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  • About the Dyson Ball Animal 2

  • What we like

  • What we don’t like

  • What users are saying

  • Should you buy this vacuum?

  • Related content

  • About the Dyson Ball Animal 2
  • What we like
  • What we don’t like
  • What users are saying
  • Should you buy this vacuum?
  • Related content

Pros

  • Powerful suction

  • Cleaning performance

Cons

  • Heavy

Dyson is a company that’s known for making powerful cordless vacuums, air purifiers fit for royalty, and even hair dryers. The British company’s uprights and full-sized vacuums have sort of fallen by the wayside in people’s minds. Perhaps that’s why the Dyson Ball Animal 2 surprised us so much.

About the Dyson Ball Animal 2

If you purchased the Total Clean version, you'll get tons of attachments and a tote bag to store them.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

If you purchased the Total Clean version, you'll get tons of attachments and a tote bag to store them.

Motor: 1400 watts • Dirt container: Bagless • Included attachments: Combination dusting and crevice tool, stair tool, turbine tool • Additional attachments for Total Clean package: Articulating hard floor tool, multi-angle brush, mattress tool, carbon fiber soft dusting brush, reach under tool, tote bag • Cleaning reach: 50 ft. • Weight: 17.5 pounds • Warranty: 5-year warranty

What we like

It has powerful suction and cleaning

Compared to other Dyson uprights, we found the Ball Animal 2 to have a wide brush head.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

Compared to other Dyson uprights, we found the Ball Animal 2 to have a wide brush head.

Our vacuum testing includes making our own dirt mixture with grain sizes ranging from silky talc to coarse sand, which we then embed into short-pile and deep-pile carpet.

In a single pass on regular carpet, this Dyson removed 76.3% of all the testing dirt. We normally see numbers around 33% for upright vacuums, so the Dyson’s performance blows the average out of the water.

The Ball Animal 2 also did well picking up pet hair and large debris like uncooked rice and macaroni.

Combining a powerful motor with a wide cleaning head, the Dyson Animal Ball 2 will get your floors clean in record time.

There’s no need to purchase filters or bags

This Dyson has a washable filter designed to last the entire lifetime of the vacuum.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

This Dyson has a washable filter designed to last the entire lifetime of the vacuum.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 comes with a washable filter that’s designed to last the lifetime of the vacuum. This vacuum is also bagless, which helps keep down long-term costs. The dirt container can hold about two liters of dirt, which is higher than the average of vacuums we’ve tested.

What we don’t like

It can be difficult to maneuver tight spaces

The titular ball joint makes it hard for this vacuum to slip under furniture.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

The titular ball joint makes it hard for this vacuum to slip under furniture.

During testing, we found that the Ball Animal 2 had issues with cleaning in tight spaces. The ball joint makes it especially difficult to fit under furniture. We used our "limbo bar" clearance test to determine that a four-inch clearance will only net you about a five-inch reach. That means a complete floor clean will require you to move furniture.

Weight is also an issue. Tipping the scales at around 17.5 pounds, the Ball Animal 2 is tough to lug around. There’s a handle in the middle and on top, but it’s hard to get proper leverage on the unit because so much weight is at the bottom. Other brands deal with this by having a handle on the rear of the body, but this Dyson is perfectly smooth on the back.

Getting it to stand upright can be a hassle

You can instantly and smoothly release the hose to clean drapes and upholstery. However, getting the vacuum to click into the upright position was much more hit and miss. We also experienced it clicking out of position.

What users are saying

Out of over 3,000 user reviews, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 scores about 4.46 out of 5 stars. Users cite how much they like the raw power and many attachments. However, some users have complained about how cumbersome the unit is to move up and down stairs.

Should you buy this vacuum?

Dyson has a look that's one-of-a-kind.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

Dyson has a look that's one-of-a-kind.

Yes, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 showed solid numbers in all our tests. Dyson vacuums are as much about aesthetics as they are about cleaning power. Since they’ve been on the market for decades, it’s likely that you already know if you like the look. For owners of an old DC65 or a Cinetic that’s on its last leg, the Ball Animal 2 is the logical upgrade, especially with the Total Clean package of attachments.

Also, people who are fed up with a weak vacuum that can’t keep up with their shedding pets will find this Dyson to be a godsend.

If you’re worried about the weight or maneuverability, we highly suggest you check out some of Dyson’s top-notch cordless units.

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Meet the tester

Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

See all of Jonathan Chan's reviews

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