Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Review: A Versatile Vacuum and Mop Combo

Introduction

The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is Dyson’s first wet dry vacuum, combining the familiar V15 Detect cordless stick vacuum with a brand new Submarine wet dry mopping head. It includes everything the V15 comes with, such as the motorized cleaning head, the soft roller head for dry dusting on hard floors, and numerous attachments, plus the new Submarine head for mopping.

Because the vacuum performance is essentially identical to the V15 Detect, the focus here is on the mopping capabilities and overall performance of the new Submarine wet dry mopping head. If you already know the V15, the question is whether this attachment justifies the upgrade.

What Makes the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Stand Out

The greatest strength of the V15s Detect Submarine is versatility. It functions as a vacuum, a dry dusting tool, and a mop in one machine, making it a convenient one-stop shop for home cleaning. There are a ton of attachments included, most notably the new Submarine head, the soft roller brush for dry dusting on hard floors, and the full-size vacuum cleaning head.

While the price is undeniably high, you are essentially getting three machines in one. The Submarine attachment also delivers an extraordinarily long runtime: in testing, the V15s ran for 202 minutes using the mopping attachment, and a little over 68 minutes on low power with the vacuum attachment. That kind of endurance is rare in the cordless stick category.

Wet Dry Mopping Performance

The Submarine attachment performs well when it comes to collecting standalone liquid. In a full clean of a 1,000 square foot office and studio space, the attachment removed dirt and debris effectively, and it excelled at picking up liquid spills without leaving residue behind.

However, performance drops noticeably when the liquid contains small debris. The attachment struggled to collect liquid mixed with debris, which is a key limitation for a wet dry vacuum. In the dry debris removal test on hardwood, the V15s Submarine removed 70.1% of debris by weight, which is 11.0% less than the average of 81.1% across all debris tests. It particularly struggled with larger debris like cereal, rice, and kitty litter, often pushing them around the testing area instead of picking them up.

For dried-on stains, the Submarine did remove a grape juice stain from tile flooring, but it took 18 passes on the highest moisture and suction mode to completely eliminate it. The stain had been left for multiple days, so it required considerable water absorption before the cleaning head could lift it, but it is still a slower process than dedicated mops.

Edge Cleaning and Maneuverability

In the edge cleaning test, the V15s Submarine removed 88.9% of debris by weight placed along a wall, with the remaining debris pushed up against the wall trim. The exposed roller at the front of the cleaning head stops spinning if it makes direct contact with the wall, which causes the attachment to miss additional debris that would normally be suctioned by the vacuum. Care is needed when cleaning close to walls and baseboards.

The Submarine attachment does have exceptionally good maneuverability. It turns well, can lie completely flat for cleaning under furniture, and its compact size makes it extremely maneuverable in tight spaces. In fact, the V15s Submarine is the lightest wet dry mop cleaning device tested to date, which gives it excellent handling ability.

Build Quality and Noise

Build quality is exceptional, as expected from Dyson. The plastic is thick, all attachments fit properly, and the wheels on the roller head attachments are smooth, allowing the vacuum to glide over the floor without issue. The Submarine attachment itself is lightweight and sturdy, showing promise for repeated use and durability over several years.

One notable design flaw is the unsealed dirty water tank. After cleaning, tilting the attachment even slightly causes dirty water to spill out onto the floor. This is a practical inconvenience that owners will need to work around.

In terms of noise, the Submarine generated a max noise level of 67.7 dB on mopping mode, which is 0.3 dB quieter than the average of 68.2 dB across all noise tests. With the vacuum attachment, it produces the same decibel levels as the standard Dyson V15 Detect, with the loudest mode measured at 77.4 dB.

Runtime and Maintenance

Runtime is a clear highlight. The V15s Submarine achieved an exceptionally long run time of 202 minutes on the mop power mode. Dyson’s website lists a runtime of 60 minutes, but that figure appears to be for the standard V15 with a vacuuming head, which measured around 68 minutes in testing.

Maintenance is where the Submarine falls short. The estimated yearly maintenance cost is $30, but the cleaning routine is more demanding than most competitors. Since the Submarine does not come with a self-cleaning base station, the owner must wash the roller head and empty the dirty water tank manually after every use. Many other high-performance wet dry vacuums in this price range include a self-cleaning feature, so its absence here is a significant miss.

Buying Advice

The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is an excellent vacuum. The V15 platform sets a high standard for cordless stick vacuums, and the Submarine attachment adds genuine mopping capability to that foundation. If you want a single machine that can vacuum, dry dust, and mop, this is one of the most versatile options available.

However, if your primary need is a wet dry mop rather than a vacuum, the Submarine attachment is a mediocre performer. It struggles with debris mixed into liquid, requires frequent trips to empty and refill the small clean and dirty water reservoirs, and lacks a self-cleaning mode. At this price point, dedicated wet dry mops from other brands offer better mopping performance and easier maintenance.

The V15s Detect Submarine makes the most sense for someone who already values the V15’s vacuum performance and wants the convenience of a mop attachment in the same machine, without needing a separate device. For those who want a dedicated wet dry mop, there are better options at a lower price.

Conclusion

The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine is a versatile home cleaning tool that combines the outstanding vacuum performance of the V15 with a new wet dry mopping head. It excels at standalone liquid mopping, offers exceptional maneuverability, and delivers remarkable runtime. The trade-offs are the mediocre debris collection in wet mode, the manual maintenance routine, and the high price.

If you are looking for a premium vacuum that can also mop, the V15s Detect Submarine is a strong contender. If mopping is your priority, it is worth considering dedicated wet dry mops instead. Either way, the V15s Detect Submarine is a well-built, versatile machine that will fit comfortably into most homes.