5 October 2026 · My Store Admin

Which replacement brush head fits your Dyson cordless vacuum?

Last updated 11 November 2026. Written by the Clean Smile Home team. We sell two compatible replacement floor heads for Dyson cordless vacuums. They are made by independent makers and are not made, supplied or endorsed by Dyson. We don't run our own lab tests; compatibility and prices below come from the suppliers, retailers and guides we name.

The short answer

Most Dyson V7, V8, V10, V11 and V15 cordless vacuums share the same click-in fitting, so a vacuum cleaner head made for "V7 to V15" usually fits all of them. The V6, V12 Detect Slim, Gen5, Omni-glide and Outsize models are different. Check the SV code on your machine before you buy anything.

Step one: find your SV model code

Dyson cordless vacuums have two names. There's the V name on the box and in the adverts, such as V8 or V11. Then there's a model code starting with SV, such as SV10 or SV14, printed on the rating label on the machine. Parts sellers match parts by the SV code, and it's the more reliable of the two.

Currys says the label is often under or near the battery on V6, V7, V8, V10 and V11 models. PartsCentre also points to the area around the battery. Take the battery off if you need to, and look for a short code starting with SV.

A quick warning that catches people out: the number after SV is not the V number. Manchester Vacs, a UK Dyson spares specialist, spells it out on its own pages: SV12 is a V10, not a V12, and SV15 is a V11, not a V15.

V name to SV code

Here is how Manchester Vacs groups the UK codes. We've also checked a second list from Tab-TV, and they don't agree on every code, so we've noted where they differ.

V name	SV codes (Manchester Vacs)	Notes
V6	SV03, SV04, SV05, SV09	Older fitting. V6 heads don't fit V7 onwards
V7	SV11, SV37	Tab-TV also lists SV06 and SV07
V8	SV10, SV25	Manchester Vacs also lists SV55-A
V10	SV12, SV13, SV17	Tab-TV lists SV12 only
V11	SV14, SV15, SV16, SV17, SV28, SV29	Tab-TV lists SV16 as Outsize and SV29 as Outsize Plus
V12 Detect Slim	SV20, SV30	Slim fitting. Tab-TV lists SV30 under V15 Detect as well
V15 Detect	SV22	Tab-TV also lists SV30
Gen5	SV23, SV24	Tab-TV names SV24 as Gen5outsize
Omni-glide	SV19	Tab-TV labels SV19 differently

Where the lists disagree, the label on your own machine is the answer. If your code isn't in the table, or appears in two rows, contact the seller with the code before ordering.

Which Dyson models share the same head fitting?

Dyson changed the fitting between the V6 and the V7. Modern Castle's long-running Dyson attachment guide puts it simply: the V6 uses the older grey-button system and nothing on it is cross-compatible, while the V7, V8, V10 and V11 use the newer red-button fitting and their accessories are interchangeable. V15 Detect machines use the same click-in fitting, which is why genuine and compatible heads are sold as "V7 V8 V10 V11 V15".

The slim and newer models are the exceptions. Modern Castle says a V12 Slim is only compatible with other slim models. The supplier of both compatible heads we sell says they don't fit the V6, V12 Slim, V10 Slim (SV18), SV19 Omni, Gen5, Gen5 Outsize or V11 Outsize.

Your machine	Will a "V7 to V15" head fit?
V6 (SV03, SV04, SV05, SV09)	No. Different fitting
V7 (SV11, SV37)	Yes, usually. See the power note below
V8 (SV10, SV25)	Yes, usually
V10 (SV12, SV13, SV17)	Yes, usually
V11 standard (SV14, SV15, SV28)	Yes, usually
V11 Outsize	Not our heads, according to the supplier. Outsize models use wider heads
V12 Detect Slim	No. Slim fitting
V15 Detect (SV22)	Yes, usually
Gen5 and Gen5 Outsize	Not our heads, according to the supplier
Omni-glide (SV19)	No

"Usually" is doing honest work there. Clicking on is not the same as working well, which brings us to power.

The power question

A newer, more powerful head on an older body can struggle. Modern Castle reports that a V7 struggles to run the larger V11 Outsize head and can't operate it on max mode, and its author advises sticking to heads from the same generation or one generation apart. A standard-width head on a V7 or V8 is less of a stretch. The two compatible heads we sell have a 50 W motor according to the supplier, which is aimed at the whole V7 to V15 range.

The different types of Dyson floor head

Dyson's naming changes between models and markets, which doesn't help. Broadly there are two families.

Motorised bristle heads

These have a roller with stiff bristles, driven by a motor inside the head. Dyson has called them Direct Drive, Torque Drive, High Torque and Motorbar over the years. They dig into carpet and work on hard floors too. Manchester Vacs notes V10 machines came with either a Torque Drive or soft roller head, and V15 models are typically fitted with a high-torque or Laser Slim Fluffy head.

Soft roller heads

Dyson calls these Fluffy or Soft roller heads. The roller is covered in soft woven fibre, which picks up fine dust and larger debris from hard floors at the same time. TechRadar's cleaning guide describes it as one furry roller. They're not made for carpet. Some newer versions add a light or laser to show up dust.

The rule of thumb: if you have mostly carpet or mixed floors, get a bristle head. If you have mostly hard floors and no carpet worth mentioning, a soft roller is gentler and better at fine dust.

Signs your floor head needs replacing

The roller won't spin, even after you've cleared hair and threads from it.
It grinds, squeals or rattles.
The bristles are worn flat, or the soft fibre is bald or coming away.
The casing or neck is cracked, so it no longer clicks firmly onto the wand.
It cuts out or pulses only when the head is fitted, but runs fine with a tool on the end. That points to the head or its electrical contacts, not the battery.

Before you buy, try a proper clean, covered in the next section. A surprising number of "dead" heads are just jammed with hair.

How to clean the roller properly

Dyson's own maintenance pages for V8, V10 and V11 machines give these steps for the brush bar:

Take the head off the wand.
Using a coin, undo the end cap fastener by turning it anti-clockwise. Lift off the end cap.
Slide out the brush bar. On some heads there's a rear brush bar too; take out the main one first.
Cut away hair and threads. Scissors along the groove work better than pulling.
Where the roller is washable, wash it in cold water and squeeze out as much water as you can.
Stand it upright and leave it to dry for at least 24 hours, until completely dry.
Refit it and lock the end cap clockwise with the coin.

There's a split in the advice worth knowing about. Dyson's pages say to wash the brush bars in cold water. TechRadar's guide says the Motorbar or High Torque roller is not washable and should only be wiped with a damp, lint-free cloth, while the Fluffy roller can be washed. Dyson's pages don't say which head they're describing. Our advice: check the manual for your exact head. If in doubt, don't soak a bristle roller. Never wash the head body itself, because it contains a motor.

For the two compatible heads we sell, the supplier says the quick-release head's roller comes out with a coin and can be washed, and the hard-floor head's roller comes out with a coin for cleaning.

While you're at it: the filter

Poor pickup is often the filter, not the head. Dyson suggests cleaning the filter once a month in warm tap water without detergent, rinsing until the water runs clear, then leaving it to dry for at least 24 hours. Dyson warns that the filter must be completely dry before you refit it, or it could damage the motor. Don't put it in a tumble dryer, a microwave or near a flame.

Genuine Dyson head or compatible head?

Here's the price picture on the day we checked. Manchester Vacs listed a genuine Dyson electrically driven head for V7, V8, V10, V11 and V15 at £59.99 and a genuine Dyson Fluffy floor head at £79.99. It also sold its own aftermarket head at £43.75. We sell two compatible heads at £31.27 each. Dyson's own UK spare parts pages may list different prices; check them directly.

Head	Type	Floors	Price seen
Genuine Dyson electrically driven head (Manchester Vacs)	Motorised bristle	Carpet and hard floor	£59.99
Genuine Dyson Fluffy head (Manchester Vacs)	Soft roller	Hard floor	£79.99
Manchester Vacs own-brand head	Motorised	Not stated	£43.75
Our quick-release brush head	Motorised bristle, 50 W, swivels	Wood, marble, tiles and carpet	£31.27
Our motorised hard-floor head	Motorised roller, 50 W, about 25 cm wide	Wood, parquet and tiles. Not for carpet	£31.27

The honest trade-offs

Genuine heads are designed and tested by Dyson for its machines and match the original performance. They cost roughly twice as much.
Compatible heads cost less, and the good ones fit and work well. But they're made by independent makers, build quality varies between brands, and performance may not match the original on deep carpet.
Warranty: Modern Castle, which is not Dyson, warns that using accessories not designed for your model could affect your warranty. We couldn't find an official Dyson statement on third-party heads. If your vacuum is still under Dyson's guarantee, check with Dyson before using non-Dyson parts.

Our two heads in detail

Quick-release replacement brush head

This is the one for mixed floors. According to the supplier it has a direct-drive motor with a bristle roller, a 50 W motor and a quick-release fitting. It swivels 180 degrees side to side and 90 degrees back and forth for steering round furniture. The supplier lists it for wood, marble, ceramic tiles and carpet, and says it fits V7, V8, V10, V11 and V15 models including SV10, SV11, SV12 and SV14. The roller comes out with a coin and can be washed. See the quick-release brush head page for current stock.

Motorised hard-floor head

This is for homes with hard floors only. The supplier lists it for wood, parquet and tiles, and says it isn't suitable for carpet. It's about 25 cm wide with a 50 W motor, and the roller comes out with a coin for cleaning. The supplier says it fits V7, V8, V10, V11 and V15 models including SV10, SV11, SV12, SV14, SV15, SV22, SV25, SV27 and SV28, and doesn't fit V6, V12 Slim, V10 Slim (SV18), SV19 Omni, Gen5, Gen5 Outsize or V11 Outsize. See the motorised hard-floor head page.

Three-year running cost

A floor head is a wear part. How long it lasts depends on hair, pets and floor type, so these are worked examples rather than promises.

Genuine motorised head at £59.99: if it lasts the full three years, that's £20 a year.
Compatible head at £31.27: if it lasts the full three years, that's about £10.42 a year. Even if you replace it once in that time, two heads come to £62.54, about the same as one genuine head.
Cleaning: free, apart from a coin and some scissors. Regular hair removal is the single biggest thing you can do to make any head last.

Compare that with a new cordless vacuum, which costs several hundred pounds. If the motor, battery and body are healthy, replacing the head is almost always the cheaper fix.

Who should buy which

Mostly carpet, or carpet and hard floors

Choose a motorised bristle head. Our quick-release head is the budget option. The genuine Dyson head is the safer pick for thick carpet.

Hard floors only

A soft roller (genuine Fluffy) or our hard-floor head. Don't run either on carpet.

Pet owners

A bristle head picks up hair from carpet better, but expect to clear the roller often. Weekly is realistic with a moulting dog.

Still under Dyson's guarantee

Buy genuine, or check with Dyson first.

Older V7 or V8 that's out of warranty

A compatible standard-width head is good value. Avoid wide Outsize-style heads, which older bodies struggle to drive.

V6, V12 Slim, Gen5 or Omni-glide owners

Neither of our heads fits. Look for a head listed specifically for your SV code.

Tips we'd pass on

Photograph your SV label and keep it on your phone. You'll need it for batteries, filters and heads.
Cut hair off the roller every couple of weeks rather than waiting until it stops.
Check the neck and electrical contacts for fluff when the head is off.
For hard floors that need more than vacuuming, a steam mop is the next step. Our guide to steam mopping with the Shark SteamSpot explains how.

Common problems and fixes

The new head clicks on but won't spin

Check it's fully seated and that the contacts on the wand are clean. If it still won't spin, check your SV code against the seller's list.

The vacuum pulses or cuts out with the new head

Pulsing usually means a blockage. Check the head neck, the wand and the bin inlet. If it only happens with the head, the roller may be jammed or the head may be too demanding for an older body.

The roller squeals

Hair is often wrapped around the end caps where you can't see it. Take the roller out and clear the ends.

The head won't come off the wand

Press the release button fully and pull straight. Grit in the catch is common; a dry brush round the fitting helps.

Streaks on hard floors

Usually a wet or dirty roller. Let a washed roller dry for the full 24 hours, and clean it if it's grey.

Smells after washing the roller

It wasn't fully dry. Take it out again and stand it somewhere airy for longer.

Our verdict

Most people asking which head fits their Dyson have a V7, V8, V10, V11 or V15, and for them the answer is any standard-width head sold for that range, as long as their SV code is on the seller's list. Genuine Dyson heads cost about twice as much and are the cautious choice if your vacuum is under guarantee. A good compatible head is a sensible fix for an out-of-warranty machine with a worn or cracked head. Whatever you buy, clearing the hair off the roller regularly will make it last longer.

Frequently asked questions

Do Dyson V8 and V10 heads fit each other?

Generally yes. Dyson V7, V8, V10, V11 and V15 cordless vacuums share the same click-in fitting, so standard-width floor heads move between them. Older bodies may struggle with heads designed for newer, more powerful machines.

Will a V11 head fit my V8?

A standard V11 head will usually click onto a V8, because both use the same fitting. Modern Castle advises staying within a generation or so, because older motors can struggle to drive newer heads. V11 Outsize heads are wider and best avoided on older bodies.

Do Dyson V6 heads fit the V7?

No. The V6 uses an older fitting, and its heads and tools don't fit the V7 or later models without an adapter. V6 owners need parts listed for SV03, SV04, SV05 or SV09.

How do I find my Dyson model number?

Look for a code starting with SV on the rating label, usually near or under the battery on V6 to V11 models. Remove the battery if you need to. The SV code is what parts sellers use, and it differs from the V number on the box.

Is SV12 a Dyson V12?

No. SV12 is a Dyson V10. The SV number is a model code, not the V number. Likewise SV15 is a V11, not a V15. Always check the code against the seller's list.

Why has my Dyson brush stopped spinning?

The most common cause is hair or thread wrapped around the roller or its end caps. Remove the roller with a coin, clear it, and check the neck for blockages. If it still won't spin, the head's motor or contacts may have failed and the head needs replacing.

Can I wash a Dyson brush bar?

Dyson's maintenance pages say to wash brush bars in cold water and dry them for at least 24 hours. TechRadar says Motorbar and High Torque rollers shouldn't be washed, only wiped, while Fluffy rollers can be. Check your manual, and never wash the head body.

How long does a Dyson roller take to dry?

Dyson says to stand washed brush bars upright and leave them to dry for at least 24 hours, until completely dry. Refitting a damp roller can cause smells and streaks.

Are non-Dyson replacement heads any good?

Good ones fit and work well for everyday cleaning at around half the price of genuine heads. Quality varies between makers, and they may not match genuine heads on deep carpet. Check the seller lists your SV code.

Will a non-Dyson head void my warranty?

We couldn't find an official Dyson statement on this. Modern Castle warns that unapproved accessories could affect a warranty. If your vacuum is still under Dyson's guarantee, ask Dyson before fitting a third-party head.

Which Dyson head is best for carpet?

A motorised bristle head, such as Dyson's Torque Drive, High Torque or Motorbar heads, or a compatible bristle head. Soft roller or Fluffy heads are made for hard floors and aren't suitable for carpet.

Does the Dyson V12 use the same head as the V11?

No. The V12 Detect Slim uses a slim fitting. Modern Castle says V12 Slim parts are only compatible with other slim models, so V7 to V15 heads won't fit.

Sources

cleaning
guides
vacuum parts