Dyson Ball Animal 2: A Complete Guide

Features

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 boasts powerful suction that effectively removes pet hair, dust, and debris from carpets and hard floors, ensuring a deep clean. Its ball technology provides effortless maneuverability, allowing for smooth movement around furniture and tight spaces. The tangle-free turbine tool is specifically designed for removing embedded pet hair from furniture, carpets, and upholstery. The combination tool offers versatility with a crevice tool for tight spaces and a brush tool for dusting.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 features a hygienic bin emptying mechanism with a one-touch bin release, ensuring a clean and easy emptying process. The HEPA filtration system captures up to 99.97% of dust and allergens, improving indoor air quality. Designed for comfortable and effortless use, the lightweight and easy-to-use vacuum cleaner is suitable for extended cleaning sessions. Variable suction control allows for customized cleaning based on the surface type and level of dirt.

Performance

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 excels at pet hair removal, earning an "Excellent" rating in this category. It also performs very well on carpets, receiving a "Very good" rating. On hard floors, the vacuum cleaner performs well, earning a "Good" rating. Dust removal is also rated as "Good."

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 shines in allergen removal, scoring "Very good." It boasts excellent maneuverability, making it easy to navigate around furniture and tight spaces. Ease of use is also rated "Very good." While powerful, the vacuum cleaner is moderately loud, making it a consideration for those sensitive to noise.

The dustbin capacity is relatively small, which might require more frequent emptying. The cord length is 15 feet, offering decent reach. Weighing in at 16.5 lbs, the vacuum cleaner is a bit heavy, but its maneuverability helps compensate.

What We Like

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is widely praised for its powerful suction. Users consistently rave about its ability to effectively remove pet hair, dirt, and debris from carpets and hard floors. The vacuum's maneuverability is another key highlight. The ball design and lightweight construction make it effortless to navigate tight spaces and maneuver around obstacles, ensuring a smooth and efficient cleaning experience.

One of the most appealing features for pet owners is the vacuum's exceptional pet hair removal capabilities. The specialized tools, including the turbine head, are designed to effectively remove embedded pet hair from carpets and furniture, leaving floors looking spotless. The versatility of the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is also a major selling point. It comes with attachments for different cleaning tasks, making it suitable for a variety of surfaces, including carpets, hard floors, and upholstery.

Emptying the bin is a breeze with the hygienic bin emptying system, allowing for quick and easy disposal of dirt and debris without coming into contact with it. The vacuum's durable construction is another reason for its popularity. Made with high-quality materials and designed to withstand heavy use, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 ensures long-lasting performance.

The lightweight design reduces strain on the user, making it ideal for extended cleaning sessions, particularly when cleaning stairs. While not completely silent, the noise level is considered manageable by most users, making it a comfortable cleaning experience. The long cord provides extended cleaning sessions without needing frequent re-plugs, offering convenient cleaning without interruption.

What We Don't Like

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a powerful vacuum cleaner, but it comes with a hefty price tag. It's significantly more expensive than many other vacuums on the market, which might be a deterrent for some. The vacuum is also quite heavy at 17.5 lbs, making it challenging to maneuver, especially for individuals with limited mobility.

Another drawback is the vacuum's loud operation. While its powerful suction is a major selling point, it comes with a price: it can be quite noisy, especially on hard floors. Additionally, the hose length and cord length can limit the reach of the vacuum, requiring frequent plugging and unplugging.

Some users have also complained about the noisy brush roll, particularly when dealing with pet hair. The dustbin can be difficult to empty, with dust clinging to the sides. The powerhead can also be quite loud, making it less desirable for use in quiet environments.

Furthermore, the vacuum requires frequent cleaning, particularly the brush roll, which can be time-consuming. The 2-year warranty is shorter than the industry standard of 5 years for many other brands. While the vacuum comes with some attachments, it lacks the wide range of tools available with other models.

Cleaning Tasks

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is exceptionally well-suited for tackling pet hair removal. Its robust suction and tangle-free turbine tool effectively remove hair from carpets, upholstery, and hard floors.

Beyond pet hair, the vacuum proves versatile for general dusting and debris removal. Its powerful suction and various attachments make it suitable for cleaning dust, crumbs, and other debris from different surfaces.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 excels at deep cleaning carpets, thanks to its powerful suction and specialized brush head. It removes dirt, dust mites, and embedded pet hair effectively.

Its hard floor tool efficiently cleans dust and dirt from hard floors like tiles, wood, and laminate. Additionally, the upholstery tool proves ideal for cleaning pet hair and dust from furniture, curtains, and other fabric surfaces.

The vacuum's powerful suction and specialized tools efficiently remove pet hair and dander from bedding and blankets.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2's maneuverability and lightweight design make it easy to clean stairs and hard-to-reach areas.

Its HEPA filtration system captures 99.97% of allergens as small as 0.3 microns, making it ideal for allergy sufferers.

The crevice tool and dusting brush attachments are effective for cleaning cobwebs and dust from high ceilings and tight spaces.

The powerful suction effectively cleans up spills and accidents from carpets and hard floors.

While not as powerful as a larger upright vacuum, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 still provides a good level of suction for heavy duty cleaning tasks.

Comparison to Other Brands

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is the most expensive vacuum cleaner on the list, priced at $499. It weighs 15.5 lbs, making it the heaviest option. However, it boasts the highest power at 200 air watts and strong suction, making it the best performer. It comes with a variety of attachments, including a hard floor tool, combination tool, crevice tool, and upholstery tool, making it very versatile. It also features HEPA filtration for allergy sufferers and a 5-year warranty. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 also boasts special features like ball technology and a self-adjusting head.

The Shark Vertex UltraLight is a more affordable option at $399, but it weighs slightly less at 14.5 lbs. It has 150 air watts of power and strong suction. It includes a hard floor tool, crevice tool, pet hair tool, and upholstery tool. Like the Dyson, it features HEPA filtration but comes with a shorter 5-year warranty. It also includes special features like a lightweight design and self-cleaning brushroll.

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo is the most affordable option at $199, weighing 13.5 lbs. While it has the lowest power at 120 air watts, it offers moderate suction. It includes a hard floor tool, crevice tool, upholstery tool, and pet hair tool. It features HEPA filtration but only comes with a 1-year warranty.

The Hoover WindTunnel T-Series is also priced at $199 and weighs 16 lbs, making it the heaviest on the list. It has 140 air watts of power and moderate suction. It includes a hard floor tool, crevice tool, upholstery tool, and pet hair tool. It features HEPA filtration and a 1-year warranty. The Hoover WindTunnel T-Series also boasts a bagless design.

Maintenance

To keep your Dyson Ball Animal 2 running smoothly, it's essential to perform regular maintenance.

After each use, open the dustbin lid and press the release button to empty the contents.

Clean the dustbin and its filter by washing them with warm water and mild detergent. Allow them to dry completely before reassembling.

Remove the pre-motor filter from the machine and tap it against a bin to remove dust and debris. Wash it with warm water and mild detergent, allowing it to dry completely before reinstalling.

Remove the post-motor filter and tap it against a bin to remove dust. It can be washed with warm water and mild detergent, allowing it to dry completely before reinstalling. Do not wash the HEPA filter.

Remove the brush bar by pushing the release button. Use a tool to remove any hair or debris tangled around the brush bar.

Clean the tool attachments by removing dirt and debris with a damp cloth. Ensure they are dry before storing.

Regularly check for any blockages in the hose, wand, or tool attachments. Remove any obstructions with a tool.

Replace worn or damaged parts, such as the brush bar, filters, or hose, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Store the Dyson Ball Animal 2 in a dry and clean environment.

Troubleshooting

If your Dyson Ball Animal 2 is not turning on, make sure the power cord is securely plugged in and the power switch is turned on. Check the fuse in the power cord for any damage. If the issue persists, contact Dyson customer service for repair or replacement.

Weak suction can occur if the dustbin is full, so empty it. Check the brush bar for hair or debris entanglement and clear it. Inspect the cyclone filters for clogging and clean them. Examine the hose and extension wand for blockages and clear them.

Noisy operation could indicate a problem with the brush bar, cyclone filters, or hose. Check if the brush bar is obstructed by debris and clear it. Examine the cyclone filters for damage and replace if necessary. Verify that the hose is not kinked or damaged.

If the brush bar is not rotating, ensure it is not blocked by debris or hair. Check if the brush bar is engaged properly. Contact Dyson customer service for potential repair if the issue persists.

Machine leaks can be caused by a damaged dustbin seal, cyclone filters, or hose. Inspect the dustbin seal for damage and replace if necessary. Examine the cyclone filters for damage and replace if needed. Check the hose and extension wand for cracks or leaks.

Charging issues may arise from a poorly connected charging dock, dirty charging contacts on the machine, or internal issues. Ensure the charging dock is properly connected to a power outlet. Check if the charging contacts on the machine are clean. If the problem persists, contact Dyson customer service for potential repair.

If the remote control is not working, replace the batteries. Ensure the remote control is pointed directly at the machine and not obstructed by any objects.

If your Dyson Ball Animal 2 has a bad smell, empty and clean the dustbin thoroughly. Wash the cyclone filters according to the manufacturer's instructions. Contact Dyson customer service for potential repair if the smell persists.

Conclusion

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a powerful and versatile vacuum cleaner, particularly well-suited for pet owners. Its strong suction and tangle-free turbine tool effectively remove pet hair and debris from various surfaces, while its maneuverability and lightweight design make it easy to navigate tight spaces and clean stairs. While its high price tag and weight may be drawbacks, its overall performance, versatility, and HEPA filtration make it a top contender for those seeking a high-quality vacuum for demanding cleaning tasks.

However, potential buyers should consider the Dyson Ball Animal 2's downsides, including its noise level, short cord length, and limited warranty. Ultimately, the decision of whether this vacuum is the right choice for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. By carefully evaluating the pros and cons and considering the maintenance and troubleshooting tips provided, you can make an informed decision about whether the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is the best fit for your home.