Dyson WashG1 vs Dyson V15s Detect Submarine: which one to buy?

Dyson now has two hard floor wet vacuums. But they couldn’t be more different. We’ve tested the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine and the Dyson WashG1, and can give you an expert opinion on what they do, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, so you can choose which one is best for you.

You can get more detailed information about both floor cleaners in our dedicated reviews of the Dyson V15s Submarine and the Dyson WashG1.

To see how they compare to our other recommendations and to discover more affordable options, take a look at our roundup of the best wet and dry vacuums. And to find the Dyson that’s right for you, browse our Dyson cordless vacuum chart.

Main reason to buy

WashingG1

This is a dedicated hard floor cleaner that vacuums and mops in one go, cutting hard floor cleaning time in half.

V15s detect submarines

It is a high-power modular vacuum cleaner that will clean every part of your home.

What do you get when you buy?

G1 wash

The Wash G1 is a cordless wet and dry vacuum cleaner. It can only be used on hard, sealed floors, but you won’t need to vacuum the floors before using it, as you would with a traditional mop or many motorized wet and dry vacuums.

In other words, if you have a home with a lot of sealed hard floors, including tile, vinyl, and laminate, you can use the WashG1 to vacuum and mop them all in one go.

To be clear, it cannot be used as a carpet cleaner. And you will still need a second vacuum for carpeted areas, rugs, and unsealed floors, as well as upholstery, baseboards, etc.

In the box you will get:

The body of the WashG1 vacuum cleaner, with 1 litre clean water tank and 0.8 litre dirty water tank
Metal wand, with LCD screen, that you attach to the body of the vacuum cleaner
Charging stand with drip tray
Charger

Emma Rowley / Foundry

It’s a much simpler proposition than the submarine, but it can only do one job.

V15s detect submarines

The V15s Submarine is a modular cordless vacuum cleaner. It’s basically the Dyson V15 Detect vacuum, with an additional wet mopping head (the Submarine).

It is important to note that the V15 Submarine parts are not interchangeable with the V15 Detect parts. So, if you already own a V15 Detect, the Submarine head will not be compatible with it.

In the box you will get:

Main vacuum body, with LCD display and 0.76 liter/0.2 gallon dust bin
Underwater wet roller head and collection tray
Motorbar Digital Carpet Cleaner Head
Fluffy Optic Hard Floor Cleaning Head (with Green Laser)
Hair screw tool
Crevice tool
Combination tool
Baguette clip for accessories
Charger
Docking station

Alex Greenwood / Foundry

All this kit means you can use the V15s Submarine for every cleaning task in your home: as a wet vacuum on sealed hard floors; as a regular vacuum on hard floors and carpet; and on upholstery, curtains, blinds and shelves.

Pricing and Availability

In the UK, you can buy the Dyson WashG1 for £599.99.

Meanwhile, the V15s sub is available from Dyson, John Lewis, Currys and other retailers for £799.99.

Obviously, neither model is budget (although we have recommendations for cheaper wet and dry vacuums), but the Submarine will give you a whole-home cleaning system for £200 more.

On the other hand, the WashG1 offers a very fast and efficient way to clean hard floors.

In the US, the Submarine retails for $949.99, and you can buy it from online retailers including Dyson, Best Buy, and Amazon, which is offering a discount at the time of writing.

The WashG1 isn’t available in the US yet, but we expect it to launch in September.

Features and specifications

It is difficult to compare these two Dyson models in terms of weight or accessories because they are completely different products.

For example, although the Submarine is lighter at 4.1kg than the WashG1 at 4.9kg, the WashG1’s weight is much less.

It is motorized, which makes it very maneuverable, and it supports its own weight on the ground. You will only have to lift it to transport it on a carpet or rug or to go up or down stairs.

Meanwhile, the V15s Detect Submarine is quite heavy for a cordless vacuum, although it’s also motorized in its wet cleaning mode.

Emma Rowley / Foundry

G1 wash

Weight: 4.9 kg
Duration: up to 35 minutes
Coverage: up to 290 m² on a single tank
Modes: three water levels and a MAX mode for spills
Tank capacity: 1 liter clean water, 0.8 liter dirty water
The tanks are fitted with screw-on lids, so there is no risk of spillage
Fast and efficient, because it cleans in both directions
Cleaning the edges on one side
Debris and dirty water are separated at the cleaning head, reducing the risk of clogs
LCD display with countdown timer
Self-cleaning mode

Alex Greenwood / Foundry

V15s detect submarines

Weight: 4.9 kg
Duration: up to 60 minutes
Coverage (in wet cleaning mode): approximately 90 m²
Interchangeable battery (but only one included with the vacuum cleaner)
Clean water tank: 300 ml (dirty water is collected in a trench at the base)
Hard floor vacuum cleaner with green laser to illuminate hair and dust
LCD display with countdown and particle counting
Hair screw tool for upholstery

Disadvantages

No product is perfect. Here are the drawbacks we discovered while testing these cleaners.

WashingG1

Cannot steam clean or disinfect: The WashG1 cannot be used with bleach or very hot water, so it will not be able to disinfect your floors. You can, however, use it with a small amount of detergent if necessary.
The rollers need replacing after 25 hours of cleaning, and this is an expensive process. A replacement kit costs £45 from Dyson.
Although edge cleaning is effective, the WashG1 cannot clean all the way to corners.
Emptying the dirty water tank is easy and the rollers are self-cleaning, but you’ll have to empty the debris filter by hand, and that’s an unpleasant job.

V15s detect submarines

Like the Wash G1, it cannot steam clean or disinfect. The Submarine cannot be used with bleach or very hot water, so it will not be able to disinfect your floors. You can use it with a small amount of detergent if necessary.
It is heavier than many other stick vacuums.
The drainage trench is not sealed, so it can leak when full.
The return of the trigger! While some Dyson models (like the Gen5detect) have ditched the trigger, the Submarine has not. This means you’ll have to keep pressure on it the entire time you’re using it, which adds a bit more difficulty to cleaning.

Verdict

The Dyson V15s Submarine and the WashG1 are very different cleaners, aimed at different types of homes.

If you have an even mix of carpet and hard floors, or a majority of carpet, the Submarine offers a cleaning head for all surfaces. Read our Submarine review to learn more.

If your home has all or most of its hard, sealed floors and you spend a lot of time cleaning or know you need to, the WashG1 will help you clean in half the time. Check out our WashG1 review for more details on how to use it.