Key Points
- Dyson V16 introduces Auto mode that adjusts both suction and brush‑roll speed.
- Sensors in the All Floor Cones Sense head differentiate hard floors from carpet.
- Gentler brush‑roll speed on hard floors saves battery and protects delicate surfaces.
- Single versatile floorhead eliminates the need for a separate soft‑floor attachment.
- Real‑time cleaning data is displayed on the vacuum’s screen.
- Shark and Samsung also offer floor‑type detection, but Dyson combines suction and brush‑roll control in one system.
- The V16 aims to provide efficient cleaning while extending cordless battery life.


Close-up of screen on Dyson V16 Piston Animal cordless stick vacuum, showing that it's in Auto mode

Laser on floorhead of Dyson V16 Piston Animal cordless stick vacuum, illuminating a wooden floor
Intelligent Auto Mode Redefines Cordless Cleaning
Dyson’s newest flagship vacuum, the V16, expands on the company’s Auto mode lineage that began with the V11. The V16’s Auto mode not only adjusts suction based on the size and volume of particles detected by sensors in the floorhead, but it also controls the speed of the brush‑roll. When the vacuum detects a hard floor, the brush‑roll spins more gently, conserving battery and reducing wear on delicate surfaces. On carpet, the brush‑roll spins faster to agitate fibers and release trapped dirt.
All Floor Cones Sense Head Offers Versatility
The V16 is equipped with the All Floor Cones Sense floorhead, a single head designed to handle any surface. It combines soft strips for hard floors with short bristles that engage carpet fibers without contacting hard‑floor surfaces. This eliminates the need for a separate soft‑floor head that appeared on earlier flagship models.
Battery Efficiency and Real‑Time Feedback
By matching power output to floor conditions, the V16 aims to deliver the most efficient clean while preserving battery life. The vacuum also provides real‑time data on its screen, informing users of suction levels and particle detection as cleaning progresses.
Industry Landscape
Other manufacturers have introduced comparable floor‑type detection. Shark’s Detect Pro Cordless and PowerDetect Cordless models can adjust cleaning power based on surface and dirt levels, and they can sense proximity to room edges to boost suction where dust accumulates. Samsung’s Bespoke Jet AI Ultra also varies brush‑roll speed and suction, using AI to identify specific floor materials and apply a “Mid” mode‑equivalent power while conserving energy.
Implications for Consumers
Dyson’s integrated approach simplifies the user experience by eliminating manual mode changes and the need for multiple floorheads. The combination of sensor‑driven suction control and brush‑roll speed adjustment positions the V16 as a high‑efficiency, all‑in‑one solution for varied home environments.
Source: techradar.com