Bottom Line
Choose if you want elite cordless vacuuming plus a quick mop for small hard-floor jobs; Skip if you need a true vac-and-mop that handles big wet messes and self-cleans, or if the premium price feels hard to justify.
Best for
Homes with mixed flooring that want best-in-class cordless vacuuming (including pet hair) and only need a maintenance mop for quick hard-floor refreshes or small spills without buying a separate wet cleaner.
Not for
Anyone who mops large areas frequently, expects wet-and-solid pickup in one pass, or wants a self-cleaning dock and big tanks; also people who dislike holding a trigger or find longer handheld sessions fatiguing.
Verdict
Dyson’s V15s Detect Submarine is strongest in what Dyson already does best: fast, high-suction dry cleaning with excellent hard-floor visibility from the laser head and confident pickup on most carpets. The Submarine wet roller is a convenient add-on for routine mopping and fresh spills, and it can scrub some dried marks, but it typically works best after a separate vacuum pass. The tradeoff is paying flagship money for a system that still needs hands-on post-mop rinsing, has small tanks, and may drip or streak if the dirty-water channel overfills. For mixed-floor homes wanting one cordless platform, it makes sense; dedicated wet cleaners still win for frequent mopping.
Pros
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The laser illumination is one of the most praised features, repeatedly described as revealing hidden dust and improving confidence on hard floors.
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Across reviews, dry vacuuming is the standout: very strong suction and pickup on both hard floors and most carpets, though the high suction can make the head harder to push on thicker carpet.
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Hard-floor fine dust pickup is consistently excellent, helped by the laser illumination and soft roller design for revealing and collecting powdery debris.
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Low-pile carpet performance is typically excellent, with strong pickup even on embedded debris and hair.
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Cordless convenience is consistently highlighted, especially for quick daily cleanups and moving between rooms without a cord.
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The vacuum converts into a handheld easily, which reviewers like for furniture, stairs, and quick spot cleaning.
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Packaging is described as protective and well-organized, with at least one review praising the recyclable materials and secure packing.
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It is often framed as a good fit for apartments or smaller homes that only want one cleaning device, since it can replace a separate vacuum plus a basic mop.
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Under-furniture reach is a recurring positive due to head articulation and the ability to lay flatter, though one review notes the vent can blow air toward your face in tight spaces.
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Filtration and dust containment are consistently rated strong, with a sealed system and good particle control; HEPA-level filtration is mentioned more often for certain versions or upgrades.
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Dyson's cyclone-based design is credited with maintaining strong suction and solid overall dust handling.
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Versatility is a core theme: multiple heads let it cover hard floors, carpets, above-floor cleaning, and basic mopping, but wet cleaning requires a separate pass and head swap.
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Motorized tools for upholstery and above-floor tasks perform well, especially for pet hair and furniture cleaning.
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The bundle is repeatedly praised for including multiple floorheads and specialty tools, but several reviews say the docking/storage options do not neatly accommodate everything.
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Support is mentioned less often, but Dyson customer service is described as a plus where it comes up.
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The soft rollers and floorheads are generally seen as gentle on hard floors, and at least one reviewer specifically noted reduced worry about scratching tiles.
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The particle sensor and Auto mode are widely praised for adjusting power and visualizing what is being picked up; a few users also relied on the Dyson app/manual for fuller guidance.
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Noise is generally acceptable: mop mode is often described as quiet, while Boost/Turbo vacuuming gets noticeably loud.
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Several reviews mention the Submarine head feels self-propelled, making wet passes easier and faster.
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Handling is generally strong thanks to swivel articulation and the ability to get under furniture, but some reviewers still find it heavy in-hand over longer sessions.
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High-pile carpet results are more mixed: some reviews report strong pickup while lab testing shows lower scores and higher push resistance on thick carpet.
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With the handheld conversion and tools, stairs are generally easy to clean, especially on hard stair treads and edges.
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Hair pickup on hard floors is consistently strong with the dry heads, while the wet head is best treated as a mop rather than a hair-collection tool.
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Floors usually dry quickly after Submarine passes, often described as only slightly damp and drying in minutes.
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Battery performance is a strong point overall, with long Eco/low runtimes and a removable battery; charging is often cited around 4.5 hours and Boost/Turbo drains quickly.
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Carpet hair pickup is generally very strong, with reviewers pulling out visible hair and lint from rugs and carpeting.
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Kid appeal is mentioned in passing: the laser and on-screen feedback can make cleaning feel more engaging for families.
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At least one review reports acceptable cleaning on a delicate wool rug, suggesting it can be used carefully on wool surfaces.
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Default/Eco runtimes are often around an hour or more depending on mode, with Auto mode shortening runtime when it ramps up power.
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Reviewers with pets praise the dry-vac tools for hair and kibble, but note the Submarine mop head is not meant to pick up solid pet food while wet cleaning.
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The main vacuum feels sturdy and well-built in most reviews, while the Submarine head and some docking solutions get more mixed feedback (plasticky feel or leakage concerns).
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Maintenance alerts for the filter are appreciated, including prompts to wash or service filters during ownership.
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Anti-tangle performance is usually a strength (especially with the hair screw tool), but longer hair can still wrap on the main brush bar in some situations.
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Dry vacuum heads handle larger debris well, but the Submarine wet head struggles with bigger pieces (like cereal) and can push debris around rather than capture it.
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Compared with other cordless vacuums and most mop-vacs, it is usually rated superior at dry vacuuming; the wet function is seen as convenient but not best-in-class versus dedicated wet cleaners.
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Dry heads and tools click on quickly, but swapping between vacuum and mop heads is required for wet cleaning and some users find the Submarine setup a bit fiddly.
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The bagless bin size is described as adequate and the emptying mechanism is mostly hygienic, though hair and clumps can occasionally stick and require a quick manual pull.
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Most reviewers like the premium Dyson look and finish, but a few call out plasticky feel on the Submarine head or aesthetic mismatches with some docking accessories.
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The ejector-style emptying system reduces contact with dust, though occasional clumps or hair can stay behind and need a quick manual assist.
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Reviewers view the concept as innovative: a flagship stick vacuum paired with a wet roller head, though several also describe the wet system as first-generation with compromises.
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Edge pickup during vacuuming is often excellent, while edge performance in mop mode is more mixed and can miss right along walls.
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Some reviews mention alerts or shutoff behavior when airflow is obstructed or performance cannot be maintained, which helps protect the vacuum but can interrupt a job.
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Overall usability is rated good thanks to strong cleaning and smart feedback, but trigger ergonomics, weight, and post-mop cleanup are recurring drawbacks.
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The LCD and mode controls are well-liked for showing runtime and particle info, but many reviews criticize the trigger-hold design for comfort during longer cleans.
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On area rugs, it generally cleans well, but light debris on thicker rugs can be pushed around unless you adjust technique or settings.
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The Submarine roller can remove dried-on stains, but results vary: some tests show quick removal while others needed multiple passes and more water on older, set-in messes.
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Mopping is best described as maintenance-level: good for routine hard-floor refreshes and small spills, but it does not vacuum while mopping and struggles more with solids, edges, and large wet messes.
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Most reviewers find initial assembly straightforward, but several say the Submarine instructions are too visual or confusing and may require looking up the full manual or app.
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Weight is frequently noted: it is manageable for many as a stick vacuum, but the handheld configuration and long sessions can feel heavy or fatiguing for some users.
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Fresh spill cleanup is generally quick for small liquid-only messes, but larger spills or liquid mixed with solids can overwhelm the Submarine head.
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The liquid system is simple and water-based; some reviews mention you can use a mild detergent, but there is typically only one wet mode and limited control over water flow.
Cons
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Ongoing costs are usually moderate (filters and occasional roller replacement), but the Submarine roller can add a replacement/consumable consideration over time.
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Dedicated crevice tools are effective for edges and tight spots, but the built-in/integrated crevice solution and the Submarine head can be less effective in deep grooves or corners.
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Clogging is not a constant problem, but some reviewers report blockages with large debris (like pine needles) or residue buildup that needs manual clearing and head cleaning.
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It stores like a typical Dyson stick via a wall dock, but it is not truly freestanding and alternative docks can be bulky; the extra heads/tools also add storage complexity.
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Maintenance is a key tradeoff: standard vacuum upkeep is manageable, but the Submarine head adds regular rinsing, drying, and occasional messy dirty-water emptying.
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The clean-water tank is small (often cited around 300 mL), so it suits maintenance mopping more than big jobs; the dirty-water compartment can be messy and may leak if overfilled or tilted.
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Streaking is mixed: some report a streak-free shine, while others saw streaks or dirty-water drips, especially if the roller is paused mid-flow or the dirty channel gets too full.
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Price is a common pain point: many call it expensive and best justified only if you will use both the top-tier vacuuming and occasional mopping.
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Boost/Turbo runtime is consistently short, commonly under 10 minutes in testing.
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A minor but real complaint appears about airflow blowing back toward the user when cleaning under very low furniture.
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For heavy-duty mopping or frequent large wet messes, reviews suggest it is not ideal; it is better as a light, regular maintenance mop paired with strong vacuuming.
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Tool storage is a consistent frustration: you get many tools, but there is limited onboard or dock capacity to keep everything together.
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Multiple reviews note the lack of a clear dirty-water level indicator, making it harder to tell when the dirty compartment needs emptying.
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Reviews repeatedly call out that there is no automated self-cleaning cycle or wash/dry base for the mop head, so post-mop cleanup is manual.
FAQ
Does it vacuum and mop at the same time?
No. The Submarine head is a dedicated wet roller without suction, so you typically vacuum first with a dry floorhead and then swap to the wet head for mopping.
How good is it for pet hair and messes?
Dry vacuuming is excellent for pet hair with anti-tangle tools, though very long hair can still wrap in some cases. The wet head is great for paw prints and small spills, but it is not designed to pick up chunky solid messes like kibble while mopping.
How much area can the Submarine mop per fill?
Many reviews cite a small clean-water tank around 300 mL and manufacturer-style claims up to roughly 1,000 sq ft (about 110 m2), but real-world coverage varies and larger rooms may need refills. It works best as a quick maintenance mop rather than a whole-house deep clean.
Is there an automatic self-cleaning cycle for the mop head?
No. You need to empty the dirty-water compartment and rinse/wash the roller and head parts after use, then let components dry to avoid odors or mildew.
Is it worth the price compared with a separate mop?
It can be worth it if you mainly want a top-tier cordless vacuum and only occasionally mop, because one platform covers more tasks. If mopping is your primary need, dedicated wet cleaners or steam mops usually offer better capacity and easier cleanup for less money.
Reviews we analyzed
Video Reviews
Article Reviews
#1
4.3
Choose the Stylus Elite if you want a lightweight cordless stick with a self-emptying base and strong everyday pickup; Skip it if your...
#2
4.3
Choose if you want class-leading suction with a sealed auto-empty station; Skip if the big dock and luxury pricing don’t fit your home...
#3
4.3
Choose the Dyson V8 Animal for lightweight, powerful cordless cleanups and pet hair. Skip it if you need strong large-debris pickup on hard...
#4
4.3
Choose the Gen5 Outsize if you want elite cordless pickup plus fewer bin dumps; Skip if you need something lighter or less expensive,...
#5
4.3
Choose the Dreame Z30 for strong suction and a big accessory kit at a Dyson-like experience for less; Skip if you need long...
#6
4.3
Choose the Narwal S20 Pro if you want a lightweight wet-dry vac-mop with standout edge cleaning and a quiet self-drying cycle. Skip if...
#8
4.3
Choose it for strong, near-upright cleaning power in a lighter corded stick; Skip if you want hassle-free cord handling or a larger dust...