collected and removed, and the floor is dry enough to walk on right away. Say goodbye to soaked socks.
It operates through a process of hydration, absorption and extraction with a foam roller and collects the water waste in a separate tray. Unlike traditional mops, this ensures that no dirt finds its way back to the floor. Fear not as the brand has created an innovative system to redirect the water so as not to flood the motor.
While the Submarine is the undeniable star of the show, it would be remiss of me not to mention the Fluffy Optic cleaner head for hard floors. It is complete with dust illumination that’s illuminating in every sense of the word. Rooms that appeared clean were proven not to be as the light showcased the microscopic particles that remained. Once detected and seen to, my house has never looked more spick and span.
What’s more, a welcomed feature for data nerds such as myself, the LCD display shows the size and number of particles that the vacuum has collected (as small as 0.1 microns!). This doesn’t apply to the Submarine but solely in vacuum mode. It’s oddly satisfying to see all the dust and dirt contained and out of the house.
Verdict
Before upgrading to the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, I was the proud owner of the V11 Outsize. I had the vacuum since it came to market in 2021 and loved the powerful pickup and capacious dustbin. Well, I didn’t know how much better it could get.
The V15 is a dream in comparison. You only need one sweep over a spot to effectively remove dust and dirt. It’s small but mighty – and what I’ve sacrificed in the higher capacity bin, I’ve made up in its easy manoeuvrability. The newest vacuum is pint-sized to nip around rooms in a flash.
The Submarine attachment is more than just a gimmick. It has me relishing a spill in the kitchen, just so I can see it in action again.
