Dyson V8 vs V10 vs V11: Filter Differences and Replacements
Three flagship Dyson cordless generations, three different filter systems. The V8 has one filter on top. The V10 has one filter on the back. The V11 introduced a sealed two-filter system that the V15 inherited. Buying the wrong replacement is the most common Dyson maintenance mistake. Here is the cross-reference.
V6/V7/V8: single filter, part 965661-01, on top of the unit.
V10: single filter, part 969082-01, at the rear of the cyclone.
V11/V15: two filters — washable pre-motor filter under the cyclone, and a post-motor HEPA filter (970013-02) at the rear.
They are not cross-compatible. Find your model number on the sticker at the base of the handle, then match the part number above.
Browse Dyson filtersModel to filter, at a glance
| Model family | # Filters | OEM Part | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| V6 / V7 / V8 | 1 | 965661-01 | Top of motor |
| V10 | 1 | 969082-01 | Rear of cyclone |
| V11 / V15 | 2 | 970013-02 + pre-motor | Rear HEPA + cyclone underside |
| V12 | 1 (integrated) | 971517-01 | Sealed cyclone unit |
Find your model number on the sticker at the base of the handle, near where the trigger pivots. The format is "V8 Animal," "V10 Absolute," etc. Identify the V-number, then look up the corresponding part above. Variants (Animal, Absolute, Fluffy, Motorhead) within the same V-generation all share the same filter.
Single filter, top of unit
The V8 generation (and the V6 and V7 that came before it) uses a single circular post-motor HEPA filter that twists into the top of the unit. The filter housing is purple on V6 models, and either purple or red on V8 depending on year and SKU.
Removal: hold the unit upright, twist the filter counter-clockwise about 90 degrees, and lift straight off. Wash in cold water (no soap), squeeze gently, dry 24+ hours. Replace fully every 12 months for typical use, every 6 months for heavy/pet use.
V6 Animal, V6 Absolute, V6 Motorhead, V7 (all variants), V8 Absolute, V8 Animal, V8 Fluffy
965661-01
8–18 USD
One filter, but in a new place
The V10 represents Dyson's shift to the inline cyclone architecture (the bin and cyclones rotated 90 degrees from the V8 layout). The filter moved with this redesign. It is now circular but located at the rear of the unit, integrated with the cyclone assembly, not on top of the motor.
Removal: rotate the filter counter-clockwise to release it from the cyclone housing. Wash, squeeze, dry as with V8.
The V10 filter (part 969082-01) is physically incompatible with the V8 filter despite both being circular. The diameter, depth, and locking mechanism all differ.
V10 Absolute, V10 Animal, V10 Motorhead, V10 Total Clean, V10 Cyclone (all V10 variants)
969082-01
10–22 USD
Sealed two-filter system
The V11 introduced fully sealed filtration. Dyson's claim of "captures 99.99 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns" applies to V11 and later because the entire airflow path is now sealed against bypass. To achieve this, Dyson added a second filter.
Pre-motor (under cyclone)
Washable foam-based filter that catches fine dust before it reaches the motor.
Wash monthly, replace every 12 months
Post-motor HEPA (rear)
True HEPA filter that catches exhaust particles. Part 970013-02. Washable but degrades over washes.
Wash monthly, replace every 12 months
Both filters need attention. Most V11 owners only ever notice and replace the rear HEPA, leaving the pre-motor filter clogging up under the cyclone assembly for years. Lift the cyclone unit off (push the red release button under the wand connection), and you will find the pre-motor filter sitting in a slot underneath. Pull it out, tap to dislodge debris, rinse if dirty, dry, reinstall.
Where to look
Dyson prints the model identifier on a small sticker at the base of the handle, right where the trigger pivots. The format is consistent: model family, then variant. Example identifiers:
- SV10V8 family
- SV11V7 family (older sticker convention)
- SV12V10 family
- SV14V11 family
- SV22V15 family
If the sticker is missing or unreadable, the secondary identifier is the physical filter location. If the filter twists off the top, it is V6/V7/V8. If it twists off the rear, it is V10. If there are two filters (one rear, one under the cyclone), it is V11 or V15.
Compatible filters by tier
Explicitly states "True HEPA H13" or "99.97 percent at 0.3 microns". Multi-pack pricing brings per-filter cost under 12 USD. Established Amazon seller with 5,000+ reviews and consistent fitment feedback. Same dimensions and seal quality as OEM.
States "HEPA-grade" without specifying H11/H13. Acceptable filtration based on user reports. Watch for occasional reviews mentioning whistling sounds or filters that do not seat fully — these indicate gasket fit issues.
"HEPA-style" or "HEPA-type" without a grade. Stock photos identical across multiple sellers. The savings vs Tier 1 are minimal, the risk of poor seal or false HEPA claim is significant. Skip.
For V11 and V15 owners: the post-motor HEPA filter (970013-02) has Tier 1 compatibles available. The pre-motor washable filter is replaced infrequently enough that buying OEM (Dyson sells it for around 25 USD) is also a reasonable choice.
Wash monthly, replace yearly
Across all V8/V10/V11 generations, the pattern is the same: monthly cold water wash (no soap), 24-hour dry, full replacement every 12 months. Heavy users (pets, daily vacuuming, post-renovation) should halve these intervals.
Putting a damp filter back into the unit is the fastest way to wreck a Dyson. The motor pushes humid air through wet pleats, accelerating the resin breakdown that holds the filter media in shape. Once the pleats collapse, the filter cannot be saved by future washing. Always dry 24+ hours, ideally with the filter standing upright.
For more on the wash-versus-replace decision, see our Dyson Filter Wash or Replace Guide.
Find the right filter for your Dyson
Our Dyson directory cross-references every cordless model to the correct replacement. Search by V-generation or by part number.