Dyson Animal 2 vs. Animal 3

Sharing your home with a pet can be highly rewarding, but it comes with responsibilities. Take house cleaning, for example. Chances are, you’ll need to vacuum and mop the floors at least once a week, especially during the shedding season.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 and its upgraded version, the Dyson Ball Animal 3, can make things a lot easier. 

Both vacuums are suitable for pet owners due to their high suction power and detangling features. But when it comes to the Dyson Animal 2 vs. Animal 3, it’s the little details that make the difference.

With that in mind, we tested both models to see how they compare against each other.

Table of Contents

• 🧪 Performance
• 👍 Usability
• 🧬 Design
• 📰 Specifications
• 🥇 Which Dyson is Best?

🧪 Performance

Both the Dyson Ball Animal 2 and the Animal 3 performed well in our tests, but the latter was better overall. 

As a side note, we tested an earlier version of the Animal 2, which had 306 Air Watts (AW) of suction power. 

Last year, Dyson reduced the suction power to 227 AW. However, that’s not necessarily a drawback—306 AW was a bit too much, even for a “pet-friendly” vacuum. 

Moving forward, our team conducted two performance tests to get a better picture of the Dyson Animal 2 vs. Animal 3:

• Cleaning test
• Usability test

Additionally, we performed three more tests on the Dyson Ball Animal 3, including:

• Noise test
• Long hair test
• Pet hair test 

Next, we scored each model based on its cleaning performance, as shown below:

Now let’s discuss the results. 

Cleaning Tests

We test each vacuum on three types of flooring and four types of debris to see how it performs in real-life scenarios. For example, some vacuums can clean up kitty litter and other large debris almost instantly but may struggle with pet hair, sugar, or dust. 

Listed below is the total percentage of debris (by weight) removed by each vacuum in our tests:

Model	Overall	Hardwoods	Low Carpet	High Carpet
Dyson Ball Animal 2	96.0%	99.0%	100%	90%
Dyson Ball Animal 3	99.4%	99.5%	99.3%	99.5%

As you can see, the Dyson Animal V3 did a better job at cleaning high-pile carpets than the Animal V2. Apart from that, they performed equally well on hard floors and low-pile carpets. 

Overall Cleaning Scores

We also wanted to see how effective they were at removing the following debris:

• Dry cereal
• Rice
• Granulated sugar
• Kitty litter

Let’s discuss the results. 

Dyson Animal 2 Cleaning Performance

The Dyson Animal V2 removed nearly all debris from hard floors and carpets without any issues. It struggled with cereal on high-pile carpets, but apart from that, its performance was top-notch. 

Again, we tested the 306 AW version, which had incredible suction. The problem is that a vacuum with so much suction power may not perform optimally on fluffy carpets, especially against larger debris. This could explain why the cereal was pushed to the side instead of being sucked in.

The 227 AW version shouldn’t have these issues. However, the 306 AW model did a great job overall, scoring over 90% on our tests.

MORE: Click here to see the full cleaning tests of the Dyson Animal 2

Dyson Ball Animal 3 Cleaning Performance

With 290 AW of suction, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is one of the most powerful vacuums we’ve tested to date. It actually did a better job than the Dyson Animal 2, the Dyson Multi Floor 2, the Shark Apex DuoClean, and the Shark Navigator. 

In addition to its high suction power, this upright vacuum comes with a Motorbar cleaning head, which allows it to go deep into carpet fibers. 

Leaving this aspect aside, the Dyson Animal 3 performed remarkably well against all types of debris, including dry cereal. Although it left some sugar on low-pile carpets, it still did a better job than most vacuums we’ve tested so far. 

MORE: Click here to see the full cleaning tests of the Dyson Ball Animal 3.

Noise Test

As mentioned earlier, we performed a few more tests on the Dyson Animal 3. First, we wanted to see how loud the vacuum is, so we placed a noise meter about 3″ away from it. 

With an average noise level of 81 dB, it’s no louder than being inside an airplane. There’s no getting around it, powerful suction produces fairly loud noise. As you can see from the chart below, its no worse than other upright vacuums.

Vacuum Model	Noise level (dB)
Dyson Ball Animal 3	80.3 dB
Shark Apex DuoClean Zero-M	77.9 dB
Hoover Windtunnel T-Series	81.0 dB
Shark Rotator Life-Away	80.0 dB
Shark Navigator Pro	77.0 dB
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser	81.0 dB

Pet Hair Test

According to Dyson, the Ball Animal 2 is specially designed for homes with pets, so we decided to put it to the test. The results showed a slight edge for the older model.

Table showing Dyson Ball Animal 2: 100% and Dyson Animal 3 at 99%.

In the end, both models were extremely effective at removing pet hair from carpet, and neither the 2 or 3’s brush head experienced any clogging or tangling.

As an extra note, the Dyson dust bin feels better designed for debris like this to slid out during the emptying process compared to other upright vacuums we’ve tested where hair can clump into crevices or corners.

Long Hair Test

Compared to the previous hair test, this one had a clear winner. While both vacuums were effective at removing long hair from the testing surface, the amount of tangling in the brushroll differed dramatically.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 struggled badly during the test where the Animal 3 had zero tangling of the long hair. However, the Animal 3 has zero issues.

As we will discuss later on, the two models have very different brush heads. The brush heads are certainly one of the bigger changes between the two. At the very least, it’s great to see evidence that Dyson is aware of issues with their older models and that they’re capable of fixing them.

As a final note here, the motorbar cleaning head used in the Animal 3 is easier to disassemble than the self-adjusting cleaning head used in the Animal 2. Which is a shame because it was the Animal 2 that needed it to remove the long hair from the brush roll.

👍 Usability Test

Moving forward, we wanted to see how the two vacuums compare against each other in terms of usability. 

Both models take minutes to assemble and include a user-friendly instruction manual plus various tools and accessories. 

	Dyson Ball Animal 2	Dyson Ball Animal 3
Quick assembly	10-20 min	10-20 min
Cord Length	30′	35′
Dust Bin Capacity	0.55 gallons	0.45 gallons
Weight	17.5 lbs	17.3 lbs
Extension Wand	Yes	Yes

The hose and wand will add an extra 15 feet of reach, so you can move around freely without having to carry the vacuum with you. Plus, the cord is 30 to 35 feet long (depending on the model), which will further increase your reach. 

As shown above, the Dyson Animal 2 and the Animal 3 weigh pretty much the same, but the former has a larger dustbin. Also, both vacuums include an extension wand that allows you to clean up under or behind the furniture and other tricky areas. 

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Usability

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is fairly heavy but easy to maneuver. Apart from that, it’s almost identical to the Dyson Animal 3 in terms of usability, except for its large 2-liter dustbin and the shorter cord. 

Some notable features include:

• Ball technology
• Tangle-free Turbine tool
• Self-adjusting cleaning head
• Easy-empty dust cup
• Instant-release wand
• Advanced whole-machine filtration
• Washable filters

For example, you can empty the dustbin with the push of a button, which makes cleaning a lot easier. Similarly, the hose and extension wand can be released in an instant. 

Cleaning a flight of stairs is just as easy. Simply place the vacuum at the bottom of the stairs and then go all the way up as needed. 

Dyson Ball Animal 3 Usability

The Dyson Ball Animal 3 has all of the features available on the Animal 2, plus a tool holder. However, it uses the Motorbar instead of a standard cleaning head—but more on that later. 

Just like the Animal 2, it comes with an easy-empty dustbin, an instant-release wand, advanced whole-machine filtration, and Dyson’s Ball technology. 

Another difference lies in the cord length. This model has a 35-foot cord, whereas the Dyson Ball Animal 2 has a 30-foot cord. Its dustbin, however, can only hold 1.7 liters of dust and debris, which is significantly less compared to the Animal 2.

Also, note that each vacuum comes in multiple versions, each with slightly different features. For example, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Complete includes more tools and accessories than the Dyson Ball Animal 3.

🧬 Design

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 and the Animal 3 are very similar in size and shape. The latter is sleeker and lighter, but the difference is negligible. Except for the cleaning head, they also come with similar tools and accessories. 

Both models feature an upright design, but unlike other vacuums, they don’t have a detachable canister and, therefore, cannot be used as a handheld device. 

TIP: Get the Shark Stratos, the Vertex, or the APEX if you want a vacuum with multiple configurations. Any of these models can be used as a handheld device. 

Now let’s take a closer look at the similarities between the two:

• Long hose and extension wand
• Advanced HEPA filtration
• Excellent cleaning performance
• Strong suction
• Washable filters
• Hygienic bin emptying
• Solid build

A notable difference between the two lies in their power settings. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has only one cleaning mode, so there’s no way to adjust the suction level. 

By comparison, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 has three power modes for different types of flooring. There’s one cleaning mode for low-pile carpets, one for deep- and medium-pile carpets, and one for hard floors.

Size & Dimensions

The Dyson Animal 3 is 0.2 pounds lighter than the Dyson Ball Animal 2, but apart from that, they look very similar. 

Accessories & Parts

Both vacuum cleaners include the same tools and attachments, except for the cleaning head. However, other versions may include additional accessories. 

That said, here’s what you’ll get with each model:

• Self-adjusting cleaning head: *Included on the Dyson Ball Animal 2 only
• Motorbar cleaning head: *Included on the Dyson Ball Animal 3 only
• Turbine tool: *Included on the Dyson Ball Animal 2 only
• Stair tool: Included on both models
• Combination tool: Included on both models
• Tool holder: *Included on the Dyson Ball Animal 3 only
• Washable filters: Included on both models

Other models may include additional tools. 

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean, for example, also comes with a reach-under tool, a multi-angle brush, a tool bag, and other accessories. Similarly, the Dyson Ball Animal Complete features 10 different accessories, including a pet grooming tool, a mattress tool, and more.

Where are the differences?

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 and the Animal 3 only include a few basic accessories, but these are powerful enough to remove most debris. 

For example, the tangle-free turbine tool features counter-rotating heads that clean up dirt, debris, and hair from upholstery and carpets. At the same time, it prevents hair and pet fur from getting tangled around the brushroll, a common problem with traditional vacuum cleaners. 

Now let’s take a closer look at the different parts and accessories included with each model.

📰 Specifications Compared

🥇 Which Dyson is Best?

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 and the Animal 3 share many similarities in terms of design, usability, and performance. Based on our tests, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 feels like a better choice, but the Animal 2 has its perks. 

In most cases, these two vacuums are going to be around the same price. If they are, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 is the clear choice. However, if the Animal 2 is substantially less expensive it’s not a bad option by any stretch.

Should you buy the Dyson Ball Animal 2?

I would recommend the Dyson Ball Animal 2 to customers who:

• Have pets: Dyson’s tangle-free turbine tool makes it easier to remove pet hair from sofas, armchairs, rugs, and other surfaces. With its sleek design, it’s easy to maneuver and ideal for handheld cleaning.
• Live in a larger home: The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is pretty big and takes up a lot of space. For this reason, it’s better suited for larger homes rather than small houses or studio apartments. However, it’s easy to move it around the house because of the long hose and extension wand.
• Want a large dustbin: This upright vacuum has a 1.7-liter dustbin, which is more than enough for a larger home. Therefore, it’s slightly more convenient and requires less frequent emptying than the Dyson Ball Animal 3. 
• Prioritize convenience: Besides its large dustbin capacity, the Animal 2 features an easy-empty dust cup, an instant-release wand, and a self-adjusting cleaning head. These features can take some of the hassle out of cleaning your home while saving you time. 

Click here to check the Dyson Ball Animal 2 price

Should you buy the Dyson Ball Animal 3?

I would recommend the Dyson Ball Animal 3 if you want an upright vacuum that meets the following criteria:

• Delivers excellent cleaning performance: The Dyson Ball Animal 3 removed 99.4% of the debris in our tests, regardless of the type of floor. Its outstanding cleaning performance is largely due to its high suction power and the Motorbar head.
• Removes allergens: According to Dyson, the post-motor filter on the Animal 3 is capable of trapping 99.9% of allergens, such as dust and pet dander. Its advanced filtration system can capture airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.
• Can handle stubborn pet hair: This upright vacuum removed 100% of long hairs and 95% of pet hair in our cleaning tests. With 290 AW of suction, it’s powerful enough to pick up stubborn pet hair from carpets, hard floors, area rugs, and other surfaces.
• Features multiple cleaning modes: The Dyson Ball Animal 3 has three power settings for different surfaces, offering more flexibility than the Animal 2, which has only one cleaning mode. Plus, it can automatically adjust the suction level based on the type of flooring and the debris you’re dealing with.

Click here to check the Dyson Ball Animal 3 price.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to the Dyson Animal 2 vs. Animal 3, it’s not easy to choose between the two.

Both vacuums deliver outstanding cleaning performance and can be a great choice for households with pets. Moreover, both models feature an advanced filtration system and powerful tools for thorough cleaning.

Since they’re quite similar, consider buying the one with the best price at the time of purchase. Let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll try to help you pick the right vacuum for your needs.