- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Video
- Test Results
- Differences
- Compared To Others
- Deals
- Discussions
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a corded upright vacuum. It delivers exceptional overall performance on many surface types, from bare floors to high-pile carpet. It does a fantastic job of cleaning pet hair and sucks up large and small debris without difficulty. It comes with a dedicated pet grooming tool along with a wide assortment of other tools and brushes, like a turbo brush, a crevice tool, and an upholstery tool. On the downside, its strong suction force can make it difficult to push around on some carpets. Its plastic construction also feels a little cheap in places, and the vacuum itself isn't particularly intuitive to assemble.
Our Verdict
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 delivers impressive performance on bare floors. It doesn't have many issues cleaning any type of debris on bare floors, and it comes with a wide assortment of tools and accessories. Its bagless design and washable filters result in a near-total lack of recurring costs too. Its large dirt compartment can make it tricky to clean under tables and couches, but its ball-shaped wheel and pivoting head still make it relatively maneuverable. It's also fairly easy to maintain, but it has mediocre overall build quality.
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Amazing performance on bare floors.
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Decent maneuverability.
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Spacious dirt compartment.
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Mediocre build quality.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a great choice for cleaning low-pile carpet. It picks up large debris like sand and fine material like baking soda without difficulty and clears most hair on this type of surface, even as its dirt compartment fills up. It doesn't have a power adjustment setting, but its vacuum head automatically changes height to suit different floor types. It's fairly easy to maintain, and the dirt compartment is spacious, too, so it shouldn't need emptying very often.
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Outstanding on carpets.
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Decent maneuverability.
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Spacious dirt compartment.
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Mediocre build quality.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is impressively well-suited to cleaning high-pile carpet. On this type of carpet, it cleans pet hair and larger debris like sand without difficulty, not to mention a good amount of fine debris like baking soda. Its bagless design and washable filters mean that recurring costs shouldn't be a concern either. Unfortunately, it can be hard to push on high-pile carpet due to its strong suction force.
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Outstanding on carpets.
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Spacious dirt compartment.
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Mediocre build quality.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is an excellent choice for dealing with pet hair. It has no trouble cleaning hair on any surface, and it has a turbo brush to help vacuum on couches. It also comes with a dedicated pet grooming tool and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter. Unfortunately, the vacuum has a mediocre build quality.
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Pet grooming tool.
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Amazing performance on bare floors.
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Outstanding on carpets.
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Mediocre build quality.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is mediocre for use on stairs. While you can unlatch its wand from its main body to clean stair steps, its upright design is still very bulky and quite heavy to carry up and down stairs. Thankfully, it has outstanding performance on bare floors and carpets, so it doesn't have any problem cleaning hair and small or large debris. It also comes with a turbo brush and has a long power cord and hose, enabling you to clean far away from any electrical outlets.
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Amazing performance on bare floors.
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Outstanding on carpets.
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Mediocre build quality.
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Bulky design.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 isn't designed to be used in cars.
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Mediocre build quality.
- 7.7 Bare Floor
- 8.1 Low-Pile Carpet
- 8.0 High-Pile Carpet
- 8.0 Pets
- 6.2 Stairs
- 6.5 Cars
- 6.0 Workshop
- Updated Mar 18, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Mar 23, 2021: Lowered 'Maneuverability' score of vacuum due to its high suction force, which makes it difficult to push around on high-pile carpet.
- Updated Jul 06, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Jul 06, 2020: Early access published.
Video
Test Results
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has a mediocre build quality. It's mainly made out of plastic with the wand made out of lightweight metal. However, it doesn't feel very sturdy overall. The dirt compartment is made of clear plastic and feels like it could break if dropped. The ball-shaped wheels are rather flimsy-feeling, as they move a bit when the vacuum is in an upright position. Out-of-the-box, there are a lot of parts that need assembly, and unlike most other Dyson vacuums, like the Dyson Outsize Absolute+, the parts don't have an easy-clip mechanism, making it a bit difficult to put together or remove parts. If you're looking for a corded upright vacuum with a much sturdier build, consider the Miele Dynamic U1 PowerLine.
The Dyson Animal 2 is somewhat easy to maintain, and there aren't many parts that need regular cleaning.
- Dirt compartment: The dirt compartment can be pulled from the top of the vacuum with the handle. It opens from the bottom and should be emptied over a trashcan once it fills up.
- Brushroll: You can't remove the brushroll from the main head, but if you need to access it to clear any hair wraps or stuck-on debris, you can unclip the base plate on the underside of the head.
- Pre-motor filter: The pre-motor filter is located in the dirt compartment and can be unclipped from the lid and pulled out. The manufacturer recommends washing it under water once a month, and you have to let it dry for 24 hours before using it again.
- Post-motor HEPA filter: The post-motor filter is located in the ball, and you have to unscrew the side of the ball with your hands to take it out. Like the pre-filter, it should be washed with water once a month and left to dry for at least 24 hours before reinstalling it.
The Dyson Animal 2 has virtually no recurring costs. If the filters are well-maintained, they don't need replacing. However, like any other vacuum, if you don't properly maintain the filters, they may need to be replaced eventually.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has okay storage capability. It stays upright on its own but is still quite bulky. Thankfully, there's on-board storage for a few tools, but you can't fit its floor attachment, its pet grooming tool, the turbo brush, or the hard bristle brush in the tool storage slots.
This vacuum has a good dirt compartment. It's quite large and is made of clear plastic, allowing you to check roughly how much room is remaining.
- Dyson Ball Animal 2 vacuum body
- Dirt compartment
- Wand
- Hose
- Vacuum head
- Turbo brush
- Soft bristle brush
- Hard bristle brush
- Crevice tool
- Upholstery tool
- Hard floor tool
- Pet tool
- Pre-motor filter
- User guide
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has a good range. The cord is very long, and you can likely bring the vacuum to another room without changing plugs, depending on the size of the room.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has decent portability. It's heavier than the similarly-sized BISSELL PowerForce Helix or even hybrid mop vacuums like the BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro, but the carrying handle makes transporting it to another floor easier.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has a few extra features. The head automatically changes height to suit different surfaces, and you can stop the rotation of the brushroll with an on/off button near the handle. It's worth noting that when the vacuum is in an upright position, suction comes through the hose on the body rather than the main head. You need to place the vacuum at an angle for the suction to go through the main head.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean comes with quite a few tools. The soft bristle can be slid over the crevice tool, which can be placed on the onboard storage along with the upholstery tool. There's also a turbo brush for clearing messes on fabric surfaces, a hard bristle brush for dislodging stuck-on dirt, and an extension wand for reaching far away areas. Unlike the BISSELL CleanView Swivel Pet, this vacuum also comes with a pet grooming tool. Note that there's a variant of this vacuum sold with fewer tools.
You can also use this vacuum with the wand and hose, but the vacuum has to be in an upright position for the suction to go through the wand. If you want an upright vacuum that can be used in a handheld mode, check out the Shark Navigator Lift-Away.
The Dyson Animal 2 has amazing performance on bare floors. It picks up hair and small debris like rice without difficulty. Unlike the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus or Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister, it can also suck up a fantastic amount of bulky debris like cereal, though some material can get stuck underneath the head. The vacuum maintains its performance as the dirt compartment gets filled, which is great when dealing with several large messes.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has outstanding performance on low-pile carpet. With the brushroll turned on, it sucks up most large debris like sand and hair, and its performance is consistent as the dirt compartment fills. You may need to perform another pass to fully clear fine debris like baking soda, but its performance in this respect is still excellent.
The Dyson Ball Animal delivers superb performance on high-pile carpet. The automatic surface type adjustment helps it clean on this carpet, and it has no problem with pet hair. It does an excellent job of clearing large debris like sand as well as fine material like baking soda, and it significantly outperforms the Sanitaire PROFESSIONAL Upright too. However, its high suction force can make it somewhat difficult to maneuver on this surface.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has decent maneuverability. Since the vacuum is quite big, it's harder to use in tight spaces, but the ball makes it easy to move around. To clean under tables and couches, you need to attach the floor tool, and you can use either the turbo brush or crevice tools to clean on furniture. The tools are a bit difficult to remove or attach since they don't have an easy-clip mechanism like other Dyson vacuums, like the Dyson V15 Detect. Also, its strong suction force can make it a hassle to push around on carpets. It can even drag around some lighter rugs, and rug tassels get caught in the vacuum head.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean but there are two versions of the vacuum that you can buy with different parts included, which are listed below. Besides the tools and brushes, we expect our results to be valid for the other variant.
| Model Name | Included Tools | Notes |
| Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean | Turbo brush, soft bristle brush, hard bristle brush, crevice tool, upholstery tool, hard floor tool, pet tool | |
| Dyson Ball Animal 2 | Turbo brush, soft bristle brush, crevice tool, upholstery tool |
If someone comes across an Animal 2 that's different from ours, let us know in the discussions and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Vacuums
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is one of the best vacuums we've tested in terms of cleaning performance. It performs exceptionally well on all surface types, and even though it's on the bulky side and not very portable, most people should be happy with it.
See our recommendations for the best vacuums, the best upright vacuums, and the best vacuums for pet hair.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a better vacuum for cleaning floors, while the Dyson V11 Animal is more versatile. The Ball Animal 2 is an upright vacuum with outstanding performance on bare floors and carpets. It also has a bigger dirt compartment, and it comes with a pet grooming tool. The V11 is a cordless stick vacuum, so you're not limited by a cord in terms of its range. You can also use it as a handheld vacuum, which is useful to vacuum stairs or inside cars.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a bit better overall than the Shark APEX Upright Vacuum. The Dyson performs much better on carpet, it's easier to move around, and it's easier to maintain too. The Shark performs better on bare floors, it has a bigger dirt compartment, and since it can also be used as a handheld vacuum, it's better suited to use on stairs or to vacuum inside cars.
The Dyson V15 Detect and Dyson Ball Animal 2 are designed to suit different use cases, and one may suit you better than the other depending on your needs. The Ball Animal 2 is a corded upright with a theoretically indefinite runtime. It has a bigger dirt compartment, fewer parts that need to be regularly cleaned, and a dedicated pet grooming tool. Meanwhile, the V15 Detect is a cordless stick/handheld vacuum that's far more compact, easier to maneuver, and comes with a wider assortment of tools overall, which include a fluffy brushroll head with a laser light to help you see small debris. Both vacuums can be difficult to maneuver on some carpets or rugs due to their strong suction force.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a better vacuum for all surface types than the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal. The Ball Animal 2 has a better performance with pet hair, as well as both small and large debris. As it's a bulky upright vacuum, it isn't suited for cleaning cars, and you may have a harder time cleaning stairs, especially when compared to the range and maneuverability of the Cinetic Big Ball Animal.
The Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute and Dyson Ball Animal 2 are differently-designed vacuums intended for distinct use cases, so one might be a better fit for you, depending on your exact needs. The cordless stick/handheld V10 is much lighter and is a lot more maneuverable. It's also easier to assemble or attach different tools thanks to the use of easy-clip mechanisms. Conversely, the Ball Animal 2 has a virtually indefinite runtime, fewer parts that need to be regularly cleaned, and a vacuum head that automatically changes height to suit different surface types.
The Dyson V8 Animal and Dyson Ball Animal 2 are differently-designed vacuums with their own strengths and weaknesses. The V8 Animal can be used far away from an electrical outlet by virtue of its cordless design. It's also far more maneuverable and a lot easier to pick up and carry or store. Meanwhile, the Ball Animal 2 is a corded upright with an automatic surface type adjustment feature. It delivers superior performance on low and high-pile carpet.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Dyson Outsize Absolute+ are differently designed vacuums that suit different use cases. The Ball Animal 2 is a corded upright vacuum that delivers better performance on low and high-pile carpet. It's also easier to maintain and has a virtually unlimited runtime courtesy of its corded design, though the Outsize has a long overall battery life if you keep its second battery charged. The Outsize feels slightly better-built, is easier to store, has a larger dirt compartment, and has a virtually unlimited range. Both vacuums are hard to maneuver on high-pile carpet due to their high suction force.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is better for most uses than the Shark Navigator Lift-Away. Both vacuums perform similarly on bare floors but the Dyson has a better performance on carpet. It's also easier to maneuver, it comes with more tools and brushes, and it has a much better range. However, since the Shark can be used in a handheld configuration, it's better suited for cleaning stairs and cars.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a better vacuum than the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360. The Dyson is less demanding in terms of maintenance, has a longer power cord and vacuum hose, comes with more tools and accessories, and delivers superior performance on all surface types. Meanwhile, the Shark is a little lighter and can be used in a semi-handheld configuration by removing its wand from its body and carrying around its dirt compartment.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is better overall than the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Upright. It has outstanding performance on any surface, a longer range, and it's easier to maintain. The Shark can be used as a handheld vacuum so it's a better choice to clean stairs and cars with.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a better overall vacuum than the BISSELL CleanView Swivel Pet. The Dyson cleans all surface types better, it has an anti-allergy filter, it's easier to maintain, and there are virtually no recurring costs. It also has a better range, a pet grooming tool, and it's significantly easier to maneuver.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a better overall upright vacuum than the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus. The Dyson has a longer range, and it requires less maintenance and with almost no recurring costs. It has a better performance on all surface types too, and it also comes with a pet grooming tool, which is nice for pet owners.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 and BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro are differently-designed vacuums for different uses. The Dyson is a more conventional bagless upright that incurs minimal recurring costs, has a larger dustbin, a longer range, and better performance across all surface types. It can also be used in a semi-handheld configuration and comes with a few extra attachments. Meanwhile, the BISSELL is a hybrid vacuum mop that's much more effective in dealing with stains and is capable of clearing liquid spills. It also feels better-built than the Dyson.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is better than the Hoover WindTunnel 2 Whole House Rewind for any type of use. It performs much better on bare floors, and it has outstanding performance on carpet. Despite also being an upright vacuum, the Dyson is easier to maneuver because of its rotating head. However, the Hoover is easier to maintain, and it has a slightly bigger dirt compartment.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 and the Eureka FloorRover Elite NEU630 are both excellent options for cleaning pet hair, though the Dyson has a couple advantages. The Dyson is slightly easier to maintain and has no recurring costs, while the Eureka has a HEPA filter that needs to be replaced on occasion. The Dyson is a bit more maneuverable overall, but its strong suction force can actually make it more difficult to move around on carpets.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is better for most use cases then the BISSELL Featherweight Stick 2033. The Dyson is a corded upright with a substantially longer range, far more accessories and cleaning peripherals, and substantially better cleaning performance across all surface types. The BISSELL, however, is easier to maintain and carry around by virtue of its lighter, simpler design. It's also slightly better at picking up pet hair.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a better overall upright vacuum than the BISSELL PowerForce Helix. The Dyson has a better performance on all surface types, it's more maneuverable, it's easier to maintain, and it has virtually no recurring costs. It has a longer range, and it comes with more tools and brushes. However, the BISSELL is lighter and has a slightly bigger dirt compartment.
The Shark APEX UpLight is better for the most part than the Dyson Ball Animal 2. The Shark has better performance on bare floors, it's more portable, and it feels better built. However, the Dyson cleans better on carpet and has a bigger dirt compartment.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 and Miele Dynamic U1 PowerLine are very similarly-performing upright vacuums. The Dyson employs a bagless design with a HEPA filter, so it has virtually no recurring costs and can filter out allergens more effectively. It's also lighter and consequently easier to carry around and maneuver in tight spots. That said, the Miele is much better-built, easier to maintain, and has a much larger dirt compartment.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a better vacuum than the Dyson Omni-glide. The Ball Animal 2 is a corded upright vacuum that delivers significantly better performance on bare floors. It does a fantastic job of cleaning carpets, and its dirt compartment is much more spacious. On the other hand, the Omni-glide is a cordless stick/handheld model that's very light, which may make it more suitable for cleaning awkward areas like stairs, but it has a mediocre cleaning performance.
The Miele Classic C1 and Dyson Ball Animal 2 are differently-designed corded vacuums for different use cases. The Miele is a bagged canister vacuum, yielding superior air filtration performance and a cleaner means of debris disposal, though this variant of the C1 doesn't have a HEPA-rated filter. The Miele is also better-built, easier to maintain, and more maneuverable in cluttered rooms. It delivers slightly better performance on bare floors too. Meanwhile, the Dyson is a bagless upright that incurs virtually no recurring costs. It clears more debris on carpeted surfaces, comes with more attachments, including a dedicated pet grooming tool, and has a power cord that's nearly twice as long as that of the Miele.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a better upright vacuum than the Sanitaire PROFESSIONAL Upright. The Dyson has a better build quality with virtually no recurring costs, thanks to its bagless design. It has better maneuverability and comes with a lot of tools and brushes too. It even offers significantly better performance on all surface types. However, the Sanitaire is easier to maintain.