I tried out the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine - a cordless vacuum that also mops

Price on writing: £800 | Buy now from Argos | Buy now from Dyson

Our verdict

We're big fans of the Dyson V15 here at Mumsnet - we even named the original Detect Absolute model our best vacuum cleaner. So I was excited to get my hands on the newer 'Submarine' version, which adds a mopping function to everything we already loved about the V15 Detect.

In terms of vacuuming performance, the V15s Submarine is an easy five stars. The suction is incredible, and it handled every test I threw at it (including spilt cereal, flour, coffee granules and hair) in a single swoop. Another highlight of this cordless vacuum is the green laser light on the Fluffy Optic cleaner head, which reveals everything - to a rather alarming degree - hiding on hard floors. I thought my flat was relatively clean, but the V15s Submarine proved me wrong! It’s oddly satisfying to see just how much 'invisible' dust and fluff it's picking up, and the built-in display even shows what kind of particles it’s collecting, including dust mites and allergens (prepare to be mildly horrified).

The vacuum comes with loads of tools, and easily converts into a handheld vacuum by removing the pole attachment, so it was ideal for cleaning my sofa, mattress, and pretty much every tight spot in my flat. It’s also lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, though you have to hold down the trigger continuously - a bit annoying, but it does help preserve battery life between surfaces.

Now, onto what sets the Submarine apart from the OG V15 model: the mop head. It does a decent job of mopping, though you do have to run over stubborn stains a few times to shift them. Plus for longer cleaning jobs, as the mop roll picks up dirt, you can sometimes see traces of dirty water being left behind - not loads, but not ideal.

I don't think the Submarine justifies the extra £150 on top of the V15’s already high £650 RRP. You could get a perfectly good steam mop for less, and that’s ultimately why I knocked off a star from the overall rating. That said, if budget isn’t an issue and you want an all-in-one device, the Submarine is a good wet-dry vacuum cleaner - just be aware that it’s the ‘dry’ function where it really shines.

What's in the box?

The vacuum comes with loads of attachments. In the box you'll find:

• Dyson V15s Detect Submarine™ main unit

• Submarine wet roller head and tray

• Digital Motorbar™ cleaner head

• Fluffy Optic™ cleaner head (the one with the green laser light)

• Combination tool

• Hair screw tool

• Crevice tool

• Charger

• Docking station
  

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How easy is the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner to set up?

Overall, the Dyson Submarine was easy and intuitive to set up. Assembly was straightforward, and it was up and running shortly after an initial charge. However, I did need to download the Dyson app for full instructions.

How easy is the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner to use day-to-day?

I loved using the Dyson day-to-day - in fact, it’s hands down the best vacuum I’ve ever used. Weighing under 4kg in vacuum mode, it’s lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, and the range of attachments means you can tackle just about any cleaning job. Even when using the heads designed for floors rather than crevices, it managed to get into the awkward corners of my kitchen - places where other vacuums I’ve tested, like the Gtech AirRam 3, have really struggled.

Switching between floor types was seamless - there’s no need to mess about with hard floor or carpet modes - though I did find that different heads worked better on different surfaces. The handheld mode was especially handy (pun intended), and clicking attachments in and out was quick and easy. The mop head was a little more fiddly to set up between uses, but I’ll get onto that later in my analysis of its mop function.

One feature I really liked was the auto mode. It cleverly detects how much power is needed and adjusts suction accordingly, which helps preserve battery life instead of blasting away at full pelt the whole time. You can hear when it goes into 'turbo' mode, as it gets much louder, but it switches back to a lower setting as soon as it's tackled the tougher job.

My only real gripe in this area is comfort - I have small hands, and during longer cleaning sessions the handle started to rub where it rests against the base of my thumb. You also have to hold the trigger down the whole time, which some may find off-putting, especially those with mobility issues.

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How well does the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine perform vacuuming hard floors?

Exceptionally well. After using it for three months, I can confidently say it picks up everything, and the green laser light makes a huge difference, revealing 'invisible' dust to show just how thoroughly it cleans. It's worth noting that the light works best when it's darker too - in bright sunlight you can't detect the dust as well. I actually closed the blinds temporarily when cleaning on particularly sunny days!

To really put it to the test, I ran two experiments on my hard floors, scattering flour and coffee granules, then taking before and after photos. It handled both messes in a single sweep, leaving nothing in its path behind.

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How well does the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine perform vacuuming carpets?

The Submarine also performs brilliantly on carpets. It had no trouble cleaning my thick pile area rug, picking up everything from crushed crisps and cross stitch threads to everyday dust and fluff.

As an extra test, I scattered cornflakes across the carpet - a mess many Mumsnetters will be all too familiar with! The Dyson automatically switched to turbo mode and vacuumed up the ones in its path in seconds.

How does the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner perform on hair?

While I don’t have a pet myself, my parents' long-haired cocker spaniel stayed with me for a weekend during testing, and the V15s Submarine had no trouble cleaning up after her. It sucked up hair easily from both hard floors and rugs without leaving anything visible behind.

My colleague, Poppy O’Neill, also reported that the standard Dyson V15 (basically the same model, without the Submarine mop head) handled mess from her two dogs and two cats brilliantly. In fact, this original model was named our top cordless pick in our best vacuum cleaners for pet hair guide.

For an extra test, I scattered strands from my hairbrush across my thick pile rug and my sofa, and the V15s Submarine picked them up straight away. However, long hair can still get tangled in the brush bar - even when using the anti-tangle attachment - so you may need to cut it free from time to time to keep things running smoothly. The small hair screw tool worked well though without tangling, so that's the best bet to use on particularly hairy areas like pet beds.

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How well does the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine's mopping function perform?

The Submarine mop head is a clever idea in theory, complete with its own drying tray so you don’t have to leave the wet head sitting on your floors. In practice, though, the head was fiddly to set up. There are several components, and fitting everything in correctly took me a few tries. I actually ended up watching a quick YouTube demo to get it right.

In use, it did a decent job of wiping away everyday grime - my floors ended up clean and only slightly damp, which I appreciated (no soggy socks in sight, thankfully). To really push it, I splashed coffee and tomato sauce from salsa on my tiled kitchen floor, then went over them with the Submarine. It shifted both messes, but they did need running over a few times for there to be no sign of the spill left (see picture below for the results after one swipe). I found this was the case with most stubborn stains during testing.

On a full clean of my two‑bedroom flat, the mop roller got noticeably grubby towards the end, and I could see small trails of dirty water making its way back onto the floor. Since you can’t wring it out like a traditional floor mop, if you’ve got a large house, you’ll probably want to pause mid-clean to give the head a quick rinse.

Finally, cleaning the mop head was a bit of a chore, especially in comparison to some steam mops I've tested where you simply chuck the pad in the washing machine. With the Submarine, you have to disassemble the head, wash the roller and all the little crevices, and then reassemble it, which adds extra work after a clean.

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How is the battery life on the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner?

It's decent. I was able to vacuum my spacious two-bedroom flat (including freshening up my sofa and mattress) on a single charge, often with some juice to spare for a quick mop. If you’ve got a larger home or are tackling a particularly messy job, you might have to recharge between vacuuming and mopping sessions, however.

Dyson claims the V15s Submarine can run for up to 60 minutes on eco mode, but I tended to favour the auto mode, which gave about 30 minutes of runtime. Turbo mode eats through the power very quickly, but auto mode helps prolong the battery by only ramping up the power on spots where it’s actually needed.

One feature I loved was the digital display, which shows exactly how much time you’ve got left before it needs a recharge.

How easy is it to empty the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine?

While the mop head required more effort to clean and maintain, general bin emptying was easy. The design is largely no-touch - just slide the lever to eject the contents - and it did a good job of dislodging dust and debris with a few wiggles.

On the odd occasion, I did have to reach in to remove a stubborn clump further up the bin, but this wasn't too taxing.

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Does the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner offer good value for money?

At £800, the Dyson V15s Submarine is undeniably expensive. As a vacuum alone, it performs brilliantly - it's powerful, smart, and packed with useful features. But the mop attachment doesn’t quite justify the £150 premium over the standard V15 model.

If you’re after an exceptional vacuum and like the idea of an all-in-one device (and have the budget to spare), it may be worth considering. But if you already own a decent steam mop or don’t mop frequently, the standard V15 might be the better value buy.

How we tested

I tested the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine in my two-bedroom flat in Hertfordshire over a three-month period, using it around three times a week for everyday cleaning tasks. I put it through its paces on a range of surfaces, including laminate flooring, tiled kitchen and bathroom floors, and a thick-pile rug.

Throughout testing, I assessed the vacuum’s performance across several key criteria: suction power, ease of use, effectiveness on different floor types, mopping performance, battery life, attachments, design, and overall value for money. I also compared its performance to other vacuums I’ve personally tested, including models from Gtech and Henry, to get a clear sense of where the V15 Submarine stands in the market.

About the author

Natasha Gregson is Mumsnet’s go-to expert on all things home-related, overseeing all content on vacuum cleaners, steam mops, and floor care. As Senior Content Editor, she leads Mumsnet’s coverage of the best cleaning appliances for busy homes - from cordless vacuums to the latest in smart floor-cleaning tech.

With years of editorial experience and a sharp eye for testing performance, usability, and value, Natasha ensures every product recommendation is backed by hands-on insight and thorough research. Her writing has also appeared in national publications including The i Paper and Stylist.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after extensive research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

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