Dyson Slim Ball Animal vs Animal 2: A Head-To-Head Comparison

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Are you wondering whether to choose Dyson Slim Ball Animal vs Animal 2? If so, then you have come to the right place. The following article will help you make a decision. After testing both machines for a while, I conclude that the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is the winner.

Dyson Ball Animal 2 stands out with its phenomenal suction power, which shows in its excellent cleaning performance on hard floors and carpets. The main nozzle is designed to adjust its height automatically based on the type of floor. Besides, its filtration system is also HEPA standard, which helps users remove dirt, allergens, and odors from the air.

Dyson Slim Ball Animal has many similarities with its competitors. Although its suction power is slightly inferior, it is lighter and suitable for those looking for a lightweight machine with good performance.

Dyson Slim Ball Animal vs Animal 2: Comparison Chart

Image
THE WINNER (#1)
Dyson Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Ball Animal 2, Iron/Purple
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Dyson Slim Ball Animal Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Model
Dyson Ball Animal 2
Dyson Slim Ball Animal
Dimensions (WxLxH)
13.4" x 15.3" x 42.1"
13.4" x 14.5" x 41.9"
Color
Iron/Purple
Purple
Weight
17.5 Pounds
15.2 Pounds
Suction Power (Boost Mode)
224 AW
140 AW
Cord Length
30 ft
24.5 ft
Maximum Reach
40 ft
40 ft
Cleaning Path
13.4 inches
13.4 inches
Capacity
0.55 gallons
0.42 gallons
Advanced Whole-Machine Filtration
Cyclone Technology
Radial Root cyclone
Radial Root Cyclone
Self-Adjusting Cleaner Head
Ball™ Technology
Washable lifetime filter
Tangle-Free Turbine Tool
All tools on board
What I Like
Price
$556.66
$482.98
THE WINNER (#1)
Image
Dyson Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Ball Animal 2, Iron/Purple
Model
Dyson Ball Animal 2
Dimensions (WxLxH)
13.4" x 15.3" x 42.1"
Color
Iron/Purple
Weight
17.5 Pounds
Suction Power (Boost Mode)
224 AW
Cord Length
30 ft
Maximum Reach
40 ft
Cleaning Path
13.4 inches
Capacity
0.55 gallons
Advanced Whole-Machine Filtration
Cyclone Technology
Radial Root cyclone
Self-Adjusting Cleaner Head
Ball™ Technology
Washable lifetime filter
Tangle-Free Turbine Tool
All tools on board
What I Like
Price
$556.66
More Info
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Image
Dyson Slim Ball Animal Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Model
Dyson Slim Ball Animal
Dimensions (WxLxH)
13.4" x 14.5" x 41.9"
Color
Purple
Weight
15.2 Pounds
Suction Power (Boost Mode)
140 AW
Cord Length
24.5 ft
Maximum Reach
40 ft
Cleaning Path
13.4 inches
Capacity
0.42 gallons
Advanced Whole-Machine Filtration
Cyclone Technology
Radial Root Cyclone
Self-Adjusting Cleaner Head
Ball™ Technology
Washable lifetime filter
Tangle-Free Turbine Tool
All tools on board
What I Like
Price
$482.98
More Info

Dyson Slim Ball Animal vs Animal 2: Differences

After examining the differences between the two machines, I conclude Dyson Ball Animal 2 wins 3:0 against Dyson Slim Ball Animal thanks to its suction power, cleaning performance, noise level, and attachments. Read the analysis below to learn more details.

Cleaning performance

The winner: Dyson Ball Animal 2

Performance on hard floors

These machines work great on many types of floors, such as hardwood, vinyl, laminate, tile, and so on. From my experience, I found that they handled fine debris equally well. After just the first pass, they pick up things like sugar, chili flakes, rice, and oats.

They have such good cleaning performance due to the self-adjusting cleaner head. On the bottom of the main nozzle, there is an active baseplate that will move up and down depending on the floor surface. Therefore, the cleaner head will automatically adjust its height for the user. In addition, those baseplates also minimize the distance between the device and the floor, thereby helping these vacuums to reduce suction loss around the circumference of the nozzle.

The self-adjusting cleaner head of Dyson Ball Animal 2
The self-adjusting cleaner head of Dyson Ball Animal 2

Besides, their brush bar can be turned on and off, so it can be disabled if needed. When the brush roll is turned off, the machine will vacuum the floor more gently, reducing scratches and not scattering debris.

However, I consider that Dyson Ball Animal 2 performs better on this task. The difference is that Dyson Ball Animal 2 has stronger suction than Dyson Slim Ball Animal. Slim Ball Animal’s motor efficiency is 200 AW, while the Animal 2’s is 224 AW.

For those who don’t know, Airwatt (AW) measures how efficient a vacuum cleaner is in relation to its airflow and power consumption. The larger the Airwatt, the stronger the vacuuming power. According to my research, machines with a vacuum capacity of 150 to 250 AW are suitable for houses, hotels, and small and medium-sized warehouses.

Tested for their ability to suck up large debris, I observed that Animal 2 had no trouble sucking up cat food and full-sized Froot Loops, while the Slim Ball Animal needed a few more passes to pick up all the things.

Performance on carpets

Both machines pick up dirt and debris pretty well on low-pile carpets, even with large debris. Their brush roll is very stiff, which allows the machine to dig deeper into the carpet and pick up more dirt with every pass. On high-pile carpets, I noticed they struggled to pick up large particles, and I had to use the wand to get the problem resolved faster.

Their powerful suction strength helps to remove dirt and debris more effectively but also causes some trouble for users when vacuuming thick carpets. There is too much suction on the carpet makes the units difficult to move, and you need more effort to push/pull them. Dyson Ball Animal has both stronger suction and heavier weight, so pushing it to roll on the carpet takes more force.

Pet hair performance

These vacuums are rather great at picking up fur. The strong suction and very stiff brush allow them to pick up fur no matter what type of floor they are on. You will be horrified to know how much hair is underneath your carpet.

However, the problem is that both machines do not have an anti-tangle function, so every time I finished vacuuming, it took me time to remove the hair wrapped around the roller. If you don’t have furry pets in your house, I don’t think this is a big deal for you. But it’s different for someone who owns both dogs and cats, like me. Luckily, it’s not too difficult to clean the brush bar. The baseplate of the nozzle is designed to be easily removed, making it easier for users to reach the brush roll and clean it.

Dirt bin and filtration

The winner: Dyson Ball Animal 2

Dirt bin

Both vacuum cleaners come without bags. All the dirt is housed in dust cups made from clear, hard plastic, so it’s easy to see inside. In terms of volume, the Dyson Ball Animal 2’s dust cup has a capacity of 0.55 gallons, which is larger than the Dyson Slim Ball’s. To my knowledge, their capacity is fairly large, thereby you don’t need to empty them frequently.

Please empty the tank when the dirt reaches the level of the MAX mark. Press down the button on the top of the carrying handle on the dirt canister to remove the dirt bin. Then, press the other release button to open the lid cover at the bottom of the bin to release the dirt.

These machines have the same dirt compartment design. From my point of view, I don’t really like this kind of design because it requires more maintenance. On the bottom lid, there are baffles, and when you empty the trash, dirt gets stuck to these, so you have to clean it from time to time. In addition, you also need to make sure there is no dirt around the cyclone, as this will cause it to lose suction.

Filtration

These two machines share the same filtration system. Each system features two filters, one inside the dirt compartment and the other inside the ball. These systems can capture 99.97% of microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and more. They trap dirt and remove odors, making them suitable for those with allergies or respiratory problems.

The pre-motor filter on the Dyson Ball Animal 2
The pre-motor filter on the Dyson Ball Animal 2

With the filter on top, open the cover on the top of the cyclone and pull out the filter. With the bottom filter, turn the central locking knob on the ball’s outer shell counterclockwise until the cap is opened. Then, lift off the cover, and rotate the filter a quarter turn counterclockwise to release it. Both filters are washable, so you don’t have to spend on replacement or routine maintenance. Only use cold water to clean the filters, and let them dry completely for at least 24 hours before using them again.

Design and convenience

The winner: Dyson Ball Animal 2

Maneuverability

These machines are about the same size. They all have low profiles, so getting under the kitchen cabinets, around furniture, and in other tight places is easy. However, the “ball” is a bit big so that the machines can get under some low-rise furniture.

When it comes to weight, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 weighs 17.5 pounds, while the Dyson Slim Ball Animal weighs only 15.2 pounds. The weight advantage makes the Slim Ball easier to navigate. The Slim Ball is lighter, and its suction power is smaller than the Animal 2’s, so the user will put in less effort when pushing and pulling the machine on dense carpets.

Range

Both machines have a maximum reach of 40 feet. Their hose is relatively long, so it is quite convenient for users to vacuum the stairs. You just place the vacuum cleaner at the foot of the stairs and extend the hose to clean upstairs. In this situation, the weight becomes an advantage. It helps the machine to stand more firmly on the floor without falling over.

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 has a 30-foot power cord, whereas the Dyson Slim Ball Animal’s power cord is only 24.5 feet. As you know, the longer the power cord, the larger the cleaning range of the vacuum cleaner. With the Animal 2, I can vacuum quite a large area without needing to change another outlet.

These two machines have the same cleaning path width, which is about 13.4 inches. It is rather large, thereby making cleaning quicker, especially when vacuuming large areas.

Noise level

Regarding the noise level, Dyson Ball Animal 2 is quieter than Dyson Slim Ball Animal. From what I measured, the Animal 2’s average noise level is 76 dB, while the Slim Ball Animal’s average noise level is 80 dB.

Overall, both machines have higher-than-average noise levels for an upright vacuum. When the sound level exceeds 75 dB, it is difficult for you to vacuum and talk at the same time normally. The sound tends to drown out your voice.

In my opinion, noise levels like the Dyson Ball Animal’s are acceptable. You know, most upright vacuum cleaners make noise. With a powerful motor and quick cleaning, the vacuuming time is not long, so such a noise level does not affect me too much.

Dyson Slim Ball Animal vs Animal 2: Similarities

Radial root CYCLONe technology

These machines are all equipped with Radial Root Cyclone technology. According to Dyson, this technology allows the airflow to be adjusted to maximize the suction power of the device. The flow efficiency is also improved, thereby reducing turbulence and maintaining the air pressure. Thanks to that, the suction strength is guaranteed to be stable. Besides, this technology also creates internal cyclones to separate the microscopic particles in the air, hence helping to remove more dirt, allergens, and pet hair.

ball Technology

The “ball” design is one of the points that distinguish these machines from others. According to Dyson, polypropylene balls have more than 100 key components layered inside. It is reinforced with glass for better engine protection. The compressed air and low center of gravity increase the stability and maneuverability. As the ball’s axis tilts, its rotation tightens, allowing the user to navigate the unit more precisely.

Quick Rundown Of Dyson Ball Animal 2

Dyson Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Ball Animal 2, Iron/Purple
  • Strongest suction of any vacuum; Even more power for tough tasks
  • Self adjusting cleaner head seals in suction across carpet, wood, vinyl, and tile floors
  • Tangle free turbine tool, stair tool, combination tool included
  • Whole machine filtration ensures that allergens are trapped inside the machine, not expelled back into the home.
  • Hygienically empty the bin with the push of a button
Pros
  • The suction power is phenomenal
  • It performs pretty well on both hard floors and carpets
  • The dust cup is easy to remove and empty
  • The roller brush attachment works well for vacuuming furniture
  • The self-adjusting cleaner head is really useful
Cons
  • It requires more effort to roll on thick carpets

Quick Rundown Of Dyson Slim Ball Animal

Dyson Slim Ball Animal Upright Vacuum Cleaner
  • Self-adjusting cleaner head automatically raises and lowers to seal in suction across all floor types.
  • Instant-release wand and long-reach hose release in one smooth action, so it’s easy to clean up high and under furniture.
  • Ball technology allows you to steer with a turn of the wrist to maneuver easily around furniture and obstacles and into difficult places.
  • Four Dyson-engineered accessories in the box: Combination tool, Stair tool, Tangle-free turbine tool, and Multi-angle brush.
  • 0.4-gallon bin capacity.
Pros
  • It has lighter weight than previous models
  • It is easy to maneuver
  • The filtration system does a pretty good job
  • It is great for picking up pet hair
  • The filters are all washable lifetime
Cons
  • It is fairly loud
  • The power cord is short

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