UPDATE 6/22/22 – Dyson just released the new Dyson Ball Animal 3. It’s the new best upright vacuum Dyson has on the market and it’s also less expensive than most other Dyson uprights. See review here.
It’s the ultimate Dyson upright vacuum comparison. We’ll be comparing the most popular Dyson vacuum cleaners including the following models:
Dyson Animal (1st gen.) vs. Animal 2 vs. Animal 2 Total Clean vs. Multi Floor (1st gen.) vs. Multi Floor 2 vs. Multi Floor Origin
We’ve got a lot to cover so let’s go ahead and dive in.
First, we’ve got a quick Dyson comparison chart on the vacuum cleaners we’re covering, including important specs and where we think each Dyson upright excels the most.
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Best Overall  | Dyson Animal 2 |
| Check Price |
Best Budget  | Dyson Multi Floor Origin |
| Check Price |
Best Maneuverability  | Dyson Multi Floor 2 |
| Check Price |
Best Tools  | Dyson Animal 2 Total Clean |
| Check Price |
 | Dyson Animal |
| Check Price |
Prefer to watch rather than read? See our full Dyson Animal vs. Multi Floor video below:
Design
For simplicity, there are two main styles that we’re looking at here.
Dyson Animal vs. Dyson Multi-Floor
Both of those models can be divided into two sub-models.
The Dyson Animal includes the:
The Dyson Multi Floor includes the:
- Dyson Multi Floor Origin
- Dyson Multi Floor (1st generation)
- Dyson Multi Floor 2
In short, the “2” models are basically updated versions of the original. There are design and performance differences between the sub-models of each vacuum, but let’s hit the highlights first.
Design Similarities
Both the Dyson Animal and Dyson Multi Floor are upright vacuums with a number of design similarities.
For instance, both vacuums have:
- Adjustable cleaning deck: cleaning head self-adjusts to provide the best suction possible for whatever floor type the vacuum is currently on
- Dyson Ball: patented Dyson Ball is designed for improved maneuverability and performing tight turns
- Clear XL dust bin: large dust bin made of clear plastic for easy visibility and maintenance
- Dyson cyclone suction: two-tier cyclone system uses the power of centrifuge to spin debris through a series of cyclones to provide strong, fade-free suction
- Cord & accessory storage: simple cord wrap along the back of the vacuum for easy cord storage as well as simple ports for handling a couple on-board accessories
Design Differences
Here is a quick list of the main differences between the Dyson Animal vs. Dyson Multi Floor.
The Dyson Animal and Animal 2 both have a purple and iron colored body.
The Dyson Multi Floor and Multi Floor 2 both have a yellow and iron colored body.
Note: Newer versions of the Multi Floor Origin have been updated to have a fuchsia (purple / pink color) body, so in this case a yellow Multi Floor 1 would be a sign of an older generation.
The different colors of each model helps to quickly identify which design family it falls into. This is likely more a branding and marketing decision more than a decision based on usability or function.
How Dyson Uprights Clean
Overall all of the Dyson Animal vs. Multi Floor upright models use similar technology. They all rely on the Dyson Ball for excellent maneuverability and the tiered cyclone system for fade-free, powerful suction.
Although all of these models have a similar Dyson Ball, they don’t deliver the same level of suction.
Dyson Suction Power Compared
The exact suction power of each model is listed below:
- Animal: 245 AW
- Animal 2: 306 AW
- Animal 2 Total Clean: 306 AW
- Multi Floor Origin: 270 AW
- Multi Floor 2: 250 AW
The Dyson Animal 2 is the most powerful at 306 AW.
The Dyson Multi Floor 2 gives up a little suction power, but this model is also the most lightweight and compact.
Being slightly older models, the Dyson Animal and Dyson Multi Floor Origin are slightly less powerful than their successors (in most cases), but you can also sometimes score good deals on these older models.
There are certainly advantages and disadvantages to all 4 of these Dyson upright models.
In addition the Dyson Ball and cyclone suction system, the Dyson Animal and Multi Floor uprights all use a self-adjusting cleaning head with spiral bristles. This cleaning head is designed to help prevent tangles as it cleans.
Size & Weight
The size difference though could be a deciding factor for some users. The exact specs are listed below:
- Animal: 15.4″ x 13.4″ x 42.4″ and weighs 17 lbs
- Animal 2: 15.35″ x 13.39″ x 42.13″ and weighs 17.5 lbs
- Animal 2 Total Clean: 15.35″ x 13.39″ x 42.13″ and weighs 17.5 lbs)
- Multi Floor Origin: 15″ x 13″ x 42″ and weighs 17.37 lbs
- Multi Floor 2: 15.59″ x 13.39″ x 41.93″ and weighs 15.6 lbs
Overall, the Dyson Multi Floor 2 is the most compact and lightweight.
The Dyson Animal 2 the largest, but also has the greatest suction (see suction specs below).
Accessories & Tools
Another difference between the Dyson Animal vs. Dyson Multi Floor is the tool selection. As upright vacuums, each model comes with a wide variety of tools and accessories to help perform a variety of cleaning jobs around the house.
But the selection is not identical across the board.
| Accessory | Animal 2 | Animal 2 Total Clean | Animal 1 | Multi Floor 2 | Multi Floor Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extending hose/wand | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Self-adjusting roller head | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hard floor tool | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Stair tool | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 8" Crevice tool | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dusting brush | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Combination tool | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Turbine tool | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Multi-angle brush | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Reach-under tool | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Mattress tool | No | Yes | No | No | No |
The tools and accessories that come with the base model of the Dyson Animal 1 & 2 include:
- Stair tool
- Turbine tool
- Combination tool (dusting brush and crevice tool)
With the Dyson Multi Floor, you’re going to get slightly different tools, but still a nice variety, including:
- Stair tool
- Crevice tool
- Dusting brush
The main tool you’re giving up here is the turbine tool, which is nice for pet hair.
The Dyson Animal Total Clean comes with the most tools of almost any Dyson. The following tools are included with this model:
- Turbine tool
- Articulating hard floor tool
- Combination tool
- Soft dusting brush
- Multi-angle brush
- Reach-under tool
- Mattress tool
- Stair tool
- Tool carrying bag
Cleaning Tests
In terms of cleaning, both the Dyson Animal and Dyson Multi Floor are strong contenders. We put two of these models to the test in our Modern Castle home testing lab.
During these tests we run the vacuums on three flooring types:
- Hardwoods
- Low pile carpet
- High pile carpet
We also test a variety of debris types to help identify strengths and weaknesses. Our tests use the following debris:
- Cereal
- Rice
- Kitty liter
- Sugar
Overall Performance
The cleaning results of the Dyson Animal 2 and Dyson Multi Floor 2 are listed below.
Animal 2
96%
Multi Floor 2
98%
See our in-depth performance data for each model at the links below:
We further break down these cleaning results into separate floor types.
Cleaning Hardwoods
On hardwoods, both vacuums scored well. The Animal 2 captured 99-100% of all debris types we ran tests for.
Animal 2
99%
Multi Floor 2
95%
By comparison, the Multi Floor was just a hair behind in performance. The difference in performance between these two models came down to the cereal test, where the Animal 2 captured 99% of cereal and the Multi Floor only captured 81% of the cereal.
Cleaning performance of kitty litter, rice and sugar was all 100%.
Cleaning Low Carpet
When cleaning low pile carpets, both the Animal 2 and Multi Floor 2 had flawless performance, capturing 100% of debris that was tested.
Animal 2
100%
Multi Floor 2
99%
Cleaning High Carpet
For cleaning high pile carpet, we noticed more differences between the Dyson Animal and Dyson Multi Floor.
Animal 2
90%
Multi Floor 2
99%
Performance for cleaning kitty litter, sugar, and rice was pretty similar – between 97-100% on each test from both vacuums.
Like on hardwoods, the large debris cereal is where the difference came into play.
The Dyson Animal 2 has stronger suction and that suction held the cleaning head closer to the base of the carpet, which prevented it from collecting all of the cereal. The Animal 2 only captured 58% of cereal dropped.
The Dyson Multi Floor 2 has slightly less powerful suction so it was able to keep the cleaning head more on top of the carpet fibers and clean up more cereal. The Multi Floor 2 captured 100% of the cereal dropped.
Final Notes on Cleaning
Despite these differences, we would call performance between these two Dyson uprights to be substantially the same. At the end of the day, the biggest issue was cereal, which is easily removed with a hose if that’s something you encounter often while cleaning.
What about the Dyson Animal 1 and Multi Floor 1?
Wondering about the cleaning performance of older models, like the Dyson Animal 1 or the Dyson Multi Floor Origin?
While we haven’t tested these models personally, we can make a few assumptions that the quality and performance would be similar or slightly less than the performance of the “2” models.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Dyson Animal 2 is an updated version of the original (Dyson Animal). Both models have a similar design, but slightly different features.
For example, the Dyson Animal has a suction power of 245 Air Watts (AW). The Animal 2, by comparison, offers 306 AW of suction power, which is the highest degree of suction of any Dyson upright vacuum.
Both the Dyson Animal and Dyson Multi Floor upright vacuums feature the patented Dyson ball design.
The Dyson Ball encases the motor and other components. This technology allows you to move them around and perform tight turns with ease.
The Multi Floor 2 is an upgraded version of the Dyson Multi Floor upright vacuum cleaner. Both models have a yellow- and iron-colored body and similar accessories, including a stair tool, crevice tool, and dusting brush.
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend the Dyson Animal 1 or Multi Floor 1, as there are more advanced models available on the market. The Multi-Floor 2 delivers excellent cleaning performance (98%) and offers good value for the money. Plus, it’s more powerful than the first-generation Dyson Multi Floor.
The Dyson Animal 2 has a larger dust bin and greater suction power compared to the Multi Floor 2. The latter model, on the other hand, is more compact and lightweight.
After testing both models, we can say that we are more satisfied with the Dyson Multi Floor 2. Its overall cleaning performance is slightly better compared to the Animal 2 (98% vs. 96%). Plus, we find this upright vacuum easier to move around and more affordable.
The Dyson Ball Animal is a cordless upright vacuum cleaner. Compared to the Animal 2, it’s lighter and less noisy. It also comes with a higher price tag than other Dyson models. As you would expect, it comes with slightly different tools and accessories (e.g.: docking station and charger) than the Dyson Animal 2 and Multi Floor 2.
The Animal 2, on the other hand, delivers better cleaning performance. This model isn’t cordless, but we find it relatively easy to move around. An even better choice is the Dyson Multi Floor 2, which features a lightweight design. Its cleaning performance is superior to that of the Animal 2 and Animal, too.
The Dyson Ball vacuums can be divided into two categories: the Dyson Animal and Dyson Multi-Floor. Both styles feature a similar design, but there are differences in their suction power, weight, dust bin capacity, maneuverability, and performance.
For example, both the Animal 2 Total Clean and Animal 2 have a suction power of 306 Air Watts (AW). That’s significantly higher compared to the Dyson Animal (245 AW). The lightest model is the Multi Floor 2, which weighs only 15.6 pounds. This upright vacuum also scored highest in our cleaning tests.
Usability
The usability of these Dyson Animal vs. Dyson Multi Floor is comparable as well, but there are a few things to note here.
Maneuverability
Due to it’s slightly smaller size and overall weight, the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 is the easiest to maneuver, compared to other Dyson Animal models.
Using Tools
Taking tools on and off is quick and easy on all of these models. The red “quick release” design makes it simple to adjust and they all come with a nice selection of tools included with the vacuum.
The Dyson Animal is designed to store tools on-board for easy access.
For additional tools with the Multi Floor or Animal 2 upright, check out the Dyson accessory pack. This set includes four of Dyson’s most popular attachments:
- Extending hose
- Soft dusting brush
- Hard bristle brush
- Wide nozzle tool
Emptying the Dust Bin
Emptying the dust bin is the same for the Dyson Animal vs. Multi Floor. There is a press-button tab that releases the dustbin from the upright.
Take the dust bin over to a trash can and press an alternate lever that releases the bottom of the canister, allowing the debris to fall into the trash.
Close the lid to the dust bin and reinstall it into the upright and you’re good to go.
One quick note: All of the models listed in this comparison have a 2 liter dust bin capacity EXCEPT for the Dyson Multi Floor 2, which has a max capacity of 1.6 liters, do it’s more compact size and weight.
In addition to dust bin maintenance, you may also need to keep an eye on the filter. The Dyson Animal and Dyson Multi Floor models all come with a washable filter that you can clean with cool water.
Allow the filter 24 hours to dry before reinstalling it into the body of the vacuum.
Dyson’s washable HEPA filter helps to provide protection from airborne irritants and allergens as well as providing cost-saving solutions that save annual maintenance expenses.
Looking for a Dyson vacuum that runs filter-free? Check out the Dyson Big Ball Cinetic, the only current Dyson model that doesn’t need a filter.
Maneuverability
Basically the same as all use the patented Dyson Ball design. The Dyson Ball allows for all of these vacuums to turn on a dime and have great maneuverability.
In addition to a tight turning radius these Dysons can also pivot side-to-side and recline backwards for extended reach.
So what are the shortcomings?
One disadvantage to the Dyson Ball is the inability to squeeze under furniture. The Ball is rather large so if you’re trying to squeeze under furniture or a bed, you’ll likely need to use the extension wand or a hose.
RELATED – Want a vacuum that easily vacuums under furniture without hassle? Check out our Shark IONFlex stick vacuum review.
What about weight?
In terms of overall maneuverability, weight is another factor to consider. As we said above, although the Dyson Animal 2 has the strongest suction it is also the heaviest vacuum and the most difficult to maneuver.
For the best maneuverability, the Dyson Multi Floor 2 is the clear winner. It is the lightest and most compact model, while still having excellent suction power.
Which Dyson Upright is the Best Value?
So all things considered, which of these models is going to provide the best bang for your buck?
Top Value
For sheer value, the Dyson Multi Floor 2 upright is our winner today. This vacuum is less expensive than the Dyson Animal 2, and had slightly better overall cleaning performance over the Animal 2 (98% overall vs. 96% overall).
It has a slightly smaller dust bin compared to the Multi Floor Origin as well as the Animal and Animal 2, but the smaller dust bin allows for this vacuum to also be lighter and easier to maneuver.
Raw Power
That said, if raw suction power is what you need the most the Dyson Animal 2 is the better choice. At 306 air watts of power, it’s the highest suction vacuum cleaner on the market.
The Best Tools
Last but not least, I think we also should give a mention to the Animal 2 Total Clean. It has the same specs at the Animal 2, except it includes a number of extra tools that can make cleaning up even easier.
Definitely worthy of consideration.
Dyson Upright Vacuum Specifications
Below we’ve listed the complete specifications for:
- Dyson Animal
- Dyson Animal 2
- Dyson Animal 2 Total Clean (note -Total Clean specs are the same as Animal 2, only difference is accessories)
- Dyson Multi Floor 2
- Dyson Multi Floor / Origin
| Specs | Animal 2 | Animal | Multi Floor 2 | Multi Floor Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Upright | Upright | Upright | Upright |
| Manufacturer | Dyson | Dyson | Dyson | Dyson |
| Model | Animal 2 | Animal | Multi Floor 2 | Multi Floor Origin |
| Length | 42.13" | 42.4" | 41.93" | 42" |
| Width | 13.39" | 13.4" | 13.39" | 13" |
| Depth | 15.35" | 15.4" | 15.59" | 15" |
| Weight | 17.5 lbs. | 17 lbs. | 15.56 lbs. | 17.37 lbs. |
| Floor Type | All (indoor) | All (indoor) | All (indoor) | All (indoor) |
| Dustbin Capacity | 2 L | 2 L | 1.6 L | 2 L |
| Cordless | No | No | No | No |
| Bagless | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Returns | Varies by retailer | Varies by retailer | Varies by retailer | Varies by retailer |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Which Dyson upright vacuum model should you buy?
Ready to pull the trigger on a Dyson, but still not sure which model will be best for you? Consider the recommendations below.
- If you want the absolute best suction, I would recommend the Dyson Animal 2 upright vacuum. This model delivers 306AW at max power, which is the highest degree of suction of any Dyson upright.
- If you want the best maneuverability, I would recommend the Dyson Multi Floor 2. It is lighter and more compact than the Animal, while still having excellent cleaning performance. In addition, it is a bit easier to push along carpeted floors and had better cleaning performance of large debris on carpet compared to the Animal 2.
- If you want a deal, the Multi Floor Origin is a solid option. It actually has a little more suction power (270 AW) over the Multi Floor 2 (250 AW) and retains the large dust bin capacity like the Animal 2.
- If you want the most tools, I would recommend the Dyson Animal Total Clean. This model comes with more tools and accessories than any other Dyson upright currently on the market. The wide range of accessories helps to clean a wider range of spaces with one vacuum.
Honestly, I find it a little challenging to recommend the Dyson Animal 1 or Multi Floor 1 anymore. Dyson has simply made so many advancements in suction power and design that you can get more suction power and a lower price from other Dyson models.
If you like the price point on the Animal 1 or Multi Floor 1 you should just go with the Dyson Multi Floor Origin. It feels like the better option, while still keeping budget in check.
The Last Word
Still not sure what Dyson you should buy? Use our comment form below to drop us your question. We’d be happy to answer.
Derek,
Great article. Thank you ! My old Dyson has finally had it and I’m looking for a new one.
I’m trying to compare the Animal 2 and the Animal 3 which I’m
Assuming is newer and better technology, but that isn’t always the case.
Also prefer the best filtration. HEPA if possible. Are all the Dyson products comparable in that regard ?
Care to share your thoughts ? I’d appreciate your input.
Thanks again Derek. Great reviews. I’m checking your air filter review next.
Bill
Hi Bill,
We’re actually testing the Animal 3 right now. It is definitely better than every single way compared to the Animal 2. In my view, it is the best Dyson upright on the market. It solved the most common problem with the Animal 2 and Multi Floor 2, excessive suction making it difficult to push through some carpets. The Animal 3 has variable suction through the adjustable suction gates on the cleaning head.
If you’re okay with waiting a little bit we’ll have our full Dyson Animal 3 review published within the next few days, a video review the following week, and then model comparisons after that.
Hello
Really helped me out with a Decision between the Dyson multi-floor origin and the multifloor two
Going to go origin – nice job on the info
Am looking at Amazon to get it
There is so many different 3nd party retailers out there
Anyone that you can could Recommend?
As a general rule I avoid 3rd party Amazon sellers whenever possible. I don’t see any that are currently selling the Origin that I would feel comfortable buying from.
Anyway you would do a review between the Dyson Canister Multi Floor Vacuums by chance …? Or have you already, if so please let me know where I can find this information I’ve been searching all over and can’t find the answers I’m looking for … Thank you for your time in advance, I will anxiously await your response…
Here’s the review – https://moderncastle.com/vacuum-cleaner-reviews/dyson-big-ball-canister-vacuum-review/
I am in need of a new vacuum. I have several cats and a husband with lots of allergies, so something that is going to pick up as much pet hair, dander, and dust as possible is what I’m after. I have luxury vinyl sheeting for my kitchen floor, hardwood floors with area rugs in the rest of the downstairs, and medium pile carpet on my stairs and upstairs hallway.
I notice that with the medium pile carpet, I have to pull my 10 year old Hoover Windtunnel on the middle setting (out of 5 height options) just to be able to push it across the carpet. Do think the Animal-2 might have too much suction for me? Would I be better off with the Multi-Floor 2? I lean towards the Animal for the pet hair, but want something that I can use on all of my surfaces. I don’t want to have to keep a 2nd vacuum just to handle my stairs and hallway with the medium pile carpet.
If you experiencing too much suction on a Hoover then absolutely the Dyson Animal 2 is going to be too much. I would strongly recommend either the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 or one of the V-series Dysons…perhaps the V11 or V15, both of which have variable suction power.
Bought a Dyson animal 2 to replace our 15 yr old Dyson animal. Was hoping it would be made better but do not like the hard clear plastic. This plastic I would think would be more brittle and crack easier? The little clear plastic clip holding the dust bin lid closed has just snapped off with normal use. Just seems so fragile and I am not rough with my equipment. Also, not liking the cyclone big part that the dust bin fits onto. It has a plastic screen that I just cant seem to get all the dust out of! Im afraid over time it will not build up in there and loise suction. I think running water through it would clear out the dust but not sure if it would ruin it or not? I would let it dry in the sun for a day or before using it again. Im just not sure about the vacume at this point but have had it 3 months or so. Im sure a replacement bin will not be cheap and havent a clue if warrenty will cover.
Hi Derek, my house is on 3 floors, so I need something I can carry up/ down the stairs, but its wooden floors throughout. Not a carpet in sight. I’ve had a Dyson cordless before, and it didnt have the suction power I needed and the battery life wasn’t good, and I dont want to pay £600! Which Dyson would you recommend? I have a child and a cat and my house gets very dusty.
If you don’t want to pay $600’ish for a high-end cordless vacuum your next best option would be the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 – https://shop-links.co/cgD9vG5TTkp
It’s not light, but it is lighter than the Animal. And it works well on hardwoods (in addition to rugs and carpeted surfaces). And of course, no need to worry about battery (since it’s plug in).
In addition, you might consider an air purifier also. Think of it like a vacuum for the air. It can help reduce the dust that eventually falls to your floor. You can see all the models we’ve tested here – https://moderncastle.com/air-purifiers/
are the tools for both the animal 2 and ball multi floor interchangeable
I believe so, yes.
In all that research, I didnt really know which picked up pet hair the best. Could you tell me? I have high pile carpets and low pile carpets as well as hardwood and tile floors. But the pet hair drives me nuts sometimes. Also, I like to vacuum ceilings. Which would you recommend? BTW, I had an animal ball. It sometimes wouldn’t grab the pet hair.
The Animal 2 and Multi Floor 2 are going to be perform similarly with respect to pet hair. Both will be notably better than the original Animal and Multi Floor Origin.
The Animal 2 can sometimes create too much suction for high pile carpets. So if you’re worried that it may be hard to push through your high pile carpets I would suggest you go with the Multi Floor 2. While Multi Floor 2 has less suction than the Animal 2, it’s still 250 AW. Which is more than sufficient to clean virtually anything.
With respect to vacuuming ceiling, both Animal 2 and Multi Floor 2 have the same wand and attachments, so you’ll get the same experience either way.
https://www.samsclub.com/p/dyson-ball-ttl-clean-upright-vacuum/prod17870042?xid=hpg_carousel_rich-relevance.rr0_1 what is the difference between this vacuum and the Dyson Multi Floor 2 that you recommended? thanks
This appears to be Sam’s Club’s special SKU for the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 1. Same specs, just a different name so that Sam’s club can sell it at whatever price they want.
what would be the best choice for medium pile carpet and kitchen and bathroom floors? No pets, but lots of long human hair lol. We also have allergies.
thank you
Between the models we’ve compared here, I’d opt for the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 – https://shop-links.co/cgD9vG5TTkp
The self adjusting height on the cleaning head is a nice to have, especially with different floor types. I think it makes the most sense for you.
Thank you. I’m also open to other brands if there is something better. Also, I noticed there is a bare floor attachment. Would this be necessary or not?
Bare floor attachment really wouldn’t be necessary.
If you are open to something else I would suggest the Dyson V10 Absolute – https://shop-links.co/chvAxeI8hj4
The soft roller head included with the Absolute model is amazing for hard surface flooring. In addition, the cordless design is extremely convenient, while still being incredibly powerful (140 aw of suction power).
What’s the best option for tiled floors? No pets here but I shed quite a bit of hair myself. I found a good deal on the Origin so I’m tempted to go with that one but would welcome input. Thanks!
I agree, based on your needs I think the Ball Multi Floor Origin makes sense for you. It’s a great vacuum.
If you haven’t already, I would suggest you take a look at the Dyson V10 Absolute also – https://moderncastle.com/vacuum-cleaner-reviews/dyson-v10-review/ – while the Multi Floor series is fantastic, when it comes to tile and other hard surface flooring, the soft roller brush included on the Absolute is a easily the best we’ve seen.
After many hours of looking at online reviews of vacuums YOU are my favorite reviewer Derek! Your details and break downs/charts are the most helpful.
That said, I’m stumped! I gave my trusty, 15 yr old windtunnel away last week to a needy friend and am vacuumless with 3 long haired cats and a shedding dog. HELP! I have some med pile carpets, mostly hardwood floors, stairs to vacuum and carry the vacuum up and I’m over 65 and small so prefer something not heavy this time. Shark looks good however, I’m really not happy with all of the complaints regarding their brush rollers failing and the inability for replace. Owners are having to replace the entire head- so much waste of money and plastic! Dyson looks good but how do you vacuum under furniture? I vacuum a lot so think I want corded. However I’m open to anything. Please advise asap as the hair is mounting as I type! Thank you SO MUCH for this GREAT service! I’ll post you on my FB page as I have LOTS of friends who will also appreciate your expertise.
Thanks for your kind words, Barbara. I’m happy to hear our reviews have been helpful 🙂
In a choice of Shark vs. Dyson, I tend to lean towards Dyson, especially for uprights. The only Shark upright that I think is a cut above the others is the Shark APEX DuoClean.
Now as far as what you should pick…honestly, you’re pretty hard pressed to go wrong with any of the choices here. Dyson Ball Animal 2 or the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 would be my first 2 picks. The most common complaint I’ve seen regarding the Animal 2 is simply that it has too MUCH suction and as such can be hard to push through higher pile carpets. Since you have medium pile that’s probably not going to be an issue for you. However, if you were worried at all about it I would go with the Multi Floor 2. In any case, both vacuums have more suction than you need and certainly more than your old Windtunnel.
As far as cleaning under furniture, that’s going to be more of a challenge. Neither of these uprights really do a great job there.
If you do clean often under furniture you may want to consider a cordless, either the Dyson V10 or Dyson V11.
There are pros and cons no matter what you choose. I think you just need to decide what’s more important to you. Hope that was helpful!
Just returned the animal2. Impossible to maneuver through medium pile carpet. Too much suction. Had an animal for 15 yrs. maybe just get another one .
Perhaps consider the Dyson V11 Outsize? The variable suction levels help prevent that type of issue from occurring.