Best Dyson Vacuum Cleaners

Dyson has come a long way since the original Dyson Ball, and while there are a host of other products for different scenarios, this pet-friendly variation of the Dyson Ball keeps the original disruptive design alive and well. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 looks much like how you would picture a Dyson vacuum—sleek, silver, and futuristic. This upright vacuum is nearly 18 lbs and looks like it, which can be off-putting to some.

The internal features, however, more than makeup for the added weight. For example, the included tangle-free turbine tool is one of the best pet attachments for upholstery out of any upright we’ve seen. The Dyson’s Ball technology is also easily maneuverable and makes moving this product around the house easier than it should be.

The Ball design, however, is somewhat antiquated when it comes to hardwood floors. While you can turn the brush roll on and off for hardwood, there’s no dedicated soft brush for the floors. This isn’t a problem for many, but with other products in Dyson’s current lineup offering something similar, it can be hard not to wonder what could have been if it was included.

Overall, this is a modern-day take on an original, flagship product that’s sure to please many. It may not be the lightest or the most powerful in the Dyson lineup, but for pet owners it might just be ideal.

The Dyson V8 comes with all of the main selling points of the Ball Animal 2 without the higher price tag or the weight. There are a few trade-offs to be made, but generally, these two vacuums are similar in performance.

The cordless design is a huge plus to many who dislike having to change outlets whenever they run out of cord or worry about entangling and toppling furniture. Likewise, up to 40 minutes of battery life is impressive, give the small size of the unit. Max power mode proves to drain the battery much quicker, but provided you’re conservative with your vacuuming you shouldn’t have to worry about running out of juice.

The biggest selling point of the V8 for us is probably the motorized soft roller brush head, which deep cleans hard surfaces without posing a risk to their long-term viability. Our other favorite feature is handheld mode, which makes upholstery and above-ground cleaning easy. Plus, you can use the included motorized pet tool to make quick work of couches and stairs.

The trigger-based operation on the V8 is a little frustrating, and for those who vacuum frequently the design might prove uncomfortable. The smaller bin coupled with the excellent suction quality also means frequent trips to the trash can. For more power, a more reliable battery, and a larger bin, Dyson offers the V10 to alleviate some of the problems caused by the relatively reduced price of the V8. Setting these issues aside, we’re big fans of the stick design and would welcome Dyson’s entry into the sector with open arms.

Handheld vacuums tend to feature little more than a crevice tool, but Dyson’s foray into this sector comes with every ounce of power and design for which the company is known. The Dyson V7 Trigger, much like the V8, uses trigger operation to turn a motorized brush roll. With half of the weight removed, the V7 Trigger is nimble, easy to use, and, while still uncomfortable in the long-term, nevertheless feels a bit more ergonomic.

The combination tool gives you access to both the popular brush and crevice attachments, and since this is another cordless offering from Dyson, it can be used in the car just as quickly as it can be used in the home.

The major limiting factor with the V7 Trigger is probably the lack of hose. Since the tubing itself is relatively short, and the bin relatively large, getting into tight spaces with the Mini-Motorized tool is going to be a bit of a challenge. The V7 Trigger also drains quickly when in motorized mode, but given the size, this is understandable. Complaints aside, this is one of the most powerful handheld vacuums on the market today and remains near the top of our picks for best handheld vacuum in any sort of comparison made.

Canister vacuums tend to come with more power and more might than their upright or stick counterparts. Even when accounting for the powerful suction found on other Dyson products, the Dyson Big Ball Canister vacuum seems to outshine them all in this front.

The Big Ball is a large, silver canister vacuum that easily follows you around as you clean your home despite its 18 lb weight. A self-righting canister design also means that you can pull on the 10 ft hose all you’d like without worrying about damaging or tipping the unit. With the included turbine floor tool, carpet cleaning is a cinch, and the stair tool can similarly make quick work of multi-floor homes and complex home layouts.

Much like the Dyson Ball Animal 2, the Big Ball Canister comes with Dyson’s comprehensive 5-year warranty. It’s a bit loud—almost too loud for pets—but provided you can get those with sensitive ears out of the room, there’s more than enough oomph in the motor to get things done fast. We do wish attachments and attachment storage was improved, particularly considering the asking price on this vacuum. However, what is included is powerful, capable, and easy to maintain.