A vacuum cleaner with powerful suction can be a real godsend for allergy sufferers and Dyson has delivered just that for many years on end. Below we offer an in depth review of the Dyson Ball Animal 2 for allergy and asthma sufferers.
Though it’s named after its ability to support households with pets, we find this vacuum to be something of a beast! TL;DR, it is hugely powerful and sucks up more allergens than you possibly could have imagined, yet it’s also a bit of a handful to wield.
Let’s dive into exploring this beast of a machine so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your home.
Our Rating: Dyson Ball Animal 2
Overall Rating
Recommended
| Dyson Ball Animal 2 | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Size | 4.2 |  |
| Performance (including suction power) | 4.5 |  |
| Type of Filtration | 4.3 | |
| Technology | 4.5 | |
| Features | 4.0 | |
| Durability and Warranty | 4.1 | |
| Price | 3.0 |  |
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is one of the upright vacuums in the Dyson stable. The machine’s colossal suction ensures top notch cleaning of pet hair and other allergens on bare floors and carpets alike. But, the weight of the vacuum makes it a little cumbersome despite the added maneuverability of Dyson’s ball technology.
Asthma & Allergy Friendly Design
For allergic families, what we love most about the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is that it is solidly built for allergy sufferers. It’s immense suction power is unparalleled!
Not only does it pick up more dirt, dust, pet hair, dander and other particles that have settled deep into carpet or upholstery fibers, it’s also allergy certified. The fact that it picks up a lot is one thing.
Unlike most vacuum cleaners, especially cheaper models, this beast of a machine also ensures everything it picks up stays inside. It doesn’t leak unfiltered air or recirculate dust and other allergens back into the air.
That’s all thanks to the highest standard of HEPA filtration it uses. Trapping more than 99.97% of particles greater than 0.3 microns with its whole machine filtration capabilities, is a serious contender for asthma and allergy sufferers!
Pet Friendly Design
Whether you have allergies or not, living with a pet, especially one that sheds a lot can be a real pain! High shedding breeds can create a carpet of their own even when their coat isn’t going through the typical seasonal blowouts!
No matter if you live with a German Shepherd, a Ragdoll cat or any other type of high shedding breed the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is your ally in keeping your home fur and dander free.
Key Features
- AAFA certified due to whole machine filtration, keep allergens trapped.
- Ball technology for precise cleaning with a twist of the wrist.
- Radial root cyclone technology for capturing microscopic dust.
- Engineered for powerful cleaning on carpets, wood floors, vinyl and tile.
- Self-adjusting cleaner head to suction and deep clean all types of surfaces.
- Instant release and high reaching wand for ergonomic cleaning.
- Tangle free turbine tool for removing hair from carpet without wrapping on a brush bar.
- One-click, hands-free dirt emptying.
- Stair tool for simple and effective cleaning on staircases.
- Washable, lifetime HEPA filter included with no extra costs for it.
Price
Dyson is known for creating high-end quality products, and this reflects in the price of the Animal 2. While there are certainly more affordable options on the market, a good vacuum cleaner is a worthwhile investment for allergy sufferers to keep their indoor air quality pristine!
Design
A modern and sleek purple and gray exterior helps to give the Dyson Ball Animal 2 an elevated aesthetic. The canister is clear, so you can see how much dirt and debris are being collected. The dust cyclones that Dyson is famous for (and that power the overall suction) are also clearly visible.
Space is provided on the body of the vacuum to store the multiple attachments when they’re not in use. The accessibility of these items saves you time because you won’t need to search all over your home for the pieces.
Functionality
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is about the same size as other upright, bagless vacuum cleaners with powerful suction. The attachment tools work well and the cleaning reach (power cord, hose, wand) is very long.
The biggest drawback of this machine is that it is a little heavy (17.4 lbs) and can be quite cumbersome. The ball helps with maneuverability but can also be ineffective on carpeted areas.
The self-adjusting head combined with powerful suction can cause the vacuum to stick and it requires immense pressure to move on some types of carpets. If you are not afraid of a heavyish machine and are looking for flat out cleaning power, this vacuum will most certainly deliver.
Pros
- Very powerful suction
- Effective at pulling up pet hair
- Thoroughly cleans both hard floors and carpet
- Washable filters
- Long cleaning reach
- Whole machine HEPA filtration
- Hands-off, easy to empty dust canister
- Assembly is simple and quick
- Large cleaner head with wide cleaning path
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Reviews From Allergy Sufferers:
What They Loved
“I have been running my vac every single day and I am just shocked at the amount of crud and dirt, and hair that this thing pulls up!”
“I have a child whom is suffering from asthma and allergies, on top of suffering from allergies myself...since using this my son’s asthma has been much better, not as much coughing, etc.”
“I am still this morning in disbelief as to how much hair and dirt the Dyson pulled out of our carpet! … My wife - who was even more skeptical than I was about this purchase - also said the carpet felt almost brand new under her feet.”
Cons
- Heavy
- Awkward to lock into upright position
- Difficult to push on very deep pile carpet (like shag)
- Can stick to some throw rugs
- Large head can be hard to get under low furniture
- Active base plate has tendency to push larger debris around
- A little on the expensive side, though a fair price for the power it offers
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Reviews From Allergy Sufferers:
The Not So Great Stuff
“Too much suction for medium pile carpet.”
“The "ball" is great for maneuvering on the carpets and hardwood but is too big to allow the sweeper to go under furniture.”
“Harder to push than traditional bagless.”
“On hardwood floors, tile floors, and indoor/outdoor carpet, it is great. But, on my normal carpet, which is not a shag or any big pile, it takes about 60 lbs. of force to push it across the floor.”
“Power Cable - A bit ungainly. Stability - Has a tendency to fall over if not locked upright correctly.”
“My only suggestion would be that Dyson include the extension hose with the vacuum. Hose is short and awkward to use without it.”
“My only complaint is the hook to wrap the power cable is on the hose so anytime you want to use the hose, you have to unwrap all of the wire.”
The Verdict
We love this machine! It is consistently one of our top picks for different vacuum cleaner categories due to the unparalleled suction power it offers. We also love that it is purpose built for allergy sufferers and asthmatics with whole machine filtration.
If you have carpet areas and aren’t keen on a mini-workout every time you vacuum, then this may not be the best option for you.
Specifications
| Certification | Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly |
| Manufacturer | Dyson USA Inc |
| Date Certified | 2017-02-01 |
| Test Prototype ID | 03-01 |
| Cert Number AAFC | 1395/17/03//01/1989 |
| Color | Iron/Purple |
| Surface Recommendation | Hard floor, Carpet, Dual action |
| Type | Upright |
| Dimensions (Height X Length X Width) | 42.13 in X 15.35 in X 13.39 in |
| Cyclone Technology | Radial Root cyclone |
| Bagged / Bagless | Bagless |
| Pet Hair Features | Yes |
| Approx Weight | 17.4lbs |
| Filter Type | HEPA filter |
| Filtration | Washable lifetime filter |
| Cleaner Head | Self-adjusting cleaner head |
| Power Cord Length | 31 feet |
| Voltage | 110120 Volts |
| Maximum Reach | 40 ft |
| Motor Driven Brushbar | Yes |
| Included | Combination tool, Stair tool |
| Warranty | 5 years |
