Versatile, practical, and able to go places normal vacuum cleaners can’t, cordless vacuum cleaners aim to be the future of cleaning.
In one corner we have the Gtech AirRam MK2 vacuum cleaner and in the other, the Dyson V8 Animal vacuum cleaner is starting its motor.
Both vacuum cleaners are improved versions of earlier models and we’re taking a look at how they compare to each other. Read this Gtech Vs Dyson showdown to find out which cordless vacuum comes out on top.
Contents
Gtech AirRam MK2 Vs Dyson V8 Animal – Overview
The Gtech AirRam MK2 is an upright vacuum with a sleek, portable design specifically designed for floor cleaning, so it probably won’t replace your conventional vacuum cleaner.
The fact that it’s cordless and is relatively lightweight ensures an effortless vacuuming experience. It includes a number of upgrades since prior designs and now features a new bin, headlights and edge cleaning technology to reach corners.
The Dyson V8 is the great-grandchild of the DC16. Since the creation of its ancestor, the steady advancement of technology has allowed great improvements to be made.
Now, the V8 features cordless use, improved efficiency, and more power. It’s a handheld vacuum cleaner, but by equipping a few of the included attachments, it extends to the same size as a stick vacuum cleaner. All in all, it’s a versatile tool and aimed at pet owners.
When it comes to weight, the Dyson is lighter than the Gtech. The V8 Absolute weighs 2.61kgs, while the AirRam Mk2 tips the scales at a weight of 3.5kgs. The V8 has a more versatile design and be used for whole-house cleaning. The V8 is the clear winner here, although it is a more expensive vacuum.
Read a full review of the Dyson V8 here
Gtech AirRam MK2 Features

Cordless
This is one of the main draws, and by combining it with a few other technological advancements Gtech makes the most of the feature. Firstly, you won’t have to go through the trouble of having to find an outlet in every room or have a chord which snags on every second piece of furniture.
Lightweight

The AirRam MK2 weighs only 3.5 kilograms, making it lighter than other upright cleaners. Although it’s heavier than stick vacuums, it will glide across the floor with minimal resistance, so cleaning will not turn into an unplanned gym
session.
40 Minutes of Run Time
The cleaner also contains a professional grade 22V Lithium-ion battery, which promises 40 minutes of run time after a 4-hour charge. Compared to other vacuums in the same style, this is quite efficient. The MK2 has LED indicators
to keep you updated on how much battery life is left.
Bagless
Instead of using traditional suction power to draw air through a filter and leave the dirt in a bag, the MK2 uses a brush bar to beat dirt up before it’s sucked into a bin by a fan.
The lack of conventional suction is another reason for the MK2’s effortless gliding abilities – no suck-down effect to make it stick to the floor. This, and the fact that the brush bar assists in pulling the machine across the floor.
New Bin & AirLOC Technology
The new bin is impressive. According to Gtech, the 0.8-litre bin can hold 2.4 litres of dirt. This is accomplished by a snail-shell cross section which is designed to compress debris. To dispose of the dirt, simply remove the bin and use the slider to eject everything — all without getting your hands dirty.
The airLOC involves a small flap at the front. The flap goes along when moving forward, but snaps down to create a better seal for backwards motion.
Headlights
Although this sounds a bit ridiculous, it’s a great help in spotting dirt you might have missed.
Dyson V8 Animal Features
Cordless

Like the Gtech, the Dyson V8 Animal is a cordless machine which is beneficial for the same reasons — like not getting yourself all tangled up or having to run around looking for sockets.
Lightweight
At 2.6 kilograms, the Dyson is slightly lighter than the competitor. It must be noted, however, that the V8 is closer to a handheld which are traditionally lighter machines than upright vacuums. It may still be a bit trying to vacuum an entire house, but when using the floorhead you can allow it to carry most of the weight.
Read more: How does the Dyson V8 compare to the V10 and V11?
40 Minutes of Run Time
The V8 Animal is powered by a Nickel Cobalt Aluminium battery. The maximum run time of the V8 is 40 minutes when using a suction-only accessory. In maximum suction mode, it will only reach 7 minutes, and when using a powered head the vacuum will run for 25-30 minutes. The battery will recharge fully in 5 hours.
The Bin
The V8 features only a 540ml bin, but it’s large enough to hold dirt during a full house clean. The bin is exceptionally easy to empty — just push a button — and about as mess-less as can be.
Accessories
The Dyson V8 Animal includes a number of accessories to do every cleaning job as efficiently and effortlessly as possible. The V8 comes with:
- Mini Soft dusting brush
- Combination Tool
- Crevice Tool
- Convenient docking station
- Mini Motorized Tool
- Direct Drive Cleaner Head
Click here to see if the Dyson V8 Animal makes our list of best Dyson vacuums.
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Gtech Vs Dyson – Pros And Cons
Gtech AirRam MK2 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Fantastic performance on hard floors and carpets
- Easy to empty and clean
- Up 40 minutes of battery life
- Relatively quiet
- Headlights
- Glides across surfaces exceptionally smoothly
Cons
- Not good at cleaning edges
- No accessories
Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Vacuum
Pros
- Excellent floor head design
- Great at cleaning pet hair
- Superb suction power
- Easy to empty and clean
- Wall dock & charger
- Wide range of accessories
Cons
- Bin is too small to hold large amounts of pet hair
- No onboard storage
Gtech AirRam and Dyson V8 – Performance
The AirRam MK2 is specifically designed for floor cleaning and does so exceptionally well. Both carpets and hard floors can benefit from the cleaning power of this machine.
Although it can’t quite reach all edges, there are a lot of features making this a useful cleaning tool. Those include lightweight, effortless movement and headlights to spot every single speck of dirt.
The Dyson V8 is a powerful, versatile tool perfect for the pet owner and other more heavy-duty jobs. It has impressive suction power and a whole set of tools to make a variety of cleaning jobs easier.
This includes vacuuming upholstery, deep cleaning carpets, and most importantly, cleaning pet hair. A switch controls different power levels and at MAX mode even the most stubborn hairs are no match for The V8 Animal.
Final Thoughts
The perfect machine for your household will depend on your specific needs. If your home consists mostly of hard floors, the Gtech AirRam MK2 cordless vacuum cleaner is a match for the job.
However, if you’re a pet owner and need more heavy-duty suction power, the Dyson V8 Animal vacuum cleaner is your new best friend.
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